SPL clubs to discuss proposal for new 16-team top tier

By Chris McLaughlinSenior Football Reporter, BBC Scotland

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments174

Hibs v Dundee United

Scotland's major clubs are pursuing plans for a new 16-team top tier but will not be swallowed up by the Scottish Football League.

All 12 SPL clubs will meet to discuss the issue with a new league of 16 top of the agenda.

The SFL proposes a set-up that would involve SPL clubs giving up their power and merging with the lower leagues.

But SPL sources have told BBC Scotland that there is no chance of their clubs agreeing to the plans.

The SPL's recent discussions on reconstruction ended in stalemate and were put on hold following the Rangers crisis.

Clubs believe a league of 16 is the popular choice of the fans but have always been held back by a broadcasting contract that insisted on four Old Firm matches a season.

However, with Rangers now in Division Three, that is no longer an issue.

Another option being discussed is an SPL 2 format, with two leagues of 12 teams.

Clubs will meet on 3 December and there could be a show of hands.

Should there be broad agreement, there may even be change as early as next season.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan has revealed that SFL counterpart David Longmuir's proposal for leagues of 16, 10 and 18 had already been discussed with the professional game board, the body made up by the three governing bodies.

Regan talks to the media as Scotland head for their friendly in Luxembourg
Regan talks to the media as Scotland head for their friendly in Luxembourg

SFL clubs meet to discuss the plan on Wednesday and will report on the response to the professional game board later this month, when the SPL is also expected to give its response.

"If it's a proposal that the clubs are interested in taking forward then we would certainly be part of the group that moves it to the next stage," said Regan.

"We remain committed to reconstruction. The leagues remain committed to reconstruction, but that will only happen if the clubs are comfortable with the direction of travel and the proposal on the table.

"Reconstruction has been on the agenda for two years. Just after I came to the Scottish FA, it was part of the Henry McLeish report.

"A number of proposals have been tabled by the SPL. We've had debates going on for months and months.

"I think there's always going to be differences of opinion on any matter involving reconstruction. That has been the case for two years.

"The various iterations that have been put forward have been debated at length and will continue to be debated at length.

"Once we have consensus on a way forward then the professional game board will be the body that takes it to the next step."

Longmuir's plan would involve the existing SPL and SFL clubs, plus second teams for Celtic and Rangers.

He said: "We've been working with our clubs on ideas and how we might wish to take the game forward and how to improve it.

"We're going to be discussing a proposal that might re-energise and refresh the game and be compelling for fans and create a better structure for the game going forward."

"And to re-engage fans and to give them a compelling league structure which creates a bit of excitement, variety and also engages with investors, broadcasters and sponsors."

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174 comments

  • Comment posted by GreigMcK, at 11:55 13 Nov 2012

    We desperately need to get away from the reliance on playing each other four times a season - if the broadcasters are not happy with that then we forget them and cut our cloth accordingly.

    I know there are certain teams that think they could not survive without the OF visiting 3-4 times a year - sorry, but if that's your business plan you should be ashamed. How would you survive relegation?

  • Comment posted by U14331801, at 12:49 13 Nov 2012

    Isn't it time the SFA just simply took control of the game in Scotland? There are far too many organisation within Scottish football, each with their own agendas, like the SPL & the SFL. who can never seem to agree with anything.

  • Comment posted by alfie_langlands, at 17:05 13 Nov 2012

    Norwegian league...

    16 team top tier
    2 up/2 down to 16 team second tier
    4 up/4 down to four regional leagues third tier

    ...would it be too sensible to follow this approach?

  • Comment posted by U14335203, at 12:45 13 Nov 2012

    @23 - There are no cracks to paper over - you quote the league average. Take 50,000 away every 2nd week, and of course that'll go down. What really matters to clubs is their OWN average. These are up, they are making more money than when Rangers existed - and they don't have extra policing, steward, and vandalism costs etc. that were part of a Rangers visit.

  • Comment posted by cartjd, at 19:41 13 Nov 2012

    As things stands the quality of SPL football leaves much to be desired, probably comes from playing the same teams 3-4 times a season. Also giving the very top teams all the money means smaller clubs rarely challenge thereby further creating lower standards. How can Scottish football survive when 42 clubs equates to four leagues. Scotland needs to reinvent its leagues to improve.

  • Comment posted by Tom Rogers, at 15:14 13 Nov 2012

    Kaisar's comparison with Wales is incorrect. Swansea, Cardiff, Wrexham, Newport and Merthyr are all affiliated to the FA, not the FAW. FIFA rules prevent clubs changing their affiliation from one member association to another. So there's no route for a club playing in the Welsh league to get promoted into the English league, they would just stay top of the welsh pyramid.

  • Comment posted by Eddies Gonna Get Ya, at 14:12 13 Nov 2012

    I'm an English football fan, but take an interest in the Scottish game (I follow Dundee.)
    What I can't understand is the constant bickering of all supporters north of the border. Whether you're Celtic, Rangers, Hearts or Forfar, you all need to pull together for the greater good. Two 18 team divisions with relegation / promotion between the regional leagues is the best way to save your game.

