Fantalk

Neil M · Joined: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 2149 Location: Aberdeen

I was never totally against colt-teams inclusion in the Challenge Cup, but surely this is going too far. The Old Firm (I guess) propose one Highland League and one Lowland League club will also be allowed in, increasing the bottom-tier to 16 teams. No doubt the latter would be offered votes too, to get the right result? I read no addressing of promotion / relegation. Would they be stuck in that league - and if so, how long before toys would come out of prams - claiming that the bottom tier was no challenge for them etc? Would the likes of Edinburgh City and Elgin City have promotions blocked by B-sides with comparitvely high resources? And would referees pander to Old Firm B sides, like James Keating's sending off in Inverness in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final? A political can of worms, left well alone.

If it did go ahead, how long would it be before the likes of Aberdeen and Hibs would cry foul and would want B-sides in the league too?

For me - it is a very bad idea indeed for Scottish football. If the OF have money to burn, re-instate reserve football and leave the lower leagues alone! I hope it is voted against!

When is the vote anyway - or has that not been decided yet?

Wolfman Jack · Joined: 25 Dec 2010 Posts: 9759 Location: Pawtucket Brewery

Listening to an oaf on Sportsound on Monday, lets call him John Collins for arguments sake.
He agreed that teams full of young lads would get hammered every week, yet stated that they need somewhere to develop and doubled down stating this would help them. Really?

The loan system is a better way to develop players, playing with experienced pros who could teach them what the game is about.
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Franco · Joined: 10 Oct 2019 Posts: 798 Location: kirkcaldy

Agree , WJ , playing through the loan system is the best way , spreads the benefit through the Clubs and gives enjoyment when eg a player like Regan Hendry arrives on loan.

As you say, Neil , it would be very bad for Scottish football as a whole. I thought it had already been kicked into the long grass. Hopefully , this time , the Clubs will bury it.

pinky · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 449 Location: isle of south uist

Terrible idea! Ill thought out with regard to the whole of Scottish football and even more tainted by the bribery proposed by the ugly sisters - just enough to be tempting to one or two club chairmen(treasurers) but not nearly enough to make a proper difference.
Why should they be able to buy their place in a league when Kelty Hearts, Brora Rangers etc (despite having significant backing) have had to go through the proper channels and indeed are having to wait for a further opportunity due to Covid.
The usual sectarian nonsense and bile will accompany even the Colts teams and bring an unpleasant aspect to some games at many grounds where it doesn’t exist.
The ‘big 2’ will now hoover up even more of the young talent in Scotland because youngsters will see themselves as playing in a proper league and opt for them rather than the smaller clubs.
What will happen with promotion and relegation should the issue ever arise? Apart from the fact that they will probably strengthen the team if relegation was an issue ( they would find a way to play the odd first team fringe player or two) would they actually accept being punted from the lowest division if they lost the playoffs,like Berwick did?
Dump this idea before Scottish football goes further down the stank due to corruption and bias.
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embow · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 5:07 pm Post subject:

As far as I'm aware, part of the deal is that the Colts cannot be promoted above League 1.
There will be two teams promoted initially from the Highland League and the Lowland League to get League 2 up to 16 clubs. Thereafter it will be as currently is the norm regarding promotion and relegation.
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Specky Ginger · Joined: 16 Jun 2012 Posts: 3829 Location: Dysart

pinky · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 449 Location: isle of south uist

Fair enough Embow, I still don’t like the idea and I really object to their buying their place in the leagues. Let them qualify through the proper channels if it’s going to happen. There are plenty leagues for them to start off in and earn the right to the national leagues. It’s very unfair on other clubs with aspiration to the league and their whole infrastructure will still be geared towards their big team.
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embow · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:53 pm Post subject:

I'm not disagreeing with you pinky.
I'm with you all the way on this.
My mistake for omitting that from my original post above. Just can't abide them in any shape or form.
Another question that needs addressed is why just them? Why not say the top six clubs of the top league? It could be based on the final positions at the end of the season going into the next one.
Just a thought because as this nonsense stands it's anything but a level playing field for other clubs in the Premier League.
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Neil M · Joined: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 2149 Location: Aberdeen

Those Old Firm - proposals sound like something straight out of Ann Budge's PR handbook - "What's in this for us?" and "Sod everyone else!" Let's see if that gets them any votes! Wink

CALDERON · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 1668 Location: Aberdeenshire

Scottish Lower League teams do not exist to make Old Firm players better. It devalues the competition and sport that we all love, whether we support The Rovers, Falkirk, Stranraer etc

Fire it straight into the sea.

Gary Parker · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2021 10:55 am Post subject:

Can't wait to witness the legal challenge from the bottom team in the championship claiming that they shouldn't be relegated because no promotion eligible team won League One.

CALDERON · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 1668 Location: Aberdeenshire

Donald Findlay handing out a hearty dose of "telt" to John Collins on Sportsound last night, regarding this idea.

Specky Ginger · Joined: 16 Jun 2012 Posts: 3829 Location: Dysart

southstander · Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 386 Location: Kirkcaldy

Get this fired into the sea for once and for all, only for the benefit of the two bigot brothers, also colt teams shouldn't be allowed in the challenge cup.
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CALDERON · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 1668 Location: Aberdeenshire