SFL seize on chance to resurrect SPL play-offs

Published on Thursday 27 May 2010 23:05

THE Scottish Football League hopes to seize on SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster's plans for change to the top flight of Scottish football by pushing hard for the re-introduction of a relegation-promotion play-off.

Doncaster recently floated the idea of play-offs as part of his hopes to expand the SPL from its much criticised current 12-team format. While the SFL are instinctively wary of an increase in SPL numbers as they protect their own 30-club organisation, they would welcome a wider pathway into the top tier of Scottish football.

Since the last promotion-relegation play-off between Hibs and Airdrie in 1997, the year before the SPL was formed, only one club has been able to make the step up from the SFL.

"Obviously, we would like to see play-offs," said SFL chief executive David Longmuir following his organisation's annual general meeting at Hampden yesterday. "That is one of things I'm lobbying for on the clubs' behalf. Whether that comes within the current structure or in some new structure remains to be seen.

"We are having regular meetings with the SPL and SFA on an ongoing basis. There are no firm proposals anywhere at the moment. "

Yesterday's agm saw Airdrie United chairman Jim Ballantyne re-elected as SFL president with Alloa Athletic secretary Ewen Cameron remaining as vice-president. The meeting also saw a change of governance voted through which sees the SFL management committee replaced by a board of directors.

Joining Ballantyne, Cameron and Longmuir on the new board are Jim Leishman (Dunfermline), Gilbert Lawrie (Dumbarton), Malky Mackay (Queen's Park), Frank Meade (Albion Rovers) Alan Ripley (Arbroath) and Lachlan Cameron (Ayr United).

"It is a more corporate model," said Longmuir, "and we also have a new facility to bring two non-executive directors on board if we feel it would benefit the organisation."

With Irn-Bru and Co-operative Insurance already secured for the SFL and League Cup respectively, MG Alba yesterday announced a further one-year sponsorship of the Challenge Cup worth around 100,000.

CHALLENGE CUP DRAW

North/East Region: Dunfermline Athletic v Arbroath, Peterhead v Montrose, Stirling Albion v Falkirk, Elgin City v Ross County, Raith Rovers v Cowdenbeath, Dundee v Alloa Athletic, East Fife v Brechin City. Forfar Athletic received a bye.

South/West Region: Partick Thistle v Clyde, Queen of the South v Albion Rovers, Dumbarton v Morton, Airdrie United v Ayr United, Stranraer v East Stirling, Stenhousemuir v Annan Athletic, Queen's Park v Livingston. Berwick Rangers received a bye. Ties due to be played Saturday 24 July.