Ten years time?

60 clubs involved in a European Super League Premier, Div 1 and 2, of which probably nine or ten will come from England (the Big Four in the Prem, Newcastle, Spurs and maybe Man City in Div 1, Villa, Everton and maybe Leeds in Div 2). There'll be promotion and relegation between these three divisions, plus the possibility of clubs outside this joining depending on how successful they are in what's left.

The structures which remain here and in Scotland (the Old Firm will be in the ESL Prem, but it's doubtful anyone else will be in either of the other two divisions) can concentrate on bringing young, British players through from the grassroots: with the money earned by selling the best to Super League clubs enabling these smaller clubs to progress. TV money would be oriented towards the Super League, so what's left would be far more competitive - plus all Super League clubs could enter their own domestic Cup competitions, meaning the prospect of big paydays for the lucky few each year, and the chance of gloriously bring one of the giants down to size.

The reason I think this is inevitable is because of the ever-increasing power of the G14, the fact that gate receipts are less and less integral to the very biggest clubs financial health and commercial development, the Big Four's dominance here is replicated throughout Europe's various leagues - and the Champions League is now a cartel dominated by the same dozen or so clubs, with the group stages about as exciting and competitive as the Carling Cup. Plus, the current English setup imperils the very existence of those who get relegated from the Prem and don't come back: never mind Leeds, Forest or us, look at where Bradford are FFS! This too has to change - and a Super League removes much of the danger for all clubs which would remain.

And lastly, those fans priced out by the current Prem or future Super League could start watching competitive football at a reasonable price again. Doubtless, the Super League clubs would have generations of fans who only ever watched them on TV - but the rest of us could get back to something like football as it used to be.

Posted By: thebigfeller on November 15th 2007 at 05:16:59

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