Ultra Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 BBC Sport League to discuss two-tier plan A plan to increase the Premier League to two divisions including Celtic and Rangers is to be discussed by club chairmen on Thursday. The two divisions would each contain 16 teams, freeing more weekends for international preparation and games. And clubs who at the moment face a huge drop in income after relegation to the Championship would lose less money. Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has put the scheme together and will present it to his Premier League counterparts. In theory, the addition of the Old Firm should provide a stiffer test for Scotland's top two clubs and also generate more enthusiasm from broadcasters and fans. That would make up some of the money each club would lose if the Premier League is expanded from 20 to 36 clubs. At the moment, teams relegated to the Championship are given £11.5m a year for two years for lost television income if they drop out of the top flight and are not promoted back into it. Gartside's plan, which will need the approval of 14 out of 20 Premier League chairmen, would offer more financial stability to teams in the lower half of the Premier League, who would then be able to plan for the future with greater certainty. However, there are a substantial number of obstacles. Uefa, the European governing body, has consistently said that teams will not be allowed to play in leagues outside their own country. In addition, both Glasgow giants would inevitably find it harder to qualify for the Champions League. The Football Association, their Scottish counterparts and the Football League would all have to give their approval as well. Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are likely to be against the plan as it would affect their income. Others such as Aston Villa, Tottenham and Everton, who may consider it unlikely they would ever drop out of a 20-team Premier League, may also have misgivings. Mid-table clubs might also struggle to cope with a drop in television money as the cash is spread more widely. A Premier League spokesman said: "We haven't seen any proposal and therefore are unable to comment." I'd be very surprised if this gets off the ground. Expanding the league and cutting fixtures means that clubs would suffer considerable cuts in their incomes. And various powers-that-be, as well as many fans, would take a very dim view of the Old Firm's attempts to gatecrash the top flight.
eye666 Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 However, there are a substantial number of obstacles. Uefa, the European governing body, has consistently said that teams will not be allowed to play in leagues outside their own country. Cardiff? Swansea?
Guest Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 Cardiff? Swansea? Have been playing in our league for decades. They were also give the chance to go and play in the LoW with the guarantee of European football, and declined it. Having said that, I do not want the Old Firm playing league football outside the Scottish leagues. If they want to play top flight football in this country, they can go and start at non-league level and work their way up like everyone else. This plan just looks like a desperate chairman trying to protect his tenuous grip on top flight football before they find their real place in the whole scheme of things.
act smiley Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 taking a step back from the OF thing a minute, its a dumb scheme because it has to cater to two seperate groups, the big clubs after a league full of clubs that have a value to sponsors, tv etc. while the small clubs want it to keep their finger in the pie and potentially cut off the FL. Two very different aims and Id be suprised if PL2 didnt rapidly become adrift like the current second tier is
Fosse Boy Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 I'm sure Scudamore will be jizzing himself silly over this stupid idea.
Mickey O'Neil Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 This is so wrong. As I read it, Gartside (sp?) is trying to cover his back in case Bolton get relegated in the next coupla' seasons. Leave it the fcuk alone.
davieG Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 I don't like the idea at all. Not the Scottish contingent, not the cutting adrift L3/4 and many more reasons. The only real solution is to cap the wages revenue of each club and spread the income more evenly as they do in the Land of the Free aka the survival of the fittest that is called the USA. But, if it was going to work you'd need two Leagues of equal stature with play-offs for the top teams at the end of the season, similar to the NFL. But I hope it never happens and they come up with a realistic monetary based solution.
Simi Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 It's hardly surprising. Very selfish move from Gartside, he knows if Bolton drop out they'll lose a hell of a lot of money and might struggle to get back up. This hasn't been throught through at all though. It will cut off the rest of the Football League, never really giving them a chance to experience the top flight or at least a play off?! Lets face it, if the big four stay in tier one, then tier two will just turn out like the Championship. Nobody in a global market will care it about and it will become extremley hard to market without the prospect of playing some of the big teams. I can't help but thinking Scudamore is loving this idea. He'll be able to reach his wider market he constantly wanks about and further isolate the Premier teams from everyone else.
lcfc_jme Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 If both Rangers and Celtic start in tier 2, am I right in thinking it'll be at least 2 years before either of them can qualify for a European competition? Substantial loss of income on their parts which is not guaranteed to return. I'm not sure they'd be too happy to give up... And besides, without games against the top 4 to come every season, how many season tickets will the likes of Fulham, Middlesborough, Wigan and Bolton etc sell each season? Their attendances are struggling with games guaranteed against these teams every year ffs! Stupid, pathetic idea from a shitty little man at a no-mark team which is probably on the decline.
Corky Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 I can't see this happening. And as Lisa says, Rangers and Celtic should start right at the bottom if they want to join English football.
Matt Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 If it's not broken, don't fix it. It is broken though...Broken by the cants who come up with these ridiculous ideas.
Darkzzz_ Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 Have been playing in our league for decades. They were also give the chance to go and play in the LoW with the guarantee of European football, and declined it.Having said that, I do not want the Old Firm playing league football outside the Scottish leagues. If they want to play top flight football in this country, they can go and start at non-league level and work their way up like everyone else. This plan just looks like a desperate chairman trying to protect his tenuous grip on top flight football before they find their real place in the whole scheme of things. Bang on Lisa.
Steven Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 No thanks to the Scottish contingent. After all why not invite Ajax or PSG as I am sure most fans would prefer Amsterdam or Paris to Glasgow. <_<
Maybes Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 As discussed with Ched, Tommeh and Jme yesterday in Tesco (Southend) we all came to the conclusion it would a complete waste of time. The 2nd Tier would just be no different to the current championship.
purpleronnie Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 Cant see the Police being happy about celtic and rangers fans coming down in their 1000's each week.
lou Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 Have been playing in our league for decades. They were also give the chance to go and play in the LoW with the guarantee of European football, and declined it.Having said that, I do not want the Old Firm playing league football outside the Scottish leagues. If they want to play top flight football in this country, they can go and start at non-league level and work their way up like everyone else. This plan just looks like a desperate chairman trying to protect his tenuous grip on top flight football before they find their real place in the whole scheme of things. Exactly what I was going to say! Id be furious if they allowed this to happen. Dont want their Sectarian nonsense in our leagues either
CosbehFox Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 The 2nd Tier would just be no different to the current championship. Exactly. All the clubs would lose money as well from the telly deals. Your average sides would never play the top sides to cash in on telly, advertising etc. Gartside would feck himself up in the process.
Lillehamring Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 celtic and rangers - The new MKDons stuff and nonsense. you only need to take at look at the scottish prem to see how disastrous a reduction in teams can be...
CosbehFox Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 The Scottish League would fall apart without them. The SFA is very near putting Celtic and Rangers B teams in the Third Division to give their clubs much needed revenue.
Guest Bilo Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 This is the worst idea since Mr Hitler suggested he and Mrs Hitler have an early night. It's that bad.
Corky Posted 20 April 2009 Posted 20 April 2009 This is the worst idea since Mr Hitler suggested he and Mrs Hitler have an early night.It's that bad. Got to love The Vicar of Dibley references
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