Abject failure of leadership

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After they hatched their plan to blackmail Scottish Football League clubs into voting Newco into the First Division, Stewart Regan, Neil Doncaster and David Longmuir might have paused to wonder what reaction they would receive.

You better believe they didn’t anticipate the reaction today from Clyde and Raith Rovers.  Rovers chairman, Turnbull Hutton, told BBC Scotland’s Jim Spence, “If we are at the stage of bending rules and accommodating, threatening and blackmailing, we want to give it up.”

“Bending rules… threatening… blackmailing…we want to give it up”.

Hutton went on to suggest heads should roll at the SFL, SFA and SPL.  He’s the first from within the football establishment to call for sackings but he’ll not be the last.

An extensive statement by Clyde FC concluded, “The papers include a proposal to allow a Newco to enter the 1st Division. This is contrary to the rules of the SFL and nothing within the papers justifies this proposal.”

Regan, Doncaster and Longmuir will now be contemplating that their bully-boy tactics will fail. SLF clubs will vote against their recommendations and SPL clubs will not stop promotion from the lower leagues based on merit.  It looks like abject failure of leadership.

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  1. Gordon J,

     

    An old hun acquaintance of mine took the opposite view always ate fish on a Friday at the canteen on the basis “that its wan less for your lot”

  2. The Honest Cover-up on

    thomthethim CQN (genuine) Badge Wearer on 1 July, 2012 at 12:33 said:

     

     

    I can see a wee but of jealousy creeping in amongst the Tartan Army at this. Don’t Uefa realise that when the “See you jimmy” lads are urinating in public, singing songs about hating “England” and generally behaving in an obnoxious manner that they are being “characters” and that everyone should love them?

  3. I really hope we get to play football this coming season. I,too,am glad that big Fraser has committed to us. And,as always,I earnestly hope Big Vic W. remains. That big fhella has SO much potential…..he could become a legendary Bhoy.

     

    And there’s Charlie M., wee Jamesie, Broonie, Izzy, Paddy (who needs more inclusion….build some on-field support around him. He’ll produce) and all the rest of The Bhoys who could make this one of our greatest seasons……if only we’re allowed to get on with the brilliant game and the ghost of rfc gets dumped in the bin of their non-history.

  4. This is great fun, those lovely chaps in their hallowe’en costumes, with their nice instruments and lilting ditties are just passing by my window. I’ve a wee tear in my eye and a pot of hot oil in my hands.

     

     

    Brimmer

  5. Auld Neil Lennon heid on

    *THE KING VIC 67* on 1 July, 2012 at 12:52 said:

     

     

    Hugh still thinks its 1984!

     

     

    From Wikpedia:

     

     

    ” Doublespeak is language that deliberately disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of words. Doublespeak may take the form of euphemisms (e.g., “downsizing” for layoffs, “servicing the target” for bombing [1]), making the truth less unpleasant, without denying its nature. It may also be deployed as intentional ambiguity, or reversal of meaning (for example, naming a state of war “peace”). In such cases, doublespeak disguises the nature of the truth, producing a communication bypass.[2][3]

     

     

    However, euphemism is not the same as doublespeak. It will not be considered as doublespeak if it is used appropriately and without the intention to deceive. For example, using “passed away” to suggest somebody is dead is an appropriate use of euphemism.[4] ”

     

     

    Hugh’s perception of football is a reflection of his poor perception of fellow human beings, but in the industry and particular newspaper he works in that is either an unavoidable health hazard or a prerquisite for the job,

  6. The Honest Cover-up on 1 July, 2012 at 12:48 said:

     

    >>>

     

    I don’t want to re-post it here coz it shrinks the age so badly,but if you go to the Wikipedia page listing ALL the teams playing in Scottsh football they only get mentioned in the ‘defunct’ section.

     

    And if you go to the page listing ‘failed businesses’ there you will find rankers listed under 2012.

     

    They are DEAD. They cannot be ‘relegated’ because they are DEAD. They cannot be ‘banned’ from Europe because they are DEAD. They are not in existence because they are DEAD.

