Who could blame the Government for not investing in the FAI. I wouldn't give them a fiver!

JOE KINNEAR called me at home. It was late in the evening and late in the 20th century.

- camon dunphy

At the time, Irish football was at a crossroads, the glory days of Euro 88 and Italia 90 fading into the past, the talents of Damien Duff and Robbie Keane yet to fully emerge.

The League of Ireland, at that point, was stagnant. The pitches were poor, stadium facilities worse.

So, when Kinnear, a room mate when we were Ireland internationals, gave me a shout, I was interested in what he had to say.

"Wimbledon want to come and set themselves up in Dublin," said Joe. "Sam Hammam is willing to bring the club across to Ireland."

The Premier League supported the move; likewise the consortium I helped to put together, one that included Paul McGuinness, the manager of U2.

We had land to build the stadium; had the Premier League team to play there; the fans to fill it.

But the FAI objected. Those good old boys, with their lack of vision and tired thoughts, thought this idea was a bad one, that it would kill the League of Ireland.

But I knew it wouldn't. The Premier League club, the so-called Dublin Dons, would have been top of the football pyramid.

Rather than send kids across to England to get a football education, we could coach them in academies here. Those who didn't make it into the Premier League team could easily find a new club on their doorstep.

It was a win/win scenario and the FAI still managed to lose. That's why I am sceptical once again.

Those who thought I was anti-League of Ireland don't really know me.

I grew up in the League. Tolka Park was 25 yards from my home. I loved the place, loved the teams and the players.

If there wasn't a match in Tolka, I'd walk to Dalymount, or get the bus across town to Milltown. Those lovely old grounds, with their distinct characteristics, were packed, Sunday after Sunday.