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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ps
when the real issue was that a bottle had been thrown through the coach window?
u
Doncaster just Tweeted that Vesuvius “almost certain to erupt killing thousands” unless Sevco allowed into SFL1
Sally McCliche
Gettae….
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 5 July, 2012 at 20:49 said:
The questions you pose expose the dichotomy Celtic and its support face viz what sort of club do supporters demand Celtic be and is that consistent with the rescue of Scottish Football from its current death throes?
If ambitions are above all to ensure in the short term we have some European presence though accepting we may never win anything because of a lack of financial muscle then our current policy needs to be maintained.
If however we want a vibrant competition in Scotland to improve standards overall then our policy needs to revert to more home grown home developed product to allow others to compete.
In view of the reduction in income that the demise of Sevco’s predecessor means then it would serve interests very well to take the 2nd option. What supporters of recent vintage would make of that I don’t know but for me as long as they’re in green and white hoops I’ll be supporting them and unless Paul’s idea or similar is a real flyer I would lean towards the option that gives Scottish Football an incentive to change its ways. After all a few home grown youngsters did quite well in Europe once upon a time.
Well done ,Paul for pushiing the boat out. There is no doubt that ‘now’s the time and now’s the hour—!’ Scottish foootball is dead from the neck up. We need to get rid of the dead wood at the top , starting with Regan, Doncaster, Ogilvie and the current mind-numbing structures . They have shown their inadequacy and incompetence over the past few months – if not years – when they could not think beyond the need to save the cancer which got us into this mess. Now that the cancer has gone, the time has come to tear up the old script and its bias and bigotry and get the the clubs -which are not dead – to create something new, something different with the help of their fans. Paul has brought forward some fresh ideas but I am sure that there are many more to come. We certainly can do much better than the ‘status quo’. Let’s go for it Bhoys
Natknow if ur abt.
Had many a history lesson from Michael in various watering holes in Coatbridge. Havnt saw him for a while dont even know if he’s still alive. Was a character in his own right!!
NatKnow
if that is true then he is a bigger fool than I considered possible – he should be cautioned or charged for a statement like that given his position in Scottish society.
Seriously !!!!!!
Disingenuous to start the season ticket flogging quite yet as this crisis in Scottish football governance is far from over and a healthy sale in season tickets is just going to support a regime in the SFA/SPL/SFL which is corrupt to the core.
If the latest scheme to get Sevco into the 1st division is successful, then the game is up in Scotland, sporting integrity is out the window, the old Rangers’ ethos is still alive and well and any self-respecting football fan is getting a massive kick in the cojones. By buying into such a league structure AT ANY LEVEL fans are commending the governors of the Scottish game and giving them a resounding pat on the back: “well done chaps, how far do you want us to bend over?”
Regan, Doncaster and Longmuir are making a mockery of our game and it’s not yet clear as to whether the custodians of our own club intend to support them in the next round of their schemes, the jury is not back in yet, this saga has a long way to run, a refusal from the SPL was the VERY LEAST a newco should be meted out. This may be a victory. A pyrrhic victory. The fact that the governors of our national game have humbled our once brave nation into penny-grabbing whores for hun futures is a devastating blow which few have properly digested yet apparently. Resist or bend over, you choose.
Justice must be done and be seen to be done before Celtic fans can stand back and call this job done. This job is far from done. Let’s not be hasty about jumping into bed with Charles Green (a la Bummer Brown) or Regan or Doncaster. None of these charlatans has finished doing what they need to do to discharge their duties with respect to a fair and equitable football league structure. There are still some bitter pills to swallow, hurdles to clear, wrongs to right. If the Scottish football fan, the Celtic fan, buys into the still-corrupt plans of our snake-oil governors then we are giving a retrospective high-five to David Murray, Campbell Ogilvie and co and demanding business as usual. Is that what we want? Is that what Peter Lawwell wants? It would be good to know what Peter Lawwell has to say about the Sevco to Division 1 plans because that is not clear from his latest statement. As Celtic fans we know from history that this story is not finished quite yet. The scheming is at fever pitch right now and justice is far from having been done or seen to be done.
Has D -Day been moved from the 12th? mmmmmmm Has the central heating went?
NatKnow – “We welcome the paper-chase…” on 5 July, 2012 at 21:06
The latest, latest SFA statement states that petrol prices will rise by 10p per litre, if sevco are not allowed into SFL1.
HH
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ on 5 July, 2012 at 21:16 said:
Michael drank? Whodathunkik?!!
