The results of our recent winter football survey are now in, and they show that more than half of those polled are looking for change.
Fans want an end to football being played in freezing conditions.
What’s more, they believe a radical overhaul of the game’s calendar would see standards improve, attendances rise and an increase in the quality of young footballers being produced.
Our findings come as a timely reminder to those running our game that, right now, it just isn’t good enough.
Some point out that, despite the absence of Rangers, the Premiership is in a healthy state, with Aberdeen mounting a serious challenge to Celtic securing their fourth title on the trot.
Maybe so. But the combined attendance for last weekend’s fixtures 25,306, an average of 4219 for the six fixtures underline that going along to a game at this time of year is a turn-off for thousands.
Sub-standard football, down in no small part to players struggling to cope on pitches ravaged by the winter, is one factor.
Another is being expected to follow their team as temperatures plummet, while there are other, cheaper ways of spending their leisure time.
We’ve already canvassed the opinions of leading managers, coaches and players during our survey.
We’ve now put our conclusions to those with first-hand knowledge of the pros and cons of winter football.
Related stories
SPFL set to switch to summer football – for the League Cup
Maurice Ross backs summer football in Scotland
Mark Wotte: grassroots is the place to trial summer football
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe