You have been presented with a narrative that we should collapse the Scottish Premier League this summer and have the SFA register a new, two-division, league system to resolve the problems inherent in having too many bodies running our game. This is complete nonsense.
Those pushing for a SPL 2 are, perhaps with good intentions, trying to pull a deal together to reduce the impact of the demise of Rangers FC buy allowing a phoenix the chance to gain entry into the league structure two levels higher than what they now face.
It’s a stupid proposal.
As things stand, there is no chance of a Newco getting access to the SPL next season. Despite Neil Doncaster heavily advocating the notion, the idea is simply undeliverable. Our club has been committed to opposing the proposition from the beginning, while many others now realise they have to observe the strong feelings of their own supporters on the matter.
Doncaster should have realised this was a campaign he could not win before he boxed himself into a corner over it. SPL 2 is an attempt to address the ‘No to Newco’ concerns while bringing the income some in the game hope Newco will deliver.
The unnamed SFA source who briefed the BBC on this topic last week made no reference whatsoever to Newco, their focus was all on the administrative challenges of having multiple bodies in charge of the game, but this was disingenuous. If there was a prospect of Newco getting into the SPL we would not be having this debate.
Tell us the truth, be honest, and these random, ill-considered, notions will perhaps be received in a better light.
The hope is that fans of the former club, Rangers, bring their cash along to watch Newco, which would play SPL 2 football next season and would be subject to whatever penalties the various independent bodies impose for years to come for the illegal actions of Rangers. This would allow Newco to claim the history of Rangers, would perhaps maintain the existing BSkyB TV deal and would meet the ‘No to Newco’ demands.
There are several huge obstacles to overcome. The SFA will soon instruct Lord Carloway’s Appellate Panel to consider a new punishment for ‘Rangers’ for misdeeds during the Craig Whyte era. I expect him to suspend the ‘club’ for 12 months. A new independent judicial panel will consider the case against ‘Rangers’ for subverting our game for over a decade through the illegal registration of players. If/when the First Tier Tribunal finds against Rangers a fresh wave of charges will be brought against any club claiming to hold that identity – as a guide, think of the punishments for the Craig Whyte era multiplied by 12.
These three independent judicial panels will destroy whatever is left of what we used to call ‘Rangers’ and there is nothing the football authorities can do about it.
Sevco, who own Ibrox and have applied for SPL access, already face an enormous challenge to meet trading costs for a year, even in the SPL, never mind a lower league (as Dave King correctly concluded). They are prime candidates for another insolvency event any time soon. Best of all, a Celtic fan has now bid for the assets (more on this later)!
Even if Newco overcame these enormous challenges, the SFA and SPL executives, having realised they cannot convince fans of 11 clubs to hold their noses and put up with a Newco-Rangers, will now try to convince former Rangers fans to cough up cash to support a Newco that will be rendered impotent by the most severe penalties in the history of our game.
I cannot see former Rangers fans accepting their role as cannon fodder for St Mirren, Motherwell and (cough) Kilmarnock in a league where the Mighty Celtic romp home by 30 points.
I don’t have an objection in principle to a two-league SPL but plan it properly, don’t allow knee-jerk reactions to dictate thinking. There’s no point in us getting paranoid about this, it’s not some attempt to help the remnants of ‘Rangers’, it’s just a stupid proposal from people who have yet to see the big picture.
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First and only post on this subject. I won’t be getting into it with anyone.
The fact that Scargill did not call a ballot has no bearing on the plans that Thatcher had for the mines in the UK because those plans were in place before the strike started (they were why the strike started). However, it did allow her to use more forceful tactics on the basis that she was now dealing with law breakers.
Scargill was wrong not to call a ballot (and I have no time for him) but she was so very wrong on how she went about her business and the great delight she took in doing so.
I remember the brother in law of a friend who was a policeman in Reading (an exiled Glaswegian) who was sent to Yorkshire during the strike. He said that his colleagues, almost without exception, would wave wads of notes through the windows of their buses at the strikers. He also said that they were explicitly given carte blanche on how to go about dealing with the strikers. A disgraceful time in the history of industrial relations in this country but those who should be ashamed are the very ones who know no shame.
I’d like to believe in the afterlife, specifically Hell, so I could be sure that woman would end up there.
