I received updates direct from last week’s Scottish Football League meeting shortly after it concluded. My information was that Neil Doncaster in particular was given a torrid time and that the mood among clubs was firmly against agreeing to place Sevco into the First Division.
Within a couple of hours it was clear that many in the media had been given a different impression and that if the vote was taken then, a ‘healthy majority would vote in favour’. To a degree I think we are all susceptible to messages we want to hear but it has been a feature of this debacle that executives from the national bodies have given clear guidance to the media that ‘Newco’ would be voted into the SPL, as it was, or now into the First Division.
On more than one occasion I’ve heard “You might have heard different, but Neil Doncaster told me….”
There is no shortcut for legwork and attention to detail. On this subject, credit to STV, who present informed information on how Friday’s vote is likely to pan out, with references. Of the 30 clubs in the SFL, the report 14 have declared an intention to vote against plans to plant Sevco into the First Division, one will abstain and one has (incorrectly) been told they are ineligible to vote. Another 14 are yet to declare.
It seems likely that the SFL vote will go the way of the SPL vote. There is a desire to retain the sporting element to our game among clubs, if not among administrators.
In a statement yesterday Clyde FC nailed several of the myths behind threats made to SFL clubs:
“We have obtained a copy of the Settlement Agreement signed up to by the SPL and the SFL in April 1998 – it is clear that the agreement is not ambiguous in this regard and there is no scope for the SPL to fail to meet the obligations to the SFL except by deliberately breaching the agreement… We have concluded that it defies credibility that the SPL clubs would instruct the SPL to deliberately breach a legal agreement.
“The matter is made worse because of the extent of uncertainty which hangs over Sevco. There is no need to prepare an exhaustive list of the issues as they are well publicised, however the extent of outstanding sanctions that may or may not be levied against a club which has yet to obtain SFA membership, together with the increasing number of possible commercial and legal challenges to the transactions to date simply presents a significant risk to the ability of the club to fulfil its fixtures in any league. Given that some of these matters are in the hands of the governing bodies it seems inexplicable that they are left hanging.”
In short, the Scottish Football League has a binding contract with the SLP which they are entitled to enforce. Clyde also refer on the matter we have discussed here for many weeks, Sevco are trying to buy a SFA membership which has significant outstanding disciplinary issues against it which could see the membership suspended. Instead of providing clarity, the SPL and SFA have refused to set deadlines of proceed with hearings.
We can speculate if SFA chief exec, Stewart Regan, will inform SFL clubs in person on Friday of plans to disband judicial oversight from our game instead of asking Lord Carloway’s panel to reconvene.
Despite the valiant efforts of many football fans and clubs, our game has been ruined by years of destructive, self-serving, leadership.
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No keen on the black socks either but if they prove lucky, keep em :)
TBDIJ
Congrats. You put your feet up now, you’ll be busy when your girls are both home.
DBBIA – do you remember when Mazel Tov played the Ole Burns Howff…?
O.G.Rafferty on 11 July, 2012 at 15:07 said:
There are often far-fetched things posted on this blog, and I have been know to pass a comment or two on them … so perhaps you can imagine my surprise when I receive a phone call that more or less bears one of them out … I’m amazed that I’m still amazed by the twists and turns in this story … expect more, probably on Frida
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m the most impatient person ever!! I hate waiting. Is it a real show stopper?
My guess is that the missing EBT money has been found in the Referee Christmas night out phish up fund.
SunnyBhoy on 11 July, 2012 at 15:14 said:
O.G.Rafferty on 11 July, 2012 at 15:07 said:
Yes it’s easy to forget that there’s a lot more that will either come out or be foolishly (and temporarily) swept under the carpet. Big tax case, dual contracts, Graeme Souness, MSM involvement, SFA/Doncaster shenanigans, number of Scottish directors with Rangers shares, dodgy transfers – and I’m sure that’s just for starters.
…………………………………
How about referee’s/officials being given shares as inducements for desserts?
thebhoydaveJapan,
great news,best wishes to you and your family
O.G.Rafferty
Can I ask you if Alex Thomson has chased up the ECA
and if so why not ?
http://www.ecaeurope.com/
If he needs a contact name and email address he can get in touch with me
Hail Hail
The Bhoy Dave – excellent news and a lovely post to read! Congratulations!
Afternoon Awe_Naw.
I posted this earlier as I didn’t get a chance yesterday. Re-posting for your info.
Hi-Ho, it’s back to work I go…..
St Martin’s Bhoy on 11 July, 2012 at 08:38 said:
Awe Naw if you’re around….
1. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on 10 July, 2012 at 15:27 said:
I agree with all of that etc..
Awe Naw, sorry but I read your post as I was logging off yesterday…having to work is a nuisance! Apologies for the delay in offering you the courtesy of a reply.
