Hearts Owner Ann Budge Fails In SPFL Board Bid

Published 20th Jul 2015

Hearts owner Ann Budge has failed to secure a Hampden role after the Scottish Professional Football League board was re-elected unchanged.

Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson and Kilmarnock chairman Jim Mann, who both took on their roles in recent months, also lost out in the vote at the SPFL annual general meeting.

Aberdeen chief executive Duncan Fraser, Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson and Celtic director Eric Riley remain the three representatives of the Ladbrokes Premiership clubs.

Alloa chairman Mike Mulraney and Raith Rovers director Eric Drysdale remain the Championship representatives while Brechin's Ken Ferguson will speak for the lower leagues.

The six club officials join chief executive Neil Doncaster and chairman Ralph Topping on the board.

Meanwhile, the SPFL announced that Scottish football will be shown live on Chinese television next season for the first time.

Letv Sports will show at least 55 matches each season with Mandarin commentary in a three-year deal.

Doncaster said: It's a fantastic deal for Scottish football, with China's leading digital platform, and further demonstrates the international interest in our national sport.

Clearly, this is a massive market and gives our member clubs a great opportunity to sell themselves to the world's fastest growing economy.''