02 Apr 2025 05:56:19
So there may be league reconstruction in the pipeline of either 10, 12, 14, 16 teams. Strange that for the current 12 team set up to change to 10, means 11 of the 12 need to vote for it, along with 75% of the each of the other leagues. So if your in the premiership and are at the lower end, why would u vote to cut to 10 n possible lose your place in the 12. What am I missing?
02 Apr 2025 07:53:58
Fork, does seem odd - but at this stage it's effectively an options paper so makes sense to have a variety of options.
Only way any real league reform happens is with an overhaul in the redistribution of finance - which I don't think will ever happen.
02 Apr 2025 08:04:23
Kinda think that myself mate in terms of finances, just seems strange, not a fan of the top table at both organisations to be honest, something doesn't sit right with either in my mind.
02 Apr 2025 08:10:34
I agree 100% win both you guys.
Scottish football is afraid of change.
02 Apr 2025 08:18:58
I always think that both SFA and SPFL are fighting with one hand behind their back as they are only implementing what the clubs want and they only vote in their own clubs best interest. I agree it seems we won't get restructure until the Premier league, and probably mainly the OF, agrees to allow more of the funding to go down to the lower leagues. same argument as always happens down south but less money.
02 Apr 2025 09:11:43
Scottish football without Rangers and Celtic would be similar to the Welsh or Northern irish leagues.
Very difficult to attract good players to this league in it's current format, never mind changing it.
02 Apr 2025 09:18:35
I disagree Angus there is an underlying tendency imo of self serving acolytes pulling the strings of those they serve in situ, who in turn put their interests above all others. Agree about the funding though?.
02 Apr 2025 10:30:23
Fork I wonder if they might consider reconstruction with a view to making a more attractive league for possible investment. Our takeover is going to put major focus on league and highlight it in the states, the governing body would be mad not to look at it.
I honestly this it will be massive for all of Scottish football and not just us.
02 Apr 2025 10:42:00
Surely we could accommodate a 12 team league. Falkirk raith Partick Livingston any 2 from those 4 would enhance our league imo.
02 Apr 2025 10:55:35
Ows i assume you meant 14 team league as we currently have 12 but i agree with what you say.
02 Apr 2025 10:55:59
16 teams and share the gate money. Standards will quickly improve and the league will no longer be considered a joke by outsiders.
02 Apr 2025 11:10:50
Biggest problem will be Sky looking four Rangers Celtic games every season.
02 Apr 2025 11:24:06
Having been employed by the SFA, I kinda get the operating with one hand behind their back comment - however, I would say that they are also their own worst enemies.
So many talented people have left the SFA for roles in other countries as they are in football terms prehistoric.
I'm genuinely be concerned about the future of our game.
02 Apr 2025 11:25:00
Possible GTGAC?.
02 Apr 2025 11:38:35
OWS - we already have a 12 team league!
02 Apr 2025 11:40:19
Ows it's 12 just now mate, add they four or others as we need a bigger league 16 or maybe even 18 but it won't happen all down to money.
02 Apr 2025 12:28:42
Should be a 16 team league and we're always going to need a split to accommodate extra old fo games for Tv companies.
02 Apr 2025 12:41:09
And NO plastic pitches.
02 Apr 2025 12:47:21
It's a complete and utter joke from that lot in charge fans want change fans want more teams in the league and they tink dropping 2 team out will be a good idea ?.
We could easily go to a 14/ 16 team league I think that's what most fans want and I will also rather it was 2 old firm games in the league but Sky wouldn't go for that.
02 Apr 2025 12:59:06
The TV deal with SKY is dependant on 4 OF games so any change that reduces that back to 2 won't happen. That means a reduction to a 10 team league and get rid of the ridiculous split, is the only real possibility.
Most of the clubs want the league increased but unless there was a split there would be too many games . Last time they looked at this option they couldn't agree on when the split would happen.
