Scottish football is posed for the most momentous stand-off in its history. The battle lines are clear:
Money v Morals, TV money v Season ticket money, Bank of Scotland v Fans
In 12 days the SPL clubs will vote on resolutions which will enable a new club to parachute straight into the SPL following the liquidation of Rangers without having to apply for entry to the Scottish Football league and rise through the pyramid. Five clubs can block their entry – for a few days anyway. Six, a majority if one member is liquidated, would be enough to ensure Rangers Newco SPL entry is blocked.
According to the SPL Fan Survey fans would overwhelmingly like to see any Newco football club enter the Scottish Football League, a position supported by a large number of Rangers fans, but the voices of fans are more easily discarded than that of the Bank of Scotland, who a large number of clubs depend upon to keep their own clubs out of administration.
In short, unless clubs can demonstrate to the Bank of Scotland that they will lose more money from disaffected fans by voting for Newco than they will by voting to retain the custom of Rangers fans, with accompanying television and sponsor money, Newco FC will be voted into the SPL.
Celtic will vote against Newco but fans from Hibs, Hearts, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Inverness, St Johnstone, Motherwell and St Mirren have to do more to make their case directly with their clubs. Irrespective of fan views, I reckon Dunfermline shareholders would rather relegate their own team than Rangers. Don’t even ask about Kilmarnock.
The Gang of 10 may speak as one. If they get rid of Rangers they will be able to out-vote Celtic and have a unique opportunity to change voting rights, allowing them to capture long-term money currently going to Celtic. This, together with overwhelming fan pressure, might be enough to persuade some, but this issue is more complex.
Despite initial opposition to changing the voting rights, Duff and Phelps may vote with the Gang of 10 on voting rights as part of a deal to allow them to sell a place in the SPL. Yes – trade votes in order to sell a place in the top league. Sporting integrity dismantled forever.
Since we first raised the alarm on this vote back in October I have been convinced Newco would be ushered into the SPL but the weight of opinion from fans from other clubs is stark. Over half of respondents to the Survey say they will not attend SPL games if Newco is voted straight into the league.
Even the Bank of Scotland would have to recognise the business sense in siding with the fans if this view is made firmly enough.
Truth is, no one knows which way this one will go, but this is a once in a century opportunity for fans to make a stand.
Bids for the original canvass painting of Neil Lennon by US based artist, Joseph Gormley, has topped £600! Keep an eye on the auction, which ends tomorrow, here.
Buy a hard copy of CQN Magazine, issue 7, by clicking on the button below. You can read online here.
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Cheers Terry
I`m sick listening to the criticism that Neil is getting.
Embarassing for Rangers, the creditors list……Andy Walker. But not as bad as Neil Lennons behavour though Andy. Shameful little creep.
Art of War
Much appreciated mate.
Hail Hail.
TSOAL
Naw but you need to buy me two steak pies and a bovril.
You intersted?
Jeezo, beyonce’s at the Smiddy on Saturday?
And me not due a bath til Sunday too.
S
seanbhoy69 on 18 April, 2012 at 19:31 said:
————————
Deserved mate!
HH
Ps. Beyonce better not be late again on Saturday! :-)
AoW
seanbhoy69 –
Well done you. And Michael from Coatbridge that’s just been on did his best too.
Jobo
Hamiltontim@ 19:07
Freedom of choice is a great thing
Quins last night
Vale tonight
Maybe even get a loan sometime and be able to afford more than 1 pint in Babbity Bowsers
Do you get out and about much ?
Keep me updated IPhone and 3G is a great thing
open in a new window as background sound
live now, chatroom on bottom right…
http://www.spreaker.com/show/hail_hail_media
Paul67 et al
Does anyone know offhand whether the Bank Of Scotland, in any form, actually sponsored the SPL, or the league which preceded it?
