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’.
321 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- »
Surely the investigation should be int the 13 who were murdered on the day of Bloody Sunday and the 1 who died a few weeks later as a consequence of having been shot on Bloody Sunday.
14 dead/murdered.
MWD
It saddens me to see that a team I have always liked, Stenhousemuir, stating that the so called Rangers Newco should ‘enter at division 1.’ http://www.stenhousemuirfc.com/news/2012/07/05/790/ Their decisions appear to be based on stats that have been thrown out and accepted as being the truth (e.g. loss of Sky money). Sadly, I think it more likely that the decision was made based on the view that the dead parrot is not dead, and the creature that we call Newco is Rangers in every way. That being the case, the decision was probably based on the fact that the board members have affection for Rangers. Of that there is no dispute. Despite the fact that clubs will state a preference one way or another, surely all should have the decency to say that the decision is based on the knowledge that any team applying for SFL status must have three years of audited accounts. Disappointing, but I think that vote is going to be close. I always preferred Falkirk to Stenny anyway!
ernie lynch, 17:31
I am all too familiar as to how it works but I’m surprised by this. Cameron’s apology could have been the end of it as it allowed them to be seen to bring a curtain down on the whole business (and their shame). It’s an important line they have crossed and I’d rather have some grunts in the dock than no grunts – any more is a bonus.
I cornered poor McCann a year or so ago and bored the arse of him as only a very drunk man can to a very sober man, when singing his praises. I’ll pass the link on to my son who is doing it at school.
Interesting McCann mentions Contact – the best drama I’ve seen on the Troubles. Recommended if you can find it
Some really top notch posts so far, especially G Sheeran and ASonofDan, nice efforts.
Answer me this anyone;
Scenario;
Final day of SFL1 Zombie FC are 3 points adrift of leaders Falkirk and have to travel to Falkirk knowing that they have to win to be promoted.
would anything other than a Zombie FC win be permitted? After all Regan has clearly stated that it must only be a 1 year sabatical.
An honest mistake by a Collum or a Norris and Zombie FC are back in the SPL debt free playing at Ibrox, no further penalties other that a 1 year transfer embargo and a Euro ban through necessity.
FFS dont mention EBT’s, this is just as bad a solution as Zombie FC staying in the SPL.
10 years of un-adulterated cheating.
£130 odd million debts dumped.
Rules broken bent and made up for their benefit.
£50 odd million of assets purchased for £5 million.
Back in the SPL in a year debt free.
This is mind boggling stuff here, they are actually going to get away with this.
heartilysickenedCSC
gebhoy
Bloody Sunday. The Day Of Judgement getting closer.
djtreak on 5 July, 2012 at 17:46 said:
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?
share on F’book or Twitter
Not at all sure what Fergusons opinion is or indeed matters. He has no influence in these matters in Scotland.
Like all clever men he has no need to state an opinion when it influences nothing.
I have been done in manchester as long as he has. I certainly see a Scot in the mirror every morning.
I have no doubt whatsoever that Ferguson see a Scot every day.
Morarbhoy on 5 July, 2012 at 17:54 said:
It makes economic sense for most of the first division clubs to vote yes.
Apart from the team that might be saved from demotion (not sure how that’s to work). And the teams that might realistically hope to be promoted next season.
Otherwise it makes economic sense for the second and third division clubs to vote no as they’ll benefit from the hun pound for a season each.
Common sense suggests they’ll be in the third division.
CQNers I haven’t posted a great deal in the last few years and in recent times I’ve been able to. Thanks to Paul67 for sorting things out.
I’m only going to say what everyone already knows but the material on this site in the last number of weeks has been absolutely first class. The contributions have been excellent: many of them very humorous and many of them very intelligent. They have kept me going through some difficult days so I’d like to say thank you to all of you.
Is anyone able to confirm whether it is the 10th or the 13th that the sfl will have their say about Sevco?