     

    And,oh yeah they are *^*^* as well,but DEAD ones. DEAD.

  7. timbhoy in spain on

    One o´my neighbours would only use blue soap but saying that I had a pal who would only use blue toilet paper

  8. was in Horseshoe Bar last week

     

     

    says to the lad, how much for a Horseshoe Bar t-shirt and what colours do you have ?

     

    says to me, a tenner

     

    and we have royal blue, light blue, grey etc

     

    i says, any green ones ?

     

    he says naw – they’re no popular wi the regulars in here

     

    he says he had one – he’s a tim – but the green ones that they had previously were not sellin too much so they ditched them

     

    ah says, loud so everyone could hear, but the green ones are the best ones, that’s the champions’ colour

     

     

    he smiled at me, and there were a few growls in the background

     

    :)

  9. Paidraig Marley on

    Interesting documentary if you have a couple of hours to spare

     

    at the start they talk about the masons,

     

     

    Quote: A mason must support his fellow brothers even if he is in full knowledge of wrong doing by his brethren :Unquote.

     

     

    Maybe this is why we see all this deceit,lies,corruption and out right disregard for human decency.

     

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2dSXEZp9io

  10. backpedal re the Tour

     

    its only the highlights of yesterday thats on the noo

     

     

    live coverage begins at 2pm on ITV4 methinks

     

    same each day, wi highlights again at 7pm

     

     

    one black guy in the race this year

     

    first time ever

  11. The Spirit of Arthur Lee on 1 July, 2012 at 12:11 said:

     

     

    Is it a timber/PVC door with a multipoint lock? If so sometimes the “Gearbox” can dry up. Spray a load of WD40, or any other spray oil, around the keyhole etc and try to move the handle. Do not use too much force as you could even break the handle, even more expense. If that does not work the whole lock might have to be replaced and they are not cheap and Sunday call out. If you lived in Cork I might have been able to sort you out but Glasgow is a little outside my catchment area.

  12. The Spirit of Arthur Lee on

    owen

     

     

    Yer bang on the button a new lock is required.

     

     

    I have spent a few bob so far today and i have not even left the hoose.

     

     

    And now i have been told that i am watching my 2 year old nieces ( aka The

     

    Tsunami sisters) for a few hours.

     

     

    Roll on the Fitba

  13. No sign of Bomber Brown since his wonderful oration on the steps of the scrap yard.

     

     

    I wonder if his mummy has grounded him.

  14. MWD

     

    ye stole ma thunder there re TEXTIS

     

    haha

     

    another wan is…

     

    TWITS

     

    am just reviewin the context on the

     

    TWITS statement at the mo

     

    :)

  15. The Spirit of Arthur Lee on 1 July, 2012 at 13:37 said

     

     

    Ouch and Double Ouch.

     

     

    I sell those bloody things and people look at me like I should be wearing a mask and carrying a bag marked “swag” when I tell them the price.

  16. Alasdair MacLean on

    For those who were in Dingwall last October, have a look at the changed away end – and the newest pitch in the SPL…

     

     

    http://www.overthebridge.info/showthread.php?tid=436&page=20

     

     

    Ross County chief George Adams claims living within their means has put club on the football map

     

    Jul 1 2012 by Gordon Waddell, Sunday Mail

     

     

     

    THEY say discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.

     

    If that’s true, they should name the one they walk over to get to Victoria Park after George Adams.

     

    Seven years ago, he joined a club they were measuring for its coffin, six figures’ worth of toxic debt choking Ross County to death.

     

    In five weeks’ time, he’ll walk through the front door to watch them play their first ever game in the SPL.

     

    He’ll walk into a glistening stadium which has had the best part of £2million spent on it over the summer.

     

    And he’ll walk in with pride to watch a team, led by his son Derek, that got them there built on fiscal and football discipline, knowing they’re the ultimate end-product of a pact he made on day one with wealthy benefactor Roy MacGregor (below).

     

    That never again would they spend what they didn’t have.

     

    It’s a rule Adams has refused to let them break, even with one of the richest men in Scotland sitting like the devil on his shoulder telling him he could.

