SFA

[Hacker Khan]

I got very excited as was expecting a thread about the Super Furry Animals. But instead I get one on amateur football. Disappointing.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

It's a tricky one, given obviously that there is currently no pyramid system in Scotland, it's a rare occurrence in the SFL for a slot to become available for a new side.

The other issue that needs addressing by the governing bodies in Scotland is the lack of a reserve league at the highest level. Once you are too old for the U19s, but not quite good enough for the first team, unless you go out on loan you ain't playing any football.

A pyaramid system is crucial to any league.
I am not sure if the new proposals have entry points at the third level, if not they should have.
The outdated 'Junior' football works as a spoiler to the lower divisions. Some of the junior sides have over 1000 spectators and it would work if they could be incorporated into the system. I know many do not want to join the Scottish leagues as they manage quite well on a part time low costs structure.
Look how ICT have developed in an area where football has a low profile. Three local teams amalgamate to form a much better comercial proposition.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

I agree, the biggest issue is would it bring enough sponsorship to make clubs more wealthy than they are now?

why would clubs need to be wealthier?Just cut your cloth accordingly, realise the level of the game and pitch it there.

On the subject of the OF getting a start in England, Guilford Park, a Northern league team based in Carlisle have changed their name to Celtic Nation this season and despite averaging 35 (yes 35 fans) last season are spending ridiculous amounts of money on players far too good for that level (eg Adam Boyd, ex Hartlepool player reportedly on £600+ per week). All seems a bit suspicious to me.

That's very interesting, any further info on this?

 

[Val]

why would clubs need to be wealthier?Just cut your cloth accordingly, realise the level of the game and pitch it there.

Maybe bad wording, if the league lost sponsorship or/and struggled to get more sponsorship in then the wealth would begin to dwindle, then the scenario is quality as of league or Ireland/Wales. Wealth deteriorates then quality of facilities will follow and in turn the development of young players in turn affecting the national side which is struggling as it is.

As much as i'd love to see celtic pit their wits against the best of british regularly, I wouldn't want to see it at the expense of the Scottish game.

All if's and buts though.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

I agree, the biggest issue is would it bring enough sponsorship to make clubs more wealthy than they are now?

On the subject of the OF getting a start in England, Guilford Park, a Northern league team based in Carlisle have changed their name to Celtic Nation this season and despite averaging 35 (yes 35 fans) last season are spending ridiculous amounts of money on players far too good for that level (eg Adam Boyd, ex Hartlepool player reportedly on £600+ per week). All seems a bit suspicious to me.

Maybe bad wording, if the league lost sponsorship or/and struggled to get more sponsorship in then the wealth would begin to dwindle, then the scenario is quality as of league or Ireland/Wales. Wealth deteriorates then quality of facilities will follow and in turn the development of young players in turn affecting the national side which is struggling as it is.

As much as i'd love to see celtic pit their wits against the best of british regularly, I wouldn't want to see it at the expense of the Scottish game.

All if's and buts though.

I think the health of Scottish football is easy to resolve.

Celtic & The Rangers leave.
Two professional leagues,both 14 teams.
Below that, regional north/south leagues, 3 promoted, one from each league, second place from each league in play off
Renegotiate TV deal.One live game Friday night, one live game Monday night.Everything else, Saturday 3pm.
Bring back safe standing
Salary cap
Bring back reserve/U 21 league ( worst thing thats happened to Scottish football)
Regional academies for u16's, paid for by clubs in each region, then a 'draft' each year.
outlaw 4-5-1

 

[stevie_r]

On the subject of the OF getting a start in England, Guilford Park, a Northern league team based in Carlisle have changed their name to Celtic Nation this season and despite averaging 35 (yes 35 fans) last season are spending ridiculous amounts of money on players far too good for that level (eg Adam Boyd, ex Hartlepool player reportedly on £600+ per week). All seems a bit suspicious to me.

