Gartside to propose plans

Bolton supremo to put forward two-tier system

Last updated: 21st April 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gartside to propose plans

Gartside: Radical plans

You could have 36 Premier League clubs split into 18 and 18, and that would also solve the problems of the winter break and supporting the England team

Gartside on plans
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Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside believes having a second Premier League would kill two birds with one stone.

The Trotters supremo is presenting a plan to his fellow chairmen on Thursday to introduce a new Premier League system of two, 18-strong divisions, including the likes of SPL giants Rangers and Celtic.

Gartside believes that having a smaller top flight would enable the league to shut down over winter while allowing more gaps in the schedule for the England team.

Gartside needs 13 of the remaining 19 chairmen to agree to progress his radical proposals, although he has controversially hinted relegation could be scrapped from Premier League II.

Double benefit

"You could have 36 Premier League clubs split into 18 and 18, and that would also solve the problems of the winter break and supporting the England team," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"It would even everything out and it would make it more competitive on that basis.

"We have already got to the situation where the three clubs that go down from the Premier League are usually the three that come up, although a couple of others might sneak in.

"I don't have the answers but it is certainly time for a debate - perhaps even on not having relegation from a second division of the Premier League."

Comments (36)

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John Hilferty (Celtic fan) says...

I think in principle its a great idea for both old firm clubs and its them and the English national team that will benefit but I feel the Old firm clubs would struggle for the first few years but long term they would prosper especially Celtic with our worldwide fan base in 10 years we would be one of the biggest and most sucessful teams on the planet.....but Scottish football would be like League of Ireland/Wales ...no disrepect

Posted 21:38 21st April 2009

Edward Jackson (Sunderland fan) says...

Stupid idea - but should not leave the descision to the stupid chairmen, apologies Niall, would suggest that a poll be taken using season ticket holders from all 92 premiership & league clubs - do not include scottish clubs. I'm sure the majority of supporters in each club would reject the proposal.

Posted 21:23 21st April 2009

Brian Mcguinn (Rangers fan) says...

Firstly, I find this idea terrible and i'm a Rangers fan! How can you stop relegation? Where will the excitement be down the bottom? But if Rangers and Celtic were to go to England, within 5 years they would be challenging for the league; (Tier 1) I think most English clubs, if not all, are scared of the the Old Firm because they know what we will be capable of with the money we will gain! That's why it won't happen, the other Chairmen will be to scared incase they end up in tier 2, so they will 'Veto' it.

Posted 20:28 21st April 2009

Dave New (Liverpool fan) says...

I had to check the calendar to make sure it isn't April 1st. This has got to be a very bad joke. I can think of loads of cons for this but very few pros. I agree with others that the ENGLISH Premier League should be just that. I also think Scottish football is a joke and their teams would be a better fit with the Championship than the Premiership. I also do not see any advantage to removing relegation as a natural filter for quality. Otherwise, how do you maintain the competitive level. I also think it ironic that these suggestions come from a team that is a perennial bottom dweller. Self preservation anyone? As a fan who pays - albeit thur Satellite subscription services to watch the PL, I would also not be happy in the reduced offering. I am sure fans who have season tickets won't be happy at all - of course they'll get reduced rates................ right. Clubs still have the same annual fees to pay and will have to do so via reduced matches. Doesn't take much to figure out how that'll end.

Posted 19:25 21st April 2009

Andrew Wood (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

As a Bolton fan i have to say i dont agree with Gartsides proposal, I agree that Celtic and Rangers could add something to the premier league howevere not at the expense of other English Clubs. Rangers and Celtic both have a huge fanbase and big stadiums yet so have Newcastle and look at the mess they are in, the Premier League is the highest quality in the world at the minute with three clubs in the last 4 of the champions league yet again. If Rangers fans like Scott above are niave enough to think they will be anything more than mid table clubs they have another thing coming.

Posted 19:19 21st April 2009

Josh Blake (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I personally feel that bringing Rangers and Celtic into the PL is a terrible idea, there is no room for Irish clubs in the Prem.

