The 24 hours that killed League Two
By Nathan Jackson
August 7 2008
League Two will now be the least competitive season in the entire country after a second club were deducted 17 points in less than 24 hours. The Football League has turned League Two into a face as there will be about 10 teams who will have nothing to play for by about Christmas time.
Bournemouth have become the third side to be deducted points before the season has even started. They have to attempt a -17 points start in order to the season. The same deal awaits Rotherham United and both have to accept in order to compete this season. It's turned League Two into one of the least competitive divisions in history.
There is a small island just off of England that has a league consisting of two teams, they play each other 46 times, face each other in a cup and have their own charity shield, facing each other. So all in all they face each other 48 times in a season and yet that division looks more competitive than League Two.
Let's not beat around the bush, teams like Dagenham, Accrington and Chester near enough already have nothing to play for. None are good enough to mount a Playoff challenge but none look likely to be relegated now due to the Football League throwing out points deductions like Phil Taylor throwing darts.
This whole situation is turning League Two into a bit of a farce. Yes, I can understand that the clubs have broken the rules and I have no objection to that part, but why such a large points deduction? Would it kill the FL to put down just the simply 10 point deduction? That punishes the club but still gives them a decent chance of being competitive.
I hate this situation because it's actually making me start to feel sorry for people, and I think Im one of the harshest people around.
The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: theimps.tk (IP Logged)
Date: 07/08/2008 21:50
The 24 hours that killed League Two
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: Scottishimp (IP Logged)
Date: 07/08/2008 22:02
So what do you suggest?
Allow clubs to rack up large debts by spending way outwith their means to try & achieve success and then trying to get rid of those debts by going into administration? And more than once on some occasions!
Or would you rather have a level playing field where teams run an honest club where gate receipts/success on the pitch counts?
I know which i'd prefer!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:08:07:22:08:01 by Scottishimp.
Allow clubs to rack up large debts by spending way outwith their means to try & achieve success and then trying to get rid of those debts by going into administration? And more than once on some occasions!
Or would you rather have a level playing field where teams run an honest club where gate receipts/success on the pitch counts?
I know which i'd prefer!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:08:07:22:08:01 by Scottishimp.
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: mightyimp1 (IP Logged)
Date: 07/08/2008 22:02
points deduction is not helping the situation.
must be some other punishment.
i am all for a team being punished for breaking the rules. teams deserve another chance surely.
must be some other punishment.
i am all for a team being punished for breaking the rules. teams deserve another chance surely.
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: Kate Jackson (IP Logged)
Date: 07/08/2008 22:10
As I said, I think they should be punished but the deductions are quite excessive to say the least.
Good Luck, Mr Gorsky
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Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: Stockport White (IP Logged)
Date: 08/08/2008 00:40
What goes around comes around, the majority of football league chairmans voted for this, we did try and tell you but nobody listened. This is just going to kill football even quicker.
Discuss Leeds United
Discuss Leeds United
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: plumbob (IP Logged)
Date: 08/08/2008 07:54
It is not going to kill football if all the clubs play by the rules !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Its simple economics, and as I was always told by my parents when I was a kid, if you can't afford it don't buy it.
The deductions are fair, and could have been worse. I would allow clubs 2 admins and on the 3rd occasion they should be automatically expelled from the league.
Its simple economics, and as I was always told by my parents when I was a kid, if you can't afford it don't buy it.
The deductions are fair, and could have been worse. I would allow clubs 2 admins and on the 3rd occasion they should be automatically expelled from the league.
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: skeggyimp (IP Logged)
Date: 08/08/2008 08:36
It hasn't killed it for me I'm hoping we'll just be concerned about the teams at the top .
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: lincoln.imp (IP Logged)
Date: 08/08/2008 08:46
I think Plumbob has the answer, the 3rd time and it is goodbye. They should be wound up and made to start again from the bottom of the pyramid if they want to continue to be a football club. I can sort of understand clubs going into administration once, sometimes cicumstances beyond the control of the club happen. Twice it is hard to understand how the lessons of the first time are not learnt, but a third time is unforgivable. Even if you take into account that on each occasion someone new has been running the club the historical problems are there for all to have been aware.