Chelski v Barca bring it on,
*managed to slip the wife the knock out drops*
Celtic Mac on 18 April, 2012 at 18:08 said:
Paul67 et al
Let me get this straight, Rangers FC are a global brand, they have millions of fans worldwide, they are, in Alex Salmond’s own words, part of the fabric of society. So how come the only two people interested in salvaging the wreckage are Tow-Truck Billy, or Singapore Bill?
Fair point Celtic Mac.
Alternatively,take all that you say and add a large dash of “dignity” and why don’t they all get together to solve their problems with one,simple solution.
Put in sufficient money to pay all of their creditors IN FULL even if it took 20/25 years.
Problem solved.
Off out to watch lahndin huns v. a really good fitba’ team
Many thanks to those of you who responded to my post at 10.47 this morning regarding Neil v The Referees even if you disagreed with part or all of what I said. I have been reading back through some comments and while it is heartening to read that Neil enjoys unswerving support from many on here it is quite disturbing to read some of the comments from many posters who will not tolerate any questioning of Neil’s approach to adversity when a game has gone badly.
This blog – the best there is – allows Celtic supporters to come on here and discuss football issues and that includes Celtic managers. In my time on here, we’ve discussed Martin O’Neill, Gordon Strachan, Tony Mowbray and now Neil Lennon. It appears any questioning of Neil at all generates responses of people being called huns, fuds etc and queries as to what type of soup they’ve taken today.
The comment below is a typical response from some,
” traditionalist88 on 18 April, 2012 at 14:11 said:
These so called Celtic supporters slating Lenny are the same ones who say we are as bad as the huns for singing a few rebel songs.
Simpletons who think we should all curl up and keep quiet- accept the status quo, no matter what.
They will never be Celtic fans in my eyes- real Celtic fans you will find in the bars and on the road following the Bhoys. ”
To make it short and simple – from a Simpleton – I am a Celtic supporter. Players and managers come and go and since 1965 I’ve seen many of them come and go but I’m still here supporting Celtic. The interests of Celtic come before the interests of any manager or player. I’m a Neil Lennon supporter but not a supporter of Neil Lennon sitting in the stand when he should be in the dugout. Some of our players have stated openly that they want him in the dugout shouting instructions to them. He gives them confidence. Neil Lennon sitting in the stand because of suspensions does not serve the interests of Celtic. He needs help from above at the Club and he needs to learn to shut up at certain times.
back on line after technical problems, see we are having a wee civil war here?
I quite like the fact we are a broad church, I too have criticised NL , on Sunday I support his actions , he was a bit ott, but the crap he has to deal with is a hundred times more evil and dangerous than calling a Hun ref a twat. I stand shoulder to shoulder with him and if the big bodygaurd need a few hours off , I will stand in for him.
Couple of other quick points if anyone wants to pass comment, Real Madrid and Moourinho are a bunch of a*seholes, I really want Barca to win 3-0 tonight just to shut up that tosser who commentates on ITV, the Kennedy guy is a narcissist with an ego problem and we are the champions.
Hail! Hail! , Visca Barcs , Visca Catalunya!
mickbhoy1888
Not sure what your post was about?!
Vmhan Supporting Lenny! on 18 April, 2012 at 18:13said:
Sorry just getting.g back to you. Just finished work.
That would be a good idea. There ate a lot of good teams out of Europe by this stage of the season.
. I would hope we would still be in Champions League though
walker slagging ledleys twitter pic- what a knob
Jobo – From Alex O’Henley’s Twitter earlier;
Messi= 63 goals this season
Kalou + Torres + Drogba + Mata + Lampard + Sturridge= 63 goals this season.
Bhoy67 on 18 April, 2012 at 19:22 said
===============
Well said. The guy’s an attention seeker.
Bhoys when Neil was a player and some fans including on here were giving him stick I supported him including when he was booed for having the temerity to pass the ball backwards in Europe. He was the beating heart of the team.
I would never criticise him on a phone in or in a non Celtic supporting environment nor would I take money for it.
Nonetheless his actions at the end of the game on Sunday should not be condoned. I had to explain to my son that you cannot confront a referee like that.
