Hearts: Jim Jefferies wants SPL to reinstate winter break

SPL chief Neil Doncaster hinted earlier this week that the re-introduction of a winter break could be a possibility in the future, saying he favoured that ahead of a switch to summer football in a bid to overcome the sort of cold snap disrupting fixtures at the moment.

Jefferies was in his first spell as Hearts manager when a January shutdown was last implemented, using the time to recharge batteries as well as taking his players to Portugal for a week's work to help get them prepared for the second half of the campaign.

He believes fans also benefit from such a break, especially when money is tight after Christmas and New Year, but says any decision to re-introduce one can't be based on weather, due to the fact fixtures can be hit at any time during the winter months.

"I'm a supporter of the proposal for a winter break and, with Neil Doncaster having come out this week and talked about that possibly coming back in, we'll just have to wait and see what comes of that," said Jefferies.

"I liked the winter break because it allowed you to get the team away at a time when pitches aren't great. Even when it's not snowing, pitches become heavy and clubs used to ship everyone away for a good week's training with sun on their back at a good facility."

In Hearts' case, that was the Barringtons' complex on the Algarve, where Jefferies and his coaching staff had a full-size pitch on their doorstep and also did some work on the nearby beach.

"It did have a benefit but whether clubs can afford to do it now might be a problem," added the Hearts boss. "If it does come in, not all the clubs will be able to get away due to finances being so tight.

"I still believe games should go ahead on Boxing Day and New Year's Day as they traditionally attract big crowds. You know what it is like after a great day celebrating Christmas. People