Motherwell may hold casting vote

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St Johnstone (through manager Steve Lomas) and Kilmarnock, through Rangers supporter (literal sense) Michael Johnston, have both declared their vote to allow a Newco to take Rangers place in the SPL next season.  Celtic will vote against and Dundee United appear open to persuasion.  The next most important team in the country is Motherwell.

Motherwell, alongside Celtic, Dundee United and St Johnstone have a place on the SPL board.  They are migrating towards ownership and control by a large number of small supporter-shareholders, they’ve benefited from Rangers demise and in July will feature in the Champions League qualification draw, broadcast live from Monaco.

On the downside, despite their on-field success this season, the club will have to trim football budget for the coming season as Champions League qualifying money does not make up for earning less from cup runs this season and inflation pushing costs up.

Motherwell fans seemed to enjoy their visit to Ibrox on Saturday but does anyone expect them to vote against Rangers?

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  1. Celtic probably (nae, DO, have a bigger support) than the whole of the Belgian league clubs put together…or the Norwegian league…Polish league etc…yet they all get a TV deal (on better terms than our own, may I add).

     

     

    Remind me again why we wouldn’t get a TV deal without the huns?

  2. aldersyde avenue,

     

     

    Michel Platini has staked his reputation and his future career on Financial Fair Play. I’m banking that he won’t throw it all away for Rangers.

     

     

    Because if he allows the Newco into the SPL he will be throwing everything he has worked for straight into the bin.

  3. James Forrest is Neil Lennon! We are ALL Neil Lennon! on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS:

     

     

    Which part of this do you not get?

     

     

    The ONLY valid reason these people have for allowing this is the notion the league needs both teams to survive. Do you think a financially hamstrung Rangers, which can’t play in Europe for three years whether we’re there or not, do you think even THEY could survive the consequences if we weren’t playing in the league?

     

     

    IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. The threat to do it would be enough.

     

     

    Do you think Sky would show it? When the leading team in the country should not even be playing in that division? Would sponsors sponsor it? Would banks support it? Would HRMC tolerate its existence?

     

     

    If we STAY in the league we WILL suffer consequences as a result of what Rangers have done. If you assume that banks, tax authorities, creditors, will view the entire league with suspicion, you have to calculate that this will impact on us, and in a negative sense.

     

     

    This “gesture” would be enough to halt this thing. The threat would do. It would never need to be followed up on.

     

     

    But we would need to be willing to. And if we were …. ?

     

     

    The SPL would be devastated commercially and morally. Rangers themselves would see their recover set back years. Clubs WOULD go to the wall, especially if their fans held true to the threats to boycott games. Magnify the consequences to these clubs of Rangers admittance – then remove Celtic from the equation and magnify those consequences by 100.

     

     

    I would buy a season ticket wherever this club was playing, because Celtic is in my blood. I would not view it as a punishment, but as the most morally correct position we have EVER taken, and the rejuvenation of the entire game – from the bottom tier up – would be automatic, and down to us, and so we would have left a mark on Scottish football which would be a source of PRIDE for our children and grandchildren and THEIR grandchildren, that when the hour came for this club to show what it was all about we put INTEGRITY AND PRINCIPLE first.

     

     

    That is not something of which I would be ashamed.

  4. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    This land is your land, this land my land

     

    From the English border, to the North Sea water

     

    From the Western Islands, to the Northern Highlands

     

    This land was made for you and me

     

     

    #One summer’s morning as the day was dawning

     

    I viewed the Islands on the misty skyline

     

    The rainbow fountain of the Coolin Mountains

     

    This land was made for you and me

     

     

    #Old winter crept on as Scotland slept on

     

    No factory roaring, no oil rig oaring

     

    Just weeded byways and deserted highways

     

    Relics of the life it used to be

     

     

    #Then I awakened to a spring day breakin’

     

    On the sons and daughters of Alba’s waters

     

    And the flag they’re flyin’ is the rampant lion

     

    This land was made for you and me

  5. Hi Paul,

     

     

    Looks like it te vote won’t be the shoe-in it was fist viewed as. Do Mr Doncaster and Mr Topping have a vote? Could be intersting if they changed the decision.

     

     

    NegAnonII @ 12:47,

     

     

    Well my memory is not great, but I can remember many looking at R@ngers and urging for spend Willo Flood January being a case in point.

     

     

    Knowing what we were up against I think the Board not only deserves a break but our praise.

