New Douglas Park

By FOS Editor
January 3 2011

The SFL managed to get three First Division games played on Monday, with all of them having higher attendances than two of the SPL “derbies” on the same weekend.

As the SPL clubs meet tomorrow to discuss the future of our top flight they should maybe have a look at the attendances over the Ne’erday holiday programme.

Three games in the SFL First Division pulled in respectable crowds, more than two of the SPL games over the same weekend.

The Fife derby at Kirkcaldy between Raith Rovers and Dunfermline attracted 6534 to see Gregory Tade’s 70^th minute goal seal a 2-1 win for the homes side. Financially troubled Dundee took on Ross County in front of 4725, while recently relegated Falkirk saw 3722 attend to see them beat Stirling Albion 4-2.

In the SPL Hamilton and Motherwell played out a dull draw in front of only 3171, despite this being a Lanarkshire derby. At Perth St. Johnstone left two stands closed as they took on Inverness in front of 3126 hardy souls.

Why would this be? All of the games had something to play for either for promotion, relegation or European places etc. It puts to bed Neil Doncaster’s argument that fans will turn out to see their teams fight against relegation. The Accies fans don’t appear to be rallying round their bottom of the table side.

The pricing would be somewhat different with Hamilton charging £20, while Raith charged £17.50.

You could also argue the 1^st is no longer the day to play football games with trains and buses not running, making it difficult for people to attend.

This weekend has enforced, for me, the argument that this country can easily support a top league of 16 teams, and with imaginative play offs etc the number of fixtures could be correct.

It would also allow the season to start earlier and have a proper winter break and ends the season with exciting games for promotion, relegation and European places via play offs.