Football: D-Day for Smith's SPL bid

THE SPL will this week debate an application by Clyde FC to extend the stadium deadline on Broadwood beyond March 31st - a decision which will have a momentous impact on the club's future.

Lawrence Ihle, a 40-year-old Glasgow-based businessman, is waiting in the wings to buy out the club's Chairman, Billy Carmichael, and become the new power-broker at Broadwood.

However, if the PremierLeague's rulers vote down Clyde's plea to be granted until August to meet the stadium criteria, the potential investors will pull out, realising SPL football in Cumbernauld would be impossible.

With home crowds averaging around 1,200 in the first division, that bleak scenario would raise serious long-term doubts over Clyde's future, with Directors currently wrestling considerable debts.

Currently, Broadwood has 8, 200 seats but the building of a new pounds 1.6 million stand would bring the capacity up to 10, 400 and meet SPL seating requirements.

However, the whole future of Clyde FC could rest on the SPL decision on the application for an extension to the deadline.

The project will not be concluded until August and the parties are praying that the authorities see sense, particularly with Scottish football's finances in such a shot state.

Glasgow-based businessman and former Raith Chairman Danny Smith (53), who would be installed as Managing Director should Ihle take over the club, explained the import of Thursday's meeting of the SPL.

"If Clyde do not get into the SPL because of their stadium, the effect that would then have on people potentially investing would cast serious questions over the ability to sustain full-time football."

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