DAVID LONGMUIR, chief executive of the Scottish Football League, paid tribute to the "reluctant heroes" among his clubs after they gave their backing to league reconstruction proposals by 23 votes to six.
With the 12 Scottish Premier League clubs having already unanimously voted in favour of the plans, the results of yesterday's ballot at the SFL's special general meeting at Hampden mean a new Scottish Professional Football League will be created in time for next season. Due diligence and legal formalities are expected to be completed by June 27.
A positive outcome had looked unlikely after only 16 clubs – six short of the number required – had backed the plans in an indicative vote held last month but it appears many had a change of heart following a threat by the first division clubs to break away to form a second tier of the SPL if a 42-club solution could not be found.
The league set-up of four divisions of 12-10-10-10 will remain in place but there will now be a new equitable financial distribution model, play-offs between the first and second tiers, and the creation of a pyramid system below the fourth tier for aspiring non-league clubs. The proposals also include a merging of the two league bodies, effectively bringing about a winding-up of the SFL after 123 years given the SPFL is to be run by the Scottish Premier League Limited.
One club representative lamented the outcome, believing there had been "no need for the SFL to effectively commit suicide" while president Jim Ballantyne also expressed his sadness at the impending demise of his organisation.
"It is very sad that the Scottish Football League has had to be a casualty," he said. "Unfortunately, we were left with one option with regard to the proposal put to us. The fact is that it is a takeover, not a merger. We're joining their company. They have swallowed us up. They can use nice words about it, but it is a take-over. The facts determine that."
Longmuir revealed that many clubs still had misgivings over the proposals, having only received details of due diligence on the SPL late on Monday evening, but backed them any way to ensure change was pushed through.
"I feel there were some reluctant heroes today," he said. "In principle, we have always embraced the 42-club solution. It is a means to an end."
Henry McClelland, the Annan chairman, was one of the six to vote against. "We have definitely been had," he said. "That is still the case. That will be the reality going forward."
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