Achieving a common purpose among enough people at time of national crisis has been a centuries old problem in the land of my birth.
In Scotland’s heroic age auld Alba always had a fighting chance of repelling an invader if enough guys turned up for the big show.
Gathering the clans was a vital process.
A suitably Machiavellian foreigner might seek to indulge in a wee bit o divide et imperia.
Buying off a clan chief or two was always a good move.
When that didn’t happen and the dressing room was as one then fair Caledonia could cause a few medieval cup upsets.
As I write this I have just learned that the Perth men have joined in what is starting to seem like a Scottish spring on Planet Fitba.
Six weeks ago it seemed a done deal ion the corridors of power that FC New Co would be allowed straight back into the SPL.
The men in the big leather chairs at Hampden even peddled the risible notion that the NewCo wasn’t a new club.
Yesterday I spoke with a couple of Inverness Caledonian Thistle fellas.
They wanted to remain anonymous, but they assured me that their guys were in rebellious mood and wouldn’t tolerate their clan chief taking the king’s shilling on this one.
The immortal Jock Stein knew that “football without fans is nothing”.
The people who run the national game in Scotland forgot that central reality.
I hope that the rebellion spread to the fans of SFL1 clubs.
Those clubs are more reliant on their paying customers as there is no TV deal.
Moreover the smaller numbers of fans means that people in the boardrooms at Falkirk and Hamilton actually know their supporters.
The only morally defensible choice is Division 3 for the New Club that wants to play at Ibrox.
This is not an extraordinary punishment it is just the rules.
The rebellion started because a parcel of rogues wanted to subvert basic fairness.
This pissing around means that Dundee and Dunfermline still don’t know if they are “Club 12”.
It almost certainly won’t be the new club playing out of Ibrox.
The people in power could have avoided all of this had they simply applied with rules without fear or favour.
Another perennial problem for Scottish kings was the “over mighty subject”.
Rangers (1872-2012) wielded influence in the national game that went beyond their success on the field.
Even in death the people ostensibly in charge of Scottish football seek to give their baying fan base, in denial over their loss, preferential treatment.
The solution to this problem is simple; the new club starts in Division 3.
Now, as is often the case with the rebellions, the top guy has left the country.
What kind of national game will Mr Regan come home to?
Hopefully one where then ordinary people have a greater sense of their own power.
BikerGerry
Phil mistake corrected I meant of course SFA/SPL not the SFL
June 28, 2012 at 4:52 pm
BikerGerry
Phil, from my post yesterday:
“The newco attempting to rise from the ashes of RFC must not be give special treatment by any of the ruling bodies or the game we love will wither and die. This has nothing to do with getting at the now defunct RFC or their fans, regardless of how they are seen by many of the fans of other clubs. The integrity of the game is, as has been stated by many people over recent months, paramount. Without that the game in Scotland becomes a sham run to suit a particular preferred outcome every season. That outcome being, of course, a close(?) fought league where the successors of RFC win again.”
I would seem that its not just the MSM who wish to run (ruin) our game in Scotland for the sole benefit of one club even if they don’t know what the club will be called. The newco barely have enough players to manage a 5 – a – side game in training and don’t appear to have enough money even to hire the bus for away games. I can only conclude that the SFA/SFL have completely lost their reason.
To Regan and Doncaster: what is you don’t understand about the rules applying to all clubs even those that don’t actually exist yet?
June 28, 2012 at 4:29 pm
john kerr
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL COMEDY SKETCH FROM KILLER J.I CAN SEE MONTY PYTHON REFORMING TO TO TOUR WITH THIS
June 28, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Neil
Phil,
Looks like the SPL Chairmen have taken the 30 pieces of silver. Lost for words really! might just be time for Celtic fans to finacially punish others?
KTF……challenging just now though
June 28, 2012 at 2:16 pm
cmh64
Phil: If there is any truth in press reports re Div1 this morning, then perhaps you need to have another chat with your man in Nyon.
June 28, 2012 at 1:29 pm
GerryGee
Breaking News on BBC Scotland Sport:
“ Plans for Gers Newco in Div 1”
The powers that be in Scottish football tried in vain to bully the SPL teams into accepting the rangers corpse into the SPL next season. The voice of Scottish fans re this proposal forced the chairmen to go down the ‘integrity’ route and reject the proposal. So now these same powers that be are trying to have the corpse resurrected in the second tier for next season, agreement to which, I understand, must be given by the member clubs. I may be wrong but I believe already there are four clubs come out publicly to insist that if a new club submits an application to join SFL and are accepted, they should start in div 3. I have not heard of any other club making sounds of approval in favour of a 1st div start. I again may be wrong but I think I read somewhere that any changes that they propose needs 22 of the 29 clubs to approve. It seems therefore that it would be unlikely to get that majority.
If a new company gets a license to enter SFL, and such club can successfully pass the criteria required for this, then surely the fans of the lower divisions will also demand that their chairmen display the same ‘integrity’ as the SPL chairmen and insist that any new team starts at the bottom. Fan power hopefully will win in the end.
June 28, 2012 at 12:29 pm
JimBhoy
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18625293
This would show sfa/spl/sfl to be as corrupt as the organisation they are favouring with this move.. An organisation who have no current registration, players walking, fans rallying against them, no stabilty, more questions than answers. Where the SFL president has come out and said they cannot be accommodated in sfl1…. When whatever the name of this organiation die a death before Xmas I hope the SFA/SPL leaders have answers… Pitchforks and torches…!
June 28, 2012 at 12:03 pm
jimbo
they sang the billy boys all night with no intervention whats so ever ,and jardine will not b happy till someone gets seriously hurt ,his wrecklesness knows no bounds
June 28, 2012 at 11:44 am
Zippididoodaa
Hi Phil, here’s a link to Bomber Brown at Ibrokes.
Comedy gold I tells ya…comedy gold.
June 28, 2012 at 5:23 am
Greenbear1948
Have I missed out on something? Whatever they are called this weather would “The Rangers” / “Servo 5088″ whatever! please stop being disingenuous to the lower league teams saying “We will go to the third division and screw you all”.
I’m sorry but even the 3rd Division don’t want a toxic rent a mob costing a fortune to police anywhere near their league or sleepy little towns.
Please just go away and return when you have learned the meaning of humility and contrition.
Do us ALL A FAVOUR……just GO AWAY.
June 28, 2012 at 12:34 am
Greenbear1948
Have I missed out on something? Whatever they are called this weather would “The Rangers” / “Servo 5088″ whatever! please stop being disingenuous to the lower league teams saying “We will go to the third division and screw you all”.
