Allegedly to remove fixture congestion (giving the FA and League Cups more space), the Football League are proposing 4 Leagues of 20 clubs below the Premiership. So you'd have a total of 100 clubs. And to take effect from season 2019/20. http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2016/a-whole-game-solution-3119809.aspx On first scan, reducing the number of scheduled midweek to 1 is good. More consistency and better rotation if clubs have full week between games to prepare and plan. Also should have a positive effect on crowd attendance over the season. But, if congestion is the root issue why not do away with the play-off games at the end of the season? Also, have a sneaky suspicion that there's a hidden agenda. And that is, the extra (new) division will be opened up to Premiership 'B' teams. Not without it's merits if it means better development for young English players. But .. ?
I don't think fixture congestion is such an issue outside of the Premier League, to be honest. It's only really a big factor for teams with European commitments. I think the Premier League should reduce to 18 or even 16 teams (which was what they said they would work towards when they set it up), but for the other divisions 24 teams works perfectly well. As for allowing Premiership B teams, I think that's a bad idea that would weaken the integrity of the league, and also make it harder for lower division teams to take promising youngsters on loan. I'm far from convinced that the proposed changes are in any way positive.
Seriously though, I share your doubts Captain. For one the TV lot will mess up the fixture list and introduce their own version of congestion anyway. For another, the Football League have set a deadline in 2017 for a decision on these proposals and it just cannot be a coincidence that the tender for the next round of broadcasting rights is due immediately after. Smacks of commercialism rather than football.
On paper I like the new ideas but experience has taught they are unlikely to be implemented properly, there will be an ulterior motive and we will just end up with premiership B teams and Celtic and Rangers in the football league.
Agreed - fine in theory, but the could undermine the ethos of football below the Prem - We definitely do not want B teams of big clubs. It'll be usual matter of "Sod The Fans"
The EFL have announced that any possible reform of the English structure will not involve the introduction of Premier League B teams or the Old Firm clubs into the pyramid. They also say that clubs in League One, Two and the proposed League Three have expressed the desire to play through any winter break, were one to be introduced in England. Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/n...t-inclusion-of-b-teams-and-non-english-clubs?
I think we should look in to joining the SPL along with the likes of Newcastle, Birmingham, Villa, Sheff Wed, Wolves
Maybe that's why we're building up a Scots contingent in the side and waiting for Independence Day. Kind of and aside, we've never really had many Jocks playing for us, even in the 60s and 70s when other clubs, including the lot you mention SuperBri, were awash with them. Bit strange really since we had quite close links with the likes of Kilmarnock - Malky Mackay comes to mind and an annual event was a friendly against them on the eve of the England v Scotland game at Wembley. Anyway back to serious stuff. The decision mentioned earlier was from the first round of consultation about a restructure and the EFL are still pushing for 5 Leagues of 20 clubs headed by the Premier League. A final decision is to be made in June 2017. Here's a link to an article in the local paper which gives a lot more detail and the 'full' EFL statement: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/efl-rules-out-premier-league-11926200?
