A comprehensive new proposal to restructure Scottish football has been launched by supporter and former SPFL scout Joe Quinn, including a restructuring of the league system.
The changes aim to improve competitiveness, increase revenue potential, and provide a clearer development pathway from grassroots to professional football. The system is designed to be fair, sustainable, and better suited to a modern footballing environment, with room for expansion and further reform.
Overview of the New Structure
The existing four-tier system will remain, but with an expansion to three 14- team national divisions: the Premiership, Championship, and League 1. Below League 1, the Lowland League and Highland League will be rebranded as the National League and National League North, respectively, with both becoming officially integrated as part of the SPFL pyramid.
The overall structure would be:
- Premiership (14 teams) – Tier 1
- Championship (14 teams) – Tier 2
- League 1 (14 teams) – Tier 3
- National League (formerly Lowland League) – Tier 4
- National League North (formerly Highland League) – Tier 4
- Tier 6 Feeder Leagues (West, East, South of Scotland)
This expanded system allows for greater movement between divisions, more meaningful competition, and a consistent structure across the professional and semi-professional levels.
Premiership (14 teams)
The top tier of Scottish football would expand from 12 to 14 clubs. Each club would play every other team twice (home and away) in the regular season, for a total of 26 matches. After this, the league would split into two groups of 7 – a Championship Group (top 7) and a Relegation Group (bottom 7). Teams would then play each club in their group twice more (home and away), adding 12 more fixtures, resulting in a total of 38 matches per team. This structure keeps the excitement of the league split, increases competitiveness, and allows more clubs to compete at the top level.
Championship (14 teams)
The second tier would mirror the Premiership in size and structure, also expanding to 14 clubs. The split system would be identical: 26 regular fixtures followed by a split into two groups of 7, each playing 12 more matches post- split. This gives every club 38 matches, balancing fixture congestion while maintaining fan interest.
The Championship would offer 1 automatic promotion spot to the Premiership, and 1 additional promotion via playoffs involving teams placed 2nd to 5th (explained in section 9).
League 1 (14 teams)
League 1 would follow the same format as the Premiership and Championship, featuring 14 teams, 38 matches (26 pre-split and 12 post-split), and a mid- season split. This structure makes the lower tiers more exciting and gives clubs in League 1 a clearer, fairer path to promotion and financial growth. League 1 becomes a more meaningful competitive division, rather than being seen as a transitional tier between full-time and part-time football.
National League (formerly Lowland League)
The current Lowland League will be rebranded as the National League and serve as the SPFL’s Tier 4 division in the southern and central regions of Scotland. Clubs from the East of Scotland League, South of Scotland League, and West of Scotland Premier Division will feed into this league. The aim is to give it formal parity with the National League North (Highland League) and eventually bring both under a professional or semi-professional umbrella with better regulation, licensing, and visibility.
National League North (formerly Highland League)
The Highland League will be rebranded as the National League North and serve as Tier 4 for northern Scotland. The structure will remain largely the same, but it will now sit officially parallel to the National League. Feeder leagues into the National League North will continue to include the North Caledonian League, the Midlands League, and the North Region Juniors, 16 preserving the regional pyramid while integrating the north more clearly into the national structure.
Tier 6 Feeder Leagues
At Tier 6, the West of Scotland Football League Premier Division, East of Scotland Premier Division, and South of Scotland Football League will remain in place. These leagues will continue to operate as feeder leagues into the National League (Lowland) system. Promotion from Tier 6 to Tier 4 will be maintained via licensing criteria and a playoff process (e.g., the top eligible clubs from each Tier 6 league competing for promotion). This ensures upward mobility while enforcing minimum standards for facilities, finances, and governance.
Fixture Breakdown (Pre- and Post-Split)
In the new 14-team leagues (Premiership, Championship, and League 1), each club plays:
- 26 matches (13 home, 13 away) in the regular season, facing each opponent twice
- After 26 matches, the league splits into two groups of 7: o Top 7 (Championship Group) o Bottom 7 (Relegation Group)
- Each team plays the others in their group twice (home and away) = 12 matches
- Total: 38 matches per team
This model is based on the Greek Super League format and keeps the season competitive throughout—ensuring more clubs fight for promotion, survival, or European qualification deep into the campaign.
