Buddies and Steelmen add to SPL doubts

Published on Thursday 6 January 2011 15:40

Plans to reform the structure of the Scottish Premier League look certain to be delayed with at least half of the clubs undecided at best over a ten-team top flight.

Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne and St Johnstone counterpart Geoff Brown both declared themselves confident, following talks on Monday, that plans for two SPL divisions of ten would be introduced, possibly at their next scheduled meeting on January 17.

But several clubs quickly expressed varying degrees of scepticism over the proposals, which have so far proved highly unpopular with supporters.

Dundee United, Kilmarnock and Inverness all set out their opposition to the formation of a ten-team top flight while Hearts are believed to be unconvinced at the prospect of cutting two teams from the league.

And St Mirren and Motherwell, two of the six clubs on the panel who drew up the proposals, then stressed to their fans that they had not yet agreed to them. St Mirren would prefer a top flight of 14, although they have ruled out a 16-team league as being financially unfeasible.

St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour said: "There has been no vote on this and it is far from a done deal as indicated by some parts of the media.

"It will be some time before a final document is produced and a meeting asking for a vote on this document is called.

"The document is still a way from being the finished article and once this is completed the board will make their decision to vote for the best option on the table for St Mirren Football Club and Scottish football, as they have done over the last 14 years."

Motherwell vice-chairman Derek Weir asked fans to consider the financial benefits of a ten-team top flight, especially with regard to media income, but the Fir Park club have not yet promised support for the plans.

Weir said: "A document setting out the various options has been circulated to all clubs which recommends a number of changes, including league size.

"Some of those changes are good for Motherwell FC, others not so good. The changes have not yet been voted on and there is still far more work to be done before decisions are made."