SPL chief executive, Neil Doncaster, appeared on BBC Radio Scotland this evening strongly pitching the appropriateness of a Newco to be voted into the SPL. He gave a couple of examples to back up his position and used gaps in his interviewer’s understanding to paint a strong picture.
While he accepted that a Newco had never assumed a position in an elevated league in Scotland he gave two examples of it happening in England and even went as far as suggesting that “going down the Newco route” was the normal way to exit administration now.
There is a crucial difference between the examples Doncaster gave and all other examples, including Rangers – over 75% of creditors agreed to a Creditors Voluntary Arrangement.
A note of explanation first:
Football clubs are free to change their corporate structure by application to their association. This has been done my most clubs over the years, in particular in the 19th century when they went from being private clubs to incorporated limited companies. There was another wave when the PLCs arrived. Celtic went through this process in 1897 when it became a limited company and again in 1994 when it became a PLC (Celtic PLC remains the same legal entity they became in 1897 with the same company number).
This facility to change your corporate structure has never been a charter to ditch your debts. Financially distressed football clubs in England often change corporate structure when subject to a takeover. The new boss comes in with the company he used to fund his takeover (like Craig Whyte’s Wavetower) then applies to the FA to associate the club with his new company. If over 75% of creditors support a CVA, this is in order and is always granted. The old company is then usually wound up.
Back to Neil Doncaster. He gave two examples: Crystal Palace and Plymouth Argyle.
Creditors of Crystal Palace agreed a CVA proposed by CPFC 2010 in June 2010. Following this, CPFC 2010 took ownership of the club and successfully applied to assume its league share.
Mr Doncaster may have been concentrating on matters elsewhere on 6 May last year when Plymouth Argyle’s creditors agreed to a CVA. The same day Craig Whyte completed his takeover of Rangers. Following this creditors agreement, the club was bought by the Akkeron Group.
Precedent in Scotland and in England is clear: if you get the agreement of your creditors (by a CVA, for example), the football authorities have no issues. If you don’t get agreement with your creditors, you’re finished.
Before I get asked the Leeds United question one more time…. 75.2% of Leeds United’s shareholders agreed to a CVA but on the 28th and final day creditors were allowed to act, HMRC objected. The Football League used emergency provisions to authorise Leeds share transfer as the CVA had sufficient support. HMRC dropped their appeal soon thereafter.
There is little we can do about controlling the debate on radio. Neil Doncaster has pinned his colours to the mast and tonight agreed to be interviewed by a journo who is also financially heavily conflicted towards supporting a Rangers-Newco in the SPL.
Doncaster also appears to have sprung the same misinformation on the organiser of the SPL Survey, who the SPL chief was very dismissive off tonight, implying the organiser accepted his view after he explained “the facts”.
This is the bottom line for you and for Doncaster. Crystal Palace, Plymouth Argyle and Leeds United all convinced over 75% of creditors to support a CVA.
Here is a list of the teams in Scotland and England (in modern times) who failed to agree a CVA:
Chester City
Farsley Celtic
Rushden and Diamonds
Airdrieonians
Gretna
All of them dissolved. None emerged as a Newco retaining their league status (although Airdrieonians fans bought and moved Clydebank FC).
This man – Doncaster – has no right to present you or SPL clubs with a selected version of English clubs history which plays fast and loose with the most important fact of all – did 75% of creditors agree to a CVA?
Precedents are clear and 100% consistent. Get 75% of creditors on side or start supporting another football team.
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At POTY on Sunday night, Tony Hamilton annoumced Thai Tims will do their thing at 7.10pm on thursday before KO
Get along early….
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!..Truth and Justice will always prevail
Ralf Topping, NOn Executice Chairman of the SPL
RobinBhoy
JinkyvJohnGreig-saysitall on 1 May, 2012 at 11:49 said:
I loved Sundays game and the music over the PA system was funny at the end, but 2 days later I still can’t get the 3 degrees ‘When will I see you again’ out of my head – brilliant but driving me insane!!!
—
Could be worse. I had Wee Wullie Bluenose and We Don’t Do Walking Away for a week and a half.
