Clubs against increased Premier League numbers
Published:Monday | October 5, 2020 | 12:12 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
With the National Premier League (NPL) expected to increase its complement of teams from 12 to 16 by 2023, Harbour View Chairman Carvel Stewart and Humble Lion head coach Andrew Price do not believe that the measure is feasible for the sustainability of top-flight football.
As part of the structural changes to the league, which were announced by Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts on September 22, there will be no relegation of teams for the next two seasons. With only promotion occurring for the next two seasons, four teams will be added to the top flight by the start of the 2022-23 season.
Stewart says that the increase in the total number of NPL teams is not viable because of the lack of financial resources and an inadequate base of players to support such an expansion, factors he said caused the league to downsize initially.
“What was the basis for reduction? A small player pool and insufficient finances,” Stewart said. “None of those two basic requirements are yet in place.
“The player pool is still small. To go to four additional clubs, you are looking at requiring up to 60 more quality Premier League player. In my opinion, within the current 12 clubs, there is a significant shortage of Premier League players. Where would we get 60 more from?”
Stewart said any increases at this time would not benefit local football in the long run.
“There is not enough money, there is not enough players, and it is literally a backward step,” Stewart said.
Price shared similar sentiments that the country is not prepared for such a change in the top-flight structure.
“I believe that it is already unsustainable for us with 12 teams,” he said. “So, to increase the number of teams is putting us in a worst-case scenario at this point in time.”
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
Don Anderson, former president of the now defunct Professional Football Association of Jamaica, says that there are still questions to be answered regarding how the lower tiers of local football will be organised.
“In practical terms, I would need to know how they intended to deal with the leagues that are now going to be devoid of two teams that would have been promoted to the Premier League,” Anderson said.
Additionally, he said that improvements would have to be made to playing facilities to offer a marketable product to potential broadcasters.
The 2020-21 season of the National Premier League is expected to begin on November 14, pending approval from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.