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rovers4ever · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 5314 Location: Burntisland

Cut & pasted from another thread (re call-off of the cup tie v Airdrie) but deserves its own thread.

I'm fast becoming an advocate of Summer football, played from the 1st weekend in March to late November with a complete break in July during odd years and a 4 week break in even years i.e. when the WC/Euros are being played.

As JMcG points out, better football, less forking out for astro pitches/floodlighting, better fan comfort, better quality of football and arrangements don't go to waste e.g. hospitality, etc.

To facilitate this, 3 leagues of 16 teams = 30 games a year. We'd need six more teams admitted into the leagues, which I don't think would be a problem.

The Challenge Cup could be altered so its played over a 3 week period in February (rather than pre-season friendlies) with the final in April.

The Irish and the Scandinavians do this, so I don't see why we can't. Hope this happens shortly.
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lbarnett-bl · Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 5411 Location: Kirkcaldy

Before I wasn't too bothered if there was summer football or not but given the recent postponements I'm now becoming a fan of it.

scotty · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 9073 Location: Almost Dysart.

Some points.

Winter football would be mostly fine if we had pitch protection.
It would be seriously hampering when it came to games against other European sides who's seasons did not coincide with ours. (Both the national side and those that flirt with club competitions in the 3 moths before X'mas.)

The other side of the coin is that better playing surfaces and climate may make for better football.

More fans (I wonder) might turn up more regularly in a better climate but the New years derby would be a big miss (just like this year!), perhaps we could keep that as a special like the Boston Ice Hokey game at the baseball stadium. Idea

I still like my football in winter I'm afraid but I can see far more reasons to play it in Summer than winter.
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rovers4ever · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 5314 Location: Burntisland

rigby rover · Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 98

I'm with the pro summer football brigade.

What other business insists on selling it's product when it is least attractive, most uncomfortable and dangerous to travel to and watch, and also very dangerous and expensive to provide?

Watching football during even a poor Scottish summer is always going to be more comfortable, profitable and attractive than in the winter.
Players would be less prone to non contact injuries, a cold body injures a lot easier than a warm one.
The games (even evening matches) would be played and travel to and from them would be done during daylight hours, resulting in a far better match day experience overall.
But the biggest saving to clubs would be eliminating the need for floodlights which cost a fortune to run.

moodyblue · Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 1557 Location: GLENROTHES

I would prefer 'summer' footy rather than having a winter break. With a winter break you will have the continuing problem of no footy when the weather is good enough and then still endure postponed matches either before or after any break.

I like the idea of cup comps being played over a short period. Not necessarily in February as was suggested elsewhere but perhaps during the summer holiday period.

Perhaps more scheduled mid week matches so that a mid-summer break could take place. Weather would be better for those evening matches too.

AllanJM · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 856 Location: Glenrothes

I actually cant think of any good arguments against summer football. I struggle to motivate myself to go in the winter due to the cold and I certainly cant convince others to come with me.

People will talk about tradition but we need to move with the times. Many things once accepted aren't anymore.

Others will talk about the disadvantages to the national team/teams "competing" in european competition but it doesn't seem to have done Russia/russian domestic teams any harm.

We would save money on floodlights, it would be a more pleasant experience for fans so more would be likely to come out.

Finaly the Ebglish league wont follow suit so when our season was finished we could still watch the EPL on the tv or even go to some games. Footy all year round....nice.

rovers4ever · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 5314 Location: Burntisland

Graeme Meldrum · Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 1254

What happens if Scotland qualify for a major tournament again ?

rovers4ever · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 5314 Location: Burntisland

Geordie_Munro · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 905 Location: Boise, ID.

raith12 · Joined: 26 Jul 2009 Posts: 878

Yes I do think we need a change in the football with summer football with all the posponed matches because of the weather at the moment is not good for the players or us the fans.

KdyHeelsLover · Joined: 01 Jan 2010 Posts: 132 Location: Kirkcaldy.

Got to agree about summer football.

It's definately the way forward.

natman--nye · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 169 Location: Glasgow

I think there should be a winter shutdown lasting around 3-4 weeks during the season rather than have summer football. The winter is depressing enough as it is so why take football away. I remember there used to be a shutdown a few seasons ago, not sure why they removed it.

fitbadaft · Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Posts: 93

I would prefer summer football as opposed to a winter break of 3 or 4 weeks as the big problem with a winter break is that you could never judge when to have the break. You could have a situation where matches could have been played (weather-wise) during the break and then when you start up again the weather could put matches off. The only problem I see with summer football (which I fully support) would be the first transitional season, teams would finish their season in May then not start up again until the following Feb/March, we would need to think of a scheme that allowed matches to be played between August and finish at the end of November, anyone have any suggestions ? could mini regional leagues work ?, say Fife/Perthshire, West/Ayrshire, Tayside/Highland and East/Central, just a suggestion to what would be a real problem but I would welcome others.