Steve1872

Chris McLaughlin‏@BBCchrismclaug#SFL chief exec fears #Celtic and #Rangers may leave Scottish football and wants colt teams to 'leave legacy'

Clubs bidding for promotion to Scottish football's top flight would not be required to have any seated areas in their stadiums under league reconstruction plans. STV has seen a draft copy of the rulebook for the proposed Scottish Professional Football League, which would see all 42 senior clubs come under one league body. At present, clubs participating in the Scottish Premier League are required to have a minimum of 6,000 seats, with standing not permitted. The proposed rules will instead see teams playing in the top two tiers of the SPFL needing only to meet Scottish FA Bronze club licensing criteria, which calls for a minimum of "500 covered places". It is stated those areas "may be seats and standing", with an "adequate level of cover available for both home and away spectators". From the third tier down, clubs are required only to provide 100 "covered places". It is understood the matter is still up for discussion, but has been included in the draft of the rulebook. At the formation of the Scottish Premier League in 1998, member clubs were required to play in stadiums with a minimum seated capacity of 10,000. Falkirk were denied promotion to the top flight in 2003 after Brockville was deemed not suitable, with the league board blocking an attempt to groundshare with Airdrie United. The minimum requirement was reduced to 6,000 seats in 2005/06, allowing Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who had to groundshare with Aberdeen the season previous, to upgrade their ground to meet the new rule. Further rule modifications The rulebook covers the eventuality of a 12-12-18 league setup, although SFL clubs could yet vote to split the bottom tier into two divisions of 10, with two new teams invited into the league. Concerns have been raised over the viability of teams in both the Premiership and Championship completing 22 league games each before the winter break, after which the top two divisions split into three leagues of eight. Rules state it will not be a requirement for all fixtures to be completed pre-split in the eventuality of postponements, provided the outstanding matches can have no bearing on the qualification of teams for any of the three post-split groups. No trophy will be awarded to the winner of the Championship, the proposed second tier, with the rulebook noting it is not possible to give a trophy after 22 games. As has been previously stated, clubs going into administration will be subject to an immediate 10 point deduction. A further five points will be removed from their tally at a point where it can be "most effectively applied" and "be a meaningful sanction in competition terms". Clubs going into administration during the close season will start the new campaign on minus 15 points. It is also noted that parachute payments will be paid to clubs who drop out of the SPFL into a proposed SFA pyramid league, which is not expected to be formed for another two years. In the event of clubs being relegated out of the bottom tier, they will be given £40,000 for their first season out of the SPFL, and £20,000 in the second, unless they return to the league. The board of the SPFL will consist of a chairman, a chief executive, a non-executive director, three representatives from the Premiership, two members from clubs in the Championship and one person from a team in the third tier. Timescale SPL clubs will vote on April 15 whether to adopt the new rulebook and merge with the SFL. A 11-1 vote of members is required. SFL teams are yet to decide when they will hold their vote, although STV understands it will also be held in April. 22 of 29 member clubs, excluding Rangers, must vote in favour for the plans to be approved

i know lots of Forest fans and they would agree with that

Scottish Football League clubs have been asked to indicate by the close of play on Tuesday their preference for the composition of proposed reconstructed divisions. With a format of two top tiers of 12 clubs, which split into three leagues of eight mid-season, on the table for the upper end, it has been left to SFL sides to determine the make-up of the lower end of the structure. Clubs have been asked to state whether they would prefer a third tier of 18 clubs, or the continuation of two bottom leagues of 10. The latter plan would see two new teams invited into the new league setup, with the possibility remaining of two clubs being asked to enter "Colt" sides into the league. STV understands there remains opposition within the SFL to the Colt idea, with a preference to see current non-league sides given the chance to be awarded a place in the league. An announcement on the preference of SFL clubs is not expected until later in the week. The league is yet to state when its members will hold a final vote on whether to press ahead with reconstruction plans. Clubs have received a draft copy of the proposed rulebook for the Scottish Professional Football League, although representatives of all 30 sides are yet to formally meet to discuss its contents and no date has been set for talks. Twenty-two of 29 SFL sides, excluding Rangers, must be passed for the reconstruction plans to go ahead. The SPL, who require an 11-1 vote of its members, have announced they will have their deciding vote on April 15. http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/airdrie-united/217323-scottish-football-league-clubs-to-decide-on-18-team-or-10-10-bottom-tier/

http://www.therangersstandard.co.uk/index.php/articles/club-history/234-the-old-lady-of-edmiston-drive