Macjay1,
I’ll tell you how low they can go.
Tell the NHS they are taking strike action but are available for emergencies, that way they are officially on strike, yet still be paid for the day
ASonOfDan – Surprised you are still on here, you not switched to ‘Menshn’ yet?
I had to google “menshn” there.
It’s not as good as my rival right-wing social networking site, ThumbFace. (thumbsup)
Jungle Jim – An opponent of your view could as easily say that the person working was ” causing his children `s starvation” thereby justifying his violent response.
Sure, he might easily say that, but he’d be a shameless liar trying to justify being a thug and a bully. Beating people up is wrong. (thumbsup)
memo to any lurking huns, looking for reaction to BTC rumours
Bob Dylan said it best……
“Just when you think that you’ve lost everything
You find out you can always lose a little more”
Enjoy your day. There is so much more to come.
67Heaven, 12:38
Dallas, EBTs and Alex Thomson.
No evidence of that story at all
To adapt a phrase of Vic Reeves, we really wanna see those padlocks.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 21 June, 2012 at 13:32 said:
I hope you didn’t misinterpret my post. I wasn’t criticising striking doctors. I support the right of any worker (medical or other) to withdraw their labour if they feel they have a genuine grievance.
As a former teacher, I know that many of my former colleagues are angry at the Government’s tinkering with their pensions – higher contributions for a reduced pension. Changes to the way that their pensions are calculated etc. I for one would be in favour of strike action to protest against these measures.
In the case of doctors they have a moral dilemma to cope with which prevents some from going on strike while they might want to.
cadizzy – We’re a better society without the closed shops, flying pickets, and the endless strikes of the 1970’s and early 80’s. (thumbsup)
Ach well, it was only a dream.
philvisreturns on 21 June, 2012 at 13:32 said:
“I generally follow the Judeo-Christian ethic of “thou shalt not kill” and “thou shalt not beat people up”.”
Me too.
Unfortunately, that tenet is seldom, perhaps never, followed when it is an officer of the law who is doing the beating.
Cadizzy,
There were also hundreds of soldiers on those buses
asonofdan,
sevco aint an spl member
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 21 June, 2012 at 13:25 said:
Scargill`s mission,imho,had nothing to do with miners and their pay,conditions or pit closures.
The Internationale was about the size of it.
The miners were used.
Shamefully.
cadizzy
spot on in so many ways.
They were ready, it was unwinnable. It was evil.
This piece was Inspired by the recent celticunderground podcast and is called “RANGERS HAVEN’T SPAT ON ANYONE”
http://forthewaywelivetoday.blogspot.ie/2012/06/21.html
philvisreturns
Your something else…
lol!
philvisreturns on 21 June, 2012 at 13:37 said:
Sure, he might easily say that, but he’d be a shameless liar trying to justify being a thug and a bully. Beating people up is wrong. (thumbsup)
………………………………………………………………..
I wonder why strike-breaking thugs have resorted to this measure so often.
iki – Unfortunately, that tenet is seldom, perhaps never, followed when it is an officer of the law who is doing the beating.
What do you expect? The State is, as Nietzsche said, the coldest of cold monsters. Its authority is ultimately maintained by a monopoly on violence.
That’s why we should want a smaller State. (thumbsup)
“I am looking forward to a new challenge….”said Didier Drogba about his £200,000 per week new job with Shanghai Shenhua FC.
Why can’t he just say, “Look. I’m 34. I want a huge big pay day because I don’t know if all the big huge pay days I’ve had so far are going to be enough.”
The only challenge he’s got is how to find a skip big enough to keep it all in.
gordybhoy64
Sevco getting to vote if they stay in the SPL. In saying that, I would not be surprised if Duff&Duffer cast the wrong vote… :0)
Many of the changes being muted for Scottish football are ideas being hung out to get reaction.Both Charles Green and the football authorities want the same thing and that is that The Rangers start life in the SPL next season.I have no doubt that this has been the plan since David Murray sold out to Craig Whyte.In the current situation rules do not apply I will give you an example about a fortnight ago a business man in the Borders I believe was in court for not paying £600,000 TAX he was found guilty and jailed for 5 years can anyone tell me when David Murray and his fellow directors trial will start for not paying millions of pounds of tax ?No I didnt think you could this whole bag of worms is moveing along quiet nicely for Charles Green.H.H.
