So 2013 kicks off the same way 2012 ended, with Rangers at loggerheads with those bumbling amateurs running the game in Scotlland.
And for what it is worth, I say more power to their elbows. Having Jim Traynor and Charles Green being prepared to speak up for the biggest supported club in Scotland who for archaic, short-sighted reasons have had no input on the proposals for League reconstruction, is exactly what is required down Ibrox way.
The nonsense being proposed by messrs Stewart Regan, Doncaster and Longmuir (now officially the Nick Clegg of Scottish football) to rejig the divisions have been unsurprisingly given the thumbs down by the vast majority of football fans. This should really come as no surprise, considering the hap-hazard way they dealt with the Rangers crisis last summer.
Throw in the fact that this mess of a concept of a 12-12-18 set-up was the brainchild of Gordon Smith, a man who failed as the SFA Chief Executive and at the Gers as Director of Football and it should come as no surprise that this new format has been greeted with overwhelming derision.
Since as long as I have been enchanted by what Pele so memorably described as “the beautiful game”, the topic of league reconstruction has reared its ugly head. But the root of the problem in Scotland is quite simple – a lack of real investment, time and structure in the development of young players.
Increasing Leagues, introducing play-offs and splits is a bit like shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic. Radical change within Scottish football is urgently required to stop more fans and supporters walking away and as long as the likes of Regan and Doncaster are running the show, the game will surely continue on a downward path.
The fact that Rangers were not even consulted on what steps should be taken to get the game back in good health, smacks of unprofessionalism and maybe even verges on hidden agendas.
It is remarkable that no one at Ibrox was given an opportunity to bring any ideas to the table, given the fact that Green, Brian Stockridge, Imran Ahmed and Malcolm Murray have been able in such a short time to pick up the mess left by Craig Whyte. They are now in control of a Third Division club which just last month hit the stock-market on the back of a fantastic £22 million share issue.
Throw in the fact that we are also talking about a club that is forced to put up ‘stadium full’ signs at the bulk of home games and whose potential sponsors will be keen to exploit them, then the choice not to take on any feedback from the new men at the helm of the Gers seems odd to say the least.
Not for the first time, talk amongst the light blue ranks is of possible routes out of Scotland. Charles Green sounds keen, but the reality is that the road to the English Premiership is blocked, whilst Atlantic leagues are a pipe-dream. Possible links up between the Dutch and Belgian Leagues are something UEFA may give the green light to.
In the meantime there is the Championship to win and after that, well, only time will tell. But, the notion that Rangers will secure a title, only to be denied the opportunity of promotion to a higher division is not something that sits easily with those who were forced to sit back and listen to talk of ‘sporting integrity’ last summer.
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a new company bought the assets of the club being liquidated and should be grateful the rules were bent to allow them straight into Div3
If newco is treated as if this did not happen, and that they are Gers, business as usual, why dont all clubs just liquidate to escape their financial commitments ?
You have not given one logical reason why the club who have no vote should be consulted on anything.
The only reasons why more people turn up at Ibrox are the cheap admission prices and the appeals made by Chico and fat Sally to the primeval instincts of the No Surrender monkeys.
This is truly Scotland’s shame.
Yeah, the only reason more people turn up is because tickets are cheaper. If you look at Rangers average attendances over the last 10 years you will find that they have remained at the SAME consistent high level. If your going to be obsessed with Rangers then at least look at the facts. Oh wait a minute, obsessive types like you don’t deal in facts. Take a look at your own club and its problems before you call anyone Scotland’s shame.
Why you so interested in Scotlands No one team you BEGGER
So there has to be a ‘reason’ why Scotlands best supported club (not only since they came to Div 3) should have an input into the way forward for the future of Scottich Football?
Patrick, you have exactly the same mebtality as those in power in the Scottish game…..absolutely determined to continue to kick the most successful Scottish Club down, whilst Rangers are still in a vulernable position. No matter the cost to Scottish Football…..lets get Rangers whilst they are down.
Unfortunately for you and your likes, the tables are turning….OK, you may extend it for another season, but we will be back, if it takes 4 years or ten years, we WILL be back!
Ha, Ha, Ha you talk of giving logical reasons and putting forward a reasoned argument but your reply is littered with cheap digs and insults. It begs the question how enlighten are you ?
How about this for a logical reason, perhaps Rangers and Mr Green and other directors and investors which include some very wealthy and influential people and organizations could have helped to bring in finance to the league. They have just managed to raise £22m in the third division.
Its also worth noting that any sponsorship or tv deals will be procured on the back of the Rangers brand. As has been shown by the fact that SFL 3 has a tv deal but the first and second division does not and that the SPL only has the current deal because they and the SFA blackmailed Rangers into giving over the rights to their games.
The Rangers support also accounts for over half the paying audience in Scotland. Is it really professional to ignore and marginalise a club with such resources.
We didn’t argue against the voting rules, we have mainly questioned the wisdom of not allowing a club with such resources to have any input into the discussions. I know that if the roles were reversed I would find it absurd to not take Celtic’s point of view on board.
