Premier League managers want more substitutes, fewer matches and longer rest periods.
So imagine the furore were the following idea to be floated at their next managers’ meeting: a midweek six-a-side tournament to be played in December, with your best players on display and to be shown on terrestrial television.
Rewind 30 years and that was exactly what used to happen ahead of the festive fixtures — and not a soul complained about it, either.
Organised by the Football League, the Guinness Soccer Six was, for football fans, an early Christmas present; Steve Rider introducing the action on BBC’s Sportsnight, John Motson on commentary and First Division clubs giving it their all to win a share of the £250,000 prize pool.