WEDNESDAY'S crucial ballot of Scottish Football League clubs is so close to call that just one or two votes could decide the outcome.
An informal, indicative vote held by 29 of the league's 30 members at the SFL's annual general meeting back in May showed 16 clubs in favour of the proposal for a 42-club solution with merged leagues, a 12-10-10-10 format with play-offs and a pyramid structure underneath, with 13 against, but it is thought a dramatic swing in favour of the plans has taken place, which means they are within touching distance of receiving the 22 votes required to pass for next season.
While the threat of the 10 First Division clubs to resign and come under the SPL umbrella has concentrated minds – such a scenario would lead to anarchy and a lengthy legal battle – the situation remains volatile and frantic talks will continue until the 11th hour.
While there is little difference in the sums involved for first division clubs whether they are part of a 42-team solution or a 22-team one, most have graced the second and third divisions in their recent history, and regard a holistic solution to Scottish league football as preferable. But it is little wonder if third division sides are pausing for some final thought ahead of the meeting. Clubs in the bottom tier, particularly those without ambition to progress up the leagues, are effectively being asked to sacrifice their own interests for the good of the Scottish game – a gesture they feel bigger clubs have been less keen to embrace.
While some ambitious Third Division clubs – Peterhead are one, while Montrose recently reversed their previous opposition – back the proposals, other less-driven clubs see little to attract them in a format which offers them no extra money, less power and the possibility of relegation, in the first instance to the Highland League or a newly-created Lowland League. The Sunday Herald has learned a vote in favour of the proposal would lead to the following:
l The SFL bringing an end to its 123-year history, being wound up in such manner as the SFL board agrees. Although the new entity would be called the Scottish Professional Football League, it will retain the current company number of the SPL. The entire property, assets and undertaking of the SFL will be transferred to the SPL for 'nil consideration'.
l The SFL would surrender the £2m Retail Price Index-linked sum it receives as part of the settlement agreement, with broadcast money for Rangers' SFL matches and the League Cup meaning that 81% of revenues will be retained by the top division, and 12% by the second tier.
l The new SPFL board – consisting of three reps from the top flight, two from the first division and one from the second and third divisions combined, plus three 'independents' – would come into being on June 27. The 11-1 vote in the top flight will be retained, meaning two clubs could continue to veto all significant changes.
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