Well chief upbeat on revamp

Motherwell's chief executive is cautious over the finances of league reconstruction but hopeful on its long term benefits.

Last week the 12 Scottish Premier League clubs agreed to push for a new merged 42-club body with top-flight play-offs in time for next season.

The proposals, still to be proposed to the Scottish Football League, would ensure a 12-10-10-10 system with the 11th-placed team in the top flight involved in four-team play-offs at the end of the campaign.

It is a destabilising time for many of the Scottish clubs with Motherwell keen to establish the long-term financial implications of any changes and secure new deals for key players such as top scorer Michael Higdon, Chris Humphrey and James McFadden.

Chief Leeann Dempster said: "Firstly we have to see the final financial analysis so we're not making firm projections yet, but the point about reconstruction isn't necessarily around short-term finances, it's about the longer term.

"I don't know if I would say I expect proposals to go through but I am very hopeful. There is enough in the proposals for everybody and even if it was deemed as a starting point for the next three or four years, it's a good starting point."

Dempster is especially keen to hold on to McFadden, whose short-term deal, funded by two directors outside of the club's normal football budget, comes to an end next week.

"We will wait and see what happens with James at the end of the season," she added. "Clearly we would love to have him here next season, that is a no-brainer. James has proved his fitness and proved everything we knew he had.

"So I am sure James will have many suitors after his signature but should other things transpire we would love to have him here next season."

Keeper Darren Randolph and midfielder Nicky Law are set to leave at the end of the season, while the club faces a battle to retain the services of boss Stuart McCall, recently linked with Sheffield United.

"He has proven his managerial skills and we are delighted to have him here. Inevitably when you perform well in any business there is a good chance you will be asked to move on elsewhere.

"I hope it doesn't happen but if it does it will be recognition of his time at the club. If it does happen I will shake his hand with our best wishes but hopefully I won't be shaking his hand for a bit of time yet."

Dempster was speaking on the day Motherwell's two new board members, Brian McCafferty and Graham Barnstaple, both board members of The Well Society - the organisation created to oversee fan ownership of the Lanarkshire club - met the media at Fir Park.