You are entirely right that Celtic stand firm throughout this carry on. I believe that they are and that they will but as I stated, that belief may eventually prove to be mis-placed. At this stage we don’t know. I also believe that we have done the right thing publicly by not making Celtic the story here. I know others have a different view.
What is paramount for me is a strong Celtic in a clean and healthy league. All my days I have wished that league was any league other than one in Scotland. That is still my wish. Until that day comes, if ever, we are stuck with what we have but we must always strive to improve it. Any Celtic board member who does not strive to do what is right for Celtic and for the integrity of the game is a Celtic board member that ought not to be in place. I have seen nothing based on fact to suggest that this is the case and until that time comes, God forbid, Celtic will as I stated earlier, have my unequivocal support.
I find it inconceivable that Messrs Lawwell, Desmond and co are unaware of the depth of feeling among our support regarding this matter. Even if some have doubts about how much of a “Celtic Man” each of our board members may be – and I don’t – I don’t believe they are stupid enough to endanger all their efforts in keeping the club on a sound financial footing over the years to commit commercial suicide by being party to any “help Sevco” campaign.
•-:¦:-•** -:¦:- sparkleghirl :¦:-.•**• -:¦:-• on 11 July, 2012 at 15:11 said:
Out of curiosity, how many other leagues in the world operate on a split basis? I’m betting that none of the good ones.
When it comes to stupidity the Australian league takes some beating. The league matches are only used to cream off the top 6 out of 10 who then play in a cup competition. It’s really only the winners of the cup who get all the kudos, i.e. possibly the team who finished 6th in the league (or 4th bottom whichever way you want to look at it)!
Big Nan on 11 July, 2012 at 15:16 said:
How about referee’s/officials being given shares as inducements for desserts?
What, like ice cream and jelly?
Sparkleghirl
I’m working on the assumption that there is going to be a split whatever happens- not a huge fan of it either. To have the top sides playing each other as the season comes to a climax is a potential winner though- problem is the league is often over by the time the split arrives. With the huns out the picture the split may just capture the imagination of fans of clubs chasing 2nd/3rd…or possibly even chasing us.
Also under a 14 team league it would split after 26 games and not 33 as is currently the case- so more potential for keeping the interest going for more clubs.
The Belgians have a league split around March I believe.
Its worth a try.
HH
thebhoydaveJAPAN,
congratulations
Pantolonio-me krechts, me geht veyter !
OG,
would you consider the implications nuclear
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on 11 July, 2012 at 14:59 said:
The black socks are way off the mark !!!!!!!!
YUKKY YUKK YUKK
…
Personally, I quite like black stockings. ;-)
HH
St Martin’s Bhoy on 11 July, 2012 at 15:18
Sorry bud I have been skim reading
I have to go to the Nazi physiotherapist from hell of the year every morning with my foot.
Lovely delightful friendly wee woman who wouldn´t be out of place in a butchers.
Except … she rips me apart for one hour every day. Physically and mentally…. and loves it.
With tears rolling down my face she jollily exclaims to the whole practice
Ah Herr Clark is more of a soft egg than a braveheart
Come on Herr Clark stop screaming like a wee lassie
I´m convinced she is a hunposter on CQN … have to say though that a foot coursing with unmitigated pain is better than a foot that is entirely numb so whatever she is doing is working. I have to go again tomorrow and I am already pure sh***** it.
As for your post.
I agree with every word of that. An excellent post thanks for taking the time to respond and making sure I saw it. I do not really have anything to add to your excellent summation. We are all taking a watching brief to see if the plc is on the same page as the support.
Hail HAil
RalphWaldoEllison fights ALS
I find them uncomfortable myself ;-)
Hail Hail
i like the idea of a bigger league, here’s the thing though, if as seems the case everyone agrees that its needed, that should not be dependent on newco’s situation.
Is there yet another device with a delayed reaction fuse about to explode just as the SFL sit down to vote on friday ?
Wonder who keeps planting them, bloody good timing and timers i’d say.
For financial reasons, I’m voting with Sunnybhoy & Tennessee Tim.
Congratulations thebhoydaveJapan.
thebhoydave.Japan
Congratulations and best wishes!
Thanks everyone.
I remember posting on here when my 1st was born…
We we drawing to much around this time & I thought we’d flunk it.
My son was born.
Football?? Hahahahahaha!
Win, lose or draw… for the first time. I UNDERSTOOD!
I remember posting on here when my 2nd was born…
More on my plate now, but always Celtic had it’s place.
I knew Neil was up against more than just 90 minutes (and now the world knows!) but, I believed in him.
We lost the league.
Things felt different.
Before I’d “feel” depressed, angry, lonely & very, very drunk… But not now.
I saw football as entertainment.
I will never see Celtic as entertainment.
So.. today I am posting again.
My third, and last, born… joins us on this wonderful day… and where are “we”?
Celtic are family (deliberately using plural).