Promotion and Relegation (All Divisions)
Premiership
- Bottom 2 teams are automatically relegated to the Championship.
- No playoff with Championship teams—promotion is earned directly.
Championship
- 1st place promoted automatically to the Premiership.
- 2nd to 5th enter a promotion playoff: 2nd vs 4th, 3rd vs 5th – two-legged ties
- Winners meet in a one-legged final
- The winner is promoted
- Home advantage in the first leg goes to the team with better head-to-head in the post-split
- Bottom 2 teams are automatically relegated to League 1
League 1
- 1st place promoted automatically to the Championship
- 2nd to 5th enter a promotion playoff:
- 2nd vs 4th, 3rd vs 5th – two-legged ties
- Winners meet in a one-legged final
- The winner is promoted
- Home advantage in the first leg goes to the team with better head-to-head in the post-split
- Bottom team is automatically entered into a play-off with the winner of the National League and the National League North play-off winner.
- Relegation playoff remains similar to the existing SPFL structure, with Tier 4 clubs in the National League & National League North
- Winners of each division may be promoted via a playoff (if agreed by licensing standards)
- Relegation to Tier 6 is determined by league rules and licensing of eligible
What do you think of Joe Quinn’s restructure? Let us know in the comments section. Joe can be contacted for media enquiries with the contact details below.
Contact:
Joe Quinn
Email: joseph.a.quinn@hotmail.co.uk
Mobile: 07967 213586
44 Responses
I don’t like divisions of 7 teams. Making teams have a free week is bad enough but it also means one team finishes the season before the others. It would be better if it was an even number. I would prefer 8. What do the teams at the top end of the relegation group have to play for if they aren’t in any danger of falling into the relegation zone? If the divisions were 12 & 12, then the bottom 4 of tier 1 could join the top 4 of tier 2 for a play-off division, with a trophy for the winner and 4 promotions places. Every team would have something to play for to the end of the season.
Hi John
The thing with end of the season games in the top flight you have the split and in the Champ/L1/12 you have 6 games at the end of the season which blows my mind. In a normal season that would take you to an international break. With
the clear reledations and competitive blav otts it reduced matches at the end ot the season which is aood for blaver
welfare. That was one of mv reasons for a 14/14/14 league
The teams at the top of relegation group would have everything to play for, If we have better luck in Europe then who is say 7th/8th can be in the Conference League. Could be enhanced prize money for finishing top of the group. There will alway be something to play for in the 14 system.
This is exactly what is required for Scottish football. Fully supportive
Thanks Peter, Loving the support. Keep an eye out for more things to come from this.
Sounds okay, only issue will be how does this generate a fairer revenue distribution? Also does this do away with the parachute payments?
For clubs to compete they need to be free from financial pressures within the league. The clubs also need to be able to play younger players without the added pressure or fear. Then you have VAR – how will this be funded? Moving forward!
Hi Graham.
All interesting points, very relevant.
Fairer Revenue distribution would be done via final league positions and equally via TV money, similar to now but more money on final standings and TV money with a better deal and sponsorships – this will allow clubs to get better sponsorships also. Parachute payments would still remain the same.
I agree clubs need to compete with free financial pressures but would that mean breaking UEFA PSR rules ? I would like to see younger players getting played more and more by their own clubs that is why the U21s premier league would come into play and replace the CAS set up and give the young players some competitive hungry.
VAR – What’s that ? if it hasn’t been kicked out by most clubs by then lol – VAR would be sadly not changed. Maybe replace VAR with AI VAR lol.
Certainly more competitive than present set-up. Also doesn’t reward failure as 2nd bottom team in a play-off does
Hi Graeme.
Thanks for your comment and agreeing my proposal is more competitive.
Exactly currently second bottom is a second chance and that shouldn’t be a rewarded.
Absolutely what this country’s football set up needs
Thanks Brian, Appreciate your support 🙂
Looks good apart from the play off in the highland & lowland leagues. Surely this should be the same format as the leagues above!! Possibly one from highland league & lowland league with 2 being relegated from league 2?
