Scottish League Cup - History Of Format

[Clydeside_Sheep]

I was looking with interest at the stats of Motherwell - Aberdeen league cup games, on the AFC website.

 

I saw that the competition seems to have had a different format from the 70s back - instead of cup "rounds" the stages of the tournament are listed as "section" a/b/c and then "section" 1/2/3.

 

See the stats here, at the bottom of the page:

 

http://www.afc.co.uk/articles/20131028/lc-qf-aberdeen-and-motherwell_2212158_3514816

 

The "section" terminology almost suggests a league-cup group stage, (like european tournaments have today) or does 'section' simply mean 'round'?

 

Can any football bods or aul' boys on here tell me how this older format worked?

 

Thanks if so.

 

 

 

[The Boofon]

It used to be groups in the first round. 9 groups. Top of each group into quarter finals with the two shitty groups playing off for a quarter final spot.

 

Not sure how they picked the groups though.

 

Was a much better format.

[tutankamun]

 

 

Bring back the Skol cup

[ericblack4boss]

And of course the anomaly of the 1984 competition where the competition was won by the same side twice in a year

[The Boofon]

Bring back the Skol cup

I got a football kicked into the crowd at the Aberdeen v Hivs final.

 

Heaps of them being launched into the crowd before the game.

[Jocky Balboa]

I would prefer the old Skol Cup format, where it started and ended by the end of the calender year (thus meaning no overlap with the 2 cups) and any team with early season form had a chance.

[Robbie Winters]

Getting the LC finished by October was always a good idea but they even spin the draw out to the point of tedium so I suppose it won't revert anytime soon

[RUL]

It's a total joke waiting 3 months for a semi final.

[ChutneyLove]

Where are the semis getting played? When are those useless cunts "in charge" making a decision?

[RUL]

Easter road I thought?

[Clydeside_Sheep]

It used to be groups in the first round. 9 groups. Top of each group into quarter finals with the two shitty groups playing off for a quarter final spot.

 

Not sure how they picked the groups though.

 

Was a much better format.

Cheers Boofon - sounds interesting and I agree likely a better format, even if only for making it distinct from the Scottish Cup.

[fine-n-dandy]

It's a total joke waiting 3 months for a semi final.

& giving sides a chance to strengthen in the Jan window.

 

Far as I'm concerned it should be finished by late december.

 

In fact, a festive final would be a good idea imo.

 

Edit: I'd also like to see the semis maybe being a two leg affair just to add another game to it & create a little more excitement

[madjockmcferson]

I hate the fact the draw isn't right after the qf.

[Aberdeen_Fan]

If at Easter road surely we'll get a majority for the stadium?

[Dandyesque]

& giving sides a chance to strengthen in the Jan window.

 

Far as I'm concerned it should be finished by late december.

 

In fact, a festive final would be a good idea imo.

 

Edit: I'd also like to see the semis maybe being a two leg affair just to add another game to it & create a little more excitement

2 leg semis would be good but would favour the infirm

 

Same with groups- takes away the chance of a shock exit

[The Boofon]

2 leg semis would be good but would favour the infirm

 

Same with groups- takes away the chance of a shock exit

 

 

Yeah 2 legged semi finals would be pish. They do that in England and like you say, smaller teams who make it to that stage normally don't get past. Bradford being the exception to the rule last season. Normally the smaller team may get a surprise 1st leg result but get thumped in the 2nd leg.

 

One off games are the fairest way. At a NEUTRAL ground of course.

[fine-n-dandy]

As it is at the moment sides in Europe "the better sides" only have to win 4 games to lift the cup.

That is a joke amount of wins to lift silverware.

 

I agree on the weaker sides having less chance but if you deserve a cup, then you should have to earn it & wining it after playing a two leg semi & removing the oppositions bs excuse of sneaking a lucky win in a one leg semi would make the final all the more enjoyable (should you go on to win it).

 

That's my preference anyway. I'm sure plenty will disagree but I don't care.

The League cup has always been a boring cup & I'd prefer it was made a little more exciting. The Scottish cup brings it's own extra special boost with the European place but that is something the the league cup will never have.

 

Besides, replays were effectively two leg affairs & they have been happening in cups for years.

Remember how great a feeling it was to go to the piggery & put the tims out in the replay that they fluked with a late & undeserved equaliser at Pittodrie? That was a fkn fantastic night & that is the sort of excitement a two leg semi win can bring.