Top 14 is now the target...

[Simon BTFC]

Apparently the conf aren't bothering to increase to 24 teams. It is expected that the new alliance divisions will be 22 teams each - meaning top 14 from the Ryman wil get in, 10 teams being effectively relegated. So if we want to be in the alliance North then top 14 is where we need to be!

[Ryan.c]

So the top 14 of each league will be determined this season (2003/04) to start the new Conference next season (2004/05)?

[Urchin Boy]

THATS GENERALLY THE IDEA I GET RYAN, BY THE WAY IM UNBANNED NOW HA HA LOL

[Simon BTFC]

Well nothing has been confirmed as yet....

 

Interestingly the conference is looking to introduce wage capping soon, based on a limit of 65% turnover. Will be interesting to see how they get on with that.

 

The other thing that is being clamped down is clubs going into administration. The conference has approved proposals that would see up to a 12 point deduction if clubs go into administration - something we avoided despite our problems of last season, however there are plenty of clubs in our division that have not avoided administration!

 

 

[Urchin Boy]

SO SIMON YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF CLUBS LOSING 12 POINTS THEN

[Simon BTFC]

No - it doesn't affect our league! The suggestion has been that in the past clubs have run up large debts then gone into administration to avoid having to pay them off in full. What you might see this season is a lot of teams going for it early doors then cutting back their budget when they're safely in a top 14 spot.

[Urchin Boy]

OH OK I GET YOU NOW

[pabird]

I wonder if that means clubs will be nearer the truth when declaring the gate size and consequential income

[CANV EFM]

re wage capping.. what happens if a club goes on a bonkers cup run one year and gets a premier club away and quintiples their turnover for that year?.. even without this a season of mid table blandness followwed by a promotion challenge can see huge differences in turnover at this level

[pabird]

Sounds like a job for a new labour inspection team checking on declared targets