Euan Norris made to very bad calls but he was the referee and under Fifa rules in charge of the game. I have no problem with Neil asking clarification of decisions afterwards in the dressing room but not on the other side of the pitch. If you see a friend acting i correctly do let them know or cheer them on.
I hope Neil reflects on this and learns there are was to complain and there are ways not to.
Oh aye , one more thing Andy Walker is indeed a tit , celtic fan , but a tit for all that.
medtim
Maybe being a Rangers man is not what it used to be. Maybe the old style football supporters amongst them have given up the ghost. Or maybe without the Bank of Scotland they really will have to find another level. My point is that, like Hugh Adam before me, Rangers are not quite the institution some of their cheerleaders believe them to be, not even in Scotland! And that is why they await a masonic fix!
Celtic Mac, they did.
Well done Sean…..can you call back in now?
I don’t know about any of you Bhoys, but I’m finding the snyde / real radio phone-ins funnier ‘ by the night’ …….. As their situation becomes more desperate (by the day)’ the ‘inevitable’ is starting to sink in …….. And they’re now blaming anyone they can, to divert attention from the main culprits OVER A 20 YEAR PERIOD …….
Bottom line, bhuns…..your Board knew where all this was heading, and they didn’t give ……for the football club, or the fans……next time, try insisting that your new board at least publish audited accounts, that is, of course, if you ever get a newco …..LOL
…And get rid of this ‘ we can do what we like’ mentality…….TENDS TO LAND ONE IN THE SHOITE …….LOL
If a newco is simply let back in to the SPL, sponsorship and tv money would be jeopardised. Who wants to sponsor or watch a rigged competition? Worldwide laughing stock that no broadcast audience would be interested in or sponsor would fund. Time for the SPL to really think this through.
Celtic Mac, BOS sponsored the SPL and it’s predecessor for 9 years
Richie
:)
Hail Hail.
I could quite happily give up work and watch Inniesta play football all day every day.
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 18 April, 2012 at 19:36 said:
I think under current circumstances it would be best to cut Neil – and other posters – a bit of slack. People are angry and reacting to the demonisation of Neil for actions that, as many have pointed out, are not as bad as other managers in the past. In fact, such actions are admired in other managers such as Alex Ferguson.
The press are using this as a deflection of where the real scandals in Scottish football lie. Unfortunately, to be overly critical of Neil at this time can be seen to be feeding the press agenda to avoid discussing the really disgusting actions such as avoiding tax, stiffing creditors and trying to bully other clubs with your financial muscle.
Let’s not forget what has happened to Neil in recent times. Also, let’s not forget the recent run of decisions against Celtic at critical times in critical games.
S
Dick Byrne @ 19.41 –
4 more to reach the magic number. A couple against Chelsea tonight and Real Madrid on Saturday wouldn’t surprise me.
7 minutes gone and Chelsea hanging on…;-)
Jobo
Drogba just blessed himself.
I hope the match supervisor has seen that.
English commentators…whits to like?
Still they are better than the ex-huns/ex-referees
and uncle tims we have to put up with.
CMON BARCA CROSSBAR
hamiltontim on 18 April, 2012 at 19:50 said:
I could quite happily give up work
————————————————-
Thought you had…with the amount of time
your on here ,during term.
SSB having a wee joke about blobby taint
67Heaven
Did you listen to the ‘Rangurs Legend’ Sandy Jardine interview? It’s okay to admit that you had a wee tear in your eye hearing about the little girl giving up her pocket money.
And definitely agree on the ‘a big boy did it and ran away’ attitude. However, there was still the underlying threat in everything he said of they are the big boys, the know who’s against them, and they shall have their revenge. Paranoid? Them?
S
VP
It’s called multi taskin’ get with it auld yin!! :-)
If Craig Whyte is the root of all their troubles, why has no-one sent him a bullet or a bomb?
Or are these reserved for uppity papes?