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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I take it it was the not-proven lot that denied Neil the MOTY award?? Despicable!!!
I have no problem with Derek Adams getting MOTY award..
He chucked Hibs to go back down and has taken a former Highland League team to SPL. Ross County of Dingwall in SPL says a lot about the team but also a lot about the SPL?
From what I hear they have an excellent youth set up. I hear also that Adams himself is very highly respected coach (apparently lined up with his father to succeed Craig Brown in 2013)
By his own admission Lenny blotted his copybook in the process of obliterating the Huns –
I;m thinking it will do Lenny no harm to be out of the limelight. Had he won it – the media would only have filled the back pages with reasons why he shouldn’t have…
Congratulations to D Adams and Ross County..the SPL needs well run clubs.
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.
No
The only appropriate penalty is removal of atleast 5 SPL titles. Relegation only rewards them with more guarenteed championships.
If rangers are relegated both Celtic and rangers will win their respectitive titles next season. What will be the biggest story? What will get the biggest coverage Celtic winning a rangersless SPL or rangers winning Div 3?
Give them SPLhell.
TopCorner on 6 May, 2012 at 20:24 said:
Charlie – player of the year
James – young player
Derek Adams – manager of the year
Congrats to Charlie for POTY and James for YPOTY.
As for MOTY – If NL was given a choice of MOTY or CRDFNS (Consistant Refereeing Decisions For Next Season) he’d definitely choose CRDFNS.
Still would like to know if Charlie was given the Captains armband when Skoosh was subd – tried to find out on Sportscene but the highlights were too little. Thought I saw it on Charlie’s arm at FT but NOT SURE – someone please tell me.
We should know who these peepil are. As ally wd say!!
I think El Gordo won MOTY when he didn’t win the League [2009?]
Godfather on 6 May, 2012 at 22:59
I was on earlier trying to justify the non selection of NL. (i.e. better candidates)
But, you are 100% right. The two previous years a 1st division manager got it before this year, the SPLwas still to be decided.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&hl=en-GB&client=mv-google&v=3FPn5noN_qs
Well done indeed to Charlie & young James.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&hl=en-GB&client=mv-google&v=9sNz0IcnttM
Someone I told me today that the preferred bidder is a member of the Church of Rome, as our friends from the south side say. I have absolutely no idea of the truth of this, but can you imagine their reaction if it were and he liquidated the company?
Ggh
D&P are just getting rid – Bill Miller will liquidate and sell for £30m. A bargain for the new owner…imo
DBBIA who is el Gordo?
I see wee Willie got a down 5/10 mark for not giving thems a pen yesterday in the S M today. Im sure he’ll make up for it next season. Little was actually first fouled outside the box.
Marker states. One big decision on Rangers penalty and wrong to deny it.
I hope Neil and his scouting staff have their targets identified and ready to pounce.
De ja vu – a goalkeeper, a centre half and a powerful striker. Sounds famaliar?
I would be happy to see FF sign, but if he is having doubts, then another keeper is needed.
It beggars belief that we have fantastic delivery from Charlie, Izzy, Kris and James Forrest but have strikers with little aerial ability.
Play to your strengths, Celtic. Experience would have seen us lift the treble.
garygillespieshamstring
Sent this E-mail to PP on Thursday, as I had seen it somewhere,can’t remember
another senior moment
Hi Father Paul
As you may have seen, Windy Miller has been chosen as the preferred bidder for our friends on the Sooth Side, whit wul be there reaction, when they find OOT he is a ROMAN CATHOLIC.( Jist Kidden )
Jist sayen yae ken.
Awerabest Papa John
ale ale the Celts are here……. surprised Bournesoup hasn’t done that yin
copyright my bhodran!
.
Well done Charlie and James.
And Big Vic for being awesome. :0)
The Milan derby was naw bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeZUlAd4TQc&feature=related
Paul
Thanks for being an internet bampot who focuses on the core issues.
Yorkston is conflicted because if RFCIA get in then his club go down.
Thomson is conflicted because of money, or is it because of Jardine’s blatant intimidation.
Johnston isn’t conflicted, he’s just prepared to endorse cheating.
Check out Henry Clarson’s blog on the issue of sporting integrity.
(sorry if it’s already done the rounds)
http://henryclarson.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/commercial-benefits-outweigh-sporting-integrity-official/
No luck Rory, but Charlotte loves you.
HH
maybe everybody’s packed into lesser hampden, whilst the real game’s bein played at an empty hampden.
tooo many questions to be answered before we even get to the SPL one… they’ll be answered fairly soon I think
Papa John,
Cheers. It was a nice idea while it lasted.
My senior moments are happening more and more these days
Evening bhoys,
asked earlier but the blogs a bit busier now,
can anyone suggest a good mid price hotel in edinburgh,
round about £100 a night,seen quite a few but was hoping
someone may have a good recommendation
Is this the Keltic club? I think it might be the wrong site ……. where is it please? ( just down the road and to you’re right …Ed)
I need to purchase some jewellery …… Keltic stuff, can someone please ask the hunskelper hoooooooops erm the Keltic Paul67 mhan if this is the right place……
if not? ……. I’m snookered.
Still would like to know if Charlie was given the Captains armband when Skoosh was subd – tried to find out on Sportscene but the highlights were too little. Thought I saw it on Charlie’s arm at FT but NOT SURE – someone please tell me.
Or is there anyone who knows?
If Tom Boyd is on?
thanks………. ye ken……. for stopping thems..
Neil Lennon MOTY in my and many others eyes!!!
Alot of talk of boycotts and protests.
Any boycott/protest needs to involve other Scottish clubs.
Can such a thing be organised ?
oh Also….. if JP is on….. thanks for the BB……
jimmibhoy
Im sure he did. Who else wd get it??
Hail, Hail fellow Celts,
Just been @ the Celtic store about to order the New away top. Could someone confirm/deny if the tricolor band is/is not on the sleeve?
I seen the pre-release & thought must have it! On the website no tricolor?
£62 (with print) would be best spent on the tricolor sleeved variant.
Cheers & Championees
garygillespieshamstring.
Thankyou shun, it is reassuring that one is not alone, in this department.
Awerabest PJ
Night,Night.
jimmibhoy
Sounds like uv money on it!! lol
Memo to the SFA:
Why have you not summoned Sandy Jardine and Alistair McCoist to appear before your committee to answer a charge of bringing the game into disrepute?
You know that what they did was damaging to the integrity of the SFA, to the wellbeing and safety of at least three individuals, and was blatant intimidation towards any club who sought to act according to their conscience and the best interests of their own club.
Please inform the public when you propose to act in accordance with your own policies.
Was there ever any more on this four (count ’em) Glasgow journos sitting on a story from earlier?
Q.
whats yir party piece to sing or sing along to?
Bhodran Mhan on 6 May, 2012 at 23:37 said:
Solid Man, or,
Arthur McBride, or
Dancing Queen… I dunno either, think the Mojitos do it
RWE
Good stuff. In fact BRILLLLLL!!!
O.G.Rafferty on 6 May, 2012 at 23:36 said:
Oh come on OG, spill…….!!