Major Restructuring in the Pipeline for SPL

[Kowalski]

DST meeting with AFC...

 

Notes of meeting with AFC on Wed 16th January 2013 at Pittodrie

 

Present : Duncan Fraser , Jennifer Moffat, Jeremy Wood

 

Duncan wanted to outline to  DST the background and detail of the SPL’s reconstruction proposals.

 

Desire is to implement at start of next season, which is still very possible but there is a great deal to be done. Next steps are that the SPL and SFL have meetings with their members at end January to see if agreement in principle can be reached.

Proposals developed after the failure to deliver on the McLeish report recommendations for league reconstruction and the liquidation of the original Rangers FC in the summer.

The time it took the Rangers FC situation to be resolved was largely driven by external factors out with football in that a CVA remained a possibility right up until the end

At the SPL away day at Dunkeld a reorganisation group was formed.

This group (with 5 SPL clubs and the CEO) following extensive work came back with the proposed 12/12 and three eight solution. The SPL unanimously agreed to take forward this solution in principle as the way ahead in early December.

 

Proposals said to have following benefits

 

    Lots of pressure on top teams to perform to reach top 8 – so meaningful games

    A natural winter break

    Post-split top 8 have all to play for but no relegation leading to hopefully attractive matches

    Income (based on final league placement) will be more evenly distributed

    Top 8 lose income share, much of which goes to the teams in 9-16th places (recognising that many present SPL members face a real challenge in the play off

    Additional funds for all remaining 42 clubs within the present SFL

    A merger between the SPL and SFL bringing the senior game back to one governing body

    Pyramid system to be introduced which is a key SFA objective

    Ground regulations loosened, but all grounds to be under SFA licensing which is committed to raising standards

 

 

League structure linked to the voting change, governance and financial all through redistribution as well as single body and pyramid.

Protected areas only in relation to specific areas eg number of home live games, home gate receipts, existing club sponsorships.

Clubs to have equal vote, except where issues are specific to one league only – others benefit from new distribution model.  New board is proportional between leagues.

New single governing body – but merger with SFA not seen as key

Artificial pitches use may be extended

Areas like summer football not part of initial process but could be debated down the line.

League Cup sections not seen as viable option to replace income from fewer league games in a larger league structure

Also keen to extend Friday fixtures involving local clubs where possible.

Commenting on the newspaper comments on the ECA Doha meeting, AFC confirmed that they are attending as a member of the ECA (Celtic being another ordinary member) which is open to invited clubs across all European leagues and is seen as a key driver in moving the game forward across Europe.

 

DST explained that fans feel they have not been consulted or involved in the proposals for league reconstruction, and asked that the club communicate clearly to the fans on this issue.

AFC as with all other clubs will be engaging with fans if agreement is reached by the SPL and SFL. Vital that agreement is reached first.

 

AFC are keen to get ideas of areas where the supporters can influence.  DST to lead this process with input from AFC as appropriate through a survey conducted by DST. AFC see this as a positive independent approach.

 

DST presented feedback of member’s comments.  Communicated that only real consensus was fans were not keen on playing same teams four times.  However it was clear that for now there is no alternative to that.

[glasgow sheep]

Great if this were to happen:

 

THE final of the League Cup will be go back to being played before Christmas if radical plans to change the future of Scottish football are pushed through.

 

In what would be a throwback to years gone by, the final of the Scottish Communities League Cup would be changed from March to some time before Christmas, possibly October or November, in a bid to bring new life to the competition.

 

The cup, which was won by Kilmarnock against champions Celtic at Hampden last year, has suffered from declining attendances in recent years, and is felt by many to be in serious need of change.

 

And under new plans to bring some much-needed spice back to the ailing competition, steering group members are in favour of bringing the final forward by a few months in the hope of making it a more attractive proposition.

 

Plans to give the current set-up a major facelift still have to be voted through but one concrete feature is to make the first major piece of silverware to be up for grabs earlier in the season.

 

©2013 The Scotsman

[tom_widdows]

Great if this were to happen:

 

 

European place for the winner might help too. But I take it thats outside of the SFA's hands?

[glasgow sheep]

European place for the winner might help too. But I take it thats outside of the SFA's hands?

