Official Scottish league reconstruction back on the table

[haudthebus 49]

Published on 28/04/2013 13:25

Another attempt at league reconstruction of Scottish football is on the cards as it emerged that the 12 Scottish Premier League clubs have been invited to a meeting at Hampden tomorrow.

Proposals for a 12-12-18 system, with the top two leagues splitting into 8-8-8, the introduction of play-offs, revised financial distribution and the merging of the SPL and the Scottish Football League were rejected after Ross County and St Mirren voted against them earlier this month.

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster and several clubs claimed at the time that there could be no “cherry-picking” of the proposals but it has been reported that two new plans will be considered - the idea of play-offs and the alternative of an SPL 2 formed by Division One clubs, who met with the SPL last week after having their own talks.

Despite being against the original proposals on the basis that his fans were against the split, Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor is confident that change will take place.

He told BBC Scotland: “Change isn’t a necessity, it’s inevitable. We’ve got to find the right formula.

“There is a meeting next week and I really believe that something will come back to the table that everyone can buy into.

“I wouldn’t be speaking as optimistically as I am if I didn’t believe something would happen.

“I think it could be in place for next

[kanjo 26,348]

I would be in favour of the status quo but with playoffs for the 11th SPL team and 2nd/3rd/4th in SFL1. Been calling that one for years now.

[WilliamFyfe 1,438]

Here we go again

[mnym8ts 10]

Published on 28/04/2013 13:25

Another attempt at league reconstruction of Scottish football is on the cards as it emerged that the 12 Scottish Premier League clubs have been invited to a meeting at Hampden tomorrow.

Proposals for a 12-12-18 system, with the top two leagues splitting into 8-8-8, the introduction of play-offs, revised financial distribution and the merging of the SPL and the Scottish Football League were rejected after Ross County and St Mirren voted against them earlier this month.

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster and several clubs claimed at the time that there could be no “cherry-picking” of the proposals but it has been reported that two new plans will be considered - the idea of play-offs and the alternative of an SPL 2 formed by Division One clubs, who met with the SPL last week after having their own talks.

Despite being against the original proposals on the basis that his fans were against the split, Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor is confident that change will take place.

He told BBC Scotland: “Change isn’t a necessity, it’s inevitable. We’ve got to find the right formula.

“There is a meeting next week and I really believe that something will come back to the table that everyone can buy into.

“I wouldn’t be speaking as optimistically as I am if I didn’t believe something would happen.

“I think it could be in place for next

I posted this would happen the other week as I believe sponsorship and tv rights are making it a necessity. A lot of people thought it would be too late but it's the corrupt cabal we are talking about!

[WATPRFC1872. 220]

Jesus...

[nachothelegend 1,932]

And another go.I want us to have nothing to do with this.

[Carsons Dog 9,878]

So there is indeed a plan B and a plan C?

Doncaster lied again

[Thermopylae 15,287]

There is only 1 week of the season left so everything that so many teams have been playing for since August coud mean absolutely nothing ... only in Scotland

[jintybear 8,630]

Here we go again! Its getting ridiculous that people will soon be renewing their season tickets and there's still uncertainty which league we will be playing in! What a joke the SFA/SPHELL are

[mnym8ts 10]

There is only 1 week left of the season left so everything that so many teams have been playing for since August coud mean absolutely nothing ... only in Scotland

Who cares it would seem other than the corrupt with pockets to line?.... What gets me is why lies well is so willin to give up a chunk of their prize money.... Other than Rangers hurting I can't see the great interest for them......

[bigj9659 4]

What a picture of Donkaster,I found a resemblance.

http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4835064674256454&pid=15.1

[Thermopylae 15,287]

Who cares it would seem other than the corrupt with pockets to line?.... What gets me is why lies well is so willin to give up a chunk of their prize money.... Other than Rangers hurting I can't see the great interest for them......

There definitely are a few pieces of the jigsaw missing ... all I can assume is if we eventually collapse due to too many setbacks, leaving the SPL a one horse race forever, liewell may feel it will strengthen his case for a move down south?

[TheBluebells 6,898]

What is the point in even having a vote, if it goes against their way then they just persist till they get their way.

[King Jela 20,586]

Here we go again

Singing rebel songs now ?

This place is reekin'.

[ForeverBlue_Since91 2,895]

Is this the meeting Walter Smith and Craig Mather are going to?

[islandblue 366]

Why. Are the media not asking why the panic for reconstruction? This proposal is clearly not in the bottom club's interests so what is the real reason they would vote for it?

[elephants stoned 2,994]

Must be great to live in a world where rules mean nothing and votes can be bought, sold or just overturned if they dont suit the agenda. A dictators wet dream.

[KeyserSoze 14,659]

That loverly Catriona Shearer just reported that the vote will not include the actual league set up only the merging of the bodies and the distribution of the cash.. The previous proposed setup is "off the table"...

[FUDGIE52 9]

There definitely are a few pieces of the jigsaw missing ... all I can assume is if we eventually collapse due to too many setbacks, leaving the SPL a one horse race forever, liewell may feel it will strengthen his case for a move down south?

I think you are not far off the truth mate, Dermond Despot has been pushing for the mhanks to get into Engerland for years it wouldn't surprise me in the least for them to use whatever dirty tricks they could to get away elsewhere.

[Beaujolais 1,371]

I had thought that there was no way they would be able to force this through now in time for the 2013/14 season. One would have thought that if they wished to bring the slightest modicum of integrity and professionalism they would have been better putting proposals out for a SPL2 starting in season 2014/15 now before Clubs start processing season ticket renewals.

The fact that they are pushing so hard for this nows suggests:

1.) Complete and utter desperation.

2.) They are keen push this through at a time when we have no vote or rights.

3.) And if they do invite us to join- they know they place our Directors in an extremely difficult position and that such an invite will cause deep divisions within our support.

I really hope this dies a death and quickly. My fear is that it will not and that perhaps that is why their is a clamour for significant investment in our squad for next year and the reason why our CEO and WS are heading to Hamden.

The last thing we need right now is more Blue on Blue infighting. Whatever happens I hope that we can support the stance our Directors take. They are legally bound to act in the best financial interests of the Club. If we and they don't get that right we are back to square 1. God it's hard being a Rangers supporter.

[Darth Bear 15,135]

Would the merging of the authorities not effect the tv rights? I am pretty sure that SFL teams can negotiate their own deals (when not blackmailed into doing otherwise) and this will allow them to sell Rangers games too.

I do believe that reconstruction is needed but it shouldn't be rushed through and should never involve stupid league formats.