SPL and SFL merge to form Scottish Professional Football League

The Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League agreed to merge after a marathon meeting. Talks at Hampden Park lasted for around 15 hours, which involved a number of adjournments as lawyers mulled over financial details.

The SPFL’s board would comprise of three members from the top-tier clubs, two from the second tier and one person representing the bottom 20 clubs. They are: Eric Riley (Celtic), Stephen Thompson (Dundee United), Duncan Fraser (Aberdeen); Les Gray (Hamilton), Mike Mulraney (Alloa); and Bill Darroch (Stenhousemuir).

Whereas, the league structure will contain a top flight of 12 and three lower division of 10. There will also be play-offs between the top and second tier league.

In addition, the SPFL will introduce a revised financial distribution model.

The formation of a new Scottish Professional Football League was in doubt when the SFL board requested more facts about the SPFL’s finances. But the SFL appears to have been satisfied with the response when the meeting reconvened in the evening.

Ahead of the meeting, Annan chairman Henry McClelland had said: “Today is one of significant history in the game. Everyone’s saying it’s for the good of the game that we move forward. We’ll judge that in a few years’ time, I think. “We’re going to be putting small clubs, like Annan Athletic, into financial difficulty because of this merger.”

While Hibernain chairman Rod Petrie, on leaving the meeting at midnight, said: “All the clubs can go forward in a positive vein now.

Dundee chief executive Scot Gardiner, pointing to the benefits of play-offs and one governing body, called it “a momentous day”. “A lot of hard work has gone into it. We are obviously delighted,” he added.

Overall, most of the club owners were happy with the proceedings.

Source: BBC