SFL clubs meet to vote on proposed merger with SPL
Scottish Football League clubs will vote on a proposed merger with the Scottish Premier League on Wednesday.
The support of 22 clubs is required for the motion to be approved and an initial show of hands at last month's AGM reflected only 16 in favour.
If the merger does not go ahead, the 10 Division One sides may create a second tier under the auspices of the SPL.
Revised financial distribution and more end-of-season play-offs are also part of the proposal to be voted on.
Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan described the meeting of Division One, Two and Three clubs as "probably the biggest day we have had in the last 12 months since we had the fall-out of the Rangers matter last summer".
"The vote is massive for Scottish football because, if approved, it will allow us to take the game forward."
SFA chief executive Stewart Regan
"Reconstruction will always be an issue," he added.
"Across Uefa, 25% of top-tier leagues have had changes within the last eight years, so you can see that you never stand still. You always look for continuous improvement.
"What is important for us is to get a single league body, a fairer distribution of income, play-offs introduced to get some excitement and to put in the parachute payments and pyramid system that will drive the game forward.
"The vote is massive for Scottish football because, if approved, it will allow us to take the game forward."
Various attempts over the past few seasons to bring all 42 senior clubs under one banner have proved unsuccessful and Wednesday's vote is almost certainly the last chance to achieve a merger in time for the 2013-14 season.
SPL clubs have unanimously agreed on a package of measures that would deliver a merged league body for the new campaign.
The single governing organisation would oversee the divisional structure that is currently in place, but there would be greater financial redistribution to the second tier.
The SPL also wants to introduce play-offs involving the team finishing 11th and teams second, third and fourth in the league below.
A new 22-club set-up of two divisions known as the Scottish Professional Football League and involving the current SPL and Division One sides could be brought about quickly if the motion fails.
Either way, Scottish football would begin the new season with four divisions - a top flight of 12 and three leagues of 10.