DO THE RIGHT THING
Partick chief Low begs clubs to ditch ‘self-interest’ during reconstruction vote
PARTICK THISTLE chair Jacqui Low has issued a last-ditch emotional plea for clubs to abandon ‘self-interest and ego’ ahead of tomorrow’s league reconstruction vote.
The SPFL’s 42 members have until 10am tomorrow to submit an indicative preference on the latest proposal for a new and permanent 14-10-10-10 set-up that would spare Hearts, Thistle, and Stranraer relegation.
Despite SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster’s stated optimism, several senior club officials have privately admitted the new proposal is doomed to failure.
Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor has publicly declared his opposition and insists he ‘has a degree of certainty’ that the SPFL stand on solid legal ground to proceed on the basis of last month’s original vote to end the season.
Faced with significant financial losses and the prospect of another shortened season in the Championship, Hearts chair Ann Budge feels differently.
As she contemplates a legal challenge that could result in a claim of £5million, Thistle have stepped forward with an impassioned plea targeted at the hearts and minds of their fellow member clubs.
A statement, attributed to Low on behalf of the Thistle board, said: ‘Clubs need to think carefully about their indicative vote and what will inform that decision.
‘Let’s be blunt in our plea to fellow clubs
so that there’s no misunderstanding. Use this opportunity to do something positive for our game — right the wrongs done to us and a number of other clubs.
‘We all want to protect our own club. Thistle is no different. But there’s a difference between that and self-interest, which seeks to protect a perceived advantage created by an unforeseen crisis.
‘Don’t use your vote to settle old scores. Don’t reinforce rivalries between clubs just to keep fans happy. Don’t turn a blind eye because it doesn’t impact on you — this time.
‘Recognise there will be far-reaching consequences of your actions for Thistle and everyone associated with the club.
‘If that doesn’t matter to you, then focus on doing the right thing for Scottish football.
‘If this vote collapses because people cannot set aside self-interest and ego, our game potentially faces irreparable damage and ongoing division for many years to come.’
Bottom of the Championship at the stage when the campaign was
ended prematurely by coronavirus, Thistle sat just two points behind nearest rivals Queen of the South with a game in hand.
The Firhill club have activated contingency measures against the drop into League One but, while the Premiership gears up for an August restart and Championship clubs are consulted on a potential return in October, there is no plan for the bottom two tiers.
With no immediate prospect of gate income the fear is that some clubs will either choose to not partake in a new season or simply be unable to participate.
‘We have kept our counsel during current discussions and debate about reconstruction,’ said Low.
‘It may prove to be the ultimate exercise in futility but this may be our last opportunity to speak out.
‘If there is no change to the current set up, Partick Thistle will be the Scottish club hardest hit in professional football as the new season starts.
‘Despite being relegated in an arbitrary fashion — with a game in hand and only two points behind our nearest rivals — we stand ready, willing and able to play, including behind closed doors.
‘But today, we still don’t know when, or even if, we will play football next season.
‘Does anyone in Scottish football believe we deserve to be punished with a double whammy like this? Which club would find it acceptable if they were in our shoes? Not one.’
Reacting to the Thistle statement, Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson admitted he had been impressed by the tone and candour of the words used.
However, he insisted the Fir Park club had not yet made a decision on which way they should vote.
He said: ‘I feel they’ve shown a lot of class. The statement is straight to the point, it’s factual, it’s not glossed up.
‘There are some big decisions ahead for Scottish football. I don’t believe we’ve made a decision yet. I know that’s ongoing and being spoken about at boardroom level and with the Well Society.’
The decision of the French courts to suspend the relegation of Toulouse and Amiens from Ligue 1 has emboldened Hearts in their preparations for a legal claim.
They could yet be joined in court by Thistle and Stranraer, a scenario the SPFL hierarchy is anxious to avoid as it attempts to push forward its plans to commence season 2020-21.
The latest bid to restructure the Scottish game would see relegation ditched, with Inverness Caley Thistle, Falkirk and Edinburgh City moving up a tier.
Promotion to League Two would also be granted to Highland League champions Brora Rangers and their Lowland League counterparts Kelty Hearts.
Should tomorrow’s numbers stack up in favour of the new proposal, the SPFL will call an extraordinary general meeting to rubber-stamp its implementation.
‘At a time unparalleled in footballing history, countries throughout Europe have re-jigged their league set-ups to protect the whole — we have the opportunity to do the same,’ added Low.
‘For Thistle, if proposed reconstruction fails, the consequences of the actions visited on us by fellow clubs will be long term and serious. We will prevail but not before we suffer more pain and financial harm than is necessary or fair.
‘We believe it is time for clubs to show solidarity with us as we arbitrarily and disproportionately bear the brunt of the damage being done to our game due to circumstances that are no one’s fault.
‘Our plea is simple: choose to do no harm.’
Don’t turn a blind eye or just use your vote to settle old scores