  • Comment posted by U15413724, at 13:29 13 Nov 2012

    Dear SPL and top-tier clubs, we the fans are ALL so thoroughly bored with the current set up of 12 teams playing each other 4 times. Its dull and uninteresting. The fall in attendances cannot have escaped your attention. Make the change now. A more interesting league set up will stimulate interest and increase attendences, thus revenue increases will plug the shortfall from diluted TV revenues.

  • Comment posted by U15413724, at 13:19 13 Nov 2012

    What SPL power?? That's detached from reality if the SPL clubs think they should hold more power/sway...a few of them wont even be in existance in a couple of years. We're at a real crossroads and this is a golden opportunity to put a lot of what is wrong with our set up right. DO NOT let egos and TV money greed get in the way of progress. Do the right thing before you kill off our game.

  • Comment posted by Santiago, at 13:14 13 Nov 2012

    'SPL 2 format, with two teams of 12'

    Surely that's not even football? 1 substitution per game? Won't get it past FIFA.

  • Comment posted by kalgoroth, at 13:06 13 Nov 2012

    @ 32 Cainsworld:

    The Portugese, Swedish and Norwegian leagues all have a 16-team, 30-round top tiers.

    Whether we like it or not given Scotland's size and current position in world football these are the countries the SFA/SPL/SFL should be modelling themselves on, rather than looking enviously down south...

  • Comment posted by Jim, at 13:40 15 Nov 2012

    Scottish football is a disaster due to greed, misplaced pride and woeful youth setup. Greed-Too many teams trying to grab funds from a small pot of money. Misplaced pride - Teams which have zero chance of making an impact being funded by Chairmen trying to be Mr Big. Youth football? Sorry Messi, sorry Iniesta you're too wee, we need big skilled hackers.

  • Comment posted by JohnS, at 17:27 14 Nov 2012

    So in the middle tier of 10 teams, 4 of those teams can be promoted (3rd/4th places via play-offs) and 4 can be relegated (7th/8th places again via play-offs). So it's possible that 8 of the 10 can be replaced each season!

    What nonsense. Most footy fans hate play-offs.

    Why can't there be a simple 16-16-16 (Prem Lge, Div 1 & 2), two up/two down format with no play-offs?

  • Comment posted by SensibleTed, at 16:57 14 Nov 2012

    Don't get the 16-10-16. We don't need to be imaginative about this, why don't we keep things simple 16-16 (maybe another 16 or a pyramid)

    This "no competition after half the season" doesn't happen in the Premiership, why should it be any different here?

    You create competition by staggering the winnings down the league.

    Theres the usual SPL vs SFL thing starting here. Get rid of them both

  • Comment posted by JohnS, at 16:47 14 Nov 2012

    They've gone ahead with 16-10-16 !!

    The 10 stuck in between two 16's is silly. Why not bring in 6 teams from the Highland League and have 16-16-16??

    The 3rd tier is known as Division 1 !!

    I guess the 16's will play 30 games a season (play opponents twice), and the 10 League will play 38 games (play opponents 4 times)?

  • Comment posted by Santiago, at 14:17 14 Nov 2012

    @159 & @157
    I think you are ignoring the great job Neil Doncaster has done for our game. The SPL is a fine product with enduring value ready for sale across the globe. Neil has lead the way in boosting attendance levels and ensuring that the most entertaining product is put on the field. A fine leader who brought us through the Rangers Tax Disaster with confidence and dignity. Profits maximized.

  • Comment posted by Leroy, at 14:01 14 Nov 2012

    @157 couldnt agree more. unfortunately the bullyboy spl clubs have ensured that there will never ever be any change allowed. decisions must carry a rediculous 11-1 majority vote! No wonder we dont progress & slide down the rankings. we are the laughing stock of europe!

  • Comment posted by GodofEverything, at 12:46 14 Nov 2012

    Sack the entire SFA and start again with people who lack self interest and know and understand the game. Dismantle the SPL organisation all together, we really only need one ruling body in a country this size. Make the top 2 leagues 20 teams strong, and invite the top junior teams into the lower leagues. These are just some of the ideas I can squeeze into a lmtd character comments box pffft!

  • Comment posted by Santiago, at 11:00 14 Nov 2012

    Whatever happens I hope the SFA take over, they have shown themselves to be fine businessmen & have brought growth, prosperity, development for the future & a better tomorrow. Stuart Regan has shown leadership & awareness few could match. Talent coming through going up, Ranger Tax crisis handled really well & SPL attendance levels stadiums sold out. Just look at the success of our national side.

  • Comment posted by U15501014, at 00:54 14 Nov 2012

    A second side for rangers? You're having a laugh as they can barely field a first squad. Enough of this malarkey.

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