In his Q&A session with the Daily Record yesterday, outgoing SPFL chairman, Ralph Topping touched on the subject of who knew what when, regarding Rangers slide into liquidation saying:
“There wasn’t one single person ever who envisaged this case happening. You tell me who pointed out that this was going to happen – did you?
“The biggest assumption about the set-up in the SPL would be that you would have Rangers and Celtic playing in it in perpetuity – nobody thought that those two bastions of football would ever be involved in anything like this and nobody flagged it up.”
Well, in October 2011 I knew. This CQN article from 27 October 2011 notes in very specific detail Rangers were going to liquidate, a phoenix would be created which wanted direct access to the SPL (the top flight at that time). I got the timing wrong, predicting the phoenix would take place during the season, but to be fair, it later became clear this was Craig Whyte’s plan at the time.
Ralph Topping’s SPL knew too. Rangers alerted them to the situation that very month. The SPL spend November, December and January preparing the ground for Rangers administration and liquidation, a period during which a new TV deal was signed.
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FB
I understand your anger pal.
No need for the ageism stuff though.
You are better than that.
HH
marspapa on 28th July 2017 7:23 pm
I think that the situation has much changed since then.
There is no excuse not to raise the issues that so many more are aware of than they were then.
The ones aiming back then would have been the bluenasties, this time it would be the greenfriendlies
Guess we will just have to wait until Monday for statement.
Waiting for Monday’s might just become a rolling concept.
BSR….it may be tactical…..but we’re an impatient bunch…..I try to b plegmatic, yep, i’ve got a the flu ;-))
H.H.
AULDHEID
Thank you .
TLT
Ur we no there yet?
PL naw it might take forever.
DELANEYS DUNKY
Naweezno.
(FB)
Delaneys,
have to say the majority i talk to couldnt give a monkeys about title stripping
Marspapa
I was shocked by how clueless we were on Wednesday. Nothing to do with fitness from what I saw. No focal point at centre forward killed us tactically.
This is what Topping told the SPL Board in 2013 who were discuss the LNS Decision.
Does he see in any enquiry/appeal his chance to right a wrong?
From: Ralph Topping Sent: 07 March 2013 14:49 To: Iain Blair; Neil Doncaster; Duncan Fraser; Stephen Thompson; Eric Riley Cc: Rod McKenzie Subject: Appeal to SFA
STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Gents
I understand that Iain has spoken with most people from the Board about the appeal process and having spoken with Rod I have his advice that in a nutshell we have to appeal today and be clear as to the grounds of appeal .
I also understand that Eric is overseas on holiday but for the understandable reason of time zone difference is uncomfortable with the timescale being asked of him .
As things currently stand Duncan , Michael , Stephen and Neil are in favour of no appeal being made . In the circumstances , given this is as important a subject as I think the SPL Board has discussed in my time as Chair I want to make my own position clear and not hide behind arithmetic as I could do !
I believe the proportionality of Lord Nimmo Smith’s determination is questionable . A fine of £250,000 for an enterprise of Rangers Oldco’s size and turnover and indeed strong leadership position in Scottish football on the evidence led as to the scale of the undeclared payments is not proportionate .
I am also uncomfortable with Lord NS’s view that whilst the SPL Board wanted no sanction ruled out we seem to have led no evidence or made no statement in the course of the consideration by LNS on competitive advantage Ranger’s Oldco enjoyed which effectively ruled LNS from considering it .
My question therefore to all Board Members is this : are you happy that in not appealing you are effectively saying that competitive disadvantage to all SPL clubs is immaterial and that you are happy with the scale of the fine ?
My question to Rod is having not led evidence on Sporting disadvantage is this ruled out as a ground of appeal ?
I remain uneasy on both counts but accept that recovering monies from Oldco is unlikely no matter the quantum . The outcome in my view is still not proportionate .
I would have liked more time to discuss this in person but as I am advised we don’t have it if you could confirm that you are not for turning I would be grateful . Sorry to ask but I feel I must given the importance of this matter .
Ralph
Auldheid
So if I am reading that right a certain Stephen Thompson of D UTD was for not appealing .was this before or after the hordes targeted him as one of the haters .
Seems to me he was singled out for their vengeance and even now the sevco 2012 fans I know wish hell and damnation on D UTD .
Gordy
There was a feeling of anger in the Horse and Barge tonight. The tide is turning I think.
