Regionalisation needs to be discussed before reorganisation
Dramatic and ambitions developments in European leagues, in this instance Russian and Ukraine, who have taken Michel Platini’s endorsement for the regionalisation of domestic leagues, should inspire the imagination of every football fan and administrator in a league with problems.
Scotland has a league with problems.
Our clubs and national association are committed to reorganisation but neither proposal from the Scottish Premier League or Scottish Football League does anything to halt the inevitable decline and marginalisation of our clubs.
In the 60s, 70s and 80s well-run Scottish provincial clubs regularly beat leading teams from big European countries but since then our small domestic market TV market has made most Scottish clubs also-rans, both in Europe and at home. We have a league system where the battle for second place is competitive and interesting but does not carry a meaningful reward; only one club is capable of winning the league.
Before making any changes to our league system we need to consider what changes are happening elsewhere in Europe and have a mature conversation about regionalisation.
Ordered the CQN Annual yet? It is a product of literary brilliance. Get it here in time for Christmas!