Premier League To Consider Expansion back on the agenda today

[Mickey O'Neil]

Leciester, Stoke, Hull, Reading, West Brom, Sheffield Utd...

I feel pretty confident that we'd be sold out for virtually every home game in the Prem. Bolton's ground holds 28K,that's nearly 7K empty seats for the Man City game! No way would we have 7K spare seats for a 'local' game in the Prem. I'd also guess that all of the teams you've just mentioned would fill their grounds for the games I mentioned in my previous post.

I'm not saying that Bolton don't deserve to be there or we're a bigger club, just that my point was, Gartside is worried that he'll have an empty stadium if/when they get relegated and he's looking for a way of protecting his neck.

[dandannieldanok]

Chick Young's BBC blog - A decent read.

[lcfc_jme]

MILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!

[BlueSi13]

If you ever thought Leeds United were deluded in their sense of size & grandeur....speak to a Celtic or Rangers fan about what they think will happen if they join us....

[Guest]

So, having read the columns regarding this over the weekend it appears that they're suggesting teams such as Leicester and Leeds would possibly be eligible to be selected for this Prem 2 league due to our attendance, commercial viability etc.

Just wondering if this altered anybody's opinion of the idea or not?

I still think it's a poor idea and smacks of someone desperately trying to prolong his club's top flight status, but the suggestions regarding implementing wage/spending caps that went along with this sound like a small positive in a bad idea

[davieG]

Plans for a two-tier Premier League have been dismissed by Football League chairman Lord Brian Mawhinney.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside wants two Premier League divisions of 18 teams, including Celtic and Rangers as well as 14 clubs from the Championship.

"It is not going to happen," Mawhinney told the BBC, adding "it is nonsense" and that the Premier League agreed.

The idea, first floated in October, has yet to be formally raised at any Premier League meetings.

But Mawhinney added: "Let me do a little bit of arithmetic for you - Mr Gartside said he would like two leagues of 18 teams - that is 36.

"He has got 20 teams in the Premier League. He wants Celtic and Rangers - that means he needs 14 from the Championship.

"You take 14 out of the Championship and it wrecks the Football League. So it started in 1888 and Mr Gartside kills it in 2009 - I don't think so."

Gartside, one of longest-serving chairmen in the top flight, said when he initially floated the idea that he felt it would make the Premier League more competitive and address a number of other problems.

"It would even everything out and make it more competitive," said Gartside.

"You could have 36 Premier League clubs split into 18 and 18 and that would also solve the problems of the winter break and supporting the England team.

"We have already got to the situation where the three clubs that go down from the Premier League are usually the three that come up, although a couple of others might sneak in."

European football's governing body Uefa has consistently said that teams will not be allowed to play in leagues outside their own country.

But Uefa's director of communications William Gaillard recently told the BBC the matter would be something to be decided between the leagues and associations involved.

Those bodies would be the Premier League, the Football Association, the Scottish Premier League, the Scottish Football Association and the Football League in England.

The proposal would need 14 votes from the 20 clubs at the Premier League's AGM if it was to be accepted.

Meanwhile, Mawhinney is keen to discuss with Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore the idea of the Football League receiving a payment from the top flight to lessen the effect of wage increases.

"The 92 clubs play in a closed system so what happens in players' wages at top of the Premier League ripples right down the Football League to League Two and it is making our life more and more difficult - making it harder for clubs to survive," added Mawhinney.

"We have floated the idea for discussion that maybe we could look at the aggregate of wages of the 20 Premier League clubs and then have an arrangement whereby a percentage of that might be given to Football League clubs to offset the upward pressure on our wages."

[Jon the Hat]

Typical of the football league to think that it is the administration of the league which matters rather than the clubs. What a load of rubbish. As long as there are still promotion and relegation who cares what they are called or whick bunch of people administers it?

[Ultra]

The league would probably survive in some shape or form.

But the clubs in it would end up having to go part-time, as they'd get far less TV money than they do now.

[J.Lisemore]

Celtic + Rangers would find it hard in the Championship never mind the Premiership IMO.

[Jon the Hat]

The league would probably survive in some shape or form.

But the clubs in it would end up having to go part-time, as they'd get far less TV money than they do now.

Clubs just need to be better run. They think they have to compete in terms of wages with the prem clubs. Why? It should be compulsory to have a salary cut on relegation in line with the drop in TV money.

[Matt]

Celtic + Rangers would find it hard in the Championship never mind the Premiership IMO.

Same here, I was having a conversation with a Celtic fan a couple of weeks ago and he was saying "When was the last time you were in the Champions League?"...Fact of the matter is there playing in a shite league, where 2 teams go into the Champions League from the SPL every season, so Celtic and Rangers are all but guaranteed a Champions League place.

I wouldn't want them in our leagues.

[Finnegan]

Celtic + Rangers would find it hard in the Championship never mind the Premiership IMO.

Same here, I was having a conversation with a Celtic fan a couple of weeks ago and he was saying "When was the last time you were in the Champions League?"...Fact of the matter is there playing in a shite league, where 2 teams go into the Champions League from the SPL every season, so Celtic and Rangers are all but guaranteed a Champions League place.

