Let’s be clear, the job of chief executive of the SFA is thankless and destined for failure, of one variety or another. Even if you have the necessary skills to deliver commercial success (which the last two incumbents didn’t), if you appoint a national team manager who qualifies for a tournament, if your internal Data Protection systems are fit for purpose and you insist on doing the right thing, you are going to fail.
The SFA member clubs (there are over 90), it’s legions of utterly useless committee members, each without anything better to do than attend committee meetings, anchor the organisation in inept conservatism.
There was a gleam of light when Stewart Regan was appointed in 2010. They realised Gordon Smith, who did not meet the advertised criteria for the job, did not have the experience required to run an organisation of this size and profile. Regan, with enterprise-level commercial experience, as well as his gig at Yorkshire County Cricket, met all the criteria. He should have been a good appointment.
Instead, over 7 years later, his board made it clear his resignation was required.
Rejecting a request by the Scottish Professional League for a review of matters into the biggest club failure in the history of the game, one which tainted the immediate SFA past president and a current office holder, is a sack-able offence.
When the professional clubs ask the SFA to examine the conduct of its office holders, it has no choice but to do so. Those who attempt to cover up always fall on their swords.
I am led to believe there was an arrogance about Regan, who saw himself as an impenetrable big beast, who would seek shelter in the numbers of the Highland League, when the game’s other big beasts attempted to invoke corporate responsibility. He didn’t like dissent and could dismiss whatever he wanted as long as he held sway with those who populated the many and varied committees.
At the first sight of vulnerability, he was gone. Having asked for permission to speak to Michael O’Neill, only to be rejected was enough. He had burned all his bridges.
The SFA now need a competent administrator to downsize the organisation. The Association should be in the business of correctly registering players, training and appointing match officials, running the Scottish Cup and ensuring the various youth and other amateur elements of the game are properly resourced (which they are not currently).
Get out of Hampden, use Celtic Park, Ibrox, (new) Pittodrie, Easter Road or Tynecastle instead of pouring money into another sport’s coffers. Cull the useless committees, reign-in the gravy train and have clear and ethical rules of engagement.
Those hoping for change will do well to remember how we thought Gordon Smith’s replacement had to be better. Regan was, but he, and the next person, will be appointments of the system. Cultural change at the SFA will take years. But remember, at any point in time, a future SFA board can decide to review matters in the past, including the performance of Mr Regan.
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THE JUDGE
A strong individual .
Put her personal safety on the line successfully prosecuting the Nepalese Government re the Government endorsed torture of Nepalese citizens .
Put her Sikh parents gas in a peep when she decided she wanted to be a Christian.
Jamesgang 1.11
couple of things here. The Hun Monkey don’t have any brains, they hate Peter Lawwell
Why would Peter Lawwell leave Celtic to join SFA when he has turned down various offers of much more prestigious jobs than Head of SFA.
With Bonuses he makes 3 times what Regan did!C
Hmmmm, let’s see.
Strong Rangers McRae – check.
Imperfectly registered Bryson – check.
Licence man Dickson – check.
Move On Milne – check.
Move On Petrie – check.
Change expected – un-check.
Sorry, Paul, but I don’t see how you can blame the Highland League clubs when two of the biggest clubs in the country have made it clear they want to put everything behind us and “move on”.
Is there really ANY appetite for change? I’m not seeing it.
Morrissey23rd
Good to see you posting though circumstances could have been better.
hope you are well sir
Has Kheredine apologised to Beijing Renhe yet?
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 9:46 AM
@STARRY PLOUGH on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 9:31 AM
Once again, speaking objectively: we have signed a Dundee player who was released from League One Wigan in the summer.
*hmmm, we took a free transfer fron St Mirren, only way back then we could have got him, who was a hero at Hampden in theSun, not only that he alerted Chief Scout John Higgins to a wee red heided neighbour that manure were looking at, who became our fan voted greatest ever player.
Took an ould as the hills, albeit double FA Cup winner, that a legendary manager great wanted rid of on a free, returned tae Wembley in a historic game after failing to be capped while playing for one of the biggest and best sides south of the border t the time, also the youngest player to play at Hampden in a senior game, won 8 trophies there as well as 4 Leagues and the Big Cup along with POTY while in the twilight of his career.
Brought back a troublesome former player from the midlands who was dropped for the 7-1 game due to his temperament and while down south gubbed the then england captain and first £100-a-week footballer, and then, as he walked to the tunnel, stiffened another Fulham player who ran up to remonstrate with him. A lengthy ban followed. The word legend is bandied about too easily but this wee mhan is definitely one.
We signed a journeyman centre fae the steelmen while serving a 6 week suspension, he always gave big Billy a hard time on the park and was regarded by some of our support as a dob, he was actually a Buddies fan growing up, a Celtic legend hmmm, for his 2 hat tricks alone at hampden against a very good hibbees side IMHO he’s one.