My email to SPL
Dear sirs
I write to you to express my concern as a Scottish football fan in
relation to Mr Doncaster’s views expressed last night on Radio
Scotland with regards to a newco football club being parachuted into
th SPL. Mr Doncaster cited examples as precedent from the English
leagues but was at best economical with the truth.
In each case he cited a CVA had been agreed with creditors. In
Liquidation scenarios there is no precedent for addmission to an
elevated league without such an arrangement.
I find it extremely concerning that this ‘misinformation’ is being
expressed by the senior representitive of the SPL with little or no
critical analysis from the Scottish media.
The SPL fans survey clearly expresses the views of a majority of
Scottish football fans. We do not want the sporting integrity of our
game bent to accomodate ‘one’ team on the dubious argument of
financial stability. If this were to happen the game will no longer be
sport and people will walk away.
Yours sincerely
Also watched No.1 episode of Breaking Bad last night. Wow. Can’t wait to see more.
enmac @ 10:52
Email on its way to Mr. Doncaster
Dear Mr. Doncaster ,
I am writing to you about your interview/ statements yesterday regarding the situation with Rangers FC and the lack of a vote being taken on future rules – penalties for teams going into administration or indeed liquidation.
In your interview/ statement you appear to be mistaken with regards to the precedents you claimed had been set in England.
Perhaps you could clarify your claims after seeking some expert advice on the differences between CVAs and Liquidation .
I would appreciate a personal response and then a public response , as I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be accused of misleading the wider Scottish football supporters in this extremely important matter.
Just to conclude , could you also shed any light on when we might have some answers on the double contract situation which the SPL are investigating.
Looking forward to your private and public response.
Will let you know if I get a response
this is a bit wonky but…
did topping maybe resign from the SFA because he has a shred of integrity, and was not willing to be party to the triumphantlyy predicted SPL return of newco?
remember, he has no affiliated club, therefore no obvious financial gain.
could he have simply felt oestracised?
Birds dream Topping. Great with jelly and ice cream-)
Folly Folly:
Doncaster’s blueprint should be carved up with Occam’s Razor…
Bada Bing
Exactly!
Ton Che Dan family……Congrats.
Teuchter
Sally McCoist to be appearing on the Jeremy Kyle Show tomorrow.
He’s not a guest he’s just going to appear like a ghost.
Teuchter ár lá-HH
jock tamson on 1 May, 2012 at 12:11 said:
this is a bit wonky but…
did topping maybe resign from the SFA because he has a shred of integrity, and was not willing to be party to the triumphantlyy predicted SPL return of newco?
remember, he has no affiliated club, therefore no obvious financial gain.
could he have simply felt oestracised?
………………….
Don’t take this the wrong way but I would love to have your faith in human nature.
As soon as I heard of Topping’s going my immediate thoughts were of how this would fit in with the corrupt plans to get Newco into the SPL with no sanction.
Now waited 15 minutes for his Latte in ole Merchant City.
* drums fingers *
Talk of Topping -reminds me of this
Winston Churchill did The Times crossword everyday . He prided himself in always completing it in relatively quick time.
Then —- one day -he found himself unable to complete that day’s crossword . Not because he hadn’t solved the clue but because he refused to do something that was semantically incorrect . He complained and that particular crossword was withdrawn .[such power ,such influence ]
The clue was —–
It is topping to kiss a monkey [ 4 letters ]
Answer —-APEX.
Churchill successfully argued that a monkey is not an ape.
Araucaria CSC -Way down south.
Paul67 must be checking his article with the lawyers before publication…I hope!!
Looks to me that Topping might be taking William hill out of the firing line, with the sfa decision imminent, maybe.
Afternoon,
Left a post this morning that Windy Miller would be announced as preferred bidder today. I received a text first thing from a reliable corporate type stating this would be the case. He is still saying it will happen.
Also told me UEFA have at the moment 4 seperate complaints regarding rangers oweing money. The most vociferous believe it or not is in regard to the Celik deal he may have only lasted 7 weeks but his former club want their compensation.
