The 100 teams in five leagues bollocks has officially been sacked off... The EFL Board has today announced that they will cease discussions on the Whole Game Solution with immediate effect. This comes after the Football Association (FA) informed them they were no longer prepared to consider rescheduling FA Cup fixtures into midweek slots. The decision has been taken with significant regret and disappointment and brings to an end the EFL-led debate on the possibility of the single biggest reform of the English League structure since the inception of the Premier League in 1992. In order for the Whole Game Solution to be viable, it required the English football authorities to look collectively at the fixture schedules and create additional weekends for League football. However, after seeking clarification on the FA’s position following the recent announcement of their new international broadcasting deal, the EFL were informed that there was no longer a sufficient advantage for the FA in making the changes. Shaun Harvey, EFL Chief Executive, said: “As a result of the FA’s decision, the Board has been left with no option but to end the Whole Game Solution discussions as, in its current form, it is no longer viable. If the weekend slots are not available, then there is simply no way we can meet the financial conditions (to be no worse off) as outlined at the very outset. “The stance the FA has adopted has brought the discussions to a premature end, before fully understanding what the financial outcome from the creation of a new distribution model could be. “If the FA are willing to change its position then we are, of course, open to re-engaging in what is a hugely important debate that was designed to help shape the future of football in this country.” http://www.efl.com/news/article/201...on-statement-3418640.aspx#GGPxPm5ky90qUudM.99
It wasn't so much just the 100 teams in five divisions, it was the other things that were put forward as part of the original pans. Premier League B teams potentially being allowed in, voting in the new clubs, rather than just pulling in the highest teams from the National League (to potentially allow Rangers/Celtic to join). Potentially regionalising the bottom leagues, so they were no longer actually national leagues. FA Cup games all being played midweek etc.
I agree the original plans were rubbish, but they scrapped the idea of B teams and Scottish teams quite early on. The plans that went forward (and have now been rejected) were pretty sensible.
The phrase 'if it ain't broke' comes to mind. It was a horrible idea and what we currently have is fine. Right decision. Load of pointless bollocks.
It was always a bad idea, it was never going to get the support of the clubs. It effectively meant relegating an extra four teams in each league one season and reduced revenue due to the reduction in games being played each season and nobody could really see the upside. Their new cup competition has become a complete joke, this was likely to go the same way.
I've always thought if they want a 5th Division why not just incorporate the current National League as League 3, (if they insist on retaining the existing daft naming convention) and add an extra one or two promotion/relegation spots between that and League 2. No restructure needed, no B-Teams, no Scottish teams, no Cup fixture rescheduling. Easy.
Makes sense, and the question is what is the boundary between league and non-league? I'd say it's that a division of the Football League should be entirely professional. So once the National League becomes all professional clubs, which may happen eventually, it can then become the 5th tier of the League system. Until then, leave it as it is.
The FA only cares about the PL and preserving it's status as the richest league in the world. The EFL can do one as far as they're concerned.
100 teams in 5 divisions means that each team would play less games per season. Our national team may benefit.
You seem to be on mission to look even more stupid than normal today. England players are selected almost exclusively from the Premier League, where the number of games would have remained unchanged.
The problem is that reducing the FL to 20 teams per division means only 19 home games per season instead of the current 23. That's a major hole in the finances. The only way to make it up would be: a) for the PL clubs to make up the difference b) meaningless end of season games like we see in RL with the Super 8's, Qualifying 8's etc so we all know which one would happen...
the EPL would no longer exist. so the choice of the national team would have to come from the top 20 or 40 teams. surely even you can understand that.
yeah I guess that the idea of not playing as many games and helping the national team was the initial motivation. I guess that teams could play their fringe players in the meaningless games at the end of the season.
The games in the top division would remain the same. How would fewer games in the four lowest divisions help England? Wales, NI, Eire and Scotland yes.
bah ****. many apologies, I just worked it out on a spreadsheet. the only divisions it would help, would be the lower British ones. shelving it is the best thing
You are excelling yourself now. They wouldn't have to come from the top 20 or 40 teams.The Players could from any one of the clubs, league or non-league. Though it is unlikely. I can only think of a handful of players who have played for England from outside the top division. You should know who the last player was to score for England whilst playing for a Third Division club.There would still be a top division whether it was called the PL or not.How many players currently get selected from the second division? Yet you are blathering on about players from the top 40 teams.