As far as the murder investigation into Bloody Sunday goes, do you think this could be part of the deal behind that handshake with Lizzie last week?
I’ve been able to = I’ve been unable to
DontPatmadug-Always be Johnny Rotten for me.
Paul
I don’t see the incorporation into the English set up gaining acceptance.
How about this variation?
A “CELTIC” League containing teams from the Celtic nations, ourselves, Ireland, Wales and the O6.
Retain the national associations to run the local tiers in each country.
Top of the pyramid a 16 team Celtic league.
Bottom 4 teams of Celtic league play off each year with winner of national league system for promotion to Celtic League.
Geographic obstacles are minimal and this could give each country’s football horizons a real shot in the arm.
Just seen a worried looking Dawwell Broadfoot in my local Morrisons….
djtreak on 5 July, 2012 at 17:46 said:
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?
share on F’book or Twitter
I have made a similar point on a few occassions.
InI fact the Div2 and 3 clubs can make a financial decisions from the moral high ground of sporting integrity.
ernie lynch
My main point is that we are not likely to be playing in England in the foreseeable future. Not impossible, unlikely. My own idea (and hope) is that more European matches are played at the weekend, Saturday afternoon or evening. More likely than Paul’s idea I would think. Agree that change is needed though.
!!Bada Bing!! on 5 July, 2012 at 18:04 said:
DontPatmadug-Always be Johnny Rotten for me.
Know what you mean but Lydon is much better value for money
googybhoy ♥ Celtic and the Lisbon Lions on 5 July, 2012 at 18:05 said:
Sorry that response was to ernie lynch……
Paul
I agree that something has to be done but I don’t think England is the way to go. Many clubs in England are unsustainable and I can’t see why would want to join that soon to burst bubble. In any case, we are a scottish club and should be proud of that.
As it is, the professional game in Scotland is too big and there should be a root and branch change instigated by Celtic to redevelop the game here and to make it sustainable in the long term.
I proposed a number of suggestions yesterday but it got lost following the SPL vote to refuse the share transfer to Sevco.
Here are some of my thoughts:
Changes to take effect immediately and without any threat to clubs who may wish to vote to accept Sevco into SFL1.
a) All gate receipts at Celtic Park generated from away teams will be given back to the away club;
b) Our development side will endeavour to play as many friendlies against any SPL/SFL side that wishes during the season and we would encourage our supporters to attend;
c) If Sky/ESPN TV deal is nullified, we will underwrite a new contract for TV rights accross all divisions. This might take a couple of years to get off the ground but in the meantime CelticTV will offer matches on a Pay-per-view basis with all funds going to the teams involved;
d) All proceeds we receive from domestic football (i.e. prize money from SPL/SFA) will be stored in a central pot and will be used to provide low interest loans to any SPL/SFL side.
Long term plans
Accept that the game needs changed and work toward the disbandment of the SPL and the merging of it and SFL into one league structure with two professional leagues comprising 28 teams in each and a good pyramid system below on a regional basis so that clubs that wish to remain semi-professional/amateur receive the opportunity to continue to be an important element of scottish football.
There will have to be compromises made as there will be teams who don’t want to leave the professional game but something has to be done and now is as good a time as any.
Holland is a good example as with 16m people, they have 2 professional leagues of 18 teams each and regional structures below allowing for the opportunity to get promoted.
To ensure that clubs don’t feel left out, there should also be plans put in place so that money is distributed all the way down to thee regional leagues.
Initially these 28 teams could be the top 28 across the 3 divisions (of those that want to be professional).
Mort
I remember looking at the tv audience figures for Sky last season. In fact the viewing figures even for smaller teams was pretty good with audiences into the 100 000 or more. Such audiences are pretty high for Sky since they run so many stations. Someone who knows about this area should work out whether or not current payment iis fair. I think we sell ourself short, not in comparison to EPL but the hundreds of shows Sky broadcast which have a handful of viewers.