I’m sorry but even the 3rd Division don’t want a toxic rent a mob costing a fortune to police anywhere near their league or sleepy littler towns.
Please just go away and return when you have learned the meaning of humility and contrition.
Do us ALL A FAVOUR……just GO AWAY.
June 28, 2012 at 12:33 am
JimBhoy
Apparently John Brown does walking away…. This is the most farcical of all, JB says plenty of money behind him unlike the last time he only had 2 guys one a Celtic fan. so fans should put all their money in a bank account and take over Rangers…. This is like a fekin primary school plan to buy a company surely he must have better.. How come there is always an investor from Singapore, is it the same Celtic fan taking the p!ss!
I should take over Rangers with this radical thought… How about ALL those who have wanted to throw money in and All the big Rangers guys put their fekin money together and buy the assets off Green, £13-14m should do it, surely the richest man in Scotland and all the others with wealth off the radar could throw in a months pocket money to get it back off the generous (lol) Rangers support when they float the club to ra peepul…
Radical thought indeed or were they all just in it for the 15 mins of fame and a carve up..?
We all knew the toxic club was fekd, CVA’s were a joke, i cannot believe those running the club were so remiss of SPL/SFA rules and TUPE rules that they did not know of the most likely outcome.. Joke from start to finish, end game probably now engaged… Globetrotter FC.
June 27, 2012 at 11:55 pm
James A Barr
Why should the Newco (If there is one) automatically go into Div 3? Should they not simply apply like any other contender then accept the result?
June 27, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Allan Kirkwood
Just reading Jandy sardine’s comments on BBC sports page, talking about greed and players using the situation to their advantage. What hypocritical cant. They just don’t get it. their club has cheated every single person in this country, through non payment of taxes. They have cheated their own employees through non payment of NI. Their beloved queen, soldiers and flag have been robbed blind by them and yet when someone else follows the example they set, they they are lambasted. When will they get the message? We do not like cheats and robbers, and until they apologise and are seen to be punished then they should not be allowed into any part of the sport. Are these people living in a parallel universe? Good riddance and I hope every club rejects them.
June 27, 2012 at 9:04 pm
SamBrowneBelt
Tip of the bunnet to Turnbull Hutton; summed it up perfectly.
June 27, 2012 at 6:26 pm
withnail1
Rangers…Goodbye and God speed.
June 27, 2012 at 5:28 pm
KillerJ
Breaking News!!!!!
The Queen and Martin McGuiness shook hands to day in front of TV cameras.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18607911
This historic moment of reconciliation in Ireland was planned for months and the advance talks between the Sinn Fein politician and the Queen are summarised below:
Queen ‘ Would you be willing to shake hands in front of cameras to draw a line under past disputes and demonstrate a democratic, non militarised Northern Ireland ?’
Martin ‘That’s a touchy-subject Mam, it will be a tough sell to hardliners’
Queen ‘Is there anything I can do to assist with the sell of this proposition to the hardliners?’
Martin ‘ Let’s think………………………………….well there is one thing, there is a racist, bigoted organisation (pretending to be a football club) in the West of Scotland. You known them they owe you approx £100million in tax (they are appealing despite being found guilty twice).’
Queen ‘ Oh yes our Scottish lapdogs, they are an embarrassment in Europe and they caused more damage to Manchester than the IRA’
Martin ‘ Hahahahahaha classic Mam, Yes I know they are backwards, If you force HMRC to liquidate and kill the club I could shake your hand’
Queen ‘That’s a deal Martin see you soon’
After the CVA was rejected at Ipox and the formation of a NewCo. Some people believed that Rangers 1872 had been saved.
The final rounds of discussions before the queens visit are summarised below.
Queen ‘We still good for this hand shake next week?’
Martin ‘ Don’t know, folk are saying Rangers are saved!’
Queen ‘Ridiculous I read some stupid statements referring to this in the Daily Ranger the other day. Look why do you think they are banned from Europe for 3 years?’
Martin ‘ Was it punishment for 15 years of double contracts?’
Queen ‘No, no that’s still to come! it’s pretty simple Martin a club must exist for 3 years before being allowed to enter European competition. Rangers have not existed for 3 years they have no history the Rangers 1872 are dead. I mean some of these grown men (alleged football fans) plan on behaving like Greyfriairs Bobby and will continue to visit their dead masters grave going forward. Pathetic individuals need to get a life’
Martin ‘ Great I’ll let everyone know that Rangers are not in Europe because they haven’t existed for 3 years. This is a UEFA rule and not a punishment as described by the ‘succulent lamb’ journos in Scotland’
Queen ‘ We’ll probably have so much more to laugh about concerning Rangers when we meet, they are the best comedy show in town!!’
Martin ‘Indeed Mam, they were a joke, then they died now they are an embarrassment!’
I would have shaken the queens hand as well for liquidating Rangers!!!!!
June 27, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Neil
Ally McCoist tinkering with the idea of a new 1-3-2 formation for next year
June 27, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Jim Wood
Brilliant!
June 27, 2012 at 6:19 pm
JimBhoy
Bomber Brown back in to flex his muscles with fans backing and his huge business experience and acumen.. Apparently he met Green on Friday and didn’t like what he heard… Maybe some speculation as to who owns the assets, is Craigy Whyte, Craigy Craigy Whyte gonna make a late show.. The carnival goes on…
SFA/SPL way too quiet albeit my gut telling me they are waiting for Sevco* to implode before they come out with their usual tardy response, in a kind of ‘It wisnae us’ g(j)esture..
10 players now ‘do walking away!’, wonder how long it’s gona take talisman Ally (again V quiet) to vacate the presidio.
I think we could see another administration in july… What’s the betting the player’s wages don’t get paid for june?
June 27, 2012 at 1:13 pm
BikerGerry
Phil,
Having listened to the Daily Record podcast yesterday I am reminded of the programme made by Jim Traynor for the BBC earlier this year. This was I believe an attempt to get to the root of the problems of the game in Scotland and find a way to move the game forward. He must have know what the situation was at RFC at that time if his claims on the podcast are correct. Would that not have been the biggest problem? I.e. a club cheating on taxes and NIC and (allegedly) cheating the other clubs in the SPL and European. During the debate in the second part of the programme it became very clear to me that he believed the fans views on the future of the game were an irrelevance. That was something that he repeated yesterday in his ramblings on the podcast. He seems to think that as a “keyboard clatterer” I am just a 14 year old sitting in my bedroom with nothing better to do with my time than bash away at a computer. When I look in the mirror on the morning I see someone rather older than 14 who has been following Celtic since the mid fifties.
