Yesterday evening STV revealed the real outcome of last week’s meeting between Stewart Regan, Neil Doncaster and David Longmuir as a proverbial gun was put to the head of Scottish Football League clubs.
In short, SPL chief executive, Neil Doncaster, no doubt with the support of some clubs but without the prior knowledge or support of Celtic, has threatened to kick 20 SFL clubs out of the senior game unless they acquiesce to his demand to parachute Sevco into the First Division.
The proposal was presented by SFL chief executive, David Longmuir, and appears to carry his endorsement.
Five scenarios are portrayed:
‘Rangers’ remaining in the SPL is dismissed as SPL clubs have confirmed they will vote no.
‘Rangers’ going to the third division is objected to on two grounds, financial (which is laboured a bit) and – wait for it – “The sporting opportunity is quashed for other clubs”.
Ponder that one for a moment, “The sporting opportunity is quashed for other clubs”.
‘Rangers’ to the First Division is presented as being “financially possible to recover from this scenario”.
‘Rangers’ to SPL2 is dismissed as apparently this would create “a bigger divide” than moving ‘Rangers’ to the First Division but not changing the name of the league. It is also noted that a legal challenge could bring paralysis.
Finally, they discuss ‘Rangers’ terminated or suspended, which apparently would lead to “complete financial meltdown”.
Then come the inducements to co-opt ‘Rangers’ into the First Division…. cash, your cash. Lots and lots of your cash, an “immediate cash benefit for all 30 clubs!” The exclamation mark is theirs!!
We could spend all day dissecting this disgraceful document but I’d like to focus on one immediate element:
‘Rangers’ terminated or suspended – complete financial meltdown.
So how do the SFA, SFL and the SPL rogues who participated in this shambles propose to ensure the SFA Independent Judicial Panel does not suspend ‘Rangers’ for subverting our game for over a decade for fielding illegally registered players for that period?
In short, it cannot. The independent judicial process will itself need to be subverted. As I suggested a few days ago, the judges will be told they are no longer wanted, we are back with the hand-selected SFA committee men.
The three most senior executives running our game have told you that one errant club is so powerful it cannot be subject to the rules and must not face the punishments which are due.
I’m not going to dispute the validity of this view (just now), but surely we deserve some honesty? If the Scottish Football Association and Scottish Premier League has accepted the ‘game’ is over, let’s hear from them. Where is the leadership from the SFA president on the collapse of the game under his watch? What are the chief executives saying to their paying customers?
Our sport cannot be subverted below radar.
You have been cheated and the rules will be changed to ensure there are no consequences. This is no longer a sport, it is a financial accommodation where a few executives are threatening to expel 20 clubs, most of whom have over a century history in the senior game, to allow Sevco to start two divisions higher than they otherwise would.
Celtic can have nothing to do with this.
The game here is dead. The leagues are set to collapse, most likely, no matter what happens now.
1,889 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- ...
- 50
- »
That BBC piece about Chris Hegarty says McCoist made it clear he featured in his plans.
So McCoist did turn up today then? Any reason given as to why he didn’t yesterday? I thought he may have defected to Brown’s bombers.
be better signing Paul Hegarty…always thought he could have done a job for us.
Sparkleghirl
You may have got the wrong Hegarty but I do like how you saw a Montrose reject and thought it must be him.
A taste of things to come for the teddy berrs…if they’re lucky.
HH
The Pikes are being dusted off and sharpened bhoys.
The Celtic Trust
We are seeking an urgent meeting with the CEO of our own Club to whom we have already made our views known and we will take every opportunity to ensure that those concerned are in no doubt about the consequences should they continue to pursue this course of action. The ‘wise men’ of the SFA, SPL, SFL etc would do well to remember the words of a truly wise man,
“Football, without the fans, is nothing”
The CSA
The Celtic Supporters Association called an Emergency Meeting of its Branches last Sunday with less than a week’s notice, we can do the same again, we have already discussed the drive to use the present situation to weaken Celtic, our supporters will not allow it to happen, and more importantly, nor will our club.
Maybe it is time for us to take the nuclear option, if Scottish Football can’t do without a Rangers, Celtic should give the 2 years notice required, and resign from the SPL, let’s see how they get on without Celtic and their supporters.
