Eircom League of Ireland - last updated on 6 October 2008
(Courtesy of Johnny Beaufays)
Competition name: Eircom League of Ireland
Foundation: 2006
Country: Republic of Ireland
Website: www.eircomloi.ie
A bit of history:
The FAI Eircom League of Ireland is the Republic of Ireland's current national football league system created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. It is a revamped continuation of the old league. The merger brought an end to the administration system that was inaugurated in 1921 and run by the league's clubs. It replaced it with a new one under the sole auspices of the FAI. The league contains a total of 22 clubs split into the 12-teamed Premier Division and the 10-teamed FAI First Division. The league kicked off in March 2008.
The new league is managed and marketed entirely by the FAI and improved standards are expected. All clubs participating in the old league were invited to apply for inclusion in the new Premier Division. Those that did not make the cut played in the FAI First Division, so long as they are were possession of the required licence.
The league includes one club from Northern Ireland, Derry City. Derry City formerly played in the Irish Football League, but voluntarily left that league following the 1972-73 season because of safety and security concerns. Derry City joined the Republic's league at the second level in 1985, after a special dispensation from the Irish Football Association (IFA) and UEFA. It won promotion in 1987, and has stayed in the top flight ever since, being granted entry to the new Premier Division recently also. No teams from the Republic play in the northern league.
Competition crests: (roll on the crest to get more informations)
Eircom League of Ireland
