THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE - A BRIEF HISTORY
"Our first and last objection to the League is that they exist. The entire rules stink of finance, money-making and money grabbing".
It may sound familiar, but that was a quote from the popular, as well as influential sporting paper, "Scottish Sport" about the formation of The Scottish Football League back in 1890.
As you can imagine, the League faced many obstacles in its efforts to get off the ground back in those far distant days of the nineteenth century, especially from that aforementioned "Scottish Sport", a twice weekly publication, that was vehemently opposed to players earning a living from playing football and was prepared to "die" for the cause of amateurism.
The prime reason, however, why a Scottish League was formed was not initially to form a professional set-up, (although that would soon follow), but was to provide clubs with a regular diet of competitive football. Prior to League football, a haphazard arrangement existed with clubs arranging friendly matches, including several against leading English clubs, with the major competition being that organised by The Scottish Football Association (formed in 1873), namely the Scottish Cup, as well as the cup competitions run by the various local associations throughout Scotland. In those days, the Association's primary function was to act as a legislative body, organising the Scottish Cup competition and arranging representative sides to play in International matches. Beyond that, they had little or nothing to do with club fixtures and as a result, with football at that time attracting spectators in ever increasing numbers, the fixture card could no longer be left to chance.
Unlike England, The Scottish Football League would precede the legalisation of professional football in Scotland and the very first tentative steps were taken in March, 1890, to form a national League. Fourteen clubs were invited to a meeting in Holton's Commercial Hotel in Glasgow, on 20th March, 1890. Twelve clubs attended, but one of the two absentees were Queen's Park, who at that time of course, were a very powerful and influential outfit. Indeed, they would remain in opposition to the League for a further ten years and by the time they eventually joined, their influence in the Scottish game had diminished quite considerably.
In the very first season, 1890/91, the following eleven clubs formed The Scottish Football League:- Abercorn, Cambuslang, Celtic, Cowlairs, Dumbarton, Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Renton, St. Mirren, Third Lanark and Vale of Leven. Right from the very beginning, the League was beset by controversy and in that very first season, Renton incurred the wrath of The Scottish Football Association for playing a friendly without the approval of the Association, and as a result, were expelled from the Association, thereby preventing them from continuing their participation in the League.
Controversy was not confined to off-the-field events however, and in the very first few weeks, both Celtic and Cowlairs had points deducted for fielding ineligible players. That very first eventful season, was also unique, in so far as it finished with the title being shared by Dumbarton and Rangers, each finishing with 29 points. Whilst a Play-Off match was arranged and indeed played, that also finished inconclusive as both clubs drew 2-2, and with no further method having been devised, it was agreed to share the Championship, the only time in the history of the League, that a Championship would be shared.
In season 1893/94, a Second Division was formed, consisting of 10 clubs:- Dundee, Hibernian, Morton, Motherwell, Northern, Partick Thistle, Port Glasgow Athletic, St. Bernards and Thistle, together with Cowlairs, who had re-joined after having previously withdrawn in season 1891/92. Hibernian were the first winners of the Second Division gaining 29 points.
During the formative years of The Scottish Football League, it continued to expand with several clubs applying and being accepted into the framework of the League set-up.
However, although the two division set-up was now well established, automatic promotion and relegation, as is in existence today, was not operative, with instead a voting procedure being adopted by the First Division clubs to decide which clubs should be promoted or demoted accordingly.
The First World War saw the abandonment of the Second Division and it was not reinstated until season 1921/22. The same season saw the introduction of automatic promotion and relegation (nearly 30 years after the formation of the Second Division) with Alloa having the honour of being the first club to be promoted under the new system.
Season 1923/24 saw the introduction of the Third Division with promotion and relegation existing between the Second and Third Divisions. However, the Third Division was short lived and was abandoned midway through season 1925/26, with several clubs being unable to complete their fixtures as a result of experiencing financial difficulty.
With the demise of the Third Division, the two division set-up remained until the end of season 1938/39. Although clubs began the following season, the Second World War intervened and the League was consequently suspended.
Season 1946/47 saw the League being re-established and was organised into three divisions – “A”, “B” and “C” Divisions. The “C” Division also comprised of several member clubs’ reserve teams and although promotion and relegation existed between the “B” and “C” Divisions, this was only effective for non-reserve teams participating in the “C” Division.
