The New S-League

There are currently 9 teams competing in the S-League. Two of which, Brunei DPMM and Albirex Niigata, are comprised completely of players that are not Singaporean. The Young Lions team also only accepts players under the age of 23. The other 6 teams are Balestier Khalsa, Geylang International, Home United, Hougang United, Tampines Rovers, and Warriors. I propose that the S-League comprise of only 8 teams and for a second division to be created which would also consist of another 8 teams. This would allow a promotion/relegation structure to be in place to create a more exciting S-League season with higher stakes.

However we also need a league that represents the Singaporean community and have teams that various constituencies can support. To do so, we would need to remove both Brunei DPMM and Albirex Niigata from the league.

The two teams that originated from Singapore’s National Defence Forces, Home United and Warriors, need to reform their ties with the Police and Army respectively. The cruical years of 17–22 are the critical period in a football player’s development. So top players identified can serve their National Service by playing for these teams. I will talk more about this further down.

The Young Lions should be disbanded as they are only proving detrimental to the development of local football. Young players need to be provided with opportunities to play with more experienced players and the Young Lions team would not allow them to develop and grow as footballers. This in turn would reduce the talent pool for Singapore’s national team causing our national football to suffer as well.

4 of the other active teams that I suggest to be in the first division would be S-League stalwarts Tampines Rovers, Geylang International, Hougang United and Balestier Khalsa. These 4 clubs have had a long history with Singaporean football and so deserve to continue to compete at the highest level of football.

Two more teams would need to be formed. One can be in the Ang Mo Kio-Bishan area which is lacking a team to support and could locate itself at Bishan Stadium. Another team can be in the west. Gombak United the more successful team from the western area could reform and play at Gombak Stadium.

Balestier Khalsa would continue to play at Toa Payoh stadium, Geylang International at Bedok Stadium, Hougang United at Hougang Stadium and Tampines Rovers at the new Tampines Town Hub. Home United and Warriors could relocate to Jurong West Stadium and Jalan Besar Stadium respectively.