St Mirren chairman, Stewart Gilmour, last week suggested the SPL’s 11-1 protected voting rule, which in the past enabled Celtic and Rangers to block changes against their interests, was a reason for him to oppose Scottish football’s league reorganisation plan.
Today, with Rangers consigned to history, Celtic chief executive, Peter Lawwell, proposed a change in voting rules, replacing the requirement to have an 11-1 majority with a 9-3 majority, which Aberdeen chairman, Stuart Milne, called a “major concession”.
This was not linked to the league reorganisation vote, but Stewart Gilmour voted against this change, despite using this voting rule as an excuse for his reluctance to allow reorganisation. So we now know St Mirren’s objection is nothing to do with voting rules, the brought Aberdeen’s Milne to say on his way out of Hampden, “You need to ask what [St Mirren’s] agenda is”.
After the SFL’s chef exec, David Longmuir, came under pressure from First Division clubs for opposing reorganisation plans, Newco Rangers’ chief executive, Charles Green, was a guest of Gilmour’s at St Mirren’s recent game against Celtic. Green has been a vocal opponent of the league reconstruction proposals and right on cue, Newco released a statement offering support to Gilmour and Ross County, the other objectors.
For those who like their irony straight from the mouths of the stupid, Newco even suggested St Mirren and Ross County “should not be singled out for criticism. They stood up for what they and their fans believe”. Just like all those clubs who were criticised bitterly by Newco for voting as their fans wanted a year ago.
Milne added, “St Mirren FC have really got to pose themselves the question qhy are they prepared to put Scottish football in jeopardy for their own selfish interests, which they have been unable to do today.”
Some people have a belief that there will now be an invitation-only SPL II with Newco being invited. I can tell you with absolute certainty this will not happen. There will be no Newco in the second tier of Scottish football next season.
Instead what has happened is attitudes have hardened against such moves. It would not be at all surprising if 10 SPL clubs declined tickets for their visits to St Mirren Park next season – the anger is that serious. The status quo will be maintained, St Mirren have lost enormous goodwill above and below them, First Division clubs have failed to secure a significant boost in income and the SPL will get on with business.
All of which brings us back to Stuart Milne’s question, what is St Mirren’s real agenda? I know fine well what it is, but they have not damaged Celtic, they have not assisted Newco in any way and the poor St Mirren fans will inherit the collateral damage.
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Burghboy
When did wee chic get an interest in Japanese paper folding?
But whit aboot the ‘Big Hoose Must Stay Open’ becrutched bear?
Will no one think of the big, baldy, beer-bellied bears?
Excellent article Paul
The SPL (and the EPL down south) was formed by a number of clubs breaking away from the existing League and forming their own league. What is to stop the ‘SPL 10’ with a few invited clubs, following a similar path and planning a new breakaway league with a new set of rules and regulations?
Even the thought of this would scare the crap out of the rest ! “We’ll form a new league” would rank as the most scary 5 words heard, ranking alongside along with “Derek we’re off to Benidorm” !
We will survive regardless, but it may be time to call bluffs and take real leadership!
Seems to me the biggest reason for wanting the change is simply because it would annoy Newco Sevco. Doesn’t make it right though.
Ross County’s position, copied and pasted………….
This Monday the 12 SPL club chairmen will all meet to vote on the proposals to re-structure Scottish Football. However indications are that the vote will not go through.
The current voting system says that a vote on this subject would require an 11-1 majority, and it looks as though both St. Mirren and Ross County – and possibly Kilmarnock – will vote against it meaning the proposals will not be adopted.
While Ross County’s chairman Roy MacGregor indicated around six weeks ago that County intended to vote against the proposals, St. Mirren were the first team last week to confirm that they will vote against it.
Since then the heavy weights of the SPL have deployed the bully boy tactics to try and pressurise Roy MacGregor and the rest of the Ross County board into changing their stance.
Dundee Utd’s Steven Thompson was first to come out and say his piece, but like the others was unable to say why his club was in favour of the change!