Jack Hendry never played a first team game for Wigan after Malky Mackay signed him, he was sent out on loan by him amd later the Heid, both were centre halfs as well. Ther are plenty of players out there that went down south and didnae make it, homesickness is one of the main reasons, (Brian McClair is a prime example) but came back up the road to become a success (albeit with a minor club first) and in some cases when more mature went back down again.
I could go on but as Willie Dixon wrote and the great Bo Diddley covered “You can’t judge an apple by looking at a tree, you can’t judge honey by looking at the bee, you can’t judge a daughter by looking at the mother, you can’t judge a book by looking at the cover” or as John Lennon sung “All we are saying is give peace a chance” or in this case Jack Hendry.
TONTINE TIM on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 2:38 PM
Exactly. Other clubs make mistakes too when trying to judge the ability and potential of young players.
HH
Nomark Duffield wheeled out again at Hamdump, referencing Brendan’s comments re end of season internationals,as a main reason Regan was chased, as McLaughlin also said on Shortbread last night.The Level 5 line here, is PL runs Scottish football, as the huns keep telling us.
TONTINE TIM
Cap doffed AGAIN :))))))
Henrik wasn’t pulling up any trees at Feyenoord……give the Bhoy a chance
If we cant get Mags back on CQN, how about we start a campaign to get him to replace Regan?
If that is too extreme, how about Jamesgang? he seems like a pretty bright, reasonable sort …. and,as I was saying the other day, at 6’5″, no one is going to give him to much grief!
Hell, if Trump can get elected as president, surely we can get a CQN’er to run the SFA?!
Why am I not surprised? Another Ibrox season ticket holder that didn’t tackle cheating/corruption.
EXCLUSIVE
Hibs’ Leann Dempster emerges as frontrunner to replace Stewart Regan after the Englishman steps down as SFA chief executive
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15915332.Hibs__Leann_Dempster_emerges_as_frontrunner_to_replace_Stewart_Regan/
“Graeme Murty has signalled Rangers would be open to discussing a new deal with top scorer Alfredo Morelos.” – BBC
Article doesn’t say if they intend to pay him less or more than he currently earns… :-)
Clearly Alfredo has just woken up to the fact that he’s now a £10m player and should be paid according to his worth. Go for it, son – and don’t sell yourself short!
For anyone wirh Kodi, Livenet.tv is a brilliant app, youtube show you how to install…
TONTINE TIM
That’s what I was trying to say earlier, Brendan wanted the Bhoy at Celtic and went the whole nine yards to get him in, if Brendan sees something in him then that’s good enough for me.
Too many players written off on here before they’ve even kicked a baw!!
Young Eddy was getting it tight a couple of weeks ago. Took his goal the other night with aplomb and looked a totally different player running at a defence!
Give he Bhoy a chance at least to be labelled a Duffer!!
HH
Tontine Tim,
I’m sure you know of the story about Ronie and RFC. Maybe others don’t.
Ronnie’s father, Jimmy, was a former captain of RFC and, n retirement, scouted for them.
Young Ronnie was playing for Queens Park at the time and, even though he was still a kid, was attracting attention.
Simpson Sen was told to use his influence and get his son to sign on at Ibrox, but he refused, saying that the boy would make up his own mind on who to play for.
There ended Mr. Simpson’s career as an Ibrox scout.
When I read that story in Ronnie’s autobiography, I wondered about his father’s motives for not advising his son.
Surely after having a career as a player, captain and scout, he would have only positive views of the club?
Therefore, why would he not, as a father, recommend to his son, the top club in the country at that time?
I think I know the answer.
Bigbhoy
Trust me, my tongue was firmly planted in my cheek!
MiT
I hope yours was too! I fail the ‘entry test’ on every level. I’m not the crafty type!
HH jamesgang
!!BADA BING!! on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 2:49 PM
Henrik wasn’t pulling up any trees at Feyenoord……give the Bhoy a chance
*agreed but he did score in the 3rd place playoff at the World Cup and was a 2 medal winner with Feyenoord, incidentally he made his debut there coming on for regi stinker lol
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 2:59 PM
Tontine Tim,
I’m sure you know of the story about Ronie and RFC. Maybe others don’t. Ronnie’s father, Jimmy, was a former captain of RFC and, n retirement, scouted for them.
*it was oul Jimmy Simpson who went to the baying crowd and signaled to them to quieten down when he saw the severity of John Thompson’s injury.
When Celtic offered Ronnie a job as back up goalie tae John Fallon and a chance to work with the reserves he contacted his da for advice, Jimmy allegedly told him to sign for us as he couldnae go tae a better club and we would take care of him.
