Young fears changes will hit budget

East Fife manager Darren Young is anxiously waiting on the outcome of the work of the SPFL Reconstruction Group as it could have a massive impact on his club’s budget next season.

The Methil men were in fifth place when it was decided that the season was ended with Fife rivals Raith Rovers due to be elevated to the Championship and Partick Thistle dropping in as their replacement.

Stranraer are due to join League 2 and Cove Rangers were set to play League 1 football for the first time –however Young is wary of the ripple effects that an enlarged Premiership could cause his side.

Young explained: “Looking ahead to next season is very difficult just now as we do not know what the structure of the leagues would be and who we will be playing.”

“If the league structures are unchanged then we would have Partick Thistle visiting here as well as Falkirk.

“That would be four decent sized travelling supports and help make up for Raith not coming here.”

“If, however a 14-10-1010 comes in and there is no relegation and Falkirk are moved up then our budget would be hit.

A 14-14-14 structure brings a different set of opponents and a different budget again.”

“It is not an ideal situation as we cannot move forward until the picture is a lot clearer.”

Stranraer manager Stephen Farrell meanwhile reckons that the Reconstruction Group will be increasing the collateral damage to the game if they opt for three leagues of 14 and relegate Clyde, Peterhead and Forfar.

The Blues boss said: “You have teams in one league dictating the fate of clubs in another and looking to increase the collateral damage. That is not right.”