Problems with summer soccer must be attended to

National League column: Has the improvement in results of National League teams in Europe over the last two seasons overshadowed the concern among many clubs that summer soccer just hasn't worked?

Following their continental campaign last year - which drew 24,000 to Lansdowne Road for their clash with Deportivo La Coruna - Shelbourne again drew large crowds, and again received extensive media attention, for their Champions League games with Glentoran and Steaua Bucharest this season.

Cork City's rousing 0-0 draw with Djurgardens, and qualification for the first round proper of the Uefa Cup, before a packed Turner's Cross last Thursday (and beamed live on television) further strengthened the perception that everything's rosy in the domestic game.

There can be little doubt that the switch to a summer season has greatly benefited the league's European participants - one of its chief aims.

Irish teams are fitter and better-organised and have acquired a tactical nous conducive to competing in Europe that was lacking heretofore.

However, a noticeable drop off in attendances - particularly during July and August - at many clubs not competing at the business end of things has caused a ripple of concern.

Waterford United, top of the table - albeit for a brief week - back in April, drew up to 3,000 for the Munster derby with Cork City at the RSC five weeks later. When they sank to 10th place by July, attendances of only 300 or so were recorded for the visits of UCD and Bray Wanderers.

A recent St Patrick's Athletic derby meeting with Shelbourne attracted less than 1,900 to Richmond Park. The game was live on television and St Patrick's are a team in transition, but, still, that fixture attracted crowds almost double that a few years ago.

Longford Town, despite their achievements in winning two FAI Cups and a League Cup in the last two years, say their crowds are down noticeably on winter seasons. A mere 800 attended their FAI Cup game with UCD on Saturday night.

First Division leaders Sligo Rovers average around 1,200 - but stress that would be 20 to 30 per cent higher in a winter season, owing mainly to the counterattraction of GAA in the summer months. Dublin City, whose crowds barely exceed a couple of hundred, would lead the call for a change back to the traditional season.

Contrary to the perception of some, though, unofficial attendance figures tell us crowds have actually increased marginally on last year's average of approximately 1,600 to over 1,800 - though Cork going so well may be the chief reason for that.

Those figures are for the Premier Division only, leaving crowds here comparable to those in the Conference in England. Average attendances for both National League divisions are between 12,000 and 13,000 per round of 11 games.

Having had three years now of the change, all clubs have been asked by the league for submissions on how it has worked or otherwise with a view to structuring 2006 and beyond.

At a "Media, Marketing and Money" seminar the league is hosting tomorrow, Professor Bill Gerrard of Leeds University, an international authority on sports finance, will tell us the National League is categorised fifth - on a ranking scale of six - for average attendances from the top divisions across Europe. Ireland is bottom of that fifth category (1,500- 3,000), somewhat surprisingly behind the likes of Cyprus and Albania.

Whatever about attendances, there is little doubt that on the field is where the real benefits have occurred. And the absence of complaints from players is interesting. In a survey done by the PFAI last season, over 90 per cent of players said they would like a mid-season break, though little more than half that number said they would accept a pay freeze during it.

A hiatus is almost certain for next summer's World Cup finals in Germany - especially so should Ireland qualify.

Summer soccer here has attracted interest from overseas, with both the League of Wales - who sent a delegation to speak to clubs here - and the Irish League considering following suit.

Despite reservations in some quarters, it would appear the bulk of the Premier Division clubs would be reluctant to switch back now.

Unless those who continue to harbour qualms about it can mount a strong campaign to convince those who are relatively happy with the status quo, summer soccer looks here to stay.