The "r" word surfaces again in Scottish football. Not referees. Reconstruction.
The BBC reports that:
Proposals for a two-tier Scottish Premier League of 10 teams each are to be put to clubs next Monday.
As part of the reconstruction, play-offs would be introduced, the season would start earlier and a winter break would be built in.
The leagues beneath the top two would be regionalised if the plans put forward by the SPL's Strategic Working Group are ratified.
It is anticipated any changes would be introduced the season after next.
We have all discussed reconstruction as being a way of improving the league. The jury remains out on whether or not that will actually work. Myriad changes through the decades have left us in the position we're now in.
I think some form of reconstruction is now inevitable. Is this the model most of us would have chosen?
Possibly not. But most of us don't have a say.
The proposals need to carry at least 11 votes under the SPL's strange governance rules. An earlier start, a winter break and fewer games might be welcomed by some. But there are alternative systems that would achieve similar outcomes.
Regional lower leagues would seem to make sense. I'm sure the idea of SPL clubs playing reserve sides in the lower leagues will spark some debate.
Not had time to properly digest all the reported proposal. If I was to leap without looking I'm probably in the "No" camp on this idea.
So unconvinced by the detail. But applauding a move to addressing some of the issues that many of us have been shouting about for years.
Progress of sorts. Although we did start out with a 10 team SPL all those years ago.
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Familiarity breeds contempt, and that explains why I'm sick of the sight of Hamilton, St. Mirren and Kilmarnock.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion (and it is only my opinion), there are too many football teams, as well as governing bodies, in Scotland. My grandfather, who loved Scottish football despite not supporting a particular team, advocated an approach to the game similar to the US's; 16 or so teams only, sharing resources equally.
That's not going to happen obviously, nor will a full pyramid system. It appears to me that too many people involved at boardroom level in the Scottish game are too content with the way things are to lobby for any real change; I mean, if we had a full pyramid system, club X could tumble from the SPL all the way down to junior level unless they started operating properly.
Personally I think we should have two 16 team league divisions, and then a pyramid below that. Anything else is rearranging deckchairs. I'm beginning to come around to the idea of summer football as well.
The Aussie Rugby Leauge system would be a good choice and I wish we could bring in wage caps but I dont think that will fly with the EU.
ReplyDeleteI would also be keen on a draft system out of the regional leauges to level the playing field.
We need to become the radical extremists of football structure to sort this mess out.