Quote Originally Posted by Baloo View Post
Perhaps this seems more like an 'opportunity' when it's not your club involved. We may consider them an underclass but there are lots of historic clubs with a small, loyal, group of fans who may not wish to be foisted into bed with their local rivals in the name of progress. I'd certainly hope so.
Only one considering them an "underclass" is you, tbh as nobody has used that term other than you.

I get the tribalism of fans, I get from a fan perspective any change is bad but what on earth is the reality of being a Hartlepool fan? Overshadowed by Middlesboro, no chance of doing anything, maybe the faint hope a Hollywood C lister might be interested in a PR opportunity.

As TLG pointed out, no other nation has professional clubs as deep in their league structure as the UK does - most being geographically far larger nations.

That imo is one of the biggest reasons so many teams face financial issues, especially at lower levels. A lot of those clubs would be better off going semi-pro or full amateur to reduce the costs. Mergers could be another issues, potentially - especially at non-League level.

Ignoring problems don't make them go away.