United should go, they add nothing to football in the city. At least FC are trying to improve players even if Tsetso struggled as a coach at this level, Utd is just a team trying to win an average competition, id Harry McCosh the future of any club? Of the top 4 teams all of them would probably struggle to win against Dunedin teams but should the league be revamped because of that? I don't think so. As Vim says, even in it's current state of woefulness it can stil be entertaining.
Mainland need to get in behind the league more - prize money, sponsorship, no player payments, all games on at ASB at no charge to clubs (gold coin entry fee should cover costs especially if the league standard increases). No relegation - entry on merit based around Football Development programme. Work harder with match officials to improve their standards as well. Get the FDO's off there arses and working in conjunction with MPL clubs as "umbrella" organisations in their areas to accelerate development of grass roots players. Reward those clubs that work hard in these areas with MPL spots (and you must also have a womens team - no half arsed efforts Moneybags Bays!)
A subsidiary competition based around the English Cup (i.e. 2 pools of 5 playing round robin again at ASB to decide semi finalists) to increase number of games and give 2nd tier clubs opportunity to test themselves against MPL clubs.
And get the schools out of the Saturday competition - this will make the biggest difference as clubs get to mentor their young players into senior football far more effectively! Elite 1st Xl Friday night comp at ASB on Wednesday/Friday nights and all other schools football played on Wednesday afternoons like it is supposed to be. This alone would lift the standard of the MPL by 5 - 10% on its own.
Mainlands focus on putting their own School of Football out on ASB at every opportunity is prostituting our game and effectively holding it back as the best players are not in that system - knock the whole thing on the head now! How come Canterbury United can't even train on their at the appropriate time? The kids need to earn their stripes on grass first then step up. I bet most Brazilians have never even seen a synthetic surface until they turn pro. Get the kids out of there - it's holding back the game!
Cheaper subs for 18 - 30 year olds subsidised by increased subs for masters age players to encourage younger people to stay in the game at that 2nd tier - Div 1 - Div 3.
Bed time.