SFL target a pyramid structure

Jul 6 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

SFL chief David Longmuir last night revealed plans to start a pyramid system in Scottish football are already in motion.

Just days after he welcomed Annan Athletic into the Third Division, Longmuir admitted the likes of Spartans, Cove Rangers, Preston Athletic and Edinburgh City may get another chance to enter the football league sooner than they thought.

A pyramid has been debated in our game for more than 20 years but Longmuir is now part of an official SFA/SFL committee who will look at introducing it in Scotland.

It would mean the club finishing bottom of the Third Division leaving the SFL with a new club promoted into the system.

Longmuir, along with chairman Brown McMaster and SFA president George Peat, will head the committee and look at establishing the new structure which has the backing of all SFL clubs.

Longmuir said: "What I've seen from the clubs who applied to join the league has confirmed my belief a pyramid system would be the way ahead for Scottish football.

"There's a role in our game for such a structure - it just has to be controlled, managed and set up properly.

"We'd be happy to open the Third Division to a pyramid but it would have to be done under the auspices of the SFA.

"There's a committee already working on it - a joint working party of the SFA and SFL. It's early days but is it inevitable? Yes, in as much as clubs want to be part of it.

"That's the key. But we've not tested it and that has to be done. It's not urgent at the moment because we've just welcomed in a new club and have lots of plans for the SFL in the near future.

"But I'll look at proposals from the working party when they're put to me."

Longmuir was hugely impressed by the presentations of all five clubs vying for an SFL slot last week.

So much so he believes any of them would comfortably slot into the Third Division if given a regular chance.

That's why the SFL chief is so keen on the pyramid system but warned the only way it can work is if the relegated sides have an avenue to get back in.

He said: "Seeing what the clubs had to offer strengthened the argument and should persuade any doubters.

"They all have modern stadiums on the horizon, good linkswith the community and excellent infrastructure.

"There has been no resistance from any SFL members.

There has to be a mechanism for Third Division clubs - if they were to drop out - to come back. That's crucial.

"We've been talking about it for decades and it has been a problem geographically. But we'd look at the regionality and try to work something out."

Longmuir is also trying to secure a TV deal for First Division highlights - to close the revenue gap between the SFL and SPL who signed a new £125million agreement last week with Setanta.

He said: "We've got nearer the SPL in the last year and their deal doesn't start till 2010. Hopefully by then we'll have something in place and the gap will be smaller."