There to see the Rangersâ?? â?? report of our first Scottish Cup tie in 1874.Posted on March 11, 2013 by vallance We have found this clipping from 1927 giving a great description of our first ever Scottish cup tie against Oxford (a 2 â?? 0 victory for the young Rangers team). The interesting thing about the report is itâ??s written by original Celtic team member Tom Maley. Does this mean Celticâ??s obsession with all things Rangers started before there was a Celtic? http://blog.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/wp/

Scottish Premier League clubs will vote on league reconstruction proposals next month following the latest round of discussions. Chairmen have now agreed to take the proposal to a vote on April 15, where they will vote on a raft of proposals including the league composition and rulebook, as well as an amalgamation with the Scottish Football League to create one body. SFL clubs are required to hold a separate vote to decide whether they will approve the plans. If passed by both, the new structure would be put in place in time for next season. For league reconstruction plans to be passed, SPL clubs are required to vote at least 11-1 in favour. The Scottish Football League would have to vote separately for the joint plans to be put into effect. 29 of the 30 SFL sides, excluding Rangers, must pass a 75% vote. Under the league reconstruction plans, three leagues would be created in a 12-12-18 format, with the top two tiers splitting into three groups of eight after 22 games. A draft rulebook has been drawn up and was discussed at a meeting of all SPL clubs at Hampden on Monday. STV

have a look at Forest same players different manager playing great

But after 40 minutes in the dressing room, McCoist emerged to say: "It was a really, really poor 90 minutes. The players know what is expected of them at this club and they dropped below those standards. "I didn't have harsh words with them in the dressing room, I just told them that it was unacceptable."

