It is so very sad to see clubs with a great tradition and history like Hereford, Darlington, Stockport and others suffer, some even vanishing off the face of the earth.
I believe that regionalisation of leagues 1 and 2 and also the conference would reduce costs for clubs in terms of travel and hotels and would also mean bigger crowds and more away fans. There could be a north and south with 12 teams in each and the winner of each goes up automatically. The second and third placed teams from each section play off with the winners going into the play off final (north v south) where the eventual winner of that joins the other two in the league above.
Ok, but 4 teams from league 1 get relegated i hear you say. Correct. But with restructuring the leagues into regions, at the same time the leagues all have a '3 UP 3 DOWN' rule as standard. Even in the conference 3 teams go up and 3 come down from league 2. This would make things a more open playing field and wouldn't see teams who drop into the conference go out of business or go close to it. Those ex league teams like Torquay would have more of an opportunity to get promoted.
I strongly feel that the smaller teams are getting smaller and the bigger teams getting bigger and it is apparent that those who are the top of the tree don't give a shot for the tradition and history of English football. English football IS the lower leagues too and these teams should be given a fairer crack of the whip. Lower league teams are really struggling to keep their heads above water and i believe that radical restructuring is necessary to save football at the bottom end. If those at the top won't help then at least those who make the rules can make it easier for those teams with zero cash to survive.
Obviously there will always be clubs so badly run that clubs will run the risk of going bust but generally speaking i just think some clubs who have hit on hard times just need a helping hand. Many lower league clubs are heavily tied to the communities they represent and this is of great social importance and not just sporting. Communities are dying out as it is. Change is needed now IMO.
Any thoughts?
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The only person to respond will get a big thumbs up symbol from me and perhaps even a love heart thingy! Can't say fairer.
