So what do you do with a “dead parrot” (© Turnbull Hutton)? Well, as anyone familiar with the Monty Python sketch (and if that doesn’t include you, go watch) will tell you, you need to admit that the parrot is, technically an ex-…
As soon as you have widespread acceptance of this fact, your problems appear far less intimidating
When I say “you”, I don’t really mean you, unless you are one of the 11 chairmen or controllers of a Scottish Premier League club. In fact, we can probably narrow it down a bit more. As far as Ross County are concerned, this is a boom time! Their Highland neighbours will cope with whatever tomorrow brings, St Mirren and Motherwell are both morphing into community-owned-and-run clubs, infused with the kind of endeavour that got the sport of the ground a century ago.
The people who need to accept that the parrot is dead are in charge of Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibs, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock.
Once this conclusion is reached, and before we dive off into new league structures, we should really pause and ask the important question, what do we want from our football?
I haven’t really heard much about this question in recent months, so here’s my ideas:
The solutions to our problems has to benefit the entire game, not just Celtic and/or Newco. It has to offer a real and substantial future for Dundee United, Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts and all the others who have been economically disenfranchised in recent decades.
SPL clubs have been good at developing young talent in recent years but most of them are swimming against the tide. Dundee United lost Paul Dixon to Huddersfield Town last week while Aberdeen have spent most of this year contorting to hold 19-year-old Fraser Fyvie when there are around 80 clubs a few hundred miles away with higher wage budgets.
If these clubs emerge from the changes as paupers, unable to develop and retain talent in the face of Huddersfield Town, we have failed.
I want to see competitive football played in front of full stadiums. Uncompetitive football in front of low crowds is another failure.
I want to see our top clubs compete in Europe, which is different than just participating in Europe. Again, any plan which cannot deliver this is not good enough and should be rejected.
There are people across Scotland willing all of us who support SPL clubs to fail. Collectively, you, me, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen, United and other fans need to use the unique momentum for change to ensure our clubs become unrecognisably successful.
There are others in positions of power within our game who are dis-incentivised to think grand enough to deliver what fans actually want when they buy their season tickets or pitch-up to see their team.
For the past decade or more Celtic and Rangers have tried to shoehorn themselves into the English Premier League. This would have been good enough for both of them but there was little consideration given to other Scottish clubs.
If we are to invoke structural change in our game, we need to allow everyone in the league to fulfil their potential. We need to stop clubs from the lower leagues in England plucking the best talent from teams who previously competed in European finals.
The solution is simple and achievable. Scotland is not big enough to support competitive top-flight football where its clubs can develop and retain talent, but it has a league with many well-run clubs, who are more than able to match the resources of the likes of Wigan Athletic.
Our game should be reorganised along the following lines:
We retain our national team and Association. We retain the Scottish Cup and Scottish Football League, funded by an improved solidarity payment. We admit we cannot support top-flight football and ask to fold the SPL into the bottom of the English League structure.
In time we will all find our level. Celtic will rise to the top but there is no reason for half of the SPL to achieve the same as Wigan Athletic. The smaller SPL clubs will double or treble their income, no matter what heights they scale in the English system. Scottish Football League clubs will be able to achieve meritocratic advancement through the system. We will all flourish.
This is plan is deliverable. It would benefit the entire game. Our clubs would be able to retain talent as effectively as they did in the 1980s. Football would be competitive as each club would find and compete at its level, stadiums would fill and commercial income rocket. The giants of our game would be giants of Europe.
Instead of contemplating insolvency or social unrest, let’s agree on what we want from our sport and, with the cross-club grassroots movement we have, set about getting there.
It sure beats managing decline while others say, ‘told you so’.
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“We admit we cannot support top-flight football and ask to fold the SPL into the bottom of the English League structure.”
great idea, Paul !!
how do we start the ball rolling ?
Stenhousmuir on yes vote for csevco to div 1. Aint that George Peat club?