 

I don't really believe this makes as much of a difference as people make out, certainly not in Scotland. Nobody really plays a significantly weaker side than usual and being one of only two possible trophy chances for 92% of the SPL a European place is hardly going to make it significantly more attractive

[Tyrant]

Not convinced just moving the final forward will do that much. Although I do think it's a small step in the right direction.

[Madbadteacher]

I had some great afternoons at Hampden in the middle of winter

[maverick sheep]

Was going to reply in agreement with Andrew on the match thread, but doing it here because it's a more general point.

 

7,100 fans at home v Hibs is extremely worrying, and given both are well established non-diddy teams and both in the race for a european spot, it suggests that the reason for it is that our SPL structure is fundamentally flawed.

 

It's as though fans realise the euro spot will likely be sorted after the split, so the third game against opposition that look similarly likely to make top six is one to avoid and save the pennies. It's not the games being against competitive opposition that matters necessarily, it's the games themselves being competative in terms of something being at stake. You get that in every home game that's a one-off. Lose, and you've got to wait for next season to put it right. We already won the 1st, so today had nothing riding on it as a one-off.

 

I accept tv is a problem, however our first game against hibs was also on tv and the attendance was 12,000. What else can justify a drop of 5,000? Maybe the cup game next week? If so, that's no excuse because this scenario of playing the same opposition twice in quick succession plays out regularly in the current set up - three games v Motherwell in December ffs!

 

Surely it's common sense that a one off league game v Hibs at Pittodrie would be hoping for over 12,000 each year, and even a one off game against the likes of Greenock wouldn't be so much less than 7,000 (if at all) as to really decrease our takings?

 

I just can't see the argument for this set up of playing each other 4 times all. But hey, next week we're playing hibs so that's something to look forward to...

 

 

[bloo_toon_red]

I think you absolutely have to factor in the early kick-off time as a reason for it also.  It's a rubbish time for fans to turn up to a game, there's no real pre-match build-up at all, so as a "day-out" it's very difficult for anyone to get excited about.

 

In my opinion, it's time for this stupid ban on televising Saturday 3pm games to end in Scotland.  Saturday 3pm is the optimum time for a game of football as has been proven over the years.

 

You should also consider that it is the last weekend in January, money will be tight post-xmas, people are more miserable this time of year in the depth of winter and your fair-weather fans will rather stay in and watch it in the pub, especially at an unsociable kick-off time.

 

Also think about the fact that we've won 3 league games at Pittodrie this season and you'll have a fair amount of pretty fed-up fans.

[TENEMENTFUNSTER]

I think you absolutely have to factor in the early kick-off time as a reason for it also.  It's a rubbish time for fans to turn up to a game, there's no real pre-match build-up at all, so as a "day-out" it's very difficult for anyone to get excited about.

 

In my opinion, it's time for this stupid ban on televising Saturday 3pm games to end in Scotland.  Saturday 3pm is the optimum time for a game of football as has been proven over the years.

 

You should also consider that it is the last weekend in January, money will be tight post-xmas, people are more miserable this time of year in the depth of winter and your fair-weather fans will rather stay in and watch it in the pub, especially at an unsociable kick-off time.

 

Also think about the fact that we've won 3 league games at Pittodrie this season and you'll have a fair amount of pretty fed-up fans.

 

I'm not sure about televising 3pm KO's but I agree with everything else. 12.30 KO's are truly detestable.

[Tyrant]

Personally I have no real issue with early starts. Then again I live about 7 minutes drive from the ground. I can see why it's a pain in the hoop for the Weegie fakers coming from all over the place.

[maverick sheep]

fae the beeb:

 

 

Scottish football is edging closer to reconstruction after the country's top 12 clubs back proposals for a new league model.

The SPL clubs agreed on a new set up that would see the current format replaced with two leagues of 12 and one of 18.

The plans will be put in place for next season if ratified by the Scottish Football League clubs at a meeting on Thursday.

[Tyrant]

Not convinced this is a forward step but fuck it.

[tlg1903]

Not convinced this is a forward step but fuck it.

 

Indeed but the huns don't like it so that endears it to me a little

[maverick sheep]

Not convinced this is a forward step but fuck it.

 

Is this a direct quote from the SFA?

[manc_don]

Far from convinced by it but hell, it annoys the fuck out of the huns, hopefully they'll fuck off sooner to their old firm league.

[Jute]

Do not like this set up at all. Fact it has been tried in 3 other European countries and all have chucked it suggests its not going to work here either.