My recollection of the programme is that the only club representatives who spoke up for the fans were Stephen Pressley of Falkirk and Rob Petrie of Hibs. They were both shouted down by Jim Traynor for daring to consider the fans to be of any importance in the debate. What could football fans possibly know or understand about finances and balance sheets. He clearly thinks that Scottish football fans are all barely (bearly) literate unwashed masses who need to rely on the Daily Record to explain things to us in simple terms that we might understand. Those representing fans association were there, I assume, to make up the numbers and were not allowed/expected to have to contribute much to the proceedings.
I also remember Jock Stein’s view on television’s (potential at the time) influence on football, If he had had his way no TV camera would ever have been allowed inside Parkhead because he believed that TV would ruin the game. How right he was. We have now reached a point where Jim Traynor and his ilk believe that football, far from being run to suit the fans like me who buy season tickets and actually go to games, it should be run to suit the TV companies hence the clamour to shoehorn Sevco into any senior league who will accept them.
I am old fashioned enough to think that football should be played at 3 o’clock on a Saturday afternoon and not at some ridiculous time on a Sunday to accommodate TV schedules timed around a league in another country. Football traditionally was played on Saturday afternoon to suit the fans like my Dad who, when I started going to watch Celtic, had to work on a Saturday mornings as part their normal working week and went to church on Sundays, so when else could the games be played? I believe attendances would improve if games were always played at 3 o’clock on Saturday.
Most clubs in Scotland rarely, if ever, see any income from TV companies. Sometimes they are fortunate enough to get a cup tie where the potential for an upset brings the media flocking but mostly the biggest mention they get is a 30 second report when the results are coming in on the radio. These clubs rely on real fans and mostly local sponsorship for their income and without the fans these clubs would die. European football is the pinnacle for a select few clubs but for most it is a dream rarely achieved. Should we sacrifice out domestic game for this dream? I don’t think so much as I like to see Celtic playing in Europe, without the domestic football there is nothing. Will the TV companies desert Scottish football? Not when there is money to be made in advertising revenue.
When considering the position of the soon to be liquidated RFC all clubs in all senior leagues must listen to what their fans are telling them. The message from the fans is loud and clear and that is that the game that we all love is so much more important than one club no matter which club that is. The punishment for clubs who failed in the past have been severe and rightly so given that their problems were often caused by living beyond their means to the detriment of the clubs they were competing with. The precedents are there, the rules are there to be adhered to by EVERY club and any club who breaks them must be treated in the same way. RFC finished second in the SPL last season by fielding players they bought knowing they could not pay for them. They sold on one of those players to delay the inevitable administration and STILL haven’t paid for him. The newco want to be admitted to the SPL or SFL next season with at least one player they haven’t paid for and are surprised that Hearts have a problem with this. The SFA, SPL, and SFL must apply the rules without fear or favour.
The newco attempting to rise from the ashes of RFC must not be give special treatment by any of the ruling bodies or the game we love will wither and die. This has nothing to do with getting at the now defunct RFC or their fans, regardless of how they are seen by many of the fans of other clubs. The integrity of the game is, as has been stated by many people over recent months, paramount. Without that the game in Scotland becomes a sham run to suit a particular preferred outcome every season. That outcome being, of course, a close fought league where the successors of RFC win again.
The message for Jim Traynor and the MSM is that we, the keyboard clatterers, are the ones who understand our game best, and make no mistake about this, it is OUR game. I don’t read his newspaper I prefer my fiction from books. Regardless of how loud he thinks his voice is without us there is no game and therefore no need for him. Ignore us at your peril!
June 27, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Neil
totally agree mate!
in a nut shell Traynor is a yanker…
June 27, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Tallybhoy
Would somebody correct me if I am wrong, but with the demise of RFC is there not now a vacancy for a club in the SFL?
If this is indeed the case what is to stop Celtic FC applying for the vacancy to be filled by a Celtic B side, made up mostly of under 21 players? Home matches could be played at Barrowfield.
HH!!
June 27, 2012 at 1:04 pm
jimCB
Celtic and Rangers have been the two biggest fish in the pond since anyone can remember. Not always the best teams; I can remember a great Hibs, a great Dundee United and of course the Fergie inspired Aberdeen.Dunfermline were a great team when Stein took Celtic to their first trophy 3-2 in the cup.In the Stein years Celtic were simply awesome. Rangers even won the cup winners cup after they qualified for europe as losing finalists- against the Celts. Okay since those halcyon days after a period where all decent scottish players ended up in the east or the south side of Glasgow thus assuring dominance – money doesnt talk it swears (Dylan) its been 2 way traffic. Murrays euro dream also forced Celtic into higher ansd higher spending to keep up.Dermot Desmond thankfully decided enough was enough after the Bunnet had saved the day.Were now in one way traffic for a time at least. For other teams that doesnt make that much difference same ol shit except for the games against the lately deceased. So scottish football will survive like Greece will by tightening the belt and bringing in less foreign players – or more if they want paid less the the scots – its a free market. It would be good to have a financial analysis just what this is all going to mean and not by the tabloids.I’m sure the calculations are being done. The meltdown is going to be leaving lots more casualties before its over but Ive a feeling they’ll be mostly from the ex regime.
June 27, 2012 at 12:47 pm
SamBrowneBelt
Shirt sponsor? How about Co-op Funeral Services?
June 27, 2012 at 12:22 am
JimBhoy
Do newco/sevco whatever have a shirt sponsor…. New company etc. If Tennenets want to be associated with that then the Celts should give them their money back…
June 27, 2012 at 12:04 am
footballisfun
Put simply Phil. Agreed!
June 27, 2012 at 12:00 am
beeegajay
Revealed – Chuck’s masterplan to corner the Scottish 5-a-side market with his state of the art facilities. One stumbling block seems to be getting the 5 guys to make up his 5 Star All Star dream team.
HH
& Up the Revolution
June 26, 2012 at 11:33 pm
Ryan O'Neill
Hi Phil, have you heard anything about a. Explosive story breaking tomorrow?
June 26, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Simon
Yeh, Charles Green sh__s himself!
June 26, 2012 at 10:03 pm
stephen mc graw
hi ryan….explosive news….liquidation senario no2…lol
hail hail UTLR
June 27, 2012 at 12:33 am
stephen mc graw
News just breaking is that Southampton have replaced sevco with Anderlecht in their pre-season tournament. Thias an impact on the likelyhood of Davis and Naismith both moving on freedom of contract to Southampton.
e/scotland/4394911/Saints-want-Naismith-as-other-players-eye-etml#ixzz1ywiqWGZ
June 27, 2012 at 12:49 am
francis o'donnell
good one phil
June 26, 2012 at 6:40 pm
jimCB
Couldn’t agree more Patrick.