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on 21 June, 2012 at 13:37 said:
That doesn`t surprise me in the slightest.
I remember when medics cared.
ASonOfDan – Your something else…
I am the one and only, nobody I’d rather be. (thumbsup)
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy – I wonder why strike-breaking thugs have resorted to this measure so often.
All whataboutery aside though, beating people up is wrong. (thumbsup)
Paul67 et al
Another day, another desperate attempt by those currently in charge of Scottish Football to maintain the illusion, or is it delusion, that Rangers still live on, somehow, somewhere…The latest effort, a concoction conjured up by Neil Doncaster and the odious Jim Ballantine, Chairman of the club formerly known as Clydebank. For those that missed it, Ballantyne is not only the Chairman of the Scottish Football League, a supporter of the former club known as Rangers FC, but the despicable individual who believes that if you are not actually a Hun, like him, you are a “non Rangers fan”. Not worth the time of day. So the SPL will admit a new company, one which is not actually a football club, then immediately relegate it to SFL division 1, blessed, if that is the right word, by the aforementioned Ballantyne. Somebody needs to spell it out to both of these idiots that, the new company cannot be admitted to the SPL, and cannot be “relegated” to the SFL. One of the tragedies of football in Scotland is the rise of the mediocre, the promotion of non-entities to positions of influence, in short the role people like Ballantyne. We have been there, we are not going back. No to Newco. Let the new Rangers petition the Chairman of the SFL, no doubt they will find him more accommodating, more “understanding”, in fact I would put money on it!
Philvisreturns
I would argue for closed shops.
In all the places that I have worked, the only strength and power that the ordinary worker has is through the union. If there is any opt-out, it weakens the bargaining position of the union.
If there is any industrial action to be taken, it must be done on the back of a majority decision in a ballot.
SPF
philvisreturns on 21 June, 2012 at 13:46 said:
On that I agree with you.
.
MacJay..
Hope Yir Guid Buddi..
Re; Doctors Strike..
My Cousins in a Young Doctor on Her FB page She has..
I’m Caring for Patients and Supporting the Action..
.
I Used to Work with a Guy..Every Time we had a Strike he went on the Sick..Wonder if any Doctors have took a ‘Sickie’ Today..:O)
Summa of Dr Samaras
ASonofdan
i am hopeful that newco dont get in on july 4th,but the more i read the less
sure i become,duff and duffer casting the wrong vote may be the best chance we have
SOUTHAMPTON are set to pinch Fraser Forster from under the noses of Celtic – paving the way for former England keeper Paul Robinson to move to Parkhead.
Custom byline text:
by Matthew Lindsay
The Hoops have agreed a £2million fee with Newcastle United for Forster and just have to agree personal terms with the 6ft 7in stopper.
However, Barclays Premier League newcomers Southampton want the former Norwich City goalie to boost their survival hopes.
But if Celtic gaffer Neil Lennon misses out on the 24-year-old he could turn his attentions to Robinson.
The 32-year-old keeper is keen to leave Blackburn Rovers after the Ewood Park side dropped into the npower Championship at the end of last season.
Robinson, capped 41 times by his country, cost Rovers £3.5million from Spurs four years ago, but is available on loan.
cadizzy
Didier Drogba donates a lot of money to charity and even has his wn charity foundation. Quite a lot of the money he receives from this final pay day will make its way to very worthy causes.
He might not be everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to being a footballer, but as a man, he is up there with the very best.
Mort
Macjay1, maybe you can remind us of those halcyon days, I doubt you will ever find a time where that is true, very very few doctors went into their profession with helping above lifestyle, those that did do free clinics, no many of them around eh.
Philvisreturns
Oh yes the generationally unemployed, drug ravaged ex mining communities are a much better society.
The Ridley Plan was devised and agreed upon years before Thatcher came to power. It was a deliberate policy to destroy the unions and with it Britain’s industrial base. And she stole my school milk.
When she dies I will happily tramp the dirt down. I am just sorry that many of the families and communities that she helped destroy will not be there to see the day.
