Maxwell is poised to be the next SFA chief

Maxwell is on course to be new SFA chief

the SFA, Maxwell stood down yesterday to focus on his application to succeed Regan. Under conflict of interest protocol, the former Queen’s Park, Ross County, St Johnstone, St Mirren and Thistle defender was unable to cast a vote for the new SFA chief executive. However, his replacement on the governing body, SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster, restores the crucial 4-3 voting majority for the nation’s clubs on the six-man and one-woman SFA board and greatly increases the likelihood of Maxwell landing the job. ‘I would like to thank Ian Maxwell for his valuable contributions to the work of our board, in particular the part played by him during the recruitment of our national team manager,’ said SFA president Alan McRae. ‘I am pleased to welcome Neil Doncaster on to our board to replace Ian. ‘Neil’s experience in the game should be of great benefit to the Scottish FA and I look forward to working with him and the other directors to drive the game in this country forward.’ Doncaster’s appointment marks a shift towards closer links between the SFA and SPFL after years of rivalry and squabbling between the two organisations charged with working in the best interests of the Scottish game. ‘I am very grateful for the support of the Scottish FA board and look forward to Scotland’s two main footballing bodies working together more closely than ever before for the good of the entire game,’ Doncaster said of his appointment. The post of SFA chief executive was advertised last month by Edinburgh-based external headhunters Livingston James. McRae and Scottish FA vice-president Rod Petrie favour an external appointment, with applications sought by March 19. As Sportsmail first revealed, however, Scotland’s top clubs have drawn up plans to streamline or sideline the national association, with the SPFL taking control of governance, promotion and sponsorship. And the chances of implementing an arranged marriage between the two bodies increases significantly if the clubs secure Maxwell as their first choice for SFA chief executive on a show of hands.

PARTICK THISTLE’S Ian Maxwell is poised to become the next chief executive of the SFA after stepping down from the board of the governing body.

Sportsmail understands the 42-year-old is now odds-on to succeed Stewart Regan as the new figurehead of the Scottish game as part of a power grab by the nation’s top clubs.

One of two representatives of the Professional Game Board on the main board of