The Blue Toon’s Scott Brown hopes the SPFL’s reconstruction taskforce takes note of a PFA Scotland player survey in which most respondents say they want the solution to be a permanent one.
The panel is currently debating potential models for the Scottish League set-up next season.
Plans for three divisions of 14 or a 14-team Premiership and three tiers of 10 below have been suggested, while it has also been mooted that any reconstruction may only be for one or two seasons to protect certain clubs from relegation.
Earlier this week the PFA released the findings of a survey on reconstruction in which 79% of players supported it in some form, with 76% favouring a permanent fix.
Peterhead captain Brown, who is on the players’ union’s management committee said: “I think it was good the PFA were able to do this and almost 75% of the members have take part in the survey.
“It shows reconstruction and a freshen up of the leagues for next season is what the players want.
“What stood out for me in the results as well was that the players would like to see it happen for next season and don’t want it to be temporary.
“I felt that was an interesting result and from speaking to other players at Peterhead and other clubs most feel that if it’s a temporary measure you’re punishing other clubs further down the line.
“For example if you have a 14-team Premiership which is then getting trimmed to 12 the team that finishes third bottom would be getting punished when they wouldn’t normally.
Brown’s Peterhead team-mate Jamie Stevenson had his say on 14-14-14 reconstruction on our Northern Goal podcast:
“Rather than bending the rules to suit some clubs the view seems to be lets plough on and have change for the foreseeable future.”
When it comes to proposals 60% of the 692 players surveyed supported a model of three leagues of 14 with 40% in favour of the 14-10-10-10 structure.
Whichever proposal the taskforce brings to the table for clubs to vote on, Brown hopes the opinion of the players is considered.
The midfielder added: “The PFA always want the players’ voice to be heard.
“OK, there’s the taskforce with however many clubs represented, but a lot of the people are only considering what it means for the clubs, which is understandable, it’s what they’re there to do.
“But it’s important the players are heard as well. In another line of work employers would be asking their employees what they thought if they were restructuring the workplace.
“So we don’t see why players shouldn’t also be considered with something as big as this that could affect the leagues and players going forward.”