Summer football

[bingo70]

Notice they are discussing the possibility of a move to summer football at that convention at hampden today.

Some football finance expert thinks it would benefit clubs financially if we were to do it so I imagine it'll be getting looked at in a bit more detail now.

Hope so, I'd love it and personally think it could be the making of Scottish football again.

[Keith_M]

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Notice they are discussing the possibility of a move to summer football at that convention at hampden today.

Some football finance expert thinks it would benefit clubs financially if we were to do it so I imagine it'll be getting looked at in a bit more detail now.

Hope so, I'd love it and personally think it could be the making of Scottish football again.

Hi Bingo. Excuse my ignorance but what's the Convention at Hampden about and who's involved?


Cheers.

[H18S NX]

I'm all for it

[bingo70]

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Hi Bingo. Excuse my ignorance but what's the Convention at Hampden about and who's involved?


Cheers.

Sfa have been tweeting about it this morning.

Think all Scottish clubs are there to share ideas, the German fa have a representative there to talk about what they do, the chairman of Spartans was doing a talk earlier, the guy from supporters direct was doing a talk and it appears some football finance expert is there as well.

Think this year was the first year they've held it, sounds like the possibility of moving to summer football will be one of the main talking points to come from it.

[Sioux]

I've attended a number of similar events (not football i must add) and a common theme is that where the event is held by a progressive, professional, articulate and respected company/organisation, both as to customers and staff alike, there are many successs stories.

However this is the SFA we're talking about. The baws burst.

[southsider]

A season running from March thru to Oct/Nov may find it easier to secure a better TV deal. Also easier for young children in the better weather.

[offshorehibby]

I suppose it would all depend on what celtic and the rangers want

[jacomo]

As often pointed out, summer football would also mean late winter / early winter football. Fancy visiting Hampden for a cup final in early December, and then having no matches over Xmas/New Year? I don't.

[southsider]

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As often pointed out, summer football would also mean late winter / early winter football. Fancy visiting Hampden for a cup final in early December, and then having no matches over Xmas/New Year? I don't.

Our League Cup win over celtic was played on 9th December (1972) and when we beat Killie 5-1 it snowed.

[Turkish Green]

Scottish summers are sh*t.

At present the season is over 9 months (August to April), so in reality we are looking to only move 3 months: May, June & July for December, January & February (???).

They work it in Scandinavia, so why not here.

[seanshow]

it would be good, i would go for april - december.

The pitches are usually great up till december, so it would suit better football....no need for astroturf

a bit like the 16 team league its unlikely to happen though :(

[bingo70]

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Hi Bingo. Excuse my ignorance but what's the Convention at Hampden about and who's involved?


Cheers.

Barry Hearn just been speaking about how badly we promote the game up here as well.

Don't think anyone can argue with that.

[Sir David Gray]

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A season running from March thru to Oct/Nov may find it easier to secure a better TV deal. Also easier for young children in the better weather.

We currently play from August-May, which is nine months.

If we start the season in March instead, we'll finish the season in December and therefore still in winter.

There may be other reasons for changing when our season is played but most people mention the benefits of watching and playing football in better weather conditions. I personally don't see it being much different, regardless of when we start and finish.

[Oscar T Grouch]

I think summer football is a no brainier. Good pitches due to the longer hours of sunlight. As I'm getting older it's much harder sitting in the Baltic cold for 90 minutes, I'd much prefer warmer weather, I know it'll still rain but that'll be good for the pitches. The old argument about people going on holiday held weight when people worked to the trades holiday but hardly anyone does nowadays. Reduced overheads due to no floodlights or undersold heating. All makes sense. But as it's the sfa in charge none of this'll matter and I'll be freezing my arse off for years to come.

[Sir David Gray]

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I think summer football is a no brainier. Good pitches due to the longer hours of sunlight. As I'm getting older it's much harder sitting in the Baltic cold for 90 minutes, I'd much prefer warmer weather, I know it'll still rain but that'll be good for the pitches. The old argument about people going on holiday held weight when people worked to the trades holiday but hardly anyone does nowadays. Reduced overheads due to no floodlights or undersold heating. All makes sense. But as it's the sfa in charge none of this'll matter and I'll be freezing my arse off for years to come.

You don't think most people, families in particular, will have their foreign holidays booked to coincide with the school holidays from late June-early August?

[Cameron1875]

Just caught a bit of what Barry Hearn was saying on SSN about the convention today. Quite interesting stuff even if he is a bit of a loudmouth at times.

• No League sponsor is a disgrace. Only one place the current commercial people would go if working for him and that is out the door!
• Negative perception of Scottish Football must change.
• There's a Commercial department in the SFA and SPFL. Should merge as surely singing off same hymn sheet.
• Alcohol ban is ridiculous. Doesn't understand how pubs directly outside the ground sell alcohol to same people who are denied that right inside the stadium.
• Half empty grounds mean no harm in giving away tickets to schoolkids as long term you'll get a reward with club loyalty.

• Clubs must get back to being social hub of the region
• Social media numbers too low, should be 3/4/5 times as many people engaged online in Scottish football

[bingo70]

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Just caught a bit of what Barry Hearn was saying on SSN about the convention today. Quite interesting stuff even if he is a bit of a loudmouth at times.

• No League sponsor is a disgrace. Only one place the current commercial people would go if working for him and that is out the door!
• Negative perception of Scottish Football must change.
• There's a Commercial department in the SFA and SPFL. Should merge as surely singing off same hymn sheet.
• Alcohol ban is ridiculous. Doesn't understand how pubs directly outside the ground sell alcohol to same people who are denied that right inside the stadium.
• Half empty grounds mean no harm in giving away tickets to schoolkids as long term you'll get a reward with club loyalty.

