Livingston Football Club feels it is important that we address all our fans and fellow member clubs on our beliefs regarding league reconstruction. We feel it is paramount that we are open and transparent with everyone from the outset.

We have passed the first part in which we, as part of the 81% of all member clubs, voted “yes” for the SPFL’s resolution to end the 2019/20 Season for the Championship and Leagues 1 and 2. We always believed that this would be a two-part process, and it is appropriate to now address the second part: league reconstruction.

We believe that permanent league reconstruction is the most progressive way forward for Scottish Football as a whole. The introduction of the Highland League and Lowland League champions every year into the SPFL will bring the total number of clubs from 42 to 44. This would have a minimal financial effect on all current SPFL clubs.

We feel it is fundamental to the sporting integrity of Scottish Football that no club suffers the financial effects which relegation would bring, as a result of the remaining league games not being fulfilled.

Our proposal would be:

Scottish Premiership:

• 14 team league
• Split – Top 6 and Bottom 8
  • Opportunity – Space created for any fixture backlogs and potential cup games which generally involves the top 6 teams
• Two promoted from Championship
• Two relegated from Premiership
  • Potentially – 12^th (Prem) vs. 3^rd (Champ)? 

Scottish Championship:

• 10 team league
• Two promoted to the Premiership
• Two promoted from League 1
• Two relegated from Championship
  • Potentially – 12^th (Prem) vs. 3^rd (Champ)?

Scottish League 1

• 10 team league
• Two promoted to the Championship
• Two promoted from League 2
• Two relegated from League 1

Scottish League 2

• 10 team league
• Two promoted to the League 1
• Two promoted from Highland League Champions & Lowland League Champions
• Two relegated from League 2 to their regional division

This league reconstruction model is not only achievable, but it is also fair. No club will be prejudiced by the league ending early through no fault of their own. Some divisions had as much as up to 25% of league games left, with the Premiership split of top bottom six still to happen. The unfinished games had the potential to change the dynamics across the leagues.

As a club we passionately believe our proposal, if adopted, would show Scottish Football at its progressive best. It would achieve the twin objectives of no member club being unduly punished for an incomplete season on the field of play, while preserving the sporting integrity of the game.

We are open to dialogue with the Reconstruction Group, but for the record, we do see permanent reconstruction as the fairest and simplest way forward.

Share this: