Stirling Observer

The argument used against 14,10,10,10 was the top league and logistics. Split would have been earlier, either 6/8 or 8/6 split unfair on teams who miss out on split, meaningless games etc. Roy boldly claimed his season ticket holders wouldn't pay if they didn't know who they would be watching for half a season (surely County fans pay to see county, not the opposition). All pretty minor things when you look at the unfairness on relegations when you still have a game in hand to jump the team above. They also argued that changing the league back would be detrimental to other teams(no reason why it had to go back to 12). Basically minor inconvenience for some was too much and they would rather sit and let the few suffer.

I'm not one for legalities etc but one of the Hearts and Partick motions in court was for documents and records to be shared. They won this motion and now lawyers at the arbitration will have these along with statements from key players before making a perhaps more informed decision. I'm not sure if they could have got this access by going straight to SFA arbitration. I think lord Clark stated that the 2 clubs shouldn't be punished for bringing court action. To bring a notice of complaint before the case is concluded is dangerous. If hearts or partick win in any sense at all, they could argue the court session was vital to that and therefore a necessary step. If hearts/partick lose then fair enough, they have wasted time and brought the league in disrepute or whatever it will be called. But just hold off with the punishment until we have the full story.

Obviously lining him up to be their next manager. Good move in terms of he stays local and therefore keeps his coaching franchise.

You can read Carl's statement two different ways. 1. He meant it's a shame the way it finished not getting a send off from the fans due to covid or 2. A shame he didn't get offered a new contract. Although honestly, it was probably the latter. Sometimes you have to be brutal. Robbo has a budget. If Carl was on decent wages and we have a capable deputy on peanuts. Why not bring in the deputy and redivert the wages to positions where we need more quality. I'm not meaning to be brutal to Carl because I loved his passion and commitment to our club but we can't be sentimental when finances are so tight and the only way drastically improve our finances is promotion. Which comes from a better and balanced squad. The nature of our squad generally means we have 11 decent starters, then cover. 2 good left backs seems silly.

Think Wednesday is the deadline for spfl response. Suspect a compensation agreement may be on its way (hence Hearts splashing the cash a bit)

With the lack of football, it's giving time for fans to reflect on what it is we actually miss most. Is it the sense of belonging/community/family Is it the social aspect, before and after the game included. Is the watching the football Out of the 3 I would presume that the football is probably bottom for a lot of people. Football is very much a social thing with friends or family. Hence why is important for the club to seize on 'fan experience' to increase revenue and attract more people to enjoy the experience before and after the 90mins and come back again and again and bring others with them. The current match day is very unattractive and hard to attract others to come along.

I couldn't care less about the stadium aesthetics or bushes. That won't bring back fans. The match day experience will. At the moment its a souless experience for all involved with fans and sometimes players just going through the motions. Atmosphere doesn't just happen. Sometimes it needs a bit of a nudge. Regarding the stands.It's the chicken and egg stuff the Gardiner was talking about. We need to attract fans first and foremost. Increasing the number of home fans provides a consistent increased revenue. Away fans are then a bonus, not a necessity.

I was impressed with Gardiner. He seemed very passionate about the club and getting it back to the top league. He seems confident he has got the right people onto the board to move forward. Regarding fan experience, it shouldn't be too difficult but could be costly of course. I think a small beer tent beside the concourse. Have a DJ or at least a iPod playing songs which are linked to the club. Have a family area with beat the goalie for a quid, and little football skills games. Encourage away fans out. Have these things at from say 1pm. Have a bus from the centre. If there is enough stuff to keep us entertained then we will come. We will spend money etc. Even if you are not there. It would be nice to arrive at a ground where you hear fans singing or at least tunes playing and creates some sort of atmosphere

There are 3 scenarios now. 1. Hearts mount a case against league. League makes an executive decision and decides to reconstruct (least damaging) 2. Hearts take league to court, football is delayed for some time. Many clubs are severly struggling. Hearts lose case and must repay liabilities. Hearts suffer and potentially lots of clubs may go to the wall. 3. Hearts win the case, football is delayed. League/clubs must pay liabilities/compensation to Hearts and sky for delay in league start. Everyone loses out, most damaging. Surely as soon as Hearts case is taken against the league they will have to choose scenario 1.