     

    Now the end has justified living within their means.

     

    And as he showed MailSport round the top-flight’s newest stadium, the 61-year-old Director of Football beamed: “We’re thriving as a football club and it’s because there’s a discipline here, financially and in a football sense.

     

    “And you can’t go down the road of breaking it, even once.

     

    “When I came here in 2005 the club was in trouble. It was close to shutting the doors. They had severe financial problems because they had spent money they didn’t have.

     

    “So Roy and I made a pact. This club has needed him, no question, but it has also needed someone strong enough to say ‘we’re not going back down that road’.

     

    “Ask him. He’d go down a different road from me, no doubt about that. Because he can. He can afford it. But I’m not prepared to let him.

     

    “Our players are all within a wage bracket and we don’t have anyone outwith it. I won’t change that. Not for him, not for anyone.

     

    “Remember, I’ve been through the administration process with Motherwell.

     

    “The day will come when either the bank or your own finances will tell you there’s nothing left.

     

    “If you have £50 a week to do the shopping, that’s what you have. You maybe want £75 so you can do it in Marks and Spencers but you don’t have it.

     

    “It’s no different when you run a club. I know people look at us and they see Roy’s wealth and think ‘Aye, they SAY that, but…’

     

    “ I’ll take you down the stairs and let you see the payroll. Has he ever said to me ‘Let’s push the boat out, I’ll cover it?’ Oh aye, absolutely. Many many times.

     

    “Even in January of the season past. ‘Let’s try to get a couple of marquee signings, George’, and I just said, ‘These boys are good enough to get us where we’re going, I’m not letting you do it’.

     

    “Honestly. And look at the league table. See the unity and the camaraderie here? You can’t buy it.”

     

    That sense of togetherness runs through the club from top to bottom.

     

    Walking in the door in midweek, the first sight you see is director Mike Kydd with the hard hat and high-viz vest on, project-managing the upgrade to the all-seated, undersoil-heated, all-singing and dancing stadium.

     

    Next to him is fellow board member John McGregor, Roy’s brother, decked out the same.

     

    Self-made, self-sustaining. Adams is like a whirlwind as he shows you round. New refs’ room to cater for four officials instead of three. Interview room off the tunnel for TV. Double the car-parking.

     

    The pitch has been dug up for the undersoil heating and sprinkler systems and the surface is now BEGGING to have football played on it, that’s how good it looks since it was re-seeded.

     

    And then there’s the seats. A whole new construction at the far end, two thirds complete, and a new stand built under the shed roof of the Jail End.

     

    The fear was it would tear the soul from the place, taking away the terraces, but bathed in the summer sunshine, it doesn’t feel like it.

     

    The only incongruous bit is a weird little gazebo on stilts tucked in the far corner to give them an extra 300 seats they’ll probably rarely need – but a good Dingwall gust of wind looks like it’ll put paid to it anyway.

     

    The graft of getting the place ready at breakneck pace for day one to avoid taking up the safety net of a share with Inverness has been worth every penny.

     

    Whether having to spend it simply to comply with SPL rules has been is another question. Adams shrugged: “We’re talking between £1.8 and £2m to do all the work. It was originally going to be a bit less.

     

    “Undersoil heating, though?” He scratches his head. “It’s probably relevant for two games a season at most.

     

    “And the seats? Who’s going to make this ground a sellout? Celtic, Inverness…

     

    “We’ve played both clubs here, we’ve played Hibs out there when it was terracing, not one arrest. We’ve never had a problem here with fans.

     

    “Still, it’s in the rules, we’ve done it, it looks great, and on day one of the season we’ll feel proud of what we’ve achieved.”

     

    They should, because it’s built on the foundations of its community, and everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.

     

    For Adams, someone who worked for Sir Alex Ferguson for nine years at Aberdeen and is responsible for some of the best recruitment done at Rangers and Celtic over the past decade, it’s the way it has to be.

     

    Walking into their indoor pitch, he sees a bit of litter. “Ach,” he says. “See that?

