Jump to content

Football League reform

Howard Canitbé

By Howard Canitbé
in Football Forum

Recommended Posts

Howard Canitbé

Howard Canitbé

Posted
Posted

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36335384

English football could be heading for its biggest shake-up since the creation of the Premier League in 1992.

The Football League wants to create an extra division with 20 teams in each from 2019-20. It would mean England had 100 teams in five divisions, up from 92. Currently, there are 24 teams in the Championship, League One and League Two. The Football League says the move would tackle fixture congestion and boost the finances of its members. The Premier League and the Football Association have backed the proposal "in principle". Of the current 72 Football League clubs, 90% must support the proposal for it to go ahead. A decision will be made at their annual general meeting in June 2017. "There are clear benefits for everyone," Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey told BBC Sport. "It is about taking a step back to try to work out what is best for English football. "We hope that the Football League taking this first step is the catalyst for future change."

Why change the current system?

The Football League believes the move would help:

  • Ensure more games are played on weekends and Bank Holidays;
  • Remove fixture congestion and clashes;
  • Help Football League clubs make more money;
  • Keep the play-off finals on the last weekend of the domestic season.

Harvey said the Premier League and the FA have backed the idea in principle because "they can see potential benefits on an international basis". "The whole game needs to come together," he added. "It is about finding solutions that supports English football for the future." The FA said the fixture schedule needs looking at "for the benefit of all". "These are interesting draft proposals and we look forward to further discussions over the coming months," it added.

How would the restructure be implemented?

For the proposal to be approved, it needs the backing of 65 Football League clubs (90%) at next year's AGM. The Football League says its board is offering "no recommendation other than asking its members to give full consideration to the proposal". The decision will have to be confirmed by November 2017. Relegation from the Football League would be scrapped in the 2018-19 season before the restructure for the following season. How the promotion/relegation system would work during 2018-19 is still to be determined.

Where would the extra teams come from?

Currently, the bottom two teams in League Two are relegated from the Football League to the National League. They would not go down at the end of the 2018-19 season, said Harvey. Six other clubs - in addition to the two clubs already promoted from the National League - would join the Football League. "The logical place for the extra clubs to come from would be promoting the next six teams from the National League," said Harvey. "Some of those teams are already professional and the extension to the league may suit them." Scottish Premiership sides Celtic and Rangers have long been linked with moving into the English pyramid. In 2009, Premier League clubs voted to reject a proposal to bring the Old Firm rivals into the English top flight.

Will Football League clubs lose revenue?

The major impact would be felt by Football League clubs, who would see their number of matches reduced from 46 to 38 per season. Despite the potential of losing revenue from three fewer home matches, Harvey has asked the 72 clubs to take a "broader view of English football". "We have to make sure none of our clubs are in a financially worse position," he added. "Our clubs shouldn't be the only one to shoulder the burden. We won't be looking for clubs to take a financial haircut to support this. "We believe focusing on weekend games will, over period of time, drive bigger attendances and increase quality of performance on the pitch."

What about the fans?

Long midweek trips across the country for fans are "in the main" going to disappear, said Harvey. "There a hardcore of fans who are more than happy to go length and breadth of the country," he added. "But I think less games will make the Saturday at a stadium more special and more important. "It is going to be interesting to see how fans accept this. I'm hopeful it will be positive."

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 51
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Srg

Srg

Posted
Posted

The argument on revenue is nonsense. 

Itll dilute the already meagre attendances and tv figures. There's already limited interest nationally beyond the championship and this will just make it worse. Not to mention this will likely mean less games on tv if they're sticking to 3pm - which is where most of the money comes from. 

This is so far removed from every other sensible sport in the world from a revenue stand point. The likes of the NFL and NBA in America have tried to spread everything out to make year round interest, even when games are months away to increase sponsorship and merchandising. They've even proposed games to take place on every single day of the week to garner more television audience, so games aren't going head to head with each other. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kernow

Kernow

Posted
Posted

Would be interesting how they'd arrange it. If they moved 4 teams down who wouldn't have otherwise been relegated from this league, League One would then have 28 teams so 8 would need to move down in total. Then half of League Two would essentially be relegated to the 5th tier.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RadioactiveWaste

RadioactiveWaste

Posted
Posted

I'm always sceptical when they start putting things like this about. 