O.G.Rafferty on 1 May, 2012 at 11:54 said:
Thanks
Cue to visual image of Doncaster banging his head on desk.
Firstly.
Congratulations to Ton Che Dan & Lyndsey on the birth of another young hoopy.
Certainly makes the 1st of May more palatable after the loss of our buddy Pablophanque a year ago today. RIP Steve.
SECONDLY – to all those writing emails to SPL. Please also put your communication in writing and post it off. Always good to cc Celtic, CSA , CST etc too.
MWD
I cant help but wonder whether the question should be asked as to what would be a ‘fair’ punishment for Newco in the SPL – let’s get that one aired in open debate.
Points deduction, loss of history, loss of trophies (subject to player registration findings)…or are all expected to accept nothing?
If the answer is nothing, then the conclusion is that not only have they stitched everyone up for 15 years – but that they have the door wide open to do it all again with impunity.
Let’s get real – we aren’t going to get rid of them totally. Let’s start defining in open debate the acceptable scenarios (there may be more than one) for all other clubs to recognize/punish their past misdemeanors and ensure that they don’t just come back with a triumphant fanfare having stitched everyone up …yet again!!!
Surely no-one in their right minds should expect the rest of Scottish football to simply accept that – money or no money.
new article posted.
Ten Men Won The League on 1 May, 2012 at 10:42 said:
From Video Celts
Crawford Allan will referee Celtic’s match with St Johnstone tomorrow night with Iain Brines in the middle for Sunday’s trip to Dundee United.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I predict good old Crawford will have a very easy night of it. Especially since the match is Thursday not Wednesday!
Thumbs up.
Bourne…,Being a thrawn tit like my favourite manager, I’d normally wait till they are approaching the table with my order, get up and leave telling them they were too late. Resource wasted and lesson taught.
Jock Tamson ….I think you are SPOT ON ……. He doesn’t want to be about when th S hits the F ……. Obviously a man with integrity, who doesn’t want to have anything to do with what the are planning ………
Remember SPL, it was rankers who landed this pile of poo on your doorstep, and you didn’t see it coming, or did you ….?
Bourneoupe ha! Just had one, decided to miss the champers at breaky though think I must be getting auld and slowing down….. Keep drumming you’ll get there.
V
My email to Neil Doncaster:
NO ZOMBIE HUNS IN THE SPL.
Best Wishes,
Sandman.
Snake Plissken:
An expert is someone who knows more & more about less & less…the expert is the curse of our age…these rent a quotes are wheeled out like hookers of hype for small fees by these Newspapers…unfortunately as soon as your average reader sees “expert” then they take their word as gospel verbatim.
This is the old conservative establishment ploy of promoting “protectionism” under the guise it is for the collective good. We seen it in the political sphere with the banks bailed out by tax payers & basically “protected” by vast sums of monies as a buffer from economic reality- it is a denial of competition in a capitalist economy & prevents failing companies ( with systemically toxic business models ) to fail & vanish for the “real collective good”. Here, we football fans, are being asked to do the same: support the protection of a failing club who have been mired in a generational hegemony of systemic corruption, greed & cultural chicanery & downright fraudulence…maybe we football people can show other businesses how to do it right.
Sannabhoy,
Thanks for your earlier response to the point I made about the sacking of the Celtic toilets.
Perhaps the police do have a recording.
Give them a laugh while they’re on tea break.
ItaliaBhoy on 1 May, 2012 at 10:58………..
Naw…………………. You`re right!!!!
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
This Xerox monkey Dongaster is pushing the ancient fallacy that Perception is Reality…who is this shyster meant to be representing? Make no doubts about it: the MSM will peddle this rogues scam in the next few weeks with all the Pharisaical bamboozlement only they could concoct…reality as usual will be turned on its head & a vast configured doxology of phony facts, hoax statistics & misrepresentation will circulate the airwaves & printed word. We know the snowjob the LL have in the pipeline- they’ve plumbed it up to an ocean of satanic mendacity & are just waiting to release all the hyperbolic effluence into the wider MSM system…
god bless her majesty
s , revenue & customs
new article im off !