Therisingof themoonCSC
Bourne
@16:19
Waaaayyyy too much sense in that post.
It’s madness I tell ye, madness!
Just returned from Turkey this morning and many thanks to Lennybhoy etc for texting me updates. What struck me from the English on holiday was how much they were amazed at the attempts to maintain servco in the top flight, did not meet one who thought it was fair and all suggested that should it happen then our game is down the tubes.
Just read the STV stuff from yesterday I would suggest, like going to the court of session, they have shot their own foot off again. Twenty teams to accept what? junior football to assist them ?
ASonOfDan on 29 June, 2012 at 16:02 said: rangers update They now have 5 Seniors, 6 Juniors and 2 out of contract players Things are looking up for the huns…
Mark Hateley said its like 2 new signings.
•-:¦:-•** -:¦:- sparkleghirl :¦:-.•**• -:¦:-• on 29 June, 2012 at 16:22 said:
That BBC piece about Chris Hegarty says McCoist made it clear he featured in his plans.
I read somewhere Coisty is on holiday ´til Monday.
convenient eh?
It was the “worst disciplinary record in Scottish football” that convinced me :)
Is it too early for a glass of red?
Philbhoy
I don’t have Sky/Espn
But if I did, I would cancel.
Hope that coun’ts as a yes :)
Hail Hail
I cancelled sky on 8th May…
I suspect Celtic’s response to SPL will be..
‘ ‘Rangers’ can disappear and Celtic will survive. If Celtic go now ‘Rangers’will never re emerge.
So if Celtic are the losers due to ‘Rangers’ readmission then Celtic are out of SPL.
Game over!
I can’t help but think Paul McBride would be in his element with these latest proposals…..sad loss in so many ways.
coun’ts = count’s
typo
sorry
Philbhoy
You can’t drink man, you have updates to do!!
I cancelled Sky/ ESPN
Philbhoy
Miki67
Oglach
ASonofDan
Musters
eirecamper
jungle jam67
pedrocaravachio67
brimmer
AJ CFC
Len Brennan
Garngad to Croy
Bada Bin
Reilly1926
EKBhoy
Northerncelt67
lionroars67
harpsbhoy
dirtymac
johann
imaginger
theglasgowcelticway
Indio
Raymac (of course you do!)
jmccormick
Kittoch
Maisy Dribble
Cultsbhoy
Craig Whyte and Charles Green in Menzies Hotel according to RM!
HH
The Board of Directors of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club would like to make the following statement, firstly to the Club’s loyal supporters and more widely to the whole of Scottish Football, following an emergency Board Meeting today. We believe that this notice will now fully clarify our own position, for the avoidance of any further doubt, rather than snippets of information or interviews attributable to the Club being used in isolation or out of context. It is a clear that a number of different agendas exist at present, but DAFC seek a fully inclusive solution that is in the genuine interests of Scottish Football. The sporting integrity of our “national game” must be retained along with its longer term commercial interests rather than another short term solution, which ignores completely the views and concerns of the ordinary fan. Matters are currently being progressed in an illogical manner, as the SPL should have met and voted on the Rangers situation definitively. Thereafter, if there is to be change a joint presentation should be made by all the Scottish Football governing bodies together and not on an ad hoc basis as at present.
Until the Club had seen the exact proposals now being put forward, coupled with the feedback from our own supporters, which was vitally important, we had been reticent to speculate as previously commented. However, the Board of DAFC on behalf of its supporters, and the wider footballing community of Dunfermline and West Fife, can now confirm that it will not be voting in favour of any solution which involves “Newco” being parachuted into SFL Division 1 next year.
We asked our fans for feedback on this issue, and within 3 days we had over 2,000 responses, and even allowing for an element of infiltration, the results were conclusive. 95.4% of supporters were against “Newco” being parachuted into SFL Division 1, in return for restructuring Scottish Football; and 96.1% of supporters thought that “Newco” should be required to apply for membership of SFL Division 3. In anyone’s language these results are compelling and will likely be replicated by fans of other Scottish Football Club’s.