RTC sums it up perfectly
Rangers Tax-Case @rangerstaxcase
One more time- a sport where one club must be promoted next year or the game “collapses” is already dead.
Expand
Reply Retweet Favorite
Brenda Kerr – I Wasn’t Even Born
MWD
What has happened to the punishments against Sevco?
Player signing embargo? When will the AT meet?
Sanctions on signing players and failing to pay transfer fees suely should attract UEFA’s attention.
EBT investigation? A number of players have already admitted receiving double contracts. Has the cleaning lady put the documentation into the shredder?
These and other crimes have disappeared in the fog of recent events and of course no one in MSM refers to it.
And what about the real losers in this farce? Businesses, small and large, football clubs, small and large.
In the many podcasts, broadcasts not one reference is made to those who lost hard earned money.
There should be no entry at any level of football until all football and business debts are cleared 100%.
PAUL67
That is a FASCINATING idea,and well worth consideration.
One minor caveat is this-how do we persuade teams already near the bottom of the English leagues to agree?
It is they who would be likely to drop into “our ” league,and would hammer them with excessive travel costs.
I’m sure this will have been mentioned,but I have only read the article so far!
DontPatmadug-He’s a very interesting guy,look forward to it.HH.
Apologies. I’ll try that again.
Brenda Kerr – I Wasn’t Even Born
MWD
just in………on holiday, cycling and a couple pints………stv……..and today prince william will become a knight of the thistle….wtf is that?
we have a long way to go.
I must confess to exasperation, dismay and disgust at how the Executives of the SFA and SPL are attempting to railroad the clubs of the SFL into accepting a vision of the future that owes more to feigned hysteria than good business management.
There are many ways to adjust to the inevitable financial impact on the Game caused by the disintegration of Rangers plc. A simple ‘entry fee’ in exchange for fast track admission of Sevco into Division 3 is a simple option, not mentioned. Let’s call it £1 Million per year that they reside in the SFL. Add to that the increase in gates for each of the clubs sharing a division with Sevco, and the likelihood that TV will deliver another couple of bawbees, and we start to see that the £1.8M SPL solidarity payment to SFL clubs can be covered off in quick style, leaving the SPL clubs to re-engineer their business as required.
The suggestion in the Stenhousemuir statement today that the current £16M Sky/ESPN TV deal would be replaced by a £3M alternative is a slap in the face from those companies to the customers in this country who have subscribed for so many years and got so damned little in return. I would be surprised if Sky took the decision to screw their 650,000 subscribers in Scotland in such a manner.
Nevertheless, Sky is not the limit, and other options including a PPV channel on the Freeview platform is within graps of the SPL shuld the clubs wish to pursue it.
Point is, there are options there, and these options have not been presented to the SFL clubs. Such is the reckless disregard with which they are being treated.
There are other ideas out there too, and I have pasted below a letter I sent to Henry McLeish in 2010 during the period of his review of the Game in Scotland.
I have not adjusted the figures quoted to take account of current circumstances, and trust the reader is sufficiently well educated to make any necessary adjustments to the numbers to better reflect the likelihood of a diminished attendance at Ibrox.
May 2010
Dear Mr McLeish,
I read with interest your recent report to the SFA on the development of young football players , with particular attention to the development of elite players. This is, as you point out, a complex matter comprising a matrix of ability, coaching, time, facilities and resources amongst other variables.
Clearly, we in Scotland have yet to strike the elusive balance required to consistently produce players of international standard. I did though note your recommendation that the country might invest £500 Million in infrastructure in the coming decade to stimulate participation, infrastructure and ultimately a talent pipeline.
Given the fiscal landscape, it seems somewhat unlikely in the short and medium term that the country will choose to invest in football ahead of more pressing social and economic priorities, which begs the question; Where do we find the money?
In seeking to answer this question, I take as my starting point the ultimate beneficiaries.