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: rottweiler (IP Logged)
Date: 08/08/2008 08:49
Three less teams to worry about as far as our quest for promotion is concerned. Glad I got my bet on early, odds on City must be tumbling.
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: londonimp (IP Logged)
Date: 08/08/2008 10:12
also with 10 teams not caring we might get some easier games
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: Born_To_Do_Dishes (IP Logged)
Date: 08/08/2008 10:26
Quote:mightyimp1
points deduction is not helping the situation.
must be some other punishment.
i am all for a team being punished for breaking the rules. teams deserve another chance surely.
and then another chance, and another?
But how can hyou punish sides, fianancial penalties don't cut it as they don't have any money to pay the fine anyway.
Points deductions are the only real detterent from overspending. Not that it really seems to work with the likes of rotherham.
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: NethersIMP (IP Logged)
Date: 08/08/2008 11:02
i dont see how excessive point deductions can help anytime in such a situation,only one team thats had point deductions at the start of the season and stayed up, leeds, and i know that number will be two by the end of the season.... but getting relegated, your playing in a lesser league, revenue from tv/season tickets etc etc is going to decrease ultimately given the club less money again, which leads to situations like this for luton and rotherham...
the fa and football league are pushing teams like luton closer to the edge of existance by giving them -30pts to start on, its pretty much relegation right there...
but i feel that the mid table teams will still be playing to win everygame they can, finish higher up the table,better bonuses, you do well you get your contract renewed......
its just a shame there won't be a relegation battle, apart from who survives out of the bottom 3
the fa and football league are pushing teams like luton closer to the edge of existance by giving them -30pts to start on, its pretty much relegation right there...
but i feel that the mid table teams will still be playing to win everygame they can, finish higher up the table,better bonuses, you do well you get your contract renewed......
its just a shame there won't be a relegation battle, apart from who survives out of the bottom 3
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: Bazzzer (IP Logged)
Date: 08/08/2008 21:17
Quote: It's turned League Two into one of the least competitive divisions in history.
That's if you don't count the 30ish seasons of Div 3 (North) and (South), when one club was promoted from each and just the occasional club lost its place by not being re-elected.
That's if you don't count the 30ish seasons of Div 3 (North) and (South), when one club was promoted from each and just the occasional club lost its place by not being re-elected.
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: theexile (IP Logged)
Date: 09/08/2008 07:34
Instead of just condemning the decision as wrong, why don't you offer an alternative punishment?
Can you?
Thought not.
There is nothing viable to punish offenders with, other than deductions. To offer the same punishment as was given out first time is pointless, it had to be heavier as all three were serial offenders.
Critisism is also pointless unless it is constructive.
Also, anybody who views it as wrong, should first of all consider those businesses now bankrupted by the three clubs who haven't paid there bills, the workers now unemployed and the fact your own tax bills are higher, to pay for there massive tax deficits.
Can you?
Thought not.
There is nothing viable to punish offenders with, other than deductions. To offer the same punishment as was given out first time is pointless, it had to be heavier as all three were serial offenders.
Critisism is also pointless unless it is constructive.
Also, anybody who views it as wrong, should first of all consider those businesses now bankrupted by the three clubs who haven't paid there bills, the workers now unemployed and the fact your own tax bills are higher, to pay for there massive tax deficits.
Re: The 24 hours that killed League Two
Posted by: lincoln.imp (IP Logged)
Date: 09/08/2008 09:53
Quote:theexile
Instead of just condemning the decision as wrong, why don't you offer an alternative punishment?
Can you?
Thought not.
There is nothing viable to punish offenders with, other than deductions. To offer the same punishment as was given out first time is pointless, it had to be heavier as all three were serial offenders.
Critisism is also pointless unless it is constructive.
Also, anybody who views it as wrong, should first of all consider those businesses now bankrupted by the three clubs who haven't paid there bills, the workers now unemployed and the fact your own tax bills are higher, to pay for there massive tax deficits.
There is an alternative and that is expulsion, and if the Blue Square don't want them after they are excluded it is tough luck. Besides why should they become a dumping ground for badly run clubs.
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