When Duff and Phelps put their initial deadline in place for bidders for Rangers back in March, Celtic Quick News took the view that Craig Whyte was the only show in town and that any successful bid for the company’s assets would have to come from him or his proxy.
We didn’t know who his proxy would be then and we are still not sure – although we could have a pretty good guess.
Place the current SPL and SFA dramas aside for a moment. If a deal is done to allow a Rangers-Newco to apply to play football next season the new ‘owner’ will be a Craig Whyte appointment.
If this unfolds in the days to come, I fully expect the SFA will take a very long time to consider any Fit and Proper questions, and I expect the SPL board will vote 4-1 to allocate a share in the league to the Newco.
Celtic, united with their own fans, and fans of the Gang of 10 clubs stand in one corner. The boards of the Gang of 10 want Rangers-Newco money too much to object. Don’t even count on Newco being subject to the penalties discussed at yesterday’s meeting.
A CQN’er is raising funds for the Wellburn Care Home in Dundee. Run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, Welburn offers incredible residential support for those in need in the Dundee area. It is only a viable concern through the dedication of the sisters and volunteers and fundraising initiatives such as sales of work, coffee mornings etc.
You can support their work by bidding for a Celtic top signed by the first team squad at this eBay auction. Your help is greatly appreciated.
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sparkleghirl on 1 May, 2012 at 21:33 said:
Don’t see why not?
In fact our Under 19s would make a great addition the SFL. :)))
Eric
On every previous occasion where the SFL has had a vacancy there has been an application process. All who applied eere assessed against a minimum standard and then a vote of clubs decided who got in.
Why would the process by any different in future?
jackie mac
Celtic should trace that clown and ban him for life!!
It seems this is going to be one of those situations where the vacancy isn’t ‘advertised’. If oldco morphs into newco on 11th May, it will just be sneakily slipped in as though nothing had happened. This can’t possibly be right, there MUST be a rule against it.
Home
Rangers are welcome to apply for Division Three.. but will have to join Spartans & Cove Rangers in the queue, says SFL chief
Apr 26 2012 By Scott McDermott
Generic image of Ibrox gates
LAST time David Longmuir had to welcome a new club into the SFL it involved checking out the credentials of Cove Rangers.
Now, just four years on, he’s faced with the prospect of visiting Ibrox and weighing up what Glasgow Rangers have to offer.
Ally McCoist admitted for the first time on Tuesday he could now be in favour of the SPL giants dropping down to the Third Division.
Whether his crisis-hit club emerge from administration – or suffer liquidation –the Ibrox gaffer sees it as a viable option following the heavy sanctions imposed on them by the SFA this week. Longmuir doesn’t want to get too excited about the possibility of Rangers applying to join the SFL.
But the chief executive can’t help wonder what it would be like to have to evaluate their UEFA five-star stadium, instead of Cove’s tiny Allan Park.
In 2008 when Gretna went bust the SFL needed a new member, with eventual victors Annan beating competition from Preston Athletic, Spartans and Cove for the vacant spot.
And Longmuir told Gers fans last night that if their club – irrespective of status and history – apply for membership, they’ll go through the same process as any outfit in the country.
He told Record Sport: “If Rangers or anyone else applied for entry into the SFL they would have to go through the same process as Annan, Spartans FC, Preston Athletic and Cove Rangers did four years ago.
“They would have to put a proposal to us on why they should be allowed in and then hope they were voted in by the SFL clubs.
“At the moment it’s difficult for me to comment on Rangers’ situation. But anything that brought excitement and freshness to the SFL would be something I’m interested in.
“It would be the same process, given any set of circumstances. When Annan were welcomed in the process took a couple of months during the close season. In the past we’ve had to assess the likes of Annan, Cove and Prestononthe basis of ground criteria, facilities and financial stability.
“So checks have to be done, which would obviously be a bit different if Rangers were involved.
“However, at the moment there is no vacancy in the SFL. Rangers are in administration, which is a situation other clubs have found themselves in and survived.
“The same could happen to Rangers. As a Scottish football supporter, I hope they do.”
Longmuir is well aware of the financial benefits a newco Rangers could bring to the SFL should they apply for entry on the back of liquidation.
And while he’s reluctant to offer an open invitation to the Ibrox club he did assure their fans it IS possible to one day start again in the lower echelons of Scottish football.
Longmuir said: “Currently, the SFL don’t have a vacancy. The issue Rangers are facing is an SPL matter because they’re a top-flight club.
“If things change we would follow a tried and tested process, which we’ve always done.
“If a vacancy arose in the SFL, for whatever reason, we would open up an application process for clubs. We did the same when Gretna went into liquidation.
“A vacancy was opened up in the Third Division and we went through an application process, which allowed a new club to join.
“The 29 member clubs of the SFL would be asked to vote on who they wished to bring in to the Third Division.
“It’s based on a lot of criteria and the last time it was Annan Athletic who were successful.
“So of course it is possible for Rangers to play in the Third Division. They only need to look at recent history to see how the process works.