Hi David.
The Highland League/Lowladn League is probably where I struggled to be honest. It’s a very complicated case of their play off into League 2 at the end of the season.
I do like that idea of one of each and then 2 relegated from League 2 but then what if two teams are relegated like for example Dumbarton and Clyde braves then both can’t go into the Highland League. It then becomes complicated and have to draw geographical lines.
But thank you for the support, appreciate it.
With an odd number of teams post split you are going to have to find another 2 match dates. We are hard pushed to accommodate 38 match dates. How do you fit in another 2? By the time you get to match day 40 1 team will have completed all its fixtures. In the event of a close contest, would it be fair for that team to sit it out waiting for results in other games with their challenger(s) knowing exactly what they have to do to go top, or avoid relegation?
Hi Mike
The proposed set up would be 38 matches. 26 matches then additional 12 in the new promotion and relegation splits.
Final day all matches would be played at the same time and end at the same time so there is no advantage to any team at the end of season.
Also the League Cup would lose some of its weekend matches so any extra matches would be played these weeks. That would accommodate any more matches under any similar proposals changing the League Cup.
Excellent idea
Some Man Charlie, Thank You soo much for your support
Absolutely excellent proposal
Aww Thank you sooo much for your support ya Legend 🙂
A 6 / 8 split would be a lot better, even number so no free weeks for any teams. Make the bottom 8s play for a trophy as well as relegation, call it the intra league cup or something, more games for the bottom 8 groups too so more revenue.
Hey Joe
But would you be happy if a team in the relegation group got a trophy and your team in 6th got nothing but a team 3 places less got the Didn’t Go Down Cup. I’m not trying to bash your comment. I like the idea within a 14 league set up but with more enhanced prize money for top of the relegation group and more match day revenue it would be better for the clubs – that was my thinking top of the relegation group get enhanced prize money.
I would rather see two divisions of 16 teams only playing each other home and away…third division to be an under 21 league with max 3 players over 21 in it and a draft pick system from top flight teams to enable our youngsters to get game time. I’m sure attendances would be up and we wouldn’t be losing youngsters tied up with the bigger teams not getting game time ….funny how we are good at youth levels internationally then these players seem to dissapear?
Hi Iain
There does seem to be a lot of talk with a 16 team prem etc. I like the idea of the third being an under 21 league and 3 max players. Smart but in a set up of 42 teams how would that work ? 10 teams plus 6 u21 teams from the prem ?
The Youth Level international point is actually valid btw how many are stars in whatever age group and then disappear or lose momentum and you don’t see them again. That’s why I want to get rid of the CAS system, I think that is to blame.
We need minimum of 16 teams in leagues.
Hey Graham
Again with the 16 teams lol alot of people say this but I don’t see the benefit of the maybe cause we have 42 team.
So would that be 16 Prem 16 Championship and then 10 League 1 cause to promote 6 teams from the Lowland league and Highland league will be difficult due to Licenses and facilities.
The spilt would be better 6-8 so 2 teams don’t miss out each time
Also what about going along the same lines as Romania where only 1/2 the points tally is carried forward this will bring teams closer together in the 2nd half of the league
Hi Aaron.
I like the idea of the Romanian Leagues, can you imagine the scenes when Celtic are 20 points clear and have half of their points wiped haha. That would be fun and competitive.
The split is soo hard, is 7/7 split better than what we have now, yes, would it work. I think the split for me personally is so hit and miss and it was up there with the Highland league and lowland league as headaches of mine.
Best idea I’ve seen unfortunately the owners in the top league will not happily allow this to happen because most are in self preservation mode and don’t actually care about the game as long as they get as many games against Rangers and Celtic as possible , good luck to you and you have my backing
Gotta go to a 16 team Premiership & a 16 Championship with no split. That 14-14-14 setup is still too repetitive. Still got clubs playing each other 4 times in the league. Which is making our game boring and dull. So got to go bigger, playing each other less times, makes it more competitive!
Thank You Stuart for your support, much appreciated.
