Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
FIRMLY AGAINST IT
Celtic and Rangers’ colt teams introduced into the league pyramid set-up? Cliftonhill chairman Boyd admits he is...
Albion Rovers chairman Ronnie Boyd fears that the introduction of Colt teams would “diminish” the achievements of lowerleague clubs.
It was revealed last week the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) will poll their 42 members for views on allowing Colts sides into the pyramid setup from season 2018/19.
Colt teams from the Scottish Premiership competed in the IRN-BRU Cup last season for the first time and will do so again in the 2017/18 campaign. Now the SPFL want to take that one step further.
The clubs would enter the setup at the bottom of the pyramid — the Lowland and Highland Leagues.
They would only be allowed to go as far as League One.
In the event that a Colt team were to win the title or finished in the promotion play-off places, it would be ignored, and their promotion place re-allocated to the non-B teams.
Now the Cliftonhill chief has spoken out against the plans — fearing the effect the introduction of the likes of Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen reserves could have on the competition.
He highlights Albion Rovers’ League Two title win in 2015 as a piece of history that meant everything to the Coatbridge faithful — but wouldn’t even register to supporters of top-tier clubs.
“It’s my personal opinion, but something like that would mean nothing to fans of the premier sides.
“It would diminish the integrity of the competition.
“I have nothing against Colt teams and think it’s terrific idea that they are in the Challenge Cup.
“I’m in favour of first- team reserve football, and I can understand the Colt teams wanting to come in for more meaningful games.
“The games they play just now aren’t for points, or an increased wage, or promotion, and I you can see why the Premiership teams would like that to happen. I just feel that this a step too far.”
Boyd fears that a move like this would hold back clubs in the Lowland League with hopes of breaking into the SPFL.
He is happy with the changes that have occurred in both the Betfred and IRN- BRU Cup in the past year — but believes the league set-up should be for individual, free-standing teams,
“I am all for change in Scottish football.
“I believe that the Betfred Cup format has given new life to the League Cup and the start of the season.
“We made much more money out of the Betfred Cup than we would have out of the previous set-up.
“I know not everybody fancies the idea of the Welsh teams, Northern Irish teams, and now the Republic of Ireland teams coming into the competition, but I think the Colts playing in the IRN-BRU Cup is a great idea.
“We played Hamilton Accies Under- 20s last year and they gave us a real test, even though we came out winners in the end.
“In cup competition, definitely, I see no problem – but I just don’t understand it in the league pyramid.
“It would take away opportunities to come into the league set-up for ambitious clubs like East Kilbride, Cumbernauld Colts, Spartans, and some of the Highland League teams.”
It’s my personal opinion, but something like that would mean nothing to fans of the premier sides