By STEPHEN HALLIDAY Published on Saturday 9 March 2013 00:00 THE combined rule book for a proposed 12-12-18 league set-up in Scottish football next season has confirmed there will be no fast-track route for Rangers back to the top flight. The first draft of rules for the new body, which would incorporate all 42 current senior clubs and be called The Scottish Professional Football League, also reveals there will be no championship trophy up for grabs for clubs in the middle tier of the new structure. The initial copy of the combined rules document, which was distributed to clubs this week and is subject to revision, has been obtained by The Scotsman. It formalises the composition of the controversial set-up, devised by the board of the Scottish Premier League and backed by the senior management of the Scottish Football League and Scottish Football Association. The unified SPFL, which would see the clubs in one league body again for the first time since the SPL breakaway in 1998, is intended to be put in place for the start of next season. It will require an 11-1 vote in 
favour from the current SPL clubs and then 75 per cent backing from the 29 SFL clubs eligible to vote â?? Rangers are ineligible due to their status as associate members of the SFA following their liquidation â?? if it is to go ahead. The rule book states that the 12 clubs in the top division for the 2013-14 campaign will be the first 11 clubs in the current SPL and the champions of this seasonâ??s SFL First Division. The second division of 12 clubs next season will be made up of the club relegated from the current SPL, the eight clubs finishing from second to ninth place in the current First Division, the champions of the current Second Division and the winners of two play-off ties. The draft document states the club who finish second bottom of the current First Division would go into the play-offs, but that is a clerical error. Those play-off ties would therefore be between the club who finish bottom of the current First Division and the fourth-placed club in the Second Division; and the second and third-placed clubs in the Second Division. This seasonâ??s Third Division play-offs will not take place if the proposal is approved. The new 18-team third tier will be comprised of the losers of the two Second Division play-off ties, the bottom six clubs in the Second Division and all ten clubs in the Third Division. That means Rangers, as Third Division champions, will remain 
in the bottom tier of league football next season. Details of promotion and relegation in future seasons under 12-12-18 are also detailed. The top two divisions will split into three groups of eight clubs after 22 matches of the campaign. The top eight clubs will play each other twice more, home and away, to determine who are Scottish champions and who earn European places. The middle eight, or play-off eight as described in the document, will have their points reset to zero and play each other home and away. The top four clubs will be in the top division the following season, the bottom four in the second division. No trophy will be awarded to the club finishing top of the play-off eight, with the document declaring: â??Given the split at Game 22 it is difficult to have a Div 2 championâ?. The bottom two clubs in the third group of eight will be automatically relegated to the bottom tier of 18 clubs for the following season. The top two clubs in the bottom tier will be automatically promoted to the second tier of 12 clubs for the following season. There will be a play-off competition involving the third and fourth bottom clubs in the third group of eight and the third, fourth, fifth and sixth-placed clubs in the bottom tier to determine two more relegation-promotion places. There will also be a pyramid play-off competition between the two clubs who finish at the bottom of the 18-club third tier and two candidate non-league clubs identified by the SFA from a national competition approved by the SPFL board. Under the combined rules, there would also be a standard 15-point penalty for any club which experiences an insolvency event. Ten points would be deducted immediately, with the further five-point deduction applied at a stage of the season when the SPFL board determined it would have the most meaningful impact. http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/sfl-division-three/rangers-set-to-remain-bottom-tier-in-12-12-18-plan-1-2827772?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Mexican forward Alan Pulido is a target for Rangers.Reuters <a href="http://oas.stv.tv/RealMedia/ads/click_nx.ads/sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/216919-rangers-target-move-for-mexican-forward-alan-pulido/11362774201@Frame1" target="_blank"> <img src="http://oas.stv.tv/RealMedia/ads/adstream_nx.ads/sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/216919-rangers-target-move-for-mexican-forward-alan-pulido/11362774201@Frame1" alt="" /> </a> Rangers have targeted a move for Mexican forward Alan Pulido, STV understands. The 22-year-old, who currently plays with Tigres in his homeland, can play as a striker or on the wing. Pulido has been the subject of positive reports from Ibrox chief scout Neil Murray. Capped at under-20 and under-23 levels, Rangers would face stiff competition for the forward who is being tipped as the next Javier Hernandez in his homeland. Pulido’s contract with the Mexican Premier League side runs until December this year. Rangers are currently banned from registering new players until September 1, the day after the summer transfer window closes. Earlier this week, Rangers boss Ally McCoist revealed Jon Daly, Nicky Law and Andre Bikey are on a list of transfer targets for next season. As McCoist aims to strengthen for next season, the club are also interested in Honduran international Arnold Peralta. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder captains Vida in his homeland but is a free agent in the summer. Peralta played in Glasgow last year as part of his country’s Olympic squad and has also attracted interest from MLS side Toronto.

Forgot to add that the new jerseys mentioned in the article were made by H&P McNeil.

goalkeeper has same colour jersey

This picture was always thought of as the Rangers against the touring Canadian team from 1888. We have now discovered that it is in fact the opening match for First Ibrox in 1887 against Preston North End. The full story can be found on the blog - http://blog.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/wp/?p=638

Queen's Park have won 5-3 at Elgin.

Scottish Football 83‏@ScotFoot1983Partick Thistle have announced that they would be willing to sell Firhill for £500k in a bid to ease their financial concerns. twitter account about football 30 yrs ago 7 pages on FF

DAVID LONGMUIR last night refused to rule out Rangers playing in a higher league next season. It had been anticipated the Ibrox club would be stuck in the bottom tier under league reconstruction plans even if, as expected, they win the Third Division title this season. But the SFL chief executive insists no decision has been taken on where Rangers will be placed if the proposed 12-12-18 set-up is approved. Longmuir said: â??The honest answer is that there have been no discussions yet as to where Rangers will play if they go on to win the Third Division. â??Weâ??re still debating whether we should proceed with the 12-12-18 model or, perhaps, invite two new clubs to join and switch to 12-12-10-10. â??Thatâ??s a decision which needs to be made and we would hope to vote on the issue as soon as possible. â??Obviously, if we decide on four leagues then the question is irrelevant because they will play in the third one.â? However, asked if Rangers would be catapulted into the second tier if clubs decide to go with the original proposal, Longmuir said: â??Iâ??m sure that will be considered along with all the other options.â?

