Jacksgranda Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 21 minutes ago, Marten said: Big chance that it will happen sooner or later sadly, but there is nothing positive about it. And no way it will bring more fans, maybe initially, but not when the novelty wears off. If you live in a town with a League 2 club, e.g. Elgin, Annan, Stranraer, Stirling and you don't currently attend I doubt very much Celgers pitching up with a team full of youngsters is going to entice you through the turnstiles on a regular basis. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallochSonsFan Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 29 minutes ago, edinabear said: Looking positive that this is happening now. Wil bring some much needed finance and more fans to the league. It won't. Lower league fans will stay away from colt team fixtures. There's absolutely no appetite for it. You're more likely to see home crowds stay away than increase from the cumulative effect of curiosity and travelling OF fans. At best it would be financially neutral. At worst it actually may damage club finances. How many people want to sponsor a game or take hospitality for a visit from Rangers' colts featuring a cast of players who aren't good enough to play on loan at a higher level? OF loanees at League One and Two level are absolutely garbage. Playing against Forfar or Brechin won't suddenly turn the likes of Matthew Shiels into a good top flight player. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marten Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 1 minute ago, Jacksgranda said: If you live in a town with a League 2 club, e.g. Elgin, Annan, Stranraer, Stirling and you don't currently attend I doubt very much Celgers pitching up with a team full of youngsters is going to entice you through the turnstiles on a regular basis. I more mean the fans of the ugly sisters. I think it will be similar to what happened in The Netherlands where they got half-decent crowds for the first season because of the novelty factor, but the crowds collapsed soon after. After a year or so the colt teams' home attendances were the lowest in the league and in away games they rarely even take away attendances into double figures. That has not changed again since. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 6 minutes ago, Marten said: I more mean the fans of the ugly sisters. I think it will be similar to what happened in The Netherlands where they got half-decent crowds for the first season because of the novelty factor, but the crowds collapsed soon after. After a year or so the colt teams' home attendances were the lowest in the league and in away games they rarely even take away attendances into double figures. That has not changed again since. I took that out of your post, again doubt there would be enough to compensate in the drop off of regulars. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marten Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Jacksgranda said: I took that out of your post, again doubt there would be enough to compensate in the drop off of regulars. Fair enough. Hopefully we'll never find out, but even if there is an initial positive effect on attendances, we will both agree that it won't last. Put this plan in the bin, where the previous 3,137 plans to introduce these teams are already (I might be a few off with that number, but probably not far). Plus, the trouble OF fans tend to bring would even in the case of higher crowds likely negate any profit due to more security costs etc. Edited February 28, 2021 by Marten 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonglum25 Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 2 hours ago, Sergeant Wilson said: @The Phoenixhas answered how it is dealt with practically just now, but what do you suggest Chairmen do to prevent it being raised again? I would like to see a collective of chairmen make a statement that they will never vote for this but the financial element will be a draw to some. This was raised at our AGM a few years ago when first mooted and I think there was some were surprised by how vehemently it was opposed. When you look at the number of Scottish players in both the OF teams in the past few weeks this lacks even more credibility. How much are Hibs, Hearts, Aberdeen etc going to chip in when they wish to join? If your SPL team gets relegated does your Colt team cease to exist? Will you still attend if L2 consists of 8 colt teams and 2 non colt teams? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergeant Wilson Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 1 minute ago, Moonglum25 said: I would like to see a collective of chairmen make a statement that they will never vote for this but the financial element will be a draw to some. This was raised at our AGM a few years ago when first mooted and I think there was some were surprised by how vehemently it was opposed. When you look at the number of Scottish players in both the OF teams in the past few weeks this lacks even more credibility. How much are Hibs, Hearts, Aberdeen etc going to chip in when they wish to join? If your SPL team gets relegated does your Colt team cease to exist? Will you still attend if L2 consists of 8 colt teams and 2 non colt teams? That would only stand as a joint position on the day it was issued. Personnel change, the "offer" will change. You can't stop it being raised any more than you can stop an MP raising a Bill to reintroduce the death penalty. I had already stopped going to "senior" games, but decided never to go back when they let Rangers first team in, never mind their reserves. