Introduction of league 3

by **MFC-Manc** » Thu May 19, 2016 5:03 pm

Just on sky now proposal 4 leagues of 20 from 2019/2020 season
Major cutback to midweek fixtures.
Possible "b teams" in league 3

by **jon MFC fan** » Thu May 19, 2016 5:10 pm

i thinl it could be good as our club is open 365 days a year for events and such and it gives the players more time to recover from knocks and injuries

by **ChrisC** » Thu May 19, 2016 5:37 pm

I think that it would also be sensible to make the lower leagues North and South. Would improve crowds significantly.

by **Lloydie** » Thu May 19, 2016 5:41 pm

Just means we need to be top 8 in the conference that season

by **Keith** » Thu May 19, 2016 6:20 pm

ChrisC wrote:I think that it would also be sensible to make the lower leagues North and South. Would improve crowds significantly.

How would that work?

Premiership
Championship
League 1
League 2/Conference North
League 2/Conference South

We'd be playing Solihull Moors, Guiseley & Chester instead of Portsmouth, Leyton Orient & Cambridge. Not sure I fancy that too much even if it is less travelling.

by **Wild Bill** » Thu May 19, 2016 6:30 pm

Keith wrote:How would that work?

Premiership
Championship
League 1
League 2/Conference North
League 2/Conference South

Yes it would be a shame to lose a few big teams, but at least we would be competing on a more level playing field. The odd season in L1 would be an exotic adventure into southern territories! Also keep the cup competitions (League and FA Cup) national, but play these fixtures on Saturdays to maximise away support.

by **Seasider9601** » Thu May 19, 2016 6:44 pm

MFC-Manc wrote:Possible "b teams" in league 3

Wasn't this whole idea mooted (is that the right word?!) a few years ago and thankfully it was thrown out??

by **Teams like Morecambe** » Thu May 19, 2016 7:07 pm

Seasider9601 wrote:
MFC-Manc wrote:Possible "b teams" in league 3

Wasn't this whole idea mooted (is that the right word?!) a few years ago and thankfully it was thrown out??

The FL chief executive has dismissed the idea of 'B teams' playing in the lower divisions.

by **marky No.1** » Thu May 19, 2016 7:14 pm

A bonus is we couldn't get relegated from the League in 2 years time but we would go from L2 to L3 unless we buck our ideas up - hopefully that wouldn't count as relegation...

4 teams would be relegated down from the Championship, which would presumably mean 8 down from L1 to make the divisions into 20 teams.
There would then be 32 teams in L2, 12 of which would be put in L3 - I think, although they are talking less travel so maybe regionalise 2 like Keith says

by **RedRedWine** » Thu May 19, 2016 7:20 pm

I think this is a good idea so long as the additional 8 teams does not dilute any commercial revenue awarded to FL clubs below its current level.

I would also be in favour of regionalising the bottom two leagues because this would safeguard against relegation if only one team from the bottom two leagues got relegated to non-league each season, whilst also reducing travel costs for a club like ours and potentially increase gate receipts from away crowds. I take your point Keith, their are currently a couple of relatively large southern based league two sides, such as (who won't be at this level indefinitely and are a bit of an exception as being a southern based club who can bring 1,000+ for a meaningless Saturday fixture) but we will gain Bury, Rochdale, Bolton and a host of traditional sides based in the north.... plus I would rather go to Chester instead of Pompey!

However, I don't think any of this will happen.

by **MFC-Manc** » Thu May 19, 2016 7:32 pm

Teams like Morecambe wrote:
Seasider9601 wrote:
MFC-Manc wrote:Possible "b teams" in league 3

Wasn't this whole idea mooted (is that the right word?!) a few years ago and thankfully it was thrown out??

The FL chief executive has dismissed the idea of 'B teams' playing in the lower divisions.

From sky sports

According to Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey, it makes sense for the extra spaces to be filled from teams from the National League but he has also left the door open for Premier League B teams to join the professional ladder.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10288179/football-league-proposals-for-new-league-three-and-20-team-league-structure-explained

by **John L** » Fri May 20, 2016 5:21 am

Sounds good to me, as long as it involves Conference clubs rather than PL reserve teams. To me, it's a sign of the times that the leagues are getting stronger when you see how many relatively big clubs are struggling to get out of the Conference. Like RRW said, it probably won't happen though, which would be a shame.

by **Teams like Morecambe** » Fri May 20, 2016 10:01 am

Can't see the benefits. Three less home matches will see clubs lose money. No suggestion that the bottom tier will be regionalised so no benefit to us at all.

by **John L** » Fri May 20, 2016 10:18 am

Teams like Morecambe wrote:Can't see the benefits. Three less home matches will see clubs lose money. No suggestion that the bottom tier will be regionalised so no benefit to us at all.

Those 3 lost league games could be replaced by the group stage of the trophy...
http://www.football-league.co.uk//news/article/2016/a-whole-game-solution-3119809.aspx

by **black morse** » Fri May 20, 2016 10:47 am

Teams like Morecambe wrote:Can't see the benefits. Three less home matches will see clubs lose money. No suggestion that the bottom tier will be regionalised so no benefit to us at all.

The benefit is that you have to endure 3 less home games :lol:

by **SupermarketShrimp** » Fri May 20, 2016 2:04 pm

If we can finish top half in that season we'd essentially get a promotion!

by **Posh** » Fri May 20, 2016 4:27 pm

John L wrote:
Teams like Morecambe wrote:Can't see the benefits. Three less home matches will see clubs lose money. No suggestion that the bottom tier will be regionalised so no benefit to us at all.

Those 3 lost league games could be replaced by the group stage of the trophy...
http://www.football-league.co.uk//news/article/2016/a-whole-game-solution-3119809.aspx

Four less games. 23 down to 19.

However there would be less midweek games, which typically attract smaller crowds and, if regionalised, some seriously good games. A regionalised League 2 North would see us next year playing Oldham, Fleetwood, Blackpool, Accrington, Shrewsbury, Crewe, Carlisle, Hartlepool, York, Tranmere, Grimsby, Wrexham, Doncaster, Chesterfield, Mansfield, York and Notts County for definite. Even losing Pompey and Plymouth we'd easily get better crowds with that lot than we do currently in League 2. And I could see more than four away matches a season.

by **RedRedWine** » Fri May 20, 2016 4:44 pm

For me it only benefits teams in the bottom two leagues it if its regionalised and if this is not on the table our club should reject the proposal.

If adding another tier regionalisation would also be beneficial because clubs in the bottom tier would still be the same number of promotions to the top tier (albeit more diificult to attain promotion from league two to the step above) and also negate the need for an additional wembley playoff final (league 2 north vs league 2 south playoff winners meet in the final, the winner going up with the champions of each division).

by **Christies Child** » Fri May 20, 2016 5:40 pm

I think I heard that the Accy owner is against it. Now I wonder if he.d be saying the same come season 2017 / 2018 when they return to non league...., :lol: