SFL vote for new three-tier league with all 42 clubs ‘under one roof’

The 30 Scottish Football League clubs have voted unanimously to pursue a reconstruction proposal which chief executive David Longmuir believes will breathe new life into the game.

The SFL met yesterday to discuss a three tier 16-10-16 league structure, which does not as yet include Old Firm reserve teams as reported in advance of the meeting.

However, the Scottish Premier League clubs have not been involved in the talks thus far and any agreement between the SFL teams is effectively redundant 
if the top-flight clubs fail to 
concur.

Following the overwhelming approval of the SFL member clubs, Longmuir will now take the proposal to the Professional Game Board and the Scottish Premier League, including its chief executive, Neil Doncaster.

Longmuir told STV: “I’m delighted to say that, at this morning’s meeting, we got clear direction from all 30 clubs unanimously that they would like us to continue to develop this proposal and to take it to, first of all the Professional Game Board, and then through dialogue with Neil and the members of the SPL.

“The key to this is that we are trying to put Scottish football back on a growth curve as opposed to managing decline. It’s a first stab, it’s not a panacea to change the world of Scottish football.”

The aim is to heighten 
interest with a more dynamic structure and distribute wealth more evenly.

Longmuir added: “I think what we’ve put together today gives us that opportunity. What the clubs have said is they’re fully behind it.”

The 12 SPL clubs are scheduled to meet on 3 December at their regular general meeting where reconstruction, and possible expansion, is sure to be on the agenda. Major change currently requires an 11-1 majority, but the loss of Rangers has not sparked the expected end to what had been termed by some as the “Old Firm veto”.

Whatever happens, compromise will be required if change is made, with the possible merger of the SPL and SFL.

“I grew up in Scottish football with only one league body and it served us quite well,” Longmuir added.

“We had differences of 
opinion, but we were able to make decisions quicker, we 
were able to grow the game 
better, we were able to come to conclusions.

“The reasons for the change are well documented, but getting back under one roof allows us to get our full weight behind this plan, gets us back on the focus for growth on the game.

“I want a league structure which promotes young Scottish talent without risk of financial failure.”

Instead of a structure believed by some to be relatively stagnant, Longmuir believes the proposals add “vibrancy”.

He said: “The structure itself is based on a 16-team top league, a ten-team middle league and a 16-team bottom league, with promotion and relegation, two-up, two-down throughout the leagues and play-off positions as well. It encourages the flow of clubs between the divisions. It encourages change, it encourages refreshment and vibrancy of clubs changing their positions.

“But it also accommodates the threat and challenges faced by relegation and what that means financially. It’s about how much incremental benefit it can deliv-

er, both commercially, from broadcast and sponsorship revenues, but also in the development of young Scottish talent and also from the impact of the broadcast media, who may well be interested in something that is dynamic.”