Doncaster forecasts rosy 2014

Neil Doncaster is hoping that football matters take centre stage in 2014

The man who forecast Armageddon in 2012 was awarded a bumper pay rise last year as he saw off the challenge of David Longmuir to become chief executive of the SPFL.

With liquidation staring Hearts in the face and new boys Sevco bracing themselves for a brutal round of cost-cutting most observers expect the next 12 months to be as turbulent as any that the game has ever known.

Despite those harsh realities Doncaster is upbeat about the new year as he told STV:  “My hope is that going into 2014 the focus will be less on off-the-field matters that have dominated the agenda for so long and we’ll be far more on the passion, the drama, the excitement for which Scottish football is renowned.

“We’ve got some bright talents coming through and it’s right that we should be focussing on those rather than the off the field matters.”

Doncaster looked uncomfortable at various points throughout the interview with the word challenging prominent in his answers.

Most football fans would happily see Doncaster, Stewart Regan and others swept from office as their actions of 2012 continue to impact on the game.

While Scottish football attracts a pittance in television money compared to countries like Norway, Austria and Belgium Doncaster believes that the future is bright.

“Scottish football is so key to society in Scotland,” the former Norwich chief added. “We are well renowned throughout the world and the fact is that more people attend a top flight game in Scotland per capita than any other country in Europe.

“I think the game sells itself but we want to make sure we have the right partner and a good sponsor for the right money.”

Football fans will watch Doncaster’s actions throughout 2014 to see how he converts the rosy picture into improving the game.

CLICK HERE for full STV interview