In season 1949/50, the “C” Division was subsequently sub-divided into two sections – North/East and South/West and again consisted of a mixture of reserve and non-reserve teams and this remained in operation until the end of season 1954/55 when it was discontinued. The following season saw the League being re-organised into two divisions with the five non-reserve teams who had played in the “C” Division the previous season being admitted into the Second Division.
The two division set-up continued for about twenty years with the only material difference being that in season 1956/57, the divisions were re-entitled “One” and “Two”. However, season 1975/76 saw re-organisation with the League undergoing major structural change, with the introduction of three Divisions of 10, 14 and 14 and re-named the Premier, First and Second Divisions respectively. There followed a period of change in formats to 12:12:14 in seasons 1986/87 and 1987/88, 10:14:14 from season 1988/89 to season 1990/91, then 12:12:14 from season 1991/92 to season 1993/94, with much of it being politically motivated.
However, at a Special General Meeting of the League on 12th January, 1994, Caledonian Thistle (soon to change to Inverness Caledonian Thistle) and Ross County were admitted to The Scottish Football League with effect from season 1994/95 and a new format of four divisions of ten clubs was created which would introduce more exciting matches with promotion and relegation being a significant factor in every match. At this time, there was a change to the pointage system, in that three points were awarded for a win, in an attempt to encourage attacking football.
At the conclusion of season 1997/98, the ten clubs in the Premier Division formed a breakaway league independent of The Scottish Football League and set-up their own organisation known as The Scottish Premier League. Consequently, The Scottish Football League structure became three divisions of ten clubs. At a Special General Meeting on 11th January, 2000, both Peterhead F.C. and Elgin City F.C. were accepted into membership of the League with effect from 2000/01 as a result of the SPL increasing their membership to 12 clubs with the admittance of both Dunfermline Athletic F.C. and St. Mirren F.C. The system of promotion and relegation from season 2000/2001 onwards then became one up, one down between the SPL and First Division, with a two up, two down system between the remaining divisions.
However, during the late nineties and the early part of the new Millennium, a number of clubs decided to sign a number of Non-Scots born players and it would be fair to say that this has had a detrimental affect on the number of young indigenous talent progressing to first team football and as a consequence, the Scottish international team has suffered in recent seasons. Indeed, Scotland have not qualified for the Finals of a major competition since the World Cup Finals in France in 1998. A number of clubs have also experienced financial difficulties in recent years resulting in several clubs going into administration and indeed, at the end of the 2001/02 season, Airdrieonians F.C. went into full liquidation with the club’s SFL membership being terminated. As a result, Gretna were voted into membership following a Special General Meeting of the League in June, 2002 to fill the vacancy left by Airdrieonians F.C.’s demise. However, a club still play in the town of Airdrie following permission being granted for a consortium to buy over Clydebank (themselves under financial hardship and without a ground) and change the name to Airdrie United and play its matches at Aidrieonians F.C.’s former ground, the Excelsior Stadium.
Season 1946/47 also saw the introduction of the League Cup and Rangers became the first winners of the Trophy defeating Aberdeen by four goals to nil at Hampden Park. In many ways, the idea of a League Cup came about almost as an accidental by-product of the Second World War and has witnessed a number of clubs winning the famous three handled trophy. The League Cup proved to be an instant hit with both players and fans and for the first 25 years or so proved to be an outstanding success. However, in those days it was played on a sectional basis and with social habits changing, the public lost faith in the competition during the 70s and for several years, until the very early 80s, the standing of the League Cup competition was at an all time low with both the media and the paying public. However, the introduction of a short snappy knockout formula proved to be extremely successful and in many ways was one of the most important factors in the revival of the Scottish game during the eighties. Now sponsored by CIS Insurance, it is a tournament that provides entertaining and attractive cup tie football for the paying spectator.
The result of the Popplewell Enquiry after the Bradford City F.C. fire and the Taylor Report following the Hillsborough Disaster highlighted the need for safer and more comfortable stadia and from 1989 onwards, many clubs were engaged in a re-development programme or indeed, re-located to new all purpose built stadiums. All clubs in the SPL must have an all-seated ground, and clubs in the First, Second and Third Divisions, if not all-seated, must have terracing which complies with strict safety standards.
One of the early functions of the League was to provide players with the chance of playing Inter-League matches and for the first seventy years or so, they proved very popular with both the player and the paying public. They drew very large crowds, with 60,000 and 70,000 crowds not uncommon for matches against The Football League. Not only were they very good money spinners, but they also afforded the opportunity for a good honest professional who had served the game well and was not likely to gain a full International Cap, the chance to gain a representative honour, as well as providing raw talent with the platform to a full cap. However, a cluttered and congested fixture list ensured that Inter-League fixtures would decline in importance and with the sole exception of the match to celebrate the League's Centenary in August 1990, Inter-League matches involving The Scottish Football League have been redundant for a number of years now.
