Most Scottish clubs would consider switch to summer football
Last updated on .From the section Football
Three-quarters of Scotland's top-flight clubs told a BBC Scotland survey they would consider summer football.
Nine of the 12 Premiership teams were among the 27 of the country's 42 senior clubs who said they would be in favour of examining the possibility.
Only seven clubs said such a move would not interest them, with eight not offering a view.
The Scottish Professional Football League says it is open to debate on "a complex matter".
Since the BBC conducted the survey, Motherwell have been in touch to say they too are in favour of examining a switch to summer football.
It means that 10 of 12 Premiership clubs and 28 - two-thirds - of all 42 clubs now back such a move.
The questions posed to all clubs were:
- Are you in favour of considering a move to summer football?
- What would you consider to be the strongest arguments in favour of such a move or retaining the status quo?
While no strict definition was applied to the term "summer football" and several clubs expressed interest in different dates, the overall response indicates an appetite for change.
Not all clubs wanted their stance on the matter to be made public, but Dundee United, Hamilton, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone were among nine top-flight clubs keen to examine the issue further.
Only one unnamed Premiership club was opposed to changing the calendar, while two did not reply.
Scotland's football season runs from early August to late May.
Several European countries already play in the summer months - including Sweden, Norway and Republic of Ireland - while Germany, Turkey and Russia operate extended winter breaks.
A Scottish Football Association spokesperson said the organisation would be "happy to re-open the debate" and will include the BBC Scotland findings at the next meeting of its joint strategy group.
The Scottish Football Supporters' Association added its backing to a summer switch, saying: "Filling stadiums will never happen if we continue to play matches in the coldest and wettest months of the year."
Supporters Direct Scotland is also in favour, suggesting the following benefits for a March to November season:
- Savings for clubs through lighting
- Friendlier conditions to attract more supporters
- Potential for more lucrative TV deals
However, SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster warned that "there are all sorts of complexities that need to be taken into account" before a summer switch could be implemented.
"There are two key constraints," he told BBC Scotland.
"One of is the international calendar given to us by Uefa and Fifa, which means there is a whole range of dates that are simply not available.
"Typically, those midweek dates are ones we would quite like, when the weather is better.
"The other constraint is the number of games we ask our teams to play."
With top-flight teams playing 38 league games a season, taking part in two domestic cups and some with European commitments, Doncaster said major restructuring would be needed before a summer switch could be considered.
He also posed the question: "Do we want to be playing games at a time when a World Cup or European Championship is going on?
The positives?
Gain media commercial revenues due to the league stretching over a less competitive sport market period. Major commercial and sponsorship opportunities for the same reasons. (Hamilton)
Provides competitive advantage to Scottish teams in Europe having played 20+ games prior to entry into first qualifying round of Europa League and 25+ for Champions League entrants. (Dundee Utd)
Better weather, better pitches and not competing against English football on TV every week would help clubs deliver better crowds. (Kilmarnock)
Bad weather and heavy usage of under-soil heating affects pitches badly, fans have little money in January and this would allow injured players more recuperation time. (St Mirren)
And the negatives?
Do not think there would be a financial benefit to the clubs and, in our case, there is no issue with games being cancelled as we play on a synthetic surface. (Queen of the South)
At part-time level, when do players get the opportunity to take family holidays? (Forfar Athletic)
Would we attract the same level of support in the summer months with our supporters involved in other sports and out of the country on summer holidays? (Peterhead)
Comments
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No, filling stadiums will never happen if you continue to fleece the fans on ticket prices, merchandise and food/drink.
on 3 minutes ago
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. Summer is the only opportunity those of us who can't stand football (or any other team game for that matter) to get some respite from this odious game.
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Bit strange for someone who despises football so much to be commenting on a football article.
Anyway, it seems like a sensible suggestion. Why not give it a try?
Summer is the only opportunity those of us who can't stand football to get some respite
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You still operating on 4 terrestrial analogue channels?
It really isn't that hard to ignore sport these days, I fear you may be somewhat over egging your pudding
Scotland's problem is the amount of teams. 42 league clubs in Scotland and 92 in England doesn't make sense.
I wouldn't dream of sitting through 1hr 45 minutes of Scottish football in January or February. The weather here is far too cold and miserable for that.
This could seriously boost the much needed gate receipts for clubs in Scotland who all struggle financially. More finances would raise the standard of the game = bigger crowds = raise standard. Maybe only slightly but hey.
- weather better (all relative)
- TV deals with no other UK football to watch
- not much cricket in Scotland
Were crying out for summer football here, football IS family time to the guy who posted below. I would rather much watch it in the sun (when we get it) than sitting freezing my nuts off in mid december. It's a no brainer and should have been introduced ages ago!
True Scotland don't have player's of the level of Aguero or Hazard or Matic? But does England ?
How is the BBC ramming women's football down your throat? Their covering the world cup finals (understandable) on secondary channels and a bit on radio and internet. It's not like there are covering it at the expense of any men's football. And in any case did you forget how to change channels?
And who are the BBC supposed to be getting "equality points" from?
The bottom line is that since the demise of Rangers the other Scottish clubs have seen their crowds increase slightly and although Celtic are way ahead it's no different to when Rangers & Celtic were way ahead to everyone else.
"a load of ginger people"
"Brummies + Scousers...gargle a load of gravel"
"The Scots love nothing better..."
"neither [women or Scots] can actually play football"
Right bunch of children on here today, foolish stereotypes, childish bickering, and insulting and demeaning language used all round. Wonder why we don't get many HYSs? This is why.
"I have no objection to women competing in sport, I just don't want money wasted "
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Out of sight, out of mind then?
In any case, you seem to knwo exactly how much the BBC is spending on this coverage - can you enlighten us please?
Is it more or less than what they spent on say, the darts last year?
(Eng v Fra women 2 million
Darts final - 2 million viewers)
practice that is rife within the BBC of employing people based simply on their gender, race, sexual orientation
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Please provide some evidence of this please.
If that can be shown to be true then the BBC has a serious legal case on it's hands.
I suspect you're mistaking DM editorials for "facts" - the standard folly of the Reich wing
Soon we'll only have about 8 teams in Europe with this attitude.
Not answering the question?
Truth is, neither country has the quality of players it had in the 80s
Scotland may have fallen a bit further but they were punching way above their weight in terms of player production in those days
Scotland currently have zero world class players - England currently have zero world class players
England's champions are about 10% English
the scots have a very well spoken accent. not them all but overall.... unlike the brummies and the scouse accents. sounds like someone trying to gargal a load of gravel
You don't object to a lesbian doing marketing "per se"? How can you write that and then try to claim it is the BBC who has narrow minded views. This is Orwellian Newspeak in action. When you say politically correct, what that translates as you resent that women and gay people have won some human rights and that you can no longer spout bigotry and hate to public approval.