St Mirren split over league reconstruction plans

By CRAIG P STEWART
Published on 30/01/2013 00:00

St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour has admitted that his own board are split on league reconstruction plans and need more details before formally voting for a 12-12-18 structure, while the proposal could also be diverted off course by SFL clubs, many of whom are now believed to favour a 12-12-10-10 model.

Scottish Premier League chief executive Neil Doncaster claimed on Monday after a meeting at Hampden that the 12 top-flight clubs had given their “unanimous backing” to move forward with the plans, which will now be debated by SFL clubs tomorrow. St Mirren and Motherwell have both arranged a meeting of supporters in the coming days to explain plans for a merged 12-12-18 league structure, but nothing has been decided yet and the Paisley club’s board will present their feelings to fans and listen to views at a meeting at St Mirren Park at 7pm tomorrow.

In a statement, Gilmour said: “I would wish to clarify that contrary to some media reports, no formal vote was taken although the clubs have agreed unanimously to take this proposal forward to the SFL.”

“We as a club and many other clubs will not vote until we know exactly what is on the table in front of us, this will not be clear until discussion between the SFL clubs takes place and they take their view on this proposal.”

Motherwell directors will meet on Saturday with members of the Well Society, the fans’ group with a stake in the club.

Meanwhile, a number of clubs from across the three Irn-Bru divisions are believed to now favour a 12-12-10-10 structure that would see two further clubs admitted to the senior ranks. A director of a Second Division side, who did not wish to be named, said: “There looks to be support for the 12-12 approach in the SPL and First Division, however there are growing fears over the 18-team National league set-up and the potential for a number of meaningless games.”