Aberdeen’s Stuart Milne was next to vent his fury – and while he criticised St Mirren for coming out early with their stance, he also broadcast what Aberdeen’s stance was. He also added pressure to Roy MacGregor in saying that it wasn’t fair that Ross County could be the one club to decide the future of the whole game – well Mr Milne were you not one of the chairmen who set up the 11-1 vote system, and also voted in support for it as recently as last October?
Both St. Johnstone and Inverness CT’s chairmen have also stated their support, but in fairness to them they held back from trying to apply any pressure on others.
Sunday saw Celtic’s chairman Peter Lawwell specifically target Roy MacGregor in that he says he will seek to meet personally with Roy MacGregor before the meeting on Monday.
However during Lawwell’s interview he claimed that Scottish football would suffer financial meltdown if they weren’t accepted (where have we heard that before??) He went on to back up his argument with a statement that “TV companies interested in – with ESPN in particular were pretty interested about it” – This will be the same ESPN who have already said they won’t be covering any football in the UK next season!
It is also interesting see the central to all these chairmen’s arguments they mention that fairness and democracy is the way forward – yet they also feel the need to try and sway the vote in the way they want it to go by applying bully boy tactis!
The County board all met on Friday in a special meeting to discuss this subject, and while no official statement has been made by anyone who was in that meeting about what the outcome was, it is still widely expected that County will stand firm in their opposition to the new proposals when the vote takes place on Monday.
So why are County opposed to the new proposals?
The main reason is the new league set-up, and the two top leagues of 12 teams splitting mid-season into three leagues of eight.
County’s argument is that it’s not what the majority of the fans want – all the recent surveys conducted by the SPL and SFA have both indicated that fans want larger leagues, not smaller leagues which would happen under the new proposals!
Also County feel that it would be very hard to sell a season ticket in the summer with fans not knowing what they are actually paying for?
It would be also fair to point out at this stage that Ross County are in support of other aspects of the new proposals – such as the formation of a single governing body over all the leagues, and the redistribution of wealth.
Ross County solution would be to keep the current set up – albeit with an additional play-off between second bottom of the SPL and second top of the First Division – but to adopt the single governing body and redistribution of wealth. But the only option open to the SPL clubs was an all or nothing vote, instead of each individual option being voted on!
What benefits do the SPL see in the new proposals?
This is the million dollar question, and one which has not been fully answered by anyone.
The main argument seems to be that it would offer more meaningful games to the season. However this season has shown that there are very few meaningless games in the current format in all four leagues, whereas the new proposals would create more meaningless games in the league of 18 teams!
They also say more sponsorship – this though has not been backed up with any facts.
As above the single governing body and re-distribution of wealth has also been centre to their argument, which appears to be agreed with by all sides – but negotiation is not on the agenda!
From speaking to Ross County fans over the recent months on this subject, the vast majority are opposed to the plans and are fully behind Roy MacGregor and the County board in voting against the proposals in Monday’s meeting. And I am sure that Roy MacGregor will not buckle under pressure and will do what he feels is in the best interest of Ross County!
Paul
Spill the bean’s.
No concessions to sevco!
Boycott St. Sevco.
Perhaps a stupid question but is it possible for the SFL to reconstruct their own leagues without SPL permission?
Ellboy – I am Neil Lennon, YNWA.
19:58 on
15 April, 2013
yes they can
P67 did PL call SG’s bluff by offering concessions on voting? Was this merely a cunning Machiavellian ploy to ‘out’ the dastardly Sevconian puppet
Q. What’s the difference between sevco and St. Sevco?
A. Paisley Road West.
Even if Sevco survive, financially, the SFA must come to its senses and rescind whatever doodled licence they gave them in July.
We all know what condition number eight was. If they were playing at a ground owned by Craig Whyte I can’t imagine even Sandy Bryson could come up with a defence. Not that Sandy’s defences in the past have fooled anyone.
‘All of which brings us back to Stuart Milne’s question, what is St Mirren’s real agenda? I know fine well what it is’
Paul67
You cannot finish an article like that!
Heard from a very good source that Myth is actually on 145k a year at Sevco.
Che
Probably about the same time he became a St Mirren fan!!!
What’s the agenda??
Anyone know What does a Club requires to have in place to go from associate membership to full membership?
Bada
A mere drop on the ocean when you have £20m in the bank.