They'll talk all day and vote for no change, maybe the fact that this story appeared on April Fools day is significant.
02 Apr 2025 13:05:54
Nothing will happen with this.
From a sporting perspective the league needs to be expanded. Our league is too tight were a few defeats can move a club from fighting for euro qualification to fighting relegation. This always means teams will prioritise being hard to beat rather than playing good football.
But from a financial side the club's need to vote to get less money from OF games and TV. It's the old turkeys voting for Christmas argument. That's why nothing is likely to change.
02 Apr 2025 13:43:49
Look at attendances at St J, Ross County, Killie, Dundee. Falkirk, Thistle, Rovers, Dunfermline, Ayr all these clubs have better attended games and would be a no brained to bring them in.
02 Apr 2025 14:30:03
16 teams twice equals 30 games if play
8/ 8 split equals 7 games
Play each other once but each game home/ away gate is split equally to make up for unevenness gate moneys.
Top 2 play each other in last game of season at Hampden
Gives u 4 old firm games and a better share of money.
02 Apr 2025 14:58:16
I'd call for an 18 team league. play everyone home and away. That's 34 game season. All teams start round 1 of the cups. Scrap 2nd division making championship and league 1 bigger. 2 automatic promotions for 1st and second 3rd having à play off with team that's 16th. imagine a team let's say like Cowdenbeath drawing Celtic and Rangers away in both cups. The money that would generate for them would be massive. Mid table teams could then field youngsters knowing they safe. Theirs good enough championship teams to step into the spl.
02 Apr 2025 15:15:49
The SFA need to get out of the dark ages, they are ruining football in our country with their backwards thinking.
About time they retired and let fresh forward thinking people take up roles so we as a country can get stronger which would in turn enhance the reputation of our league too.
Just look how many countries with smaller populations are flourishing and we are regressing.
02 Apr 2025 16:32:42
Fork sky the sfa an spfl need to do something for scottish football and not there pockets i would go 16 top league and get spfl own tv £7 a month show live games from all leagues plus highlights of all games if bbc scotland bbc alba on board then it win win for scottish football n clubs if sky want to just show old firm games live charge them milions to do so and spread it around the clubs.
02 Apr 2025 16:34:50
We need a complete revamp.
But Scottish football is filled with a lot of self interest.
02 Apr 2025 17:24:01
Stevie u say play each other twice, then one game after split, how does that equate to four old firm games.
02 Apr 2025 17:40:03
Agree MPH I know SFA/ SPL don't help themselves but no matter what is put forward in league numbers requiring 11 form 12 and x% of the rest makes it almost impossible to get a positive outcome as a result. look at Lowland League when we wanted our B team in initially and we had to be something like £250K to get them to say yes, oh and we weren't allowed promotion. the attraction of the increase in crowds to away games you think would be the attraction for them.
I never see the shared gate money being acceptable as that is Rangers highest source of income and you are talking in one fell swoop almost halving that.
02 Apr 2025 19:04:01
John, if we do the each other twice which most would agree is best way for any league, then after a split a random draw decides home and away.
Extra 7 games is 37 games… if the top 2 then play a final league game at national stadium to end the season that would (in all likely good) give to companies a 4th old firm game mate.
Actually think that's a pretty good formula I've came up with mate, what do u think as you're a knowledgeable guy I'm interested in what people think of that format.
02 Apr 2025 20:01:27
Stevie not a chance.
02 Apr 2025 20:28:27
Except they want to reduce the fixtures.
02 Apr 2025 21:12:10
I would keep it 12.
Carbon copy from Denmark.
League phase - teams play eachother twice (22 games)
Split into championship group and relegation group.
Teams play eachother twice (10 games)
32 games in total
6 game reduction helps player Welfare.
02 Apr 2025 22:06:36
Fair enough John appreciate the reply mate ?? thanks know it won't happen like that, just n all likelihood it won't change a jot.
Just thought was a good idea for the hypothetical conversation.