Re-structuring Scottish Football Vol 2

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We presented our thoughts, regarding the re-structuring of Scottish football previously in this post http://lawtop20.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/restructuring-scottish-football.html. We also submitted the case about the need for the creation of a more attractive product, which would guarantee a better income from potential TV broadcasters here http://lawtop20.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/sky-sports-football-broadcasting-rights.html. We explained clearly in these two posts that Scottish football could become more attractive, because the power of it derives from its own fans.

The ability to create an attractive product derives from the competitiveness of the product itself. The creation of a different structure in Scottish football, would ensure better finances and a stronger national team. We propose, therefore, the increase of the SPL teams to 18. The additional 6 teams would join from Division One. The remaining 4 teams in Division One would be joined by the 10 teams of Division Two and the 10 teams from Division Three. These 24 teams could create one Division below the SPL and the name of it should not be of immense importance for the time being. These 24 teams could be divided into two groups, for example, the Northern Scottish League [NSL] and the Southern Scottish League [SSL]. At the end of each regular season, the top teams from both groups could have a separate 'mini championship, in the form of play-offs. The winner [s] of the play-offs could then join the SPL.

The above structure, would make the lower leagues more competitive, as it would increase the number of games, but most importantly, it would increase the incentives and motives in terms of promotion to the SPL. Every single one of these 24 clubs, would start the season with an equal opportunity of gaining entry into the SPL. Accordingly, the clubs would have everything to play for and highly likely they would invest wisely and plan accordingly. The lower division clubs would escape from the undesirable presence in the lower and non-profitable divisions and they would have the opportunity to present their young players to the nation, in a more efficient and attractive way. This could only have advantages for the national team and Scottish football as a whole.

There are obviously further details that need to be considered and we are convinced they are workable. The above ideas would ensure the creation of a better product, would make it more competitive and more attractive. Above all, they would give individual clubs the chance to revive their finances and offer more opportunities to their young players and better quality of the product to their fans.

We hope that the Scottish football authorities would consider these ideas and discuss them with the individual clubs.

Dr. Gregory Ioannidis

2 July 2012

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