Are you the OP?
No, but he's not American either. What's you're problem?
Are you the OP?
Calm down, it was a serious suggestion in 2000-2001, not something that FoS has made up because he doesn't rate Dutch football or something - in fact, it was PSV Eindhoven directors who suggested it.
I wasn't upset about him critizing us smaller countries' soccer (which I'm sure he wasn't), I was more upset about the suggestion that Europe is only made up out of England, Spain, Germany, France and Italy, and the other smaller countries don't count and will just be thrown together carelessly.
He's not suggested that at all. Perhaps you should actually read the timeline and the links provided?
Not carelessly; based on geography, and they suggested it themselves. Why don't you read the articles I posted?
No, thats not what I suggested.I did, didn't FoS say that the leagues would disappear if they didn't merge? I don't care either if someone from PSV suggested it, I would say the same to him as I said to you.
And Owain, do you mean geographicly by population? >.<
Having reviewed this, I am going to make a final attempt at a football timeline, but not going to post it until I have finished the Blue Bonnets and the Isles, as three on the go is a bit much.
No, thats not what I suggested.
They would however become irrelevant(which is what was implied by slow death(not the total destruction, that would never happen), as they have to an extent in whats happened over the past decade to the extent that today, it is almost unthinkable for a Dutch, Belgian, Scottish, Swedish, Portugese or whatever team from a small league to get to a European final. The reason is purely financial.
At present, the SPL has a TV deal worth around £45 million. The English Premiership of over £1 Billion. The Scandinavians have a joint deal for £111 million, the French for over £1 billion. The Dutch Football league set up its own TV station to drum up support, but I doubt it is making Premiership style money.
This money means Blackpool, a small club, who happened to get promoted to the English Premiership will earn more in one season than Rangers, Celtic, Ajax, Club Brugges and Anderlecht earn combined in one season, even if they finish bottom of the league.
This means clubs from the big leagues can cherry pick the best players from the smaller leagues, turning former footballing superpowers into the feeder clubs of tommorow.
This is why it was suggested, and in ttl why it went ahead. Also, if you read the actual thing I bloody posted, the Dutch league would remain, with the top few teams qualifying for the Euro League after christmas. As to the nations, they were the nations put forward by PSV Eindhoven, and backed by Celtic.
And Owain, I'd like to see Cardiff, Swansea and Irish franchises in the SPL, or some Magners League type scenario, but I doubt it would work. Perhaps a good pod would be these clubs staying with the Welsh League and then joining some Euro League...![]()
I know. My heart thinks that a Celtic League could happen, but my head's more realistic.And Owain, I'd like to see Cardiff, Swansea and Irish franchises in the SPL, or some Magners League type scenario, but I doubt it would work. Perhaps a good pod would be these clubs staying with the Welsh League and then joining some Euro League...![]()