| Welcome to Kerrydale Street. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you decide to register, please be aware that we don't accept email addresses from free web accounts like gmail, Hotmail, live.co.uk etc. Sorry, but almost all of the abuse and spam that we get is from free web accounts. The software on the forum will automatically block any requests using a free email account. Upon Registration, you will be given access to all our varied Forums, and you will be expected to comply with our fairly stringent Rules and Regulations. Meantime, enjoy your visit If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Scottish Premier League ponders expansion & play-offs | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: 3 Mar 2010, 08:15 PM (2,769 Views) | |
| Meeky | 3 Mar 2010, 08:15 PM Post #1 |
Club Captain
  ![]](http://209.85.122.87/static/1/pip_r.png)
|
The Scottish Premier League is considering possible expansion and a play-off system. "We have been talking to supporters and there does seem to be some desire to freshen things up," revealed SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster. "That could mean more teams in the SPL but we have to be open to all ideas. "The play-offs in the Football League have been a tremendous success and innovations like that can create much in terms of excitement and revenue." The idea of a second tier for the SPL has long been mooted but several managers have expressed their backing for taking the number of top flight teams from 12 to 16 instead. The SPL, which formed in 1998 with 10 teams, has never employed play-offs. Doncaster, who assumed his post in July, was behind the launch of a wide-ranging online fans' survey in January, and has always stressed that he is open to change. However, any amendments to the league would have to be approved by a vote from the 12 clubs. You need to keep wealthy owners being able to finance clubs - it's the way many clubs have been financed for many, many years "Anything we propose has to be embraced by the clubs if it is to become reality," explained Doncaster. "The starting point is us generating ideas. We then need to talk to clubs and see if there is a consensus." Meanwhile, Celtic and Rangers were warned that they would face SPL expulsion if they attempt to negotiate their own television deals. Doncaster admitted that the loss of one Champions League qualification spot next year would increase the pressure for change. But he insisted the Old Firm could not go it alone in terms of TV deals. Speaking at the Soccerex conference in Manchester, he said: "The coefficient being as it is leading to the loss of Champions League representation for one of our teams will certainly increase the pressure for change. "There's no doubt in my mind that we need to look very carefully at where the SPL is going. "There are two very big clubs in our mix and they certainly in the past made no secret that they may be open to invitations from elsewhere. "The (English) Premier League made it unequivocally clear where they stand on that last year and that means that the two clubs, Celtic and Rangers, are likely to be here for the foreseeable future. "I don't think it has any impact at all on individual selling because that is not allowed under the SPL constitution. "I find the idea of individual selling very difficult - for me that's not what football is all about. Collective selling makes a more level playing field for the game." Doncaster also expressed his opposition to Uefa's financial fair play plans, which would stop rich owners from bankrolling clubs. That proposal has already been watered down but Doncaster warned that such action could harm teams. "It's very important that it doesn't close off the avenue for wealthy owners or sugar daddies who have the best interests of the club at heart being able to invest in the right way, through equity or a gift. "That's just part of living the dream. "So long as you avoid the plight of clubs such as Portsmouth with debts they cannot pay off, then you need to keep wealthy owners being able to finance clubs - it's the way many clubs have been financed for many, many years. "If you kill the dream you stand a real chance of killing football however much it might be attractive in the short term." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8548227.stm |
 |
 
|
| Luxembourg Bhoy | 3 Mar 2010, 08:17 PM Post #2 |
First-team starter
|
On the assumption that we rot in SPHell for years to come, I would welcome expanding the league if it meant we didn't have to play each team 4 times a season .... that's a joke. Mind you, whetever they do, it'll still be a largely pissy product 
|
|
|
| Thommy | 3 Mar 2010, 08:23 PM Post #3 |
In A Cracked Cup An'all
|
At least the bastards are thinking about change. Something is desperately needing done. |
|
|
|
| p-livi67 | 3 Mar 2010, 08:24 PM Post #4 |
Aboutabhoy CSC
|
It has to happen, the league structure is an absolute joke as is the fact that only one team gets relegated from and promoted the SPL each season. |
|
|
|
| Bauhaus | 3 Mar 2010, 08:25 PM Post #5 |
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool del CELTIC!!!!!!!!
