SPL to meet with SFL over league plans

Jan 19 2011 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

THE future for clubs like Airdrie and Albion Rovers under a revamped Scottish football structure will become clearer today.

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster will meet with the SFL management committee to discuss proposals for a potential way forward.

On Monday, the SPL clubs gave “broad support” to a two-tier structure at the top comprising of a league of 10 teams and another of 12.

Now Doncaster will further outline the SPL’s plans which include play-offs, the scrapping of the SFL and regionalisation for the remaining clubs combined with the introduction of ‘B’ teams.

Fans at all levels of the game are up in arms with what is being offered.

Many supporters want a bigger top-flight but that has already been ruled out as financially unviable by Doncaster.

Albion Rovers chairman Frank Meade says he’s keen to hear what he and the SPL are proposing.

But he told Advertiser Sport: “If all of this comes to fruition, then the landscape of the SFL will be changed dramatically.

“What we are talking about here is the demise of one of the oldest league set-ups in the world.

"The SFL has been a prime mover in supporting restructuring and reorganisation.

“We could be on the verge of taking some big decisions, so we will be interested to hear exactly what the proposals are.

"At this moment, we haven't seen a proposal from the SPL or anyone else."

Meade says there is little appetite for regionalisation among SFL clubs and fears such a move would be detrimental to the game.

He also rejected the notion of an influx of 'B' teams and believes the current loans system works well.

He added: “Instead of improving the standard of our football, I think regionalisation could reduce the quality of the game.

"And the clubs in the best place to deliver game-time development for young players are those in the second and third divisions."

SFL chief executive David Longmuir earlier this week said: "Until such time something is formalised or presented to us, we cannot comment.

"The SFL's position hasn't changed. We are open to change if it is for the good of all clubs in Scotland."

WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED?

*A 10-team SPL with clubs playing each other four times over the course of the season, totalling 36 games.

*A 12-team SPL2 with clubs playing each other four times over the course of the season, totalling 44 games.

*Automatic promotion and relegation between the SPL and SPL2 and play-offs.

*Regionalisation of the leagues below the new two-tier structure, a move affecting the remaining 20 clubs.

*The introduction of SPL clubs' 'B' teams to the new regionalised divisions.

*The scrapping of the SFL with all 42 clubs playing under the SPL umbrella.