But the Scottish Football League chief executive is perfectly happy about that.

That Sunday afternoon's Alba Challenge Cup semi-final between Partick Thistle and Airdrie United was the first time in 12 years two SFL clubs played each other in a live televised match, gave him the satisfaction he needs.

Longmuir has been in his current role for little over a year, but in that time he is right to feel he deserves a pat on the back for the part he has played in trying to energise the three divisions by bringing in fresh sponsorship and raising the profile of leagues that will always be dwarfed by the top flight.

"The biggest challenge for me in this job is that when I first came in there was no sponsor, no TV revenue, the atmosphere was a bit flat and the organisation of things was not as good as it could have been," he said.

"We have changed that around a little bit, but there is still more that we can do. We have brought in (drinks giant) Irn Bru as the league sponsor which has been great.

"They are a cracking company to deal with and aside from that, they are also a brand that is essentially Scottish and one that reflects our market perfectly, I think.

"They are a local hero, a bit like us, and they are dynamic and young and vibrant which is how we regard ourselves.

"It's great for us to have a Scottish sponsor and one that is as well received as Irn Bru."

As the credit crunch starts to bite, it is fair to say that ticket prices in the SPL, particularly when coupled with the demands of extra cash for cup ties, and especially for Champions League briefs, will take a significant chunk of personal budgets.

And Longmuir has urged fans keen to save a bit of cash to get down and support a local team.

"I actually think that we have the most competitive league in Scotland in the First Division," he said. "It really is a league where a number of teams consider themselves viable contenders for the title.

"In the current climate when money is tight for everyone, I would definitely urge any Old Firm fan to get down and watch their local team if Celtic or Rangers are away from home, or the ticket prices are just too much.

"I live in Perth and I grew up in Airdrie so I knew exactly the kind of impact the Old Firm has on Scottish football, not just in Glasgow but in Scotland as a whole."

The biggest challenge that Longmuir may face will come in trying to placate the SPL 2 rebels.

In August 2006, the SPL approved in principal plans to create a 10-team SPL 2, but the proposals remain in limbo, awaiting an arbitration hearing at the SFA.

When he first took over the job, Longmuir pledged to unite his organisation's 30 clubs and prevent further splits.

"It is not an entity at the moment and until then we wouldn't really want to spend too much time thinking about what might be," he said.

"My job right now is to get the best possible commercial deals in place for these 30 clubs."

He added: "I'm trying to do that by bringing in more revenue and raising the profile of the game.

"This week, for the first time in 12 years, there was a live TV game with two First Division teams competing against one another and that is fabulous.

"We are never going to bridge the gap between the SFL and the SPL in terms of finance and exposure, but we can try to shrink it.

"The Alba Cup is another example where we have managed to bring in a sponsor and that can only help develop the game.

"But the key factor remains that clubs have to account for themselves. They have to operate prudently, stay on top of budgets and not get in above their heads.

"That is what they have been doing and it is vital that they keep that up."

And Longmuir was also keen to point out the un-noticed work that is being carried out by local teams who desperately need to keep their local communities interested in them.

"What you never really hear about is the cracking work that these clubs do," he continued.

"There are some fabulous initiatives where they are working in tandem to help educate kids about health, diet, fitness, drink and drugs and at the same time they are offering training facilities and coaching for all age groups.

"That kind of thing is invaluable and it goes without saying that a club bringing through a youngster of their own who then goes on to make it at a bigger club is the aim all the time.

"Such a scenario puts them in an ideal position. Gate money is never going to be enough to sustain lower league clubs and they have had to be aware of different income streams. They have never relied on a single factor for their income."