dougiedanger

Cutting edge, DC, cutting edge.

There's a thread on P&B about boycotting ICT. Massive own goal.

Spot on, it's an embarrassment to come out with such a statement. If the chairman was so concerned he should have had the courage to vote Sevco into the SPL when he had the chance and not passed the responsibility on to the SFL clubs, who have in their turn done the right thing. And a further embarrassment to have that utter buffoon Doncaster representing you.

Talking of Bradford Bulls in administration. 14 days after going into administration, and a week after laying off all coaching staff(16 coaches) They are to be liquidated tonight if no one comes in to buy them. Now, I know they are bigger business, with bigger debts, but how did it take Duff and Duffer, 24ish weeks to do the same thing, and with only 2 people leaving club? Because their set-up is not fundamentally corrupt, perchance?

In the bigots' calendar, yes.

Hang on a minute, Sir Gilet of EBT has walked away: Rangers crisis: Walter Smith's consortium bid to buy club rejected STV 19 June 2012 13:46 BST "A consortium headed by former Rangers manager Walter Smith has failed in its attempt to buy Rangers. A statement released by the group on Tuesday confirmed it had met with new club owners Charles Green’s group regarding a takeover attempt. The statement from Mr Smith read: "I would like to clarify the background to the offer of £6million for the assets of the Club which I announced on Thursday 14th June 2012." Full article here: http://sport.stv.tv/...-club-rejected/

The USA are nothing better than average. They have Maurice Edu playing for them FFS. Following their whipping of us, they got hammered by Brazil, drew with the mighty Canada, and scraped a win against Antigua and Barbuda. Scotland were woeful that night, a complete and utter embarrassment.

Best comment I have heard yet on this whole sorry saga. Should be relayed to all club chairmen. John MacBeath: ''Football would survive without Rangers, maybe not at the same level, and the game would may be lose some fans - but so be it,'' he said. "If you look after the sport the money will follow you, if you look after the money you'll kill the sport.'' http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18265663

Former pupil of mine at said institution Douglas old chap But it WAS from the more recent era when entry was determined by where you live rather than by brains. "Tecky" boy yourself? Thanks Charles, can't win them all I suppose. And I am guessing he came from the leafier parts of the catchment area, not from the Hilton ghettos. Too young to have been involved in that particular "class war," though I just found out recently that my great aunt, who was brought up in Muirtown Street, was the dux of the Academy back in the 1920s or so. A pretty remarkable achievement for a working-class girl back then, I would say. Would love to find out more about her.

Anyone know this Tory hun MSP Murdo Fraser, apparently he's from the Sneck and a former "caddie rat"? Big surprise that last bit.

In a nutshell. Nobody gave a flying one for the Baile Chaul, or whatever they called themselves.

Good that fans of all clubs are having their voices heard on these key issues.

Good to see some imagination and creativity being applied to the issue of ticket pricing.

Is MacGregor dougal??

Interesting article on this theme: http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2012/04...ball-to-farce/ SPL Reduce Scottish Football to Farce Posted on April 11, 2012 By Mike Small What would it mean for Scottish football and wider Scottish society if a business was allowed to build up massive debts, live well beyond its means, distort the ‘market’ of it’s own league, operate illegal business practices for years and then be let off with a slap on the wrist? It would mean that the SPL is a farce not worth taking part in. It would mean that the idea of a common code – a leveling agreed practice was made a nonsense of. The games a bogey. Time to do walking away, en mass. The administrators report to creditors published last week lists the debts, the largest estimated combined amount, more than £93m, is to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). That’s your school and hospital and your community that doesn’t have income because of tax evation on a scale of grand larceny. And taxpayer-funded bodies are also directly owed money including: Strathclyde Police (£51,882), Scottish Ambulance Service (£8,438), Culture and Sport Glasgow (£10,338), Glasgow City Council (£7,000), and others. The report also reveals that Rangers owe more than £2.3m to 12 football clubs in Scotland, England and throughout Europe, including Hearts, Dundee Utd and Dunfermline. Today we’re told that such behaviour will result in a pathetic sanction. That Rangers could start the next season with a ten point reduction in the SPL. But this completely contradicts past precedent that newco’s have to provide three years accounts. As Rangers Tax Case has put it: ” I understand (but have not yet verified) that the process for a team that does not fulfill all of its fixtures is that all of its results are voided and it finishes the season on zero points. (or -10 points in Rangers’ case due to the penalty for insolvency). This would relegate Rangers from the SPL. The number of clubs who would likely object to a newco being dropped into the SPL could then start to rise. The chances of the SPL getting bogged down in court proceedings start to increase dramatically. Thus far, the SFA and the SPL have failed miserably to provide leadership in this process. Only recently stirred from their slumbers, they do not appear to have thought any of these processes through. It is vital that these organisations start thinking and listening to expert advice. They must figure out all of the pathways and pitfalls now.” This is true, but the SPL clubs and fans of all clubs need to make it clear that any attempt to waive the rules and allow Rangers back into the league will humiliate Scottish football. We’re asking all fans to support the statement: “If Rangers #newco are allowed back to the SPL immediately I will officially stop attending SPL football matches.” Put it on facebook and fans forums and twitter. There’s an opportunity to remake Scottish football, but if this is allowed to happen, there is no point.