I have a dream, many years from now across the workplace, pubs, clubs etc all Scottish fans continually use the official title of NEWCO and for every public utterance their just might be another Newco fan thinking “I wish those mickey b@#$$$%%& would call us *angers”. Not likely. Not ever, ever again. It’s sinking in, and it’s beautiful.
archdeaconsbench on 5 July, 2012 at 17:08 said:
Paul, it is an exciting idea but I just don’t see how it could happen. Not wishing to sound defeatist, but the bottom line as I see it is the English leagues dont want/need ANY teams from Scotland playing down south. I fear it would be as cut and dry as that.
———————————————-
what would King Salmond say?
just as well there’s not a Scottish HMRC
I’m delighted Paul mentioned Huddersfield Town. They are absolutely symptomatic of all that is bad about English Football.
The club went into administration in 2003, something that Dundee Utd have never done. A look at the “responsible” way they have reinvented themselves is instructional, and gives an insight into the desperate need for UEFA to get a grip of the doping running rife in English Football
Before I give you the figures let me give you a quote today from David Gold , Chairman of West Ham
“The football financial model is flawed, paying 70% of income on wages and agents is not sustainable. Rangers is just the tip of the iceberg.”
remember that number 70% and remember at that level its not sustainable
Now here are Huddersfields numbers taken from their accounts in the last 3 years.
Year 2011 2010 2009
Turnover 7,986 5,556 4,320
Wages 7,057 5,929 4,824
Profit -4,095 -4,746 -4,036
wage ratio 88% 107% 112%
This is a club, which to put it mildly are engaging in severe financial doping. They are not a giant club, they spending paying money they can’t afford . They are not alone , almost every club in the top 3 English Leagues operates in the same way. Many go into administration, stiffing creditors and wiping the slate and the whole circus starts over again
It’s corrupt, it stinks, its out of control. Remember these numbers and the numbers for other clubs with their wages bills running well in excess of 70% are inclusive of their TV money. These clubs are incapable of running a straight game.
There needs to be a major correction in the way English clubs operate. They are corrupting the entire European market, and as their unfortunate next door neighbours, we suffer more than most. Platini must act. The first step he should take is to bring out a UEFA rule that ANY club in ANY league who go into administration should automatically be relegated to the lowest professional league in that country
gbwa on 5 July, 2012 at 17:10 said:
Newco would then become a sectarian term.
It not what you say, it’s because WE say it.
Is it because I’m not paranoid enough?
Play
Off topic …
The police are to launch a murder investigation into the deaths of 13 people shot dead by soldiers in Londonderry on Bloody Sunday in 1972.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18721686
Paul67
I want to see SKY admit they take in an absolute FORTUNE from the population of Scotland and give Scottish football a decent offer.
THEY run Scottish football not the SFA or the SPL.
If you have not done so, contact them and cancel telling them you will return when they stop messing Scotland about.
Still beautiful and roasting in the Northern tip of Ibiza…
The idea that the SPL should be subsumed into the lower leagues in England seems to be a tacit acknowledgement that the SPL couldn’t survive without the old firm.
Let’s wait and see what attendances are like when the sevco huns are in the third division.
Thought this might be of interest – brief report regarding Barry Robson’s MLS debut for Vancouver.
http://www.canada.com/sports/soccer/Barry+Robson+tricky+Whitecaps+debut/6885143/story.html
Ooops! Should have used the Link Creator?!
OG
About time
HH
Paul, Scottish football is and should always remain exactly that i.e. Scottish Football. I have never supported any team leaving the Scottish setup and moving to an English league in any circumstance. The events of the last few months have given us (the fans) an opportunity to change the game in a way that has not existed since TV was allowed to influence the game in a way that has brought it to its current state. The game’s so called leaders have decided the the demise of just one club will inevitably lead to the collapse of football as we know it. What we need now are leaders who will look at ways to develop the game in Scotland to improve the viability of clubs who are likely to suffer in the next few seasons if their income is not boosted to cover the possible loss of income from TV.
The so called leaders we have at the moment have proved themselves so inept that it is only a matter of time before they realise that their position is untenable and the must go. If they have not resigned before the start of the new season they should be dismissed.
The SPL/SFL setup, which was never a good idea, should be be replaced by a reconstructed league system with a minimum of 16 teams in the top tier. The disproportionate advantage given to the old firm (which of course no longer exists) by the four games per season set up means that the league would would be more competitive. The idea that once you are in the senior league set up you can stay there regardless of performance/ambition/financial viability etc. should also go. The way should be opened for teams from lower leagues who have such ambitions to move up and prove themselves.