Posted 19:16 21st April 2009

Trevor Parker (Luton Town fan) says...

Why not do something simple, assuming that Rangers and Celtic are invited to join the English League, not being funny by saying that as that is what it is. Then why not have 20 teams in Premiership, 20 teams in Championship and then relegate two from each league in the first two years equally one promotion in the same period and continue as is. After two years then you will have 18 in each league and Rangers and Celtic would find their level. Rangers and Celtic should join the Championship to start with. This would keep the interest at a high level. Incidentally what about Champions League and the FA Cup where do Rangers and Celtic fit in there?

Posted 18:58 21st April 2009

James Urry (Arsenal fan) says...

Come on people. The Premier league in it's current state is getting stale and 80% of the teams in it are only interested in avoiding relagation. It's getting boring, simple as, especially for the neutral fan. It's typically English to decry a man for suggesting something new. Yeah maybe it's not perfect, but i for one would prefer something like this than a European Super League.. Although in turn i'd prefer a European Super League to too many more years of the status quo. It's not working.

Posted 18:50 21st April 2009

Frankie O'donnell (Celtic fan) says...

As a Celtic fan, I believe that this is not the way forward for the Old Firm. Both clubs' proud histories lie in Scotland & I think we should remain in the SPL, as this plan would kill off our national sport. I do however believe that both countries should scrap their respective league cups &, along with the Welsh & Northern Irish leagues have an annual cup competition, although the cup would probably always remain in England, it would give smaller clubs in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland a chance to show their skills against the "big boys" of the Premier League.

Posted 18:28 21st April 2009

Hughes #1 (Leeds United fan) says...

The same 3 teams go down then come back up, out of the 3 that came up this season (Hull, Stoke and WBA) only WBA have played in recent years, and what about Wigan and Reading, they had never played in the top flight, obviously Gartside doesn't have a clue about football, it just shows most chairman are in it for the money and not the love of the game!, also Rangers and Celtic might have won a lot of trophies, but were any of them worth winning, these 2 teams are at best average premier league teams, and only have a fanbase because there the only 2 clubs in Scotland, the idea of no promotion is laughable, if Newcastle went down and didn't return immediately, does it mean a team the size of Newcastle would never play in the top flight?!?!

Posted 18:26 21st April 2009

Alex H (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

I believe that Gartside's idea is ludicrous, and he should just keep his ideas to himself. He is getting paid thousands a year, takes no interest in our club as he employed Gary Mugson, and wants to muddle up the leagues, when at present they are fine. Yes the big 4/5 do have the massive monopoly and win everything and get most going for them (refereeing decisions etc). But where would the excitement be with two leagues separated away from the rest of the football league whereas now you occasionally see a team nearly breaking up the expected top 4, Everton nearly always manage to upset the odds and with O'Neill at Villa, anything is to be expected. The Premier League is widely regarded as the best league in the world and if you are going to change it and include the likes of Rangers and Celtic, that really isnt going to help anyone and will navigate away from the fact that the league as we have it now is the best and the way it should stay. Most of all the clubs that are fighting for their lives to survive wpuld struggle more, as the TV money would then be focused mainly on the top 2 leagues. It is a stupid idea, from a stupid man. Next time he comes up with an idea like that, should be the day the FA fire him from their board.

Posted 18:12 21st April 2009

James Harrow (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

I agree with most people here that this is seriously a bad idea but for people like Chris Mooney (manchester city fan) to say "on the basis that his team is always pretty close to going down" so this is basically our idea are unbelievable ignorant, as its a fact Bolton have now been in the premiership for 9 years now and have come in the top half in the majority of them

Posted 18:07 21st April 2009

Carl Foster (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

I can't believe Gartside will get any backing with this when you consider how detrimental it would be to Scottish and lower league football. Also in order to have the winter break he is asking for a league of 18 teams, surely reducing the current premier league by 2 is more logical way to go about it.

