Regan, asked to leave as a tainted failure

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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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461 Comments

  1. VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on

    SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 9:25 PM

     

     

    Judging by Brendans comments I reckon Hendry will play tomorrow

     

     

    De Vries

     

     

    Ajer Boyata Hendry Tierney

     

     

    Brown Kouassi

     

     

    Forrest/Musonda N’tcham Sinclair

     

     

    Dembele Edouard

     

     

     

    KTF

  2. ‘Derry Girls’ might not be everyone’s cup of tea however the episode last night when they were stuck in the middle of an Orange March was funny. Hh

  3. VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on

    !!BADA BING!! on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 10:54 PM

     

     

    I’d thought Bitton would come in but reading the comments that Brendan has made, I think he is going to let Hendry loose. He rates him as a CL player, not just SPL. Be interesting to see if he does.

     

     

    I sincerely hope he plays Moussa and 10/11 (odds on) up front again!

     

     

     

    KTF

  4. VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on

    Gordon64, it makes me laugh out loud every week. Very well written comedy.

     

     

    I love the characterisation – it’s top notch!

     

     

    KTF

  5. Jozo is easily our best CH defensively.

     

     

    Being a bit unsure a few weeks ago.

     

     

    I think we will be alright.

     

     

    Big couple of months coming up.

     

     

    passports.CSC

  6. G64- Derry Ghirls is funny for me; takes me back to St Thomas’ Riddrie, when Nuns ran the school.

  7. Gerryfaethebrig on

    G64 10.58pm

     

     

    Says to my good lady 30yrs ago I would have been in the taxi and you would have had white gloves on :-)

     

     

    CRC & Roy C, cheers

     

     

    That’s our Cqn, far, far more good than the odd bad arguenent(s)

     

     

    Hail Hail

  8. Wee story which you can scroll by if it’s too long.

     

    I sit beside my dad at Paradise, have done since the North Stand was built.

     

    He was 80 last Saturday.

     

    Managed to get some tickets in the Celtic Suite through an acquaintance just to make things a bit different and through them sat in the directors box.

     

    Strange watching the game from that angle but enjoyed it nonetheless. The hospitality was lost on my old man though, he had one cup of tea as he doesnt drink now although he did plenty in years gone by. I tried to make up for it…

     

    Anyway, great day but the highlight was when we were leaving the lounge we bumped into Kieran Tierney.

     

    FFS he looked like a school kid… but I told him that it was my old man’s birthday and he was straight over, hand out, wishing him all the best and then posed for a couple of pics.

     

    My dad commented afterwards that he was 4 times his age, incredible, but imagine looking up to someone who is a quarter of your age.

     

    We had a family dinner that night and almost everything had a Celtic theme, framed photos, cards etc. apart from the odd Perry Como reference. Got his pic on the big screen on Tuesday too.

     

    He is El Capo in our family and after the weekend I thought back and realised that due to his love of Celtic we all have it in buckets, and we’re a big family.

     

    Cheers dad, you deserved your day and you’ve made sure that your love of Celtic has crossed generations and will do so for years to come.

  9. You have a tough evening at work, you come home, tune in to CQN, and see that Roy Croppie is posting pics and tunes…and the world is a nicer place!

     

     

    Cheers, RC

  10. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Gutenberg 11.15pm

     

     

    You at least were the support act to the two main characters

     

     

    Your dad & KT

     

     

    Great stuff :-)

  11. mike in toronto on

    Neganon …. if you are still on , I had suggested that we put Jamesgang up as a replacement for Regan, but he says he isnot interested… so, I have decided to start a campaign to get you in the job! you okay with that?

     

     

    Gutenberg @ 11:15 … nice post. thanks for sharing that.

  12. Gerryfaethebrig on

    MIT 11.31pm

     

     

    Since your on, I notice Liam is beating you (again), are you keeping the Sevs for round 10 ?

  13. mike in toronto on

    GFTB …. dont woryy, Liam has made quite sure that I knew he was beating me too! But I appreciate you keeping me informed!

     

     

    sadly, I wasted a joker on Man City in the first round, and I dont think they even scored that day! … I knew the gig was up after that result….

  14. Mike in Toronto

     

     

    I’m up for that.

     

     

    As long as the first act I do is to disband the lot and sack myself.

  15. mike in toronto on

    Neganon …. actually, I figured that you were more of a wartime don, and this is a time of war …. so, the plan is more that you are there to kick ass, and clean house (by whatever means necessary)… once we have established order, then auldheid (more of a peace time don) would be installed to ensure that things run smoothly …

     

     

    I figured that you would okay with that …. the wartime stuff is really the fun bit … and, of course, if you need the services of a decent wartime consigliere, I would be happy to offer my services.

  16. fergusslayedtheblues on

    PETEC on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 10:35 PM

     

    Great vid and wee naka one of my all time favourites .

     

    His first game at CP (d utd ) ,saw the wee man bring the ball down on his toe with 3 opposition players around him ,one look and he spread the play to an open celtic player on the other side of the pitch .I turned to my wee buddy and said

     

    THIS BHOY WILL DO FOR ME

     

    HH

  17. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Gutenberg 11.37pm

     

     

    Of course,your delight was in your words, more important about your dad at his age but reading it that wee KT apart from being a fabulous Celtic player, is just a wee dream of a Bhoy

     

     

    MIT

     

     

    I noticed you haven’t picked the Sevs yet (CRCs list) is this going to be your virgin tournament without picking the tax evaders ??????

     

     

    Wonders will never cease, a lawyer with a conscience ?

     

     

    Get them picked Mike, don’t let your public down :-)

  18. Neg2,

     

     

    I’m a very Selfish person.

     

     

    It would be very Good if you got the chance to see THIS developing Team.

     

     

    So MANY just want to help you out with Tickets.

  19. mike in toronto on

    GFTB ….. the zombies dont need anymore support from me… they have all the support they need from our Board, and those who financially support our Board.

  20. fergusslayedtheblues on

    TONTINE TIM on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 10:37 PM

     

    What decade did all the bigotry begin and why .

     

    Was it that we were getting some success on the field or ideas above our station ,possibly both

     

     

    As for the nobody likes us we don’t care .Is there any other football club in the world that has that as a slogan

     

    HH

  21. mike in toronto on

    FSTB @ 12:00

     

     

    I think it was Tontine Tim who recently posted an excellent piece about this … if I can find the date, I will post it again…

  22. mike in toronto on

    well gents… off for ma dinner…. play nice tonight .. the last couple of nights on here have been crazy.

  23. Gerryfaethebrig on

    MIT 11.56pm (our time :-)

     

     

    Too late for the deflection :-)

     

     

    Anyhow, looking forward to the young guns the morra, don’t like “plastic” pitches but the young team have played on these type of surfaces more than grass….

     

     

    Fellow Celts

     

     

    Good night and enjoy these good times

     

     

    Cqn is still Cqn don’t let anybody post you different