“I know there has been a lot of talk about this but Rangers are still an SPL club. I believe the SPL and SFA still have a role to play in their survival.”
The main beneficiaries of Gretna’s liquidation in 2008 were Annan, whose proposal was accepted by the SFL, and the club are now thriving in the Third Division.
Galabank boss Harry Cairney accepts if Ally McCoist’s side did drop down the leagues it would be near impossible for rival teams to challenge for the title.
But he also believes the novelty of Rangers in the bottom tier of Scottish football –as well as ensuring bumper gates for the minnows– couldbea good thing for the game.
Cairney said: “Rangers in the Third Division would limit the chances of a club like Annan winning the championship. But financially it would guarantee us two great home gates. That would be a big plus for our budget.
“No one has really viewed the possibility of Rangers being in the SFL but I can see the logic and merit in it for them. It would make senseona lot of levels.
“I just wonder how their fans would cope with seeing their team, which has such a grand history, experiencing this level of football.
“I think the SPL would want to keep Rangers in the top flight but after the penalties dished out by the SFA this week maybe the club is thinking it’s the way forward to drop down.
“Because of the penalties imposed on them, Rangers aren’t going to win the SPL in the next two or three seasons so why not join the Third Division?
“They would have to apply, of course, so would they get in? The Third Division chairmen would have to vote on it in the same way we were accepted into the SFL.”
If Donkey has his way, thems will be in SPL next season. I can’t see it, but if they are, it will be without European football, with potentially a penalty clause, paying off debts,Ticketus owning forthcoming season-ticket cash and with the prospect right now of having to make savings of ten million pounds a season (their current loss profile I understand).
As Alext T has said, it needs a sheikh or an oligarch to then have multi-million pound investment in the team. Any noises off about a preferred bidder sounds grand for them I’m sure but in my view, it sure as heck ain’t sustainable without European football and the amount of natural cost-sutting required. Newco or not, SPL or Division 3, they have troubles for some time to come.
Moonbeams WD. Kano \o/ Neil Celtic FC. We are the Champions. Ignore the WARTS. on 1 May, 2012 at 21:35 said:
HT
Just of the blower to Roccobhoy who asked me the very same question.
I didn’t want to stipulate my expectations for the PLC but I suppose that would be bit like keeping my powder dry while watching the PLC keep their powder dry while all the while Rangers are leap frogged back into the SPL.
So here goes. (I’ll predicate this by saying Celtic may well have something else in mind that will demonstrate to me that they are acting with integrity and not being compliant).
1. Publically appeal to and lodged an official request to leave the SPL with both their backing and their help to find a league to a compadre us.
and/or
2. Take both the SPL & SFA to court for lost income over the last 12 to however many years they can prove the Huns cheated. That will include lost Champions league money for the year/s Rangers qualified directly into Champions League or Europa Cup as well as income we would have gained from any other 1st qualifier we would have taken part in.
and/or
3. Refuse to recognise and play Newco.
———————————————————————————-
Fair play because you’ve actually thought this through and have formulated your own ideas on how Celtic could or should deal with the eventuality of newco. If you don’t mind I’ll deal with each point seperately, not because I don’t agree, but because I need clarity for myself.
1) Who would we apply to and what obligation do they have to help and support us in finding a new league to play in?
2) I may be inaccurate here but my understanding is that Celtic, as a club, would be prohibited from taking legal action in such circumstances. Supporters and shareholders are a different matter.
3) If newco is accepted into the SPL and we refused to partake in matches against them then I believe that Celtic would be the subject of severe sanctions and possibly disqualification from the competition/tournament in which the game is taking place.
Bloke109:
Is that the guy who had the tall bearskin cap on his head? I thought it was one of the Queens guards protecting Lenny…
Bloke109 is Neil Lennon on 1 May, 2012 at 21:40 said:
I don’t think you’ve no sense of humour, I’ve seen your posts ;))
And I understand you’re defending a guy thats probably been gettin it a bit thick, and unfairly.
But… I’m one of the guilty folk. If he’s done that much for Celtic, then he has my respect. But, hopefully he’ll be able to take a bit of a laugh as well. You can’t blame folk for pickin up on what was a quite magnificent, and high suspicious looking, errr… barnet.
I mean… what did you think when you saw it at first?
Juvenile, aye… but no harm surely.
Bloke109 is Neil Lennon, don’t pull the rug from under some folks fun.
wonkyradar
Boom boom. Yes.
JimmyQuinnsBits on 1 May, 2012 at 20:58 said:
Hi bud, I think you’re right on the board. They must be aware of the views of the support, if not they had their eyes closed on Sunday.
We’re told the other spl clubs cannot afford to lose the revenue that the rangers support give them through the turnstiles. If they force a Newco on us can they afford the loss of Celtic supporters through their turnstiles?
Those that run our game better start listening, it’s about sporting integrity or our game is dead. Scorched earth be their plan I fear.
Bloke 109
Is the guy from liverpool
Calm Down Calm Down
Point 1 above should read ‘publically appeal to UEFA’.
