Hearts chief's co-chair on SPFL group gives league reconstruction rating

The first league reconstruction meeting took place on Monday afternoon
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 17: Hearts Owner Ann Budge during Hearts AGM , at the Tynecastle Park, on December 17, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group) EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 17: Hearts Owner Ann Budge during Hearts AGM , at the Tynecastle Park, on December 17, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 17: Hearts Owner Ann Budge during Hearts AGM , at the Tynecastle Park, on December 17, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

Hamilton Academical vice-chairman Les Gray, who is chairing the SPFL sub-group for league reconstruction alongside Hearts chief Ann Budge reckons the chances of a revamp are 50-50.

The first meeting of the group looking into the possibility of league reconstruction took place on Monday afternoon.

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The decision will be taken in the coming weeks whether the league lay-out for the 2020/2021 season will be altered.

Hamilton chief Les Gray is leading the league reconstruction group with Budge. Picture: SNSHamilton chief Les Gray is leading the league reconstruction group with Budge. Picture: SNS
Hamilton chief Les Gray is leading the league reconstruction group with Budge. Picture: SNS

It was confirmed last week that the SPFL’s controversial resolution had passed, terminating the Championship, League 1 and League 2 on a points per game basis with the Premiership set to follow.

“Ann and I have spoke two or three times over the last few days about this,” Gray, who is on the SPFL board, told BBC Sportsound. “I feel really passionate about having made the decisions as a board that we’ve made which are under scrutiny at the moment and made for all the right reasons that we need to see it through, get to the next stage and try and deliver to a situation where the clubs that were disaffected are remedied.

“That would include Hearts and Partick Thistle. It is painful for me to see Partick Thistle and Hearts get relegated on the back of this so I want to make sure the terms of reference are laid out.

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“The terms of reference will be simply to create league reconstruction through an expanded Premiership which will have an impact on Championship, League 1, League Two and potentially the pyramid.

Neil Doncaster has faced criticism in his role as SPFL chief executive. Picture: SNSNeil Doncaster has faced criticism in his role as SPFL chief executive. Picture: SNS
Neil Doncaster has faced criticism in his role as SPFL chief executive. Picture: SNS

“At the start of this, I thought it was 60-40 in my favour I could make this happen. But yesterday I was 50-50 and, listening to the public commentary, I’m not sure.”

One aspect of potential league reconstruction which requires ironing out is whether it will be a permanent or fixed solution. Gray has noted seven teams who favour one and another seven who prefer the other.

But he has warned against self interest taking hold of any change that could be made.

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“Hopefully Ann and I, as co-chairs of this group, should refrain from talking about temporary or fixed at this stage,” he said. “We don’t get any money for this, we are bursting our backsides to try to make this better and fix it.

“Equally, we are trying to get clubs onside and take people with us. I started off thinking I could make it happen. I think we can take everyone with us as long as there is compromise.

“Everyone can’t get their own way. It’s impossible.”

‘Absolutely hysterical’

Gray also confronted the matter of alleged bullying and coercion by the SPFL regarding the resolution.

Rangers put out a statement calling on the chief executive Neil Doncaster and legal adviser Rod McKenzie to be suspended until an independent investigation took place.

Both Hearts and Aberdeen have backed calls for an inquiry.

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Gray said: "The first thing that is important to me is addressing the bullying and coercion accusations that has been levelled at the board. The amount of personal abuse and the vitriol executives have had to put up with is unacceptable.

"The idea that Neil bullied anyone is absolutely hysterical. Neil is probably the most even tempered person I've made in my life. I feel sorry for him and Rod and Murdoch for the way they've been treated.

"It is simply complete nonsense. There is loads of negotiations, loads of chat goes on.

"We're talking about allegations being levelled at people for impropriety, and I'm talking about people here who have impeccable backgrounds.

"I think we really need to take a look at these accusations that are being thrown about."