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldster Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 I expect that Rantic colts would appeal to plenty of their fans who live in towns around the country but who can never make it to the first team games. Sorry to say it, but if there's an overage allowance so that some first teamers will play, local away fans will turn out for these games. (I may have misthought there, let me know) -4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergeant Wilson Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 14 minutes ago, Oldster said: I expect that Rantic colts would appeal to plenty of their fans who live in towns around the country but who can never make it to the first team games. Sorry to say it, but if there's an overage allowance so that some first teamers will play, local away fans will turn out for these games. (I may have misthought there, let me know) Where is the evidence that their supporters will attend and can you estimate how many supporters of other teams won't? What impact did It have on the Challenge Cup? It is a lie they perpetuate that there will be a benefit to other clubs. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibsFan Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 35 minutes ago, Oldster said: I expect that Rantic colts would appeal to plenty of their fans who live in towns around the country but who can never make it to the first team games. Sorry to say it, but if there's an overage allowance so that some first teamers will play, local away fans will turn out for these games. (I may have misthought there, let me know) Since 95% of Rangers/Celtic fans are - either themselves or through their elder relatives - drawn to supporting their team because of the dominance they enjoy over the Scottish game, I'm going to go ahead and say "no, they won't be bothering with watching some U20s labour to a 0-0 draw against Elgin". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergeant Wilson Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 1 minute ago, HibsFan said: Since 95% of Rangers/Celtic fans are - either themselves or through their elder relatives - drawn to supporting their team because of the dominance they enjoy over the Scottish game, I'm going to go ahead and say "no, they won't be bothering with watching some U20s labour to a 0-0 draw against Elgin". The answer is no. By even contemplating the possibility of increased crowds as @Oldster did you encourage debate and allow their foot in the door. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David W Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Even Rangers and Celtic don't think they'd cause increased crowds, which is why these stories usually involve them buying up a chunk of tickets at any given away game, regardless of actually selling them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parsforlife Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 (edited) 32 minutes ago, David W said: Even Rangers and Celtic don't think they'd cause increased crowds, which is why these stories usually involve them buying up a chunk of tickets at any given away game, regardless of actually selling them. It’s just symptom of them not understanding the problem. ‘Oh, you won’t let us in cos you are unsure of crowds, we’ll give you the security of the crowd money but are still arrogant enough to believe it won’t cost us much’ They believe they are all that matters in Scottish football, and that for other clubs not to be delighted about playing them can’t be a moral issue, and can only be a financial concern. Edited February 28, 2021 by parsforlife 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldster Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 I didn't state that they would increase crowds. From my own experience, family members would go to watch them if they were playing locally, in the league, and if they had an overage allowance where well kent names featured. I think interest would wane if they were corralled into the current small divisions playing teams more often, as the novelty of Rangers or Celtic visiting would wear off. I have no evidence since it hasn't happened yet. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranaldo Bairn Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 We have the evidence of them being in the Challenge Cup with an overage allowance. This has been the definition of a novelty and the crowds, even for a, ahem, niche competition, have been utterly woeful. Sack this idea completely. Again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Firhill Frozen Pie Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Only clubs it benefits are Celtic & Sevco - Not for this idea at all. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peternapper Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Have always said if this came to pass i would be finished with league football & would go junior or highland league. Can not see the justification for any club being allowed more than one entry in what is essentially the same competition. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoriginalhedge Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 6 hours ago, Sergeant Wilson said: @The Phoenixhas answered how it is dealt with practically just now, but what do you suggest Chairmen do to prevent it being raised again? Have a wee Jim moment and insist that the question is never asked again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdinburghBlue Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 3 hours ago, HibsFan said: Since 95% of Rangers/Celtic fans are - either themselves or through their elder relatives - drawn to supporting their team because of the dominance they enjoy over the Scottish game, I'm going to go ahead and say "no, they won't be bothering with watching some U20s labour to a 0-0 draw against Elgin". Particularly if it’s on a Tuesday night 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 15 minutes ago, EdinburghBlue said: Particularly if it’s on a Tuesday night And it's wet. In November 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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