Scottish football had a very good reputation in the Continent during the 60s, 70s and 80s and this was highlighted by Celtic beating Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon to win the European Cup in 1967, Rangers defeating Moscow Dynamo 3-2 in Barceolona to lift the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1972 and Aberdeen’s tremendous achievement in winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup, defeating Real Madrid 2-1 in Gothenburg on 11th May, 1983 and then followed this by winning the European Super Cup beating Hamburg 2-1 on aggregate in December, 1983. Dundee United also achieved a number of notable results against top class foreign opposition with the Tannadice club reaching the UEFA Cup Final in 1987, losing narrowly to Gothenburg 2-1 on aggreate and, therefore, further enhancing Scotland’s reputation abroad. However, most of the 90s saw Scottish clubs struggle in Europe although during the past couple of seasons, there have been some encouraging results with Celtic reaching the UEFA Cup Final in May, 2003, narrowly losing out in extra-time to Porto 3-2.
As previously mentioned, The Scottish Football League currently comprises 30 clubs and the objective is to provide League Championship, League Cup and League Challenge Cup Competitions for all clubs. The affairs and duties of the League are vested in a Management Committee of 8 elected club representatives consisting of a President, Vice-President and two elected representatives from each of the First, Second and Third Divisions.
Alterations, additions or amendments to the Constitution and Rules of the League can only be made at an Annual or Special General Meeting and require a two-thirds majority before they can be declared competent. Any notice by member clubs proposing alterations to the Rules of the League must be submitted to the Secretary not later than 31st March in each year, in the case of the Annual General Meeting, or twenty-one days notice in the case of a Special General Meeting. A Special General Meeting can be convened either by the Management Committee at any time or on receipt of a requisition signed by not less than sixteen member clubs.
The normal day to day duties of the League are vested in the administration, headed by the Secretary who is a paid official, but is not permitted to vote at any meeting nor be connected with any League club. Some of the many duties undertaken by the administration include the compilation and organisation of League Championship fixtures, the organisation of both the League Cup and League Challenge Cup competitions and also the compilation and administration of Reserve and Youth football. The League’s Registration Department deal with the numerous Registration Forms and Contracts of Service of players as well as maintaining a Club List of Players currently registered with the 30 member clubs. The Scottish Football League endeavours to attract various sponsorship and commercial deals on behalf of its member clubs and at the start of this season, IRN-BRU entered into a three year agreement to sponsor the three divisions of the League Championship whilst CIS Insurance have sponsored the League Cup competition since season 1999/2000.
In April, 2001, The Scottish Football League moved its headquarters from 188 West Regent Street in Glasgow to the National Stadium, Hampden Park, Glasgow, where all the Scottish football authorities are now based.
Like most things in life, football never remains static and has undergone dramatic changes, especially during the past twenty years or so. Sponsorship, especially, has been one of the most important areas of change in the game with both the League and its member clubs, as multi-national businesses recognise the very important role that football plays in this country. It is important not to minimise the important part sponsorship now plays in our national game, as most clubs attract more revenue through this area than from money taken through turnstiles.
Technology also has played its part in the way the game has changed and indeed the very manner in which we perceive the game. Television has for many years now brought the game to a much wider audience, even those with only a passive interest, and with digital and satellite television and more recently, the internet and mobile phones now being able to show football, the Scottish game has been able to reach an even wider audience. Whilst it is understandable that many people justifiably feel that the game is threatened by live televised matches and the various other technological mediums which are now very much part and parcel of our everyday life, it is important to recognise that they are here to stay and that whilst football must retain its own autonomy as well as being in control of its own destiny, it must work with and not against technology.
Throughout over 100 years of League football, it has provoked much discussion, debate, disagreement and opinion, but at the same time, it has brought much joy, excitement, entertainment and pleasure to thousands of fans each Saturday afternoon. Whilst we frequently read in the media about such a diverse range of subjects such as new sponsorship deals, new multi-purpose stadiums, controversy both on and off the park, satellite television, European Leagues and the likes, we must never forget that football is a very simple game and has and always will be primarily about the player and the spectator. It must be remembered that without the player, there is no game, and without the spectator, there is no atmosphere. It is vital that we never forget that important combination. What else would we do on a Saturday afternoon!
