Is it time for the switch to summer football?

Over the coming weeks we’ll examine the pros and cons of the issue and ask YOU how you would like to see our national game scheduled.

SPFL chiefs have revealed they share the frustration of every football fan around the country about having to play midweek games in the winter months.

Four of the Premiership fixtures during the week were attended by a grand total of 12,951 fans, an average of just 3,237.

That’s a shocking indictment of the decision to arrange a full midweek programme in January, when temperatures are likely to plummet and punters are recovering from the cost of Christmas.

Is it time to introduce summer football? Have your say here But in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Post, the football bosses have insisted they have no option but to organise fixtures in January because their hands are tied due to UEFA rules and regulations.

On top of that, they are obliged to keep midweeks free during the spring months in case of Scottish Cup replays, which also severely limit their flexibility when it comes to scheduling.

There was a full card last midweek but it did not appeal to thousands of fans at different clubs, who stayed away in their droves due to the freezing weather, dangerous travelling conditions and trying to recover financially after the festive season.

5,141 watched Dundee beat Kilmarnock at Dens Park.

3,161 turned out for Inverness Caley Thistle’s meeting with St Johnstone, the club’s first “Pay What You Can” initiative.

2,511 saw St Mirren and Dundee United play out a 1-1 draw.

And just 2,138 saw Partick Thistle thrash Hamilton Accies first-hand.

Ridiculous scheduling and winter football in general seems to be turning off the fans, big time.

Over the coming weeks we’ll examine the pros and cons of the issue and ask YOU how you would like to see our national game scheduled.

Keep the status quo of August to May, and all the problems that brings?

Or should the authorities take a serious look at following the Scandanavian model, which sees most of their domestic games played outwith the winter months?

Rangers’ trip to Cowdenbeath yesterday was postponed just three hours from kick-off, due to a frozen pitch, just a week after their vital clash with Hearts was abandoned due to snow.

Farcical events which really should not be happening in football in the 21st Century.

SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster admits he would rather have more games in August, September, April, May and June but he does not have the power to do so.

However, he and SPFL Director of Operations, Iain Blair, are taking UEFA to task on their rule that no domestic games can be scheduled when Champions League games are being played.

That takes up a huge chunk of the calendar, and causes a big part of Scotland’s problem Doncaster said: “There’s a perception we play matches in midweek during January because we choose to do so. The reality is we have to. There are no other free slots.

“That’s partly due to the amount of games we have to play in the League and Cups, partly due to replays in the Scottish Cup and partly due to UEFA regulations which mean we cannot play midweek in the summer months when we would choose to do so.

“If we had a free hand, we would move games from midweek in January to midweeks in spring and summer months. It’s a massive frustration. We want our whole game to be more fan-friendly and to be doing things that drive up attendances.

“Fans are the lifeblood of our game and we do care about them enormously. Our clubs care deeply about them and would like to respond positively about using the better months for playing football. But we do not have the flexibility.”

Is it time to introduce summer football? Have your say here Blair said: “We feel for the supporters at clubs around the country. We were at the game the other night between St Mirren and Dundee United in Paisley. It was a decent game and I was sitting in the stand with a hat and scarf on and all the rest of it. It wasn’t ideal. If we had that spectacle in April, August or May then we’d get far bigger crowds. The weather is definitely a deterrent.

“The bigger issue is UEFA’s complete domination of using the midweek slots in the better weather. There is nothing we can do about it at the moment. But it’s important that every Association encourages UEFA to allow more flexibility for the benefit of the fans.

“You know, it seems bizarre to me that UEFA are concerned that their fantastic, globally-watched competition is somehow adversely affected by us scheduling Partick v Motherwell on a Wednesday. At the moment, that’s what they are stopping us from doing. I’ve told this to UEFA. Believe me, if there was a simple solution then we would be using it.”

On the domestic front, up to three midweeks for rounds four, five and six are kept free for Scottish Cup replays. Some clubs want to scrap replays as they feel it is unfair on supporters to be asked to pay twice to see a tie. Others are in favour if it gets them a bumper gate or cash windfall if the game is televised live.

Certain clubs may look for the Scottish Cup regulations to be amended and get rid of replays. That would free up midweeks in February, March and April for League games. But for that to have any chance of happening, it would need to be a proposal taken forward by the members to a vote at the SFA AGM at the end of the season.

We are conducting a nationwide survey to find out what you think about the prospect of summer football. Among other things, we want to know whether you would be more inclined to go to games if the weather was better and if you believe it would result in better pitches, bigger attendances and more attractive football.

The survey is run in conjunction with DC Thomson’s research panel Your View K. All you have to do to take part is visit www.completeasurvey.co.uk/yourviewk where you will be asked to complete a short sign up form. After that please select option 3. By completing the survey you will be entered into a prize draw to win £150 and be under no obligation to take part in any further surveys. Those already signed up to Your View K will receive this survey by email.