• Clubs must get back to being social hub of the region
• Social media numbers too low, should be 3/4/5 times as many people engaged online in Scottish football

Top one is certainly true, If unable to get a sponsor it should have been given to a charity.

[Oscar T Grouch]

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You don't think most people, families in particular, will have their foreign holidays booked to coincide with the school holidays from late June-early August?

Yeah, but it would be easy to book when Hibs are playing away, that would mean not missing out on a ST game. School holidays are what? 7 weeks? That would be easy enough to organise (says the man with no family to think of )

[Hibby Bairn]

Just back from this. Hearn was excellent. Very clever and articulate guy. Certainly didn't pull any punches and said what he saw.

The guys from Grant Thornton were equally scathing.

Both basically said need to all get together...differentiate....and focus on the customer/fan. Image and perception of Scottish Football was cack.

Rod Petrie was there but not enough other Chairman or Chief Executives.

[Hibby Bairn]

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Top one is certainly true, If unable to get a sponsor it should have been given to a charity.

This is plan and will be announced in next 2 weeks.

[bingo70]

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Just back from this. Hearn was excellent. Very clever and articulate guy. Certainly didn't pull any punches and said what he saw.

The guys from Grant Thornton were equally scathing.

Both basically said need to all get together...differentiate....and focus on the customer/fan. Image and perception of Scottish Football was cack.

Rod Petrie was there but not enough other Chairman or Chief Executives.

Who's Grant Thornton?

Was the suggestion of moving to summer football given much encouragement or was it dismissed pretty quickly?

[Hibby Bairn]

Accountancy firm. The two guys there specialise in football and football finance.

Lots of nodding heads re summer football.

[Ozyhibby]

They should ask Barry Hearn to promote Scottish football.

[NAE NOOKIE]

The one good thing is that by organising something like this the SFA and SPFL appear to be at least trying to address our problems by asking the opinion of proven experts with a good track record. The question is ... will they listen?

Summer fitba for me by the way

[theonlywayisup]

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I think summer football is a no brainier. Good pitches due to the longer hours of sunlight. As I'm getting older it's much harder sitting in the Baltic cold for 90 minutes, I'd much prefer warmer weather, I know it'll still rain but that'll be good for the pitches. The old argument about people going on holiday held weight when people worked to the trades holiday but hardly anyone does nowadays. Reduced overheads due to no floodlights or undersold heating. All makes sense. But as it's the sfa in charge none of this'll matter and I'll be freezing my arse off for years to come.

Not for me thanks!

Contrary to what you state those families with school aged children will usually go away on holiday during the summer school holiday period - for a two week holiday, you could miss 2/3 home games. There are also a lot more other non-sport related activities that will prevent people from attending matches - e.g. BBQs, gala days etc.

There is a greater risk of games being cancelled or disrupted due to torrential rain during the June/July period (our rainy season) than disrupted due to cold weather.

During the summer, there are many that would rather be out playing sport (i.e. golf, walking, cycling etc) that watching sport. I for one will be on the golf course and would give up the season ticket.

I doubt if there would be much interest in TV coverage. The TV companies will have done their research that shows that there is a much greater likelihood that TV viewing numbers drop in the summer months. Will you really get someone staying in to watch Celtic away to ICT on a Wednesday evening or a Sunday afternoon. Mmmm no!

Do I really want to watch 22 huddies trying to control a ball on a hard bouncing pitch? Are our players capable of lasting a match in 25 degree heat, when they can barely do that in 5 degree heat? All of that on the days there is no torrential rain, of course.

If it was such a no-brainer, why haven't other countries such as Belgium and Holland moved to summer football.

This is not a no-brainer. A move to summer football might completely change the way football is watch. It might be for the good of the Scottish game. It might kill it. This is not a no-brainer.

[frazeHFC]

Would hate Summer Football. In the winter footballs one of the few things to look forward to at the weekend, and the weathers pish in the summer most of the time anyway. Golf would take priority, so would be pointless getting a ST, most likely the same for the rest of my family too.

[CB_NO3]

I have been in Argentina for the last month. They basically have 2 half seasons and it makes it very interesting. They only play each other once a season. The season only has 19 games and you have 4 or 5 teams that can win the league going into the final weeks of the season, then another season starts. This would be excellent for Scottish football considering the tournament is a one horse race. Then the next season the fixtures are reversed. They also have a winter cup. It keeps the fans interested. Imagine the Scottish league finishing in 3 or 4 weeks time and you have a chance that Dundee United or ICT could win the league. Obviously you would have to tweek the league numbers to suit.

[frazeHFC]

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I have been in Argentina for the last month. They basically have 2 half seasons and it makes it very interesting. They only play each other once a season. The season only has 19 games and you have 4 or 5 teams that can win the league going into the final weeks of the season, then another season starts. This would be excellent for Scottish football considering the tournament is a one horse race. Then the next season the fixtures are reversed. They also have a winter cup. It keeps the fans interested. Imagine the Scottish league finishing in 3 or 4 weeks time and you have a chance that Dundee United or ICT could win the league. Obviously you would have to tweek the league numbers to suit.

How would that work regarding European spots? The 2 winners of the 2 leagues play each other and the winner gets a CL spot?

[CB_NO3]

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How would that work regarding European spots? The 2 winners of the 2 leagues play each other and the winner gets a CL spot?

Am not sure how they sort out the South American cup places tbh. They might total the points up over the 2 seasons e.g. 38 games to see who qualifies.

[Forza Fred]

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Am not sure how they sort out the South American cup places tbh. They might total the points up over the 2 seasons e.g. 38 games to see who qualifies.

We play summer fit a down here and the move was of benefit to the game.

Nothing used to be better than having a few schooners while watching Marconi