Oh and we support our club because we love our club not because we hate another club or another set of fans. To be honest unlike other supports in Scotland we are not obsessed by other clubs.
Which is why you may notice that any story on the internet about Rangers is littered by opposition fans in the comments section. This isn’t a negative, if you do something well then you should be proud of that and the Celtic support obsess about Rangers so very well.
patrick i guess your a celtic fan.. scotland’s shame is indeed the scottish game.
I am a football fan.
and watching the people that run our game. they are slowly killing it
there is nothing new they are bringing to the table with the new league restructuring .
In fact we are the only league in the world where they have split.
I’m sure a few years back a team that finished in the bottom 6 had more points than the team in the top 6 that secured a European spot .it’s the most idiotic thing Ive ever seen in a league set up
This is truly Scotland’s shame
Good blog, now Patrick what can we say, Juninho,stokes, samaras, the battle of dens ,
Simple, Charles Green is owner of The most supported team in scotland and 4th in Britain only behind Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle. Spl is lacking serious support never mind the new structure proposals.
It’s not our fault your stadiums empty. Ibrox has always been the same. You boycott your own matches then have the cheek to put down the fact we support our team week in week out. It’s a game of football you sad individual.
Scottish football is dieing because of empty stadiums and lack of investment. The mighty Rangers are filling every away teams stadium as well as our own. Giving smaller teams cash flow and also bringing the standard of play to a higher level giving teams the drive to train harder knowing the big boys are coming to town wanting to try and impress even though the league is now a formality.
If use horrible people did the same we wouldn’t have this problem, the rest of the teams in the spl are also part of this miserable burden.
For a competitive league there has to a spread of wealth as well as investment in better youth facility’s for even the smaller teams in the devisions. If teams had greater attendances that would increase revenue and advertising rates for thes clubs, if you’s could be bothered to get out your beds.
You and your support are a virus that has made Scottish football very sick with the levels of hatred and spite that will only stop progression of the Scottish game. You will all rot in hell for your sins. The path of the rightchous has nothing to fear.
Will leave you with a nice thought. Still the most successful football team in the world.
And if u have a problem with that see what FIFA have to say about our history. I know how shmeltic fans struggle to read anything from official sources.
Ps.We are debt free n comin te get yees
Why are Third Lanark and Clydebank not being consulted … ? It is quite frankly an outrage that the former clubs are not getting together and demanding a block vote … power to their elbow I say … if they opened up their old stadia for nowt the fans would flock back and then where would we be …. anarchy I tell you …. ha ha ah aha ah ha ha ha ah … ha ….. something for nothing Tam lets go to the big hoose and “support” the Rangers …
One logical reason ?
“Professionalism”.
The game is all about sporta and (unfortrunately) money.
Rangers are the biggets draw in Scottish football, both on the terrcase and through Sky/ESPN viewing figures.
For them NOT to be consulted on the future of the entire game, even although only associate members, shows a lack of forward thinking.
The reason that people turn up at Ibrox to watch their club is because they are fans.
To smear fans because they want to watch their team is a strange slur to cast.
It smacks of a poorly hidden bias.
Scotland’s shame ??
Surely not.
Not from the club that was involved in the worst cases of racism in Scottish football (bananas at Mark Walters), criminal abuse against children (3 times and counting …), and a constant tacit support for fan singing pro-terrorist chants.
Shame ?
Rangers are amateurs in comparison.
Celtic excel at such an appalling aspect.
The only reason that Sky want The Rangers is to show their fights (sorry but the standard of football cannot justify the term match) with Celtic. When there are the incidents as there inevitably are the Sky pundits can sit back an pontificate about how much more civilised the English game is.
“Rangers are the biggets draw in Scottish football,”
Freudian slip of the year so far, well done.
I think the predictably bitter nonsense spewed by Patrick (maybe a fan of Semtex FC? LOL!) betrays the bigoted mindset that dictates that Rangers have no say despite their fan base being the biggest by far in Scotland.
What then of last season’s mantra that “the fans must be heard”?
Hmmm! Logical reason….. Can’t find it in your post.
And of course you would know why people turn up at Ibrox every 2nd Saturday.
Tell me this Paddy…. How many Bhoys turned up at the “reasonably priced” cup match with Arbroath?
Do you think Celtics support has aready left scottish football before their team or even Rangers for that matter?
Sort it out Paddy and let go of your pain.
To chico fat sally and jabba,grow up and do your penance,get on with the league.You could have another record as last team to win 4th division title,surely that must be incentive enough for you to play for.
Why should a third division team that does not have any votings right as they are a brand new team have any say in how Scottish football is restructured. I could not care less how many fans they can attract the rules say they have no say or vote.They need to just be quiet and go about their business and leave the restructuring to teams that have been around longer than a few months.Its quite likely this new Sevco team will find themselves in administration after this season with the large salaries and bonuses they pay to the manager and directors especially Mr Green who will be off as soon as he can make his money.
That is three comments [so far] from Celtic supporters regarding a Rangers article.