     

     

    James_Forrest

     

     

    I responded in the last article, finished with “we know what R@ngers are it’s up to the SPL to polish it or flush it away…

  6. cardiffbhoy on

    BMCUWP and James Forrest.

     

     

    James will correct me if I am wrong but I guess he thinks that by us tendering our resignation this will make the “gang of ten” think again for what they wish for. A 2 year notice period is required, that is not to say we could not reconsider in 2 years should we not find ourselves gaining any support. Should Celtic consider this option, then surely any TV deal or sponsorship deals would simply fall by the wayside.

     

     

    As a gesture, I think it could work, and would rightly attract attention worldwide that would show up this league as corrupt and unworkable.

  7. ernie lynch on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 7 May, 2012 at 13:13 said

     

     

    You’re the one offering gestures. Empty ones at that.

     

     

    I’m the one proposing a strategy that could work.

  8. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    Ladies and Gentlemen can you please stand up and applaud the post of the week

     

     

    theotherhalf on 7 May, 2012 at 13:19 said:

     

    Why are they even having this vote. Rules should not be changed in the middle of this fiasco.

     

    Strikes me that none of footballs governing bodies have the guts to pull the plug themselves. Someone should explain to them that their reason for existing is to govern the sport – so get on with it SPL SFA SFL Eufa – they are usually not slow in making their feelings known and dishing out punishments.

     

    Why have they put other clubs in this awkward situation where they have to vote, and have to consider between sporting integrity and money – fans and boards. Its not fair on the clubs, and sets a precedent for the future for contentious issues the governing bodies dont want to deal with.

     

     

    Theotherhalf take a bow

  9. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    Gordon_J

     

     

    He would throw it all away tomorrow if Sepp croaked it without even blinking.

     

     

    tick tick tick tick

  10. Lennon n Mc....Mjallby on

    Hey boy,

     

    Your gonna carry that weight,

     

    Carry that weight

     

    A long time.

  11. James Forrest @ 13.23

     

     

    Nice post. Looking toward the economic medium term as opposed to the short term.

     

     

    Who really wants to be associated with a tainted product?

     

     

    Why don’t we get that lad who does the cooking sauces to sponsor the SPL?

  12. James Forrest is Neil Lennon! We are ALL Neil Lennon! on

    cardiffbhoy:

     

     

    In a sense mate, yes. But I actually don’t even think a notice period would be necessary. We certainly have a claim that the sporting integrity and commercial reputation of the league would be damaged by a yes vote, perhaps irredeemably, and thereby I would fancy our chances, in court, of being able to go right away.

     

     

    But yes, essentially, the threat would do the job. Their argument boils down to needing both clubs. Once that option is off the table they are faced with a simple choice of which of the clubs they want in the league; the one which did everything by the book, or the arrogant, threatening one which believes it alone is too big to fail and deserves special treatment when it is the cause of the crisis.

     

     

    If they choose us, we win. If they choose Rangers, we would be better off going anyway, as this will reveal their true motivations all too clearly … and that also would be a moral and political victory when we we took our case to UEFA.

  13. The SFA already have enough rules broken in front of them to expel the huns from the league they chose not to apply the rules to the full letter of the law when they imposed the sanctions on players and the dinky fines last week.

     

     

    So being gutless cretins run by RC Ogilvie they have press ganged the rest of of the clubs into voting today on the future of said stinkin’ huns.

     

     

    So they can wash their hands of the whole process and say to Celtic it wisnae us.

     

     

    Or in some kinda fantasy of mine say to the huns it wisnae us when the get booted put.

     

     

    What Fitba needs is rid of the SPL ( commercial failure) and the SFA(rotten to the core)

     

     

    Rip it up and start again with a whole new league and governing body without the most corrupt football team on God’s earth..

     

     

    Fly kicks!! I would personally push their heads under the water..

  14. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    SPL save our gracious hun

     

    Long live our noble hun

     

    SPL save the hun

     

    Send her victorious

     

    Happy and glorious

     

    Long to reign over us

     

    SPL save the hun

     

     

    2. O Lord our SPL arise

     

    Scatter her enemies

     

    And make them fall

     

    Confound their politics

     

    Frustrate their knavish tricks

     

    On Thee our hopes we fix

     

    SPL save us all

     

     

    3. Thy choicest gifts in store

     

    On her be pleased to pour

     

    Long may she reign

     

    May she defend our laws

     

    And ever give us cause

     

    To sing with heart and voice

     

    SPL save the hun

     

     

