Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has insisted he will not be pressured into voting for change that he does not believe in.
Following Tuesday’s gathering of clubs at Hampden, the impression given by both SPL chairman Ralph Topping and chief executive Neil Doncaster was that a significant step had been taken towards agreeing to a 10-team SPL.
United were the only one of the 12 clubs not represented at the meeting, where there was never any chance of a ballot taking place.
However, Thompson has taken soundings since and nothing has altered his view that his club would be joined by Hearts, Kilmarnock and Inverness Caley Thistle in blocking the plan being put forward by the SPL’s strategic review group comprising representatives of Rangers, Celtic, Hibs, Aberdeen, Motherwell and St Mirren.
Indeed, the three clubs in the United camp have now publicly recorded their opposition to the “blueprint for change” as currently formulated.
The latest to do so were the Highlanders, with an ICT club statement reading, “Our initial impression was that the SPL strategy group was looking to choose between 12 and 14 clubs and it was a big surprise to us and others that they have come forward with a proposal to actually reduce the SPL to 10 clubs.
“That is much less attractive to a club like ours and we need to carefully consider the financial implications and what has now been placed on the table in that regard following this week’s SPL meeting.
“Caley Thistle are first and foremost a community club.Lifeblood”Our fans are our lifeblood and it is clear that all surveys of supporters show that a 10-team SPL is the least popular option.
“It does not appear that their views have gained precedence.
“There is a lot of discussion required before the crucial SPL meeting on January 17 and we will be in dialogue with all concerned in the meantime.”
All SPL sides are due to reconvene at Hampden on that date but there are doubts over whether a vote will even take place then, with the required 11-1 result for change looking unachievable as things stand.
Killie chairman Michael Johnston said, “If voting goes ahead as things stand, Kilmarnock will be voting against.
To expect a proposal made on January 4 to be passed on January 17 is unfortunate.”
Thompson is certainly not for turning if no ground is given up by the others.
“We will not be railroaded into anything,” he said.
“I will do what I feel is best for Dundee United that’s what people expect of me but I will also do what I feel is best for Scottish football.
“As chairman of my club I am entitled to my view and should be able to express it just like anyone else involved in this.
“I wish to make it clear that there are many good things in these proposals.
“I am open to change but it needs to be the right change.
“We know we have to make changes in the game and also change lower levels of the game, but I think more talking needs to be done and there needs to be some movement on some of the issues.
“Distribution of wealth in the SPL hasn’t been addressed in the slightest.
“And I know there are certainly another three clubs who are against the current proposals.
“It is up to us to stand firm in what we believe in. If we believe it is not right, then we won’t vote for it.
“Or rather than not vote for it, which means voting against change, abstain, which is as good as a no vote anyway.
“In the current format I don’t think it is going to happen unless something dramatic changes within the proposals.”
As well as having the support of three other SPL sides for their opposition to a 10, United’s stance has the backing of city neighbours Dundee.
Dens chief executive Harry MacLean reckons reverting to the old format would be a backward step.
“I can’t see for the life of me how reverting to a top-10 league would benefit the overall product of Scottish football,” said MacLean.
“The only way it would maybe work is if the extra money created was filtered down into the next league of 10 if it were ever to come to fruition.
“So then you might see a redistribution of wealth and give teams with genuine ambitions some more incentive.
“But it seems to me that some people within the Scottish game are just loath to let go of the money which is the underlying problem.”
MacLean, whose club hope to come out of administration later this month, points to the way Dundee and others have been hit hard by dropping down to the first division and never quite managed to recover.
“Having only one team up as things stand doesn’t work,” he said.
“It can kill a lot of clubs’ ambition before the season starts, knowing they could come straight back down.
“A club like Dundee has suffered a lot since being relegated six years ago.
“And, to be honest, I don’t think Scottish football benefits any with not having us in the top league when you consider the crowds we get compared to some other clubs.
“At least I believe there should be a possibility of getting two teams up from the first division.
“Everyone is seeming to forget the reasons why we moved away from a 10-team league in the first place.”
He continued, “It just makes for more pressure on everyone.
“I think that the only league reconstruction that would work would be if it were expanded.
“For example, I say that a league with 14 teams would be a better idea or perhaps even 16, but we shall wait and see what transpires.”