SFL propose Old Firm "Colt" Teams

[djbroxybear 0]

Quote

Scottish Football League clubs are being asked to consider allowing 'colt teams' from Celtic and Rangers to join a new 12-12-10-10 divisional set-up.

Chief executive David Longmuir suggests in a document sent to all 30 SFL outfits that the colts would operate separately from the 'parent' clubs.

He is influenced by the prospect of the Old Firm leaving Scotland behind.

And he says "both clubs have intimated their desire to be considered as part of this strategy".

Scottish Premier League teams are due to vote on a 12-12-18 structure at a meeting on 15 April.

In an extract from the document drafted by Longmuir, he says: "If both clubs were to leave without the legacy of a colt team and an annual financial settlement, then Scottish football as an industry would face significant drops in commercial, marketing and media investment.

"Our games may be more competitive with more clubs evenly matched, but that would come with a potential reduction in quality and resources.

"The legacy of a colt team would allow Scottish football to profit from the global success of the parent club or team, but also provide a level of domestic football which would be competitive, interesting and attractive to fans, sponsors and media alike. It would operate more along the lines of a community club.

"Only when the parent clubs moved out of Scotland, would the colt team then have the freedom to progress through the leagues unhindered, and based on their sporting success."

Longmuir is exploring the possibility of introducing the changes in time for next season and calls on SFL clubs to view his proposal "strategically and look at this as a significant opportunity".

In November, the SFL suggested the present four tiers in Scottish football be reorganised into three leagues of 16, 10 and 16 teams.

The SPL countered with proposals for two top divisions of 12, with a split into three leagues of eight after each team had met home and away, and a third division of 18.

However, some SFL clubs were worried an 18-team tier would create too many meaningless matches.

"By introducing two colt teams next season, we are taking advantage of the opportunity to introduce change which would generate increased interest and awareness," adds Longmuir.

Looks like Longmuir is thinking ahead incase we move down south

 

"We would continue to progress the discussions on a pyramid structure below our bottom tier but not until we are fully satisfied with that structure and operational mechanism. Colt teams would also face the same risk as any other club in the division of possible play-off and relegation through the pyramid."

Longmuir points to Barcelona and Real Madrid operating such teams in Spain's lower leagues and both Milan teams having B sides in Italy.

He explains: "The colt team would be unable to be promoted to a division above if that colt teams 'parent' team were participating in that division, nor could they participate in any cup competition where the 'parent' club were participating."

[The Real PapaBear 0]

why do we need a colt team? we already have a team of donkeys.

[ian1964 10,724]

FALKIRK chairman Martin Ritchie has accused Scottish Football League chief executive David Longmuir of acting “irresponsibly” by proposing that Old Firm colt teams join a new league set-up.

 

The development came 24 hours after the Scottish Premier League announced their clubs would vote on plans for a merged 12-12-18 structure on April 15, with a view to introducing it next season.

 

SFL clubs have not set a date and have also been discussing plans for a 12-12-10-10 league, which would require two new teams.

 

And Ritchie feels they should focus on the plans in hand rather than creating fresh controversy.

 

Ritchie said: “The problem I have with it, I think at this stage it’s just a total distraction from the key issue that everybody is discussing, which is reconstruction. There are pros and cons with it but it is clearly going to be a contentious issue.

 

“It’s going to divide the clubs and it’s going to divide the supporters and to introduce it at this stage of the reconstruction debate, I think it’s irresponsible.

 

“I got it absolutely out of the blue this afternoon when I opened my emails.”

 

Ritchie added: “Maybe there’s an opportunity after reconstruction to look at the pros and cons and decide if it’s a good idea, but at the moment we have very tight timescales. The SPL have said they are going to vote on the 15th of April. The SFL are behind that, partly because it was the SPL that were drawing up the documents.

 

“But the SFL have got quite a lot of catching up to do and to suddenly put a new variable on the table, and one that will certainly divide the clubs and the supporters, all that is actually doing is putting the whole process into further disarray.”

 

The plans do not appear to have been shared with the SPL and St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour was another to express his club’s opposition.

 

He said: “Our view has never changed on colt teams from when it came up the last time — if there are to be colt teams, then fine, we have everybody in a colt league. We have no desire to have some clubs having colt teams and others not, it’s as simple as that.”

 

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/leaguedivision1/4838788/Proposals-slammed-by-Bairns.html#ixzz2NOt3VNSp

[bluebear54 0]

Gilmour sums it up then. It's all about self interest.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Also looks to me like the SPL intend to have a built in 5-3 majority vote - 3 from the SPL clubs and 2 executives of their choosing.

I hope the SFL are going into this with their eyes open.

[Guest Dummiesoot]

Well gilmour was unaware of the proposal because it only went to sfl. Plus rangers and celtic are the only two that could afford to run them so he is talking shite.

 

Falkirk? Well he just sees the spl bribe.

[JTP 0]

So where does our Colt team play if we are still stuck in the bottom tier?

 

We can't have Rangers v Rangers reserves.

[ian1964 10,724]

'He has given clubs until Friday to respond – but it’s understood many within the SFL are baffled by the move and believe their chief executive is putting Rangers’ desires in particular ahead of the wishes of the other 29.'

 

Above quote is from http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chief-executive-david-longmuir-revives-1759883

[JTP 0]

'He has given clubs until Friday to respond – but it’s understood many within the SFL are baffled by the move and believe their chief executive is putting Rangers’ desires in particular ahead of the wishes of the other 29.'

 

Above quote is from http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chief-executive-david-longmuir-revives-1759883

 

 

So the proposal is to put us back in the SPL ................ or even promotion?

 

Nup stuck in the bottom. That quote is just plain fucking baffling.

[johnnyk 158]

So where does our Colt team play if we are still stuck in the bottom tier?

 

We can't have Rangers v Rangers reserves.

 

Not sure when they want this to happen but it won't be any time soon IMO, as in next season. The SFL also still want 4 leagues so I take it they're assuming there will be 4 leagues and we will in Div2 or above when it actually starts, if it ever does.

[GovanAllan 0]

'He has given clubs until Friday to respond – but it’s understood many within the SFL are baffled by the move and believe their chief executive is putting Rangers’ desires in particular ahead of the wishes of the other 29.'

 

Above quote is from http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chief-executive-david-longmuir-revives-1759883

 

The Rhebel continuing on with Longmuir the Rangers puppet, straight after the attack by English.

 

Just makes you sit and shake your head at this country.