Play-offs next season at heart of SFL plan

The SFL’s phased re-structuring plan that was shared with First Division clubs on Monday night would have play-offs between the second-bottom side in the SPL and the teams finishing second, third and fourth in the First Division happening 12 months from now.

David Longmuir: Play-off plan. Picture: SNS

The league believe such a move, with further changes in the following two seasons will bring fans with them, unlike the all-or-nothing 12-12-18 approach of the SPL.

Chief executive David Longmuir reckons that, if a bigger league of 14 or 16 teams is not deliverable, a phased restructuring of the game will go a long way to meeting the demand from fans for more competitive matches in both the SPL and SFL.

Longmuir said: “The introduction of a new play-off place as the first step in a change programme shows commitment to an inclusive solution. It also widens and strengthens the bridge between SPL and SFL.”

“Fans have been saying that they want a bigger league but for well-documented reasons that has been discounted. I feel that this plan is a very good alternative as you can imagine the excitement and scramble in the bottom half of the SPL just now to avoid finishing second bottom as well as teams going all out for positions two to four in the First Division.”

It is hoped the play-offs would be supported by a new financial distribution ladder that would be enhanced by selling First Division and play-off games to broadcasters with any new finance being delivered to the First Division clubs.

The SFL also propose that, throughout next season, work would take place between the SFA, the SPL and themselves to progress a new rulebook, Articles of Association, governance model and other agreements to the satisfaction of all 42 clubs. A new organisation to govern the leagues would also be planned.

Longmuir reckons that the introduction of play-offs next season would be seen as a watershed moment in the game.

He said: “The changes to the play-offs would be an important signal to all stakeholders of the intent for everyone to be on board from stage one.”

“It binds everyone to a positive change agenda and this approach will properly engage with new and current sponsors for the start of a second season of change in 2014/15.”

By May 2015 the SFL is looking to have a pyramid system to allow ambitious non-league clubs to progress by means of a play-off against the side finishing at the bottom of senior league football.

The third year of the plan – Season 2015/16 – would see the Pyramid System extended, the Challenge Cup played in the summer and the League Cup start with a group stages.

Whether the plan will be backed by the First Division clubs and the rest of the SFL before being taken up with the SPL and SFA hangs in the balance.

Hamilton Chairman Les Gray, who has been critical of the failure of the SPL 12-12-18 model that was blocked by the votes of St Mirren and Ross County, still wants change now. He said after Monday’s meeting, which included Dundee and Second Division champions Queen of the South: “The clubs still feel there is willingness for change and a window of opportunity still exists to agree on a way forward, and what can be accepted for the benefit of all 42 clubs. A small working group will seek to discuss with the relevant bodies how we can best progress the way forward as soon as possible.”