Welsh Premier League

Right guys, I have just seen the final table in the FAW PL. I have seen that Rhyl finished 6th with 38 points. and most of the teams below them have more points. I believe they split the league. can some one explain why they do this and what purpose it serves. I know it is a joke of a league but this just seems to make even more of a joke. So which one of you out there can explain why they do it. thanks.


http://www.welshpremier.co.uk/leaguetable.ink

 

All teams play each other twice on a home and away basis then after 22 games the top 6 teams play each other twice on a home and away basis and likewise the bottom 6 do the same so each team ends up playing 32 games in total. Does this help any

 

It does clear it up, but why do they split the league, what purpose does it serve.

 

Not sure the only explanation I can see is that when they play each twice that's only 22 games, so they would need to play more games to extend the season. Splitting the league with the best teams playing each other another twice extends that to 32 games. If they played each other home and away twice that would result in a 44 game season, perhaps too long for welsh league. It may have something to do with European qualification but I'd be only being presumptuous. I'm sure someone will enlighten us soon.

 

Have to say, just seems ****ing stupid to me.

 

It is pretty stupid, but there was a little more to it than just the fixture count.

By splitting the league after 22 games, it brought greater tension to mid-season games. Teams would aim to be in the top 6 by 22 games, and you'd get high intensity games with lots of pressure even though there was 10 games to go.

It was also done for TV purposes, so that after the split, you'd have 6 better quality teams playing each other twice to decide the title. So, in theory, the end of season should have brought a better quality product for S4C to market.

The bottom 6 play to avoid relegation and also to come seventh. The 7th place team enters the European play off with the other teams in the Top 6. So plenty to play for even if you're in the bottom 6.

All very complicated and hard to follow, so most people...well...don't follow it! I believe the split was introduced into the SPL first though, so the WPL just copied their format.

 

Not enough decent (at that level) teams - stops 11 - 0 score lines.

Don't Scotland do the same sort of thing?