Who is wanting it/pushing it within the football league?

That said, it's not the most batsh1t crazy thing I've ever heard, top end of non-league is very professional I suppose these days.

I think @paul71 might be onto something, perhaps it's about moving towards a Premier 2 division?

And no, the Old Firm should not be put into the English leagues. When that happens it's the final death knell for Scottish football.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CornwallRam

CornwallRam

Posted
Posted

I'm just not sure what this would achieve. Fewer games and a winter break? As a fan, I'm not sure I'm particularly keen. Top clubs entering their B teams. Won't that just make the stock piling of young players work and stifle some competition. I'd also say that for the Championship at least, it'll mean a higher percentage of games being moved for TV, so it'll make being a STH more awkward for a lot.

I'm kind of not against the idea in principle, but I just don't see any advantage for fans in these proposals. It looks to me like a further attempt to push the smaller clubs down the pecking order and keep them there - much as FFP is doing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Pearl Ram

Pearl Ram

Posted
Posted

I wonder if they are thinking of an idea from the old days. In the days before the 4th division, (league 2 now) they had the third division north and the same south. 

Let's be honest, Hartlepool to Plymouth for a midweek game can't attract many away supporters so I wonder if they would float the idea of a League 3 North, the same South, the winners of each playing off for promotion to League 2. 

Having more regional games at the bottom end of the pyramid may be a way of increasing attendances.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Howard Canitbé

Howard Canitbé

Posted
  • Author
Posted

FWIW I don't think it's an awful idea. The logistics of it would certainly be difficult, and a lot of people on the BBC article comments are voicing a hope that the lower two leagues will be divided regionally into Northern and Southern clubs. That would certainly be a bonus for fans of lower league clubs, personally I can't see too many negatives to a set-up like that, although I'm sure there's some happy chappy on this forum who'll be glad to point a few out to me. 

Another thing people have mentioned on the BBC site it that in order to make this better for fans, season ticket prices should be accordingly dropped bearing in mind that you're getting four less matches for your money. What are the chances of that happening? Call me cynical. 

But a reduction in fixture congestion can only really be a good thing, it would reduce injury risk and hopefully lessen the need for a winter break (can't think of anything worse, personally).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
YouRams

YouRams

Posted
Posted

I like it, think they should scrap the replay in the fa cup too, extra time and penaltys like the league cup. I know that's a bit harsh on the lower league clubs trying to get a second game and more revenue but it would make things more exciting IMO.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SimonBHA

SimonBHA

Posted
Posted

I like it.

Each game would become more important.

They'd be a greater chance of being involved in a promotion or relegation battle, so more "big games".

Midweek games are crap - pain for travelling, difficult to have a few beers and social around it.

It would potentially see clubs play stronger sides in the cup.

Lower league sides could still have the same number of games if the FL Trophy "Group Stage" idea is introduced - currently poor attendances but if sides played stronger sides due to less games, might work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kernow

Kernow

Posted
Posted

So the only way it would work in respect to our division would be in the season of implementation, three would get relegated plus an extra 4 would move down to bring the total number to 20? Is that right?

We could see a bit of a scrap in terms of spending by teams typically near the bottom to finish 17th or above just to stay in the league.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Rampage

Rampage

Posted
Posted

Premier League 2 appeals greatly to me. More money for us than if in Championship?

Derby are not known for being ruthless, cynical or dirty. Burnley, Boro and Hull ahead of us in these respects. We need to do what it takes and learn from teams who have done it. Proper refereeing would have sent four Hull players ans Shackell off over two games in my opinion. If you have a big squad you can afford a lot of yellows, just avoid the red cards if possible. Many games are decided by cynical fouls.

Worst thing about our season is that Brighton and Sheff Wed caught us or got past us when they were miles behind us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...