There would seem to be a good support for the formation of a Fermanagh and Western Intermediate League as the responses to a questionnaire sent out by league secretary Gerry Connolly was revealed at a management committee meeting last Thursday night.

In all 21 clubs responded to the questionnaire and of that 21, 16 were in favour of the formation of a local Intermediate League while 12 clubs failed to send in replies.

Ten clubs stated that they would apply to play in the league if an Intermediate League was formed with 11 saying they would not apply although that may change for a number of clubs if they could meet the criteria. For example, Enniskillen Rangers responded that they would be unable to apply as they did not meet the criteria but they would be interested in playing in an Intermediate League if their situation changed.

And this week Rangers’ received written confirmation of winning their planning appeal to develop two pitches at their Woaghternerry site.

Enniskillen Town would be another club who would be in favour of joining the league but at present cannot apply as they do not have their own facilities, while Lisbellaw United are one of those who would apply as their ground has already been passed by the IFA Intermediate Committee, as has NFC Kesh’s Michael Connolly Park, with Kesh set to return to the Fermanagh and Western if an Intermediate League was formed.

Others who have declared their interest include Churchtown, Fintona and Beragh in Division One as well as a number of Division Two and Division Three sides.

The next step will see a sub-comittee set up to look further into the matter of forming a league including what criteria will be required to be met by clubs looking to be involved.

Fermanagh and Western Football League secretary Gerry Connolly feels that if an Intermediate League is to get the go ahead then it will be “at least 18 months down the line” and he also feels that it will only be a success if criteria is meet on the field, as well as off it.

“This is not something that is going to happen over night. If there is a decision to form an Intermediate League then it will be at least 18 months down the line and it will only work if there is criteria meet on the pitch as well as off it. It’s all well and good having the right facilities but there would be no point having an Intermediate League if it was made up of ten Division Three clubs. You need to have the likes of your Towns, Rangers and Shelbournes, clubs who have pedigree behind them, if it is to work,” said Connolly.

And Connolly believes that moving up to Intermediate does not necessarily mean there will be an improvement in standards although there are obviously benefits.

“It would a be a change of name, not standard. Therre are benefits, of course, in that it allows you to play in the Intermediate Cup and the Irish Cup although only your reserves would be in the Junior Cup. It would also see a better quality of referee, and facilities and pitches should be improved,” he commented.

As far as Enniskillen Town are concerned, Connolly states that they will look at again at getting their own ground in the light of Rangers having won their planning appeal.

“It is something that we will definitely look at once more after Rangers got their planning granted,” he said.