[manc_don]

Genuinely don't know why they think it's a good idea Jute.  As you said, all the evidence points to complete failure.  That said, when the hell has the SFA or SPL given two hoots about the fans and the welfare of the game.  Even the huns option is better than this.

[manc_don]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/scotland/21313900

[mizer]

Scottish Football League clubs are being asked to consider allowing 'colt teams' from Celtic and Rangers to join a new four division set-up.

    Chief executive David Longmuir suggests in a document sent to all 30 SFL outfits that the colts would operate separately from the 'parent' clubs.

    He is influenced by the prospect of the Old Firm leaving Scotland behind.

    And he says "both clubs have intimated their desire to be considered as part of this strategy".

 

    Scottish Premier League teams are due to vote on a three division structure at a meeting on 15 April that will have 12 teams in each of the top two divisions and 18 teams in the third tier.

    However, the latest proposal is for four divisions with 12 teams in each of the top two tiers and 10 sides in the bottom two.

    In an extract from the document drafted by Longmuir, he says: "If both clubs were to leave without the legacy of a colt team and an annual financial settlement, then Scottish football as an industry would face significant drops in commercial, marketing and media investment.

    "Our games may be more competitive with more clubs evenly matched, but that would come with a potential reduction in quality and resources.

    "The legacy of a colt team would allow Scottish football to profit from the global success of the parent club or team, but also provide a level of domestic football which would be competitive, interesting and attractive to fans, sponsors and media alike.

    "It would operate more along the lines of a community club.

    "Only when the parent clubs moved out of Scotland, would the colt team then have the freedom to progress through the leagues unhindered, and based on their sporting success."

    Longmuir is exploring the possibility of introducing the changes in time for next season and calls on SFL clubs to view his proposal "strategically and look at this as a significant opportunity".

    In November, the SFL suggested the present four tiers in Scottish football be reorganised into three leagues of 16, 10 and 16 teams.

    The SPL countered with proposals for two top divisions of 12, with a split into three leagues of eight after each team had met home and away, and a third division of 18.

    However, some SFL clubs were worried an 18-team tier would create too many meaningless matches.

    "By introducing two colt teams next season, we are taking advantage of the opportunity to introduce change which would generate increased interest and awareness," adds Longmuir.

    "We would continue to progress the discussions on a pyramid structure below our bottom tier but not until we are fully satisfied with that structure and operational mechanism.

    "Colt teams would also face the same risk as any other club in the division of possible play-off and relegation through the pyramid."

    Longmuir points to Barcelona and Real Madrid operating such teams in Spain's lower leagues and both Milan teams having B sides in Italy.

    He explains: "The colt team would be unable to be promoted to a division above if that colt teams 'parent' team were participating in that division, nor could they participate in any cup competition where the 'parent' club were participating."

 

Longmuir can get tae fuck

[Jute]

Every idea they come out with seems to crazier than the previous one.

[manc_don]

The only conclusion anyone can come to must be that they are all on crack. Because as you say jute, it just gets crazier with every statement.

[Kowalski]

I can only assume that the powers-that-be in charge of Scottish fitba are working to the unusual remit of trying to drive as many fans away from the game as possible.  Utter cretins, and I wish they'd just fuck off and get some proper football people in to run the game - people who will listen to the fans as well as balancing the financial side of the things.

[bloo_toon_red]

Thing is, all SFL clubs are voting in self-interest. SFL3 teams want 18 team league to get their home game against Rangers next season, SFL2 teams want 10+10 so they can get 2 games against the filth. SFL1 kind of split on it. There's currently no prospect of the majority they need. The game is just rotten and beyond salvage.

[maverick sheep]

Presumably the OF will need to line up behind Ross County and Annan before they go anywhere? Genuinely would love to know who in history has ever tried to dictate terms and blag their way into a rich league from anything equivalent to the Scottish Third Division. How much inbreeding does it need to be THAT fucking stupid??

 

Sad thing in this is that Longmuir previously spoke sense, now all of a sudden a change of tune. I'd be amazed if this sudden change of tune isn't a sign that he's been bought.

[BigAl]

The game is just rotten and beyond salvage.

 

My sentiments also. Was just saying last night that I am losing interest in football with each passing week. Having regularily attended football for over forty five years, I seriously wonder if I'm reaching the stage where I could be lost to it.

 

I really fear for the future, not only of Scottish football but football in general.