I am still concerned about the lowering of the standard of Div 1.
At the A.G.M. can it be discussed/proposed that it would be automatic promotion/relegation for only ONE team between Div 1 & 2 with perhaps the team finishing next to bottom / next to top having a play-off.
Disagree completely with this Alan. The way to increase the standard is to promote and relegate more teams.
7 top teams playing each other and all beating up on the 1 newly promoted team does not help anyone. Just end up rotating the 1 team, and they become so demotivated by losing every game, probably drop out the following season even though in a lower division.
The 7 top teams also get stagnant as they know there is very little to lose if only one goes down.
Also the lower divisions would get stronger, as they get more experience playing against the top players. Eventualy leading to two stronger divisions rather than just a few strong teams.
Promoting say, three teams, would also have the effect of making all the matches in the division relevant even up to the end of the season. Certainly would concentrate the mind!
Just my thoughts.
Yes, it happened to us last year. We went up as runners-up and got hammered by everyone like you said. We didnt win a match all season and only drew 2.