The revised proposals we have reviewed contain a number of suggestions that are entirely credible in isolation, and everyone agrees that the structure of Scottish Football must change, but it must be done for the right reasons and not used as some form of bargaining tool. The proposal document makes little or no mention of fans or their views, as was the case with the league reconstruction debate, and all these issues must now be put on the table to deliver a credible, equitable and viable solution. The document strongly implies that if the proposals are not accepted, then we will have financial meltdown in Scottish Football, but if the loyal fans across the country desert the game then commercial sponsors or TV companies will have no one to promote or broadcast to. The McLeish Report made a number of solid recommendations, but Scottish Football needs to be more radical with a number of additional matters being addressed as a matter of urgency, such as what do the paying public want? It would appear that the broad thrust of the McLeish Report appears to have been given immediate traction in the last couple of weeks, entirely for the wrong reasons.
As had been speculated, a further proposal now being presented is Dundee Football Club taking the place of “Club 12” in the SPL. DAFC acknowledge that the Club was relegated last season as our results on the pitch were simply not good enough, but we worked to a strict budget and had to take some very difficult decisions over the course of the season which upset our own fans, due to circumstances out with our control. We were rightly replaced by Ross County Football Club on sporting grounds, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish them every success next season. However, the situation regarding Rangers has led to the creation of a place for “Club 12” an entirely different scenario, which has developed radically since February, and was subject to many decision making delays by the SPL. Despite asking for some direction or clarification, we have had no communication whatsoever from the SPL as to the rationale, rule reference or justification as to why Dundee FC is being proposed to take the place of “Club 12” rather than DAFC. We are requesting in writing a definitive response from the SPL by the 5th July to allow both ourselves and Dundee FC to plan for next season.
From our recent survey, 56.5% of our supporters think we would be better served playing in SFL1 next year, with the remaining stating they would prefer to be playing in the SPL. Although, this represents a broad split, the Board still believe it has a moral duty to its supporters and sponsors to robustly defend the Club’s position on this matter, in the interests of both sporting integrity and legal precedent.
At this stage we would not like to comment any further in public on this matter until we have received formal intimation of the SPL decision which presumably carries the SFA & SFL support. We shall review our stance in the light of information received.
Finally, can we again urge all true supporters of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club to stick together during these uncertain times, and not to defer on renewing their season tickets and get behind Jim Jefferies and the team.
HT
So it is So it is So it is
Kev Jungle….
Naw!
Buy your heart is in the right place!
HT
A’l drink it slow!
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning! on 29 June, 2012 at 16:30 said:
Kev Jungle….
Naw!
Buy your heart is in the right place!
_____________________________________________
All the Best M8.
Hail Hail
Buy = But
If Philbhoy is having one so am I, just to be sociable like…
eirecamper on 29 June, 2012 at 16:09 said:
post on ff about someone called hegarty signing new contract with sevco
“Magic wee man —so thats 14 now —f**k if we go on at this rate i’m gonna run out of fingers to count them all ”
need i say any more…..
—————————————
Its the simple things that make me smile, and sir that is simple thanks for posting that.
stillsmilingcsc :))))
Good statement from Dunfermline. No newco and seeking clarification on their own position
Philbhoy
Oh ok permission granted :-)
Anyone else noticed how often many media outlets are currently referring to the deceeased club as the `Gers? `Gers was always used but, recently, it has become almost compulsory.
JJ
roy croppie
I’ll get the opener!
If ole googly eyed shooter Whyte is in town he’d better watch out in case some of them Sevco varmints ain’t hanging loose from the big hoose.
Mon the Hoops CSC
What or who does it take to call a vote of no confidence in Doncaster and his attemps to kill our game.
I’ll just let it breath for, err, a minute or two.
KevJungle__ Murdo 78/87 on 29 June, 2012 at 15:29 said:
That was one bad nightmare! Think I’ll sleep with matchsticks propping up my eyelids the night!
Good man Philbhoy, pour it slowly and we’ll toast Bomber and the merriment he provided this week.
Not cancelling Oddbins then?
it wont be our hero with Greeny it’ll be Bomber with a Craig Whyte mask on!
Scunnered with this weather so just cracked open a wee Pinot Grigot to get me in the mood for my 3 weeks in Andalucia starting tomorrow. Hopefully celebrating with the locals on Sunday night.
wonkyradar
Your post @12:02 was pulitzer – prize material. imo.
God Bless.