June 26, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Dal
Awful to hear the sycophants wailing about demise of RFC today. Keevins, Traynor et al just can’t accept that Attila’s institution are finito.
They even got all nostalgic about the past SFA hierarchy. The same specimens who allowed Celts to stand in the rain at Hampden during Old Firm encounters for decades. Same people who did nothing to oppose RFCs racist ideology.
Traynor, RFC and SFA…there is no distinction between them.
June 26, 2012 at 6:13 pm
jimCB
couldnt agree more Patrick.Their powers are waning though and if they don’t like it now there’s more of the same shit coming their way….only harder!
June 26, 2012 at 5:03 pm
jimk47
Now that newco are certainly off to pastures new, I think wwe should turn our attention to the two outstanding issues of the ibrox debacle:
1) the use of side letters by the deceased and the fate of any titles and trophies won by them during the period that such devices were employed.
2) The selling off of the assets of RFC for a risable sum that would seem, to say the least, to be a tad dodgy.
I hope that these matters will be thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities and appropriate action taken.
June 26, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Patrick McDaid
Hi Phil, I wrote this in my frustration and anger at irresponsible newspaper reporting but could not figure out who to send it to- sending it to the Sunday Mail would be a waste of time. I read your comments daily and noticed that your latest offering talked about the “Scottish Spring”. And I agree whole heartedly that it is the power of fans and the “Internet bam pots” who have created this revolution almost against mainstream media position.
“You have to hand it to our tabloids in still pandering to their Rangers readership even if it further endangers players.
The Sunday Mail football articles never cease to amaze me, especially the article by Mark Guidi on this week’s paper. The headline screams out at its readers.
“THESE GUYS ARE CHEATING THE CLUB ” – a headline that can only inflame feelings of betrayal. This headline is there despite a player receiving death threats for daring to state that he wants to leave the club. This merely helps these nutters further aim the gun at the heads of players.
It would be utterly disingenuous for the reporter to claim that he was merely quoting the manager’s comments.
We all know that the positioning of information creates tone and implies stance.
The rest of the two page article outlines the comments by Ally McCoist – he “raged”; “they should be honest with the supporters”; “the supporters should deserve better”; “there are agents touting my players all over the UK..”.
The article also comments that it looks like” there will be a long drawn out battle between the club and the players – and Green is not for backing down.”
This is despite their statement at the end of the article that the reporter had consulted employment experts who said that Green was wrong in his stance.
What makes this article even more astonishing is that they continue with this quoting of poor deluded Ally , despite pointing out that the 19 year old youngster Rys McCabe has received death threats .
We know and they know that there are a hard core of dangerous football fanatics who sometimes don’t make idle threats – witness those who have been recently jailed for sending letter bombs to Neil Lennon.
Yet they persist in making headlines about ” cheating the club”.
It is utter irresponsibility.
Are they spending so much time on such a slant that they are trying to convince players that this is what will happen to you if you dare leave Rangers?
It is only in the last few paragraphs that you realise that the writer does know about TUPE regulations regarding employees’ rights.
Yet he writes an article where the headline is focusing on the words “cheating the club”,where the balance ( about three quarters) is about Ally’s angst at players letting the club down.
It is the most blatant example of irresponsible reporting I have recently seen.
The story should have focused on criticising those who threaten individuals not just stating this fact with no comment.
The same paper has further articles criticising Peter Lawwell – ” LAWWELL FLAW- and his flaw – he has not uttered a word on the subject of Rangers and the newco issue! According to Waddell, he has “let all the other clubs take the brick bats”.
Hugh Keevins continues the onslaught on the Celtic chief executive stating that there is a “clamour from his own fans to KO Gers” and Peter should “saddle up” and go into the “Not OK corral”.
There is no clamour Peter. You are playing a blinder. Their frustration at not being able to create an onslaught against Celtic for not backing Rangers is tangible.
This clamour against Rangers newco comes from the fans via the Internet. They are organising all supporters and communicating through this medium almost in opposition to the pro Rangers mainstream media.
It is the equivalent of our” Arab Spring” in Scottish Football. Opposition or leadership is coming from the ordinary fan. Increasingly they see the SFA or SFL as lacking integrity, trying to alter existing rules to accommodate a club who,unlike their own, did not operate under the same legitimate financial constraints.
This rebellion is fan led and importantly comes from across the spectrum of all Scottish clubs – not Celtic led.” patmac
June 26, 2012 at 3:05 pm
tom dolan
Srry Phil,can I say “hunnish hordes”
June 26, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
I think you just did :0)
June 26, 2012 at 2:47 pm
tom dolan
Fair comment Sambroon,I did sort of think that,but I only remember negativity from the Hunnish hordes in 1994.
June 26, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Ethan
As a Rangers fan, I hope that (I’ll humour you all and not refer to the club as ‘Rangers’) Sevco wrangle a way into the English football pyramid.
Interesting to see that Celtic has stayed quiet on the newco vote, none of you guys feel aggrieved by that?
June 26, 2012 at 11:59 am
PaulMc
You’re not humouring us by not referring to Sevco with the old company’s name. It is factually correct, and had you done otherwise you would have been kidding yourself on.
As to Celtic keeping quiet, why would we feel aggrieved? Better that they aren’t being seen to be kicking the corpse of the oldco and thereby stirring up some of the more excitable elements among those who supported them. They do tend to “overreact” at any perceived slight, real or imagined.
June 26, 2012 at 2:45 pm
jimCB
Celtic have done the right thing in keeping out of the furore. The powers at Parkhead have known for sometime that their ex rivals were in free fall. Rangers have no one to blame but themselves. Couldnt be sweeter. Yes the league will be less competitive next season but it’ll be interesting none the less. Chance for Celtic to play more exciting attacking football and remember we lost two finals so its not a case of just turning up for the win.Getting into europe is a huge task nowadays so fingers crossed for that. Celtic have to be thinking about a ‘tainted treble ‘. I’ll take that.Be prepared for the other teams wanting a bigger piece of the pie though.We can’t have it both ways.Lets hope it signals a return to home grown talent and some good new young players coming through at all levels in the league.
June 26, 2012 at 10:54 am
Henrik
Always said (from Chic G’s acquisition) that this was a ‘bricks & mortar’ gig. No reason for him to even bother with football….I mean, why would you, if you get £100m of assets for £5.5m? Soccer is the last thing on that boy’s mind.
