retired_rajagopal

I agree Promotion is the only thing, and if that is secured then cups that get you into Europe are the only other thing

retired_dvrsecuritylab

Occasionally teams which win promotion from the Cymru Alliance or Welsh League decline to apply to the FAW for promotion to the Welsh Premier.

Sometimes they get refused application because their grounds don't meet the required standard, as happened to Neath Athletic this year, but Welsh League champions Goytre United and both clubs who finished in the top two in the Cymru Alliance (Glantraeth and Buckley Town) declined to apply. This is why the Welsh Premier only has 17 teams this year.

The reason often cited is that the clubs can't afford the extra wages/ground maintenance without good sponsorship - Grange Quins season was devastated last year when their sponsor withdrew and they simply couldn't compete.

retired_jsammut

Although the decision would always be taken by the chairman/board, not by the team manager as Gomdol asked.

How anybody could want anything other than promotion is beyond me. I'd dream of a chance of promotion right now. Actually a win right now wouldn't go amiss either...

retired_tinalue

It took 5 years to get Jevnaker promoted to the Norwegian First Division and then just one to send them back down again, but I wouldn't have given up that promotion for anything!

KingsbayYHPE

I have to say, and I thought the same four years ago, I'm astouned that this is even a subject for discussion, a consideration for a subject for discussion.

Sport is striving to be the best, anyone involved in football who didn't strive for promotion would be cheating himself and the fans.

retired_chairman413

There are two arguments about the striving to be the best.

The first is kids playing, where they are told to have fun. Obviously in these situations participation and enjoyment are good enough reasons to play.

In the professional game, money could be more important then how the team does on the pitch. Why else do lower clubs routinely sell their best players to higher clubs. Obviously they will be less competitive on the pitch, but they still sell. They obviously do this for the long term and financial stability of the club.
This is the same reason a club could decline promotion.
It does not mean they will not try their hardest to win the league and each individual game, but it may not be in the clubs best interest to play at a higher level. (Where they would not be competitive at all.

retired_pmetzger1

Really? You won't find many fans saying "Oh well, we finished mid table again, but at least we made a profit. I'm really pleased that the board doesn't show any ambition and sign us some better players with the money they're making. Who'd want to play in the next division up anyway?"

retired_lynn sweatt

A little thought i was having about crowd attendances. Would you have better attendances if you was setting a lower league on fire, or if you got promoted stayed in the bottom 3 all season?

retired_chairman413

That wasnt posted from the fans point of view, it was clearly from a perspective of those who run the club and have a large financial interest in it.

KingsbayYHPE

It's one of the cancers that are killing football just now. Football's being taken away from the working man and given to the businessmen, the media, the rich and the famous.

Guys didn't become involved in the running of football clubs to make money, they did it for the love of the game.

If a Club broke even at the end of the season and gained promotion to the league above then the board were successful.

Managers lose their job for lack of success, how many take the Club into the division below and keep their job? Not many.

Managers and boards who strive for mediocrity are destined for a fanless club.