What's The Big Rush?

SFL clubs are looking to get things right on reconstruction and some are happy to wait for another year. Annan Athletic chairman Henry McClelland is just one of those who has backed plans to delay any changes to the structure of Scottish football for another year. SFL clubs gathered yesterday at Hampden to discuss league reconstruction, which would see their corporate body merge with the SPL. The  top flight clubs are due set to vote on the same issue on 15 April but around half of the SFL clubs expressed concerns about a revamp being pushed through in time for the 2013-14 season. McClelland - among those in favour of a delay - believes implementation for next season now looks unlikely.He said: "Something drastic would have to happen, I think, for it to be in place for next season. But I don't see any reason why it can't be in place for the season after with due consideration. We had a very good meeting, there was quite a bit of information shared. When we went into the meeting, Annan Athletic's position was quite clear. We felt the whole programme was being rushed and we are still of that opinion. We are very keen to see the change and all the principles adopted but we believe it should be on a much more structured time-frame. We are totally committed to that. If we can find a way of running it out for another year to develop it and devolve it properly, we are fully supportive of that. Our stance is quite clear on this. There are too many unknowns, we need more information. We would prefer to see the due diligence exercise completed and the information furnished to all the clubs and then allow everything to move forward from there."Dunfermline - who were placed in interim administration on Wednesday - were understandably otherwise engaged yesterday and were the only SFL club not represented at the meeting. The outcome of the talks have been communicated to the SPL, with SFL chief executive David Longmuir "hopeful" they will agree to wait for a year. He added: "It's hugely important that we get it right and not rush into something and then find that we haven't made the change that's really taking the game forward. If it's right today then it's not beyond us all to agree that we will stick together on it for a year. The SFL is fully supportive of the change agenda and fully supportive of the need to improve Scottish football. We want to play a key part in that and we want to be a key agent for change. The issue is clearly about timing and the time it needs for clubs to assess and evaluate everything that's been put before them. We fully believe we can deliver this - but just not quite ready for next season." Source: ScottishFitba

Source: FOOTYMAD