Football League to switch from three divisions to four

[Psychobilly freakout]

It would make promotion (and relegation) easier and the leagues more exciting. Fewer midweek games, which are harder to get to (for me) but also are often more lively. Maybe fewer injuries will mean it would be better for the players too - we'd probably have done better this year. Maybe teams would try harder for the cups, too.


But prices would probably go up on average for each match.

They shouldn't, squads could be smaller, costs of running the ground,staff, travel, accommodation etc etc could all be reduced especially if the regionalise the divisions they can be expensive Torquay v Hartlepool or Carlise for example would probably take a home gate takings.

 

[Cian]

"Six teams will join the bottom rung, most likely from the National League. “There is a very clear leaning towards respecting the current pyramid,” Harvey said.

72+6 != 80

They're not seriously considering bringing the Glasgow louts in are they? Would be hilarious to see them struggling to get promoted to the Championship let alone beyond though.

Regionalisation and more set in stone fixtures would cut costs in a more sensible way really. The latter of those may require the 3pm rule being adjusted or got rid of, though.

 

[AZ Gull]

72+6 != 80

They're not seriously considering bringing the Glasgow louts in are they? Would be hilarious to see them struggling to get promoted to the Championship let alone beyond though.

Regionalisation and more set in stone fixtures would cut costs in a more sensible way really. The latter of those may require the 3pm rule being adjusted or got rid of, though.

Two teams would not be relegated from League Two the season before it comes into operation.

 

[Cian]

Two teams would not be relegated from League Two the season before it comes into operation.

That's still actually taking 8 up from Conference National though, even if two of them would be going up otherwise. Confusing phrasing really.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

The 'luck will even out' less over 38 games than over the current 46.

 

[surrey jim]

Have Tony Bloom / Paul Barber announced what their views on this are?

 

[Pavilionaire]

2 points:

1. Our match-day taking will decrease by about 15% if we lose 4 fixtures and go from 23 to 19 home games (pro rata that is 18% but if they are midweek matches lost when crowds are proportionately smaller the drop will be nearer 15%). Advertisers get less exposure, caterers gets less income too. 100,000 - 110,000 less fans so a drop of £4 million income per season?

At the same time, parachute payments to relegated Prem clubs continue to increase, albeit paid out over 3 seasons not 4 (and soon to be paid out over 2 seasons). I don't see how this will help the Albion.

2. Fewer games and smaller squads = less game time opportunity for young players coming through. How does this help English football?

 

[Surrey_Albion]

it's a big no from me, it it ain't broke don't fix it, it's just a way of Greg Dyke getting premiership b teams in the league

 

[GreersElbow]

Only a matter of time before the PL becomes a closed shop, no promotion to or relegation.

This has nothing to do with financial stability for clubs, or revamping the English league. It's about creating a new product. More leagues = more drama, because the gap between leagues becomes in some effect, bigger.

The FA is selling our sport down the pan to pander to the likes of Sky and the armchair fans around the country and world.

 

[Easy 10]

I think 5 divisions of 20 has quite a nice symmetry to it.

And if they make it the same parameters across each League (top 2 promoted, next 4 in Playoffs, bottom 3 relegated) then with a more "compressed" division of 20 instead of 24 teams, it would mean a reduced mid-table and more to play for.

I'd tweek the Playoffs though. I'd like to see top 2 promoted, with 3rd/4th/5th going into the Playoffs with the team that finished 17th in the division above, like they did in the first year. THAT would be absolute gravy.

 

[Ernest]

We should have one league of FIFTY, each team plays each other only ONCE , 25 home games and 25 aways games done by a lucky DIP. Then the top TEN play off for the promotion places and top THREE go up to the Premier League.

Loads of interesting matches and more to play for.

 

[Yoda]

We should have one league of FIFTY, each team plays each other only ONCE , 25 home games and 25 aways games done by a lucky DIP. Then the top TEN play off for the promotion places and top THREE go up to the Premier League.

Loads of interesting matches and more to play for.

Maths not your strong point then? 50 teams would result in 49 matches as you cannot play yourself.

 

[Albion my Albion]

Maths not your strong point then? 50 teams would result in 49 matches as you cannot play yourself.

It could easily be a 49 team league with 24 home and 24 away matches.

 

[Ernest]

Maths not your strong point then? 50 teams would result in 49 matches as you cannot play yourself.

That would be the UNIQUE selling point

 

[amexer]

Amazed they want to make league bigger. How on earth do so many clubs survive with 18 plus full time players on 2/3000 gates. After Premier league have taken most of it TV money spread out to clubs in football league. Another 15plus clubs coming in would spread this thinner.
Would Albion etc give up one half million in gate money for 2 games less

 

[NooBHA]

I do like the idea of less midweek fixtures..

I don't know why they harp on about fixture congestions and then still operate that stupid Johnson's paint trophy

 

[Hampster Gull]

We should have one league of FIFTY, each team plays each other only ONCE , 25 home games and 25 aways games done by a lucky DIP. Then the top TEN play off for the promotion places and top THREE go up to the Premier League.

All clubs should EQUAL, no one should WIN Or LOOOSE. Everyone is EQUAL. Keep the RED flag flying HI

 

[dsr-burnley]

Squads wouldn't be any smaller. Not unless they reduce the number of players on the pitch. As it stands, you have 18 players in the matcch day squad, plus reserves in case of injury and loss of form, improving players for the future, and players who aren't good enough but you have unfortunately given a contract too. If the gap between transfer windows is 12 games instead of 16, are you going to decide you don't need the reserves or players for the future?

You need a reserve left back, whether it's 38 games or 46.

 

[London Irish]

The atmosphere of evening games are often great - why the hell should we be losing that? Sake. Anyone think our season ticket prices will go down then?

 

[Triggaaar]

We'll still be moaning about the play off format by then too.

We'll moan when we want
We'll moan when we want
We're Brighton 'n'ove Albion!
We'll moan when we want