SFL propose Old Firm "Colt" Teams

[aweebluesoandso 290]

Seams like there's a bit of back stabbing and duplicity going on from the usual suspects. there's no way Longmuir would have proposed this idea of the "Colt" teams without the approval of Green and Liewell, so why the organised attacks from the Liewells puppets?

[pete 2,499]

Is it not so that in England you have to registrar 25 players and make do with those players for the season?

[Zappa 0]

It's not inconceivable that they just want to throw a spanner in the works of their monumentally stupid reconstruction proposals without having to admit that the proposals are unworkable and a big mistake, so they've chucked in the colt teams aspect to the equation as the spanner which would make it little more than a red herring in the real picture.

[ian1964 10,724]

Turnbull Hutton warns SFL must 'get a grip' to save reconstruction plans

 

 

Raith Rovers chairman Turnbull Hutton has warned that league reconstruction could be "blown out of the water" by 11th hour tinkering to the proposals.

 

The Starks Park chief spoke after a meeting of the Scottish Football League on Tuesday introduced a plan to have two leagues of ten at the foot of the new football structure, as opposed to one league of 18.

 

That would create two spaces in the set-up which could be filled by ‘Colt’ teams from Celtic and Rangers, as revealed in a document sent to SFL clubs.

 

However Hutton believes such changes so late in discussions threaten to de-rail the entire process – which is expected to deliver better funding to lower league teams and create a unified governing body if voted through.

 

The Raith chairman said now was not a time for a "pick and mix" approach from the SFL.

 

He said: "The 12-12-18 proposal is a significant step forward. That is what we should be talking about – not all this other Woolworths Pick and Mix stuff.

 

"There are discussions and agendas being set up and people are unaware of it. I don’t know what they are because I’m not party to them but it is obvious there are discussions going on on the periphery of this.

 

"We need to get a grip or we will blow the whole thing out of the water. We should embrace what is on offer and get on with it.

 

"There’s a whole raft of things we can talk about after we become one governing body."

 

Speaking to STV on Wednesday, SFL chief executive David Longmuir said his decision to bring the colts proposal back to the table was solely for the purpose of ensuring all ideas were discussed.

 

"My view is an objective one and the Colts team idea was laid out in the Mcleish Review," he said.

 

"All I am trying to do here is stimulate debate. We are going through a huge round of deliberation. All I am doing is putting another option forward.

 

"We have to be very clear on what's right for the SFL and also for the whole of the Scottish game.

 

"I have to look at how we bring the fans back. With that, I am looking at all aspects of improving our game."

 

http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-first/217481-turnbull-hutton-warns-sfl-must-get-a-grip-to-save-reconstruction-plans/

[ian1964 10,724]

David Longmuir: 'League reconstruction may not be in place for next season'

 

 

David Longmuir has conceded league reconstruction might not be pushed through in time for next season.

 

The Scottish Football League chief executive says it is important the country's 42 senior clubs "get this right", as talks continue over changing the format of the league.

 

SPL and SFL clubs are moving towards an April vote on amalgamating and forming a 12-12-18 league structure, with a draft rulebook sent to all teams this week.

 

"It may well be the case that league reconstruction won't happen before next season," Longmuir told STV. "But it is clear we have to get this right.

 

"Everyone has their own agenda. I am looking at this objectively and now is the time to put ideas forward."

 

On Tuesday, Longmuir sent a proposal to SFL sides outlining the case for an alternative 12-12-10-10 setup, including the introduction of Celtic and Rangers "colt" teams into the bottom tier.

 

That plan has been met with criticism from some chairmen, including Raith Rovers' Turnbull Hutton, who described the idea as "pick and mix".

 

Longmuir added: "My view is an objective one and the Colts team idea was laid out in the McLeish Review.

 

"All I am trying to do here is stimulate debate. We are going through a huge round of deliberation. All I am doing is putting another option forward.

 

"We have to be very clear on what's right for the SFL and also for the whole of the Scottish game.

 

"I have to look at how we bring the fans back. With that, I am looking at all aspects of improving our game."

 

The SFL are yet to decide when their final vote on league reconstruction will take place, although STV understands an April date is being considered.

 

The Scottish Premier League have scheduled April 15 for their final vote.

 

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/airdrie-united/217482-david-longmuir-league-reconstruction-may-not-be-in-place-for-next-season/

[djbroxybear 0]

Seems the SFL and SPL are still wide apart to a 12-12-18 or 12-12-10-10 i think Longmuir doesn't want to rush into it as seems SPL want to get it through for start of next season, which would result in us playing same teams again next season. If that happens i would like to see us get out of Scottish Football and go to the Conference if they would have us and all relevent bodies are happy with it.

[djbroxybear 0]

In the new round of league reconstruction discussions between the Scottish Football League (SFL) and the Scottish Premier League (SPL), one of the more surprising topics to reappear from the dead of previous meetings is a Rangers and Celtic second team, or 'colts' playing in the lower leagues.

 

- SPL clubs to vote on April 15

 

A few other countries, most famously Spain, have a similar system where the bigger teams have another side in the lower divisions. It gives an avenue for their young players to play competitive football, and in return allows more money to the opposition through media interest and support.

