Source: FOOTYMAD
Dead Duck
The concept of a ten-team SPL does not look as if it will ever get the number of votes to be implmented. SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster still believes there is enthusiasm for change in the number of clubs in the top flight despite an ongoing failure to reach agreement on reconstruction to a ten-team structure. The issue of revamping Scottish football was discussed once again at the SPL's Strategic Review Group meeting at on Friday Hampden. But Doncaster - who is keen on a league of 10 teams with the introduction of an SPL Two - recognises that more talks will have to take place before a consensus for change is likely to be reached. Any change will have to be backed by a 11-1 majority of teams. Doncaster said: "Something of this depth is going to take a lot of discussion. We have an enormous hurdle to get over, which is 11 votes, and what we are dealing with is clubs who have their own domestic issues to concern themselves with. There remains enthusiasm for change and people find the bulk of what is in the plan very exciting. Unfortunately, it all comes down to one stumbling block, which is the size of the top league. We clearly need to engage further with the clubs that favour another plan. It's important that we all work together." The 10-club proposal was the result of a working party of the SPL made up of representatives from Aberdeen, Celtic, Hibs, Motherwell, Rangers and St Mirren. Hamilton chairman Ronnie McDonald also voiced his support for the proposal before the Lanarkshire club's relegation. However, Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston - whose club replaces Hamilton in the SPL next season - claimed earlier this week that the proposed move to a 10-team league was "now dead" after a meeting with representatives from eight of the 12 clubs at Tynecastle. Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen and Hibs did not have anybody available to be represented at the talks on Tuesday, where it was suggested that the possibility of a 14-team league should be reinvestigated. Speaking after Friday's meeting, Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne said: "I think there's still work to be done. I think there's a number of people becoming frustrated. I can't see any change for next season. Fourteen teams was evaluated as part of the overall exercise and it was demonstrated clearly that it was not viable. It doesn't do anything on the football front and it doesn't do anything on a financial front. I don't think there'll ever be a 14-team league."