Repost from end of last thread
Alright guys doing a bit of clearing out and have a load of old football annuals 50s through to 80s. Scottish football books and Playing for Celtic1969 then 3,4,9,13. If anyone would like them get in touch. Not looking to sell just someone who would appreciate them can have them. Could even put donation to Oscar or Kano charities.
Mick
Paul. So we see it happening before our eyes. The “Old Firm” is no more, the “New Firm”(as was Aberdeen and Dundee United)are in accordance with Celtic to create the “Resolute Firm” to keep Sevco where they belong.. in Scottish Football Limbo with St.Mirren and Ross Cpounty dying to join them. In many ways a disappointing day but also a historic day. Celtic (PL) have tried to save Scottish Football and their efforts have been rebuffed by a hun collaborator. Now lets take care of ourselves.
Paul67
Are you so sure Newco won’t be in a second tier next season cos (as big phil suggests) they won’t be around that long?
But then what’s to stop a third version emerging and claiming someone else’s history in time for reconstruction…
MurdochauldandHay
From last thread.
No, I’m a three hour drive into the mountains, well away from all the brits >}
Tbj
Gt the useless klanky and the hun that sees round corners said they spotted you :-)
Leftclickceltc.
Did you enjoy the hospitality?
why can’t the ten just split – leaving the two dissenters – and start a league of our own – with invites of course
2 explosions at end of Boston Marathon route
kayal33
19:59 on 15 April, 2013
Thanks for that, though it wasn’t the answer I’d wanted.
Two explosions near finish line of Boston marathon
FJIW
“Now lets take care of ourselves.”
Ha ha. What do you mean “now”?
Chuckles clearly has the inside skinny on CW’s dealings with the St Mirren board. Today’s vote served two purposes:
Keeps alive the opportunity to raise SB prices for Sevcovians, and the strip sale sponsored by cheetah
Gives chuckles some much-needed credibility with the sevco board and the brain-donors.
Chuckles, like CW before him, is playing for time-like CW, he’s not very good at it.
charles kickham @ 20:09
Beat you to it @ 19:56 – great minds think alike !!
Sipsini
Some wag text me… ” the fat philip schofield is a celtic supporter” .. I laughed at that.
Wtf were the gruesome twosome watching the glasgow hibernian playing dundee hibernian for ?
Here’s my second option of the day.
2 leagues of ten who play each other 4 times.
League A – Let’s call it the Integrity League, invites 9 teams plus Celtic to join. Financial stability, openess and fairness at its heart. Refs contracted from across Europe.
League B – Let’s call it the Loyal Corrupt Bears League, invites 9 teams to join spawn of sevco or Ra Rangers the Third. No rules or regulations in the freedom loyal league as long as spawn 3 wins every year. Meetings held en ludge and financial reporting abandoned as its too much bureaucracy. Refs drawn from Dallas and Co.
The leagues chase their own sponsorship, tv deals etc.
The 2 league winners play off every season for the title of Scottish Champions. The next positions play off for European slots available. 50% of the play off funds go to charity from League Integrity, 50% go to the charity spawn 3 in League Loyal.
Simple choice for the 18 others. Which league do you apply to?
HH
Shocking scenes in Boston. 2 explosions at end of Boston marathon.
Prayers for the people of Boston just now. I hope there’s not too many involved in whatever this is.
Jamiebhoy
i think your on the right road with the groundshare thing..whether its for sevco 2 or sevco 5088 who knows..iboke will be too exspensive to repair and rent ..as craigie boy will hold the deeds..so that will be their way out..how that gets done is another matter.
H.h
Why don’t St mirren an Ross county just pi.. off an form their own league of two, or maybe three!
Terrible scene in Boston
Horrific images coming in from Boston.
Thoughts and prayers sent.
Paul67
I agree with much of what you say. Gilmore comes out of this stripped of all credibility and integrity. I too believe there will be no change for next year and no Sevco inspired SPL2.
However I believe 12-12-18 was plain daft from the start, particularly the ‘middle 8’, and if it was indeed the only show in town capable of improving the game then Doncaster and the 10 SPL Chairmen did a bloody poor job of selling it.