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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Some of us hairy arm-pitted types will be up at a self-respecting, class conscious hour in the morning. I leave you artisans, spivs and merchants to your chitter chatter.
Здравствуйте, товарищи!
My dad had the hairiest arms I’ve ever known, but then he did come from Whitecrook in Clydebank! ( He was quite humorous about it – and seemed to revel in it ).
Bashi
Like everyone else the goings on at Ibroke have been taking a lot of my attention for weeks. I had a thought while reading thought the blog today.
Kudos to the Celtic Board and the club in general.
Despite the cheating Hun and compliant SFA we have won seven out of the last twelve SPL leagues.
Even when cheating they can’t beat us.
NotonewcheatCS
WWC
They’re at the door.
WWC
Up the workers !
I’m off for a dip in the jacuzzi.
How does the internationale go again ?
.
Go On Rory..
Summa
I shall slip into the slumber of the just counting T34’s…
Gretnabhoy on 6 May, 2012 at 22:26
Wee bit of perspective here.
Only two of the six winners of the PFA Manager of the year awards have went to the winner of the SPL that year.
Three of the six years have went to first division managers.
Only 1 team has won the award more than once – Celtic.
Season tickets will be bought.
Merchandise will be bought.
Worldwide,Celtic Supporters Clubs will thrive.
Celtic Park will still be a mecca for many.
European nights beckon.
But what will not be tolerated is Rankers NewCo thinkin’ in their bigoted arrogance that ANYONE is going to watch them play ANYWHERE except their own vile follyers.
Throw RFCIA 1872 out of football forever,and remind them of this : You Brought It On Yourselves.
Stupid huns.
I would be gobsmacked if Myleene Klass has hairy armpits.
Here’s me just popped in wi some armalites, and the blog’s gone all middle-class on me… what do I do with these now?
If a bus broke down and blocked the entrance to McDiarmid Park does anyone know where would they park all the supportors buses?
Do all the matches on the last day of the SPL have to start at the same time?
Have St Johnstome supportors ever picketed their own players?
Just asking like
VertWolf
Paul67 asked your mate ernie last night why he hasn’t took you up on your offer. Got a civil answer.
I get your trying to out him as a msm or maybe that’s the way I read it,but you said you could get him to ask his questions within the
powers of parkhaed.You said to him a brave man should step forward why can’t you be that man.
This situation is getting serious and as you have the ear of the board why can’t you put your blog concerns forward.
getting ross county to the premier league is GREAT doing, from all at the club,
i dont like the manager, but winning MOY is acceptable to me.
lenny as celtic manager, should be expected to win the league..
anyways, truly great managers dont set out to win MOY..
DBBIA
can I be the man to confirm that please?
Good stats CC you must be an anorak on this subject!
Cheers anyway I now feel a bit better.
Sorry, I was off walking my working class, Rotti cross, devil dog before turning in. pgtips, their fans would direct their bile at the team and management. That’s why we’d need a hard core there, no Prawn sandwich eaters just filling the seats.
good evening cqn
did somebody mention whitecrook clydebank,some fine men and great Celtic supporters,have come from there,mind you im biased
H H
B/Tim – you are official CQN oxter-checker. You may wish to practice on ole Old Tim before tackling the fragrant Myleene
Gretnabhoy on 6 May, 2012 at 22:41
Not an anorak. Took me 35 seconds on google.
Point being, there are real battles to be won.
Euan Norris wins “Hun with a whistle” award tonight. Jim Jeffries thought it was only right after the semi final and awarding rangers 5 penalties in 3 games.
Vertwolf
Your on CQN not RTC
What is a picket ?
DBBIA
Does that mean Myleen supports Celtic?
Cultsbhoy- deffers; Blantyre Tim will confirm the whereabouts of her Fergus Mccann tattoo.
There’s a ‘supermoon’ tonight. 14% bigger than usual.
And….btw, “We’ll Keep The Green Flag Flying Here.”
These days, Green is the colour of revolution.
“No Pasaran!”
Keep The Faith!
DBBIA
I’ll leave that one to SoS….
u make sure you have a supply on Sunday. o))
miki67,
ffs! 14% – how does it do that? Only askin, if there’s a pill going round…
Comments ref Derek Adams getting moy and not Neil ,
wether Neil should have gotten it or not , are we surprised ?
when you think Kenny Dalglish never get player of the year in scotland
it sums this place up
JimmyQuinnsBits on 6 May, 2012 at 22:37 said:
>>>£€$¥<<<
choose yer currency. i'll take one.
night bhoys/ghirls…
It’s the inclination of the plane of orbit…..I think…
Gordon64 on 6 May, 2012 at 22:46 said:
Vertwolf
Your on CQN not RTC
What is a picket ?
———————————————
Gordon 64 I know where I am
Wrt a picket the following is from Wikipedia – Paul67 asked SPLto take the trash out – waht happens if they don’t?
Picketing is a form of protest in which people (called picketers)[1] congregate outside a place of work or location where an event is taking place. Often, this is done in an attempt to dissuade others from going in (“crossing the picket line”), but it can also be done to draw public attention to a cause. Picketers normally endeavor to be non-violent. It can have a number of aims, but is generally to put pressure on the party targeted to meet particular demands. This pressure is achieved by harming the business through loss of customers and negative publicity, or by discouraging or preventing workers from entering the site and thereby preventing the business from operating normally.
They’re bust, Bill Miller will crap a headstone when he sees the books, Newco? Miarse!!!!
miki67 on 6 May, 2012 at 22:53 said:
The perigee
stronger gravitational pull
bigger tides
More loonies about
Is it not the case that over the last few years when the MOY Award went to a first division manager the title race was still neck and neck….hence not wanting to give it to the manager who came second? Might be wrong but pretty sure when the league has been wrapped up the winning manager has always got the award….
VertWolf
I was only kiddin on pal.
But thanks very much for your reply.
HH
http://m.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&hl=en-GB&client=mv-google&v=OIqMflhH1LY
So Neil wins the top League by a country mile, and gets to a cup final and cup semi final.
Only in Scotland would he not be manager of the year…disgusting.