nethertonwellfan

Right I am just back from the open forum and I have to say I was extremely disappointed with the turnout. Only 20 or so fans turned up on the night in what I feel is an important issue for the club and the future of Scottish Football. I concede that some folk will have had other commitments but surely we could muster at least 100. Anyway they started tonight by taking a straw poll on the issue. 4 voted in favour of the proposals and 6 voted against the proposals and the remainder were undecided. I was one of people who voted against the proposals. The club went on to say that if the status quo remained they would lose at least £300k as a result of prize money dropping. They went on to say that the SKY have valued the 12-12-18 setup higher than the current setup in terms of TV revenues. Also from what was discussed I interpreted that there is a league sponsor lined up if they new system gets the green light. I also believe that this will be a gambling company and will be in the region of £1.8 million. I expressed that my main concern with the proposals was the split in to three eights especially the middle 8 points zeroing and going in to a new league. They said this would be a separate sub competition and any revenues generated by this play off system -TV for example- will be distributed between those 8 clubs. I argued that I don't believe TV companies will be interested in Raith Rovers v St Mirren etc and I don't think it would get more fans through the door anymore than it would in the current format. They admitted that the new set up was a huge gamble but they have to try it. I also expressed my concern that they were abolishing guaranteed promotion because the bottom four in the Premier would finish top 4 in the play off league. They also conceded that this was a possibility but with the extra money they clubs receive under the new proposals they would be able to put an infrastructure in place and be able to compete over time. Voting structure was an issue discussed and at no point was the 11-1 structure defended. They did say that they don't like it but it remains and they added that most issues will be 9-3. It's quite late and that's all the real detail I can remember. Once the discussion ended they had another vote and 13 were in favour and 2 were against the proposals and the remainder undecided. Again I voted against the proposals. The split structure is the main issue and I wasn't convinced by what the board had to say on the matter. I am yet to be convinced that there will be a commercial interest in the middle 8 with regards to TV companies. I also have real concerns about the 11-1 voting structure and certain issues being set in stone for 3 years just in time for Rangers to be back in the league. Although I remain against the proposals my position on the matter has shifted somewhat. I was planning on not renewing my season ticket and was set not to watch football under this new set up if it goes ahead. However, I will go back regardless of the outcome. The club are in a tricky position and they are not sleepwalking in to this new set up. They genuinely believe that this is the best way forward and will allow us to continue to progress in the way we have in the last few years. They are continuously looking 5 years ahead and have a vision for where we are going in the future. I have to respect that. It's not only the club but the fans too. In 2 meetings now the opinion in the room shifted. The more the club communicate the proposals the more people are convinced and that can't be denied. People may point to the low turnout but that's not the clubs fault is it? I believe that had 120 people been there then we would have got a similar outcome. Although, I am still against the proposals I am more understanding of the decision the club has to make and why they are in favour of the proposals.

Touché

Exactly and not one of them will explain why the proposed system is better. I want a bigger league but understand that it may not be viable financially and would support a plan with a fairer distribution of finance and a merger of leagues. Where these proposals fail is in the league structure, the removal of guaranteed promotion/relegation and the voting stucture. I still can't understand why people think this will work.

Who is creating rumours?

I took the 8/1. If he goes at least I will have money to ease my disappointment. I might be being selfish but I do hope that they take back Neil Warnock.

He's currently 8/1 and shortening.

I'm not even go and try and predict these games. Look at all the predictions in the "Who will finish in the top six?" thread. I'm not sure if anyone came close. This league is far too close to predict individual games. What I willl say is that the closeness of the league suits us because we have the cushion. Everyone will cut each others throats. I actually beleive that 6 points will be enough to clinch 2nd spot because I don't think ICT will get 9 points.

Which is why I said If this is true..........

Apparently (from the shoutbox) Jim Spence has tweeted saying that Motherwell are voting yes to this. If this is true we might as well cancel the meeting on Thursday then as it will just be a PR exercise to explain their decision. They could have at least pretended to listen to the views of the fans.

I said something similar in an earlier rant about having a Grand Final at the end of the season to determine the champions . The league structure idea ruins a few decent ideas in the overall proposals. Not one fan would argue with a merger of the leagues, more promotion/relegation and a fairer financial distribution. They would take it now and to be in place next season. The league structure is what's killing this document and the fact that we need to accept it to get the other parts is just plain daft.

I'm still having difficulty understanding how the 3x8 is the way to go and I don't think it will get the money flowing in.

I have made my views clear. The zeroing of points and the taking away of GUARANTEED promotion are the main reasons why I am against it.

So there are clubs out there that actually want this bombscare of a league structure? If true then heaven help us because I don't see how splitting the league in to 3 8s benefits anyone.

I share the same issue too and although there are 4 chances to come up it is very unlikely that you will get 4 teams who will come up from the second division. Look at Dundee this season when they hammered Morton who were top of the 1st division at the time. The status quo is that 1 team is guaranteed to be promoted from the second tier and under the new proposals there is no guaranteed promotion. That is one of my biggest issues with the whole thing. i want to see more guaranteed promotion not more 'chance' of promotion.

Dundee are relegated this year and next year they win 22 games in a row then there points will be reset to zero and the will have to finish above one of at least 3 and possibly 4 teams, over 14 games, that they couldn't compete with this year in order to win promotion. That is fact. If Dundee go down and next year there is a straight 3 up and 3 down system and no points zeroing after 22 games, no joining up with teams from a higher league then they would have more chance of Promotion than the proposed system, no?

It also gives them a greater chance of never returning. You could win 22 games in a row and you're flying but then you go to zero points and you have to finish above 4 teams that you didn't finish above the season before. Having a 3 up and 3 down would give them a better chance of returning than the middle 8, no?

Aye but it's an open meeting so it is likely that people who were present at the first meeting will be present at this one so if there was a meaningful vote then people would have 2 votes. Now that wouldn't be fair.

If Celtic winning the league at Fir Park means that we can keep Randolph, Higdon, Law or McFadden then I say bring it on? They are going to win the league anyway and they won't get the trophy at Fir Park so what's all the fuss about? PLus we might actually beat them at Fir Park meaning that we get the money and they win the league elswhere.

He actually said he 'hoped' Celtic got a home game so that they can clinch it front of their own fans. That's a wee bit different from 'should' I can't believe I just defended Neil Lennon .

Well done to St Mirren. So one more rejection or abstention and this proposal is dead in the water? Again I see no reason why a better financial distribution, a merger of the leagues and play offs can't be introduced without this shocking 12,12,18 shite.

There are reports today that the SFL are trying to convince the SPL to delay the reconstruction for one year. This has pissed off 9 clubs who are threateing to quit the SFL to join an SPL 2. Does anyone think that there is a chance of a 10 team SPL 2 next season and a certain NEWCO will be invited to join? I have no idea what they will do with regards to splits etc but nothing would shock and surprise me.

Faddy and Higdon Hat-Tricks in a 6-1 win.

Very sad news. RIP Auld Yin!

Has steelboy gone missing?

People who are saying they are chucking it next season aren't chucking it because of on the park football reasons. In fact most people who are chuking it next season have attended through some shite seasons on the pitch and kept coming back year after year.