I wouldn't read too much into that to be honest mate

 

[Val]

I think the health of Scottish football is easy to resolve.

Celtic & The Rangers leave.
Two professional leagues,both 14 teams.
Below that, regional north/south leagues, 3 promoted, one from each league, second place from each league in play off
Renegotiate TV deal.One live game Friday night, one live game Monday night.Everything else, Saturday 3pm.
Bring back safe standing
Salary cap
Bring back reserve/U 21 league ( worst thing thats happened to Scottish football)
Regional academies for u16's, paid for by clubs in each region, then a 'draft' each year.
outlaw 4-5-1

Dead easy when you say it like that but take Rangers and Celtic out of the equation and you "potentially" have around 200'000 or so tickets sales less every month coming out of the Scottish game. Can that be found elsewhere, would sponsors jump in without them?

You say remnegotiate the TV deal, I'd think there would be no option if Rangers and Celtic are away, would the TV even want 2 live games?

 

[Adi2Dassler]

I agree, the biggest issue is would it bring enough sponsorship to make clubs more wealthy than they are now?

On the subject of the OF getting a start in England, Guilford Park, a Northern league team based in Carlisle have changed their name to Celtic Nation this season and despite averaging 35 (yes 35 fans) last season are spending ridiculous amounts of money on players far too good for that level (eg Adam Boyd, ex Hartlepool player reportedly on £600+ per week). All seems a bit suspicious to me.

Dead easy when you say it like that but take Rangers and Celtic out of the equation and you "potentially" have around 200'000 or so tickets sales less every month coming out of the Scottish game. Can that be found elsewhere, would sponsors jump in without them?

You say remnegotiate the TV deal, I'd think there would be no option if Rangers and Celtic are away, would the TV even want 2 live games?

BBC probably would.

People go on about the numbers The Old Firm bring to town and the lost revenue.Generally though, it's cancelled out by the extra police costs they require.A brief look at figures this season shows that the missing Newco hasn't really affected anyones ( excluding Celtc) attendance figures?

I do realise though, my plan is flawed by a number of obsticles

 

[Val]

BBC probably would.

People go on about the numbers The Old Firm bring to town and the lost revenue.Generally though, it's cancelled out by the extra police costs they require.A brief look at figures this season shows that the missing Newco hasn't really affected anyones ( excluding Celtc) attendance figures?

I do realise though, my plan is flawed by a number of obsticles

Im not saying average attendances for teams and im aware how it's went this season so far, but it will affect the average attendances of the Scottish Leagues/Game and in turn potential viewing figures to a TV audience.

It's a good proposal mate genuinely, but believe me that if Celtic and Rangers come out of Scottish football altogether it would be a financial nightmare for the game. Lack of finance will mean lack of quality, lack of quality will lead to less investment from sponsors and TV.

Tough one to get right.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Im not saying average attendances for teams and im aware how it's went this season so far, but it will affect the average attendances of the Scottish Leagues/Game and in turn potential viewing figures to a TV audience.

It's a good proposal mate genuinely, but believe me that if Celtic and Rangers come out of Scottish football altogether it would be a financial nightmare for the game. Lack of finance will mean lack of quality, lack of quality will lead to less investment from sponsors and TV.

Tough one to get right.

I'm sure that's the line Traynor and the succulent lamb brigade were spinning before Rangers became The Rangers.Still waiting.

I'd be prepared to take the gamble and find out, as would most of the non-OF supporters who I speak to.

 

[Val]

I'm sure that's the line Traynor and the succulent lamb brigade were spinning before Rangers became The Rangers.Still waiting.

I'd be prepared to take the gamble and find out, as would most of the non-OF supporters who I speak to.

Remember though that theres a difference from Rangers being reintroduced to the bottom tier than that of Celtic and Rangers going out of Scotland alltogether, I'm sure there a plenty fans want rid of Celtic and Rangers but for me that is the old cliche of turkeys voting for christmas. Sometimes you don't know what you have till it's gone.

