'Hearts not preparing to accept relegation' - Lower league clubs speak out against Ann Budge's league reconstruction plans

Doubts over revamp proposals as SPFL clubs voice opposition

A number of lower league clubs have spoken out against Hearts chief Ann Budge’s league reconstruction plans.

The Tynecastle chair presented her document to the member clubs on Tuesday and already it appears it will be difficult to garner the relevant support across the Premiership, Championship and Leagues One and Two.

The Daily Record report that six sides from the bottom two tiers are against the proposals which would see the league structure change to a 14-14-14 (or possibly 14-14-16).

Ann Budge's league reconstruction proposals have been criticised. Picture: SNS

The changes would last for two seasons before potentially reverting to four divisions.

A number of clubs have been vocal in their opposition.

Nothing new

Cowdenbeath chairman Donald Findlay told BBC Scotland: "This is all about Hearts not preparing to accept relegation. There are not new proposals, they don't address anything new, and they have already been rejected.

"I am not opposed to having league reconstruction talks in the future, but it would have to involve a reorganisation of Scottish football, with a fairer financial model.”

Elgin chairman Graham Tatters, who has previously been critical of temporary restructuring, said: “It is very little change to what was proposed before. We would want to stick with the status quo.”

He added: “Some of us are hanging on by threads at the moment, so it is hard enough without worrying about reconstruction.”

Double relegation

Stenhousemuir chairman Iain McMenemy expressed doubts that clubs across the SPFL would be accepting of the proposals which could result in a “double relegation” from the Premiership in two years time, plus six teams dropping from the Championship.

“I’d be very surprised if there was backing for this,” he told the Scottish Sun. “I can’t see a lot has changed since we found out they weren’t keen on it two weeks ago.

“If you hang on, we might find even over the next two weeks that we will have a sense of who can start to play and it will be a restricted league.

“I just think Ann Budge has got her timing all wrong. There are so many uncertainties and so many questions. To restructure now just adds another set of issues and risks to an absolute plethora of unknowns already there.”

No regard

While admitting sympathy for Hearts’ position, Peterhead boss Jim McInally has revealed that it hasn’t sat comfortably with him that Budge has been in charge of possible league reconstruction.

“Self-interest is the biggest problem when it comes to any major decision in any business in any walk of life,” he told the Evening Express.

“So to put her in charge of something that directly affects her football club was the wrong thing to do for a start.

“I know she’ll come out and say we’re still in the same league because there will only be three leagues and it will still be League One. But no matter what way she wants to look at it it’s still a relegation.

“Nationally there’s hardly a mention of it because nobody seems to care about Peterhead, Cove, Clyde, Forfar and Stranraer. I hope everyone involved will fight this because she’s shown no regard for part-time football and part-time clubs.

“Hopefully we can make her pay the price for that. Nobody wants Hearts to relegated. But if it comes down to Hearts being relegated rather than Clyde, Peterhead, Forfar or Stranraer or Cove being denied promotion then we need to fight and show she can’t come and bully us.”

Hunger Games

Ayr United chairman Lachlan Cameron has told Hearts they are a Championship club and should “abide by that”.

“Just because they are better than the rest of us doesn’t mean that they get special rules,” he told The Times. “They are bigger than Livingston. They are bigger than St Johnstone. They are bigger than Hamilton. Well, guess what? They finished in last place.”

“It’s been very clear to me that nobody in the Championship or League One or League Two wants to talk about any of this if it is purely a ‘let’s save Hearts’ campaign. Temporary doesn’t do anyone any good. If you knew that you were going to lose 40 per cent of your league... that’s Hunger Games stuff.”

“Hearts are a big club. They, Rangers, Celtic, Hibs... they can stamp their feet and make things happen. If Airdrie, Ayr United or Alloa are aggrieved, we don’t have the weight of an angry mob behind us.”