So you don't like players returning after failed attempts like Curry or Sutherland. But you appear to get rather excited about Storey? What has he contributed since his return that is worth your adoration??

The stance from our point of view makes no sense. The stance from the bottom league teams is the fear of clubs like kelty and brora with financial backing steamrolling the league. The fear of premiership teams is meaningless games in the bottom 8. The fear is hearts recover and they are more likely to fall. Status quo suits them and regardless of particks statement, I predict many in the championship will vote out of spite against us despite the advantages that fall to it's members of an extended premiership. They would prefer to take the maroon dollar for a year, even though we will be behind closed door for some time

Think it's important not to compare. Both provide something similar but different and brilliant. Here's to the success of both of them.

He was quite ineffective. Hopefully he has improved drastically

If it just comes to a straight vote. Teams will vote it down. Out of self interest and perhaps some personal grudges. This will go one of 2 ways. Doncaster forces it through with the impending threat of legal action. Or Doncaster is playing along with appeasing Hearts until it's too late to do anything but it seemed like they tried etc Hearts hold all the cards, only they know if there are serious about the legal action. If they go for it, it will be costly and no guarantee of success. If they are bluffing about legal action it could well work or could be exposed as the bluff if the clubs call them out on it.

Least I'll get a years wear out it then

I guess its not too bad when you look back and most of it was Rae and Dalgarnos suggestions but there was - There was talk of a video and photo book of the 25 year history. - The 'keynote' match -A hall of fame and museum within the stadium. ( I remember voting on a hall of fame) I can't remember anything about a museum within the club? Maybe there is. You can rehash my question if you want. Just wanted to voice my frustration at missed opportunity. I liked the strip and the logo. I know the 25membership raised funds but I feel it was a missed opportunity to bring the supporters, club, community together and celebrate our former players, volunteers and employees who contributed so much to our quite incredible history. Especially when it's compared against our pals in Elgin for example!!

1. What are his plans for increasing community engagement and initiatives to engage the city with the club? Basically how will he generate more income into the club and get more fans into the club. 2. More of a reflective question, caveated with the change in chair. Does he accept the club made a hash of the 25th anniversary? As a fan, there was lots of broken promises and it seemed to be targeted at making money rather than sharing experiences/memories with supporters and celebrating a quite astonishing success.

How does this help Scottish football? Apart from a bribe and a way for the old firm to skip the que.

I think our location will be the sticking point. There are many good part time players in the central belt. Because they know they don't need to move house, their family or job but can still change teams easily enough. Nathan Austin is a prime example, came up from part time to full time at Falkirk (still local), moved up here but next move was back to part time and close to home and family even though we offered him a full time contract.

It's clear that sky are pulling the strings. They wanted the league finished so it wouldn't affect their exclusive deal next season. Now that's in place. They want hearts back in the top league to boost viewing figures, especially as the virtual season ticket may be linked to sky in some way. Doncaster is merely their puppet.

Whilst unsettling it seems fair. Presume if we remain in the championship which I fully expect then these lads will get a contract to boost the squad on the more modest budget we will have.

Strange feeling, kinda fuzzy!

Think this is the first time ever I've agreed with Alan Simpson

Apparently QoS are releasing all players out of contract leaving them with 4 under contract. Maybe play 5s for a season instead?

I think some are struggling to grasp the gravity of the situation a bit. We will be releasing/not offering players aswell, never mind signing other teams released players. There is no potential income into the club anytime soon. As soon as the players have to train they will be on full wages. It doesn't add up. No income, lots of expenditure. It's not a pretty sight