ALL games in All leagues should kick off at 3pm on Saturdays and not at the whim of TV companies who are allowed to schedule our games around kick off times in another country. If the TV companies don’t like this they should be told to take it or leave it. They make a lot of money out of the game in this country and the financial return for the game in Scotland is not enough to justify the disruption they cause to the paying fans (like me) who prefer to watch games in a football stadium rather than an armchair.
I know that the doomsday merchants will say that this is just not feasible and that the game will die without the TV money. I started watching football when going to the game or listening on the radio were the only options since TV was a rich mans toy and beyond the means of most football fans. There would be hard times ahead for a lot of clubs in trying to reclaim OUR game from from TV but I believe football would survive as long as people like me are happy to get out on a Saturday to watch their team of choice (in my case Celtic of course). If Sevco fails, and I believe they will, then the TV money will be lost anyway according to the wise(?) men of the MSM. I believe that a more competitive league and predictable kick off times would improve attendances for all teams in the top league.
As long as those who run the game allow the TV companies to dictate their own terms and control the game in they way they are allowed to at the moment then football will continue struggle. This is not just the case in Scotland other countries with small populations and smaller leagues are having the same problems.
A pipe dream from an old Celtic fan who wants to go back in time? Maybe thats the case. I remember Jock Stein predicting that TV would ruin the game and he has been proved correct. Can we, the fans who actually go and watch our teams, reclaim the game from the money men who have control now? I think we have an opportunity now to find out but only if we try.
The first step would be to find a new Chief Exec. for the SFA. Maybe Turnbull Hutton would be interested in the job. At the very least we would know we have an honest man at the top. That would make a nice change for Scottish Football.
OG…..
Where????
In the sixties,seventies and eighties when Dunfermline, Kilmarnock, Celtic, rangers, Aberdeen and Dundee Utd were more than holding their own in Europe and challenging in the League, did we ever ONCE look at the English League with envy? NO! They on the other hand looked to us for their managers and superstars.
I want OUR National game back, not be a whore to English football.
HH
WOW! Now we know.
The following statement has been
reproduced in full and is from
Stenhousemuir Football Club.
“We refer to the above and take this
opportunity to make a statement on
behalf of the club. Firstly we appreciate
that there have been numerous calls for
us to produce such a statement
specifically outlining our voting
intentions with regard to Rangers
Newco entering the SFL.
“We have been of the opinion that we
did not wish to issue a statement when
a) we had no actual proposal and
therefore no decision to make, and b)
more importantly, until we were in full
receipt of all the facts. We are now in a
more enlightened position.
“Many clubs have made statements,
some shorter than others. We believe
that in this statement, we have set out
clearly the options that are currently
facing the game with regard to Rangers
Newco and the impact this situation will
have on the game.
“As a Board of Directors, our first
priority is the wellbeing of
Stenhousemuir Football Club. Therefore,
in assessing the various options, we
have evaluated each in the following
order of priority, a) the impact on
Stenhousemuir Football Club, b) the
impact on the Scottish Football League
(SFL), c) the impact on the overall game
in Scotland including the impact on the
Scottish Premier League (SPL). Our
statement therefore is lengthy but we
felt you would appreciate this level of
detail given the complexities.
“As you will be aware, the club was
represented at a meeting on Tuesday
3rd July at Hampden with our fellow SFL
members. This meeting was called
purely to provide members with a
thorough account of the facts and
presentations were delivered by David
Longmuir (Chief Executive of the
Scottish Football League), Neil
Doncaster (Chief Executive of the
Scottish Premier League) and Stewart
Regan (Chief Executive of the Scottish
FA). It was not a call to vote on any
proposals despite media suggestions to
the contrary.
“David Longmuir presented us with the
options from an SFL standpoint but the
main factual presentation in terms of
finance was delivered in detail by the
SPL, information which was verified by
the other associations. The financial
information set out by the SPL
summarized the impact on the SPL
clubs firstly and the subsequent impact
on the SFL clubs.
