Ex-Cove Rangers’ Alan McRae becomes SFA president

NEW SFA president Alan McRae began his first term in office in low-key fashion when he opted not to engage in media interviews after being elected to the role at the organisation’s agm at Hampden.

Alan McRae. Picture: SNS

But the 66-year-old building contractor has been backed to make a positive impact in the role by SFA chief executive Stewart Regan.

McRae, the honorary president of Highland League club Cove Rangers, succeeds Campbell Ogilvie as president.

A long-serving Scottish football administrator, who is also a member of Uefa’s Legal Committee, McRae will now head the SFA’s eight-man main board of directors.

“If Alan is going to bring anything, it’s his relationship network,” said Regan. “Alan is hugely well connected. He counts Rod Stewart and Sir Alex Ferguson as personal friends. He spends time with them on holidays and at events. His network will be hugely important to the Scottish FA.

“Alan’s been in football for over 23 years, primarily through amateur football and the Highland League. He brings a lot of experience, a lot of interest, a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the game.

“He’s got lots of support, particularly in the grassroots and in the semi-professional side of the game, as well as a lot of friends in the professional game. He’s been around a long time. He’s been second vice-president and first vice-president of the Scottish FA, so he’s had eight years on the board already.

“He’s got a good understanding of how football ticks and what it takes to make changes in football.”

At the agm, Hibs chairman Rod Petrie was promoted to the post of vice-president, while investment manager Gary Hughes was confirmed as a non-executive director of the SFA. The post of second vice-president, previously held by Petrie, has been scrapped.

The SFA reported a record turnover of £33.6 million for 2014, an increase of 18 per cent on the previous year. Total income, including revenue from subsidiary companies such as Hampden Park Ltd, was £38m.

Among other items on the agenda, entry to the Scottish Cup was extended to the East of Scotland and South of Scotland League champions and also to the winners of the Scottish Amateur Cup.

The agm also approved the end of the SFA Council, long considered by many to be unwieldy and ineffective. It will be replaced by a fully representative congress including members from PFA Scotland, the Scottish Coaches and Managers Association, the Scottish Referees’ Association and supporters’ groups.

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