Can’t see old Rangers, new Rangers or ANY Rangers playing at all next season. Sit on the assets, come back in a wee while and the profit is made. Sarah Beeny is chief advisor, methinks….
June 26, 2012 at 2:08 am
Scaramanga
The author of this article should be ashamed…coming from someone from that part of the world who’s family were affected by the highland clearances….look up lord sutherland, ignorant but balanced by a huge chip. The comments are generally laughable, learn your history (to the scots).
June 26, 2012 at 12:24 am
Cavanbhoy
Heading to “royal” portrush to watch the Irish open and to see my hero Paul Mc Ginley a great Celtic fan. Lets see how the Huns in north Antrim cope with my wee man Piaras’s BIG TRICOLOUR
HH
June 25, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Guillermo
All over bar the crying. What I wouldn’t give though to hear Stuart Cosgrove say on Radio Scotland’s Off the Ball: “Well, Tam, the teddy berrs, the apples n perrs, the ward in Carsterrs are undeniably deed, Sam Snead, aff their heid, the Venerable Bede, too much greed, a shower we don’t need, John Reid. PAN BREED!”
June 25, 2012 at 8:16 pm
Micky burt
All these MSM hack wouldn’t get a job on a local free paper. Disgraceful and very unprofessional IMO
June 25, 2012 at 7:48 pm
BigB Crumlin
Read this on Newcos forum where hatred is in overdrive..I doubt the comments are from the players (mibbees I am being niave) but sounds like they were written by their agent, do they share the same one?? Murdo???
If so new signing policy, we will sign catholics, we will sign players with agents, BUT we will NOT sign fenians nor players with fenian agents.
June 25, 2012 at 7:10 pm
BigB Crumlin
read this on newcos forum where the hatred is in overdrive..I doubt the comments are from the players (mibbees I am being niave) but sounds like they were written by their agent, do they share the same one?? Murdo???
If so new signing policy, we will sign catholics, we will sign players with agents, BUT we will NOT sign fenians nor players with fenian agents.
June 25, 2012 at 7:06 pm
TheGreenMachine
Phil, you mention Newco in DIV 3 as a “simple solution” actually its not. To get an SFA licence and SFL membership a club has to prove credibility and show 3 years audited accounts. It’s quite simply unfair if anyone with a few bob and a stadium can say, “let me into Scottish football” without first proving they are sustainable and prepared to play by the rules of the association and the league.
June 25, 2012 at 6:24 pm
tom dolan
In my paranoid days(slowly going)I always thought that supporters of the other teams in the spl were closet gers fans.boy was I wrong.
June 25, 2012 at 5:49 pm
SamBrowneBelt
I wouldn’t be too sure Tom. I have a feeling their enthusiasm would have been all the more if it had been Celtic in the dock, and not the non-club-with-no-name.
June 25, 2012 at 7:19 pm
oykelboy
Dear Phil,
I have just read that Aberdeen have added their voice to the ‘integrity division’ in the game. No SPL for Newco. Rules cannot be broken for anyone! A victory for morality here!
How do you see the Celtic vote going now? Do you believe that the other chairmen will adopt the same moral displays of decision making? A Unanimous rejection in the offing?
Title stripping Cups removed on the way. The “Peelers” and hector hand in hand in Charlotte Square and elsewhere?
June 25, 2012 at 5:43 pm
262 KubN
Individual Hunz may well Have Done “in good faith … [simply done] … a job of work, but that excuse died with the Nazis after WW2. They were brought to book, but the SFA weren’t involved in that case.
June 25, 2012 at 5:21 pm
Itim
Hail Hail Phil, I think some guys need to cool down a bit regarding Ally McCoist. I know what he did with Lenny was fly but come on that thing happens all the time on the park with players trying to get each other booked or sent off.I think it was crass to say the least, but dare I say it was also very naive of Lenny to fall for it. Have we all forgotten already that Ally carried Tommys coffin into an RC church because he was his friend, an act that has probably alienated Ally from a vast majority of the “ra peepul”. So can we all take a step back and not fall into the Linch mob behavior . By all means keep to the banter it’s just some comments leave a bad taste in the mouth.HH
June 25, 2012 at 5:21 pm
Jim Wood
Do you think honestly that Sleekit Sally would still be in Green’s team had Crumpled Cardigan’s team not fell over their charger reigns when they rode in too late?
Do you think what Sleekit said to NL after the cup game was not for one minute offensive? If not why does the Sleekit one not own up and tell us what he said? The sleekit irony of it is he had the cheek to ask for disclosure in order to put pressure on the people who made a non-sleekit decision and yet no disclosure from the Sleekit Sally on what he said.
Sleekit Sally master of the dark art of being fouled and thus receiving too many fouls and penalties to mention.
Yes i give you he did show a bit of humanity when he stood as a mark of respect to Mr Celtic but even a blind huntsman eventually shoots a rabbit.
I do not agree with offensive, violent or aggressive posts or those which inspire the less witted to offensive violent aggression (unlike SS and the infamous call to disclose names he already allegedly knew) but I draw the line at people on an open site pulling Tommy Burns name into the same conversation as Sleekit.
So I disagree as strongly as possible. If anything I think we are if anything reserved.
June 25, 2012 at 9:28 pm
iain mcg
Tbe solution is very simpe.
Newco, in terms of our estalished rules, show us three years audited accounts and we will think about it.
Not got them?
Not tonight, lads
Move along.
June 25, 2012 at 5:13 pm
brian(celt4ever)
Another billiant piece of writing Phill.
IMHO.I do not think NEWCO FC will be playing
in any Scottish league for a season or 2?
1st.D&D have taken too long in finding a buyer,season is not too far away now & need licence from SFA?
2nd.because D&D went to court to overturn transfer embargo,which is against FIFA & UEFA rules?they must be punished & SFA were considering revoking licence because of 20 years of cheating?
3rd.SPL have still to deliver verdicts on dual contracts concerning EBT,S? & SFA appeal board still have to come up with suitable punishment?
4.th.to many outstanding court cases & investagations?