Who’s to benefit from a step change in the effectiveness of youth development in Scotland? Well, the kids? Of course. The clubs? Yes. Our National team? Yes. Moreover, the people who will benefit most from a substantial and sustained improvement in youth development is me and you; The fans.
Question is; Are we prepared to pay for it? And if so; How much?
Clearly if the government threw many tens of millions at the issue, we’d have paid for it already through our taxes (or our borrowings…)
If the National Lottery provided a huge investment, similarly it would have been our money in the first place, or at least those of us who buy lottery tickets. Indeed, all senior clubs already run lotteries, pools and the likes to raise money from the fans for their own youth development activities.
Let’s take that as a starting point; A National Football Endowment
Supposing every non-concession ticket sold to a senior football game in Scotland carried a £1 Youth Levy? Heck, it’s not a lot of money at the individual level. But at the aggregated level, and based upon the average attendances this season, it’s some £3,200,000 from the SPL alone, with a further £600K from the SFL clubs.
Add in the cup competitions, about 12 European ties and say 6 Scotland international games, and you’re looking at about another million on top.
That’s about £5 Million a year from the fans. Of course, provided the ‘Football Endowment’ was a not-for-profit registered charity, this sum would be eligible for a tax Gift Aid, providing an extra 28p for every pound raised, bringing the total so far to £6.4 Million per year.
Sponsorship from commerce for such a national programme would be achievable. Perhaps with a range of sponsorship types and regional commitments we could look to generate a further £3 Million or so per annum. Let’s bring the total generated thus far to £10 Million in round numbers.
Now, let’s have some matched funding from the various governmental and NGO bodies with a vested interest, and we’re looking at something in the order of £20 Million per year to spend on facilities and coaching for aspiring footballers, OVER AND ABOVE that already spent by the clubs and the SFA today.
Celtic and Rangers each spend about £1.5M per year on YD. Hearts and Hibs about £1.5M between them. I estimate the entire budget for Performance and Initiative leagues clubs in Scotland, including the financial support from the SFA, is about £10M. All financed by club lotteries and donations.
The “Many Players One Goal: An Action Plan for Scottish Youth Football” policy launched in 2004 planned to spend £31 Million, with £20M up front on facilities, and a further £10M over 10 years to support running costs. To date much of this remains to be invested, with only the Glasgow and Aberdeen facilities open as I write.
£1.00
One small pound coin, per supporter per game attended, will provide EVERY year, more than is spent currently on a 10 year ‘masterplan’, and at a stroke, double the value of our investment in youth development.
Now, if we have the right leadership, what could we do with an additional £20 Million or more per year?
Well, £15M buys a fully fledged Regional Football Centre, complete with full size indoor pitch, seating for 700 fans, 3 outdoor synthetic pitches and a further grass pitch, together with all corollary facilities.
Scale it back a little, and Ayr, Perth, Dundee, Livingston, Stirling and Kirkaldy could all be equipped with a similar facility within 3 years at a cost of £7.5Million each – a similar sum to that spent by Celtic in creating their Lennoxtown centre. East Kilbride, Inverness, Dunfermline to follow. A National Academy? Why not!
By 2015 no town with a population more than 40,000 will be without a top of the range indoor facility, resourced by performance coaches, and paid for in large part by the supporters. As a 10 year project, the resources available will support the importing and development of coaching and performance innovations from around the world.
Partnering with the education authorities, perhaps locating these facilities adjacent to comprehensive school campuses, will deliver not only additional value to the education sector, but moreover, ensure that the school curriculum can be embedded in the development pathway. Certainly the objective for 10,000 by age 19 cannot be delivered out with the school week alone. Furthermore, reinforcing the link between athletic performance and educational performance can only be a huge improvement on the regrettable situation that too many of our 16 and 17 year olds find themselves in every year following their ‘release’ from pro-youth at the under-19 cut.
With the right vision and leadership, resources and administration, Scotland could conceivably lead the world in the development of young footballers, and all driven by the passion of the supporters.
I thought perhaps this may be worthy of consideration as you continue your work.