Delaneys Dunky on 28th July 2017 7:40 pm
Marspapa
I was shocked by how clueless we were on Wednesday. Nothing to do with fitness from what I saw. No focal point at centre forward killed us tactically.
———–
BR is just one of a long line of Celtic managers that struggled with these Euro qualifiers.
We have to finally realise that no matter who the boss is and who the players are it’s gonna be tough.
is the Spl/spfl…..new name……Same same companies house registration?
FTSFA/FTSFA
H.H.
THELURKIN
We need a strategy that doesn’t single Celtic out, it will take time to gather momentum the SPL and SFA both panicked.
I hope we wait but not too long and its worthwile when the official Celtic stance is made public.
How come Celtic ‘get hit with a UEFA fine’ rather than fined.
Huddle
Was just a pity we kept our second worst performance in Brendan’s reign after Gibraltar till Wednesday there.
Confident we will score one or two away. That Norwegian wall need to come out at home surely. We are good and fast playing as a counter attack team.
DELANEYS DUNKY
Hav’nt saw any of the game , but Rogic was a baffling choice of false 9 .
Sinclair through the middle with big Tam picking holes in the defense and his strikes from distance would have been my choice
A bad night at the office .
A clean sheet (luck)was the highlight going by the updates .
That they’re panicking is natural….just like TRMBLR….;-))
A joint music festival…..spanning Glasgow….starting end of June…..finishing end of July…. ;-))
H.H.
on Glasgow Green & white ;-))
H.H.
Delaneys,
hope so
Delaneys Dunky on 28th July 2017 7:54 pm
Was just a pity we kept our second worst performance in Brendan’s reign after Gibraltar till Wednesday there.
Confident we will score one or two away. That Norwegian wall need to come out at home surely. We are good and fast playing as a counter attack team.
———–
No surprise that his 2 worst performances (in our eyes) were in Europe. Throw in Astana and Beer-Sheva then our toughest games (forget the CL) are in these Euro qualifiers.
We can’t rate our team in the SPL it’s pointless.
Marspapa
As I was watching Tom Rogic struggling badly on Wednesday, an old Jock Stein quote came into my mind. “I never ask a player to do something he is incapable of doing.”
No way am I having a go at our coaching staff, but a fair few saw that Tom as the focal point wisny working, am just surprised our coaches didn’t see it till late on, hopefully they will have learned from it.
THE HUDDLE
Two things need to change
1. League Champions go
staight into the group
stages.
2. We change our league
to start at the same time
as the other leagues .
1. No chance .
2. Mmmnnn dunno .
marspapa on 28th July 2017 8:08 pm
——-
Unless it’s a mega defeat to some other UK type team then I’ll give any manager slack against the Euro minefield.
Unless we buy grade A players then we are gonna play the same game every season.
DELANEYS DUNKY
You sound a bit downbeat ..
(Its no like ye)
The Stranglers
Live at the isle of wight:)
PEACHES !!!!
https://youtu.be/_x64JbTAq0w
Should’ve added we aren’t able to buy A players
Marspapa
To get more league winners in they could increase the amount of groups 10, 10 winners best 6 runners up make last 16, or stay with 8 but have 5 teams in each group, no doubt if that was agreed big leagues would want more places.
Marspapa
No Hugh Cornwall?
Booooo:)
HH
THE HUDDLE
Yer bang on mate .
Hope the situation does’nt put BR off .
Friday used to be music night,
couple of tunes before my cot,
or before Sionnach Abu comes on and posts a hundred,
https://youtu.be/Yam5uK6e-bQ
gordybhoy64 on 28th July 2017 8:16 pm
———–
We are agreed not to mention music in case SA appeared
fergusslayedtheblues on 28th July 2017 7:40 pm
Id have to check but I think what led to bad blood with Dundee Utd came after Feb 2013. Either recharging for an abandoned match or going to court on value of a player.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARDon28TH JULY 2017 8:15 PM
Marspapa
No Hugh Cornwall?
Booooo:)
HH
Haha , hey ,you overestimate my level of intellegance mate .
Huvnae a cloo:))
Marspapa
Just skinned a fat one and you post one of the best tracks of my spotty adolescent years.
What a bass player JJ was.
Walking on the beaches. :)
Nae downer here B. :)
TheLurkinTim on 28th July 2017 7:47 pm
Name change same Company Number
The Huddle,
oops sorry
Marspapa
Original and best front man of the Stranglers.
HH