The Colt teams in Scotland debate has reared its head again this past week with rumours of a reputed SPFL 3 being put forward and supported by some high profile figures. It has been a subject that has split opinion among football fans in this country for years. Fans of the bigger sides seem to like the idea as it would give their promising young players exposure to competitive games against seasoned professionals with points and promotion at stake rather than the nothing games they play in the much maligned U20 league and current reserve league. On the other hand the smaller sides would argue that it would not only dilute and devalue the lower leagues with their teams playing against kids but also make it harder for them to move up the leagues.
I can see both sides of the argument, but for the sake of Scottish football overall I genuinely hope that SPFL 3 gets the go-ahead for several reasons in terms of player development and giving some well run clubs an opportunity to get into the SPFL.
Firstly, as a young player, the benefit of playing against experienced professionals in front a crowd with bonus money and points at stake is priceless. I have attended so many U20 and now reserve league games over the past couple of years and the difference from those games compared to competitive first team football in the SPFL is incredible.
I was sent out on loan at 18 years old to East Fife and I loved it. The experience I picked up from playing in front of a crowd and against hardened pros with promotion and relegation at stake was immeasurable. In simple terms it made a man of me and hardened me up to go back to Hibs and compete for a spot in the first team. People will argue that going on loan is different from playing in a colt team, but the main advantage in both is playing competitive football against guys who need to win to get their bonus money, win promotion or stave off relegation.
Also, if you are playing in, for example, an Aberdeen colt team, you are going to be playing in the same system Derek McInnes employs in the first team which in turn will make it far easier to step up if you get an opportunity. That for me is the main difference and advantage from going on loan to a lower league team who are win-at-all-costs and play a different system or go more direct. You are getting the experience of playing competitive football under your own club coaches who are intrinsically linked to the first-team manager in terms of style of play.
Also an SPFL 3 will open up more opportunities to some extremely ambitious clubs who, under the current pyramid system, find it extremely difficult to actually get into the SPFL. I now live in East Kilbride and occasionally get up to some of their games. East Kilbride FC are a well run club from top to bottom with a thriving youth set up. They operate in a cracking little ground and have money behind them in the shape of the Kean brothers who own the club. Plans are in place to build a 4000- seater stadium but it’s just not viable while they remain stranded in the Lowland League.
They currently need to win a very competitive aforementioned Lowland League, then beat the winners of the Highland League and finally the team that finish bottom of League Two. It’s a monumental task. You have other good clubs like Kelty Hearts under Barry Ferguson and Spartans through in the East who would undoubtedly enhance the SPFL. There simply has to be a change in the current set up to give these clubs a better opportunity to get into the league. The infrastructure is certainly in place to support it.
The positives of a new SPFL 3 in my opinion far outweigh the negatives. From helping develop young players in a competitive environment to allowing an easier route to clubs who are absolutely craving a pathway into the SPFL. For me, it seems a no brainer and I sincerely hope a new league is created for the greater good of Scottish football.
And another thing.
The Scottish Cup draw was made over the weekend with some really tasty ties pulled out the hat. But, for me, the tie of the round is Auchinleck Talbot v Ayr United. It’s a game which epitomises the Scottish Cup. A huge crowd will pack into Beechwood Park. There is life outside the Premiership and it would also give two clubs some much needed dough. Plus I think it will be a cracking game to watch. Fingers crossed it gets the nod.
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