Scottish league reconstruction: Reform closer

Stewart Gilmour speaks to the media outside Hampden. Picture: PA

The SPL clubs stuck to the agreement they reached a fortnight ago, which will see one body govern the four divisions, play-offs between the top flight and the division below, and fairer distribution of revenue. That unanimity means that, instead of needing a vote at an officially convened general meeting, the proposals can now be adopted by written resolution,

“All 12 clubs have to agree to that written resolution, which they did,” SPL chairman Ralph Topping said. “That will now go forward for signature and we wouldn’t do that if we didn’t have 12 people saying that they were happy with that process. It should take about a week, a week and a half.”

The dozen clubs discussed proposed amendments to their plans from the Scottish Football League, but according to Topping decided that thay had already compromised enough.

They are confident that their model will offer substantially greater rewards to lower-league clubs than are presently on the table – the First Division champions, for example, receive only £60,000 – although a precise sum cannot be guaranteed because their scheme works on percentages of total income.

“The view from the SPL is that there is a hell of a lot of money flowing down into the game below us, and the changes we’re suggesting around the play-offs constitute a big give on behalf of the SPL clubs,” Topping continued.

“That’s it – that’s as far as we are going. We’re absolutely clear that this is for the benefit of Scottish football, therefore we want the SFL to say yes.

“There’s a point in any discussion when you say, ‘Hey guys, that’s it – the give has been given and there’s no more take to be taken’. It’s over to them. We are confident this is the right thing for Scottish football.

“The things we are talking about are relatively minor when you look at the state of the game. You have had problems at Hearts, Dunfermline and Rangers. The game is not in terrific condition.

“We are writing to the SFL on that basis. That’s it. It’s not for me to say that’s a deal-breaker or not. In any negotiation, one party says ‘That’s as far as I can go’.

“This is not complicated. We all live in the same corridor [in Hampden]. We all meet each other daily. It could be done long before the season starts.

“Our meeting went harmoniously. There was good debate, but it wasn’t at the stage when anybody was going to punch the head off someone. I had my yellow and red cards ready in case it did.”

SFL will not be happy with what appears to be the SPL’s attempt to play hardball, but it remains to be seen if they think there is anything to be gained by further debate.

Although Topping is confident there is time to put the reforms in place for next season, the SFL clubs are aware that time is tight.

“There are a lot of sensible people down that corridor who want to do the best for Scottish football,” Topping insisted. “This represents that.

“What do they want? Do they want to go back to a situation when the First Division clubs are playing for £60k in prize money?

“That’s not a lot of money to sustain a football club. It’s buttons. The focus should be on the generation of cash and putting the game on a more solid footing.”

Vote ‘imminent’

ST MIRREN chairman Stewart Gilmour believes a Scottish Premier League vote on reconstruction plans could take place in the coming days following positive talks between the 12 top-flight clubs on Monday.

The SPL clubs were in unanimous agreement two weeks ago on pushing for a merger with the Scottish Football League and the introduction of top-flight play-offs and Gilmour was happy with the continuing consensus.

On his way out of the Hampden talks, Gilmour said: “I think we’ll vote very soon. It could well be (this week).

“We agreed we can take a short notice (vote). Then it’s up to the SFL clubs to make their decision.”

The 30 SFL clubs were also in unanimous agreement on Friday but they came up with a different model of governance and wealth distribution.

SFL clubs want money going from First Division clubs to the two divisions below, which could affect SPL clubs’ views given they want a softer landing for relegated teams in return for opening themselves up to a greater chance of relegation via a play-off.

Gilmour would not expand on the differences between the two proposals but he was satisfied with the SPL discussions and believes change remains possible this summer.

“I think it’s the right thing for all 42 clubs,” he said.

“It’s in the hands of the SFL clubs. We all have little issues but we have a middle road.

“We looked at the whole model and we’re quite happy with what we’ve done.

“There has been exceptionally good compromise in the SPL.

“It’s not exactly what the board of St Mirren would wish for but we are more than comfortable.”

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster is expected to give a more detailed update on the discussions following a board meeting this afternoon.

The play-offs would involve the 11th-placed club in the top flight and three second-tier teams.

SFL clubs would likely be given 14 days notice of a formal vote, which would follow any SPL vote.