HMRC’s case against St Mirren, raised because they allegedly failed to pay Kieran Doran the National Minimum Wage, has brought the professionalism of our professional game under analysis. Doran’s first contract as a 16-year-old was for £1 a week, which was apparently never paid. The player subsequently wanted to give up the game for a trade (to study medicine) but St Mirren refused to release him from his contract.
By any reasonable measure this is amateur football. There’s nothing wrong with amateur football, in fact it has great potential, but NOT paying someone £1 a week cannot be described in any other way. St Mirren will not be alone.
I made no comment last month on Newco’s reluctance to pay holiday pay as I thought this was something of an open secret. Holiday pay as been a legal right in the UK since 1871, but at the periphery of our game some clubs just don’t pay it. I’ve spoken to an SPL chairman who openly admitted to the ‘ruse’ (not Celtic, before you ask).
Newco are far from alone on this matter, indeed, I would be amazed if top flight clubs were not guilty. The keenness to contract players from July to May is substantial, I reckon lowering some clubs payroll by 8%, while leaving no time in the calendar for players to take paid holidays.
We should stop pretending there are two distinct groups of clubs in Scotland: the amateurs and semi-pros of the ‘non-leagues’, and the 42 Scottish Professional Football League clubs. St Mirren are one of the biggest and best community clubs we have, they have enormous potential to thrive as such, but I seriously doubt their credentials as an economically viable professional club.
More than 30 other Professional League clubs would also be better served trading with a Community League mentality. Developing the potential of local kids and engaging with their community, without the burden of trying to compete in a worldwide talent pool.
The majority of Scottish football clubs were founded in the 19th Century. It seems like no one has subsequently asked: what is our purpose, why are we here, what will our future look like? Without considerable change, the best future 30 clubs can hope for a decade from now will be suffocating indifference, at worst there will be lots of all-seated follies wasting away.
Reminder for tomorrow:
There are new season tickets issued, if your old ticket is still in your wallet, swap it out or you’ll not get in to see the Mighty Celtic tomorrow evening. If you don’t have your new ticket, better get along early to sort it out.
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Anyone point me in the direction of a bar in Lincilnshire that will be showing the game tonight.
Morning Ernie. Fall out of bed again? :-)
Lincolnshire even..
We have no politicians with any conscience nowadays , they are all in it for their own self interest and importance, god I cringe at what labour has had in South Lanarkshire and Glasgow where I live and work
New Scottish labour came out of the Hoover factory in Canbuslang where all the boys got jobs in parliament Scottish parliament and regional authorities
We need to get our own house in order to establish a credible opposition to the SNP
No sound bites but real policies and people who can deliver them
This has to be a wind up surely? Lol.
End My Tynecastle Hell says Jason Holt https://raillydecord.wordpress.com/2015/07/14/jason-holt-end-my-tynecastle-hell/
curly
07:52 on 15 July, 2015
Fit like y’all, from a damp Eberdeen.
Good luck to the Hoops tonight, I will be following the game on Radio Shortbread, with the sound muted so I don’t have to listen to their biased commentary . . . .
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hi Curly. So you are actually going to watch the game on radio!
LOL
I was very impressed by young Miss Black’s maiden speech, it was full of passion and I think demonstrated a genuine desire for social justice.
Oops
Like others though I await policies and action which will see her party address the issues which have been devolved to Holyrood.
Anyway, it’s match day so c’mon the Cellic!!
Anyone bumping into TOHG will be pleasantly surprised by his mild mannered appearance
He has a young American curate from our parish with him tonight
Time to get in about him when he can’t retaliate in his usual manner
Enjoy the game bhoys n ghirls
Morning Norman,
First come, first served tonight!
I’ve already logged on, so it’s sloppy seconds for you Mate!
HH
BT
Good luck today son. You, Vincent and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
08:19 on 15 July, 2015
‘Ernie
Can you explain the difference in the old party whips job in ensuring members followed party orders when a 3 line whip was called and the SNP members stance on following party policy’
###
Three line whips are used on essential votes only and are seldom used. Moreover they don’t stop people expressing criticism.
The SNP policy is all encompassing.
Their politicians aren’t allowed to express any criticism whatsoever of party policy or any party colleague.
CELTIC have beaten off competition from five Barclays Premier League clubs to land one of Scottish football’s most promising young strikers.
Aston Villa, Everton, Newcastle United, Southampton and Stoke City were all keen to land Scotland Under-15 internationalist Kieran McGrath.
However, the Coatbridge youngster, whose father Hugh was on the books at Parkhead as a boy, opted to join the club he supports.
It is the fourth year in a row the Glasgow giants had attempted to land the 14-year-old, who has signed a two year deal, and they have finally got their man.
Elliott Fillingham, the Head of Youth at McGrath’s representatives ViolaFC, revealed why the centre forward had opted to go to the Scottish champions.
He said: “Celtic offer a compelling development programme for Kieran with the additional hours of practice and coaching at their school initiative at St Ninian’s.
“The number of international tournaments and the additional exposure that comes with playing for a massive club like Celtic will help Kieran reach the next level in his career.”
McGrath is one of only two age-group players in Scotland who are sponsored by adidas – the other is 18-year-old Celtic winger Aiden Nesbitt.
The Braidhurst High pupil has played for Hibs for the last seven years and scored five goals in a match against Newcastle United last season.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign for Celtic and I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my career. Celtic was the right club for me and it’s a dream come true”
His representative John Viola said: “Kieran has got fantastic potential – so much so that a number of Premier League clubs have contacted me with a view to doing business but his first and only choice was Celtic.
“We are really looking forward to Kieran progressing towards playing for the first team”
Fit like Curly, from glorious ole Shangri La.