    4. Not in this land alone

     

    But be SPL’s mercies known

     

    From shore to shore

     

    Lord bestow an EBT t

     

    That men should brothers be

     

    And form one hun family

     

    The wide world over

     

     

    5. From every latent foe

     

    From the assassins blow

     

    SPL save the hun

     

    O’er her thine arm extend

     

    For Britain’s sake defend

     

    Our mother, prince, and friend

     

    SPL save the hun

  15. We all know they will bounce back like a voodoo zombie out of their graves…it is inevitable…they have too many friends in high places & too big a support for it not to be mobilized en mass once again…its too large a potential resource not to be inevitably exploited by someone in the future…even if that means pandering to the lowest dregs & dross of sectarian scum in the darkest crevices of our wee country…accepting these circumstances the terms I would be prepared to settle for are the following:

     

     

    1) They start in Div3.

     

     

    2) All honours stripped from the time of EBT’s/Double Contracts.

     

     

    3) Ban from Europe for minimum of 3/5 years.

     

     

    4) One year transfer embargo upheld.

     

     

    5) All debts paid back within a time frame set under an agreement with various creditors.

     

     

    Personally I would be satisfied with this as a BASIC set of conditions for Newco punishment.

  16. ernie lynch on

    cardiffbhoy on 7 May, 2012 at 13:25 said:

     

     

    I think Celtic could argue that the proposal to allow a newco immediate entry into the SPL is so offensive that it entitles us to repudiate the terms of any agreement and to leave with immediate effect.

  17. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    Gordon-J

     

     

    What i am saying is if Sepp croaked it tomorrow. We cannot rely on Platini.

     

     

    But yeah i cannot see why unless he wants to dig himself out of a tunnel.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  18. James Forrest is Neil Lennon! We are ALL Neil Lennon! on

    wonkyradar:

     

     

    Absolutely 100%. That would suffice alright.

  19. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    JAMES FORREST 1323

     

     

    What part do I not get?

     

     

    Well,that will be the part where we self-flagellate to death.

     

     

    Look,it’s the huns who have cheated,not us. If they are not punished by the local football authorities,we do NOT punish ouselves in reprisal.

     

     

    We take it to the next level,go nuclear.

     

     

    The authorities in Scottish football will have proven themselves incompetent or dishonest in their handling of this,and we take it to the courts,to UEFA,or to the CAS.

     

     

    Or all three.

     

     

    What we don’t say is-here,you can have my ball too. I hope you enjoy yourself without me-and then wonder why they are.

     

     

    I had hoped that the days of taking it on the chin had gone.

     

     

    Obviously not-and btw,this season ticket you refer to. When did you last buy one?

  20. Lennon n Mc....Mjallby on

    Fly kicks?

     

     

    I wouldn’t stop til I burst ma steel tae caps.

  21. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    ERNIE LYNCH 1325

     

     

    What’s the empty gesture?

     

     

    See my reply to James Forrest.

     

     

    We go to the ultimate lawmakers to uphold the law.Their local representatives have been found wanting.

     

     

    Simple.

  22. If Switcheroo FC are permitted to remain in SPL, it will be too late to boycott away games.

     

    The deed will have been done and no amount of boycotting will undo it.

     

    Yes, those clubs which pandered to the Blue pound will suffer short term financial damage but that will be of no surprise to them. They know that the boycott will last no longer than a season, perhaps even less than that.

     

    Of course, any boycott would have to include games against Switcheroo FC but they will suffer very little if we do not buy tickets for the Broomloan. It may even suit them.

     

     

    For me, the dilemma is whether or not to walk away altogether.

     

    The actions taken by my club will influence my decision but the choice is simple …… not easy, but simple.

     

     

    I will not be a willing participant in a scam.

  23. South Of Tunis on

    Platini and Financial Fair Play .

     

     

    I won’t be holding my breath .

     

     

    Have a wee look at the member’s of the relevant committee. Have a look at their history . Do some research on Platini.

  24. James Forrest is Neil Lennon! We are ALL Neil Lennon! on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS:

     

     

    That crack about the season ticket … is that the best you’ve got? Personal insults against a fellow Celtic fan because you disagree with him?

     

     

    Your argument about taking it to the courts has merit, and if you read what I’ve written above, I have argued the same. A vote is NOT all we’ve got here, and I will not accept it if our club comes out after all this and tells us they cast their vote, argued their case, lost and wants to move on.

