Taskforce’s reconstruction plans
The chance of reconstruction in Scottish football going ahead is already hanging in the balance. Two meetings of the reconstruction taskforce, chaired by Hearts owner Anne Budge and Hamilton Accies’ Les Gray, have already taken place.
Two main proposals have emerged as front-runners for further discussion – but clubs are almost equally split on which way to go.
One idea is to increase the size of the Premiership to 14 teams and have three divisions of 10 below that.
Another plan is to have three divisions of 14 clubs. That would mean no promotion to the SPFL for Lowland League champions, Kelty Hearts, or Brora Rangers, who were declared winners of the Highland League.
The League Two clubs have already decided to vote for the three 14s option.
Any change in the overall number of clubs in the league, or a change in how cash is distributed, needs an 11-1 vote from the Premiership clubs.
That might not be straightforward.
Les Gray, who is also a member of the SPFL board, maintains changes to the league system would be for the general good of the game.
He said: “We are not charged with finding a solution which fixes things for Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer. We are charged with finding a solution that is a remedy to the consequences of Covid-19, but at the same time has a firm eye on all 42 clubs and what is best for football.
“There have been views exchanged in an open, professional manner.
“There isn’t the toxicity that has been claimed.
“The clubs are all trying to do the right thing. Whether they can get to an agreement or not, I don’t know at this stage.
“What we haven’t discussed in the group is the distribution model, and we haven’t gone into depth about temporary or permanent restructuring of it. That’s the next stage in the debate. “There are two methods that appear to be gathering support and momentum, but there’s two or three other suggestions still on the table.”