Partick Thistle sickened by their "sacrifice" as SPFL clubs reject reconstruction

The SPFL has confirmed that the status quo will be maintained after there was insufficient backing among their 42 senior clubs for a 14-10-10-10 restructuring.

That means Thistle are relegated to League One, despite being only two points behind second bottom Queen of the South with a game in hand - due to their participation in the semi-finals of the Tunnock's Challenge Cup - when the season was ended.

In a statement Thistle chairman Jacqui Low said it had been "clear for some time that we were to be sacrificed for the alleged greater good of the Scottish game, but it is still sickening now that it has been confirmed."

And while court action to reverse the decision is their preferred route, they admit the costs involve are preventing this - for the moment.

The statement continued: "The reality is that the cost to do so is prohibitive for us and it comes with no guarantee of success. To raise an action would cost the club a six-figure sum, indeed it would mean effectively using the incredible six-figure sum raised by our fans to support the club through this difficult period.

"That is the equivalent of monies to bring three or four new players to the club to get us back on track next season. That has to be our priority and what we believe a majority of our fans want too - building the strongest possible squad to win matches when football returns.

"Therefore, the Board will not pursue legal action at this time but reserves the right to do so should circumstances change."

Thistle say their priority now is to focus on returning to the Championship at the first attempt, but that doesn't mean they are prepared to forgive. Or forget.

The statement continued: "As a member of the SPFL, we feel badly let down especially by its Board and Chairman. In allowing harm to be done to some members, as they have done, can the SPFL really still be regarded as a membership organisation that works in the best interests of all its members, one that genuinely acts on behalf of the membership as a whole?

"In all of its actions of recent months, the SPFL has shown it is not fit for purpose. That must be addressed, claiming to only do what members tell them is an assertion that has now worn thin.

"Finally, what has also been made clear today is that, despite this being the worst of times, a majority of Scottish football wasn’t prepared to stand by its own.

"There are a number of honourable exceptions, who know who they are – to all of you we say thank you, we will not forget."