http://www.therangersstandard.co.uk/index.php/articles/current-affairs/231-counting-the-cost-of-the-last-year The last few months have been positive for Rangers fans: a clear majority verdict in the First Tier Tax Tribunal, a conclusive decision in the SPL commission, over £20million raised in the companyâ??s IPO, a clear run to the SFL3 title and even two new sponsorship deals announced last week. I think itâ??s safe to say we deserve to be smiling after all the trials and tribulations since we entered administration last February. Most recently, the result of the SPL commission has prompted much debate. Although Rangers were found guilty of failing to disclose the side-letters involved in their controversial EBT tax scheme, a £250,000 fine is viewed as a good result given Lord Nimmo Smithâ??s independent panel could just have easily stripped the club of honours won during the period these letters were utilised by the old company. Certainly those who are not fans of Rangers clearly feel thatâ??s what should have happened. And who can blame them when large sections of the media misled us all with irresponsible suggestion that was the only likely result 1? Thus, itâ??s been no surprise to see many people react with undisguised horror at Lord Nimmo Smithâ??s ruling. As well as the usual feral lynch mob of Celtic bloggers and mischief-fuelled media pundits, we even had the strange sight of Celtic and their manager embarrassing themselves by questioning the logic of the Commission. Celtic, like Rangers in fact, may well â??operate within the rules of the governing body and the law of landâ?? but they, like Rangers and others, will also take the opportunity to minimise their tax obligations. Indeed, while Lennonâ??s hypocrisy shouldnâ??t be a surprise to any football observer, it is worth pointing out his personal tax avoidance scheme was ruled illegal last year 2. And, of course, if any club has gained most out of Rangersâ?? misfortunes it is Celtic. Itâ??s these kinds of double standards that really frustrate Rangers supporters. Weâ??re told by many that itâ??s time to move on but as long as the usual detractors continue to perpetuate myths about â??cheatingâ?? while working with â??sectarian tarredâ?? pseudo-journalists, it is difficult for anyone to try and leave the mess of the last year behind. After all, letâ??s not forget that despite all the repeated calls for further punishment and supporter â??contritionâ??, Rangers and their fans have lost most. Not only will our company of over 100 years be liquidated, our clubâ??s reputation and profile have been damaged badly through no fault of our support. Sure, Sir David Murrayâ??s tax risks may attract deserved criticism but, so far, these risks have been shown to have been lawful ones. Of course, legal or not, the EBT tribunal eventually proved to be so much of a weight, he had to sell (or was forced to sell?) Rangers to the nefarious Craig Whyte. Whyteâ??s deliberate non-payment of PAYE and NI then directly led the club to administration and if anyone must be culpable, he is the main perpetrator - though others also neglected their responsibility to one of Scotlandâ??s greatest institutions. In that respect, thatâ??s where itâ??s difficult for Rangers fans to move on. Not only did we have the sham of SPL Commissions, the disgrace of five-way agreements and the (continuing) corporate challenges of HMRC tribunals but also lies and hyperbole in the media based on anonymous blogs and illegally obtained documents. Even Lord Nimmo Smith referred to such issues in his judgement but that has been skipped over in the haste for hypocrisy. All in all, when counting the cost of the last year we need to be sound of mind to examine the true scale of what has happened. Rangers are now in the Third Division â?? the lowest theyâ??ve ever been as a club and, by association, cannot play in Europe for at least another three seasons. Meanwhile, the SPL has already been won a canter by Celtic amidst decreasing crowds, reconstruction chaos and short-lived supporter led â??Scottish Springsâ??. Add in the dreadful performance of the international team, Scottish football has never been in a worse state. To that end, if we are to move forward (and we must actually) then we can only do so by having all the relevant parties take a step back and consider their position. Can Stewart Regan and Neil Doncaster really lead us into a brave new era? How can the SPLâ??s lawyers be trusted to re-write our rules when they canâ??t interpret the existing ones correctly? Should we really reconstruct our systems and authorities so hastily? At what point will vocal elements of the Scottish media be more positive in their approach? These questions arenâ??t all that difficult to answer but until they are acknowledged then there will be no amicable solution and the national game will remain a laughing stock. Ironically by their statements over the last few days, Rangers have been the most conciliatory and it was interesting to note that no other Scottish club commented on the Commission outcome. That does indicate we can find common ground but only when all involved accept their part in what has happened. Rangers may have been at the centre of this maelstrom of misfortune but most of us (though certainly not Celtic) have lost out. The quicker some realise that true cost, the quicker we can all get back to normal. Just donâ??t hold your breathâ?¦ 1 - http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/probe-into-rangers-title-wins-to-be-carried-1167116 2 - http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/neil-lennon-tax-scheme-blow-1173612

