Colt Teams

[Roy of the Rovers]

According to some press types the OF and presumably the Premiership teams in general want to get their "Colt" ie. under 20's teams into the league by creating a League 3, possibly as early as next season.

As we know they were allowed into the Irn-Bru cup this season and IMO opinion failed miserably to a) attract anything approaching a crowd and b) to impress anyone as only Celtic reached the 3rd round before being humped by Livi. The suggestion is that they wouldn't be able to gain promotion but I can't see that lasting for more than the first season. I can see it encouraging the premier teams hoarding even more young talent and depriving us lower league teams, including the Championship of decent prospects.

If the normal voting is in place teams like Rovers have very little say but we need to try to kill this off ASAP.

[Roy of the Rovers]

It seems the more likely scenario is that Celtic & Rangers colts would enter League 2 rather than a League 3 being created.

I note the following voting would be required - surely can't go ahead unless some bribery takes place although I can't see enough money being available for that

Three stages of voting would be required for any league expansion with 11 top flight teams required to say yes in round one. A combined total of 17 teams from the top two tiers would have to vote in favour in round two with stage three requiring approval from 32 of the 42 league outfits.

[Rover n out]

It's a non-starter for me. Media filling pages with a 'fantasy' story here as it's currently topical with colt teams having recently played in the cup ties.

[Roy of the Rovers]

Mr Doncaster is talking about it - not that he is in any way a font of knowledge!

[kjg]

I don't have a problem with colt teams working their way through the pyramid but to "invite" the OF into the league directly is just going back to pampering to the big two. Doncaster at his best. Was there not a report a couple of weeks ago suggesting that there was too many teams in the leagues and should be reduced. (To save money).

[Deleted]

Part of the reason I enjoy the "Rover's Experience/matchday"-is to get away from the Old Firm bubble that is the west of Scotland.I and many other lower league fans, want to see us smaller teams aspire to better themselves - not be a cog in the wheel to allow youth players of these teams (old firm)-a shop window.

[arfcdm]

Not a fan at all. I don't see the standard of any SPL team as that high. Any decent player around 18 years of age would be sniffing around the first team, and I know there will be the odd exception.
The cup games this year proved that the vast majority of the boys playing in these colt teams won't go on to do anything. To have them shoved into the leagues would be a shocker. Any boy aged 19 or 20 still playing in a boys team/development team should take a leaf out of chris cadden/steven lawless book, get themselves out playing alongside senior players and see if they can really make it. Both these boys would have learnt more playing in a senior team than they would ever have done continuing to play alongside their school pals.

[Deleted]

Totally agree with arfcdm, the boys should get out on loan and play with players with experience and learn their trade then they will soon find out what level their play is at

[Nanook]

Initially thought I was OK with the general idea, except that I would not be happy about Colts being promoted, but having read the against comments above all well argued I am now against the idea.

[Deleted]

I can see no benefit to any team in the League other than the Old Firm and a couple of others, it is not a proposal in my view that would make Scottish Football any stronger

[stewmelrover]

Dreadful idea: I would not attend any match involving the 'Old Firm' again after the Ibrox 'experience'.

[Deleted]

The crowds in the challenge cup proved it is a waste of time.