Im sorry if that was from my OFH, i am getting slightly wound up by the whole thing. I can understand a slight delay, but i asked over 6 months ago!
No Dan, it was not from you. I know that it has been a problem and I do not wish to stir matters, which is why I have not mentioned it for a long time. Sure you have done your best with something outside your control.
The SFA wanted Rangers to be admitted into the 1st division but the clubs said no so now we've got this dispute going on with their season 2 weeks away. Wonder if Rangers will travel to the away games..only be to take about 500 apart from against Queen's Park who play at Hampden for some reason.
Queens Park play at Hampden because they own it! I'm sure Rangers will be allowed a lot more travelling support than the 500 you suggest - in fact many of the locals in the towns they visit will be able to actively support them. In the area where I live, with a total population spread of around 7000, there are three pubs that screen Rangers matches live and between them they get around 1000 customers each time. Add to that the busload/carloads of season ticket holders who travel the 400 mile round trip to Glasgow from here for all the home games and you get the picture........
Damned if they relegate them, damned if they don't. It would appear that several teams in the SPL will suffer severe financial consequences as a result of the loss of income from not having Rangers in the SPL. Drop in gates and TV revenue that is crucial to the likes of Unverness CT and St Mirren could well be catastrophic. A mess indeed.
Rangers fans want the third division. Celtic fans want them in the third division (if they have to exist). Fans of pretty much every other club want them in the third division. SPL clubs voted Rangers out of the division knowing that the financial consequences of defying their fans would have been even worse. They know full well that specifically creating a new league to accomodate Rangers would have a similar effect. SFL clubs want the third division. The owner claims to respect the SFL's decision. Ally McCoist himself has said that he would rather start from scratch like everyone else, than be parachuted into the first division with a transfer embargo. It's an impossible decision.
Thinking about though - it may actually have a positive financial effect on grass roots football. I really can't see Rangers keeping their 50,000+ attendances whilst playing in the third division - and their regulars from this part of the country may just be tempted to turn to the Highland League in order to watch the higher standard of football that it offers. My local club, Deveronvale, would relish the thought of an extra 500 or so spectators at their home games. One can dream I suppose.
From The Daily Mirror "•Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has sounded out Marlon King - but the striker prefers to stay at Birmingham." Now I'm really glad that MM left.
I think the decision to put Rangers (newco) in the 3rd tier was the right one. It shows a harsh stance on those who fail to control their finances and proves that there is no favouritism towards them. If they are as good as their egos think they are they will win back to back promotions anyway.
Things do not get any better for Pompey. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18855396 So Dundee have got the nod to play in the SPL. Wonder if there will be legal action, or was the chairman trying to sway the voting? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18850864
Saracens won't be going anywhere soon looking at this http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18858387
They obviously think otherwise Im guessing this could mean that only 5-10 games could be at the vic. So not too bad i guess, if we get a decent fee that is.
Can't understand that. If a team is relegated because of its actions the previous season, the team which would have survived if they weren't there should get a reprieve. It has always been that way in England.
The fact that Rangers weren't relegated but liquidated may account for the difference. Thinking about it - when was the last time such a thing happened in England?
Looking at Pompey's 'squad', I'd say they'll be looking at League 2 this time next year. I think the decision to promote Dundee was a foregone conclusion - they were told last week that they would not be allowed to vote in today's meeting re Rangers, and, from memory, Dunfermline chose to abstain. I wonder if this will herald a return to Scotland for Craig Forsyth?
Happens all the time in the Conference, and they always give the reprieve to the club that would have gone down.