They inspire, they infuriate, they excite, they demand, they involve, they let you down, they drag you up from the depths, they NEED you to believe in them, they repay this belief with joy & fulfillment… yet sometimes, dispair & questioning.
But today, of all days, amongst days…
I love and I look forward with clarity and with hope in my heart.
Hail Hail
tbdJ
I hope the UFH clenches in to a fist soon.
HH
DBBIA – A nahr bleibt a nahr ;-)
Congratulations to thebhoydaveJAPAN & family.
Would I be right in thinking you’ve already had a go at wetting the baby’s head, or is it purely the emotion of it all? :-)
thebhoydaveJAPAN on 11 July, 2012 at 15:42
My father said that …. I was the fourth ;-)
Hail Hail
Professor Stanley Unwin ! Brilliant turn. I remember he appeared on a TV show late 60’s early 70’s (Nationwide or some such might have been Tonight ) as a “defence expert” up against a US General. Poor guy didnt have a clue what Unwin was saying . Classic
Tried this one earlier without any luck.
Any thoughts/info on how this could be achieved within the rules?(I know,I know)
If,as seems likely,the SFL clubs don’t vote sevco into Div1 then Regan has said they will push through SPL2.
Can someone help me to understand how,in practical terms,this can be achieved before the start of the new season.
Would places be offered to those who voted yes to sevco in Div1?
What if the clubs in question were the likes of East Stirling etc who seem to dwell around the lower reaches of Div3?Would they leapfrog the likes of Partick Thistle,Dunfermline etc?
Does the SFL not have rules,statutes,votes etc re.teams notice period to leave the set-up?
Would the SPL clubs not have an input into the set-up?
How could any of this be achieved,unchallenged,before the new season?
Tax dodgers in sport
“Loving it: Huge tax breaks for Olympic sponsors”
Imagine seeing that headline on the front of your paper in the final countdown to the Olympic opening ceremony. As the eyes of the world focus on London, this is the perfect opportunity to expose the corporate sponsors who’ll be dodging tax during the games.
The UK’s winning Olympic bid included huge tax breaks for sponsors. As a result, massive multi-nationals like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Adidas stand to make a tax-free fortune. [1] Experts think the UK could be losing tens of millions. [2]
As sponsors, these companies will be banking on loads of positive media exposure. Let’s use that to our advantage, turn the tables, and roll out a massive petition demanding they pay their fair share. If the petition is big enough, and attracts enough media attention, it could be the first step in scaring these image-conscious companies into refusing their gold-plated tax break.
Can you add your name to the petition to the heads of these big companies demanding they turn down their Olympic tax dodge?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/olympic-tax-dodging
The whole reason these gigantic companies are involved in the Olympics is for the image boost it’ll provide. A tarnished brand is their PR team’s worst nightmare. So what’ll scare them most is our huge petition being covered in the media, and high-profile hand-ins at their flagship stores. Sources tell us a few of the sponsors may already be rattled. Let’s show them their Olympic tax-dodge isn’t worth the PR damage by piling into the petition and sharing it with friends.
38 Degrees members keep on voting to tackle tax-dodging. Together, we’ve forced it onto the political agenda. Now it’s time to focus in on the companies who stand to make the biggest profits. A massive public outcry demanding that these Olympic giants pay their fair share could be the first step in putting an end to corporate tax-dodging.
Let’s start with McDonald’s. If you sign the petition today, we’ll deliver it this Friday to a high profile McDonald’s restaurant on Oxford St. Can you sign the petition now?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/olympic-tax-dodging
Awe_Naw, 15:17
I don’t think he knows about – tell him please.
Neil canamalar, 15:24
Nuclear, no. Surprising and embarrassing, yes
Does anyone know if FANANDPATRIOT has spilt the beans yet???
Hail hail
It’s is being said that Liverpool,are leading the race to sign Ki,for 7m.
Liverpool paid 15/17m each for Dowling & Henderson.they paid 7m for Adams.I hope Celtic tell them the bidding starts at 10m.
Congratulations thebhoydave Japan.HH.
I agree Scotland doesn’t deserve Rangers.
Nope. I wouldn’t wish them on my worst enemy.
Scottish football has the chance to rid itself of there being any form of the stinking cesspit of a club that was Rangers and its supporters.
Ibleedgreenandwhite 1
Still in limbo HH
OG : Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Nothing uncovered about the spread of their malignancy is totally surprising.
RalphWaldoEllison fights ALS on 11 July, 2012 at 15:27 said:
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on 11 July, 2012 at 14:59 said:
The black socks are way off the mark !!!!!!!!
YUKKY YUKK YUKK
…
Personally, I quite like black stockings. ;-)
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2010 Never Again
Indeed!
Do you wear them with heels? <:-))
O.G.Rafferty
where can I find his email address as I dont tweet
Thanks
HAil Hail