SPL clubs face losing an entire generation of football fans if they continue to freeze terrestrial broadcasters out of their new television deal.
SPL clubs face losing an entire generation of football fans if they continue to freeze terrestrial broadcasters out of their new television deal.
That was the warning from Rangers fans chief David Edgar today as the league continues its frantic search for a media partner to replace Setanta.
American company ESPN and Sky Sports are plotting a £100m joint bid for a five-year deal to screen our national game until season 2013/14.
However, Edgar, of the Rangers Supporters Trust, feels our top-flight clubs have to look at the bigger picture and consider the long-term well-being of the sport in this country.
For he fears youngsters here could start supporting foreign teams like Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid instead of home-based clubs.
Edgar said: "Kids drifting away from football is a huge concern. Watching football is very expensive now.
"Many boys and girls are having to rely on their parents taking them to the match to see their heroes.
"Unless you had Setanta, which few people did, then the only alternative was to see your team in action for five minutes late on a Monday night on the BBC highlights package. That was not the case in my day when we had highlights on the BBC on a Saturday night and on STV on a Sunday afternoon.
"Aberdeen, Celtic and Rangers need to be applauded for voting against going with Setanta last year.
"They knew far more people have Sky. I think the SPL clubs who voted for it were guilty of blatant greed.
"They just saw the pound signs flashing.
"They didn't give any thought to the health of Scottish football.
"They are in serious danger of losing a generation of Scottish football supporters."
Edgar added: "When I was young, kids would try to emulate the players they had seen on television when they were playing.
"Now the vast majority of kids aren't getting the chance to see the top players in action in this country.
"Champions League games are screened more regularly on terrestrial television than our league.
"There is nothing to stop Scottish kids following Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
"Those teams certainly play far more attractive football than our dreich football.
"I think the chickens are coming home to roost for many Scottish clubs. There are dozens of empty seats at grounds these days."
Edgar feels the SPL, who pulled the plug on the Setanta deal, should consider reducing the price of their television rights in order to ensure there is increased coverage of Scottish football on the BBC or ITV.
He explained: "They could knock £10million off the price of their deal to ensure that terrestrial channels get to screen highlights of games at better times.
"If it means losing some money then so be it. That would ensure the next generation of supporters comes through. At the moment, I don't think that is happening."
