Midway through the Victorian Premier League finals series the VSF decided to go public with their proposal (backed by the NSWSF) to introduce a second division to the national league, complete with compulsory promotion and relegation between the divisions. In other words, provide some hope and genuine incentive for state level clubs.

The VSF were quick to point out that Altona Magic had 'three-peated' yet had no hope of obtaining NSL status while the current system remained in place. Parramatta Eagles, Bulleen, Blacktown, Green Gully and, dare we suggest, Heidelberg and St George would also have various designs on entry to the new second division.

The two key state federations in Oz soccer politics are not without supporters on the globally-proven system of automatic promotion and relegation, in fact the majority of soccer supporters wholeheartedly agree with the concept of NSL places being allocated on merit, as happens in most other countries around the world.

BUT, Australia, as Studs Up has repeatedly argued, is NOT like most other countries around the world. There are hundreds of differences between the NSL and the average Euro or African or South American league, but the real killer is an underwhelming number of clubs who actually meet the NSL entry requirements as stated by the governing body.

And remember, we are all (hopefully) pursuing the ultimate domestic aim of a fully professional national league, which most observers seem to agree can only occur with ten or twelve teams. Certainly not the current fifteen, and certainly not with another dozen clubs ready to splash out on a couple of name players in the hope of reaching the top level. This, of course, happens already, with dozens of NSL semi-pros topping up their annual income with guest appearances for state league clubs. And if anyone thinks a salary cap of $250,000 (as suggested by the VSF) will be adhered to then they don't follow Australian sport too closely.

All this will achieve is a deterioration of the standard of the top division, in turn reducing the interest of the casual fan, and this MUST be given due consideration.

It is often forgotten that the casual fan holds the key to a professional league. Every club has their couple of thousand die-hards, but a club cannot hope to be fully professional (i.e. paid support staff and administration) without the extra few thousand casual fans. Most clubs are struggling to attract them now, so what hope do they have if the standard of play drops further?

There is no doubt that such a proposal would have some telling benefits, including a reduction in meaningless matches towards the end of the season. But with a top six finals series to aim for and only fifteen teams involved very few matches each week count for nothing.

The old 'bigger is better' theme will no doubt get an airing as well, allowing as it does for hundreds of new players to strut their stuff in front of a new audience. With the proposed second division also being a summer competition we can only assume that matches will be played as double-headers, as the state leagues cannot attract crowds now when the NSL is in recess so what hope would they have if they were played in competition to each other?

The attitude of the existing NSL clubs will be fascinating. Many clubs favour the 'guaranteed tenure' approach, providing them with sufficient security to plan beyond twelve months, even if the majority of clubs make little use of such a luxury. Indeed it has seemed at times that club's have willingly offloaded young stars to overseas clubs in the chase for the quick buck, knowing full well that to finish last on the table brings little more than short-term ridicule.

Frank Arok is one who springs to mind, but there are plenty of others who have employed this infuriating (for the fans) policy and the threat of relegation is overdue for those who have fallen into the comfort zone.