COULD it be that James Traynor (The Final Say, February 20) has

unwittingly uncovered the master plan to restore our football fortunes?

Do the hitherto unrecognised visionaries of The House on the Hill have a

scheme designed to return the quality of our game to that of the days of

Baxter, Law, Johnstone et al?

The article acknowledges the fact that the teaching of football skills

at all levels is under the direction of those approved by the SFA's

Technical Dept. But it also confirms that the vast majority of those at

the top levels in our game do not have the qualifications required to

allow them to come into contact with our youngest talent.

The point was made that this would mean that those people now coaching

our senior players would be prevented from passing on their expertise to

the next generation. What an excellent idea! When we consider what is on

offer at most grounds on most weeks, would we really want more of the

same in the future?

Could it be that the regulations attached to the 'D' and 'E' licences

are the first of a range of measures to be taken which will ensure that

our youngsters are given the opportunity to develop their skills

naturally? Will the next move be for the football authorities to link

with districts to identify suitable sites for more floodlit all-weather

pitches? These can then be left open for the kids to play their small

games with their own rules without having to bother about the textbook

jargon.

They would all enjoy it, as always, and the best of them would stand

out and come to the attention of the talent spotters. The chosen few

would get the opportunity to move into the senior game. The hope is that

by the time the next generation are ready to take that step our coaching

skills have progressed enough to enable the craftsman to be recognised

as a more essential part of the team than the labourer!

John Cushley,

18 Wordsworth Way,

Bothwell.