amms 0 Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 It makes absolute sense for them to do that. Same currency, short travel distances, benefits all round. If UEFA give a BENELUX league the thumbs up, then we have to plead for a UK league. Likewise the big Portuguese teams will be desperate for an Iberian league. Not sure how the EPL and La Liga clubs will feel about it though... Who benefits from it, serious question? In my lifetime both Belgian and Dutch clubs have been serious European powers, both are reasonable sized countries with strong footballing pedigrees, why should they have to amalgamate their leagues, who benefits from that? I don't understand how creating fewer, elitist leagues helps club football. Both those countries have established, well supported clubs, what's needed is support for their respective FAs to protect and build those leagues again. We've spoken about this before but Ajax, one of the greatest club sides ever, are basically a feeder club now for German, Italian and Spanish sides. It's ridiculous. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thinker 887 Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Who benefits from it, serious question? In my lifetime both Belgian and Dutch clubs have been serious European powers, both are reasonable sized countries with strong footballing pedigrees, why should they have to amalgamate their leagues, who benefits from that? I don't understand how creating fewer, elitist leagues helps club football. Both those countries have established, well supported clubs, what's needed is support for their respective FAs to protect and build those leagues again. We've spoken about this before but Ajax, one of the greatest club sides ever, are basically a feeder club now for German, Italian and Spanish sides. It's ridiculous. Well, the top clubs of the BENELUX countries benefit. Elite leagues don't help club football overall, but they certainly help the clubs which happen to be part of those leagues. A couple of decades ago it wasn't so important but now it's massive. Supporters (and TV channels) want to see games between quality teams every week. In a small nation there aren't enough quality teams to achieve that. You either end up with a massive gulf in quality and scale between the top and bottom of the league, a half-size league with each team plaing each other 4 times, or (as in Scotland's case) both. IMHO, Ajax has declined in recent years precisely because it's in a "lesser" league. The larger the national (or in this case multi-national) audience, the greater the revenue from TV money, sponsorships etc. - which obviously allows for better quality squads. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amms 0 Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 Well, the top clubs of the BENELUX countries benefit. Elite leagues don't help club football overall, but they certainly help the clubs which happen to be part of those leagues. A couple of decades ago it wasn't so important but now it's massive. Supporters (and TV channels) want to see games between quality teams every week. In a small nation there aren't enough quality teams to achieve that. You either end up with a massive gulf in quality and scale between the top and bottom of the league, a half-size league with each team plaing each other 4 times, or (as in Scotland's case) both. IMHO, Ajax has declined in recent years precisely because it's in a "lesser" league. The larger the national (or in this case multi-national) audience, the greater the revenue from TV money, sponsorships etc. - which obviously allows for better quality squads. But would they benefit. So pooling the TV money will in theory increase the amount available. However will it be anything like enough to compete financially with a Bundesliga club for example, the answer to that is no. So all it does is increase the gap between the bigger Dutch and Belgian clubs and the smaller Dutch and Belgian clubs. The gap between Ajax and Bayern Munich will still be huge, never mind between English or Italian clubs. The SPL was an 'elite' league, as ridiculous as that seems now. The SPL created more money for it's members, initially at least, but the gap between Scottish club football and Europe didn't close. More money isn't always the answer, currently more money just means better paid players, not better players. I agree that in a small nation there aren't enough quality teams, but there can be. The last World Cup saw both Holland and Uruguay in the semi finals, both small nations. If their players were still playing in their domestic leagues they'd have pretty strong leagues. You mention supporters wanting to see games between quality teams every week, surely then the answer to that is to increase the number of quality teams. UEFA or FIFA has the power to do this, whether they've the stomach for the fight I doubt. But something has to give, eventually, football is unsustainable in its current format. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 amms, I noticed amongst the comments on your article on the main site, you got genuine praise from a Celtic fan! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amms 0 Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 amms, I noticed amongst the comments on your article on the main site, you got genuine praise from a Celtic fan! Oh gawd, did I? I'll have to change my signature back again now. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
forlanssister 3,114 Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Oh gawd, did I? I'll have to change my signature back again now. Also gaining plaudits at the failed solicitors' site ! JimBhoy October 8, 2012 at 5:24 pm This wasnâ??t written by Leggo, thatâ??s for sureâ?¦ http://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/latest-news/86-rip-it-up-and-start-again 14 0 Rate This Reply Kenny McCaffrey October 8, 2012 at 5:55 pm Excellent post â?? thanks for the link JimBhoy. Good to see there are some decent thinkers among the Ibrox faithful. 13 0 Rate This Reply TheObroni October 8, 2012 at 5:58 pm Great spot JimBhoy, a breath of fresh air to read a Rangers fans website that is actually asking the right questions. There just may be hope after all. 9 0 Rate This Reply ecojon October 8, 2012 at 7:03 pm @ JimBhoy What an enjoyable read from a thinking Bear who obviously cares deeply about his club and has some really good ideas. 9 0 Rate This Reply 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 0 Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 The article seems to be taken going by the comments as you having a pop at Green, can't say I took it that way myself. Is that how you mean it amms? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amms 0 Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 Bloody hell, this is a nightmare. Half the Rangers support think it's a pile of shite but the Tims fete me. <heads off for a long look in the mirror> 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
forlanssister 3,114 Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Bloody hell, this is a nightmare. Half the Rangers support think it's a pile of shite but the Tims fete me. <heads off for a long look in the mirror> I eagerly await Malcolm Murray's statement in return..... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amms 0 Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 The article seems to be taken going by the comments as you having a pop at Green, can't say I took it that way myself. Is that how you mean it amms? No, it's really not meant that way. I'm glad you didn't take it that way. When I first submitted it to Gersnet I actually asked if it read as 'anti-Green' as I was concerned it might. No one said it did so I let it go. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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