Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson gave what passes as an unusually honest and frank interview to BBC Radio Scotland before his team beat champions, Celtic, this afternoon. Thompson represents one of the four SPL clubs on the league board who, unless the entire league agrees to change their constitution, will vote on whether a Newco will inherit the void when Rangers die next week.
I’m pretty sure Thompson’s mind was made up weeks ago, he clearly planned to vote Newco into the league, despite misplaced brinksmanship, but he’s been spooked by pressure from his own fans talking about boycotting games if he votes Newco in.
Here’s the dilemma. Gang of 10 clubs have pushed a mantra for years that they have been exploited by a Glasgow duopoly (although clearly they use less accurate phraseology). They complain about “the Glasgow media” and, don’t laugh, referee favouring the “Old Firm”.
Now, if he votes for Newco, he makes a lie of all of this. The power to change one of the key concerns for fans of provincial clubs lies in the collective hands of their chairmen. Can they really pass this up?
It’s decision time. Since Celtic Quick News first raised the alarm on this issue in October last year we predicted that only Celtic would vote against Newco. We are about to find out if we have 12 independent teams in the SPL or 11 Rangers supporters – and if they change the rules to give support to Rangers, this is exactly what they are.
I had a bit of sympathy for Thompson, a first for me. He spoke about the money going into United causing issues in his family and the consequences of losing circa £1m per year in a league without Rangers. Some harsh decisions ahead, if he does the right thing, but the alternative, voting for Newco and having Dundee United fans walk out on the club at the betrayal, gives him what he called a “lose-lose” situation.
I was delighted to hear this. He claimed to be undecided, but at least he is a man who now understands there are huge consequences if he votes for Newco. There are three potential financial hits if he does: some United fans will turn away from the game, Celtic fans will boycott next season and even Rangers fans have threatened to boycott if Newco is subject to penalties associated with their terminal football team. The combined cost of this may be less than £1m but not by much.
There are two extra points for Mr Thompson to consider:
Without Newco in the SPL he and he the Gang of 10 can breeze through their future-revenue-changing plan to alter the voting structure, which should help fill any shortfall. It would be humiliating if they had the chance to deliver what they wanted long-term but couldn’t pass up a chance to help the Rangers.
Also, this is not the end of the road for the terminal football club. Any Newco inheriting Rangers SPL share will also inherit the punishment for the alleged improper Registration of football players for a decade or more. The only appropriate penalty for this would be expulsion from the league.
It’s perhaps best to man up and take the trash out now.
You can buy a hard copy of the new issue of CQN Magazine via Magcloud here.
The graphic below is just for a flick through, to read the magazine go here to it’s dedicated site.
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it’s over
vienna
SFTB
Middle class?I’m not middle class and neither’s my butler!!
there we have it..
Juve want to wear 3 stars even though they cheated…
We have no chance in Scotland….
football has no credability…
whos sung the song..
It’s all about the money money money..
I would say that CQN is not at all representative of the Celtic support – based on those I have met and the many posts that talk about age, jobs, background etc..
In general, and it is a generality, CQN covers a middle aged, largely professional and better paid demographic. I would guess that there are not too many posters under 30 – although a few honorable exceptions do come to mind. And a lot of dishonorable folk who will claim to be under 30 too..
TGCW
you two bhoys being G72 will know we are not middle class o))
SFTB
Main stand and middle class ?
Speak for yourself.
Pass me the buckie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L1sg7RImyM
29 and a half ya feckers :-))
Paul:
Great article.
SFTB:
I think a NewCo parachute must bring about some sort of a reaction from Celtic fans.
I think you’re right to suggest that there are no reactions that don’t have negative consequences for the fans and club…
Deffo more middle class, with our Kindles and our man-bags
CQN representativeness…?
comments so far show self awareness if nothing else..
Kilmarnock must be boycotted next year regardless of what happens.
Middle class, middle aged and middle of the road.
derbyshirebhoy on 6 May, 2012 at 20:11 said:
Have you had many replies?
I’ve put it on twitter a few times, I’ll do so again now.
DBBIA
Don’t all men have man-bags?
You being a doctor in aw??
CQN
I never posted because I always thought that I was just a hairy armed Celtic fan and was not welcome on CQN
CQN has evolved and we are now welcome but there is still a snobbery part of CQN not only online but also perceived by other websites..
Snake Plissken.
Final day of the season,Killie v Celtic for the league.Will the boycott still stand?
theglasgowcelticway on 6 May, 2012 at 20:17 said:
.Neil Lennon couldnae win a Neil Lennon impersonator contest in this country!!
_________________________________
Strangely enough, the scenario you describe has already happened.
Charlie Chaplin actually did enter a Charlie Chaplin lookalike competition & finished THIRD.
Strange But True CSC.
Snake Plissken
Surely Ibrox needs to be boycotted first, after all, they are the biggest cheats.
Snake Plissken on 6 May, 2012 at 21:50 said:
”Kilmarnock must be boycotted next year regardless of what happens.”
There won’t be any boycotts.
There will be a lot of talk.
Neil Lennon will say he wants the supporters there to support the team.
And there won’t be any boycotts.
.
OldTim67..
Just checked Mail..Yes Defo up for it..Hope Your feeling Better..Will speak to VHman in the Morning and Get back to You..
Look forward to it..
001Bhoy
Aye bawbags are better than man bags, especially in the middle!
theglasgowcelticway
Probably as we only go there once next season and they might not make the top six
And it will be on the telly anyway – the perfect game for a boycott
Paddy G
29.. iq? not age
I’ve noticed that since joining CQN I sip tea with my pinky sticking outwards.Cream tea of course!
Kilbowie Kelt on 6 May, 2012 at 21:53 said:
theglasgowcelticway on 6 May, 2012 at 20:17 said:
.Neil Lennon couldnae win a Neil Lennon impersonator contest in this country!!
_________________________________
Strangely enough, the scenario you describe has already happened.
Charlie Chaplin actually did enter a Charlie Chaplin lookalike competition & finished THIRD.
Strange But True CSC.
#########
”In 1949, when the New Statesman held a contest for parodies of Greene’s writing style, he submitted an entry under the pen name “N. Wilkinson” and won second prize.”
Thats no yer pinky!
Graham Greene, not Hughie.
Obviously.
This being CQN and all.
being a bank holada to us hairy armed wurkin glass folks am aye allued to sta on cqn?
pggtips2 on 6 May, 2012 at 21:54 said:
Ibrox should be boycotted but could you leave our players to face 4 walls of the filth.
Ernie Lynch
That’s because Graham Greene was a Catholic although not very good one apparently.
SFTB
I like your idea of decreeing in writing that Rangers (and Celtic) can never finish lower than 6th let alone be relegated.
Personally I believe we should be sending videos to UEFA of what the Kilmarnock & Dundee Utd board members have said over the past two days.
Sporting integrity is an optional extra in the SPL?
.
I’m Defo..Myleene Klass..
Summa
Silver City
Buy the tickets, but don’t turn up
Blantyre Tim- take your hairy arms [?] somewhere else.
You’re lowerin’ the ole tone,and your hairy arms are frightening the servants.
Sos
she is a touch of glass… o)) hoops class
glad u and the old yin are on talking terms
Pan loaf…anybody?
truffles