Warm regards,
TBB
Stenhousemuir will vote in favour of newco starting in Div.1 H.H
Paul, I agree with your basic premise that all Scottish football supporters need to unite in a common cause of improving the Scottish game. It is the only realistic guarantee that Celtic and all that it stands for will survive – as we want it. I have said before that this will mean sacrifices especially on the part of Celtic supporters simply because they have the largest impact. How this is achieved can not be in the hands of any individuals but must be a consensus agreement. However, there must also be constructive suggestions that should neither be poo-pooed nor blindly accepted. The process is by its very nature going to be long and painful as there is a lot of demolition required before the rebuilding can begin. You have touched on much of this such as in the past actions and attitudes of Celtic itself. However, in the midst of the demolition care is required if we are to avoid actually destroying or even weakening our own club. We are deservedly in our position of strength and it should not be surrendered per se. Rather, it should be used as the foundation upon which others can build. Personally I would love to see the reconstruction happening within our own independent football association but if that is impossible then I am not unwilling to seek assistance elsewhere. Whatever route is decided on it will only lead to the kind of success you crave if, as you say, we are willing to work together to achieve it. That MUST include a Newco Rangers (hopefully cleansed of all things past) if it comes into existence. Exclusion would be unworkable and unacceptable. What for me would be perfectly acceptable and absolutely necessary is the clearing out of the current incumbents of all our governing bodies. Their words and actions have been an utter disgrace and have brought nought but shame and embarrassment to Scottish football. Unless there is a total clear out and a brand new group of leaders with the same vision as the support and willing to involve fans then any plans for the future of Scottish football are non starters.
H H
Rumour Bagwash just showed the Lisbon winner on STV News………….
ASonOfDan on 5 July, 2012 at 17:30 said:
That statement from Stenhousemuir FC makes me feel sick at the pressure and fear regan, Donkey & longmuir are inflicting on the clubs in the lower divisions.
Options A vote cheating barstewarts into div1
or B pay off all your youths and rent out pitches to try and get some money in.
What a truly disgusting option to place on hard working clubs just to shoehorn zombie fc into div1.
WE NEED TO REMOVE THESE SO CALLED LEADERS IMMEDIATELY
Hand pick to break every rule in the book only in scotland EHH
pick = picked
Is Turnbull Hutton the only man inside Scottish Football capable of telling the truth?
I didn’t realise SPL vote yesterday came with a provision that it was only for one season.
If it wasn’t why is Regan and the media contiunally saying the end of the world is nigh?
The SFL if they accept Rangers into the
Regan seems to be getting a bit ahead of himself re Sevco. The last I heard they had applied for, but not yet been given, an SFA license. Has the SFA decided to dispense with the rules and give them the “nod” or will they actually examine the application with proper due diligence? This is a company who does not have a team as they cannot register players without the SFA license and may not even have a stadium to play in. According to reports from yesterday their business case was not fit for purpose so the application should fail on that alone. They should have a business model that proves they have the finance to meet a full seasons fixtures whatever league they “apply” to join. Does this mean that the “fix” is in and contrary to the rules of the game they will be parachuted into SPL 1 then promoted after one season to suit the needs of the TV companies. (previous post as G Sheeran, blame age/technology etc. for the name change)
I think Clyde might be a possible vehicle for Sevco.Getting papped out of Broadwood as they can’t afford it, were bankrolled by a couple of guys from EK who were daft enough to put Bummer Brown in charge.They have built a good Football Complex in Calderglen Park,EK too.
Sorry should have finished with
if the SFL accept rangers into Third it will be the biggest injection of cash ever in the SFL so why would they not want this?
Seen this on RTC
Ryan Mckenna @ryanmckenna88
I will not be returning to Stenhousemuir F.C as an academy coach after todays statement. #NotoNewco #Div3
leftclicktic-They have given themselves a further week, to pedal lies and issue threats to SFL Chairmen.