http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36335384

quote

Will Football League clubs lose revenue?

The major impact would be felt by Football League clubs, who would see their number of matches reduced from 46 to 38 per season.

Despite the potential of losing revenue from three fewer home matches, Harvey has asked the 72 clubs to take a "broader view of English football".

"We have to make sure none of our clubs are in a financially worse position," he added.

"Our clubs shouldn't be the only one to shoulder the burden. We won't be looking for clubs to take a financial haircut to support this.

"We believe focusing on weekend games will, over period of time, drive bigger attendances and increase quality of performance on the pitch."

Unquote

So this would follow on from the FA, a few years back,  which drastically cut prize money for the earlier rounds on the FA Cup, to offer more financial incentives from Round 3 onwards

I can't say I see the sense of it myself.

4 divisions, each with 20 teams.

Wouldn't this make it more complicated? I'm not sure it would help with finances or resolve congestion/clashes. It could potentially make it worse for the lower down teams, to which makes me wonder if they should make the bottom two regional instead. I'm just not one who sees much point in changing things for the sake of it, but the football league would have to convince fans that it would make things better and considering how changes often leave desired effects - I think this will be harder to prove.

Our system with four professional divisions of 20/24 has proven itself over a very long period of time. The new idea isn't without its merits, however.

PROS

There are now more pro clubs, not less - so why not integrate them into the Football League?

Fewer matches on weekdays, meaning bigger crowds and larger away followings

Season would be over sooner, no more play-offs dragging on until after the play-off final

CONS

It's another division for Notts to get relegated into :s

Each club loses 4 home games - is it realistic to expect gate money to rise despite this?

We would have SIX nationwide divisions - is this too many? Would the Conference go regional?

Reduced promotion/relegation - four teams promoted from a division of 20 is probably too many

Another pathetic attempt to further weaken the Football League, therefore strengthening the Greed League's position. Wouldn't be at all surprised if someone from Sky was involved in the suggestion, after all, Leicester winning the Greed League & clubs like Rotherham, Burton & Brentford in the Championship can't be good for the game, can it?

Its the biggest load of rubbish ive heard of since the whole 'English football league' what a complete farce, where are the teams for this 'league 3' from ? B-teams ? They are just taking the p*** out of us!

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I was surprised to read about this, if it ain't broke...

Also from the fifth tier it could take even longer to reach the championship, let alone premier league, so are club owners going to have the patience, and funds, to keep bankrolling a club if it is stagnating in the fifth tier?

20 minutes ago, Riverleeno said:

I was surprised to read about this, if it ain't broke...

Also from the fifth tier it could take even longer to reach the championship, let alone premier league, so are club owners going to have the patience, and funds, to keep bankrolling a club if it is stagnating in the fifth tier?

The same is true already, but only 2 of the 24 teams in today's fifth tier can win promotion. If they gave the fifth division 3 promotion spots out of 20 teams, that would increase mobility.

But like you said, it ain't broke.

They get these idea's at times , I personally like it as it is and don't think changes are needed , I think our football pyramid as it stands is the best .

9 hours ago, BradtheMiller said:

Another pathetic attempt to further weaken the Football League, therefore strengthening the Greed League's position. Wouldn't be at all surprised if someone from Sky was involved in the suggestion, after all, Leicester winning the Greed League & clubs like Rotherham, Burton & Brentford in the Championship can't be good for the game, can it?

Spot on, the more clubs the league have the less money each club would get from the FA and any tv deal as it would have to be shared even wider. 

Surely people can see that this is merely a vehicle to introducing premier league clubs reserve teams into the football league, that way the Premier League can have their puppets (the FA) put out a statement regarding the development of English players etc etc as they (the FA) are too scared to ask their masters to introduce a cap on foreign players.

Just like politicians nowadays, spin a load of sh!te, chuck in some made up facts on the benefits because the majority will just believe whatever their told.

I've just realised I sound like a hippy.

 

Maybe they are onto something...

@Northants Pie You struck a key point about developing English players... there is more chance of development in L1 or L2 clubs as they are likely to get first team opportunities much earlier, in a competitive environment... Premier League Reserve sides play in what people see is,an uncompetitive league. Economically introducing Premier League reserve teams into the Football league would radically reduce the "away" support coming to FL clubs...thereby significant income from the away team supporters falls... Vote of no confidence in the Football League

I think you're jumping the gun regarding B teams, these proposals include bringing 8 clubs up from the Conference. 65 clubs have to agree to these plans for it to happen; if B teams were a part of it it'd have no chance at all.

I hope we never see B teams competing in the League system. I've seen enough matches with 0 away fans in attendance.

Personally, I can't see the football league clubs voting for this unless there is significant financial incentives to do so and I can't see the PL clubs giving up any of their revenue! I  would also doubt that any club would vote for reserve sides either to be added, because as @Piethagoramsays, there would be almost zero away following, except for a few fans of the big clubs that live in the area.

 

i dont think anyone will gain from this but the football league.

how do they decide which teams go up to make the last division? if there is 20 in it dont see the benefit.

I wonder what the club's line on this is, @erindoors? Fewer Tuesday night matches doesn't sound like such a bad idea, but would the sums stack up?

I personally like the midweek games, although the gates are lower i think its a better atmosphere, but I would imagine 4 less home games would be a significant amount to lose

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