So imho i think huns will be very,very lucky to playing pro.footy next year at least because of the above?
gb.keep up the the brilliant work Phil.best wishes.HH.YNWA
June 25, 2012 at 8:55 pm
Dhougal
Brill Phil time to get rid of those at Hampden now .Hope FIFA do something soon because they’re starting to look like they’re all part of a wee secret society .Get intae them
June 25, 2012 at 5:06 pm
jimCB
Sincerely hoping that the trend towards honesty and transparancy in Scottish football brings a result that is logical and moral. That financial interests will always come second to the core passion that is at the centre of the true supporter regardless which team he supports. Even as a Celtic supporter I know that although my team is ‘special”family’ ‘history’etc etc I don’t and have never considered myself to be ‘more’ of a supporter than the good supporters of other teams.Very important – without the other teams and supporters there’s no game is there? We approach a defining moment in the game in scotland. The game is bigger than ANY individual club thats why we love it so much. Scottish football has to be seen to do the right thing. The world will be watching.
June 25, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Tallybhoy
All hope of Zombie FC playing in the SPL next season – GONE! Admitted to SFL1 – impossible! Admitted to SFL3 – UNLIKELY!
But this is Scotland where the football authorities make the rules up as they go along; where Mr Regan goes on holiday – “Crisis?! What crisis?!” Where Campbell “what school did you go to” O’Gilvie is STILL President of the SFA! Enough is enough! Still no statement from Celtic, but that is not necessarily a bad thing and when the time is right they will be making one.
FIFA and UEFA are watching!! Well I hope they are!
HH!!
June 25, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Jim Wood
Sky sports just stated Aberdeen will vote no to Newco, is that five?
June 25, 2012 at 4:29 pm
SamBrowneBelt
The MSM isn’t taking this lying down. Keevins was at it again this morning, talking of the possibility of “Rangers*” being RELEGATED to SFL1.
“They” are not being relegated to anywhere.
“They” are deid!
Any New Club that might be formed, and play at the ground where “they” used to play, will be trying to leapfrog the other divisions, and land in the SPL (which will fail) or SFL1.
Or maybe I’m over-reacting, maybe I really am paranoid …
June 25, 2012 at 4:21 pm
jimCB
EXODUS……movement of ra peeple !!
June 25, 2012 at 4:19 pm
peter
interesting that utd, hearts, ict and hibs have indicated that they will vote no to a newco into the spl, yet celtic fc, have been conspicuous by their spineless silence. to me, it would appear that celtic fc, are hoping the other spl chairmen will do the honourable thing, whilst the spineless chairman, of celtic fc hides. and says nothing.
June 25, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Míceál
Phil,Just wondering. Submitted comment on 12th june with small donation to site. My comment still waiting moderation so don’t know if you received donation or not. Am I doing something wrong/different to other subscribers ?
June 25, 2012 at 3:05 pm
iant929
Great article Phil, how pray tell is Ogilvie
Still in situ?
June 25, 2012 at 3:03 pm
mulsiebhoy
Jimbo, you’ve proved my point,exactly…Whittaker stated yesterday ” The new company has only started, there’s no history there for us, so we owe no loyalty to the new club ” The Sun choosing to omit that part, re-affirms my point. HH x
June 25, 2012 at 2:52 pm
John Burns
Let’s attempt to list Rangers catalogue of wrongdoings through the years:
1) Wilful, Systematic and Methodical Sectarian Employment Policy for over 100 Years
2) Wilful, Systematic and Methodical Tax Evasion for at least 14 Years
3) Wilfully using Side-Contracts to sign Players whom they could not have normally afforded, in Contravention of SFA/FIFA/UEFA Rules
4) Wilfully playing Ineligible Players in Competitive Matches for at least 14 Years
5) Wilfully Cheating other Scottish Clubs out of Honours
6) Wilfully Cheating other British and European Clubs in European Competition
7) Wilfully Defrauding other Football clubs in Scotland, England and in Europe of monies due for Transfer Fees
8) Wilfully Defrauding other Scottish Clubs of Match Ticket money.
9) Wilfully Defrauding HMRC of £90 million
10) Wilfully Defrauding Supplier Businesses of £12 million
11) Wilfully bringing the game in Scotland into Disrepute by a Combination of the above actions
12) Wilfully challenging a Football Sanction in a Civil Court in Contravention of SFA/FIFA/UEFA Rules
13) Wilfully Endangering the eligibility all other Scottish Clubs and the National Team in future EUFA and FIFA Competitions.
14) Wilfully going in to Administration when realising that Legitimate Debts could not be paid
And for all this, Murdo McLeod thinks a 30 point deduction for ONE season is an appropriate penalty.
Murdo, with friends like you, we need no enemies.
June 25, 2012 at 2:51 pm
keddaw
This is a new football club applying for permission to join the league. They should, for the hell of it, apply to start at the top but accept that they’re johnny-come-lately’s to the SPL and attempt to join the SFL. The SFL should judge them exactly a they do every other applicant (from ICY to Ross County to Pollok Juniors), financially they’re likely to get in, assuming they can keep enough players to fulfill their fixtures, but, short of HMRC deciding this new entity is a tax dodge, they should be allowed to start afresh.
When Safeways sells up to Tesco just because the store is in the same place and many of the staff have moved over and most of the customers return to that store does not a Safeways make. It pains me to say that, but it is what it is…
June 26, 2012 at 1:26 am
diarmid
They are trying to move the Universe to accommodate cheats and thieves.Simple solution is to punish the thieves and leave the Universe as is…D
June 25, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
As I expected ICT have came out against NewCo in the SPL.
The battle now shifts to the Division 1 clubs.
No one wants this toxic brand in their league.
The rules say Div3 for a new club.
There is no doubt that this IS a new club.
June 25, 2012 at 2:45 pm
George Collins
Not that they should be allowed in.
What a kick in the teeth for those clubs vying for league status for years.
They cheated, rigged the game (and in the process almost bankrupted it), destroyed competitive football in this country – they should be disappeared, as an example.
Of course, that won’t happen.
June 25, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Simon
I think that league reconstruction is essential to ensure Glasgow’s major derby.
It is unthinkable that this game has been lost to Scottish football.
An increased SPL 1 and the formation of SPL 2 would accommodate the clubs concerned.
Sky TV would welcome this proposal.
The football rivalry and competition would be maintained in Glasgow.
Glasgow would again have two teams vying for supremacy!
The Jags v Celtic
(Oh and Clyde could play Sevco FC)
June 25, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Terry
It no longer matters where these people end of playing. The very fact that the governing bodies are falling over themselves trying to find a way in somewhere for them has forever tainted Scottish football. The constant meetings and talk of emergency restructuring without full consultation only goes to prove that the whole structure has existed only for the glory of the blue half of Glasgow. The rest of us have just been bit players in a show run by and for the dead rangers and now some new group are trying to take over that mantle with the connivance of the not so great and not so good of football authority. Were we paranoid?? hell no we had it spot on. There will never be a level playing field, sporting integrity or justice as long as the current suits run the game. Any team in the british isles having gone into administration and liquidation due to bad management but always honest would have been treated more harshly than the ex rangers and no new group would have been considered for admission to any league without meeting proper criteria.
