How Scotland's smallest clubs may help shape the future of football in the country

IF Dalbeattie Star speak for the romantically named in the lower orders of Scottish football then Stewart Regan will be a happy man this afternoon  ... Reports the Daily Record

The SFA chief hit the road months ago on his mission to explain the need for radical reform of the governing body.

The key went into the ignition of his company car after Regan admitted to himself the SFA wasn't trusted, respected or competent.

The intention was to put in the miles from Lossiemouth all the way to the Borders and let everybody understand exactly what they were voting for when the 91 member clubs assemble for the association's AGM at Hampden today.

The gathering has been called a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the game here for the better.

Former First Minister Henry McLeish's description of events has now been followed up by official backing from the Scottish Parliament for Regan's plans.

And the need to ask not what the game can do for you but what you can do for the good of the game has been fully absorbed in Dalbeattie Star's piece of Dumfries and Galloway.

The South of Scotland League club's only claim to fame so far has been Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling shouting "Ooh Ahh, Dalbeattie Star" during their Scottish Cup ties.

Now they could go down in history as the club who understood what the greater good meant in relation to transforming an ailing organisation into a vibrant force for change.

Kenny Murray has been the Star's treasurer for the past 10 years.

Last night he spoke the words that proved Regan's petrol account had not been money down the drain.

Kenny said: "The SFA reforms might mean we have to take a hit that we don't necessarily want to take. But if we fall behind so the game can move forward that has to be done.

"A change is required and we'd still have a voice at the top table by being part of the non-professional game board.

"It might mean we'd be downgraded to the same level as the amateurs, where before we had the same standing as the clubs in the Highland League but if we're honest our facilities aren't the best."

The SFA's cut-off point between full professional and non-professional status is the ability to pass a licensing board test. Dalbeattie's Islecroft Stadium (which has a capacity of 3500 but only 300 seats) doesn't even have floodlights.

Murray said: "That would be our priority. But we're also conscious of the bigger picture and doing what's necessary to move Scottish football on.

"The SFA's chief executive came to speak to us and he was very professional in his approach. He had clearly done his homework and struck me as the man who could move the SFA forward."

If those words are music to Regan's ears then the tone he set by travelling the country has also impressed the folks at Burntisland Shipyard.

They have been proud members of the SFA as an amateur club since 1929 but now realise the ship has sailed on the old ways - and that the governing body is an ocean-going wreck in the making unless it can be allowed to change.

Drew Beveridge will represent the Fife club at Hampden when Regan once again outlines his proposals to the members at 10am before a lunchtime vote.

A 75 per cent majority is needed to herald the dawn of a new era and Beveridge said: "We've discussed the proposals as a club and know they are the way forward.

"We have always regarded it as an honour to be allowed to play in the Scottish Cup but we know the changes to the SFA's structure mean we're being encouraged to upgrade our facilities.

"We hope to rise to that challenge. Our ambition is to play in the East of Scotland League but we know we can assist in the overhaul of the SFA's disciplinary procedures and fast-track the punishment system in the meantime. There's nothing to oppose in the proposals."

If the realisation is that the tail can't wag the dog any more that's all Regan is asking for at the moment.

The changes are intended to be a means to an end. Like Celtic boss Neil Lennon said, this is just the beginning.

Regan: "If voted through these will be the most significant changes in the 138-year history of the SFA.

"We've travelled thousands of miles to make sure our members are aware of the significance of these changes."

Regan's road trip has now reached journey's end and by mid-afternoon he hopes to be addressing the media on a job well done.

The SFA chief can start rehearsing the victory speech if another of the game's eccentric names, Gala Fairydean, are representative of the mood in the land.

Their chairman, John Frame, said: "We now need to focus on football and not politics, the advancement of the game and not of individual careers.

"If we miss the boat this time we will be stuck. The governing body needs transformed and brought up to date. We, as a club, always try to comply with what's best for Scottish football.

"People in the past have come in to the SFA and promised to shake it up - but they never managed to do it.

"If Mr Regan can keep his enthusiasm up he'll get the support of the clubs."

Gala, Burntisland Shipyard and Dalbeattie Star might be one thing but Queen's Park are something different.

They go to the very core of Scottish football's being. The Spiders are living history as the game's founding fathers yet they will write the final page on Regan's triumph by conceding that the game is about movement as much as memories.

Club president Dr Alan Hutchison said: "It's time for the SFA to be modernised.

"It's right to cut down board sizes and introduce a judicial panel to replace disciplinary procedures.

"The package of changes drawn up is to be welcomed."

Regan couldn't have wished for a weightier reference to carry into the AGM that has the potential for being an historical landmark.

TODAY'S proposals to revolutionise the SFA last night won the backing of the Scottish parliament.

Sports Minister Shona Robison threw her weight behind chief executive Stewart Regan's plans to streamline and modernise our national game's governing body.

She said: "The First Minister, Alex Salmond, and myself fully support those proposals and encourage their adoption. We'll work with the SFA to review the youth action plan."