The Background.
May 15th 1997 was a momentous day in the history of European Football. Several European leagues, in the sure knowledge that the big leagues of England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain were beginning to move ahead of the leagues of the smaller countries, decided to do something about it.
The Continental League was thus established.
The nations which agreed to the changes were Scotland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Greece, Romania, Turkey, the Ukraine, Austria, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
The format would be the same for all of the above nations.
Each national Premier or top league would consist of ten clubs. These clubs would between July-November, play each other twice. The top two teams from each division would qualify for the Continental league,, at this point for the remainder of the season leaving the domestic league. Both would gain entry into the Champions league, or if their national co-efficient is not good enough, the UEFA Cup.
The remaining eight clubs would then play each other twice between February and the end of May. The bottom club would be relegated and the top club would become the domestic champions. Should the co-efficient of the nation be good enough, the national champions would gain entry into the UEFA Cup.
The domestic Cup competitions would remain unaffected. The winners would still qualify for Europe.
The format of the continental league would be as follows, it would be split into two divisions, north and south. The North European Division would include teams from Scotland, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Poland. The Southern European Division would consist of teams from Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Austria, Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
The top two teams in each division would qualify for the semi-finals of the Continental League, to be played over two legs. The winners of the Semi-Finals playing in the Continental League final.
Television money would be pooled for all of the nations and equally divided out. Each qualifying club would receive a share of 75% of the television revenues, 25% divided out between the non-qualifying clubs. The first television deals were struck by March 1998, coming in at a total of £650 million. The changes would take effect from season 1998/99.
What will the timeline be concentrating on?
In the main, the fortunes of one Scottish team, St. Johnstone, although the Continental League will be dealt with..
Welcome to the footballing equivilant of the single currency.
Here we go...

McDiarmid Park, Perth. The home of St. Johnstone FC.
May 15th 1997 was a momentous day in the history of European Football. Several European leagues, in the sure knowledge that the big leagues of England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain were beginning to move ahead of the leagues of the smaller countries, decided to do something about it.
The Continental League was thus established.
The nations which agreed to the changes were Scotland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Greece, Romania, Turkey, the Ukraine, Austria, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
The format would be the same for all of the above nations.
Each national Premier or top league would consist of ten clubs. These clubs would between July-November, play each other twice. The top two teams from each division would qualify for the Continental league,, at this point for the remainder of the season leaving the domestic league. Both would gain entry into the Champions league, or if their national co-efficient is not good enough, the UEFA Cup.
The remaining eight clubs would then play each other twice between February and the end of May. The bottom club would be relegated and the top club would become the domestic champions. Should the co-efficient of the nation be good enough, the national champions would gain entry into the UEFA Cup.
The domestic Cup competitions would remain unaffected. The winners would still qualify for Europe.
The format of the continental league would be as follows, it would be split into two divisions, north and south. The North European Division would include teams from Scotland, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Poland. The Southern European Division would consist of teams from Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Austria, Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
The top two teams in each division would qualify for the semi-finals of the Continental League, to be played over two legs. The winners of the Semi-Finals playing in the Continental League final.
Television money would be pooled for all of the nations and equally divided out. Each qualifying club would receive a share of 75% of the television revenues, 25% divided out between the non-qualifying clubs. The first television deals were struck by March 1998, coming in at a total of £650 million. The changes would take effect from season 1998/99.
What will the timeline be concentrating on?
In the main, the fortunes of one Scottish team, St. Johnstone, although the Continental League will be dealt with..
Welcome to the footballing equivilant of the single currency.
Here we go...

McDiarmid Park, Perth. The home of St. Johnstone FC.
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