Jamesgang … desperate times call for desperate measures …. it was either you or neganon…. sometimes you gotta take one for the team!
so, like it or not, you’re my write in candidate ….
:)
MiT
It’s gotta be Auldheid surely.
Tho neganon or mags McGill would be entertaining.
Or the diplomacy route…. ACGR!
HH jamesgang
Tontine Tim & Thomthethim
Great & interesting posts.
TT – wee Bertie my favourite Lisbon Lion and probably number 2 in my favourite all time Celts (Daniel Fergus no. 1). But I am glad that he was dropped for Neilly Mochan in ’57 – we might not have had the 7-1 – it might only have been 5 or 6, which would’ve been devastating…..imagine Bertie had played though (and it was still 7-1….I know Neilly scored a couple of goals) – imagine being in those 2 teams from a historical viewpoint – our 2 best games ever?
TTT – Ronnie Simpson’s book was the first football book I ever read, I’d be about 9 at the time. I might be wrong but I think it might have been only the 2nd book by a Celtic player (i.e. a Celtic player still playing, unlike Willie Maley). Charlie Tully’s Passed To You was the first. Anyway, it’s incredible the things you remember when you read a book at that age and I loved Ronnie’s – particularly his time at Newcastle with the Robledo brothers from Chile, Jackie Milburn and a big Celtic fan Frank Brennan. He was hauled out of school one afternoon to play his first senior game at age 14 – for Queen’s Park. An incredible guy. I met and effectively captured him in the roll shop in Edinburgh near where he lived just a few years before he passed away. We were there for 30 mins and it was terrific- he loved the Celts, that’s for sure.
TT- Brendan bought Coutinho for not a lot when he wasn’t getting a game at Inter…..
Jamesgang
okay … I know you are recently married, so this may not be the best time for you to engage in a bloody campaign …. so, I will go with my next choice …. neganon
Auldheid would be the peacetime don …. but, we are at war (or at least, we should be) … now is time to go to the mattresses … we need a wartime don ….
i say cry havoc and set loose the negs of war …
once our enemies are smited (smote? smitten?), then we will bring Auldheid in to reign peacefully over the new organization … the COPFL .. (the Celtic and otheres Professional Football League)
TontineTim,
Your John Thompson anecdote underlined the character of the man.
Tully 57,
Ronnie’s autobiography wasn’t the fist one I read, but it was the best football biography I have ever read.
It was devoid of a lot of the mundane platitudes of many of it’s peers and, like you, I enjoyed his Newcastle days, as, obviously, they covered the great years of English football with legendary players like Matthews, etc.
BTW,
I will be in your town in May, so, if possible, a wee pint may be on.
Thanks Thomthethim – May sounds great and there’s usually a bit of silverware to celebrate around then, good man.
https://stv.tv/sport/football/1407531-mccann-celtic-left-dundee-no-time-to-replace-hendry/
McCann bleating again, and taking credit for Jack Hendry
Bitton for Jozo tomorrow, on that pitch…
Anybody know what is included with Padded Premium Hospitality at CP? Padded seat and a pie?
!!BADA BING!! on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 3:35 PM
Bitton for Jozo tomorrow, on that pitch…
Or Hendry?
It was clear during his time as a pundit on Sky that Neil McCann wasn’t the sharpest tool in the box, so I wouldn’t expect him to understand the subtleties of negotiation. But surely the super bright journalists could have asked him why they took the money? If it was going to be such a massive hassle and inconvenience then surely they could have just said ‘no’. Quite simple really.
But no, they took the money then come out and bitch about Celtic afterwards. There really are some classless individuals involved in our game.
https://thecelticblog.com/2018/02/blogs/neil-mccann-blames-celtic-for-what-the-bbc-said-was-his-clubs-deadline-day-delay-over-hendry/
Another whining hun in a country full of whining huns..
Nothing terrifies this mob like a strong Celtic team..
We don’t care what the animals say…….
Get it roon yeez all, scumbags
d66
find gordon dalziel prtty honest, always gives credit to celtic when due. imo.
tully57 on 2nd February 2018 3:18 pm
Sure it’s a Grand Old Team to Play for
by RONNIE SIMPSON
of Celtic and Scotland
first published 1967
18s net
From the book
To
All the players I played with
and those I played against during the
first (!) 22 years of my career. Thanks
to you I’ve had a wonderful life. Without
you this book would not have been possible
bertie, my favourite celt.
Dearie Me Paul, are you expecting us to believe for a split second that the SFA will change ?
Maybes they will, I may be a tad harsh on you, but I will wager now that any change will only benefit one team and hinder one team, how many guesses do you want ?
HH
TIMHORTON on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 4:02 PM
Fair enough, but still a zombie twat in my book