The Breedon Highland League’s representative on the Scottish FA’s congress believes the rationale behind the proposed Conference League should be considered before people dismiss the idea.
Brora Rangers director, and former Highland League president, David Dowling represents the division on the SFA’s discussion forum.
The idea to introduce a Conference League between the SPFL and the Highland and Lowland Leagues comprising Premiership colts teams and sides from the Highland and Lowland Leagues will be voted on by all SFA member clubs at the association’s AGM next month.
But Dowling, who attended a meeting on Tuesday with SFA president Rod Petrie, vice-president Mike Mulraney and chief executive Ian Maxwell, believes the potential merits of the plan for the Scottish game as a whole need to be considered.
Potential player pathway benefits aimed at getting Scotland back to World Cup
He said: “People might still think it’s not a good idea and the arguments against are valid, but I think it’s good to consider the other view.
“It was never started as a ‘lets try to get B teams into Scottish football’ idea.
“The conversation started because Scotland’s men haven’t qualified for a World Cup since 1998 and smaller countries, with Croatia being an example, qualify regularly and do well at the tournaments.
“They’ve got a population of 3.89 million, which is 1.56 million less than ours.
“So why do we not qualify for World Cups, but nations with similar and smaller populations do?
“The SFA they looked at our record and ranking at Under-17s, U19s and U21s – at U17s it’s very good, U19s less so and at U21s we haven’t done very well at all.
“All these things have been thrown in the mix and the old adage is that the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results.
“So is there something we could do differently? These things were considered and the common denominator they believe is that other countries have their players playing adult football at a younger age.
“Now is this being held up as a paragon of virtue where everything will work and, if we do it, we’ll be at the next World Cup? No.
“But things aren’t working at the moment.
“Will this make it work better? We don’t know, but if we don’t try we’ll never know.”
Conference to make drop out of SPFL less financially challenging for clubs
One of the thorny issues surrounding the Conference League is its potential position as tier five in the pyramid usurping the Highland and Lowland Leagues.
Dowling added: “In Scotland since the pyramid was opened up Cowdenbeath, East Stirlingshire and Berwick have struggled since being relegated from the SPFL.
“The money teams in the SPFL get is very good, then if you drop into the Highland League it becomes zero, so if there’s something else there which can bridge that gap in terms of finance it could be beneficial.
“If you have a Conference League with four Premiership colts sides willing to put in £100,000 each there’s £40,000 for each team in the league.
“Therefore, if a team comes out of the SPFL there is a cushion and they’re in a better position to rebuild.
“Alongside that you have the opportunity for the B team players to play against adult teams, which might improve their development.”
Clubs will have their say on plan
Dowling was also keen to point out, despite some personnel in the Highland League and elsewhere feeling the Conference League is being forced upon them, the proposal still has to be voted through – and he revealed Brora are set to vote in favour of the plan.
He said: “There are shortcomings and things that need to be ironed out but they’re working on the proposals before the AGM.
“I’ve noticed people saying it’s being forced upon us, but it will be voted on at the AGM, so it’s not being forced upon us.
“Every club can vote the way they see fit.
“I’m not saying it’s a wonderful thing that will solve all Scotland’s problems.
Every club can vote the way they see fit.”
“But what I am saying is there’s a reasonable rationale behind the whole thing and what we’re doing isn’t working, so could this be better?
“The timescale is important as well, they’re talking about five years, so if it isn’t working they’ll adjust it or rip it up.
“My view has changed as time has gone on. I’m on the board of Brora and, when it comes to it, Brora will be voting in favour of trying the proposal.
“There are viable counter arguments.
“But I think why not try it? After a year or two we might think it’s a disaster or we might not think that.
“The other thing that hasn’t been confirmed or decided yet is the numbers that would join from the Highland and Lowland Leagues, respectively.
“I know some people think it could be catastrophic if we lost a couple of teams from the Highland League, but in my lifetime the Highland League has lost Caledonian, Thistle, Ross County, Elgin City, Peterhead and Cove Rangers.
“And to me the league is as strong now as it has ever been.
“We could lose one this season if Brechin go up.
“I wouldn’t like to do anything to damage the Highland League. I think it’s a brilliant league and I’ve loved my involvement in it.”
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