Those are the main conclusions of an extensive survey undertaken by Supporters Direct, the umbrella organisation for supporters’ trusts. The data was gathered in October 2009 and is now available here.
Fans were invited to respond via appeals on trust and fan websites, over 1300 questionnaires were completed.
The main conclusions are that fans feel they are under represented in the game, that there should be a pyramid structure and that a unified body should take control can hardly come as a surprise but will any account be taken of our views?
It has been obvious for years that the Scottish game is in decline and all that the authorities have done is to tinker around the edge of the problem. The Scottish Football Review, led by Henry McLeish has been examining the issue for a year at the invitation of the SFA. The first recommendations are to be announced today and it must be hoped that the first steps to a recovery are made as a result.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
League Structure
Only 4% of fans prefer to play opponents four times per season
90% of fans agree that the existing league structure need to be changed
with 83% preferring to play opponents twice each season
83% of fans say there should be a pyramid league structure in Scottish football.
99% of fans agree that promotion and relegation are fundamental to the Scottish league structure
Two-thirds of fans favour promotion and relegation play-offs.
Football Administration
91% of fans would prefer one single administrative body for professional football
83% of fans agree there should be a club licensing scheme with sanctions for those that don’t meet the standard
Preferably the licence should include:
Financial stability of club (supported by 91% of respondents)
Supporter involvement (74%)
Business competence of directors (73%)
Effective youth programmes (71%)
Influence and Representation
Over 70% of fans feel they have very little influence and 90% agree that fans should have more or much more influence
Aside from the fans having a greater say respondents said individual clubs, the SFA and SportScotland should also have more of an influence on the game.
Fans view the SPL and TV Channels as having the greatest influence on the game followed by the SFA and individual clubs
Two thirds believe that TV channels should have a smaller influence and over 50% think the SPL should also have less influence
Improving The Match
Given a choice of three things that would improve Scottish football fans chose:
Lower prices Better quality of football
Modern standing areas