The Premier League 2

[sten_super]

I'm going to break ranks here a bit and say I'm not TOTALLY opposed to the idea of a two-tier Prem. I accept it's been proposed for the wrong reasons (greed) and may well be voted out for the wrong reasons (greed) but however misguided it is at least an attempt to try and redress the gulf between the Big Four and the rest and to distribute Premier League cash over a few more clubs.

If it did happen my sole concern would be making sure that there is still promotion/relegation between Prem 2 and the remnants of the Football League; say two promotion/relegation places. As has been stated little clubs like us HAVE to be allowed to dream that one day, even if it's only for a season, we could be playing Man U, Liverpool, etc. What's the point of playing otherwise? Certainly what's the point of building Falmer?

I'm also not totally opposed to the idea of Rangers and Celtic in the Prem. They may well not be that strong now in relation to the Big Four, but given access to Prem cash I think any procedural issues about what would happen if they were in danger of dropping out of Prem 2 would just be theoretical. However I certainly won't shed any tears if they're not involved.

The problem with the idea, in my mind, is that while it benefits the top half of the Championship and the lower Premiership clubs, it just shifts the point at which the 'divide' occurs. At the moment it's between the established Premiership clubs and the Championship. If this PL2 comes in, all that will happen is that it will be a gap between the established PL2 clubs and the teams in the league below (whether that is the Championship, or League 1, or whatever). It will make it nigh on impossible for a club such as ours to ever again play against Man Utd and Liverpool, as upon promotion to the PL2 we would already face a fight against relegation against teams with far more TV income than we've ever had. It would also create exactly the same problem for teams relegated from the PL2 that the current teams relegated from the Premiership experience. Gartside has been rather coy about it (because he knows how unpopular it will be with the FL) but that is why he is pushing aboloshing relegation alongside it. Without that the introduction of the PL2 solves none of the problems.

 

[Curious Orange]

The problem with the idea, in my mind, is that while it benefits the top half of the Championship and the lower Premiership clubs, it just shifts the point at which the 'divide' occurs. At the moment it's between the established Premiership clubs and the Championship. If this PL2 comes in, all that will happen is that it will be a gap between the established PL2 clubs and the teams in the league below (whether that is the Championship, or League 1, or whatever). It will make it nigh on impossible for a club such as ours to ever again play against Man Utd and Liverpool, as upon promotion to the PL2 we would already face a fight against relegation against teams with far more TV income than we've ever had. It would also create exactly the same problem for teams relegated from the PL2 that the current teams relegated from the Premiership experience. Gartside has been rather coy about it (because he knows how unpopular it will be with the FL) but that is why he is pushing aboloshing relegation alongside it. Without that the introduction of the PL2 solves none of the problems.

Well, that could be addressed by introducing Premier League 3 and Premier League 4 divisions. I think everyone would be happy then!

 

[pork pie]

I'm surprised there's not been a thread about this: BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | League to discuss two-tier plan (I'm sure someone will be happy to tell me if I've missed it)

The latest self interested money making scheme from the Premier League, unfortunately it seems this one might have more legs then the "39th game" fiasco. The plan is for two "Premier Leagues" of 18, with more money going to those who are relegated to the second tier, and only one promotion/relegation to the Football League, making it ever closer to the dream of all Premier League chairman, a league from which they can't get relegated and lose all that television money. Oh and to make it seem less like pure greed and more of a "shake up" Celtic and Rangers could join.

The whole idea is an outrage. It is time the FA grew some balls and got a grip of English football. Whilst I would love to see the Albion in the Premier League, I think the way that all the money goes to the big clubs is starving the lower leagues and making it virtually impossible to get enough young English players ready to play for their country. The championship is as near to a second Premier League as we should ever get.

 

[Marshy]

It wont happen.
The old Bill wont let it happen, look at Manchester when Rangers played there last....

 

[Brovion]

The problem with the idea, in my mind, is that while it benefits the top half of the Championship and the lower Premiership clubs, it just shifts the point at which the 'divide' occurs. At the moment it's between the established Premiership clubs and the Championship. If this PL2 comes in, all that will happen is that it will be a gap between the established PL2 clubs and the teams in the league below (whether that is the Championship, or League 1, or whatever). It will make it nigh on impossible for a club such as ours to ever again play against Man Utd and Liverpool, as upon promotion to the PL2 we would already face a fight against relegation against teams with far more TV income than we've ever had. It would also create exactly the same problem for teams relegated from the PL2 that the current teams relegated from the Premiership experience. Gartside has been rather coy about it (because he knows how unpopular it will be with the FL) but that is why he is pushing aboloshing relegation alongside it. Without that the introduction of the PL2 solves none of the problems.

What you're saying is undoubtedly true, and please don't think I'm an enthusisatic supporter of the idea - although I DO like Curious Orange's counter-proposal!

I'm just wondering if it's the 'least worst' alternative? I think we all agree the present situation is a farce with the same top four every season and the promoted clubs simply vying with each other to become the first to get relegated. With Premier League largesse spread over more clubs it might mean that the gap between P2 and the rest (which you're right to be worried about even with promotion/relegation) MAY not be as big as the current gap between the Prem and the rest.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Some sort of reorganisation will always be mooted as long as:

1. The Big 4's domination continues to exist.
2. Celtic and Rangers struggle to compete with the big boys.
3. The threat of financial ruin hangs over the Prem / Championship yo-yo clubs.

However, we could reach the point with Rangers, Celtic and Man City where not just the Champions League but all 7 Euro places are locked up every season.

Something needs to be done because the joke of seeing a big club fail is not quite as funny as it once was.

The FA have a responsibility to drive the change, not leave it to greedy fuckers like Gartside.