Smaller clubs should see this as an opportunity. Those who are the most innovative and who can seize the opportunity will thrive.

Looks like Mr Whyte might have to do without any further Scottish Cup cash too. :(

Some good points, though I don't think the 90s comparison quite works either, as that was a time of unprecedented spending in the Scottish game, and not only among the OF. No one has that kind of money to throw about, including Celtic, who are priced out of virtually any big-name players, and who seem to be buying promising younger ones to sell on later. The truth is that any new era would offer challenges and opportunities that have not been seen in any previous period, and that the clubs most likely to prosper will be those most able to see and exploit the opportunities that the future will hold.

We have complained for years about the stranglehold the OF have on the Scottish game, and we know that the status quo does not work for anyone. So, there seems little point in clinging to the old simply through the fear of the unknown. In fact, it is not so unknown, as in the 80s there was proper competition, when RFC were weak. I think most of us would relish the return of that kind of competitive environment, even if we attract less sponsorship money. Young players would come through as they did in the past and as a nation we would find our proper place in the footbal hierarchy. The Irish comparison does not really work either, as they have no real history of competitive football leagues, while we do. The reinvention of our league should be our priority, not the retention of a failed model that is strangling the game.

Tend to agree with this. What is the point in tyring to maintain a status quo that is detrimental to the game as a whole, and which has run its course? Let any club that has unsustainable practices take the natural punishment for them, and allow clubs time to find their feet and for the game to reorganize itsef in a way that benefits as many clubs as possible. The worst thing that could happen would be to prop up any club that cannot run its affairs properly. We have had enough of a set-up that has all but killed the game. All clubs should look to the post-OF future and consider the ways in which it could bring a rebirth for the game.

A lot of talk in the papers and online about the severe problems at Ibrox, even some prospect of them going down the tubes completely. A lot of the media people seem to think automatically that this would be "a bad thing" for the game in Scotland, though some might say such a shift in power would let other teams into the frame and perhaps spark a revival in the game overall. Where do you think ICT as a club and as supporters would stand on this issue, in particular, would the club vote to keep RFC in the SPL if it came down to that? Or is this a chance to end the OF stranglehold on the game?

Something that always puzzled me: how was it that after selling two prime sites in the centre of town the club ended up with a half-built stadium at the dump? And did no one think of the potential problem of the gas pipe when deciding on the stadium site?

Football is virtually dead with this bill, it's like going for a night at the opera FFS.

Apparently, to make ends meet he is doing some painting and decorating. Different kind of plastered I suppose. IAN BLACK is working as a part-time painter and decorator as the Hearts wage row bites. The Tynecastle players have been hit hard with no sign of their pay packets for the last two months. And the midfielder is struggling to make ends meet so much he was out helping a tradesman pal in Edinburgh on Monday to make some extra cash. SunSport can reveal Black's feeling the pinch ahead of Christmas as he struggles to buy presents for his eight-year-old daughter. A source told us: "Because the players are not getting paid, it got to the stage where Ian's now started working for his mate. "He owns a painting and decorating business and Ian was out doing hard graft on Monday on his day off. "He is looking at the possibility of working twice a week for him in the run up to Christmas. "He said to the gaffer last week he might have to work on a Monday and Tuesday because he has to put food on the table for his kid. "He has got an eight-year-old daughter and needs money to go out and buy Christmas presents as well as put food on the table." The players have had one ?1,000 payment but the rest is nowhere to be seen and their December wages are due to be paid on Friday. But our source added: "We are not expecting to get paid on Friday at all." Players are suffering in the pocket and SunSport understands some players can't pay their bills. Our source, who is a first-team regular, said: "I am having to avoid my bills and I have constantly been getting reminders. "I have a mortgage as well but I have spoken to the lenders and they are not too bad with me about it just now."

First song: can't call huns huns any more, I am afraid, as that is dead sectarian, and huns don't like it.