“In essence there were two main
options outlined in terms of their
financial implications:
1. Rangers Newco playing in Division
3 of the SFL
“The financial impact of this would be:
Loss of Sky broadcasting payments
of circa £10m/season
Loss of ESPN broadcasting
payments of circa £5m/season
Loss of Sportfive broadcasting
payments of £2.7m/season
(overseas broadcasters)
Loss of sponsorship of £1m/
season
Additional new broadcasting deal
with income of £3m/season
“The net loss of income therefore
would total £15.7m/season. The above
is on the basis that each of the
contracts have termination clauses
should either of the Old Firm not be
involved in the SPL.
“The financial effect on most SPL clubs
would be a reduced income of around
£1m/season. More importantly for us,
the settlement agreement payment (the
annual payment from the SPL to the
SFL agreed when the SPL was
established) of approximately £2m
would not be paid.
“The reason this would not be paid
would be due to the reduced SPL
income, the money to meet this
obligation would no longer be there.
2. Rangers Newco playing in the
second tier of Scottish Football.
(This would be either Division 1 of the
SFL or a newly formed SPL 2)
The financial impact of this would be:
Sky and ESPN have committed to
retain their deals but include
Rangers Newco content during the
season
Loss of Sportfive broadcasting
payments of £2.7m/season (no
requirement if no Old Firm games)
Loss of sponsorship of £1m/
season
The loss of income therefore would
total £3.7m/season. The SPL confirmed
that in this situation the settlement
payment between the SPL and the SFL
would be paid.
Should Rangers Newco be in Division 1
of the SFL, in order to satisfy Sky and
ESPN, the SPL would make a payment
to the SFL of £1m/season for the
broadcasting rights for Rangers Newco
matches for as long as Rangers Newco
remain in Division 1. This therefore was
not a payment for accepting Rangers
Newco into the SFL division 1 but
instead a straight business deal to
purchase SFL broadcasting content.
Subsequently there was a lengthy
discussion on the impact of these
options and we take this opportunity to
set these out together with the likely
impact on our club. Again, we have
evaluated each option in the following
priority, a)the impact on Stenhousemuir
FC, b) the impact on the SFL, and c) the
impact on the SPL and the game in
general.
Rangers Newco in Division 3
“The impact for Stenhousemuir FC of
this option would be the loss of the SFL
central payment aligned to the SPL
settlement payment. That would total
£50,000/season. This is a significant
amount of money for the football club
and we would have to find ways to cut
our costs to cover this shortfall.
“Given that we have made
commitments to playing staff for this
season the playing budget cannot be
reduced, therefore, the only option
open to us to make significant savings
would be in scrapping our youth system
to release the pitch for hire to the
general public, together with a reduction
in staff who oversee our community
programme.
“Dependent on the success of hiring the
pitch we would potentially reduce the
playing budget in year 2. We are also
unclear on the impact of the changes on
East Stirlingshire FC which may affect
their ability to meet the hire costs of
Ochilview.
“The impact for the Scottish Football
League will vary from club to club and it
is clear from the meeting that some
clubs would be unable to accommodate
this reduction in income and others
would reduce their costs in a similar
manner to us. Many clubs suggested
their youth development element would
be a most likely casualty. Some smaller
clubs suggested this reduction would
lead to their inability to meet their costs
for the season with administration a
possibility.
“The impact on the SPL clubs is well
documented with a number of them
admitting they would move to
administration very quickly as their
debts to the banks in particular could
not be serviced. Whilst this may be of
lesser significance to our supporters, it
is reasonable to assume that the
standard of player in our game will
reduce significantly, leading to further
and future erosion of TV contracts and
sponsorship. Again, youth development
expenditure was seen as an area for
cost savings.
Rangers Newco in Division 1
“The impact for Stenhousemuir FC
would potentially be financially positive
given the additional media rights
payment and the retained settlement
agreement.
“The impact for the Scottish Football
League would potentially be positive
from a financial position given the
media rights payments. However, it is
acknowledged that the implications of
supporters not returning to the game
due to the adverse reaction of this
could have a financial and lasting
impact.
“The impact for the Scottish Premier
League would be a reduction in their
income of approximately 30%, a
reduction which the SPL appear ready
to accept and accommodate.