Is it weird that THEY claim we are only a few months old but still have hatred for us and hold grudges for perceived and imagined injustices over the past century.
I feel rather sorry for people with such an outlook. Its time to move on and leave bigotry and hatred in the past. Paranoia and obsession will only lead to a situation devoid of hope and consumed by desperation.
Life is more important than such things and especially when there are avenues where one can seek help.
Well said Alexander.
It is time to leave bigotry and hatred in the past.Unfortunately too many people think that as Sevco supporters they can continue to behave in the way those who supprted the now defunct Rangers.
why do the tims stay in and type and not go to the games Paddy?
Its the winter shutdown to allow us to prepare for the Champions League.
Be a long time,if ever,before your team will experience this.
54 and subtracting!
Can I firstly state quite clearly that I am not a Sevco supporter, I support Rangers. The history issue has been reiterated by a government agency, their chosen liquidators of the old company and the same has been stated by the SFA, SPL and European club association.
So that begs the question if you really do wish to leave animosity in the past and move forward for the benefit of the Scottish game, then why do you refer to people and the club as sevco. A term which is aimed at insulting people.
Can I also point out that sevco no longer exists and would make it difficult for the 40.000 plus people who attend Ibrox and follow Rangers to be “sevco supporters”.
Is your mistake meant to be an insult or was it a genuine lack of knowledge. ?
As for your remarks on the behaviour of the Rangers support. The Rangers support has acted impeccably over the past couple of seasons. We accept that perfection still eludes us and at times some [a minority] can let themselves down. However we are not afraid to recognise and admit such instances and to work towards bettering the situation. The same can not be said for the supporters of certain other Scottish clubs.
How many years will it take to “better the situation”?
Are you seriously suggesting that the crowds who turn up at Ibrox are drawn by something other than tribalism based on racism and sectarianism bred into them over generations?
It can’t be the standard of football can it?
Good article Harry. If the SPL is booming then why change it? To move the goal posts halfway through a season proves that Sporting Integrity was never the real reason for the reaction to what happened to Rangers. August, it was Sell out Saturday in the SPL, yet here we are in January and the SPL is dead. As for Regan, Doncaster and Longmuir, it is time to sack the board before they ruin the rest of Scottish football.
Patrick,
Couple of questions
1 only one club in scotland was formed for religous reasons? (A clue they were formed in 1888, reformed in 1994 as Pacific Shelf 595)
2 who did Lord Nimmo Smith (this is the guy you’re trusting to strip our titles)recently say were the same club no matter what had happened
As the Church of Scotland Minister said at the recent birthday celebration for the Champions Celtic were founded for the “finest of Christian motives the relief of poverty”.
If this is good enough for the Reverend gentleman its good enough for me.
Whilst I have to agree that the 12-12-18 set up is hardly ideal (putting it mildly). However the fact remains that despite having a huge fanbase Rangers are an associated club member of the SFA and thereby not entitled to a vote, under the terms and conditions Mr Green signed up to when his club was admitted into SFL3. So if you’re not entitled to a vote then why would anyone consult opinion?
The biggest problem I do have is this seeming lack of understanding in basic arithmetic. Should Rangers win SFL3 (and they will) they will go from the fourth tier of Scottish football to the third, thus being two promotions away from the top flight. With reconstruction they will be two promotions away from the top flight too. So why the indignant sense of injustice that Rangers are being penalised? This is an honest question because I sincerely cannot see what the problem is. Unless Mr Green expected to be given preferential treatment in the shake up?
Finally, sporting integrity? Actually that is being addressed through a fairer division of prize money.
Look, I am not saying Rangers fans have had it easy, you haven’t but this constant posturing from Green and McCoist is getting beyond a joke and their comments will damage Rangers in the long run. Sure it makes them popular with the fans but that won’t help them achieve what’s best for Rangers fans in the long term.
the journey will be a long one,but when the day comes,the day when we beat smelly sick again,it will all be worth it.
it’s Chico time!
more than a name
Houdini Bhoy is correct when he states that because of Rangers’ associate membership only, they have no entitlement to a vote.
However, this is a professional game, and it is simply ludicrous that the biggest draw in Scottish football does not seem to have even been consulted behind the scenes about possible input.
It’s commercially inept not to have done so.
As for the basic arithmetic approach — at the start of the season, it is true that Rangers would be in a higher league than at present.
But so would every other Div 3 club.
By the end of the season, Rangers would be back in the FOURTH tier, after the daft 888 split.
Sporting integrity ?
Stranraer in 93/94 were shuffled several places above where they would otherwise have ended, since not to have done so to the promoted league champions during that reconstrcution phase would have broken the rules.
The SAME rules that are in place and MUST be enforced for the Div 3 champions.
Will Green’s comments “damage Rangers in the long run” ?
Not half as much as the efforts against teh club from the biased cabal that has an iron grip of Scottish football.
“the biased cabal that has an iron grip of Scottish football”.
That’ll make a change from the Masonic grip which has blighted Scottish football and society for decades!