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Scots football fans could be able to buy clubs under new plans to create bailout pot for cash-strapped teams 17:09, 10 Jan 2016 Updated 17:10, 10 Jan 2016 By Paul Ward , Andy Newport BACKERS of the proposed community sports fund hope the offer of tax incentives for investors would allow a stockpile of cash to be built up to help rescue troubled clubs. The new proposals were drummed up in a special summit hosted by Supporters Direct Scotland at Hampden FOOTBALL FANS in Scotland could soon be given help to buy their cash-strapped clubs if plans for a new lending pot are passed. Backers of the proposed community sports fund hope the offer of tax breaks for investors would allow a stockpile of cash to be built up to help rescue troubled clubs. According to a study published today by the independent Lolben Consultancy, the fund would soon become "self-financing" with the help of private social investors and allow supporters to borrow the necessary funds to save their clubs. The report, commissioned by Supporters Direct Scotland (SDS) and published to mark its annual summit at Hampden , also claims that social investors could be attracted by qualifying for 30% income tax relief. It says: "The proposal of creating a sports specific fund providing affordable social investment to community trusts has merits and will meet a recognised need." SDS, founded in 2002, has helped to establish more than 30 supporters' trusts, 18 of which have a director on the board of their club. Sports minister Jamie Hepburn was a keynote speaker at the summit , which welcomed supporters and politicians to discuss the future of fan involvement in football governance. A government consultation on supporter involvement remains open until January 15 and Hepburn wants more people to take part . He said: "I firmly believe there is a powerful and persuasive case for supporter involvement and - where appropriate - ownership of their clubs. "It is commonplace in the Bundesliga so often held up as an example of best practice on and off the field. "And supporter involvement and ownership is gaining momentum here in Scotland too. Hearts and Motherwell are pursuing high-profile fan ownership models, while other clubs like Clyde, Dunfermline and Stirling Albion have led the way. "So fan involvement and ownership can - and does - work." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scots-football-fans-could-able-7152250

No guarantee but I still don;t believe putting Ibrox or Murray park into the hands of a supporters group is the way to go. The club could then become hostage to a supporters group.

He proved that day he can cause havoc on the break with plenty of room to run into. I wonder what he can do in a packed penalty area? The other thing that worries me is the old adage that if you play well against Rangers they will sign you.

FFS that is horrible. They might of at least used a Tesco bag.

Was it not O'Halloran that ran our defenders ragged playing up front in that game. I am sure it was. Just googled! Rangers 1 St Johnstone 3, match report: Michael O’Halloran inspires visitors to comprehensive win Rangers vs St Johnstone, Scottish League Cup - Rangers exit tournament with deserved defeat http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/11884009/Rangers-1-St-Johnstone-3-match-report-Michael-OHalloran-inspires-visitors-to-comprehensive-win.html

I agree it is a big ask but Rome was also not built in a day. Chipping away gradually for a bigger influence is indeed the way to go for me. 26% of the shares would mean that no 75% vote could be passed unless the fans wanted it. That would be a great first aim.

What guarantee does a supporters group owning an asset give that it is in good hands. None that I can see. Look at the mess the RFF ended up in. If supporters groups buy enough shares they can make sure by voting that Assets remain a part of the club. We should want to own the club and therefore the assets.

I thought Holt was pretty invisible today. I only heard his name mentioned on a couple of occasions. McKay was outstanding as was Wallace. Waghorn was not motm for me as Tavernier did the work to get the penalties. They both played excellent as well though. McKay MOTM

Did Celtic take part when we played them in the first game of the new year? The loving cup for IRA sympathisers seems strange and toasting the Queen that must have been a real shocker for them.

Totally disagree with this. What gives Rangers first the right to own assets of the club. All assets should belong to the club and that should never change. If Rangers first want more shares then great but if we start selling assets to any set up supporters groups then we are completely on the wrong road.

That's a terrific offer Craig.

It was how he acted like a prick later in his career that I have trouble with. He should never have been brought back for his last stint. I generally find that about all players to be honest. A second stint ends mostly in disappointment.

Yeah but I like burnt toast.

Shit 1-1 with 3 minutes left

Eastliegh 1 Bolton 0 with only 10 minutes left.

We all have our own perceptions of him and everybody else for that fact. He certainly isn't one of my us.

Probably as I don't really read what he writes. Maybe if he wrote about how he was improving Clyde I may be more interested. Probably not though.

Not quite, I do respect some of his past.

I agree I don't like Ferguson but I was now thinking as the Clyde Chairman. Would we like it if MW kept writing about Brentford. I am not so sure my opinion is completely invalid.

That is exactly what I thought this afternoon. If I was the Clyde chairman I would be thinking "How about your own club."

Not better sticking it?