"Our first and last objection to the League is that they exist. The entire rules stink of finance, money-making and money grabbing".
It may sound familiar, but that was a quote from the popular, as well as influential sporting paper, "Scottish Sport" about the formation of The Scottish Football League back in 1890.
As you can imagine, the League faced many obstacles in its efforts to get off the ground back in those far distant days of the nineteenth century, especially from that aforementioned "Scottish Sport", a twice weekly publication, that was vehemently opposed to players earning a living from playing football and was prepared to "die" for the cause of amateurism.
The prime reason, however, why a Scottish League was formed was not initially to form a professional set-up, (although that would soon follow), but was to provide clubs with a regular diet of competitive football. Prior to League football, a haphazard arrangement existed with clubs arranging friendly matches, including several against leading English clubs, with the major competition being that organised by The Scottish Football Association (formed in 1873), namely the Scottish Cup, as well as the cup competitions run by the various local associations throughout Scotland. In those days, the Association's primary function was to act as a legislative body, organising the Scottish Cup competition and arranging representative sides to play in International matches. Beyond that, they had little or nothing to do with club fixtures and as a result, with football at that time attracting spectators in ever increasing numbers, the fixture card could no longer be left to chance.
Unlike England, The Scottish Football League would precede the legalisation of professional football in Scotland and the very first tentative steps were taken in March, 1890, to form a national League. Fourteen clubs were invited to a meeting in Holton's Commercial Hotel in Glasgow, on 20th March, 1890. Twelve clubs attended, but one of the two absentees were Queen's Park, who at that time of course, were a very powerful and influential outfit. Indeed, they would remain in opposition to the League for a further ten years and by the time they eventually joined, their influence in the Scottish game had diminished quite considerably.
In the very first season, 1890/91, the following eleven clubs formed The Scottish Football League:- Abercorn, Cambuslang, Celtic, Cowlairs, Dumbarton, Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Renton, St. Mirren, Third Lanark and Vale of Leven. Right from the very beginning, the League was beset by controversy and in that very first season, Renton incurred the wrath of The Scottish Football Association for playing a friendly without the approval of the Association, and as a result, were expelled from the Association, thereby preventing them from continuing their participation in the League.
Controversy was not confined to off-the-field events however, and in the very first few weeks, both Celtic and Cowlairs had points deducted for fielding ineligible players. That very first eventful season, was also unique, in so far as it finished with the title being shared by Dumbarton and Rangers, each finishing with 29 points. Whilst a Play-Off match was arranged and indeed played, that also finished inconclusive as both clubs drew 2-2, and with no further method having been devised, it was agreed to share the Championship, the only time in the history of the League, that a Championship would be shared.
In season 1893/94, a Second Division was formed, consisting of 10 clubs:- Dundee, Hibernian, Morton, Motherwell, Northern, Partick Thistle, Port Glasgow Athletic, St. Bernards and Thistle, together with Cowlairs, who had re-joined after having previously withdrawn in season 1891/92. Hibernian were the first winners of the Second Division gaining 29 points.
During the formative years of The Scottish Football League, it continued to expand with several clubs applying and being accepted into the framework of the League set-up.
However, although the two division set-up was now well established, automatic promotion and relegation, as is in existence today, was not operative, with instead a voting procedure being adopted by the First Division clubs to decide which clubs should be promoted or demoted accordingly.
The First World War saw the abandonment of the Second Division and it was not reinstated until season 1921/22. The same season saw the introduction of automatic promotion and relegation (nearly 30 years after the formation of the Second Division) with Alloa having the honour of being the first club to be promoted under the new system.
Season 1923/24 saw the introduction of the Third Division with promotion and relegation existing between the Second and Third Divisions. However, the Third Division was short lived and was abandoned midway through season 1925/26, with several clubs being unable to complete their fixtures as a result of experiencing financial difficulty.
With the demise of the Third Division, the two division set-up remained until the end of season 1938/39. Although clubs began the following season, the Second World War intervened and the League was consequently suspended.
Season 1946/47 saw the League being re-established and was organised into three divisions – “A”, “B” and “C” Divisions. The “C” Division also comprised of several member clubs’ reserve teams and although promotion and relegation existed between the “B” and “C” Divisions, this was only effective for non-reserve teams participating in the “C” Division.
In season 1949/50, the “C” Division was subsequently sub-divided into two sections – North/East and South/West and again consisted of a mixture of reserve and non-reserve teams and this remained in operation until the end of season 1954/55 when it was discontinued. The following season saw the League being re-organised into two divisions with the five non-reserve teams who had played in the “C” Division the previous season being admitted into the Second Division.