     

    “That’s exactly the kind of thing Fergie would go nuts at. Someone not caring enough to pick that up. It might seem like the smallest thing, but that’s where your standards, your discipline, starts.”

     

    So he picks it up and puts it in a bin. Because that’s what he’d expect of anyone else at the club.

     

    It’s an ethos which has turned on its head the idea a club a three-hour drive from ‘civilisation’ could never attract players. Now they’re an easier sell.

     

    “At least they know their wages will be in the bank every month,” says Adams pointedly, knowing fine well that’s not a boast every SPL club can make.

     

    “Back in the day, we had difficulties persuading people to come. Now they know how well they’re treated here. They settle and buy in to the philosophy.”

     

    From the pain of the drop to the Second Division in 2007 as they paid off their debt and suffered the consequences, they’ve come a long way.

     

    “It’s an incredible story,” admits Adams. “We only came into this league 18 years ago and before that we weren’t exactly a successful Highland League club – three titles in 90 years.

     

    “But the past five years since we went down the road we’re on, we’ve won the Second Division, won the First Division by 24 points and we went to a Scottish Cup final paying a basic £400 a week.

     

    “Now THAT’S a fairytale.”

  17. I see green is threatening legal action regarding the players who walked away, but I wonder who the legal action will be against.

     

     

    TUPE is pretty watertight on the transfer of employment contracts, therefore will he instead pursue rangers or D&P for selling him assets which, effectively, did not exist?

     

     

    Will he withhold a portion of the 5.5m asset value?

  18. Greenwells Glory on

    Hi Ghuys, Salve salve;- Wonderful to see ole Bomber Broon standing like Horatio on the bridge, there’s leadership for you such men as Bomber will lead the extinct club to places of even further mirth and hilarity, I can’t believe it, it really is beyond parody.

     

    BTW I heard a wee rumour…. I can’t tell yez but…… Ok then I will

     

    Seems one of Bomber’s backers was trying to explain cashflow to him and was using various props to illustrate unfortunately when he got to the pie chart, ole Bomber ate it.

     

    Greenwells

     

    Caveat emptor

  19. thehuddlehound on

    The only Club going to the wall because of the actions of R@ngers(LanLiq) appears to be R@ngers(LanLiq) themselves! There’s a lot of hysteria about how none of the others will be able to be fiscally responsible within a new ‘financial model’, if you like.

  20. philvisreturns on

    Italy’s midfield engine proves that if you’re good enough you’re never too old. (Scotsman)

     

     

    Never too old?

     

     

    I know he looks over 40 but he only recently turned 33!

     

     

    Gordon Strachan played till he was 40.

     

     

    Di Stéfano retired at 36, and that was back in the dark ages of the early 60’s, without the benefit of the succeeding half a century of developments in sports science.

     

     

    33 doesn’t make you old in any sense, 33 is the new 23. (thumbsup)

  21. Alasdair MacLean on

    Once you’ve read the above.

     

     

    Tell him he must be telling lies………..he couldn’t have done it without a strong Rangers.

  22. •-:¦:-•** -:¦:- sparkleghirl :¦:-.•**• -:¦:-• on

    philvisreturns on 1 July, 2012 at 13:46 said:

     

     

    Not forgetting Chevchenko’s contribution in the early stages.

  23. Alasdair Mc

     

     

    Thank the Lord for that!!

     

     

    I was in Dingwall for the game last season. I had to wring out my leopard print underwear when I got home!! :-)

  24. Alasdair MacLean on

    St Stivs,

     

     

    Don’t know if you picked up my message last night….

     

     

    Everone before they pass on should spend some time in summer – Sollas, North Uist. Beautiful 1.5 hrs on from Uig in Skye, the try and spend some timeon the beaches in Sollas. (Means “Light” in Gaelic.)

  25. HT

     

     

    A very evocative if not extremely concerning comment … The thought it conjures …. I need drink :-))

     

     

     

    Yer well pal ,?

  26. Alasdair MacLean on

    Hamilton Tim – I was at the covered opossite end – my heart felt for those at the other – ggotta go…

     

    Al