Posted 17:58 21st April 2009

Mike Fawcett (Arsenal fan) says...

I'd love to see Celtic and Rangers in the PL proper but scrapping relegation... awful idea. Sounds like he is trying to secure a place for Bolton in case they get relegated. What they should be pursuing is getting those 2 Scottish teams into the EPL. If Cardiff and Swansea were to earn promotion they would be eligible for the PL so why not make that the rule for Celtic and Rangers. The SPL wouldn't suffer as then all the young Scottish talent would get a game rather than sitting on a bench at the big 2 clubs and Celtic & Rangers would be able to sign PL quality players. I'm 100% certain that they would both sell-out their home games and as a previous poster said its really not much further than a trip to Pompey or Newcastle. If they think its potential problem is who will want to see a SPL without the big 2 they need not worry 1985 was the last time someone else won; I think its time for it to be freshened up.

Posted 17:15 21st April 2009

Sam Nicklin (Manchester United fan) says...

Well if it does go through, it'll be a while before it happens, in the meantime Bolton could easily get relegated! And if Charlton/Southampton/Leeds/Leicester are anything to go by then they could be in league two within four years! Then he'll look a right fool! Plus if there are only gonna be 36 teams in the top two, does that mean 8 teams will be sent down? where the hell are they meant to go? Lower league clubs with great stadiums and fans who could never make the premier league would be a tragedy! Furthermore, if you bring Celtic and Rangers in why not bring in Ajax and PSV then make it really fun!!! This idea should be laughed off, the FA could never separate the top flight from the football league pyramid!!!

Posted 17:13 21st April 2009

Simon Bowell (Leeds United fan) says...

this idea is even worse than the 6+5 rule! how could your rate 36 teams to be better than the rest? if this happens then big clubs that sit outside of the top 36 such as leeds, notts forest, charlton would be completely destroyed with no hope of being in the prem and can Mr Gartside honestly come out and say teams such as bolton (no offence to bolton fans) have a bigger worldwide fanbase and support than teams such as leeds united and forest? seeing as this plan wont come into place untill the next meeting for the TV contract in 2013 if im not mistaken if this idea does get the go ahead which im sure almost all fans hope it doesnt, i think we would all be very amused if bolton finished outside of these "36 elite" teams for the new prem, wonder if Mr Gartside will see it as such a good idea then?

Posted 17:12 21st April 2009

Nick Taylor (Arsenal fan) says...

Why should Rangers and Celtic be allowed in the english premier league. They are Scottish. I feel the same way about the Welsh teams too. Nothing against the teams personally but once that starts, it will go the way of a European super league, and I wont be able to afford any matches anymore. The premier league as it stands now is the best in the world, keep it that way

Posted 16:48 21st April 2009

Terrance Benbow (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

The day you stop relegation from premier league will kill modern day football. The regularity and consistancy of the top four, make the play offs and relegation fight the more entertaining finale.

Posted 14:59 21st April 2009

Rhys Jaggar (Arsenal fan) says...

A few points to clear up here: 1. Glasgow is closer to many Premier League clubs than West Ham or Portsmouth - so away ends won't be affected there any more than they are at existing clubs. 2. The 'quality' of Celtic and Rangers would overwhelm the bottom 12 of a 36 Club Premier League and within a decade would overwhelm the bottom 24. 3. Bolton might drop into Premier League II more easily than they drop out of the current Premier League. 4. The aim of non-relegation from Premier League II might be tricky: I don't think you'll naturally find 36 Clubs much bigger than the rest. Not unless you merge a few...anyone ready to consider that? 5. I think you're looking at a 25,000 capacity as an entry requirement. Worth talking about, but a lot of implications for certain clubs.....

Posted 14:59 21st April 2009

James Smith (Manchester United fan) says...

What a stupid idea! To get rid of fixture congestion how about those teams who are in Europe not having to play in the League Cup? That way the fixtures could be spread out until the end of the season, other teams would get a chance to win it and we could also fit a winter break in as well.

Posted 14:53 21st April 2009
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