The Celtic and Rangers comment is fair, so many clubs rely on Old Firm match days/cup draws so the proposal will be hard to get past we will lose a game against the Old Firm
EXCELLENT, PROGRESSIVE PROPOSAL THAT WOULD BENEFIT ALL CONCERNED. TIME TO THINK OF THE COLLECTIVE HEALTH OF THE GAME IN SCOTLAND AND NOT JUST SELFISH TO YOUR OWN INTERESTS.
Thanks Bill. It is time for a change in our game.
Why does the non automatic relegation still apply to the bottom club in League 1 and still the non automatic promotion to league 1 for the winner from National League and National League North play off ? I just don’t agree with not being automatically relegated for being bottom of a League and not being automatically promoted if you win a League or play off.So in other words automatic reward for achievement and automatic penalty for failure.The rest of your proposal sounds a great idea !
Hi Alan
I understand what you’re saying but why not have automatic relegation and promotion ? Do clubs deserve to have a second chance after being poor all season to play a team who have thought hard to be at the top of the league below?
Thank you for your support.
The plan looks good in principle , but, not sure how the intended Lowland League splitting into East and West divisions will be affected and where the clubs who will/ have been likely to be part of the “new” East / West Lowland Leagues will end up
Will proposed regional split to Lowland league be shelved or what will the promotion and relegation be with those clubs
Hey David,
Under my proposal it would be a national league and national league north. This is to literally bring those leagues uniformed almost. The intended Lowland league splitting personally right now I think is short term solution almost a trial. I hope it works but in Joe world I hope it doesn’t and all the clubs come back and grab my proposal and run with it lol but that is me being selfish.
Thanks for your kind words.
A very good idea, however, I think the two down would be a bit of a sticking point due to the voting system. Would give the “bigger teams” what they want (4 games) and probably give the top seven a better chance in Europe with tougher games. Would it also be an idea to split the league takings more evenly?
Hi Hugh
Thanks for your comment.
Sticking point would be the clubs voting it. I hope clubs would vote fairly for it. It’s all about that competitive games better chance in Europe.
The Splitting it more evenly seems to be a comment I’m getting a lot here lol and I can see peoples thinking.
We need to consider player pathways and I’d like to see any restructure including Colt teams in the pyramid. These are proven across Europe as the most effective ways to introduce young players to adult football. The national team will benefit greatly from this.
Hey Graeme.
I completely agree with a better players pathway. I would like the Colts team to stay as is in the current set up but I would like a more U21 League and then the CAS system we have removed from our game. I think it hinders most players and most clubs. Players play in CAS and get an offer from WOSFL and are then a journeyman in those leagues. we need our young players playing competitive as soon as possible and regular as possible.
I do think the leagues need increased in size . This is only one issue, the bigger issue is football academy’s just don’t work they are coaching the kids to the point that we have no excitement in young players anymore. Academy players should be free to play for up to three teams at any one time. And should not be signed to any club until they are 16 so they are free to move around as they see fit
Hey Bryden
I didn’t think about like that and I have nothing to add I agree 100% and think it could be a way forward for kids but how would playing for 3 teams affect their welfare and mental wellbeing. Would it be a learning experience or would it be a struggle and challenge for their young minds and bodies to cope with. But it needs more excitement and structure so players dont lose excitement.
Like it. Expansions is needed and will give the old firm the 4 fixtures they desperately crave.
My only concern is the free week for teams after the split. You could finish your season a week before the others and that would remove all the excitement of final day matches to survive, get Europe or win league.
I may have missed it but would the winners of the National Leagues automatically be promoted to League one? This should happen.
Thank you everyone for their feedback. Honestly It means soo much.
I didn’t think it would be like this. So much talk and feedback, I love it.
1st major change has to be the move to summer football. It affects every level down to kids football having to play in terrible conditions on useless pitches. It’s unsure we are the only nation this far north not playing March-November. It’s affected the youth setup for decades with being left behind other nations. 2 divisions of 16 would make complete sense, 2 automatic relegations/promotions with the 3rd in same playoff scenario. Get rid of the stupid split