In recent weeks, the already fractious relationship between the League of Ireland community and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) became even more strained with the announcement of €5,000 being made available to teams for "strategic planning".
The FAI recently announced that they would be splitting an investment of €100,000 between the 20 clubs that make up the League of Ireland. However, clubs like St Patrick's Athletic and Derry City have both come out and rejected the funding and claimed that the game in Ireland "is in crisis".
Speaking on last night's Soccer Republic on RTE, former Republic of Ireland boss and supporter of the league, Brian Kerr, voiced his anger and frustration at the FAI’s Director of Competitions Fran Gavin.
Gavin said that the strategic plan may cost clubs "anything from around €3,000 upwards" and Kerr was quick to pour cold water on what he referred to as "bunkum".
"What's the point in the strategic plan? Surely the €100,000 should be put towards people in the league to develop the commercial side and develop the profile of the league. We don't have any dedicated people involved in running the league now. Your role as Director of the League is no longer just of the league, you're involved in the cup competitions at all levels.
"The frustrations levels across the league are remarkable the frustration levels of supporters about the facilities - the lack of facilities, the facilities for female supporters going to the games, the pitches, the dressing rooms are desperate.
"All around the country there are ferociously bad facilities and nothing has been done about it for years and years.
"Talking about strategic planning now for five years is a load of bunkum. The €100,000 is a pittance in terms of the money the FAI are getting in. Where is the leadership in the FAI in relation to the league?
"They (FAI) are all a fuss about Dundalk this week. Why wasn’t there all this fuss about the league before the season started?"
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