Talk or supporters will walk

Budge: Hearts owner urges better communication to increase attendances

Ann Budge believes improved communication is the key to modernising Scottish football and attracting supporters back to the game in increasing numbers.

TheHearts chairwoman, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell and Partick Thistle managing director Ian Maxwell were voted on to the SPFL board at Hampden as the three new Premiership representatives.

Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster was voted on as Championship representative, while Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson failed to get re-elected.

Asked what she thought was the big issue facing Scottish football, Budge said: “One of the things, clearly, is attendances. That said, attendances are actually on the up.

“Statistics saywemustbe doing something right. Attracting people back to football again is about improving the whole experience of going to a football game. Better engagement with the fans so that they knowthey are being listened to, all of these sorts of things.

“It is mostly about how do we communicate, how do we make sure that almost everyone knows what is going on and what the thinking is behind some of these things. That’s my only frustration just now, understanding why we make certain decisions and it is a challenge.

“I will be focusing on making sure we communicate both transparently and openly whenever we can.

“Wehave somenewfaces and, hopefully, that will bring some fresh thinking and a different approach to some things.”

Clubs voted through a resolutionwhichputsmore onus on them to tighten regulations on unacceptable conduct, although it falls short of the muchdiscussed strict liability.

Eric Drysdale, of Raith Rovers, is the Championship’s second representative, while Brechin City’s Ken Ferguson will represent League 1 and League 2.

The board also contains SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster, the body’s chairman Ralph Topping and independent non-executive director Karyn McCluskey.

Ann Budge: Tell supporters about decisions