Rangers Newco in SPL2
“This option is less clear and although it
was not used as a threat, it is a genuine
option for the SPL. A limited number of
clubs would be invited from the SFL to
join the SPL2 which would incorporate
Rangers Newco. It was clear from the
meeting and subsequent discussions
that if the SFL clubs were faced with
this option then a sufficient number of
full time clubs could take up this
invitation to form a viable SPL2 despite
the many statements being made by
clubs who would most likely be invited.
“In this scenario the settlement
payment from the SPL to the SFL would
be reduced proportionately to the
number of clubs who have left the SFL.
On the surface therefore it may be
assumed that there would be no
reduced benefit to Stenhousemuir FC.
However, the reduced payment would
be a serious reduction in income for the
SFL and threaten its ability to cover its
running costs.
“In addition, the SFL would be unable to
organise and run the Scottish League
Cup, further reducing the SFL income. It
is unclear what the actual financial
impact on the club would be but is
expected to be at or greater than the
impact of Rangers Newco in Division 3.
Our need therefore to reduce our
running costs as set out in the Division
3 scenario would be similar. In football
terms, if Stenhousemuir was not part of
the new SPL2 which is almost certain,
then the club would in effect drop down
to playing in the third tier of Scottish
football.
“The impact on the Scottish Football
League could potentially lead to its
demise. It would be very difficult to
retain the organisation as it stands and
ultimately would lead to some new
structure or league being agreed,
potentially with the existing non-league
organisations. Should this happen then
the implications for Stenhousemuir FC
would eventually to be part of another
league structure.
“The impact on the SPL would appear
to be minimal other than agreeing a
new payment regime with the SPL2
clubs.
“The meeting was then addressed by
Stewart Regan. He set out the SFA
position very clearly. As the governing
body they considered that the
punishment forRangers Newco needed
to be significant. The punishment they
are proposing of relegation from the
SPL, a one year transfer embargo, a
significant fine and the related UEFA
three year ban from Europe was fair and
just. This did not include any
subsequent punishments which may or
may not be raised re the dual contracts
enquiry.
“Due to the financial implications, the
Scottish FA stated that they cannot
allow Rangers Newco to be relegated to
Division 3, given the likely ramifications
for the game including a number of
clubs either moving to administration
and potentially subsequent liquidation
as well as the impact on the playing
standards etc which would emanate
from reduced investment. Scottish
Football would ‘wither on the vine’ and
the Scottish FA could not, in their
position, allow that to happen.
“The SFA stance is that Rangers Newco
moving to Division 1 is absolutely the
only decision to be made but that it
must come with a resultant list of
structural changes in the league set up
including:
Merging the two league bodies (SPL
and SFL) into one new league
Newly structured governance to a
more equitable approach
Potential new payment distribution
model
Introduction of play-offs into the
top division
“This would lead to a better future for
the game and potentially a stronger
overall position from that previous to
the start of this episode.
“Should the SFL vote not to accept
Rangers Newco into Division 1, the
Scottish FA would expect the SPL 2
proposals to be tabled. Whilst this is
not the preferred option of the Scottish
FA it would be the most likely outcome.
In this situation however the Scottish FA
would allow Rangers Newco current
appeal against sanctions to be heard by
the appellate committee.
“With the Scottish FA’s position fully
laid out it was evident that some of the
options which were under consideration
would not be supported by them and in
fact limited our ability to affect the final
outcome.
“In reality therefore the only decision
open to us and the other clubs is to a)
accept Rangers Newco into the SFL, or
b) refuse Rangers Newco admittance to
the SFL. If accepted then Rangers
Newco would be in Division 1. If not
accepted into Division 1, it is apparent
that SPL 2 will be the outcome.
Our view
“The Board members have therefore
discussed the above options. We have
also taken into consideration the
comments and views put forward by
the Trust and our supporters. These
comments were very effectively
asserted at the meeting, similar as they
were to the majority of other clubs.
“In deciding how to move forward and
given the two straightforward options
now available, the club does not feel
any decision should be based on
‘punishing’ any other football clubs; that
is neither our role nor our priority.
Instead, we believe we have a duty to
move forward with whichever option we
believe will be in the best interests of
Stenhousemuir Football Club.
