Boab 73 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 By GARETH LAWPublished: TodaySPL clubs could be playing in a glamour sunshine cup during a winter break next season.League supremo Neil Doncaster and fellow beaks are looking to revolutionise the top flight.And SunSport can reveal the idea is on the agenda as part of bold plans for reconstruction.The SPL knockout tourney would be held in a Gulf State like Dubai - or the USA.The ambitious plans would see a sponsor brought on board and games played between SPL sides during the period of inactivity in Scotland.Matches would also be scheduled at a time when they could be beamed back to the UK on live TV in a bid to maximise audiences.The SPL last had a winter break in 2003 but it was scrapped as clubs complained they missed out on vital cash through a lack of home gates during January.Now at a time when money is tighter than ever it is hoped funds generated by the proposed tournament would prevent those kind of cashflow problems during a period when so many games have got called off in recent years.It would also mean teams would return match-sharp.St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown reckons it would be a step in the right direction - but wonders if Rangers and Celtic would see it the same way.Brown said: "I'm pleased to hear something like that could be on the cards."With the money the Old Firm can make going halfway around the world it might be a job making it attractive to them."Several obstacles must be removed for the plans to have any chance.With the SPL season due for an earlier start on July 23, the time constraints involved could be too tight to make it viable for next term.A winter break itself has still to be officially rubber-stamped.Other proposals for change will also be discussed in the coming weeks.Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/3588739/Lets-play-in-Dubai.html#ixzz1MkVMTcFVGood idea? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Jela 20,360 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Hmmmm, aye, and naw. Not to sure... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamHero 62 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Daft Idea taking it to the Gulf or America.Just Another Trophy To Add To Our Cabinet every year Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irwin Sparkes 97 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I'm all for itSo long as we're not involved Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM1872 3,705 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 If the SFA/SPL etc are willing to pay for clubs like St. Mirren and Dunfermline to fly etc then aye why not.Then again, us and them would be the main attraction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuart1994 4,302 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 The whole poin of a winter break is too stop games, so someone has came up with the smart idea of a cup and playing games during it, Only in Scottish football. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasGers 96 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Yeah, have St. Mirren play Motherwell in the Rose Bowl. That'll pack the house Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlbertzLoyalRSC 18,055 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Stupid idea that will never happen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irwin Sparkes 97 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Yeah, have St. Mirren play Motherwell in the Rose Bowl. That'll pack the houseExcellent pointWho the fuck from Dubai or USA or Qatar wants to watch the likes of St Mirren or Dunfermline? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
H72 265 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Yeah, have St. Mirren play Motherwell in the Rose Bowl. That'll pack the house :lol:A hilariously good point. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David1872 21 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Pathetic idea and one I hope that never happens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
H72 265 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 It's beginning to hit me just how terrible an idea this is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jela 2 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 It's a nice thought, would increase interest and reputation of the SPL around the world, which also leads to more tv money etc but I just can't see how it would be workable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the goal machine 7,791 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Watch St Johnstone be shite in somewhere other than Perth, fantastic idea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clemdog 39,389 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Why not just play a full round of games in the sun? In fact, why not just move the SPL to somewhere hot? That way we wouldn't even need a winter break! How about we move everyone to Qatar and we use the stadiums they are building for the World Cup?Scottish Football goes teetotal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasterD 7,435 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Wouldn't work as us and them wouldn't take part Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeautifulSeas 10 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 I wouldn't mind that. If the draw followed the tennis route and teams were seeded it could be interesting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bothwellbear 1,392 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 if it was a cup involving other European leagues in the same situation then aye but not other Scottish teams, too many cups as it is Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don81 2,837 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Why not just play a full round of games in the sun? In fact, why not just move the SPL to somewhere hot? That way we wouldn't even need a winter break! How about we move everyone to Qatar and we use the stadiums they are building for the World Cup?Would be quite funny watching the tims accuse the qatarians of anti Irish racism after a couple of months... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarcheVinny 1,003 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 The whole poin of a winter break is too stop games, so someone has came up with the smart idea of a cup and playing games during it, Only in Scottish football.All countries with winter breaks play friendlies for 2 weeks before season rejoins. So I kinda see where they're comin from. Not sure about it to be honest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muz333 359 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 I'd prefer a couple of glamour friendlies abroad than a domestic cup. Or if it is to be a cup make it a small one like the Emirates etc where a few big name teams on winter break get together giving a small cash injection. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaffbear 4,096 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Worst thing they did was get rid of the winter break...no-one wants to watch us playing St Johnstone in horizontal rain and minus 5,unless your a huskie or Eskimo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueben_d 40 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Worst thing they did was get rid of the winter break...no-one wants to watch us playing St Johnstone in horizontal rain and minus 5,unless your a huskie or EskimoProblem is it can be like this at any time from November until march! If theres a winter break it needs to be flexible timing.We could shut down for 2 weeks where the weather is fine and come back to snow ice and freezing winds.As for this cup, it's a non starter as host countries wouldn't be interested in other teams and it's more money for fans who'd want to travel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL.I.AM 18 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Honestly, who comes up with this pish . We can't get the fans of Scottish football to go and watch their own teams never mind trying to get neutrals from countries where football isn't even a main sport.Another SFA epic fail. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J...R 20 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Seriously? That's a joke, how many st mirren/dunfermline/st johnstone fans etc are you going to see go over to watch? NOT A LOT! waste of time and money, would rather have a few friendlys against some teams with big names. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts