Why Hearts chief's league reconstruction proposal could be rejected by Championship clubs

Ann Budge presented her plans to clubs with talks set to take place

Hearts chair Ann Budge’s league reconstruction plans are set to be rejected by Championship clubs, according to a report.

The Tynecastle chief submitted her proposals for three leagues to member clubs on Tuesday.

It would see the 12-10-10-10 system become a 14-14-14 or even 14-14-16 – if Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers are admitted into the league – with a split in each league after two rounds of fixtures.

Ann Budge has submitted her plans to member clubs for league reconstruction. Picture: SNS

In a lengthy paper, Budge told clubs it is “not about restructuring. It is about survival”. In addition the plans would not be permanent but a temporary measure for two seasons.

She added: “In short, the Premiership needs Hearts more than the Championship does. The Championship needs Partick Thistle more than the lower leagues do.”

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has confirmed his support of temporary reconstruction. However, according to the Daily Mail, Budge’s proposals will not earn sufficient backing with eight clubs required to vote in favour of it to pass.

A source told the newspaper that “it’s fantasy” second tier clubs would support it with potentially six clubs facing relegation if the league system reverts back to 12-10-10-10 after two campaigns.

There is also concern about next season and how feasible it would be for six clubs to come up from League One and fulfil fixtures with so much doubt surrounding the capability of clubs playing behind closed doors.

In the document sent to clubs by Budge, the Hearts chief offered to share medical resources and put forward Tynecastle as a possible ‘hub’.

It read: “Hearts is in a position to fund the Testing Equipment and other resources needed to enable a safe “return to training and to playing” in line with Government guidelines. We are also willing to share these resources with other Clubs, across all Divisions in the League, as requirements become clearer.

“The possibility of operating through “Hubs” is currently being considered and if that route proved to be sensible, Hearts is very well placed to help. Geography would undoubtedly play a part in this, but we would be happy to offer the use of Tynecastle’s facilities, on a non-profit basis, to other Premiership, Championship or League 1 clubs, where fixture scheduling allowed. Our recent infra- structure investment has provided us with 2 sets of UEFA standard changing rooms, medical facilities, tunnels and technical areas. Hearts could make these facilities available, as well as TV and media facilities. For example, were it desirable for scheduling purposes, with duplicate sets of facilities, 2 games could even be played on one day, without the need for deep cleaning in-between.”