Even Chaps think this is a good idea
SPL clubs pursue plan for two divisions of 12 teams
Scottish Premier League clubs have "unanimously" agreed to pursue their plan to expand the top flight to two divisions of 12 teams.
Chief executive Neil Doncaster says the present 12 clubs were united at their meeting at Hampden Park.
They will now propose what they describe as their 24-18 model to the Scottish Football League and Scottish Football Association on Thursday.
The 18 refers to the remaining SFL clubs not included in the top leagues.
No formal vote was expected to be taken by the SPL, but a show of hands was needed to allow Doncaster to progress the plan.
Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson's resignation from the SPL board last week had placed some doubt on the ability of the 12 clubs to produce a consensus.
However, after a three-hour meeting at Hampden, Doncaster emerged to say that agreement had been reached.
The SFL's 30 clubs had previously agreed to support its proposal for leagues of 16, 10 and 16.
However, the SPL has been speaking informally to SFL clubs and sources believe they have the numbers necessary to gather sufficient support.
The SPL would invite clubs to enter the league, determined by their league positions prior to the start of any re-organised season.
It hopes that this would head off criticism from those who might argue that re-organisation is being used as a vehicle to accelerate Rangers' return to the top division.
So Rangers could be backk sooner than later ????
SPL Clubs Agree 2 Divisions
posted on 3/12/12
I'm sick of these SPL clowns.
I want 16 teams ffs. So do most fans. With some clever manipulation of the cup competitions it could work.
Playing the same teams 4 times a season makes things stale and predictable.
posted on 3/12/12
I have a better idea:
8 leagues of 4 play round-robin matches until 3 from the first 6 leagues and 2 from the further 2 leagues are selected. These 22 teams will enter the SPL Super league of 25 adding the former champions, scottish cup winner and wild card team with the qualifying teams.
After the standard 30 game fixtures based on region, historical relevance and alphabetical places, the 25 team league will drop the bottom and 12th placed side. The top 2 teams will qualify for the next playoff round, whilst the remaining 21 will split into 3 leagues of 7. The top 2 from each of these leagues will join the others into the knockouts.
The knockouts will be 2 leg affairs in the first round, 1 neutral game at the 2nd round and an 8 match epic at Scotland's best grounds showcasing the top 2 teams all over the country in the final. All 8 results will be totalled up to reveal the champion of the SPL.
This league will take place beetween the months of April and October to allow a winter break.
posted on 3/12/12
8 leagues of 4 play round-robin matches
what happens to the other 10 teams
posted on 3/12/12
mergers
posted on 3/12/12
Clubs have Stockholm Syndrome to a TV deal that could easily be offset by a return to 3pm Saturday games in a competitive league. Alas, the decision will ultimately be because they are not willing to slice the TV money cake any further.
posted on 3/12/12
and who decides who merges with who? do both Dundee clubs merge? do hibs and hearts merge? celtic and partick thistle?
posted on 3/12/12
Put aside tribal loyalties and irvine's cheap dig and ask yourself as a fan of an SPL club are you happy with this set up?
Why are the other 11 SPL clubs meekly going along with this proposal. Why are they not doing constructive things like changing voting rights, setting up a system of fairer distribution of income etc
This set up only benefits Celtic and in due course Rangers. I really despair and can only hope a Barry Hearn type comes in and revolutionises our game.
On the basis SPL clubs do what their fans want hopefully fan feedback will kill this stupid idea stone dead.
Really annoyed now.
posted on 3/12/12
The braintrust at the SPL just cannot see it.
The current format of a league of 12 teams with a split is broken, knackered, finished, busted, kaputt.
So their fantastic, revolutionary idea to "save Scottish Football" is TWO leagues of 12 teams with a split.
Absolutely feckin inspired.
posted on 3/12/12
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 3/12/12
"a Barry Hearn type". Now what would he do for the spl ? A couple of buxom wenches leading out the teams? Don't get me wrong I'd appreciate that as much as the next fancier of buxom wenches but really Barry Hearn. That guy is depriving some village of an idiot.