Close menu

League reform 'unlikely' with two SPL clubs to vote no

By Chick YoungFootball Correspondent, BBC Scotland

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments103

St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour and Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor

Proposals to change Scotland's league structure in time for next season are unlikely to gain enough support for Scottish Premier League approval.

BBC Scotland has learned Ross County and St Mirren plan to vote against the plans, with an 11-1 majority required at SPL level.

Scottish Football League clubs are also assessing the 12-12-18 model.

The set-up would involve the top two divisions splitting into three leagues of eight midway through the season.

Other features of the proposals include a revised financial distribution model and the merging of the SPL and SFL, with the Scottish Football Association having also been heavily involved in the protracted discussions.

But, if SPL clubs do not vote it through, it is likely the current make-up of 12-10-10-10 will continue for next season.

Though both County and St Mirren are keen on some features of the package for change, issues such as the use of Under-21 players in matchday squads and keeping the current voting structure are sticking points.

And top-flight clubs other than the Buddies and County also have misgivings about the proposals.

But Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson believes the 12-12-18 plan is the best way forward for the Scottish game.

"I've put aside a number of my concerns because I think it's the right thing for the greater good of the game so I would urge others to look at that," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"There's a lot of positive things in there. One league body is important, all-through distribution of funds is important, the pyramid system is very important to the SFA and that's just a few of the big issues that are there.

"If it doesn't happen for next season, that's it finished. It's now or never. If it doesn't happen, it's the status quo.

"We know the gap in wealth is enormous and there [would be] lot of money being given up by the top league to go into the division below and filtered down to other leagues. That won't happen, simple as that.

"We've got an opportunity to improve the game. I think it's got enough of the good things in it to take it forward and vote yes for it."

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

103 comments

  • Comment posted by Zoom15000, at 18:43 6 Apr 2013

    It's quite easy to introduce SPL play offs, a pyramid system, single league body and a more even distribution of money without forcing through an over-complicated and frankly ridiculous 12-12-18 structure. With the split we have now Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Hibs are fighting for nothing at all in the last games.

  • Comment posted by notdeadfred, at 10:15 7 Apr 2013

    Why this rush to do everything at once? For me, the most important thing to fix urgently is the totally unfit for purpose management structure of the game in Scotland. Get one professional managing body in place now, with one set of objectives, with a sensible voting policy, then allow it to consult, deliberate and finalise proposals for reconstruction to be in place for the following season.

  • Comment posted by Mashy, at 18:22 6 Apr 2013

    I still cant believe the 12-12-18 proposal is even being considered!! The SPL bigwigs are idiots, why overcomplicate things when the Scottish game needs any refoms to have a chance of improving! Keep it simple, three divisions of 14 or even 16 and introduce a few more HL/Junior clubs into the mix. Encourage competition, even and fair distribution of money, and get fans back through the turnstiles!

  • Comment posted by B-i-l-l-y, at 21:51 6 Apr 2013

    all matches are meaningless when only 2 teams in the past ( nearly) 30 years have won the league. Get back to an 18 or 16 team top league with 2 regional leagues (north/south). Elgin v Berwick...why? Scotland had its best club and national sides with an 18 team top league

  • Comment posted by U14293444, at 20:49 6 Apr 2013

    We have the worst national team ever, our clubs European exploits are non existent! (75% of our teams out at the first hurdle). What do these people need, to realise that what we have is not working and if it doesn't change they won't have professional clubs but amateur part time sunday league clubs playing to crowds of 400 if they are lucky!!

  • Comment posted by brian7mcdee, at 18:11 6 Apr 2013

    Premier Division of 16 (winter break)
    First Division of 24
    Regional pyramid below including all Highland, East of Scotland, South of Scotland, Juniors (West & East), and invite any amateur teams to join ... around 1000 additional teams.
    League Cup with group stage format to start the season off and final played before Christmas.
    Scottish Cup with open draw & all teams involved in the first round.