And I expect any 2 of my expectations to apply.
MWD
Bloke109
Very well said in my opinion, should be consigned to the bin now, not funny anymore.
Hail Hail to that sartorially elegant, elan Celtic fan.
HH
Mullet – very good – I actually laughed :-) My kinda humour.
JimmyQuinn’s – ach I know, and it is banter for sure. I’m sure he’s fine about it all. Just prob over-reacted after being told about him.
MWD
says
3. Refuse to recognise and play Newco.
I think the board may go for your option three and it is one I would seriously like as it puts the ball right back in their court at great speed, hits the base line and takes a bad bounce and right out the court. Or right in to court.
i have no idea who the guy is…
but he had a seat mighty close to neil lennon which would seem to suggest he must be pretty cosy in the corridors of authority down kerrydale street…
probably not the best time to hack him off, when we might need to come out all guns blazing shortly.
SOAL
He is from Liverpool but now stays in dat Loondon.
Bloke……….
As usual an excellent contribution from your intelligent, good-natured self.
I take my hat off to ye!
HH
bourne
Cheers.
Is it BT main mhan
Terry Mcdermott
say newco or oldco are alive and well and playing in the spl next season, and the board have been seen to do very little against this – what happens then?
FCUM route?
Morarbhoy on 1 May, 2012 at 21:40 said:
I was fortunate enough to meet Fergus and shook his hand..
“Fergus, I was proud of you the day you arrived, I was proud of you every minute you were with us, and I was proud of you the day you left”
Fergus’ reply “Thank you” ……and a wee smile…… A GREAT CELT, ONE OF OUR OWN
bhoyfromcroy on 1 May, 2012 at 21:52 said:
hi spud… how was your walk?
(if that disnae get you called out as a hun, nothin will ;)))
Bloke 109
I know who the guy is
Take Care
I agree with hamiltontim.
If the other clubs vote Rangers back in then a fans boycott of all away games could be considered but would probably fail.
Supporters groups from Celtic and other SPL clubs could take legal action,expect this to take years and lots of money.
UEFA won’t consider any club leaving one league for another as this could open the rest of Europe up to similar requests.
Any refusal to play newco would only backfire on us.
SOAL
Is my info bascially right though?
Bloke109, fair do’s for pointing it out… the joke’s old now anyway
sparkleghirl on 1 May, 2012 at 21:37 said:
sparkleghirl on 1 May, 2012 at 21:33 said:
Sorry, confused. All this SFL/SPL thing making my head spin.
My Question still goes. Given that there will be a vacancy in the SPL when oldco dies, why can’t someone else apply for it?
***
There was a news story a few weeks ago that Dundee had applied for the SPL. They said it was in case there was league reconstruction, but they would obviously have been invited anyway in that case.
Mmm.
Bloke109
Yes
Night Night
JimmyQuinnsBits on 1 May, 2012 at 21:57 said:
Aye, good. Took about 6 hours, howlin gale on the top. Not even a pint at the end. :-(
iBhoy on 1 May, 2012 at 22:00 said:
Thanks. Don’t know whether I just didn’t see that in the first place or whether I’d forgotten. I have forgotten lots of things in the last 11 long weeks.
bhoyfromcroy on 1 May, 2012 at 22:01 said:
Thats your wee short legs for you though… wis it 400 or 500 metres?
;)))
Three years of accounts?
Is that not the requirement of any club to enter any league in Scotland?
Where is the last one?
Liverpool beaten again at home
If KD doesn’t win the FA cup he’ll get the sack
Just about the worst league firm in the EPL
Sorry I meant to say when was the last one?
Fair play because you’ve actually thought this through and have formulated your own ideas on how Celtic could or should deal with the eventuality of newco. If you don’t mind I’ll deal with each point seperately, not because I don’t agree, but because I need clarity for myself.
1) Who would we apply to and what obligation do they have to help and support us in finding a new league to play in?
2) I may be inaccurate here but my understanding is that Celtic, as a club, would be prohibited from taking legal action in such circumstances. Supporters and shareholders are a different matter.
3) If newco is accepted into the SPL and we refused to partake in matches against them then I believe that Celtic would be the subject of severe sanctions and possibly disqualification from the competition/tournament in which the game is taking place.
——————
1. UEFA. They have no obligation to act. But that should not see us not make that request. Let’s face it. If they fail to act on our behalf with regards Scottish footballs cheating and flouting of UEFA’s FFP’s do you think Europes major clubs will not take notice. Man City will laugh their FFP rules out the park. The big boys from the big leagues and little leagues across Europe (Switzerland for example) will be taking not.
2. If UEFA do not back is then our next option sees us take legal action to recoup lost income. So what do UEFA do? Ban Scottish National team and Clubs playing in their competitions. I believe this could potentially be another Bosman type situation. Take it through the European courts and tie Scottish and European football up for years to come. I wouldn’t be losing any sleep.
3. So they are going to throw us out the league and cut throw out their SKY deal and sponsorships. Good luck to them with that.
MWD