Quote Originally Posted by Bluebirdman Of Alcathays View Post
Thanks, that was really baffling. So you could finish 8th at the second break and still qualify for Europe at the expense of the team in 1st? Eesh. Well, good luck to your lad, both in the hockey and any future therapy.

During the furore of the European Super League, there was much concern about the undermining of the domestic league and losing 6 big, rich teams who win all the trophies. But I thought it would be an opportunity to reformat the whole thing and do away with the interminable 46 game season.

Add 10 teams from the National League to make 96 and split them into 8 groups of 12, play each other twice and that's it. A winter break then a new season. Basically two seasons in one year, thus double the promotions, relegations and no meaningless games at Easter. Perfect for our easily bored, attention span resistant times.

But as we know, the ESL collapsed and the sacred, fair-minded traditions of English domestic football remain firmly in place.
Yes, the team in 8th can qualify for Europe on the final Saturday then win the league on the Sunday. In the final group stage though, the highest ranked team get three home games, the second ranked two, the third one while the lowest gets three away games so the odds favour the teams who've had a better season up till then.

I like your system. The issue with the smaller leagues like Dunfermline's is that you play each side four times a season which must get a bit repetitive. One trip a year to Inverness, say, is surely ample. Could still happen in your system but there'd be more edge and rotation. Don't hold your breath waiting for it though.