As I said earlier, as much as I'd love to see Celtic up against the best of British I wouldn't want it to affect the Scottish game adversely which im sure it would.

 

[Val]

Just to add to attendance fiigures, according to the SPL website, the SPL total attendance exc Celtic and Rangers for last season was 1'313'072. Celtic and Rangers combined 1'847'342 which for easy maths is 534'270 more than everyone else combined.

How do you sell that to investors and telly bosses and expected to be as good or better than whats there currently.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Just to add to attendance fiigures, according to the SPL website, the SPL total attendance exc Celtic and Rangers for last season was 1'313'072. Celtic and Rangers combined 1'847'342 which for easy maths is 534'270 more than everyone else combined.

How do you sell that to investors and telly bosses and expected to be as good or better than whats there currently.

You miss the point.It's not about being as good or as better as a two horse race (or one atm).It's about being competitive and winning trophies, and a level playing field.No IRA/UDA crap, no skewed voting rights or an imbalance of money being distributed.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

From a rangers perspective this would be the best time to do it since they'd lose nothing by starting at the bottom in England. Of course there's no indication they'd be welcomed down there so it's a bit of an academic discussion

Where is the bottom in England though? If we take AFC Wimbledon as an example - they started life at the bottom playing in the Combined Counties League Premier Division - this being the 9th tier of English football. And they played my local team Farnham Town FC. Their last home match was a local derby against Ash United (about 5 miles away). Crowd - 55.

 

[Val]

You miss the point.It's not about being as good or as better as a two horse race (or one atm).It's about being competitive and winning trophies, and a level playing field.No IRA/UDA crap, no skewed voting rights or an imbalance of money being distributed.

Im not doubting that at all and im not disagreeing on that front, what im saying that without the largest 2 clubs in the coutry (by some way I hasten to add) we may fail to bring decent investors with cash therefore a lack of cash would potentially result in a lack of quality.

 

[Dodger]

I would love to see my team play elsewhere but not at the expense of my national country leagues future.

It is all ifs and buts, but (see what I did there?) I cannot see Scotland being anything more than a glorified League of Ireland if both left.

If you thought the standard was poor just now just wait and see what it would be like if the 2 left.

Anyway,pointless thread as it aint going to happen no matter what Chuckles says.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

I would love to see my team play elsewhere but not at the expense of my national country leagues future.

It is all ifs and buts, but (see what I did there?) I cannot see Scotland being anything more than a glorified League of Ireland if both left.

If you thought the standard was poor just now just wait and see what it would be like if the 2 left.

Anyway,pointless thread as it aint going to happen no matter what Chuckles says.

I actually don't think the standard is as bad a folk make out, these folk being the same who use Barca or Madrid as the norm because they tend to only watch football on TV and rarely, if ever step inside a football ground.and again, what's wrong with the league of Ireland? Maybe that's our level, without hiding behind inflated wages and being at the behest of SKY.

 

[Dodger]

I actually don't think the standard is as bad a folk make out, these folk being the same who use Barca or Madrid as the norm because they tend to only watch football on TV and rarely, if ever step inside a football ground.and again, what's wrong with the league of Ireland? Maybe that's our level, without hiding behind inflated wages and being at the behest of SKY.

LOI is very poor so you are probably right.:thup:

 

[user2009]

I actually don't think the standard is as bad a folk make out, these folk being the same who use Barca or Madrid as the norm because they tend to only watch football on TV and rarely, if ever step inside a football ground.and again, what's wrong with the league of Ireland? Maybe that's our level, without hiding behind inflated wages and being at the behest of SKY.

The standard of the SPL is comparable to League 2, maybe League 1 in England, other than Celtic of course

 

[Dodger]

The Sevconians looking toward an exit.... http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/scottish-football-rangers-join-english-non-league-152103868.html

Do Sevco fans really back this idiot?

I keep thinking he is constantly on the wind up but I actually think he is just a fruitcake.