Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan saluted the altruism of the organisation's members after his radical reforms won unanimous support at Tuesday's AGM.
All 93 member clubs supported each of Regan's proposals to streamline and modernise the governing body's decision-making processes during the Hampden meeting.
"I was pleasantly surprised that it was unanimous," Regan said. "We put the groundwork in, covering the miles across Scotland trying to explain the benefits of what we're doing."
The former Yorkshire County Cricket Club chief executive had realised on his first day in the post in October last year that the SFA's governance structures were out of date and marked the culmination of months of hard work and persuasion.
The numerous committees were immediately disbanded, the board structure streamlined and no longer will representatives of amateur clubs be allowed to rule on the professional game. The most obvious impact will be in the revamped disciplinary procedures, which include a newly-introduced ban on managers discussing referees before a game.
Regan described the changes as the most significant in the 138-year history of the SFA and admitted the scale of his victory gave him immense personal satisfaction as he emphatically bettered the 75% majority needed to implement his overhaul, which was partly prompted by former First Minister Henry McLeish's review.
Regan added: "But you never quite know how AGMs are going to go. I've been to many meetings in the past few days and been to AGMs in other sports and you just don't know how people are going to vote.
"There wasn't a single objection or a single question. That proved the work we have put in as a management team and a board overcame any objections and gave clarity. I'm really proud, I'm proud for my staff, proud for the board and proud for the members that they have had the guts to make the change. It really is a huge day for Scottish football.
"Many people talked about turkeys not voting for Christmas but it wasn't like that at all. There was a dawn of realisation - people recognised that, for the good of Scottish football, we needed to change."
The main changes include the reduction of the size of the SFA board from 11 to seven, including an independent member. The SFA say the board will become more strategic than representative and focus on "corporate strategy and top-line decision-making", also making sure the governing body plans for the future.
Source: PA
