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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Congratulations to Hibernians from Malta who beat favourites Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 after being a goal down in the Champions league Qualifier tonight here in Malta.Let hope the Bhoys can get a great result tomorrow.HH.
Ok Good News
Was at Specailist today, ankle operation looks to have been a success, so it’s all go for getting back to watch the Celtic, back to Paradise tomorrow -Yippee
Probably another 4 – 6 weeks of recuperation for full recovery, but get back to full activities and walking etc
Just need Wee Shug to fully recover and it’s all go
The Bad News, back to work on Thursday :-(((
But
It will be celebrating a Celtic Victory, and the Hns will not like it :-)
Hail Hail
A cautionary note for Celtic in today’s Champion’s League results – neither Apoel, nor Ludogorets, (2 of 5 teams including Celtic seeded to reach the qualifying round) were able to score at home today, despite playing minnows from Moldova and Macedonia.
JNP
Indeed, it’s lunacy. For that reason I’d keep Stokes, how much would a replacement cost?!
Thunder@19.17
Good call lol.
BSR
Congrats to your daughter on having her mothers brains. Hopefully she has her mothers looks as well. HH
2-0 will do tomorrow..Ronnys Fav Score
Talking of age…..getting invited to a party is usually a good thing but ive got one to go to tomorrow night.
Not only does it coincide with our game but its a 90th.
Cracking bloke and a pleasure to know…..he’s even still driving about!
Going to appreciate the live updates so thanks in advance.
I should have said – 2 of 5 seeded potential opponents if WE reached the qualifying round. Doh!
Cowiebhoy
Good news. Enjoy the game and hope the recuperation goes well
Jimbo67
Iniquitousiv.
Thanks for that, in the hope and dare I say expectation, Celtic reach final qualifying round,then if either of those teams go out it would help us, as some dangerous opponents would then join us as one of the 5 seeded teams. Your point is very valid, it shows how difficult these games can sometimes be.
mike in toronto
19:34 on 14 July, 2015
BSR …
Quality post by a real gent. Strikes a definite chord with my family’s experiences.
Congrats to Miss BSR
HH jamesgang
Cowiebhoy, good news re your operation, hope you get the added tonic tomorrow night , being entertained in the dear seats ra morra, Tea and bickies etc, so take it easy wea the Singen and nae Dancen.
Awerabest PJ
Miss BSR
Huge Congrats, get your Dad to spoil and celebrate :-)
ZicoMalteseBhoy
I used to know a guy from Pollok who played for them back in the early 80s. Had been a youth at Celtic. Was between him and Roy Aitken who Celtic promoted to the senior squad.
BSR.
Well done to the young lurker.
Cowiebhoy.
Good news for you. Hope your dog improves.
Everyone else keep smiling. Competitive football returns tomorrow.
Night and enjoy.
Papa John
How was the meal on Sat ?
Oh and Thanks
Plus Jimbo 67
Hail Hail
Seem to be on permanent catch-up, what with work getting in the way…!
Belated happy birthday to Oldtim 67, hope you had a good ‘un.
What about Fisher and/or Janko at left back rather on the right? Matthews did well at left back I seem to recall. May be worth a try. Really looking forward now to tomorrow night, here’s hoping for a great evening and result.
HH
Was on Twitter yesterday Bolton inquired about stokes were put off with the 1.5 million price tag.
Don’t think Stokes bought into Ronnie’s methods especially when he arrived back in Glasgow a day late on the week of the Inter game.
Ludogrets lost 1-0 at home to Malta champions!
Would be good for us as removes a potential good play off opponent
Maribor only beat Kazakstan champs 1-0
Cowiebhoy
And hillwalking in week 3! :-)
Jimmynotpaul:
Do you know your name defaults to Jimmy topsail on the IPad!
To emphasize the earlier point, Lech Poznan, who as you know were knocked out by Stjarnan last season, are currently up 2-0 away to Sarajevo. I hope Ronny will be reminding our lads of that fact.
A wee throwaway knee jerk post and Celtic’s CQN responds as only it can.
thank you csc
Hi guys, can’t get to the game tomorrow. I have Celtic Tv though, anyone had any experience with tunnelbear VPN?
Cowiebhoy, the meal was First Class,from start to finish,everyone enjoyed what was on offer, quantity & quality, basic decor , first class service for a party of 18.
Awerabest PJ
Hun charged with 2 counts of attempted murder for last night’s car incident in Belfast.
Patrick27:
Bulgarians lost to Moldovans, not Maltese. Maltese beat the Israelis.
Coney Bhoy
Who was it do you remember?.
There was one of Celtics ex development players playing out here last season for a team called Zebbug Rangers.He played for three years in the same team as my cousins Bhoy Michael Graham and a boy who was playing for Morton last night in the testimonial game,Michael Tidser.His name is Carlo Monti who has also played for Pollok and Dundee.Zebbug were relegated.HH
Zico-Maltese Bhoy
Hope the weather’s not too hot in Mellieha. Saw the result – makes the away leg interesting. Also noted Ludogorets lost at home to a Kazak team.
Should be hot enough at CP tomorrow night to melt the Icelanders – selection options for Ronny too. Looking forward to catching up with old friends and seeing the new banners!
Think Stokes will be away soon enough but not before Ciftci’s hearing on Mpnday. If he gets a lengthy domestic ban then Stokes may be needed as back up.
If Stokes then moves on (£1m ?) and Derk (who?) also, then we are looking at “Ronny’s team” for the coming season
I like Stokesie.
Hope he stays
He’s got a lot to offer
Ive never saw how the Sky/ Epl could go bust..But £49 million for sterling..Really…All Bubbles burst i hope..£200k per week for a 20yo…Hope it ends..And Soon…
Cowiebhoy:
Great news, will look out for you tomorrow night.
Wee Shug will be fine…he has a great name….did I ever tell you that is my middle name?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Jimmynotpaul
Thanks
HT – deal, mind I don’t get the holidays you and that Lionroars get :-))
Papa John – nice, now that PL has a lot to answer, cost cutting by inviting T-totallers to the Hospitality
still a bonus watching the Celtic mind :-)
Hail Hail
Embramike
How are you keeping.
It is unbearable here 37 degrees today and getting warmer.
Hope you enjoy the game,I will be watching it with the Malta Tims.HH
thunder road … actually, I was only 4 when Midnight Cowboy came out, so I dont remember it when it was released…
the first ‘grown up ‘ movie i rembember going to see is The Sting … I would have been about 6 or 7 ….grandparents in Paisley took my brother and I to see if, but we ran into some friends of my uncle (the Nutley’s), so we went to sit with them because they had better candy! I cant remember the theatre in Paisley, but I do remember the candy!
hamiltontim:
Not often I disagree with you but I do about Stokes.
It would appear he is not in the plans for whatever reason. I also believe we will sign another Striker if Anthony and or Boerittger leaves.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Question For CQN……How can The Sky/ Epl Bubble Burst…Any Answers..
Lennybhoy
His initial name was Lenny,
Is there anything you want to tell me :-) Hugo
Hail Hail