June 25, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Hurricane67
The Fans of the old club that died on 14th June,Must surely be given their wish for the new team to play in England! They most certainly Will, when they go to Northumberland to play Berwick “still alive” Rangers!
June 25, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Declan
Phil, I posted this link on your last page so please excuse me asking again if you chose not to respond to it, but in-case you don’t respond to old posts. Can you have a look at this link and tell me if The rangers 2012 is a legally acceptable name for this brand new club. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/pdfs/guidanceleafletspdf/reuseofcompanyname.pdf thanks
June 25, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Nobody Knows
Declan, ask Paul McConville at Scotlawthoughts about use of the name “Rangers”? We already know that CG was refused to call the corporate body “The Rangers Football Club Limited” PMcC might be able to give you some legal opinion on this.
June 25, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Marching on Together
Declan
I only saw your post on this on the previous thread a few minutes ago, and have also responded there, but Sevco seem to fall under the first exception listed, and so long as they carry out the required statutory notifications, then yes they could use Rangers as a trading name. Other clubs have done exactly this.
June 27, 2012 at 12:22 am
The Wallace
FOR YOUR ATTENTION
If you search Newcastle United Rangers Vote you will find Newcastle United are having a poll to see how many people want Rangers (their terminology not mine) in English Football. Remember to vote wisely,
Hail,Hail
June 25, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Granardbhoy
The only place Mr Greene will take them to is under the auctioneers hammer.
The fire sale catalogue will be a much sought after collectors item.
Mine will be kept safe beside the pike beneath the thatch.
Ktf
June 25, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Robertg
Did anyone else catch this load of cobblers yesterday??
http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/dont-take-away-my-title.17952798
“There is no guarantee that any titles which are stripped will be awarded to somebody else and the matter may now be referred to an independent commission, after lawyers Harper Macleod decided there was a case to answer over the club’s use of EBTs from 1999 onwards. But there has to be a conflict of interest if other SPL clubs are playing a part in the decision.”
Erm, and Sevco / Bustgers being allowed to vote on their own future is what precisely?
“I don’t think players such as Viduka and Lubo Moravcik will be wanting a league winners medal for a season where they were beaten by 21 points. Individually I don’t think the players would want it. I am not just saying this but I wouldn’t want a winners medal 12 years later by default. I would be saying “forget about it”.”
Wouldn’t be quite so sure about that Billy old sport. Carl Lewis seems to have been pleased enough to be recognised as the rightful champion.
“If the EBT court case is lost, then it should be the club who are punished. It was nothing to do with the individual players. They went there in good faith to do a job of work.”
And what would you propose then Billy? Not exactly much chance of extracting a fine out of them. And Scottish Fitba’ will die if they are demoted. Apparently. In fact as you say in the next paragraph.
“I said in last week’s column that this is the time to restructure the Scottish game and I stand by that. The proposed solution whereby the SPL and SFL merge, and Rangers end up in the second tier of the Scottish game, is a mechanism to try to keep everybody happy, because it could be the death knell of Scottish football if a newco Rangers are sent down to the Third Division.
A lot of fans might not like it but at least this way people are trying to protect the integrity of the game by ensuring there is some kind of reasonable punishment while safeguarding Scottish football financially. The only problem is it seems to have taken a club going into crisis mode for people to do what is best for Scottish football.”
June 25, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Pensionerbhoy
Just seen it on Paul McConville’s site and gave my answer.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CFwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscotslawthoughts.wordpress.com%2F&ei=D7LoT-O8F9Kn8QPoneHACg&usg=AFQjCNGK6CS1ECfy7NGLO5_ALHysqA-7GQ
Hope this works. My IT skills are zilch!
H H
June 25, 2012 at 7:48 pm
jimmy mcgrory
power to the people….and now a vote of no confidence on regan and ogilvie
June 25, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Gerry
Any solution that sees Newco in a league other than the third division will leave a permanent stain on Scottish Football. Our game would never leave behind the scandal of cheating, financial doping and corporate skullduggery all perpetrated by the very club the authorities are trying to accommodate.
Without fear or favour is the only game in town or we can all go home.
June 25, 2012 at 1:37 pm
JimBhoy
IF they get into the SFL they can only use 22 player (over 18) i believe. I will be very surprised if McCulloch and Broadfoot will have any more than some boys in their first team next season. Why hang around with ALL the uncertainities and be sold to profit green in January when you are effectively a free agent and can command a better package with no transfer fee… Personally i think there will be no football payed under Green’s tenure… AND Ally is a bit quiet these days, he will be the guy left to switch the lights off…
June 25, 2012 at 1:27 pm
The Wallace
One of the many things that I’m enjoying most at the moment is that all this is happening on that sleekit wee turd, Fat Sally’s watch. He is twisting in the wind good and proper. Serves him right he’s got more faces than the town hall clock. Again I hope I forgiven in the here after for such malice on my part, but I loathe the fat feck,
Hail, Hail.
June 25, 2012 at 1:24 pm
Brenda
Agreed wholeheartedly Wallace it doesn’t really matter what he whispered to Lenny ‘that night’ but his sneaky ways have come back to bite him on his fat ass hell slap it into him lol
June 25, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Jim Wood
Yeah agree 100% Sleekit Sally is what I think of him. Have done ever since the cup game and the sleekit wee word in NL’s ear.Well said sir.
Also Phil brilliant post he he.
Just a thought could no one set up an on-line link for the events like the one in Blantyre the other night. Just a thought I know I’d pay and as a bonus it would get the message out.
It appears you still have to keep at them after all.
June 25, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Gerry
Why is div 3 fair? This upstart needs to meet the qualifying criteria- licence and 3 years’ accounts- before it can seek entry. Anything else is a blatant brech of he rules and grossly unfair on existing wanbees, well run, who do meet entry reqs.
June 25, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Lenny Bhoy
Do any of you remember the ex Morton chairman Hugh Scott? Well Charlie Green is a replica of him. Mark my words.
June 25, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Pensionerbhoy
Just to say thank you for the moderation and for the continued good work.
H H
June 25, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Fisiani
http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/docs/SFL_Constitution_and_Rules.pdf
According to the SFL rules there is no way for SEVCO to enter Div 3
June 25, 2012 at 12:50 pm
whale oil beef hooked
Spot on as usual Phil.
