Neil Doncaster doesn’t have his critics to seek and on no subject is the scrutiny of the SPFL’s Chief Executive performance more pronounced than on sponsorship.
Heading into the new season, Scottish football still has no backer for the main leagues or the League Cup. If Doncaster is panicking about that, he makes a good job of hiding it.
With Petrofac having signed up to back the Challenge Cup, one sponsorship bid already rejected for the SPFL and exploratory talks with other parties ongoing, he maintains the League won’t be rushed into taking a deal they feel is wrong for them.
“Sponsorship is only a small part of the revenue stream, with broadcast the main contributor,” he says.
“We have deals in place with SKY, BT and the BBC, as well as a number of different international partners. We know that there is a world-wide demand for SPFL content, and any new sponsorship arrangements will reflect that fact.”
High on the SPFL’s list of bargaining tools this season is a Championship containing Rangers, Hearts and Hibs.
Doncaster, who was in charge of the Premier League when the Ibrox club were barred entry into the top flight in 2012, is hugely excited about the prospect of a division whose appeal will rival that of the country’s top flight itself.
“There is no question that huge numbers of people will want to follow the fortunes of Hibs, Hearts and Rangers in the Championship this season,” he says.
“They are big, big clubs and the fact they are going to be competing against one another in a league outwith the top flight has surprised many. I would include myself in that number.
“Listen, if somebody had said to me a few years ago that we would have had those three competing in the second flight, you would have thought they were off their heads.
“Now it has happened. I won’t go over old ground about the circumstances that brought them together. Decisions were taken by the relevant bodies in accordance with the rules and regulations of the game.
“In the case of Rangers and the 2012 Premier League application the clubs concerned voted as they saw fit. As an employee of the SPL at the time it was my role to represent the wishes of the member clubs.
“But I think everyone would agree it has led to a very exciting prospect. And not just for this season, either.
“One team will be automatically promoted and another will go into a play-off. So, at most, there will be two of the three going up.
“When you consider the other clubs in the League the likes of Falkirk and Raith Rovers we can be sure of a strong, strong Championship again next year.”
Doncaster’s immediate priority, of course, is the campaign that lies ahead.
“Our hope is for it to be as exciting a season as possible across the four divisions,” says the 44-year-old Englishman.
“In particular, it would be fantastic if it could replicate the tremendous drama we witnessed in the play-offs.
“They were absolutely terrific and vindicated the bold stance taken by our clubs. In agreeing to their introduction, we had many members effectively agreeing to put themselves in greater jeopardy.
“You don’t get that happening too often, regardless of which walk of life you are talking about. It was a big and bold move, and it was vindicated by the drama and passion we witnessed at the end of the season.”
Indeed. The climax to the Premier play-off came close to falling into the ‘you-couldn’t-make-it-up’ category.
Two goals down to Hibs from the first leg at New Douglas Park, Hamilton hauled themselves level at Easter Road to take the tie into extra-time.
Then, as the country held its breath, they held their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out and relegate the Edinburgh side into the lower leagues.
“I was there and it was tremendous entertainment,” says Doncaster.
“Football is all about emotion, and when you are involved the business side, you can get divorced from that. You get on with the day-to-day administration, stuff that really needs to get done.
“You can get divorced from the reality of the game, which is passion. From a professional point of view, too, it was very encouraging how well it all worked out.
“When a change is brought about, it is inevitable in the first year of the new set-up you are going to be under a great deal of scrutiny. That is something you just have to accept and something you have to deal with.”
Doncaster believes the success of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is an excellent advert for the country’s sporting heritage.
“The Games were fantastic,” he says.
“I was at the Opening Ceremony, the cycling and the Rugby Sevens at Ibrox. They were terrific occasions and it was a privilege to be there to witness the sport.
“Although they are over now, I think the positive feeling has remained and will continue to do so.
“People are excited about sport in this country right now and we are sure the SPFL season will keep them that way.”
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