The two division set-up continued for about twenty years with the only material difference being that in season 1956/57, the divisions were re-entitled “One” and “Two”. However, season 1975/76 saw re-organisation with the League undergoing major structural change, with the introduction of three Divisions of 10, 14 and 14 and re-named the Premier, First and Second Divisions respectively. There followed a period of change in formats to 12:12:14 in seasons 1986/87 and 1987/88, 10:14:14 from season 1988/89 to season 1990/91, then 12:12:14 from season 1991/92 to season 1993/94, with much of it being politically motivated.
However, at a Special General Meeting of the League on 12th January, 1994, Caledonian Thistle (soon to change to Inverness Caledonian Thistle) and Ross County were admitted to The Scottish Football League with effect from season 1994/95 and a new format of four divisions of ten clubs was created which would introduce more exciting matches with promotion and relegation being a significant factor in every match. At this time, there was a change to the pointage system, in that three points were awarded for a win, in an attempt to encourage attacking football.
At the conclusion of season 1997/98, the ten clubs in the Premier Division formed a breakaway league independent of The Scottish Football League and set-up their own organisation known as The Scottish Premier League. Consequently, The Scottish Football League structure became three divisions of ten clubs. At a Special General Meeting on 11th January, 2000, both Peterhead F.C. and Elgin City F.C. were accepted into membership of the League with effect from 2000/01 as a result of the SPL increasing their membership to 12 clubs with the admittance of both Dunfermline Athletic F.C. and St. Mirren F.C. The system of promotion and relegation from season 2000/2001 onwards then became one up, one down between the SPL and First Division, with a two up, two down system between the remaining divisions.
However, during the late nineties and the early part of the new Millennium, a number of clubs decided to sign a number of Non-Scots born players and it would be fair to say that this has had a detrimental affect on the number of young indigenous talent progressing to first team football and as a consequence, the Scottish international team has suffered in recent seasons. Indeed, Scotland have not qualified for the Finals of a major competition since the World Cup Finals in France in 1998. A number of clubs have also experienced financial difficulties in recent years resulting in several clubs going into administration and indeed, at the end of the 2001/02 season, Airdrieonians F.C. went into full liquidation with the club’s SFL membership being terminated. As a result, Gretna were voted into membership following a Special General Meeting of the League in June, 2002 to fill the vacancy left by Airdrieonians F.C.’s demise. However, a club still play in the town of Airdrie following permission being granted for a consortium to buy over Clydebank (themselves under financial hardship and without a ground) and change the name to Airdrie United and play its matches at Aidrieonians F.C.’s former ground, the Excelsior Stadium.
Season 1946/47 also saw the introduction of the League Cup and Rangers became the first winners of the Trophy defeating Aberdeen by four goals to nil at Hampden Park. In many ways, the idea of a League Cup came about almost as an accidental by-product of the Second World War and has witnessed a number of clubs winning the famous three handled trophy. The League Cup proved to be an instant hit with both players and fans and for the first 25 years or so proved to be an outstanding success. However, in those days it was played on a sectional basis and with social habits changing, the public lost faith in the competition during the 70s and for several years, until the very early 80s, the standing of the League Cup competition was at an all time low with both the media and the paying public. However, the introduction of a short snappy knockout formula proved to be extremely successful and in many ways was one of the most important factors in the revival of the Scottish game during the eighties. Now sponsored by CIS Insurance, it is a tournament that provides entertaining and attractive cup tie football for the paying spectator.
The result of the Popplewell Enquiry after the Bradford City F.C. fire and the Taylor Report following the Hillsborough Disaster highlighted the need for safer and more comfortable stadia and from 1989 onwards, many clubs were engaged in a re-development programme or indeed, re-located to new all purpose built stadiums. All clubs in the SPL must have an all-seated ground, and clubs in the First, Second and Third Divisions, if not all-seated, must have terracing which complies with strict safety standards.
One of the early functions of the League was to provide players with the chance of playing Inter-League matches and for the first seventy years or so, they proved very popular with both the player and the paying public. They drew very large crowds, with 60,000 and 70,000 crowds not uncommon for matches against The Football League. Not only were they very good money spinners, but they also afforded the opportunity for a good honest professional who had served the game well and was not likely to gain a full International Cap, the chance to gain a representative honour, as well as providing raw talent with the platform to a full cap. However, a cluttered and congested fixture list ensured that Inter-League fixtures would decline in importance and with the sole exception of the match to celebrate the League's Centenary in August 1990, Inter-League matches involving The Scottish Football League have been redundant for a number of years now.