I wouldn't want them in our leagues.

Oh for fuck's sakes not this again. Don't be a pair of retards.

Look, I'm not really 'for' the idea - I don't want to see the Old Firm playing in the Prem. But anyone who thinks they wouldn't be a force in English football is a complete goon. So they don't have very good squads now, what's your point? They don't have good squads because the best players don't want to play in the SPL and the SPL doesn't generate much money.

You put them in the EPL and hey presto! Rangers easily have the resources to be a top-half Premiership club and, without wanting to wind up the Huns fans on here, Celtic's potential is even more enormous due to a somewhat larger stadium and infinite marketability. Why buy an Irish theme pub when you can buy an Irish theme club?

Football is a business and the Old Firm is a HUGE prospect. That's all this is about, money. Celtic and Rangers want in for the money, The Premier League would want them in... for the money.

You've got to be the most stupid, ignorant, short-sighted berk in the world to expect the two of them to struggle in the depths of the Championship.

[Maybes]

Oh for fuck's sakes not this again. Don't be a pair of retards.

Look, I'm not really 'for' the idea - I don't want to see the Old Firm playing in the Prem. But anyone who thinks they wouldn't be a force in English football is a complete goon. So they don't have very good squads now, what's your point? They don't have good squads because the best players don't want to play in the SPL and the SPL doesn't generate much money.

You put them in the EPL and hey presto! Rangers easily have the resources to be a top-half Premiership club and, without wanting to wind up the Huns fans on here, Celtic's potential is even more enormous due to a somewhat larger stadium and infinite marketability. Why buy an Irish theme pub when you can buy an Irish theme club?

Football is a business and the Old Firm is a HUGE prospect. That's all this is about, money. Celtic and Rangers want in for the money, The Premier League would want them in... for the money.

You've got to be the most stupid, ignorant, short-sighted berk in the world to expect the two of them to struggle in the depths of the Championship.

Depends where they start though to be honest.

[purpleronnie]

Oh for fuck's sakes not this again. Don't be a pair of retards.

Look, I'm not really 'for' the idea - I don't want to see the Old Firm playing in the Prem. But anyone who thinks they wouldn't be a force in English football is a complete goon. So they don't have very good squads now, what's your point? They don't have good squads because the best players don't want to play in the SPL and the SPL doesn't generate much money.

You put them in the EPL and hey presto! Rangers easily have the resources to be a top-half Premiership club and, without wanting to wind up the Huns fans on here, Celtic's potential is even more enormous due to a somewhat larger stadium and infinite marketability. Why buy an Irish theme pub when you can buy an Irish theme club?

Football is a business and the Old Firm is a HUGE prospect. That's all this is about, money. Celtic and Rangers want in for the money, The Premier League would want them in... for the money.

You've got to be the most stupid, ignorant, short-sighted berk in the world to expect the two of them to struggle in the depths of the Championship.

[flanimal]

Although I hate to agree with Finnegan, he is right. Rangers and Celtic would probably start of shakey, but once the Premiership money rolled in, they'd be forces to contend with. Each club could fill 60,000, and the global support of a club like Celtic is more than a club like Spurs.

Doubt they'd ever compete with Man Utd, but they are nowhere near Championship standard. Still would rather they stayed in Scotland though.

[Samilktray]

If there was some way of introducing them fairly over here, I wouldnt mind it.

We have Welsh teams afterall.

[flanimal]

This is what I don't understand. If they just bang them straight in the Premier, it's a bit of a slap in the face to teams fighting for promotion a division below. And what happens to the other Scottish teams? Do they get filtered throughout the other three English divisions, or do they rot in the Scottish leagues? (Which witout Rangers and Celtic would surely lose a fair bit of cash).

[davieG]

Oh for fook's sakes not this again. Don't be a pair of retards.

Look, I'm not really 'for' the idea - I don't want to see the Old Firm playing in the Prem. But anyone who thinks they wouldn't be a force in English football is a complete goon. So they don't have very good squads now, what's your point? They don't have good squads because the best players don't want to play in the SPL and the SPL doesn't generate much money.

You put them in the EPL and hey presto! Rangers easily have the resources to be a top-half Premiership club and, without wanting to wind up the Huns fans on here, Celtic's potential is even more enormous due to a somewhat larger stadium and infinite marketability. Why buy an Irish theme pub when you can buy an Irish theme club?

Football is a business and the Old Firm is a HUGE prospect. That's all this is about, money. Celtic and Rangers want in for the money, The Premier League would want them in... for the money.

You've got to be the most stupid, ignorant, short-sighted berk in the world to expect the two of them to struggle in the depths of the Championship.

Quite right, the novelty alone would ensure massive momentum from the off.

I don't agree with it at all and I doubt any sensible, future looking club in the Premier would.

The top four would see their 'guaranteed' spots in the Champions league and even their virtual certainty of picking up one of the 3 domestic competitions at risk. The middle/Europa Cup teams would see their chances disappear completely and those on their annual attempt at avoiding relegation would find two less places to seek sanctuary.

