The man from Raith said Play by the rules

Turnbull Hutton, who resigned as Raith Rovers chairman in November, died last night after a short illness.  When Scottish Football League chairmen were presented with an Armageddon scenario in 2012 his voice of dissent was first to be heard.  Those at the top of Scottish football tried to convince SFL clubs it was in THEIR interests to grant newco Rangers access to the second tier of Scottish football.  Hutton saw through this and called-out the presentation by Stewart Regan, Neil Doncaster and David Longmuir, chief execs of the SFA, SPL and SFL respectfully, for what it was.

Craig Whyte bought Rangers in 2011.  Within months his team crashed out Europe and he had devised a plan to liquidate, phoenix with a newco and present the SPL with a fait accompli – give me a place in the top flight and I’ll save your league programme and commercial deals.

Once Duff and Phelps were installed as administrators Craig lost control.  Had he been able to force through a quick liquidation there is a very good chance the SPL would have voted to allow newco access to the top flight.  Newco would have been debt free and able to strengthen their team in 2012.

It would have destroyed Celtic, who had no choice but to resist.  As the weeks passed, one by one, SPL clubs said ‘No’.  By May the baton passed to the Scottish Football League, who would not only be asked to vote newco as a new member, which the rules permitted them to do, but to elevate this club to the Championship.

The cost of liquidation and becoming a phoenix newco was established by Turnbull Hutton.  The rules permitted the applicant club would ask to be voted into the bottom tier of the professional league structure.  Hutton insisted the rules be followed, nothing more.  For this, Scottish football is in his debt.

You have three days left to bid on the fabulous hospitality for four people one day at this summer’s Open Golf Championship at St Andrews, which takes place from 16-19 July.

The auction is in aid of the Celtic Quick News appeal to build a fourth school kitchen in Malawi for Mary’s Meals.  Shuttle transport for the five minute journey to and from the golf course as needed, with beer, Gin and Whisky tastings throughout the day with the master distiller.

You also have the chance to create a unique CQN single malt whisky cask worth potentially £5000 for future CQN charities, and you will receive a bottle of this very special single malt whisky to commemorate the great day when it is bottled in several years.

Eden Mill is Scotland’s newest and most innovative distillery and brewery incorporated in February 2012!  Located just 2 miles from the famous Old Course itself it provides a perfect base for hospitality for yourself and 3 friends on a day of your choosing at the forthcoming open golf championship on July 16th to 19th.

But this is so much more than just a day’s hospitality at the home of golf.  Before taking to the course to watch, you will enjoy a breakfast roll or two and discuss your perfect single malt whisky with the master distiller.

Whilst you and your friends are enjoying the golf he will seek to surpass your favourite whisky by using the best barley to create the right wash and recommending the right type of barrels for our very own unique CQN 1/4 cask of single malt.  A cask which will mature and provide over £5000 of future funding for our charities in a few years’ time.

You will return to the distillery by shuttle bus for lunch and an optional beer tasting and then for afternoon tea with a tutored gin and whisky tasting with the owner capping off a memorable, unique and very special day for your group and for CQN.

My thanks to Eden Mill for their incredible support.  You can bid on the auction here.