“In this situation and having considered
the consequences for the club primarily,
but also that of the many other clubs
who would suffer significantly, we will
support Rangers Newco joining the SFL
on the strict proviso that the various
elements of restructuring and merging
of the league are agreed to our
satisfaction. For the reasons stated
above, we would anticipate that the
Rangers Newco would be entering at
Div 1.
“We have met as a board formally on
two occasions to discuss this in depth
and there have been numerous other
communications between Directors. Be
assured that the implications for the
club represent an honest assessment of
the scenarios and are not over
dramatised or overstated.
“We are a strong club with our own
initiatives and identity which would be
heavily impacted by any other outcome.
However, the positives of this can be a
stronger and more equitable league
structure going forward and you have
our assurance that we will apply every
pressure to the authorities to achieve
this outcome.”
Bill Darroch
Chairman
O.G.Rafferty on 5 July, 2012 at 17:17 said:
”Off topic …
The police are to launch a murder investigation into the deaths of 13 people shot dead by soldiers in Londonderry on Bloody Sunday in 1972.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18721686 ”
At most it will lead to the grunts on the ground being charged.
The people above them in the food chain, who were ultimately responsible, won’t be touched.
There’s an interesting talk here by Eamon McCann, ‘The political psychology of the parachute regiment’, which sums it up.
http://mp3skull.com/mp3/eamon_mccann.html
Ron,
He aint no king of mine.
Just catching up, Grandson has me run ragged
=========================
My boss is Peter Principle on 5 July, 2012 at 14:21 said:
leftclicktic on 5 July, 2012 at 13:23 said:
Did anyone see Goram on SNN and if so what did he say
HAIL HAIL
RM (IA) view on goram on SSN, my particular favourite is post No #67 :-)
http://forum.rangersmedia.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=230340
================
Thank you
A son of Dan,
Couldn’t disagree with you more. Even at our best, the English still presumed they were better and, in one sense they were right: they offered far more competition than the Scottish League has ever achieved. That is why our superstars left: they went to improve themselves. I wish we had joined the English Division 1 about 1968. There were none most astonished at our beating Leeds than the English. Just imagine what the Lions might have achieved if they had been really pushed week after week, season after season.
Paul 67,
I think I just had a wee accident in ma troosers.
Top notch in its simplicity and deliverability
I am however worried about the potential social unrest resulting from Orcs seeing all other ‘clean’ team’s fans heading south every other weekend to play against the big boys.
Is it true John ‘The Orator’ Brown was strongly asked by Sandrew Andrew Jardeenio to stop hogging proceedings at their little ‘fighting fund’ shindig?
How apt.
The Orator replied – 9 in a row. If ah telt ye whitsees that Charlies Green says tae me. But ah canna. 9 in a row. Ally’ll be there mare longer than that Charlied Green will be there. 9 in a row. Ah’m a proud player tae huv played and won an that. 9 in a row. Safe home. 9 in a row. There’s a Peter Lawell confessional at work wae that Charlize Green. 9 in a row. Now I really must go. 9 in a row. The polis station polis huv asked me to tell youse all to disperse safely hame. So afore I stop tae let ye’s all go. Ah canna telly yeeze whit that Charnel Green says he said tae me, cuz heed be died. Safe hame. 9 in row.
Asonofdan
Well said that man!
There are other ways to revive our game. This is a non-starter.
Paul67 et al
Scottish club, proud of its’ Irish roots, deep down wants to be English. Cannot see that particular battlecry gathering momentum either side of the border, anytime soon. Even so, better than anything the SPL or the SFA are likely to come up with, if a non-starter all the same. England is awash with football clubs, which used to be part of the Football League, used to be. Even Darlington is still out there somewhere, hopefully still in Darlington. Cannot feasibly see any movement in that direction for the foreseeable future.
What’s all this nonsense about folding the SPL into the bottom of the English League structure ?
Has Paul 67 been taking those ‘mind expanding’ pill so favoured by Gold Coast Tom,back in the ’70s….?
No,No,No ! The answer lies in re-negotiating the derisory TV contracts with Sky/ESPN/BBC.
As has been mentioned previously ,
Scottish Football receives only half the broadcast revenue of comparable leagues in Belgium,Denmark,Norway,and Switzerland.
