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Expanded SPL included in proposed overhaul

By Brian McLauchlinBBC Scotland

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments345

SFL president Jim Ballantyne and chief executive David Longmuir

Proposals from Scottish football's three governing bodies include a new top tier division of 16 teams by 2015.

The top flight would grow from 12 to 14 for 2014-15 and could be extended by a further two clubs a year later.

The only proposed change for the coming season would be the introduction of a promotion/relegation play-off between the top two divisions.

The package of reforms have been revealed two days before a vote on the future of Rangers newco.

On Friday, the 30 Scottish Football League clubs will gather at Hampden to rule on the new company's application, with options to grant entry at Division One or Division Three level.

A joint statement from the Scottish FA, Scottish Premier League and SFL confirmed that an enlarged top tier was on the agenda, along with the introduction of play-offs, streamlining governance and a change in the distribution of monies.

There will be changes to the size of the other leagues, with parachute payments and a pyramid system also suggested.

Many clubs have already indicated their desire to see Rangers start in Division Three.

But, while there is no mention of the Rangers situation in the statement, the authorities may argue that they cannot afford to press ahead with reform if that is the case.

The joint statement continued: "Upon agreement by the respective boards, the proposals will be placed before the SPL and SFL clubs for approval, to be activated immediately and phased in over a two-year period.

"A working party will be formed, including three representatives from both the SPL and SFL, to devise a new structure for the senior professional game in Scotland.

"This group will have an independent chairman appointed by the SFA. They will be tasked with delivering by 30 November, a recommendation for structural change effective 2013/14."

In the event that a final decision is not reached by 30 November, the SFA will move to implement the changes.

"We're getting all of the facts now and we can discuss it further on Friday," said Dunfermline director of football Jim Leishman, who sits on the SFL board.

"The clubs will be able to vote whatever way they like, nobody is holding a gun to their heads."

SFL chief executive David Longmuir described the proposed changes as "something worth going for".

He added: "There are a number of options being looked at which involve the restructuring of the league.

"What we are trying to do here is take Scottish football forward in a way that excites fans and keeps clubs viable."

Meanwhile, BBC Scotland has learned a final decision on which club should replace the old Rangers in the SPL is unlikely to take place before Monday.

Dundee - runners-up in last term's First Division - were previously proposed as the team to take up the vacancy but, Dunfermline, who were relegated from the SPL last season, feel they should be invited back to the top flight.

The issue of where to place Rangers originated when the club could not be saved from liquidation and was relaunched by a new company.

The newco had their application to replace the old Rangers in the SPL rejected and then applied to the SFL, adding they would enter whichever league the organisation deemed fit.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan fears not putting Rangers into Division One would have a negative financial impact on all clubs.

Last year, SPL clubs considered and eventually rejected plans to reduce the amount of clubs in top league to 10, with chairman Ralph Topping and chief executive Neil Doncaster claiming a 16-team division was not financially viable.

Regan was also an advocate of a 10-team SPL.

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345 comments

  • Comment posted by gctrfcman, at 14:34 11 Jul 2012

    I watch football in all divisions in Scotland, if the newco start anywhere other than div. 3 I for one will not spend another penny going to football in this country again.

  • Comment posted by mw2711, at 14:34 11 Jul 2012

    Oh dear, is this the desperate last throw of the dice?

    For the past few weeks, the lower league clubs have been lied to, threatened and blackmailed. Change is needed to our league structure, but why should we accept this token gesture to allow Rangers to slip straight into the First Division?

    I can only hope the SFL see through this attempt to railroad Rangers into Division One.

  • Comment posted by User0727868219, at 14:21 11 Jul 2012

    I'm a fan of a lower league club, but I'm pretty sure I speak for every supporter in saying that the governing bodies are clueless. Reconstruction won't solve the problems. Rangers must start as a new team in division 3 for continuity. Throwing league construction at the SFL teams in a panicked attempt to content us isn't going to happen. Why do they fail to see reconstruction is a separate issue?

  • Comment posted by Dungolfin, at 14:53 11 Jul 2012

    It's really quite simple...just apply the rules. That's all the SFA, SPL and SFL need to do. 'The Rangers' are a new club and therefore need to apply to the bottom tier of the league set-up. The SPL as it exists at the moment has shown itself to be a broken business model and they should grasp the opportunity to re-structure and revitalise their thinking. More of the same won't do I'm afraid.

  • Comment posted by D1679329324560, at 15:23 11 Jul 2012

    @38

    Rangers haven't been PUNISHED! The one punishment that was handed down to them was overturned in court. The demotion to Div 3 was not a punishment- it is the SFA RULES.

    The newco is exactly that, a NEW company, a new TEAM. The team formerly known as Rangers FC no longer exists which is why they must apply for Div 3.

    There is no punishment going on here. Many fans would have it harsher.

