JOHN GRAHAM, a regular poster on HeraldScotland, says that the SFA must step up to the plate, take charge of the situation and instigate a complete overhaul of the game.
Now that SPL has set a date for its vote on the seemingly never ending subject of League Reconstruction it is an appropriate time to examine what the proposed package sets out to achieve and ask the questions, is this really the correct approach and does it benefit Scottish football as a whole?
In my opinion the answer to both questions is a resounding no.
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The SPL clubs wish to take over the running of league football either by dangling a financial carrot to obtain the agreement of SFL clubs or by introducing an invitational SPL2 should that offer be rejected.
It's my view that there are too many vested interests involved in such a scenario and that any reconstruction/re-organisation of Scottish football should be carried out under the auspices of the SFA, the body charged with responsibility for looking after the interests of football in Scotland.
It would surely be an act of extreme folly to implement league reform based upon the participation of Celtic and Rangers and the money they bring to the table when it is the expressed wish of both clubs to play their football elsewhere.
It has been freely acknowledged by a number of clubs that a top tier of 10 clubs is the preferred financial model and there is the fear amongst supporters that this will be the eventual outcome of the move to 12/12/18 despite their desire to move to larger leagues and end the practice of teams playing each other 4 times per season.
In the light of the financial crisis at Dunfermline, the uncertainty at Hearts and the proliferation of rumours of near bankruptcy affecting clubs at all levels now is the time to seriously consider the future of Scottish football and this is the prerogative of the ruling body.
It's my understanding that the football authorities should already be in possession of or have the authority to obtain, the financial status of all clubs and they must be, or certainly should be, aware of the overall situation as it stands in Scotland.
There is little point in restructuring if this is to be followed by a financial meltdown of a number of clubs leading to some going out of business as there is little chance of finding a benefactor in the current climate or creating SPL2 by default, i.e. in the bottom division.
It follows therefore that before any steps are taken towards restructuring there must be certainty regarding the number of clubs that are in a position to participate in a revised set up.
The SFA are responsible for the welfare of Scottish football and they must step up to the plate, take charge of the situation and instigate a complete overhaul of the game not merely rearrange the deckchairs on a sinking ship.
Failure to call a halt to the current proposed restructure and replace it with a root and branch overhaul would be a total abdication of responsibility.
Such a comprehensive overhaul would not be straightforward and could not be accomplished in time for the start of next season in which case the retention of the status quo for a further season would make sense.
In addition to establishing the exact financial position of Scottish football, and respecting commercial confidentiality, the SFA would be in a position to establish the views of clubs individually and again on a confidential basis, as well as undertaking a consultation exercise encompassing those leagues and clubs below the current level who would be interested in a pyramid system, explore the benefits (if any) of regionalisation and, most importantly seek the views of those who keep the game alive, i.e. the supporters.
The latter may prove the most difficult as it's not just the opinions of those who attend regularly now that are required, it's those who have deserted the game for whatever reason and those who have never been who also need to be heard.
It should not be beyond the wit of the SFA to organise polls through clubs and online in order to obtain as wide a response as possible as it will be impossible to move forward or survive without the support of fans.
In my opinion failure to act as above will lead to a further decline in the standard of Scottish football, a further drop in interest with a resultant fall off in attendances and it will be those charged with protecting the game who will be to blame.
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