Ahead of former First Minister Henry McLeish’s eagerly anticipated Scottish Football review, Stirling University will this evening host a question-time style debate featuring the main men in Scottish football.
Although this particular panel has no authority, the opportunity to quiz some of the people who are involved with football in Scotland at a high level is certainly welcome, and their answers eagerly anticipated by this site.
Chaired by Jim Spence, the participants to this public debate are:
Henry McLeish (former First Minister, instigator of the latest review into Scottish football)
Gordon Smith (SFA Chief Exec)
Iain Blair (SPL Operations Director)
David Longmuir (SFL Chief Exec)
Fraser Wishart (PFA Scotland Chief Executive )
James Proctor (Supporters Direct Development Manager )
We’ve spent some time thinking about the issues we think need to be addressed, attached it to the nearest homing pigeon and sent it off to Stirling. Here are the questions we’ve forwarded to the panel.
1/ Does the panel admit that Scottish football is in a poor state and that it needs a complete overhaul?
2/ How does the panel think the task force led by Henry McLeish will make any difference when many previous attempts to reform Scottish football appear to have failed?
3/ Would the panel recommend the implementation of the same League structure and the same League management structure if Scottish football started from scratch today?
4/ Does the panel support the idea of a pyramid system with relegation from the SFL 3rd Division and promotion from the HFL/West of Scotland Premier League?
5/ We hear a lot about the youth systems in place in European countries such as The Netherlands. Does the panel feel that such systems actually work, and would similar scheme work in Scotland. If not, why not?
6/ The Old Firm have been dominating the league for many years. What does the panel suggest would bridge the gap between the Old Firm and the rest of the SPL?
7/ Although attendances in the SPL are reasonably stable, the majority of games are never sold out. What does the panel suggest should happen to encourage greater numbers back to the stadiums?
8/ What does the panel suggest should be done to stop clubs from overspending and potentially going into administration?
9/ On what grounds would the panel oppose moves by the Old Firm to leave the SPL and play in England?
10/ Does the panel support the idea of a longer winter break and a shorter summer break?
We’re interested in the answers the panel give, providing our homing pigeon make it to the venue of course.
If you think there are any other issues that need to be addressed or you have your opinions about the 10 questions we’ve posted here, feel free to leave a comment and we’ll post them on the site.
‘Scottish Football under the spotlight’ will be held at the Macrobert Arts Centre, on the University of Stirling campus, on Monday 28 September, kicking off at 6.30pm.
Tickets are free. Confirm your attendance via e-mail to sportevents@stir.ac.uk or call 01786 466 498. Please provide your name, contact details, a suggested question for the panel if you wish and which team/organisation you represent if appropriate.