Didnt Mark Daly mention the referees at the start of his bbc doc on the old ranglers ?
I was eagerly waiting for him to tells us how the refs were invoved but there was nothing more . Had there been some lawyer intervention to prevent this?
Jungle Jim, as well as and before the influx of Northern Irish shipbuilders to Govan I think the fact that Rangers were a succesful team (one capable of competing with Celtic) attracted a lot of ‘native’ Scots who resented (and in some cases detested) the Irish and/or Catholicism.
Linking beautifully, some of the resentment and hatred came about as a result of the “scabbing” of some of the poor Irish, working for longer and less pay than their striking ‘native’ Scot counterparts. This isn’t a criticism – far from it. The wealthier sections of Scottish society were keen to promote the division as it kept working class (both Socts and Irish) from focussing their anger and resentment on the real issues – the gap in wealth.
Religion (and football!) has been used by the wealthy few to control and distract the masses for centuries – it happened in Scotland and Ireland and, sadly is happening bloodily in Syria right now.
As for the miners strike, while I was too young to remember it, my grandfather (a true socialist and firm believer in the UK mining industry and unions) always said that, despite his good intentions, Scargill should’ve put it to a ballot: it would have carried easily and some of the supposed ‘blackleg’ miners would have come out also.
Hail Hail to you all – no offence intended in any of my comments regarding the strike – I know from experience that it is an emotive subject.
Tombola
“beating people up is wrong.”
…and according to Malcolm Bradbury, eating people is wrong also
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 21 June, 2012 at 13:40 said:
Sadie
As you can see,I feel very strongly that a doctor who strikes simply shouldn`t be one.
Ethics dictate that patient care must never be compromised.
I was just having a go at the victimisation of people who disagree with strike action .
Does an individual have the right to disagree?
If not,you have fascism.
The board of Motherwell FC met yesterday to discuss the vote by SPL member clubs on the question of the admission of a successor club or ‘Newco’ Rangers FC into the SPL.
The current board of Motherwell FC are not the owners of the club but are the trustees of the majority shareholding as we transition towards a fan-ownership model through the successfully launched ‘Well Society.
We are very conscious of our duties as directors to protect the financial interests of our club. The decision making on ‘Newco’ is rendered extremely difficult by the complexity of the potential scenarios and the uncertainty around the likely financial implications of all of them.
We are increasingly of the view that the uncertainties around the financial implications are substantial and negative under all likely scenarios. This is a matter of extreme regret for our club given all the work being undertaken on a strategy to help us grow sustainably as a community and family based club owned and run by our fans.
At a time we should be enjoying the club’s success on the park and development off it, we face a grave threat to the viability of our sport and our club through no fault of our own.
It is our view that in the face of this we will be best placed if we live by the spirit of the model we are seeking to achieve. We believe it is mission critical that we both listen, and are seen to have listened, to the views of our members and shareholders on whom our club relies now and for the future. Under all scenarios we need to come together as a club to see this situation through.
We will therefore hold a ballot of adult ‘Well Society Members and the small number of existing minority shareholders who have yet to join the society, on a ‘one member/shareholder-one vote’ basis. The results of the ballot will be independently audited and will be used to determine which way the club votes on 4th July.
Ownership in any business has to mean making decisions and then dealing with the outcome. The timing for administering a ballot is not ideal, given the constraints we face but we believe it can be achieved and underpins the way we want our club to be run. Given that Society members have already parted with their cash with the purpose of having a say in the future running of the club, we believe using this group is the most practical and sustainable way for us to proceed. The final date for votes cast will be Friday 29th June 2012. All existing members can vote. Anyone joining between now and the date of the ballot will be required to pay in full to secure a vote.
An impartial guidance document on the likely risks to club finances of each outcome will be supplied as part of the information Society members will receive in order to vote. This will be our assessment based on the information available to us at this time. In reality this analysis will never be perfect as it relies on estimates which change daily.
We look to all our members, shareholders and supporters to stand behind the club at such a pressured time for all. Motherwell fans have never been found wanting and we have to ask for their loyalty and support once again.
Joe Filippis Haircut on 21 June, 2012 at 13:45 said:
So you think Chucky Green will have a team playing in the SPL next season, is that what you’re saying Joe???