Carling plan

[ian1964 10,720]

ENGLISH football chiefs have hatched secret plans to invite SPL clubs into the Carling Cup.

 

It could see Scots clubs involved from 2012-13 even if chief executive Neil Doncaster can convince SPL clubs to vote for league changes that will see the top-flight reduced to ten.

 

SunSport understands that the proposal could be the first step towards a British Cup.

 

Top brass on both sides of the border are eager to breathe fresh life into their League Cups.

 

They believe bringing the two League Cups closer together could prove popular for Scottish and English fans.

 

And a major change to cup competitions would also be on the cards if Scottish clubs accept a possible invitation into a merged tourney.

 

Brewing giants Carling have just one year left on their sponsorship of the English League Cup.

 

And anxious Football League chiefs in England are desperate for a bright new format to attract lucrative backing.

 

A blueprint for the new-look competition would see the Scottish clubs enter at the second round.

 

They'd face lower-ranking Premier League teams or Football League sides.

 

But they could be pitted against the cream of the English game after that.

 

It's hoped the proposed tourney would also be attractive to broadcasters and land a TV deal. And Football League bosses believe it could convince England's top clubs to field full-strength teams.

 

The new-look Cup would have to win the approval of Football League clubs AND teams in Scotland.

 

SFL top brass would be consulted to ensure there was no negative impact on the new-look Scottish Communities League Cup.

 

But it's believed there is interest on both sides of the border in the concept of an all-British tourney.

 

The idea was last floated eight years ago when clubs discussed a grand final between the winners of the Scottish and English League Cups.

 

Peter Donald, the then SFL secretary, revealed talks for the match had made an advanced stage.

 

Donald said at the time: "We have discussed it and we think it is a positive proposal. There would be considerable prestige at stake for the winners."

 

Meanwhile, SPL clubs will meet to take a final vote on league reconstruction next month.

 

Club chiefs gathered at Hampden yesterday to discuss plans to change the structure of the game.

 

And Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne said: "I think it's still moving in the right direction. There is a bit of work to do."

 

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/3534339/Carling-plan.html#ixzz1Jv28cXTx

[calscot 0]

Could be highly embarrassing for our league as most people don't quite get the financial disparity - and our SPL teams are already crap at competing with their European financial peers and even subordinates.