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Superleagues ... the need for a pyramid structure?

Added On:2/9/2008 6:08:35 AM

How would Super Leagues work?

Here are some suggestions from one of the SAFA Forum regulars, Mick McArdle. These ideas are for debate only and no one should consider these as proposals as such so please do not take offence if this affects or does not affect you, your team and/or your league/association. The most important thing is to start debate, and thanks to Mick for his contribution of ideas.

Concept: 4 Regional Super Leagues with a Super League Trophy (start of season at various senior grounds) and Regional Super League Cups.

Pros
Grading of referees – will give the all referees involved in Amateur football a higher level to aspire too.
Top Facilities - (Create a standard requirement for Facilities/Parks for all clubs who wish to enter the Super League)
Youth Development (Create a standard that the top clubs must be invloved in community schemes/youth level football - using Leith Ath/Steins thistle for example)
Enhances the quality of the game and also improve the profile attracting/keeping better players in the game.
Super League Select Sides involved in quarterly season games.Better Selection of Scottish Amateur National Side:

–       Select a maximum of 3 players from each Super League Select Side
–       Each Association to put forward their league select side for consideration
–       National Players selected from Super League/Association League Select Players and squad of 21 picked for 4 arranged matches.
–       This should allow players from all over Scotland and all throughout the associations to be recognised as only 12 players (max could be selected from the Super Leagues)

Advertising/Sponsorship/Marketing opportunities for the Amateur Game enhanced.Improve the Amateur Game as a whole and breath some fresh air into amateur football throughout Scotland.

Cons
Associations have worked extremely hard throughout recent years to develop and the acceptance of change of format / losing top clubs may be unacceptable ?
Lesser Clubs losing interest ?
More games in an already tight season schedule?

May have to lose some local association cup competitions to all for end of season play offs (or else play them First 2 Weeks in June)

Main Con would require some clubs to re-establish themselves in their local associations (i.e. Leith Athletic - Central to Edinburgh and Rothesay – Caledonian to West of Scotland)

Super League Trophy (Main Sponsors)

Top 2 teams in each Super League Season play 7 early season matches throughout neutrally located senior grounds in Scotland to compete for the Super League Cup.

Top club after league format competition wins the Super League Trophy.

All other association leagues and current cup competitions stay as they are (this would mean top teams only compete in 4/5 competitions throughout the season.

Central Scotland Super League

Associations Involved:

Caledonian AFL

Central Scottish AFL

Greater Glasgow

Lanarkshire AFL

Stirling & District AFA

Set up:14 Teams Consisting originally of

Caledonian AFL (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

Central Scottish AFL (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

Greater Glasgow (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

Lanarkshire AFL (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

Stirling & District AFA (Top 2 clubs in Top Division)

League Competition

Typical League Competition c/w Home/Away ties (26 fixtures per team)14^th Place team relegated to associated league11^th, 12^th & 13^th Placed teams into end of season playoff competition.

Playoff Competition:

Knock out competition starting at Quarter Final stage (drawn) between 3 playoff sides and the 5 Winners of each associated Top Leagues (both finalists make the Super League) – an additional 4 games for 2 successful sides. Unsuccessful teams re-established in their associated top division.

Cup Competitions Involved in:

Scottish Cup

West of Scotland Cup

Central Super League Cup (Main Sponsors)

Top 2 teams in Super League gain Entry into Scottish Super League Cup the following Season.

West of Scotland Super League

Associations Involved:

Ayrshire AFA

Paisley & District AFA

Scottish Amateur AFL

West of Scotland AFA

Set up:12 Teams Consisting originally of

Ayrshire AFA (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

Paisley & District AFA (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

Scottish Amateur AFL (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

West of Scotland AFA (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

League Competition

Typical League Competition c/w Home/Away ties (22 fixtures per team)12^th Place team relegated to associated league10^th& 11^th Placed teams into end of season playoff competition.

Playoff Competition:

Group League competition between 2 playoff sides and the 4 Winners of each associated Top League – Top 2 clubs make the Super League. – an additional 5 games for each side. Unsuccessful teams re-established in their associated top division.

Cup Competitions Involved in:

Scottish CupWest of Scotland CupWest of Scotland Super League Cup (Main Sponsors)

Top 2 teams in Super League gain Entry into Scottish Super League Cup the following Season

East of Scotland Super League

Associations Involved:

Fife AFA

Kingdom Caledonian

Lothian/Edinburgh

Set up:10 Teams Consisting originally of

Fife AFA (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

Kingdom Caledonian (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

Lothian/Edinburgh (Top 4 clubs in Top Division)

League Competition

Typical League Competition c/w Home/Away ties (18 fixtures per team)10^th Place team relegated to associated league9^thPlace team into end of season playoff competition.

Playoff Competition:

Group League competition between 1 playoff side and the 3 Winners of each associated Top League – Top 2 clubs make the Super League. – an additional 3 games for each side. Unsuccessful teams re-established in their associated top division.

Cup Competitions Involved in:

Scottish Cup

East of Scotland Cup

East of Scotland Super League Cup (Main Sponsors)

Top 2 teams in Super League gain Entry into Scottish Super League Cup the following Season

North of Scotland Super League

Associations Involved:

Aberdeen AFA

Midland AFA

Perthshire AFA

Set up:10 Teams Consisting originally of

Aberdeen AFA (Top 4 clubs in Top Division)

Midland AFA (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

Perthshire AFA (Top 3 clubs in Top Division)

League Competition

Typical League Competition c/w Home/Away ties (18 fixtures per team)10^th Place team relegated to associated league9th Place team into end of season playoff competition.

Playoff Competition:

Cup Competitions Involved in:

Scottish Cup

East of Scotland Cup

East of Scotland Super League Cup (Main Sponsors)

Top 2 teams in Super League gain Entry into Scottish Super League Cup the following Season

South of Scotland Super League

Note a South Super League was considered as unsustainable and that is why it is not commented upon.

Thank you Mick for your ideas. If you think Mick is right or wrong or you ahve some other suggestions and/or ideas please post them in the forum for generating discussion. Cheers.

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