Clubs to battle for FAI’s increased prize money

THE winners of this year’s eircom League of Ireland will earn a record sum of €545,000 even before television revenue is taken into account.

And, for the first time ever, even the bottom club in the First Division will earn a share of the overall prize money, with the 22 clubs set to receive a total of €2million in direct contributions and subsidies from the FAI.

The figures were released yesterday at the official launch of the new League season which kicks off next Friday, March 7.

Overall prize money for the Premier Division, First Division and League Cup competitions has risen 18% from last season, with the Premier Division winners set to receive €250,000, up from €225,000 last year. But with €260,000 on offer for qualifying for the Champions League, €20,000 for making it into the Setanta Cup and a €15,000 grant available for a club promotion officer, the FAI say this year’s champions will earn €545,000 before tv revenue kicks in.

The FAI also say that a total of €5m euro will be invested in the League this year, with other monies being spent on a television and radio marketing campaign. The new season will also see the arrival of an eircom League Monday night programme on RTÉ television which will feature match highlights, analysis and behind-the-scenes reports.

The pot may be bigger but the stakes are undeniably higher for all the clubs this year, particularly in the Premier Division where three clubs will face the drop with only one coming up from the First Division to compete in the 10-team elite in 2009.

As champions, Drogheda United are obviously the team to beat this year but, with a number of top stars returning to the League from England, changes of management at Cork City, Bohemians and Derry, and a handful of big clubs investing heavily in strengthening their squads, the consensus among players and managers at yesterday’s launch in Dublin was that the 2008 season is set to be one of the most competitive ever in the league.