Ayr chief wants new SPFL structure to be a long-term model

AYR UNITED chairman Lachlan Cameron has pledged to promote his preference for a long-term league model when forming part of the task force overseeing reconstruction talks.

Cameron will tomorrow be involved in discussions with fellow club bosses aimed at establishing a new set-up in time for the 2020/21 season.

One priority is to limit the damage inflicted on relegated clubs by the decision to call a halt to the divisions early.

However, he hopes that target won’t overshadow the positives he sees of revamping numbers in each league permanently.

‘I will be going into this with a long-term view on how the leagues should be reconstructed and not just what kind of bandaid we could use to cover this season’s wounds,’ said Cameron.

‘I don’t know what the specific objectives are and I’m not clear what time frame we are working on yet. I think I know how it will work, but I am not fully aware of what the exact procedures or voting structure would be involved in reconstruction.’

Cameron said his club, fourth in the second tier, ‘grudgingly voted yes’ despite his view the season should have been declared null and void.

‘Dragging this out further and withholding money from the clubs was unacceptable and surely would have led to some collapsing,’ he added. ‘The best and fairest solution would have been to make the season null and void and restart from the beginning whenever allowed.

‘It was made clear, though, that this wasn’t possible as it would create potential issues with sponsors and affiliates.

‘The unseemly result was the decision to declare the season complete with teams at the top gaining promotion and those at the bottom being relegated.

‘It was not ideal but it was the best that could be expected given the scenario.’