In comparison to these leagues,Scottish Football also has a greater potential market overseas…in Australasia and North America.
DitchTheDoncaster…We’re gonnae need a better negotiating team :-PL,Mad Vlad
(The Nuclear Submariner),The Celtic Exec(in the BT admin)…and Bomber Brown(To provide the Muscle).
Allied with a concerted campaign across Scotland threatening to ditch Sky/defect to competitors….Operation Scorched Earth…we will get what we need…
Deep down,Rupert Murdoch is one of the Good Guys..a Papal Knight…but he is such a busy guy,the problem is in attracting his attention….so he can put things right…
————–
Belated July 4th greetings to our maist
illustrious poster….Sir Kojo of Las Vegas.
ParkheadcumsalfordwhoisNeilLennonand
PaulMcBrideandTrishGodman
Achieving more than getting to another European Cup Final and losing the semi-final of another on penalties?
Anyway, I thought we were talking about the good of Scottish football?
Can’t see English Championship clubs welcoming a wholesale Scottish invasion. After all we’ve been trying for years to get just one team accepted darn sawff… and failed.
Non-starter for me Paul…
If Scottish football can survive without the huns in the SPL for four years then it will be able to survive without us once they have clawed their way back in.
That might be a suitable juncture for us to leave.
If we left before then Scottish football WOULD be finished.
The notion that the entire SPL merge into English football is a poor attempt at trying to square a circle.
never gonna happen……i wonder what 1 sir alex fergusons view’s are on the state of scottish fitba. 1 has to wonder y a man of such influence has stayed silent for so long or does he no longer see a scot when he looks in the mirror, after 25 yr’s in manchester?
Paul67 for COE of the NEW SFA?
fae twitter alex thomson @alextomo
Wow – police are to launch a murder inquiry into the deaths of 13 people in Derry on Bloody Sunday 1972
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18721686
“Due to the financial implications, the Scottish FA stated that they cannot allow Rangers Newco to be relegated to Division 3″.
What chance do we stand if the SFA CEO cannot get it into his head that Newco are not being relegated. How can a brand new club be relegated, ffs????
We need to keep challenging this hun viewpoint at every turn. It’s all to do with the perception of their ‘history’ remaining intact.
SPF
Regarding Stenhousemuir,I believe they at present hire their ground out,that is why they have an AstroTurf pitch.Dont trust them for a minute.
Evening bhoys, very hot, but as ever hun free.
Paul67
Someone e-mailed me the other day saying that he believes that the sfa will be incorperated into the english system, fifa are in favour of one association in the brit isles, so it seems a goer.
In the meantime, I like others would like our game back, back to the days when scottish players were the backbone of the english leagues, back to the days when footballers were allowed to play football.
Sort the referees, sort the problem.
It would be much easier to start with this, can be done very easily, make them accountable and transparrant, and demote them without pay for making mistakes.
Simple really, if the will is there.
Celtic Mac on 5 July, 2012 at 17:39 said:
”Paul67 et al
Scottish club, proud of its’ Irish roots, deep down wants to be English.”
If we played in England we wouldn’t have to contend with the deeply ingrained anti Irish Catholic culture that has permeated the SFA, and Scottish football and society generally.
I hope we boycott Killie and maybe their fans will force this idiot out.
KILLIE chief Michael Johnston abstained
from the vote which ‘overwhelming’ rejected
Rangers newco’s bid to join the SPL on
Wednesday.
The top flight’s 10 other chairmen all voted
no with only Ibrox chief Charles Green in
favour at the meeting in Hampden.
Killie supporters are demanding for
Johnston to explain why he opted out of the
vote when he knew the club’s fanbase was
against Rangers being admitted to the SPL.
Sandy Armour, chairman of Kilmarnock FC
Supporters Association, said he was waiting
to hear what Johnston had to say.
Michael Johnston was not available to
comment on Thursday morning.
THE EXILED TIM on 5 July, 2012 at 17:50 said:
That would be my preference.
I bored everone long enough suggesting it as a solution to the refereeing problem.
!!Bada Bing!! on 5 July, 2012 at 16:31 said:
Johnny Rotten on Question Time tonight,should be f¥¢£(# interesting….
Johnny Rotten died a long time ago it must be some one else