Anyways, impressive piece of clever cloggery from ole NASA, to set off in Jan 2006 and be able to get close enough [ o.k 12.5K ]to Pluto ten years later to take a few selfies.
I expect hooplsegend Lee Naylor was not left in charge of the telemetry.
So Sterling goes from Liverpool to Man City for £49m and Milner goes from Man City to Liverpool for nothing.
Absolutely mental especially considering Milner is a better player in my opinion.
Ask Mhairi Black and most SNP MPs if they would take a Republic Scotland, with no sovereignty, I’ve often wondered what the answer would be, this was the little tart who said, I absolutely hate Glasgow Celtic right? I wonder if she does the 800 meters too?
MIDDEN.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading CQN yesterday and probably the main reason I never joined in :)
Pretty much all football and japes until he who never starts political discussion again started political discussion, me I kept well away until this morning, that way I could honestly ask,
why after 8 years in power and operating Scottish govt surplus is Black’s constituency third highest (as she points out) on the list dependent on food banks ?
COYBIG
Hamiltontim, at least Milner is a team player!
Morning all
I found this to be s pretty heartbreaking read.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33294275
Have to attend a function tonight.
Beelin’ soamur!
Ernie – in sports, politics and life in general it’s good form to admit when your opponent makes a good play. Regardless of anyone’s opinion of the SNP or the Yes/No debate Mhairi Black’s maiden speech held up an ideal of an enabling country which seeks to give its citizens a chance. It’s an ideal that most Scots hold dearly. And the fact that it’s a message that’s notable by its absence from Labour voices is the greatest indictment of all.
Tony Benn would have been rattling his pipe against his coffin walls in frustrated agreement, of that I have no doubt.
That you can’t admit that doesn’t show the weakness of your intellect. Its strength is undoubted. It does IMHO show the weakness of the hand that Labour supporters have to play. And I say that with some regret.
HH jamesgang
BT, will TOHG be down at the meeting spot with his wee pal?
Could be a chance to finally give you the “the other holy water” you’ve been waiting on.
Very pleased to hear your dad is in the legends mural and is featured as a Celtic giant. Just as he should be. You are rightly proud my friend.
HH
bt…,
Sad news about your pal
Thoughts and prayers with the McBride family, Vincent RIP
fieldofdrams
I can’t understand why City allowed his contract to run down.
I watched a fair bit of Liverpool last season because the missus’ son supports them, it was only on rare occasions that Sterling impressed me.
ACGR
I may need it after today
Thanks bhoys, might be back later emotional and talking more rubbish than usual ( if that’s possible)
Take care
HT
Sterling doesn’t play football to impress you. It’s not about you. It’s about Raheem!
If he was chocolate he’d eat himself don’t cha know!
HH jamesgang
North Cyprus (formerly Baku) Bhoy
08:31 on 15 July, 2015
Morning Norman,
First come, first served tonight!
I’ve already logged on, so it’s sloppy seconds for you Mate!
HH
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha Ha,
Not for the first time Eddy.
looking for 3 or 4 nil tonight and 2 up front would be nice.
Anyway, the team talk from Ronny is only round the corner…..
Rampant Rabbit CSC
jamesgang
Sterling is the new Nani, Sturridge will look forward to having crosses smashed over his head for goal kicks and the occasional throw all next season!
Lol, wind up?
https://raillydecord.wordpress.com/2015/07/11/admiration-for-warburton-and-rangers-grows/
Fieldofdrams
Many thanks, so I could park up for the night?
P
Mhairi Black maiden speech
http://order-order.com/2015/07/14/mhairi-blacks-maiden-speech-in-full/
T.D.
I heard Mhari Black being interviewd on Off-the-Ball and see was asked about her “I hate Celtic” comments. She is a Partick Thistle supporter and tweeted this when she was 16 years old.
She said she comes from a CELTIC SUPPORTING FAMILY! And its was just a teenage off-the -cuff remark. She is not sectarian or bigotted. Smear campaign by her opponents.
tonydonnelly67
08:58 on
15 July, 2015
These are wind up stories. The writer has written what he believes daily record so called sports journalists would love to write. Not actually far off what they actually do write.
They have appeared on CQN over the last few weeks.
The clue is in the name raillydecord
td67,
Now that was funny
P
Three things might happen tonight.
#1 Celtic will win convincingly and all will be well, people will continue to argue about the provos and the palestinians on CQN.
#2 Celtic will draw unconvincingly and we people will wake up and start talking about other things other than the provos and palestinians.
#3 Celtic will lose the game, and there will be a frenzy of acrimonious accusations, finger pointing and calls for sack the board, sack Ronnie, sack the SFA, sack the caterers.
Jamesgang
That wouldn’t be a whole lotta chocolate, he’s a tiny wee fella that could quite probably be wrapped in decorative foil and hung from a tree around Christmas time! In fact maybe that’s City’s marketing plan right there :-)
Right, another Sistine Chapel awaits.
Laters.
Or should that be another chapel cistern
TD67 08:58 – absolutely hilarious, a great way to start the day.
Whoever wrote that is very talented – I can see the Record trying to close down the site.
bamboo
09:05 on 15 July, 2015
T.D.
I heard Mhari Black being interviewd on Off-the-Ball and see was asked about her “I hate Celtic” comments. She is a Partick Thistle supporter and tweeted this when she was 16 years old.
She said she comes from a CELTIC SUPPORTING FAMILY! And its was just a teenage off-the -cuff remark. She is not sectarian or bigotted. Smear campaign by her opponents.
Aye ok, the auld AMA Partick thistle supporter line, and I have family who are Celtic supporters, she’s a Hun, make no mistake about that, same as the silver medalist in the 800 meters a midden, no excuses please.