  • Comment posted by User0429138850, at 15:08 11 Jul 2012

    I think the statement by Clyde sums the feelings of a lot of SFL supporters.

    http://www.clydefc.co.uk/statement.html

  • Comment posted by Karl Mariner, at 14:42 11 Jul 2012

    Money... We aren't talking about integrity of the Scottish game. This is a business and because it is 'The Rangers' morality goes out the window. The correct procedure would be to have this brand new club begin in the lowest division. Incredible amount of squirming going on.

  • Comment posted by User0276968468, at 14:23 11 Jul 2012

    What's all this business about admitting "Rangers"? Rangers are a company in administration, soon to be liquidation. The vote on Friday is about admitting a team owned by Sevco previously unknown in Scottish football

  • Comment posted by User0225609549, at 15:11 11 Jul 2012

    28 - good point.

    Come on BBC, how about an article on the Clyde statement, you have ignored it completely. Or a statement on the Morton chairman's letter to SFL clubs again confirming that Regan DID say the 'SFA would block newco into the SPL'
    The BBC coverage on this is becoming woeful. Anyone might think you were partisan !

  • Comment posted by User0643311997, at 15:02 11 Jul 2012

    RANGERS DO NOT EXISTS ANYMORE!

    How difficult is it for the BBC and other news outlets to understand this?

    The SFL clubs are being asked to vote on what league a BRAND new club should have to start in....................how about the one Annan, Elgin, Peterhead and even Gretna started in?

    No other league makes sense, unless we admit the game is corrupt.....which obviously it isn't, is it?

  • Comment posted by User0411287620, at 15:17 11 Jul 2012

    So three promoted from the 1st Division just in case the new club does not finish in the first two, just how daft do these guys think we are. There has been a total failue of leadership by those at the SFA/SPL/SFL, they have failed Scottish football completely. Agree with those who are also getting fed up with the Scottish media, including the BBC, around the continued use of the name Rangers.

  • Comment posted by User0392386509, at 14:42 11 Jul 2012

    It has to be Division 3. Why would it be a financial disaster for the league if they were placed there? That's arrogance speaking. Div 3 clubs will welcome the focus.

  • Comment posted by User0823170428, at 18:07 11 Jul 2012

    Why do Stewart Regan & Neil Doncaster plus many other S.F.A / Football Pundits claim that not allowing SEVCO 5088 into division 1 would mean the demise of Scottish Football & some even claiming that some S.P.L clubs could go to the wall, What a load of Rubbish, if SEVCO 5088 did get to Div 1, who says that they wont get relegated in their 1st season. They dont even have a full team

  • Comment posted by User0399038066, at 15:49 11 Jul 2012

    Listen up Football - The "Supporters" - ie those who buy the product - are right. The clubs must follow the fans. Irony? Maybe. Rangers should go to Div 3. The leagues and governing bodies require to be reconstructed. One is not conditional on the other. However, if the wishes of the paying customers are ignored then the game in Scotland can kiss its special place in our nation's life goodbye.

  • Comment posted by User0218242736, at 16:18 11 Jul 2012

    Assuming Rangers get into the 1st divison, would the likes of Hearts not be better to declare themselves bankrupt and come straight back into the 1st division bearing in mind that the precedence would be set?

  • Comment posted by sthomson18, at 18:05 11 Jul 2012

    My team and 29 others have survived for many, many seasons without ever facing Celtic and Rangers.. These ridiculous threats of financial troubles are pathetic. Clubs will simply have to stop splashing out on foreign stars and paying ridiculous wages, which will give young Scottish footballers a greater foothold and hopefully pave the way for them getting snapped up by a top foreign club.

  • Comment posted by Williebraveheart, at 17:17 11 Jul 2012

    I cannot understand why the subject of league reconstruction is being linked with a new football club applying to join the SFL. Two quite different subjects. Reconstruction is long overdue but is ignored by the narrow thinking club chairmen who can only see their own noses in front of them and a new club joining must surely start at the bottom. TV money has nothing to do with the rules.

  • Comment posted by User0302948041, at 23:42 11 Jul 2012

    If this was panto season then we'd have a classic on our hands.

    Instead we have some of the most pathetic weak manned yes men, who are railroading the 'son of rangers' into Div 1.

    My view is that if rangers are let into the 1st div, we should give up the SPL/SFL and go to the juniors and non SP/F/L clubs, somewhere that the stench hasnt breached yet

  • Comment posted by User0470264137, at 16:11 11 Jul 2012

    The *new* Rangers PLC asked to stay in the SPL and it was refused. That's fine. Due to liquidation we, the PLC, had no right to stay in that league and most Rangers fans agree. All that should happen now is for the SFL to decide whether the *new* Rangers should be allowed to join them. If they do it has to be Div.3. We have no right to walk straight into Div.1.

  • Comment posted by Pappie Brian, at 14:41 11 Jul 2012

    This latest plan seems to be just another gerrymandering tactic to increase the chances of Rangers getting back into the top flight for season 2013-14. "How can we contrive to maximise the chances of ensuring Rangers get back to the top flight at the first opportunity/?"... I know - we will promote the first three in SFL1 next year rather than just the winner. It stinks.