The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fear of ‘cliff edge’ could sway clubs’ view on plan
SPFL: Brechin City chairman expects support for latest League Three proposal
SPFL proposals for a new League Three could garner support from clubs who fear the “cliff edge” of relegation from League Two in the current set-up.
That is the view of Brechin City chairman Ken Ferguson after plans for the shake-up emerged over the weekend.
Talks over the introduction of another division, which would draw in four teams each from the Lowland League and Highland League, and four “Colts” sides from Premiership outfits, are still in their infancy and have not yet been circulated widely around the member clubs.
But chief executive Neil Doncaster will be quizzed on the proposals when he holds planned talks with Lowland League representatives next week and the SPFL clubs are expected to discuss the issue officially in the coming weeks.
Teams from the Lowland League will be excited by the opportunity to further their ambitions in the SPFL, while some Highland League clubs and top-flight teams are expected to be supportive of the move.
The support of clubs further down the divisions will prove crucial, however, if the plans reach a vote.
East Stirlingshire’s relegation in 2016 via a play-off with Edinburgh City, and their failure to get back out of the Lowland League, where they currently sit 11th, well off the pace being set by leaders Kelty Hearts, is seen as a major concern by some clubs.
With an SPFL working group still firming up the plans, Ferguson believes different aspects of what is being proposed could prove attractive to different clubs. He said: “A League Three is on the table but that is all it is just now and it is a case of putting some meat on the bones to be able to take things forward and discuss things properly with the clubs.
“For me, personally, when the Colts issue was proposed, I thought an additional league would be the way to deal with it.
“The Colts thing is still there and let’s work on a proposal and see where it takes us.
“I know that the trapdoor is worrying for clubs, that cliff edge of relegation to the Lowland League or the Highland League.
“It would be nice to have something else to prevent clubs slipping out of the leagues and finding it difficult to bounce back, in the way East Stirlingshire have. I think some will see the value in that.”