Fans supportive of protocols to allow return of League of Ireland crowds

Unsurprisingly League of Ireland fans are keen to return to watch their team in action in person as soon as possible, with the overwhelming majority noting they would adhere to Covid-19 public health guidance to help in that process. 

Their motivation to return is driven by providing financial support to their club, football being their main pastime, and that the game is a key social outlet.

The views have been highlighted in the results from an extensive survey carried out by the Irish Supporters Network (ISN) that have been published on the eve of the start of the League of Ireland season. 

Over 1,800 supporters responded to ISN’s survey which was supported by the Irish Football Supporters Partnership (IFSP), the Confederation of Republic of Ireland Supporters Clubs and YBIG Independent Supporters Mandate.

The IFSP has two representatives on FAI Council with their aim of ensuring that fans have a voice within the association’s structures.

Asked when they would like to return to watching live football, 71% of respondents the survey said they would seek to return “as soon as possible”, ahead of “when there are no restrictions on gate numbers” (10%) and “when Covid is no longer an issue at all” (10%).

Asked if they were willing to adhere to public health guidance and stadium protocols in order to facilitate a limited return when it is safe to do so, the overwhelming majority (99%) of respondents answered ‘Yes’. 

On measures that would encourage supporters to return to grounds once it’s safe to do so, mask wearing in the stadium was seen as an important consideration by 71%, with 60% supportive of a phased exit from the stadium at the conclusion of matches.

Just over a quarter of respondents had the opportunity to attend a League of Ireland fixture after grounds opened up again with limited capacity last summer.

The vast majority that had this opportunity felt the guidance and instructions provided were ‘very clear’ and, when asked to share additional feedback, ISN commented that feedback noted responsdents strongly commended clubs for their work in ensuring games were safe and followed protocols. 



The Secretary of the ISN Niamh O’Mahony, commenting on the survey, noted that “everyone involved in League of Ireland football is anxious to have supporters back in grounds once it’s safe for them to return. They are hugely supportive of any public health guidance and the stadia protocols that will allow that to happen.

“Feedback from the games in the second half of 2020 was really positive in terms of the clubs implementing public health measures and ensuring fixtures were run in a safe and organised manner.

"The data also speaks for itself – not a single Covid-19 outbreak was linked to League of Ireland games or training in 2020, and clubs, volunteers and supporters can all take credit for that.”

The League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon welcomed the survey’s publication and stated that the FAI had “recently presented a report on a safe Return to Watch strategy to Government in conjunction with the IRFU and the GAA and the data contained in this survey supports our belief that fans can return in a safe and secure manner once the current COVID-19 lockdown eases.

“Our League of Ireland clubs worked really hard to complete our Leagues last season and to read the endorsement of the fans for all the measures undertaken is a testament to the work of all concerned.”

    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile