Clubs consulted on new 14-10-10-10 structure for SPFL

Scottish football clubs are being consulted on a fresh proposal for league reconstruction - which would see the top flight extended to 14 teams.

The move would mean the Championship, League 1 and League 2 retaining 10 teams each - with promotion to the fourth tier for a side from each of the Lowland League and Highland League - potentially the champions, Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers.

It would also save Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer from relegation, while Inverness, Falkirk and Edinburgh City would also get promoted.

The SPFL has written to all 42 member clubs asking for them to vote on what would be a permanent restructuring.

It claims a league-wide consultation exercise showed there was enough support to merit a second consultation on the option.

Chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "We’ve been consulting with our clubs regarding possible reconstruction in recent weeks and asked all 42 clubs to give their views.

"Now that 41 out of 42 clubs have responded, it is clear that there is enough support for a permanent 14-10-10-10 structure to merit a second consultation stage and we have written to clubs asking for an indicative ‘vote’ on whether that is something they would vote in favour of if it was included in a detailed formal resolution.

"It’s important to underline that this is not a binding vote and is intended only to steer the board on whether to put forward a formal resolution for voting on, or not."

Any change would need the support of 11 of 12 Premiership clubs, 17 or more clubs from the Premiership and Championship combined, and 32 or more SPFL clubs overall.

Clubs have been asked to return voting slips by 10am on Monday at the latest.

Doncaster added: "Understandably, the consultation exercise confirmed there is sympathy for those clubs relegated at the end of season 2019/20, but also that there is no reasonable prospect of clubs approving a temporary reconstruction solution.

"However, the board has judged there is sufficient support for a permanent change to merit this second stage of consultation.

"As ever, it will be up to the clubs to decide whether or not to support this proposal and we will be guided by the democratic outcome of the process.

"We are understandably keen to get clarity one way or another at the start of next week, as the timescales are extremely tight and we are faced with the additional complexities of resuming the season, caused by Covid-19."

If there is insufficient support for the latest proposal, the existing league structure will stay in place.