Partick and Dundee get big say on reconstruction

Raith and Falkirk also on SPFL group to meet on Monday

Dundee managing director John Nelms. Picture: Paul Devlin/SNS

Jacqui Low of relegated Championship side Partick Thistle is on the 15-strong SPFL Reconstruction Group which will be jointly chaired by Ann Budge of Hearts.

The Tynecastle side could face relegation if the Premiership is declared over, as happened with the Championship and Leagues One and Two this week.

Dundee managing director John Nelms, who controversially tried to cast a No vote to the proposals to end the lower leagues, before changing it to Yes is also a member of the group, which will have its first meeting on Monday afternoon.

Neither Stranraer, relegated from League One nor Brechin, bottom of League Two are represented.

However, both Raith Rovers and Falkirk from League One are on the committee. The vote to end the lower leagues saw Raith crowned champions despite leading Falkirk by just a point, a situation which was fiercely cricised by the Bairns’ Gary Deans, who will now sit alongside Rovers’ Bill Clark.

There are also representatives of both the Highland and Lowland Leagues, whose declared champions Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers could make the step up to the SPFL depending on the group’s eventual proposals.

The other joint chair, Les Gray of Hamilton, said: “I am delighted that so many clubs have come forward to support the league restructuring process. I am looking forward to a positive debate.”

Budge added: “The importance of league restructuring is understood by all. It is vital that we all work together to find solutions for the benefit of the game as a whole.”