League moves to reduce fixture jam

Linfield supremo Billy McCoubrey criticised the Irish League's busy fixture schedule. So the decision to revamp the League Cup and axe the Gold Cup should be welcomed, says BBC Sport Online's Lyle Jackson.

Linfield chairman Billy McCoubrey's straight-talking style caused some head-shaking among Irish League chiefs this week.

He was addressing a media conference called to launch the revamped CIS Insurance Cup and, as is his custom, Billy called a spade a spade.

As well as unveiling a revamped League Cup, it was announced that the Gold Cup competition had been scrapped.

Caused unease

And about time too, said Billy - in front of a room packed with journalists, CIS executives and club chairmen.

Now, many people have complained about there being too many competitions in the league's schedule.

With the midweek games coming up against live TV coverage of big European games, local footballers were often playing in front of small crowds.

So the Irish League's move is a good one.

McCoubrey, acting as the IFL's vice-president, declared that for some midweek matches clubs did not know what competition they were playing in.

A new CIS Insurance Cup has been launched

That was the comment which caused unease among the league officials. Washing dirty linen and all that.

Still, the decision to alter the format of the League Cup proves that football chiefs are at last starting to seriously tackle the reasons for the game's demise in Northern Ireland.

For a long time many have regarded the administrators as 'head-in-the-sand' reactionaries - and the critics had a point.

Now changes have been made and the proof of the pudding will be in the playing of the CIS Cup.

Freezing nights

It kicks-off on 28 August and should be done and dusted by the end of November.

"No midweek games on freezing nights in December and January," enthused McCoubrey.

"And the new regionalised format will mean more derby games and less travelling for the fans."

So far, so good.

The next obvious step is to sort out the state of the grounds.

Glenavon, Glentoran and Cliftonville have been working on some improvements during the close season, but many Irish League clubs are playing at grounds which are in a state of obvious decay.

Big question

That was one of the issues facing local sports minister Michael McGimpsey's soccer strategy group.

The 'task force' is due to issue its report in October and it is expected more government money will be earmarked for ground improvements.

Of course, the big question is, will there still be a Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont?

If local government disappears, so too will the hopes of club officials anticipating grants to help upgrade sub-standard facilities.