Audits needed to avoid another Rangers-type “meltdown” Scottish football fans are 'vital and central to renewing, reforming and reclaiming the national game in Scotland.' Picture: Neil Hanna Scottish football fans are 'vital and central to renewing, reforming and reclaiming the national game in Scotland.' Picture: Neil Hanna Andrew Whitaker Professional football clubs and the governing bodies of the sport should be subject to independent reviews and audits aimed at preventing a Rangers style financial meltdown, a fans manifesto demanding a radical package of reforms to the national game has said. A Fans’ Manifesto “Transforming Scottish Football” that was put together by the Scottish football supporters association (SFSA) after a survey of 10,000 supporters also called for a significant extension of fan ownership of clubs and a right to buy for fans. We believe Scottish football has a positive future, and that the voice of fans is vital to renewing, reforming and reclaiming the game Simon Barrow The SFSA, which has a membership of around 50,000 people, is calling for a “big conversation” about the future of the game, ahead of May’s Holyrood election, as the blueprint for a proposed shake-up of Scottish football was launched at Holyrood. However, in a keynote demand it called for the “regular, independent auditing and review of the performance of governing bodies and clubs” that would see organisations such as the Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) forced to submit to outside scrutiny. The report said the radical move was needed due to a “complete lack of transparency throughout the game”, stating that it “often it is only when a crisis emerges that we get to see how a club is actually managed”. In a scathing criticism of the sport’s two main governing bodies Scottish Football Association (SFA) and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), it said the attitude of fans to those in charge was “revealing and concerning”. • Craig Whyte & Charles Green appear in court over Rangers ‘fraud’ “The gulf between those who run football and those who love it and pay for it is far too wide to be healthy, which is why substantial reform in the boardrooms and throughout the governing bodies is in their interest, the fans’ interest, and the interests of Scottish football as a whole”, it said. It added: “In recent times the reputation of both the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) have likewise suffered.” Former First Minister Henry McLeish, who spokes at the manifesto launch, said the plan for independent audits of clubs, the SFA and SPFL could help prevent a “vast international shadow overhanging” the game such as the Rangers case. Rangers three divisions in 2012 after the Oldco Rangers went into administration, and ultimately liquidation, over a separate tax debt which eventually reached £21million. The current Rangers club, which has won two promotions on the field since 2012 and is potentially just months away from a return to the Scottish Premiership. Mr McLeish, who published a report demanding major changes to Scottish football in 2010, said the SFSA manifesto call for new rules on transparency could help prevent a repeat of such cases. He said: “Transparency and accountability are the critical words that should be applied and we should take Rangers as an example of where Scotland never wants to go again. “Hopefully this will take us to the point where such a vast international shadow overhanging us won’t happen again.” The SFSA manifesto also backed having a 25% fan representation on all of Scottish football’s governing bodies within five years, with 50 per cent representation for women. MSPs should also look at handing fans a legal right to buy their club based on the model of the not-for-profit Foundation of Hearts which promoted the idea of fan ownership and successfully acquired the majority shareholding in the Tynecastle club Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, responding to the manifesto launch, said: “All stakeholders of Scottish football are united in striving for a positive future for our national sport. Fans, as the lifeblood of football, are a vital part of this and it’s imperative that their opinions continue to be listened to. “The SPFL has made significant progress in delivering positive change throughout the last two-and-a-half years. “We welcome any constructive suggestions which might help shape the future of the Scottish game.”

Accrington Stanley boss accuses Rangers new boys Josh Windass and Matt Crooks of disrespecting his club on social media 13:27, 7 Jan 2016 Updated 13:27, 7 Jan 2016 By Gordon Parks STANLEY gaffer John Coleman slammed the duo for their posts on social media about making the switch to a 'massive club'. ACCRINGTON STANLEY boss John Coleman has accused Rangers new boys Josh Windass and Matt Crooks of disrespecting his club on social media after sealing their moves. The pair have signed pre-contract deals at Ibrox after snubbing the chance to stay with the League Two side. But Coleman has slammed the duo for their posts on social media about making the switch to a 'massive club'. He said: “I don’t get embroiled in social media but I do think going on and seeing the players had tweeted about ‘buzzing to play for a massive club’ is disrespectful to our fans. “Our fans have backed them through thick and thin and I do think there should be more respect in place. When I became a manager, my ethos was always to treat players how I would want to be treated and I just wish there had been more communication from the players to myself. “I had two bits of news on Wednesday. I obviously found out that two players are leaving at the end of the season, which I knew anyway as they didn’t sign new deals earlier in the season. “Then I heard that a former team-mate and friend John Carroll had died suddenly in his sleep. I know which piece of news upset me most and it was definitely the latter. You have to put things in perspective and be realistic. “Accrington can’t compete with the big clubs, certainly money-wise, the players have a great chance to play for a massive club in name and in front of a big crowd. In a few years’ time, they will be back to where they were before their troubles and it’s a big stadium with great facilities. “I don’t blame them, they have to take the opportunity and they had every right to sign for Rangers. I wish them all the best.” Coleman insists both players are in his plans for tomorrow’s clash with Notts County and it will be business as usual despite the controversy. He said: “My position hasn’t changed though. I am fully focused on Notts County and preparing for an important home game. “Crooksy has been one of our players of the season and Josh has shown what he can do in flashes but we have players like Shay McCartan chomping at the bit to play and no one’s position is set in stone. I am just focusing on what happens between now and the end of the season.”

The funny thing I find is that many want players from our academy to play in the first team but a 21 year old coming from probably a far better level than our development league is being spurned upon. That a 28 year old is viewed as dodgy I can understand but a youth player(virtually) from that level I see as completely positive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpzR76D7JL8