Radical thinking needed on league reconstruction

613

The great and the good (extensive poetic licence used) of the SPL and SFL will gather at Hampden tomorrow to shuffle the deckchairs of Scottish football.  For reasons which no one has, or will, explain, it will be suggested that three leagues, with 12, 12 and 18 teams, will be able to resolve the problems of our game.

There will be no consultation with fans, Uefa or neighbouring associations, and no claim will be made that this reorganisation will be able to resolve a single significant issue.

For all its limited appeal, the Scottish Football League is in rude health.  On the whole clubs live within their means and in places play important roles in their communities.  This is as good as it gets for the likes of Alloa, Montrose or Brechin City.  They could all benefit from a higher solidarity payment from above, but this would be the case no matter what level the trickle-down was set at. Their interests would be best served by ensuring that those sending payments down the pyramid are as fat as possible.

The clubs with most to gain from substantive change are those condemned to compete for second place in the SPL.  Dundee United, Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts have been neutered in recent decades.  United and Aberdeen have gone from being the two most impressive clubs in Europe at developing young talent, to clubs who cannot hold onto players long enough to put a competitive team on the field.

Scottish clubs with ample support, stadium and coaching talent have been left behind by smaller clubs in England, from Wigan to Burnley, who benefit from operating in a more lucrative commercial environment.

Hearts are trying to sell shares to raise a few million to keep themselves afloat at the moment.  The club would be worth ten times as much if it was located 100 miles down the road, or structural change made it possible for it to benefit from a more valuable environment.  Shares in clubs like Aberdeen, Dundee United and Hibs would also be worth many multiples of their current value.

Stephen Thompson has spoken of the financial burden Dundee United place on his family, a regionalised league structure would turn this burden into a vastly more valuable legacy.  It beggars belief that Hearts, United, Aberdeen and the rest have not grasped this reality and started to make inroads.

It’s time for some radical thinking.

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613 Comments

  1. cliftonville celt from belfast on

    Linfield are what the zombies aspire to be !!!!! Even though half their team come from west belfast (seriously)

     

     

    Glens support probably smaller tonight as the rest are currently bricking the peelers & short strand as we speak

     

     

    Crusaders are Huns who hate cliftonville as local rivals

     

     

    Portadown probably worst hun team after linfield – used to protest at cliftonville fans being allowed to travel to portadown cos we were republicans

  2. saltires en sevilla on

    celtictom

     

     

    21:11 on

     

    7 January, 2013

     

     

    Some good ideas mate

     

     

    However before we get to any of that we need to change the fitba culture

     

     

    Change the match officials – bring in 30 continental with admin team

  3. estorilbhoy – Thanks for the Gleneagles info. The 201gbp deal is valid through April but they also have a decent deal for only 25gbp more per person through October. I will look into that as well

  4. rangers are not my favourite team csc on

    channelislandcelt

     

    21:24 on

     

    7 January, 2013

     

    Either daft ,a hun or even both.

     

     

    HH.

     

     

    i love the way posters on this site insult people they do not agree

     

    adult version of cyber bulling

  5. Paul67 et al

     

     

    A belated Happy New Year to one and all!

     

     

    A year ahead full of challenges and opportunities.

     

    Sounds like a horoscope reading but pretty much on the money.

     

     

    Regardless of what we think about the proposals one thing is for sure the views of the football supporter in Scotland have been totally ignored. Let me know when the SFA, SPL and SFL rip up their articles of association, and we will take it from there.

  6. Gene's a Bhoys name on

    Saltires

     

    You’ll note the game turned after i put my weight behind the reds – no thanks necessary

  7. mncelt,

     

    If you can get my e-mail from Paul, I could perhaps help you with a game in the Edinburgh area. This will depend on dates. Happy to help.

  8. Tbj.

     

     

    Its a biggotfest on zm.

     

    The sad thing is they actually believe chuckles is their saviour.

     

    Naw its no sad its bellyburstin.hail hail

  9. PFayr

     

     

    Liked the positive singing by the Cheltenham fans………………..

     

     

    “we’re gonna win 6-5!”

  10. rangers are my favourite team csc @ 21:07 on

     

     

    “i genuinely thought was witty”

     

     

    I genuinely think you are a f.u.d

  11. channelislandcelt on

    Cyber BULLING indeed ,you been v good at that over the last few evenings :0)

     

     

    HH.

  12. mncelt

     

     

    golf is rubbish, dont waste your time, alternatively wander around the hills with a stick and randomly stock and take imaginary shots, while giving yourself daft made up scores

     

     

    oh thats a buzzard

     

    two under the wether thats a seagull

     

     

    etc etc.

     

     

    alternatively try the Port Golf Club, they now let tims in.

     

     

    also whisky is overated as a drink and burns poetry is crap.

     

     

    Saint Stivs on behalf of the Tourist board.

  13. rangers are not my favourite team csc on

    Michael

     

    21:36 on

     

    7 January, 2013

     

    rangers are my favourite team csc @ 21:07 on

     

     

    “i genuinely thought was witty”

     

     

    I genuinely think you are a f.u.d

     

     

    had to google to find out what a fud is

     

    your post has proved the level of nastiness that percolates around this site at times

  14. Don’t think you need to be mystic meg to see stevie naibalance won’t make it at Everton,he’ll be playing for some mid table championship team sooner rather than later

  15. Gene's a Bhoys name on

    Saltires / Cliftonville

     

    Enjoyed the game – early start tomorrow – night all

  16. Buick

     

     

    Wee stevie naibalance is as hated by the zombies as he is by us. So his chances of playing for that lower league scottish team are zero.

     

    Blackpool might be an option though

  17. Really annoys me poxy no hope of any success EPL teams think they have a sniff of getting our players.

     

     

    WE ARE GIANTS.

     

     

    Even more annoying is why the hell are some of these players entertaining thoughts of leaving?

     

     

    Money ain’t everything , are they mad?

  18. rangers are not my favourite team csc

     

    21:41 on

     

    7 January, 2013

     

     

     

    Yes, so beat it and don’t come back.

  19. Took cliftonville at 2/1 when 1-0 down and in play then 4-1 correct score with couple of mins to go …. Happy days 8-)

  20. I too was lucky enough to play Carnoustie last year.

     

     

    Went down a storm until someone unplugged my guitar at the 18th.

  21. Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on

    The tennents sponsorship deal has only one team involved, Celtic

     

    the other team that was involved no longer exist and the sponsorship expired

     

    dont remember tennents making a new sponsor deal