Football - The Covid Years

[Winston Biscuit]

Was listening to a podcast earlier discussing the state of lower league football right now and one of the journalists said that without some kind of bailout there are 10 clubs that are quite easy to spot who will go out of business by the end of 2020. Also said that something similar is needed in Scotland as every club except Celtic & Rangers are in real danger of going out of business.

Where do you see football going in the next few months? what will it look like in 1-2 years? what do you think should be done and what positive do you think could come from this?

[Simmops]

Positive I can see none.

Lower league from L2 below would probably be oxf*rd for years to come. I can see probably 20 + club going bust.

[BR0B0T]

Possibly too many teams, there would be some advantages to a cull

Some of the Aldershot, Oxford or Pompey lads could come and support Reading

[Winston Biscuit]

The thing I listened to talked briefly about Exeter and how their model could be the way to go. Don't know much about it tbh but aren't they fan owned? (the Ollie Watkins sell on clause came in at the most perfect time for them!)

[Winston Biscuit]

Also we keep hearing about how the PL could end up offering some kind of bailout to the EFL. heard it said they might attach a few conditions to that. What if a condition is that there is no PL relegation for a few years?!

[BR0B0T]

Also we keep hearing about how the PL could end up offering some kind of bailout to the EFL. heard it said they might attach a few conditions to that. What if a condition is that there is no PL relegation for a few years?!

condition_1: They have to play the first five mins of a game with their shorts around their ankles

[Mr Optimist]

Levels below the Championship to go semi-professional And regional divisions with salary caps. Could be a good opportunity for a financial reset.

[Winston Biscuit]

Levels below the Championship to go semi-professional And regional divisions with salary caps

That's kind of where my thinking is. 4th & 3rd div go amateur and with the lack of income they go with a north/south split. I guess the bigger clubs like Sunderland & Ipswich (Pompey?) could join the big professional guys in div 2.

[Simmops]

God I hope they don't do it like Germany. I think their 4th division have like 197 leagues.

[Winston Biscuit]

God I hope they don't do it like Germany. I think their 4th division have like 197 leagues.

4

[Stranded]

God I hope they don't do it like Germany. I think their 4th division have like 197 leagues.

4

5 but Bayern isn't running this season.

As for English football, can only see a PL2 on the way to protect the top 40 or so clubs. The rest drop to semi pro level with the addition of U21 sides.

Promotion would be limited between the levels and probably through play-offs.

This is all based on a limited bailout and close to no income this season.

[Old Man Andrews]

I'd like League 1 and League 2 to be salary capped and also make them regionalised to be EFL North and EFL South, less travel for the clubs and when supporters are allowed back into grounds you should have much higher attendances due to more local derbies increasing the income.

[Simmops]

That's a good idea.

I hope that the FA don't go about it like they have with the Johnstone paint trophy and bung a load of under 23 teams in there.

[Winston Biscuit]

I'd like League 1 and League 2 to be salary capped.

They already are. The clubs voted it through this summer and it kicked in right away to take account of signings in this transfer window.

[Simmops]

God I hope they don't do it like Germany. I think their 4th division have like 197 leagues.

4

Maybe it's Spain or Italy or German region leagues then

[Stranded]

God I hope they don't do it like Germany. I think their 4th division have like 197 leagues.

4

Maybe it's Spain or Italy or German region leagues then

At Level 5 here, there are 12 divisions - once you get below that then the number of leagues mushrooms as each state has it's own league and cup system (the cups drive qualification for the German FA Cup)

[Sutekh]

I would extend the PL to 40 clubs in two divisions. PL1 with 18 clubs and PL2 with 22. There would be the standard 3 up and 3 down between the divisions.

In PL2 there would be 3 clubs relegated into one national league of 24 clubs and under that 2 regional divisions also of 24 and those 3 divisions would comprise the FL. Under that would be the various regional leagues we have today.

Whether a club is professional or not would be the decision of each club playing in each division.

There would be no parachute payments for any relegated club.

Every division would have a squad salary cap and all player contracts would have a clause stating relegation would reduce salaries accordingly.

Aspects of the above also should be applied globally.

However nothing will change as when clubs do collapse they’ll just be replaced by others.

[paultheroyal]

In a not nice sadistic way it might be a good thing ie original post in that there might be a "football reset" and majority will move onto a level playing ground. Or this could lead to discussions around another Premier League 2 - and the likes of Sunderland, Charlton reprieved and regionalised for the rest.

Non league - teams will be lost, teams will reform - again - another reset.

[Stranded]

Of course, this may also hasten a European Super League with 24 or 32 clubs swanning off and leaving their national leagues to look after themselves - especially if football becomes even more dependent on TV money.

[PieEater]

The main problem is the PFA and players contracts. The clubs are lumbered with players on contracts they can't afford to pay and a government who doesn't want to step in and fund that with tax payers money whilst at the same time stopping clubs from receiving gate receipts.

It's a mess that looks like a lot of clubs need to fold get the PL and government to get them some cash. Given the Arts got £1.5bn a handout that is relatively small change would go a long way in the lower tiers to save clubs.