|
Expansion + play offs is the way forward for the SPL. Getting out of the SPL is the way forward for Celtic. |
|
|
|
| Big_dave_greenock_1888 | 3 Mar 2010, 08:26 PM Post #6 |
Getting on a bit
|
Amen |
|
|
|
| brianthebhoy | 3 Mar 2010, 08:28 PM Post #7 |
The Physicist
|
I am bored stupid with playing teams four times a season. Thirty games played home and away with play-offs would be a good idea and I think that it would help and bring through young players more easily. All league games could be played exclusively at the weekends and even league cup ties could be at the weekend also. This might even help the teams playing in Europe and the national team. One thing is for sure is that it certainly needs freshened up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
|
|
|
| Forza | 3 Mar 2010, 08:28 PM Post #8 |
|
Occasional Substitute
|
This. |
|
|
|
| the_bhoy_wonder | 3 Mar 2010, 08:28 PM Post #9 |
URBAN
|
at last |
|
|
|
| Tredhearcacht | 3 Mar 2010, 08:29 PM Post #10 |
|
First team training
|
If there's a fire in your kitchen, do you start painting the walls? |
|
|
|
| ScottishEagleBhoy | 3 Mar 2010, 08:34 PM Post #11 |
The sole reason why there's no pies left at halftime!
|
Agree mostly, but 2 less games against the Hun would surely affect TV revenue? |
|
|
|
| paulmck1888 | 3 Mar 2010, 08:38 PM Post #12 |
Celtic first, Celtic last, Celtic overall
|
The other teams wont vote for less games against us and the huns, they would lose revenue. |
|
|
|
| paul88 | 3 Mar 2010, 08:38 PM Post #13 |
Everyone's Fantasy Football first pick
|
Me too
|
|
|
|
| SilkyHoops | 3 Mar 2010, 08:40 PM Post #14 |
Considering retirement
|
I agree. I would prefer us to be in the Conference League now. |
|
|
|
| Meeky | 3 Mar 2010, 08:41 PM Post #15 |
|
Club Captain
|
Exactly what I was thinking. Something has to be done though & the other teams in this league have as much responsibility to help improve it as Celtic & the Huns. |
|
|
|
| Wee Red | 3 Mar 2010, 08:51 PM Post #16 |
not too serious
|
The only reason we want out the SPL is because we are embarassing ourselves in it especially when we think we have a right to play in the EPL or latter stages in Europe. Lets get realistic here, we are not good enough to think we are better than any SPL team. Get real. We have a long way to go to look down our nose at anybody. We are blaming refs and the tooth fairy for our board's actions neglecting the club, with the present visible results. We need to improve the quality and professionalism of our football, and it will not happen overnight, get used to it. |
|
|
|
| Yogibhoy | 3 Mar 2010, 08:52 PM Post #17 |
Standing shoulder to shoulder with Tony Mowbray.
|
 FITZPAS!!!!! Get an e-mail to Neil Doncaster outlining that idea you had the other week for a 12 team SPL, 12 team "Championship", then a 8/8/8 split..... That was BRAW!!! |
|
|
|
| Hagi Bhoy | 3 Mar 2010, 08:55 PM Post #18 |
First-team captain
|
I'd rather see a more competitive SPL and a less competitive (financially at least) EPL, La Liga, etc etc but lets be honest that ain't gona happen. |
|
|
|
| SilkyHoops | 3 Mar 2010, 09:04 PM Post #19 |
|
Considering retirement
|
That is nonsense. We have a burning sense of injustice from always getting the thin end of the wedge from the refs and the SFA.If it happens once in an Old Firm game it is problematic, twice in a row then it is highly dubious, three times, and then are you are out. Any fair minded person can see we are being persecuted and predujiced by the refs. We saw this same sort of systemic nepotism and bias by Grade 1 referees during the Tommy Burns era, and we are witnessing it again now. There has to be a link somewhere here I would suggest. Sir Walter of Cardigan has been deeply involved in both incarnations of this nepotism in favour of Rangers 
|
|
|
|
| LeedsTim | 3 Mar 2010, 09:05 PM Post #20 |
Italy, Spain, Argentina, basically anyone but England.
|
The SPL is shampooe. No matter how it's dressed up it'll still be shampooe. There's no money in it and clubs which should be competitive, like Hearts & Aberdeen, are shambolically run and or managed. |
|
|
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Celtic Football Club Discussion Forum · Next Topic » |
1:11 PM Jul 31