However, don’t you think that even if the team that plays at Ibrox does end up in Div 3, this year or the year after, it will not be because of any leadership, integrity or application of fairness by those charged with running the game in Scotland? So even that result will leave a very bad taste in the mouth and continued doubts as to the future integrity of the game here. Makes you want to scream at them.
June 25, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Through and through
Absolutely spot on ‘whale oil’. Even if the morally correct decision is made it should forever leave a bad taste in the mouths of Scottish football fans that it took themselves rather then the administrators to reach it. Collectively the SFA/SPL/SFL are weak and inept. If league reconstruction is going to be the way forward then Scottish football fans should demand that the removal of these ‘blazers’ is part of that process.
June 25, 2012 at 12:54 pm
jimbo
the scotish sun today prints whittakers statement but omits the bit where he said the club he signed for is dead ,or did i hear it wrong?
June 25, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Luke
Again, a brilliant article. I feel as though this is the only pace I can find out what is going on. Other media sources never seem to want ‘the big story’. The ‘non reporting’ by the Scottish media is disgraceful.
June 25, 2012 at 6:28 pm
mulsiebhoy
Naismith & Whittaker have finally said what the MSM cannot/will not admit…Rangers F.C is dead. Move along now, nothing to see here! HH x
June 25, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Gerry
If the Dees forum is anything to go by we Dundee fans want them put to the 3rd too. Anything else is a cop out. Not heard anything from the board though.
I cannot comprehend that Regan has gone on holiday. Crisis what crisis?
June 25, 2012 at 12:01 pm
THEBHOYFROMTHEMOY
phil you never cease to amaze me
June 25, 2012 at 11:55 am
Ger
I sense this is more that a football moment. Nice analogy with the tribes Phil.
June 25, 2012 at 11:53 am
Mik
Mick McD : The only problem with the 50 pitches plan is that like Rangers F.C. the 50 pitches no longer exists,
June 25, 2012 at 11:51 am
Southside Tarrier
Aye, the fifty pitches don’t exist any more, but who’s playing on the former site? Saint Anthonys juniors, the first club to wear the green and white hoops.
June 25, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Fisiani
Can anyone explain how SEVCO can even enter Div 3.
The SFL rules state that candidate clubs need to be licensed by the SFA and become an associate member prior to full membership. There is already a queue of 4 associate member teams.
June 25, 2012 at 11:49 am
AndyBhoy
What about Dundee or Dunfermline this is so unfair to them whoever gets the nod needs it now so the can buy SPL ‘class’ players. I believe there are a few in west end going I’m a fottballer get me out of here!
June 25, 2012 at 11:46 am
SeanBonJovi
Who plays the part of the young pretender in all of this?
June 25, 2012 at 11:46 am
Pensionerbhoy
First of all, Phil, I hope this gets moderated as my comments over the last week have not been. I have emailed but have not received a reply.
Division 3 is also only justified if they go through the official application process and are accepted. There is much about the newco in the Green clan that does not have helmets glistening in the sun of the S.F.L.
H H
June 25, 2012 at 11:45 am
BikerGerry
I don’t see any Newco in any division next season as I think they are running out of time to be able to field a team. Even if they are given a place in SFL3 I would expect other teams with senior football ambitions to mount a legal challenge. Why should a Newco with no history and no proven financial stability be allowed in to the ranks of senior football when there are long established clubs who would love to have the opportunity.
June 25, 2012 at 11:41 am
James O'Connell
I think the whole shambolic episode is utterly Indefensible.
To my mind and I would think any sane decent , fair minded person , there can be only one conclusion…..Division 3
June 25, 2012 at 11:37 am
greenallover
Bang on Phil.If the spineless governing bodies had applied the rules this bickering would not be going on.They are a new club,they should be ASKING if there is a space in the SFL third division.They should present their case if confronted with their application by another team looking to gain entry.Lets say they are allowed into the SFL division one.Then a wealthy backer appears and funds,with millions, their rise to the SPL.Would that sit well,that a tax dodging club arise,debt free,and in a better position than most of the other clubs? Quite apart from the fact there are still a few investigations being conducted,cheating,in any sport,cannot be condoned,up here we are being seen to encourage it for one club.
June 25, 2012 at 11:36 am
Chris Mcilfatrick
fan power is speaking loud in the SPL it should also speak loud in SFL1.
The powers that be should listen as they are not infallible.
Rangers FC are dead, no doubt there will be an imitation in the future but as a new club applying for league status, SFL3 is the only option.
keep up the good work Phil
June 25, 2012 at 11:35 am
Edward Reid
I’m just disappointed that Hearts were the first to nail their colours to the mast. If Dundee Utd had just been a day earlier we could have called it the Arab Spring.
June 25, 2012 at 11:33 am
Spuds
The people (as opposed to “ra peepil”) have spoken. And it looks like the clubs aren’t about to bite the hand that feeds.
There will be no newco in the SPL next season.
Mr Regan will come home to the dawn of a new era.
And the sky will not fall. The world will no implode. All will be well.
June 25, 2012 at 11:31 am
Mike McD
What happens if the Div 3 clubs, I suppose it would have to be a majority of SFL clubs and not just Div3 ones, vote NoToNewCo as well?
Are Charlie Greens remnants then forced upon the junior or amearture leagues?
Will they be having to book at pitch at the 50pitches complex down the Clyde coast if the bulldozers (oh I really hope so) move on ibrokes?
Personally I’d just like to see them completely exterminated and the seat of sectarian dealings that was ibrokes razed to the ground!
June 25, 2012 at 11:28 am
Kevin Gallagher
The Scottish Spring – as usual Phil, you’ve managed to capture the moment perfectly.
The SFL 1 clubs will also see Rangers as a threat to theri promotion prospects, another very good and honourable reason for rejecting entry to Div 1.
June 25, 2012 at 11:26 am
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
Thanks Kevin.
The game we love is about people like us-the fans.
If the suits forget that then we should forget the entire endeavor.
June 25, 2012 at 11:30 am
donegalpaul
phil do you know what has happened to our hero Mr Craig Whyte
June 25, 2012 at 11:25 am
Pensionerbhoy
He is currently blending in with the Cliffs of Dover. You might just make him out “on the rocks”!
H H
June 25, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Unbeliever
Shurely shome mishtake, Phil: ‘straight back into the SPL’ … ?
June 25, 2012 at 11:24 am
john lacon
lets hope the clan chiefs from the lower divisions listen to the fans also as i am sure they wont want servco 2012 to gain an advantage not deserving
June 25, 2012 at 11:20 am