SPFL reconstruction: Clyde, Kelty and Brora criticise League Two clubs' collective plan
- Published
Clyde were seventh in League One when the lower leagues were curtailed
Clyde have criticised Scottish League Two clubs' collective backing of a 14-14-14 SPFL revamp, which would leave the Broadwood side in the lowest tier.
Should the bottom 10 stick to their agreement, any other plan would fail as 75% backing - including 15 of 20 League One and Two clubs - is required.
Clyde, seventh in League One, would go to the bottom tier alongside Peterhead, Forfar Athletic and Stranraer.
"We would hope this is not their final position," Clyde said., external
"It is an approach that fails to meet the founding principle of the reconstruction group; that is that no club should be in a worse financial or sporting position due to the effects of Covid-19."
The SPFL's 15-strong reconstruction taskforce - co-chaired by Hamilton Academical vice-chairman Les Gray and Hearts owner Ann Budge - has met twice so far and is giving the three leagues of 14 proposal strong consideration.
While it would save Hearts and Partick Thistle from relegation in the Premiership and Championship respectively, Stranraer - relegated in League One's bottom spot when the lower divisions were ended early - would drop to the lowest rung.
And League Two champions Cove Rangers would remain in the bottom division. There would also be no promotion to the SPFL for either Highland League champions Brora Rangers or Lowland League winners Kelty Hearts.
"At least four SPFL clubs are affected negatively by this choice and we should not forget clubs in the Highland and Lowland Leagues," Clyde's statement added.
"It makes no sense to go through reconstruction that is aimed at protecting clubs from relegation from the Premiership and Championship and at the same time consign four clubs in League One to that same fate.
"The reconstruction group has an opportunity to address some of the bigger questions facing the game in Scotland, including not only the composition of SPFL, but also addressing the pyramid structure, which we strongly believe requires review."
'Brora and Kelty shouldn't be locked out'
Brora and Kelty were declared winners of their divisions after both league seasons were declared over because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Under normal circumstances, the Highland and Lowland league champions would play off for the right to face the bottom side in League Two in the play-off final for that division.
And Brora chairman William Powrie said his club are "concerned" by the 14-14-14 model proposed by League Two clubs as it would leave Rangers and Kelty "locked out of progression into the SPFL".
"With any return to playing likely to be some way in the distance yet, the reconstruction group we are sure will be given the time to discuss fully the options that can be carried to a full members vote," Powrie told the Brora website., external "This we feel is a far more equitable outcome than premature factional blocks with 'force majeure' propositions."
Kelty, meanwhile, expressed their "disappointment" at the bottom tier's collective agreement.
And with an expanded 14-10-10-10 SPFL also an option for the taskforce, Kelty say they are "prepared to forfeit any league prize money for the first season" of that structure.