 

But would it work here? The answer has to be yes. Many forget that Rangers and Celtic fans make up around two-thirds of the total football support in Scotland. Considering most SFL3 teams get an average of 500 people at their games, there would be no problems in equalling or exceeding that gate for the 'colt' sides weekly.

 

And that is a very conservative estimate. If the colt sides are playing an important match or against each other, then the attendances would rise to thousands, maybe even over ten thousand. For those scoffing at such a figure, Rangers had just under 3,000 already this season for a reserve match, and in the past, Rangers versus Celtic reserve games have had more than 30,000 spectators.

 

We live in an austere economy so reduced prices and less crowded matches are sure to attract those who can't afford a weekly match at Ibrox or Celtic Park. And as Rangers fans have discovered to their surprise, apart from the Light Blues themselves, most SFL3 teams play good passing football.

 

During the Second World War, Rangers had a second team in the North-Eastern League as well as the first team in the Southern League. This was done to help the northern sides stay solvent and amazingly the second string sometimes got higher crowds than the first due to closer competition. Of course this won't be repeated, but there is no doubt that seeing a Rangers team battle with a Celtic team, in whatever guise, would be popular.

 

Yet it won't happen. There is too much bad feeling in Scottish football to see another Rangers and Celtic in the league. Instead of just saying 'no' like mature adults, we have whispering campaigns against David Longmuir, the CEO of the SFL, for putting the proposal forward. The gossip is that he is helping Rangers by proposing the concept.

 

The suspicion is that it would help Rangers while they are in the lower leagues. But surely believing the cost of setting up, administering and running a second side in a professional league would be a money-spinner in the short term is madness. Even in the long term, any profit would be minimal. This is about helping Rangers and Celtic develop players and also to give money back to the lower clubs in increased attendances. Even if 500 extra fans went per game it would double the matchday revenue for those sides. If thousands went, it would support our game tremendously.

 

But the football demographics are forgotten and jealousy rises to the surface. Rangers and Celtic don't get more money or attention in Scottish football because they have carefully placed stooges. It's because collectively their fans are the majority of Scottish football. Instead of letting the distorting effects of the huge size of the Rangers and Celtic fanbase work to their favour, they deny it exists or move into quasi-conspiracy mode. As ever, pettiness and Scottish football go together.

 

Unsurprisingly, when Rangers offered to play a second team in the North-Eastern League during WW2, there was the same jealousy from the southern clubs. The unnamed Rangers response*, rumoured to be Bill Struth, pointed out that it was just "a pathetic admission by certain people of their inability to field a team capable of attracting public interest". In that respect, nothing has changed.

 

*'The First 100 Years' by Bob Crampsey.

[aweebluesoandso 290]

Seems the SFL and SPL are still wide apart to a 12-12-18 or 12-12-10-10 i think Longmuir doesn't want to rush into it as seems SPL want to get it through for start of next season, which would result in us playing same teams again next season. If that happens i would like to see us get out of Scottish Football and go to the Conference if they would have us and all relevent bodies are happy with it.

 

Carrot and stick approach from the SPL, Longmuir has just witnessed the stick approach form the Liewelll puppets, maybe he will get his carrot the 12-12-10-10?

 

The SPL badly need this reconstruction to keep their power base, although diluted somewhat but not by much.

[bluebear54 0]

Please DJ

What bozo wrote this?

 

Scottish Football League chief executive, David Longmuir, emerged from the shambles that the game’s administrators got themselves into last year with a remarkably solid relationship with the SFL’s member clubs, indeed, he has been singled out for high praise from the Newco-club.

 

The flow of sentiment reversed after he wrote to member clubs suggesting Celtic and Newco-Rangers enter ‘colt’ clubs in the Third Division. This bizarre suggestion was justified on the basis that if Celtic and Rangers join another league, while leaving the rest of the leading clubs behind, their colt teams would continue to bring interest and revenue to the game.

 

Mr Longmuir seems to have missed the fact that in the event any of the above comes to pass, the departure of Celtic and Newco-Rangers would then create an opportunity for colt clubs to be considered. Their inclusion now is unnecessary, especially when Newco could potentially enter administration next season, lose players, suffer the mandatory 25 point penalty and be relegated into the bottom division with their colt players, who presumably would also suffer administration-related penalties.

 

Speculation that Mr Longmuir is taking care of current business until he is ready to move to Newco is becoming hard to ignore. Newco need to get themselves out of the bottom league first, though. The colts team idea is certain to be rejected, the question will not even reach the SPL or Celtic. The 12-12-10-10 idea favoured by Newco is looking an increasingly hard sell, with 12-12-18 more likely. Mr Longmuir better look after the interests of all his member clubs if he wants to hang on long enough to move straight to Newco. If he loses his ability to be a dealmaker I’m not sure what he can offer an aspiring £100m company.

 

The Obsession from the Enemy.

[djbroxybear 0]

Bluebear - Paul Brennan Celtic Quick News mate what a wallaper.