  • Comment posted by dh1963, at 15:33 7 Apr 2013

    I don't get Thompson's comment it is "now or never".
    Why can't they put through the bits everyone agrees on (one league body, greater wealth distribution) in the current 12-10-10-10 and keep talking about the size of the leagues?
    Saying everyone has to accept it as it stands stinks of blackmail.

  • Comment posted by williebraveheart, at 09:32 7 Apr 2013

    El_Placido @22

    You are correct. The current negotiations are not about the improvement of Scottish football. They are about instant cash to survive and egos of the chiefs. That will never produce the correct result. When these fail resignations should follow but they wont.

  • Comment posted by Highlander, at 04:18 7 Apr 2013

    I absolutely believe that the leagues need to consolidate... copying the 16/18 set up of the smaller (more successful) European countries is the only realistic option to improve the entertainment value of the game. Unfortunately the people running the show seem to enjoy press coverage and photo ops more than actually doing their jobs and making any decisions! Needs to be more than OF jabs on here!

  • Comment posted by U14403489, at 22:46 6 Apr 2013

    End the ridiculously small leagues, the barmy split, and current clueless and directionless governance.

    Two leagues of 20 and 22, four down, three up automatically + play-off winner, 1 club = 1 vote.

  • Comment posted by Zhukov45, at 20:45 6 Apr 2013

    Some reconstruction for the SPL still only 12 teams and still the ridiculous split. Thanks for nothing.

  • Comment posted by U15645487, at 19:49 6 Apr 2013

    "If it doesn't happen for next season, that's it finished. It's now or never. If it doesn't happen, it's the status quo."

    Does Stephen Thompson really think we are going to swallow that! I'm sure I can smell something!

  • Comment posted by U14247990, at 19:31 6 Apr 2013

    Are us plebs missing something glaringly obvious? If not this year then why not next year instead? Surely it would be better that way. Everyone would know what was happening and have a full season to plan and budget for the reconstruction season.

    It's almost like blackmail or bribery. Change now or your on your own.

    Just what is it that is being kept hidden from us.

  • Comment posted by U15632381, at 22:05 8 Apr 2013

    How many of the 30 SPL clubs will still be solvent i.e. not in administration or worse, by this time next year if the re-organisation is not forthcoming?

    Answers on a postcard please to:
    Mr David Longmuir,
    The Scottish Football League,
    The National Stadium,
    Hampden Park,
    Glasgow. G42 9EB.

    RIP Maggie - hated by Gerry Adams and Arthur Scargill, can there be any higher praise.

  • Comment posted by U15667993, at 18:48 8 Apr 2013

    I don't agree with the changes but its always the minnows who block any changes to try and preserve their own interests and claim to be acting on fans behalf.

  • Comment posted by R4ngers11, at 17:35 8 Apr 2013

    ok i got it ... glenthedog you have issues with #86 lol he knows how to wind you up lol

  • Comment posted by R4ngers11, at 17:14 8 Apr 2013

    How unusual for Scottish football to be in a mess eh !!!!

  • Comment posted by AASSDDD, at 12:06 8 Apr 2013

    Perhaps Longmuir & co are thinking that by leaving Rangers for another season in an enlarged bottom league, there will be more cash with the increased attendances, in which case they could say that they have done their job and saved the two lower leagues. The SPL and SPL2 can then carry on happily while the best team will carry on making money legally by winning everything at home and in Europe

  • Comment posted by glenthedog, at 11:23 8 Apr 2013

    #86

    You also have little or no understanding of attendance figures and how badly these have fallen over the years. I watched Falkirk regularly in the late 80's and early 90's and they used to average almost 6000 at Brockville on a regular basis.

    They now have a great new stadium, but currently only average around 3000 for most home games. Most other teams have a similar story to tell.

  • Comment posted by glenthedog, at 11:10 8 Apr 2013

    #86

    You also seem to be blinkered to any other approach than reliance on TV funding and being permanently under Sky TV's influence. Clubs derived finance in the pre Sky TV era by developing quality youth and selling them on when required. This approach gave clubs the ability to live within their means without relying on unstable funding from sources like Sky, and also helped the national team.

Top Stories