When the dust has settled on this present crisis ( weeks , months ... ? ) there surely will need to be a re-structuring of our professional game in Scotland .
An unprecedented event such as we are experiencing tragically highlights the shortcomings ( and morality ) of the people running the UK ( the decade long destruction of the NHS , particularly in England , and the numbers of deaths from ''Austerity'' are the most obvious results) but on a far less important level Scottish Football will never be the same again - I think !
When ( ? ) football resumes how many viable clubs will be left ?
If we are to believe the gossip and speculation that is flying around a number of clubs in the top tier will be lucky to survive a short ( weeks ) close down , but the clever money is on months , perhaps six !
Whatever the result of this cull there will need to be serious thought given to how best to formulate a league for the years to come .
''Serious thought '' immediately prohibits any SFA/SPFL involvement - unfortunately they hold the decision making reins at the moment but , as with their response to the present shutdown , will no doubt follow whoever leads them by the nose when decisive action is required .
This , then , is the time when all who are concerned with our game - supporters - should be thinking hard about the way ahead , and when the time comes , have well thought out suggestions to put forward for consideration .
Indeed , given the parlous nature that Scottish Football's finances are likely to be in at that time , that moment may be the only time when supporters , if they are organised properly , will have a strong , perhaps decisive voice in discussions .
Until we know what shape Scottish clubs are in at the end of this crisis ( and how many have survived ) it is difficult for hard and fast decisions to be made - but we can all put our minds to this at the moment to consider what shape WE would like to see emerge from this situation .
How many leagues ?- dependent on the number of surviving clubs .
How many teams per league ?
Do we have a Split ?
Do we have a Winter break ?
Do we have ''Summer'' football ?
Do we allow part-time teams ?
Do we allow artificial pitches ?
Do we push for a German style ownership model ?
And many more issues that I have not articulated .....
HH
An unprecedented event such as we are experiencing tragically highlights the shortcomings ( and morality ) of the people running the UK ( the decade long destruction of the NHS , particularly in England , and the numbers of deaths from ''Austerity'' are the most obvious results) but on a far less important level Scottish Football will never be the same again - I think !
When ( ? ) football resumes how many viable clubs will be left ?
If we are to believe the gossip and speculation that is flying around a number of clubs in the top tier will be lucky to survive a short ( weeks ) close down , but the clever money is on months , perhaps six !
Whatever the result of this cull there will need to be serious thought given to how best to formulate a league for the years to come .
''Serious thought '' immediately prohibits any SFA/SPFL involvement - unfortunately they hold the decision making reins at the moment but , as with their response to the present shutdown , will no doubt follow whoever leads them by the nose when decisive action is required .
This , then , is the time when all who are concerned with our game - supporters - should be thinking hard about the way ahead , and when the time comes , have well thought out suggestions to put forward for consideration .
Indeed , given the parlous nature that Scottish Football's finances are likely to be in at that time , that moment may be the only time when supporters , if they are organised properly , will have a strong , perhaps decisive voice in discussions .
Until we know what shape Scottish clubs are in at the end of this crisis ( and how many have survived ) it is difficult for hard and fast decisions to be made - but we can all put our minds to this at the moment to consider what shape WE would like to see emerge from this situation .
How many leagues ?- dependent on the number of surviving clubs .
How many teams per league ?
Do we have a Split ?
Do we have a Winter break ?
Do we have ''Summer'' football ?
Do we allow part-time teams ?
Do we allow artificial pitches ?
Do we push for a German style ownership model ?
And many more issues that I have not articulated .....
HH
