A Sustainable Future For Scottish Football

SUPPORTERS Direct in Scotland have issued a short press release following the successful meeting of Supporters Trusts at Falkirk Stadium on Sunday 23 January 2011.

The statement emphasises the resistance of most fans to some of the key ideas put forward by the SPL and McLeish reviews – but stresses a positive desire to engage with the SPL and SFL in looking for a “sustainable and credible model for the game”. Sonstrust assisted in the response. The media release in full reads as follows:

At a meeting of Supporters’ Trusts, representatives from across Scotland concluded that the current ideas for change in Scottish football, as proposed by the SPL, cannot be supported. The meeting, held at the Falkirk Stadium, also agreed there should be further consultation with a wider group of people involved in Scottish football in order to create a credible and sustainable model for the game.

Supporters Direct Scotland, the national organisation of supporters’ trusts, organised the get-together and Development Manager, James Proctor, said: “Supporters’ trust representatives are looking for improvement in Scottish football and are unconvinced that the current proposals are likely to achieve this.”

There was a lot of good discussion and debate, and while there is support for some ideas such as an earlier start to the season and play-offs, other aspects like ‘B’ teams playing in lower leagues met with significant resistance. As a complete package the current proposals do not have the support of supporters’ trusts.”

The organisations welcomed the opportunity to talk to football authorities and have the fans’ views represented in the debate and were keen to build a consensus on change that takes the whole football industry into consideration.

The photo shows SD Scotland’s development officer, James Proctor, addressing the meeting.