It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.
The club notability tables have been prepared as a quick reference aid for those preparing and assessing
WP:FOOTYN
).
The essay is subject to consultation and feedback from WP Editors with amendments being made where there is general consensus. Feedback can be left on the essay's
Talk page
.
Within any league system there is likely to be a "Grey Area" where it becomes more difficult to determine whether competing clubs are notable. This is the area where Editors and Administrators have the greatest differences of opinion with the result that it is often difficult to obtain a general consensus. This is the area that has given
decision-making the greatest difficulties in the recent past. The case is put forward in this essay that the "Grey Area" should be recognised and should be the subject of more rigorous scrutiny.
The essay generally conforms with
WP:FOOTYN
and revised wording is suggested below.
The Tables below should be read in conjunction with the following simple test.
YES – the club might be notable / progress to the Final questions.
NO – move on to Question 5.
Q5. Has the club played in the past in a competition of comparable status to one listed in the Blue or Yellow Columns?
YES – the club might be notable / progress to the Final questions.
NO – move on to the Articles for deletion.
Articles for deletion
Any club that fails the above test is most unlikely to be notable and in the event that an article is prepared it will in due course be placed through Wikipedia's
WP:N
criteria can be met) but this is most unlikely.
Clubs that successfully navigate Questions 3 to 5 might also be deleted by the
WP:GNG
cannot be achieved through existing or potential coverage in reliable independent sources).
Any club article that is poorly written and/or is unsourced runs the risk of being taken through the
WP:GNG
.
Final questions
Q6. Does the completed article generally meet the notability standards set down in
WP:GNG
?
YES – the club is notable.
NO – move on to Question 7.
Q7. Has sufficient time been allowed for the preparation of the article?
YES – move back to Articles for deletion (third paragraph).
NO – allow a reasonable period of time for the preparation of the article (say 4 weeks).
It is essential that Editors meet the notability standards set down in
List of non-national representative teams in men's football
.
Explanatory footnotes
Explanatory details are provided below on the respective columns of the Club Notability Tables:
Column 1: Country – with link to the country's league system or football page.
Column 2: Tier – the levels of the league system covered in the Yellow and Blue columns.
Column 3: Notable Divisions / Groups / Conferences – known as the the Yellow column and defines divisions that form the national level of the league structure along with other notable leagues.
Column 4: No. – the number of divisions covered in the Yellow column.
Column 5: Grey Area – known as the the Grey column and defines leagues at the next highest level where some clubs might meet
WP:GNG
(through existing or potential coverage in reliable independent sources) and others might fail.
Column 6: Total – the total number of divisions covered in the Yellow and Grey columns.
Column 7: National Cup – known as the Blue column and defines the national cup competitions.
Column 8: Pop. – the population of the country taken from Wikipedia's
List of countries by population
.
Column 9: Sources – key sources to assist in determining
WP:GNG
:
1. RSSSF – list of champions of the country with links to yearly league competitions.
2. RSSSF – list of cup winners of the country with links to yearly cup competitions.
3. Soccerway – database of league and cup competitions for the country.
4. ABYZ News Links – Newspapers and News Media Guide for the country.
The following methodology has been followed in preparing the Club Notability Tables.
1. A comprehensive list of leading leagues was prepared on a national basis using a variety of different sources including Wikipedia, RSSSF and Soccerway.
2. A "weeding out" process was then undertaken of those leagues whose member clubs do not participate in the national cup.
3. Careful consideration was then given to marginal leagues to determine whether their constituent clubs can meet
WP:GNG
through existing or potential coverage in reliable independent sources. If a reasonable number of a league's member clubs were determined as notable then the league provided a prime candidate for the "Grey Area".
4. Following close scrutiny a pattern emerged that many leagues in the Yellow column needed to be moved to the Grey Column with the subsequent displacement of more marginal leagues out of the Table altogether.
5. Reference was made to key decisions made on club notability issues in
WT:FOOTY
.
6. Test challenges on club notability issues were made as part of the AfD process which proved invaluable to this work.
7. Finally, every effort has been made to adopt as consistent approach as possible between countries and continents.
Suggested re-wording of
WP:FOOTYN
The existing wording in
WP:FOOTYN
is follows:
All teams that have played in the national cup (or the national level of the league structure in countries where no cup exists) are assumed to meet
WP:N
criteria.
It is suggested by that this is replaced by the following wording which continues to acknowledge the importance of national cup participation while at the same time giving regard to the standard/level of the league which a team has participated in:
Teams are normally assumed to be notable if they have participated in one or more of the following:
a national cup(listed in the Blue Column of the Club Notability Tables).
a notable league(listed in the Yellow Column of the Club Notability Tables).
a league at the next highest level(listed in the Grey Column of the Club Notability Tables)and can meet
WP:GNG
through existing or potential coverage in reliable independent sources.
a competition of comparable status to one listed in the Blue or Yellow Columns of the Club Notability Tables.
Teams that fail the above criteria(which are incorporated in the Club Notability Test)are assumed non-notable unless they can be shown to meet broader
WP:N
criteria.
Notwithstanding conformity with the above criteria, if a completed article does not meet the notability standards set down in
WP:GNG
the article may be considered for deletion.
These change overcome the current difficulties faced in countries where there is very restricted participation in the national cup. At the same time the introduction of the last paragraph ensures that due regard is always given to
WP:GNG
.
Changing circumstances
It should always remembered that league systems are dynamic and subject to regular change. Any new developments along with improved media coverage will need to be reflected in the Club Notability Tables. In this respect consultation needs to be ongoing.