Scottish football had a very good reputation in the Continent during the 60s, 70s and 80s and this was highlighted by Celtic beating Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon to win the European Cup in 1967, Rangers defeating Moscow Dynamo 3-2 in Barceolona to lift the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1972 and Aberdeen’s tremendous achievement in winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup, defeating Real Madrid 2-1 in Gothenburg on 11th May, 1983 and then followed this by winning the European Super Cup beating Hamburg 2-1 on aggregate in December, 1983. Dundee United also achieved a number of notable results against top class foreign opposition with the Tannadice club reaching the UEFA Cup Final in 1987, losing narrowly to Gothenburg 2-1 on aggreate and, therefore, further enhancing Scotland’s reputation abroad. However, most of the 90s saw Scottish clubs struggle in Europe although during the past couple of seasons, there have been some encouraging results with Celtic reaching the UEFA Cup Final in May, 2003, narrowly losing out in extra-time to Porto 3-2.
As previously mentioned, The Scottish Football League currently comprises 30 clubs and the objective is to provide League Championship, League Cup and League Challenge Cup Competitions for all clubs. The affairs and duties of the League are vested in a Management Committee of 8 elected club representatives consisting of a President, Vice-President and two elected representatives from each of the First, Second and Third Divisions.
Alterations, additions or amendments to the Constitution and Rules of the League can only be made at an Annual or Special General Meeting and require a two-thirds majority before they can be declared competent. Any notice by member clubs proposing alterations to the Rules of the League must be submitted to the Secretary not later than 31st March in each year, in the case of the Annual General Meeting, or twenty-one days notice in the case of a Special General Meeting. A Special General Meeting can be convened either by the Management Committee at any time or on receipt of a requisition signed by not less than sixteen member clubs.
The normal day to day duties of the League are vested in the administration, headed by the Secretary who is a paid official, but is not permitted to vote at any meeting nor be connected with any League club. Some of the many duties undertaken by the administration include the compilation and organisation of League Championship fixtures, the organisation of both the League Cup and League Challenge Cup competitions and also the compilation and administration of Reserve and Youth football. The League’s Registration Department deal with the numerous Registration Forms and Contracts of Service of players as well as maintaining a Club List of Players currently registered with the 30 member clubs. The Scottish Football League endeavours to attract various sponsorship and commercial deals on behalf of its member clubs and at the start of this season, IRN-BRU entered into a three year agreement to sponsor the three divisions of the League Championship whilst CIS Insurance have sponsored the League Cup competition since season 1999/2000.
In April, 2001, The Scottish Football League moved its headquarters from 188 West Regent Street in Glasgow to the National Stadium, Hampden Park, Glasgow, where all the Scottish football authorities are now based.
Like most things in life, football never remains static and has undergone dramatic changes, especially during the past twenty years or so. Sponsorship, especially, has been one of the most important areas of change in the game with both the League and its member clubs, as multi-national businesses recognise the very important role that football plays in this country. It is important not to minimise the important part sponsorship now plays in our national game, as most clubs attract more revenue through this area than from money taken through turnstiles.
Technology also has played its part in the way the game has changed and indeed the very manner in which we perceive the game. Television has for many years now brought the game to a much wider audience, even those with only a passive interest, and with digital and satellite television and more recently, the internet and mobile phones now being able to show football, the Scottish game has been able to reach an even wider audience. Whilst it is understandable that many people justifiably feel that the game is threatened by live televised matches and the various other technological mediums which are now very much part and parcel of our everyday life, it is important to recognise that they are here to stay and that whilst football must retain its own autonomy as well as being in control of its own destiny, it must work with and not against technology.
Throughout over 100 years of League football, it has provoked much discussion, debate, disagreement and opinion, but at the same time, it has brought much joy, excitement, entertainment and pleasure to thousands of fans each Saturday afternoon. Whilst we frequently read in the media about such a diverse range of subjects such as new sponsorship deals, new multi-purpose stadiums, controversy both on and off the park, satellite television, European Leagues and the likes, we must never forget that football is a very simple game and has and always will be primarily about the player and the spectator. It must be remembered that without the player, there is no game, and without the spectator, there is no atmosphere. It is vital that we never forget that important combination. What else would we do on a Saturday afternoon!