He and Father Trench were instrumental in all my education relating to Irish history. Last time I saw him was many moons ago on the ferry to Larne. Parents and I were visiting friends in Dundalk. Who was on the boat, but the bould Michael Murphy! Four sheets to the wind, naturally. He taught me for about 6 years and didn’t recognise me!! Great guy who knew his stuff…
“The black death will wipe out the entire population of the planet if Newco are not allowed into D1″……..Stewart Regan.
ThisIsTheOne on 5 July, 2012 at 21:19 said:
Lulz! That the spirit mate!!
Someone on here the other night alluded to the Newco/Sevco being like Reservoir Dogs and I think he’s right. We’ve had Mr. Whyte, Mr. Green, Mr. Brown and when I was in Tesco earlier scanning the papers, I saw that they were about to sign Ian BLACK and that Andy Gray was putting in his tuppenceworth on the back of the Evening Times.
Say No to Rainbow FC.
“Maggie Thatcher will be re elected as PM if newco are not allowed into Div 1”
Stewart Regan.
Ahhhh – just made an erse of myself. That will teach me to stop reading the blog backwards :)))
Hold the front page! SFA update…
Apparently ration books are to be re-issued from 14th July…unless Sevco get straight into SFL1
Glendalystonsils likes a mr whippy with his lime green jelly:
Classics mate!
Coldplay to play free gigs if if newco are not allowed into Div 1″
Stewart Regan.
“You WILL go to the Big Fire if you don’t vote Newco into the SFL 1”.
Stuart Regan
“Crossroads will return to ITV1 from next week…unless Sevco are allowed straight into SFL1” – Stewart Regan latest
Keep ’em coming bhoys – tears of laughter here at NatKnow Acres!
NatKnow
Will SDM play Sandy?
The Main Mhan….
Russian football is really crazy.
Spartak Moscow paid 12,5 m euros for the defender from Cagliari Davide Astori. Who heard about him before? Maybe South of Tunis knows that name?
Fabio Capello today in Moscow to talk with the Russian FA about taking Russia coach post.
Pepe Guardiola toninght in Moscow for the same reasons.
Super Swally,.everyone’s friend.warning links to a now defunct corrupt football club
http://www.rangerstv.tv/viewfree.php?it=10386&c=archive&r=236678734985
“Sebo’s heid will be placed inside the hadron collider if sevco are not in div1” say regan
The Spirit of Arthur Lee on 5 July, 2012 at 21:27 said:
NatKnow
Will SDM play Sandy?
Full details not yet revealed but I understand that the set will be built by “Wee Mental Davie”, a joiner and RFC(IL) creditor apparently
The Sweater Shop to re-open unless Sevco are allowed straight into SFL1″ –Ronnie Regan
SERN have declared that The God Particle will REMAIN a secret unless…Sevco are in Div 1
derbyshirebhoy on 5 July, 2012 at 21:13 said:
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 5 July, 2012 at 20:49 said:
The questions you pose expose the dichotomy Celtic and its support face viz what sort of club do supporters demand Celtic be and is that consistent with the rescue of Scottish Football from its current death throes?
If ambitions are above all to ensure in the short term we have some European presence though accepting we may never win anything because of a lack of financial muscle then our current policy needs to be maintained.
If however we want a vibrant competition in Scotland to improve standards overall then our policy needs to revert to more home grown home developed product to allow others to compete.
In view of the reduction in income that the demise of Sevco’s predecessor means then it would serve interests very well to take the 2nd option. What supporters of recent vintage would make of that I don’t know but for me as long as they’re in green and white hoops I’ll be supporting them and unless Paul’s idea or similar is a real flyer I would lean towards the option that gives Scottish Football an incentive to change its ways. After all a few home grown youngsters did quite well in Europe once upon a time.
……………………………………………..
Thanks for your reply which I really appreciate. I didn’t want to go down the simplistic route of returning to the position of 25-30 years ago because all was well at that time. I was hoping for people like yourself to give me reasons or should I say alternative approaches to improving our game.
One thing I omitted from my post was that the Dundee United manager Jim McLean – while being a brilliant coach – contributed to the current position by his refusal to sell to Celtic and Rangers and his insistence on holding young players to Dickensian contracts. It worked for United but overall it had a detrimental effect on the game causing both Celtic and RFC to look outwith Scotland for similar talent and spending money that was lost to the game in Scotland.
“Current weather to continue indefinitely unless Sevco allowed straight into SFL1” – S.Regan
No more home ties in the Scottish Cup for the Tims unless Sevco allowed straight into the SFL 1 2 or 3
Spotty Specky Doncaster
All inclusive bar at hotel refusing to serve drink unless Sevco5088 admitted to Division 1.
new article posted.
