Something old, something new

[Bianchi on Ice]

What would you like to see brought back to football from the past?
...and what would you like to see introduced?

for me...bring back 16 team world cup and 8 team euro....I dont see any improvement in the quality of the matches...too many nondescript teams...and that includes the european quota.

As for something new...I think the fair play league should tie in with the overall points totals...ie worst three in fair play league should have 3, 2 and 1 point deducted...as scum are worst at the minute the timing is right. will cut out dissent and simulation overnight

[Alioune DVToure]

I'd bring back the Cup Winners' Cup as it was held in much higher regard than UEFA/Europa, which should be shrunk.

I'd also like to see the 'League of Leagues' that I proposed on here a while back being played every 'off' summer.

[Dawnherts]

Will be interesting to see how the media respond to the first female referee to oversee an FA Cup game today. ...... Handbags in the headlines from the men folk no doubt :-)

[RodneyRodney]

From the past - fullbacks who can actually defend ; wingers who take them on & beat them
Players who don't dive.
Mal.
Cloughie.

Franny, Bell, Dave Watson.
Big Mac. Chopper Harris.

Sideboards.

The Kippax.

Beating THEM when we're not expected to do so as a matter of course

You've got a really damn good point about a 16-team world cup , too . . .

[s1ty m]

A return to the old 3 Euro tournaments as this current set up is shite.

Terraces.

Footballs like Germany 1974....white with some black hexagons. Loved them.

Those old goals at Wembley with fixed green stanchions. Marvellous.

A 50% reduction in bookings and sendings off. That is, a more lenient view of what is tackling and what is fouling. It's stupid these days, just plain stupid.

[Wonderwall]

Sweepers
Inside rights/lefts
Goal keeper has 6 steps

New would be a sinbin or blue card for 5 mins for certain offences like dissent at refs/linesman.

[Ted Hughes]

Introduced: a panel made up of passionate, educated, football loving members of the public (no cheating, lying, agenda ridden ex footballers or football 'industry' types) to adjudicate honestly on diving in football, with the power to hand out bans, increasing in severity for those who collapse too easily.

Also refs encouraged to give pens to those who stay on their feet when obviously fouled, rather than chickening out thus encouraging diving.

Brought back: terracing, comb overs.

[Herb]

Please bring back the shoulder charge - I've not seen a keeper charged into his own net since about 1975.

Oh, and sheepskin jackets to go with the comb-overs (a la Ted) for that traditional football manager look - priceless!

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Something new :
When the ball is heading out of play and a defender just puts his body in the way of the ball, obstructing the opposing player form getting it and it rolling out for a goal kick.
That's obstruction and I don't know why it is never given in this situation. In any other area of the pitch if you deliberately prevent an opposition player from reaching the ball whilst having no intention to play the ball yourself, it's given as obstruction. It should be the same.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Bring back Bert Trautmann, Neil Young, Mike Doyle (and Dave Watson to play alongside him).

The 4-2-4 formation with two genuine wingers.

Proper football shorts (i.e. shorter ones) rather than the baggy, Beckscum style knee-warmers that everyone wears today.

For something new, contemplate reducing the size of teams to either ten-a-side, or even possibly nine-a-side, in order to try and stretch play and make the game more open. This might also help sides from lower divisions who are struggling financially, as they would only need [slightly] smaller squads.

[nottsblue]

Bring back Bert Trautmann, Neil Young, Mike Doyle (and Dave Watson to play alongside him).

The 4-2-4 formation with two genuine wingers.

Proper football shorts (i.e. shorter ones) rather than the baggy, Beckscum style knee-warmers that everyone wears today.

For something new, contemplate reducing the size of teams to either ten-a-side, or even possibly nine-a-side, in order to try and stretch play and make the game more open. This might also help sides from lower divisions who are struggling financially, as they would only need [slightly] smaller squads.

like the idea of reduced teams. Wouldn't do it for league games but in cup ties. If after 90 its all square then every 5 mins reduce teams by 1 player each until a goal is scored. Thats then the winner. No pens so we dont see negative tactics like goalden goal did.

Maybe even have the League cup as an 8 a side. Could be an interesting variation. Rugby has 7s & cricket t20 which differ from the normal game and both have actually helped to improve the parent game. Better handling and running in 7s & better fielding and scoring rates in t20. 8 a side would improve passing as there would be fewer easy options for someone to psss to. Movement off the ball would improve as a result. games would be more open and as such more exciting

[nottsblue]

a sinbin of 10 mins for backchatting to the referee. A bugbear of mine. Rightly or wrongly the referees decision is final. Plus, how often does a ref change his mind, extremely rare to never. The captains alone should only have dealings with ref imo.
could be very naive but it might improve refs performance as they can concentrate on game without interference from players.
Oh, and Shrek would spend less time on field and others down at the swamp. Chelski as well. Not that we are immune but i honestly dont think we are the worst offenders by a long chalk.
Other sports embrace this philosophy, why not football

[nottsblue]

after hearing about Chelski late penner for another dive i would like to see the refs have to give a post match conference like the managers and be shown footage and made to explain themselves.

[rosbif cuisson 'bleu']

reiteration of some points already made
old..terraces
new...10m for lip to ref like in RU, yellow for twice, red for persistence

[Crossie]

Unseeded competitions.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Bring back Bert Trautmann, Neil Young, Mike Doyle (and Dave Watson to play alongside him).

The 4-2-4 formation with two genuine wingers.

Proper football shorts (i.e. shorter ones) rather than the baggy, Beckscum style knee-warmers that everyone wears today.

For something new, contemplate reducing the size of teams to either ten-a-side, or even possibly nine-a-side, in order to try and stretch play and make the game more open. This might also help sides from lower divisions who are struggling financially, as they would only need [slightly] smaller squads.

like the idea of reduced teams. Wouldn't do it for league games but in cup ties. If after 90 its all square then every 5 mins reduce teams by 1 player each until a goal is scored. Thats then the winner. No pens so we dont see negative tactics like goalden goal did.

Maybe even have the League cup as an 8 a side. Could be an interesting variation. Rugby has 7s & cricket t20 which differ from the normal game and both have actually helped to improve the parent game. Better handling and running in 7s & better fielding and scoring rates in t20. 8 a side would improve passing as there would be fewer easy options for someone to psss to. Movement off the ball would improve as a result. games would be more open and as such more exciting

Some cracking ideas there NB, you've taken my original thought into the realms of constructive practicality.

Really like them; Well done to you.