NOW that the dust has settled from the vote on the Scottish Professional Football League's proposal to end the season for Championship, League 1 and League 2 clubs, Cowdenbeath are taking stock on the way ahead.

It is, however, not an easy task. For while the prize money Cowden were due from the SPFL arrived at Central Park on Friday, there is still a lot of uncertainty in the air, mainly around the possibility of league reconstruction.

Cove Rangers definitely will not be around for the 2020-2021 League 2 season, they will be replaced by relegated Stranraer, but what the 'task force' appointed by the SPFL to look at the issue will come up with is anyone's guess, but the issue is that anything done to change the top division will likely have ramifications on League 2.

Club secretary and finance director, David Allan, has this week been putting together budget plans for the coming season, but he has to take into account a lot of uncertainties on such issues as when is the new season likely to start and what could any new league structure look like.

He said: "It was a bit of a relief when the vote was concluded on Wednesday which gave some clarity on the way ahead but of course it is hard to know when the coronavirus situation is going to ease.

"At the moment we are focusing on a normal start to next season in July and August, but that clearly could change depending on how the virus situation pans out.

"Contracts will also be running out at the start of June so there is plenty for the board to deal with."

The current squad's deals will run out in the first week of June as will that of manager Gary Bollan and his backroom team (see picture), so that is an important issue to be dealt with.

Mr Bollan has presided over a steadying of the ship, after four turbulent seasons which saw back to back relegations and two pyramid play-offs, but over the last two seasons Cowden have finished sixth, and then in the campaign just brought to a premature end, were looking at a promotion play-off.

The league reconstruction situation is something which could take time to sort out, in Mr Allan's view: "As we have seen in the past this is something that power brokers in the Scottish game all have their own idea on and whatever is finally decided, will not happen overnight.

"Hopefully we can see what the likely format is going to be relatively quickly, although past events would suggest that may not be the case."

It could be that Kelty Hearts could join Cowden in League 2, with a possibility that part of the re-structure could see both Lowland League winners Hearts and the Highland League's, Brora Rangers, admitted to the SPFL.

 

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