The Spirit of Arthur Lee on 5 July, 2012 at 21:39 said:
Oooft! That one was too close to the truth mate!
BHOYCOTT the scum!
Consultation result: 36% in favour of “NO”
to “Newco”
In recent weeks I have taken all appropriate
soundings, having canvassed the views of all
shareholders and all season ticket holders
aged 18 or over. I also attended the
meeting organised by the Supporters’
Association and the Supporters’ Trust when
I shared a fair amount of commercially
sensitive information with those present and
answered a number of questions from the
audience.
The result of the consultation process (36%
of all shareholders and all season ticket
holders aged 18 or over in favour of “NO”
to “Newco”) was far removed from the
mood of the supporters’ meeting but of
course involved almost 2,500 shareholders
and adult season ticket holders, as opposed
to the 150 or thereby at the meeting.
As everyone now knows, the SPL clubs voted
by 10 – 1, with Kilmarnock abstaining, to
reject Rangers “Newco” application to join
the SPL.
I elected to abstain in order to reflect the
result of the consultation process and in
recognition of a number of other factors,
not least of which was Section 172 of the
Companies Act concerning my fiduciary duty
as a Director to act in the long terminterests
of The Kilmarnock Football Club Limited and
to ensure its success as a business.
I also believe that the plan to parachute
Rangers “Newco” into SFL1 is highly
controversial and wished to register my
concern about the timing of the SPL vote and
the resultant pressure now placed on the
SFL clubs to accommodate “Newco” in SFL1
when they vote on the issue on 13 th July. If
the SPL can’t function in its present form
without four “Old Firm” derbies, then the
SPL should have come up with a solution
rather than passing the buck to the SFL.
In the course of the SPL General Meeting,
prior to the vote, it became evident that a
number of clubs which had previously been
ambivalent about how they would vote were
leaning towards “no” to “Newco” and the
result of the vote was a foregone conclusion
before it was taken. My abstention was
therefore symbolic and was never going to
influence the outcome.
I’d like to thank all of our supporters who
have shared their views on this issue with
the club through the various consultation
processes undertaken. It is now of utmost
importance that all Kilmarnock supporters
focus on helping the Club to maximise
season ticket and sponsorship revenues in
order to mitigate the financial consequences
of the exclusion of “Newco” from the SPL.
These can be overcome but only if we put
the “Newco” debate firmly behind us and
unite in support of Kenny and the team.
The current situation is not of our making
and the bond which exists between the Club,
its supporters and the town will see us
overcome this crisis. Scotlands oldest
professional football club is at the heart of
our community and the “Killie effect” was
demonstrated to all when we lifted the
League Cup for the first time in our history
in March.
Please buy a season ticket if you have not
already done so and encourage your friends
and family to do the same. I look forward
to welcoming you to Rugby Park on 4 th
August when we take on “Club 12”.
Michael Johnston, Chairman
Paul,
Your proposal to re-structure UK football will receive some criticism but, at least, you have made a proposal.
Local solutions for local issues would seem to stand a better chance. we can apply pressure to the sponsors and media companies who cover our game in our country(ies) whilst we will have a much more diluted influence as a single club or single league at European or World level.
Yet Local Politics, in the shape of a Referendum debate, will make this a difficult period to propose a Scotland moves to England scenario. It would be an embarrassment to SNP policies, if Scottish football teams become Unionist at a time they are proposing independence from England. Whilst there may be Unionist politicians who are unscrupulous enough to try to come onside with us and promote the move, there will be many of our fans, who have sympathy for the Independence argument, who will be conflicted by the choice of their club or their politics.
In any case, I do not like the flavour of special treatment for Scottish clubs and would prefer a European level solution, despite our lesser influence there. Is there really no space for forming common ground with Big Clubs outwith the Big 5 European Leagues to lobby for change before the world-wide fan base of clubs like Celtic, Benfica, Legia, Red Star, Anderlecht, Ajax, Austria Vienna, Sparta Prague, Olympiakos, Rosenborg, Spartak & Zenit, Dinamo Kiev, & Gothenburg dwindles to a smaller size than the Wigans, Lorients, Vallecanos, Siennas & Mainzs of this world?
With the likes of Man U, a successfully marketed club in a high earning league, are needing to raise finances in America in order to stay on the gravy train and with Real Madrid having nothing left to sell corruptly to their local authority, there is a football financial bubble about to burst all over the place.
Maybe it’s time to form a league for well run prudent clubs, a kind of Fairtrade League, where we agree to trial and experiment with Platini’s financial fair play rules.