Short term there may be additional revenues but longer term all but the top 4 will definitely see themselves 2 places lower.

As for Premier 2 again I just can't see the bigger clubs voting to reduce their income by playing fewer games and spreading the TV money further they would see it as a threat to their chances of success in Europe.

[lildave3]

I'm quite sick if seeing Matt slag off the SPL.

[Matt]

I'm quite sick if seeing Matt slag off the SPL.

I understand there is an option to ignore posters. Obviously I would prefer people to read my opinions, but it is always an option.

Yet again though, several people have similar opinions as me and who is picked out?

[BlueSi13]

Quite right, the novelty alone would ensure massive momentum from the off.

I don't agree with it at all and I doubt any sensible, future looking club in the Premier would.

The top four would see their 'guaranteed' spots in the Champions league and even their virtual certainty of picking up one of the 3 domestic competitions at risk. The middle/Europa Cup teams would see their chances disappear completely and those on their annual attempt at avoiding relegation would find two less places to seek sanctuary.

Short term there may be additional revenues but longer term all but the top 4 will definitely see themselves 2 places lower.

As for Premier 2 again I just can't see the bigger clubs voting to reduce their income by playing fewer games and spreading the TV money further they would see it as a threat to their chances of success in Europe.

Leeds, Man City, Sheffield Wed, Notts Forest, Charlton, Norwich, and Southampton and us are all big clubs but it didnt stop us all from falling into league 1, therefore to say Celtic & Rangers would be pretty much be guarenteed top 6 spots in the Premier League is simply false.....

Then again assuming they'd bomb down to the conference or wherever is false aswell! so summise imo, we shall never know because its never going to happen, and i for one am glad!!

[davieG]

Leeds, Man City, Sheffield Wed, Notts Forest, Charlton, Norwich, and Southampton and us are all big clubs but it didnt stop us all from falling into league 1, therefore to say Celtic & Rangers would be pretty much be guarenteed top 6 spots in the Premier League is simply false.....

Then again assuming they'd bomb down to the conference or wherever is false aswell! so summise imo, we shall never know because its never going to happen, and i for one am glad!!

No ones guaranteed anything but they are both big enough in every aspect except the league they are in.

Given the funding that English Premier Teams enjoy they'd have a better chance than those currently outside the big four of breaking up that group. What people tend to do is base their potential success on their current team make up, which is easiliy good enough to guarantee them the top 2 places in the SPL so doesn't need to be better.

Being in the EPL their attractiveness to world class players will increase significantly enabling them to compete with the top four.

They no that which is why they are so desperate for the chance.

[BlueSi13]

No ones guaranteed anything but they are both big enough in every aspect except the league they are in.

Given the funding that English Premier Teams enjoy they'd have a better chance than those currently outside the big four of breaking up that group. What people tend to do is base their potential success on their current team make up, which is easiliy good enough to guarantee them the top 2 places in the SPL so doesn't need to be better.

Being in the EPL their attractiveness to world class players will increase significantly enabling them to compete with the top four.

They no that which is why they are so desperate for the chance.

Agreed that they have the chance to grow and attract a better type of player then they are currently getting but their appeal to anybody outside Scotland or the UK is greatly exaggerated in my opinion, Celtic's european cup success is the same as Marseille, Steua Bucharest, Hamburg, Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, PSV Eindhoven, Aston Villa, and Feyenoord, how they can say they are bigger than these clubs let alone one of the biggest clubs in the world is beyond me, the idea that they get 60,000 a week is a myth as well! their arrogance just gets to me........just look at what another massive club thought of itself and looked what happened, Newcastle United? 52000 a week? relegated.

Rangers aren't even worth talking about.

[Ultra]

Leeds, Man City, Sheffield Wed, Notts Forest, Charlton, Norwich, and Southampton and us are all big clubs but it didnt stop us all from falling into league 1, therefore to say Celtic & Rangers would be pretty much be guarenteed top 6 spots in the Premier League is simply false.....

With respect, the old firm clubs are far bigger than any of the clubs you've mentioned.

The plan, however, would be for them to start in the second tier, with no guarantee they'd both go up in the first season.

[davieG]

Agreed that they have the chance to grow and attract a better type of player then they are currently getting but their appeal to anybody outside Scotland or the UK is greatly exaggerated in my opinion, Celtic's european cup success is the same as Marseille, Steua Bucharest, Hamburg, Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, PSV Eindhoven, Aston Villa, and Feyenoord, how they can say they are bigger than these clubs let alone one of the biggest clubs in the world is beyond me, the idea that they get 60,000 a week is a myth as well! their arrogance just gets to me........just look at what another massive club thought of itself and looked what happened, Newcastle United? 52000 a week? relegated.

Rangers aren't even worth talking about.

Again you're focussing on the now rather than the potential of course their Euro Cup success is on a par with those mentioned but that's because of the league they are in, in the EPL they'll be able to attract better players and their potential to improve that level of success will increase.

As for their attendance figures I have no idea what they are now but I'd be amazed, if they aren't filling their grounds now that they wouldn't when playing the top English teams. As I said the novelty value alone will be an immediate driving force.