Source: FOOTYMAD
Differences Of Opinion On Smith's Departure From SFA
Gordon Smith made some friends and enemies while with the SFA and whoever takes over will have to have a thick skin. SFL chief executive David Longmuir thought he had an ally in SFA counterpart, Gordon Smith, and believes changes at the top will be a loss to the game. Longmuir took on his role with the SFL shortly after former Rangers and Brighton player Smith took his seat across the corridor at Hampden in June 2007. Longmuir came into football from the drinks industry but, despite their different business backgrounds, worked closely with Smith on several projects. Longmuir said: "I'm very disappointed about Gordon's departure because I have the utmost respect for him. I enjoyed a very good working relationship with him. We came in at similar times, he came in a couple of months before me, so initially we were both finding our way in the corridors of administration at Hampden and we both forged a good relationship early on, and kept it going. We worked together on lots of initiatives that we made good progress on. I'm disappointed he has gone but I can understand the pressure that the job brought." One of the projects Smith drove was discussions over a pyramid structure in Scottish football, similar to the English game. But the plans look set to be frustrated amid a lack of interest from the likes of the junior ranks. Longmuir said: "It's not as high a priority as it was because of the interest we have got so far in it, but it has not been lost". Smith suffered similar frustration in his attempts to punish divers and introduce the use of technology after being denied by FIFA. He is also reported to have been frustrated by the committee structure within the SFA but Longmuir insists he has no problems with such a system. He said: "We all work within committees in these roles. I have got a very good committee that I enjoy working with, they are good people". Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston will also miss the influence of Smith, who began his playing career at Rugby Park. Johnston said: "It's always sad when somebody leaves a responsible position like that. He brought a fresh approach, which is always very positive, so I'm sure he'll be missed." When asked if Smith's successor needed to be a football man or someone able to deal with committees and administration, Johnston replied: "Both. I think the position will attract a lot of strong candidates and it'll be interesting to see what develops." Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson was not willing to offer candid views on the departure of Smith. Thompson, who clashed with Smith over the handling of former United boss Craig Levein's appointment as Scotland manager, said: "I've got my own opinions on how things should be run but I'm part of the SFA so it'd be wrong for me to criticise anybody while I'm standing outside Hampden." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is Scottish-Fitba Net