     

     

    You think I’m advocating “taking it on the chin”? Not even Declan would read into my post what you appear to have. Our resignation from this league would have devastating effects on the SPL. It would be the nuclear option writ large, and we would not be immune from those effects.

     

     

    By the way, we would be in the Champions League next season come what may, whether we were in the SPL or Third Division, and all we would need was a Scottish Cup to be in Europe next season as well.

     

     

    I would pay to watch us play in the Third Division, and I believe most other fans would too. What I will not fund is a corrupt league, in a corrupt country, and a strategy which has been proven a fools parade.

     

     

    Your essential point is correct however. We have other cards to play here. But I do believe we would need to follow through on a threat to play elsewhere, because I think once the “league needs both teams” option was taken off the table there would be a sudden, collective restoration of sanity and Rangers would find themselves on the receiving end of what they are due.

  25. ernie lynch on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 7 May, 2012 at 13:38 said:

     

    ‘ERNIE LYNCH 1325

     

     

    What’s the empty gesture?”

     

     

    ‘Dear ultimate lawmakers.

     

     

    Sort the problem for us please’

     

     

    Yeah, that’s not vague, is it? We can all rally round that flag.

  26. socrates mulligan on

    Surely if the 10 are so keen to alter the spl voting structure, they can achieve this and a fairer distribution of money by refusing membership to a newco

  27. nothing without fans on 7 May, 2012 at 13:44 said:

     

    cardiffbhoy at 13:25

     

    “According to the rules, …”

     

     

    Hmmmm, that is a strange concept to be applying to SPL.

  28. James Forrest is Neil Lennon! We are ALL Neil Lennon! on 7 May, 2012 at 13:30

     

     

    ” Once that option is off the table they are faced with a simple choice of which of the clubs they want in the league; the one which did everything by the book, or the arrogant, threatening one which believes it alone is too big to fail and deserves special treatment when it is the cause of the crisis.”

     

     

    James, that is what they call a no brainer. This is Scotland, after all.

  29. Vinibhoy - Named Neil Lennon on his birth certificate on

    I’m with James Forrest on this.

     

     

    The SPL feel that without the huns they wont get the TV money. Well, we have to give them a gentle reminder that we can stop that revenue coming in if we feel like sporting integrity has been lost.

     

     

    Let Celtic flex their muscles and I’m sure the powers that be will make the right decision. If they don’t, well the world gets to see the sham that Scottish football really is.

  30. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    JAMES FORREST 1343

     

     

    In your opinion,our resignation would have a devastating effect.

     

     

    In my opinion,the only danger would be them laughing themselves to death a la Monty Python’s Funniest Ever Joke.

     

     

    As is often the case,we won’t change each other’s mindset,but others on the site will have differing viewpoints as well as their own over which to cogitate.

     

     

    As for the season-ticket comment,you can hardly complain about that one when you’ve previously declared that you refused to renew.

     

     

    That’s what happens when you put your head above the parapet. Someone on your side nutting you in the balls!

  31. ernie lynch on

    socrates mulligan on 7 May, 2012 at 13:46 said:

     

    ”Surely if the 10 are so keen to alter the spl voting structure, they can achieve this and a fairer distribution of money by refusing membership to a newco’

     

     

     

    It’s a point I’ve made before. The gang of 10 at a stroke become the gang of 11.

     

     

    I’m sure it’s a point that’s occurred to the Celtic Board.

  32. James Forrest is Neil Lennon! We are ALL Neil Lennon! on

    Bobby Russell:

     

     

    And that is precisely why the strategy would succeed.

     

     

    Some people want us to go to UEFA when the vote is done and say “please help us” in the hope that it does some good. But UEFA will not interfere once the national association has rubber stamped the deal – that is a fact, and there is no point in pretending otherwise. UEFA’s position on it is clear-cut.

     

     

    They will not help us. I stopped hoping for it long ago.

     

     

    The only way we can involve UEFA is to confront them, and the world, with irrefutable proof that this decision has roots in bias. If we threaten resignation and their argument in favour of a Newco is annihilated by that gesture, and they then proceed to vote in favour of it anyway … UEFA would get involved.

     

     

    I repeat again; we cannot lose if we have the guts to go to the wire.

  33. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    ERNIE LYNCH 1346

     

    Now you’re just being infantile.

     

     

    If that was the case,there would be no need for Courts of Appeal,House of Lords,European Courts.

     

     

    The Supreme Court in the US would be a supreme waste of time,eh?

     

     

    A bit like educating pork,I suppose.

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