Falkirk chairman rues ‘shameful and ugly’ summer for Scottish football

Indications suggest all senior football will be back underway by October with all 42 clubs in action - and none taking the option to ‘hibernate’ until crowds are allowed back in grounds.

But while pleased to have positive movement on the playing front, Falkirk chairman Gary Deans has branded the situation over the last few months as “shameful”.

Hearts and Partick Thistle have begun legal action against their relegations, while Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers have also prepared lawyers to defend their promotions.

Falkirk will spend next season in League One after the last attempt at reconstruction failed last week, and Mr Deans has been angered that plans for a 14-10-10-10 system were voted down for a variety of reasons but among them, fears not all clubs would be able to compete.

The indications suggest all 42 members of the SPFL will kick off the season in less than four months.

He said: “The rationale for not voting for the reconstruction falls away completely. Clubs voted for the status quo because they’d be better off financially - but that’s not for the greater good of the game, and the collective. That vote will affect people’s livelihoods and has blocked, unfairly, Kelty and Brora.

“I think the whole thing has been shameful and ugly. Maybe I’ve been naive in assuming people would see the benefits for the collective but there’s been a narrow, money-focused, self-interested view of things rather than how we all get through this in the best possible shape.”

Falkirk have backed calls for reconstruction throughout the coronavirus closedown of the game, instructed on March 13.

The Bairns have long been advocates of extended leagues and supported both options discussed this summer and previously backed moves to install play-offs.