Falkirk voice suspicions of agent Longmuir
Longmuir, alongwith Neil Doncaster and Stewart Regan was one of the three architects of the 12-12-18 proposal but while his two colleagues have worked in the background to get the package through the SFL has provided a running commentary on the issue as well as throwing the non-starter Colts proposal into the equation.
On Saturday the chairmen of Raith Rovers and Hamilton hit out at the direction the SFL were taking with Falkirk going further in a website statement earlier today.
Falkirk chairman Martin Ritchie said: “I have been involved in league reconstruction discussions since the day we escaped relegation at Inverness in 2009 and this is the closest we have ever come to actually achieving change.
“After the 28 to 1 indicative vote in favour of the proposals on 31 January, we went into [Thursday’s] meeting confident that the SFL would provide the 75% majority required.
“David Longmuir presented a very negative view of the SPL proposals, clearly distancing himself from ownership of the proposals.
“As a result, the SFL clubs were split down the middle with a 14 to 14 indicative vote. Those who were against the proposals did favour continuing the process with a view to implementing the changes in a year’s time.”
“Neil Doncaster addressed all of the listed outstanding issues and it was apparent that all parties were very close to a final agreement and that there were no “show-stoppers”.
“He also reaffirmed that there is a desire for change now within the SPL and that if this moment is lost there may not be another opportunity.
“[The nine First Division clubs – Dunfermline were absent] believe that a 42 club solution with a single league governing body is the way forward. However, the SFL indicative vote may have put that in jeopardy.
“We need change now. We also agreed that there was little chance that the SPL and the SFL clubs would vote for change in a year’s time if they rejected this opportunity.
“Since the meeting, I have been in contact with Campbell Ogilvie and Stewart Regan of the Scottish FA and have asked if they could take a role in getting the proposed changes over the line.
“The hard work in drafting the articles and rules of the new league organisation is pretty much complete.
“What we now need is to build trust in the proposed new league organisation, build bridges between the SFL and the SPL management and gain acceptance from the 42 clubs. If this cannot be achieved, the board owes it to our club and to our supporters that we pursue any other viable options.”
Those other options are believed to include a direct request to the SPL to set up SPL2.
Although two years notice is required for resignations from the SFL last summer proved that the rule book can be waved provided it’s being done for the greater good of Scottish football.
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