GIOVANNI DI STEFANO‏@DEVILSADVOKATInfo just in to me from insider the SFA will go back to two leagues as I stated with SPL 1 and SPL 2 with 20 per league

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/3479-thrilled-to-see-sandy

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has claimed any continuing debate over the Rangers payments issue would cause 'collateral damage' to the game. Speaking in Edinburgh today, Regan urged Scottish football to draw a line under the last 12 months and move on. The independent commission chaired by Lord Nimmo Smith this week fined the old company £250,000, but decided not to strip the club of any titles. He said: "Now is a very good time for all parties to draw a line under what's gone on in last 12 months. "It's crucial with league reconstruction being such an important issue that we draw a line under what's happened and seek to work collaboratively. "If we spent as much time focusing on building and growing the game on the pitch as we do talking about conspiracy theories, exit strategies and matters off the field, I think we would be world class. "We have to avoid the rest of the game becoming collaterally damaged. It's not about trying to find scapegoats for what's happened." Regan also defended Scottish Football Association president Campbell Ogilvie's role during his time as company secretary at Rangers when some undisclosed payments were made. He said Ogilvie had been totally open about his role at Rangers, adding: "Campbell Ogilvie played no part in the management and organisation of any element of the Murray group remuneration trust. "He has been transparent and up front and he was the only member of the old [Rangers] regime who put himself forward to be interviewed by Lord Nimmo Smith and that says a lot about the man." Regan insisted no deal had been done with Rangers to stop the club being stripped of their titles, but that the possibility of it happening had been mentioned to the new owners. He said: "When the consortium approached the SFA and were interested in buying Rangers FC they asked for an outline of what were the worst possible punishments. "The reason they wanted the information is they had investors who wanted to know exactly what the implications were, so what came on to the table was literally every possible sanction and issue."

of FF Hi everyone, I have some fantastic news, Sandy Jardine will be coming to the match tomorrow and will be speaking over the PA system to personally thank everyone for their support since he found out about his illness. Sandy is getting stronger by the week but he has still got a long road in front of him. If you happen to see him arriving at the front door please don't crowd round him because he is still a bit weak. He told me this morning he is really looking forward to coming to the game tomorrow, so lets give him a tremendous Rangers welcome he deserves, not only because of what he has went through with his illness but for all he has done for our great Club over the last year when we were on our knees and being booted by everyone when we were down. God bless you Sandy WATP Please feel free to share and pass onto fans websites and to your fellow Rangers friends throughout the world. JH

Chris Jack‏@Chris_Jack89Great news that Sandy Jardine will make it along to Ibrox tomorrow. Good to see him making some progress on the road to recovery

:violin::violin:Celtic have issued a statement revealing they are 'surprised' by Thursday's ruling that Rangers gained no competitive advantage from undisclosed payments. http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11787/8532289