chilledbear

The Evening Times. THE Old Firm's stunning plan to take control of the SPL TV rights at a cost of �£25million requires the backing of at least six other clubs. TV rights are one of the reserved voting issues - and would only be passed if eight clubs agreed. Clubs have already been sounded out, and the Old Firm have had sufficient encouragement to move forward with their plan, though they point out it is still at a very early stage. The SPL confirmed today: "We've not received any proposal from the Old Firm." Aberdeen - who united with Celtic and Rangers to oppose the ultimately-doomed �£130m Setanta deal which was accepted last year - could vote with the big two again if the deal is put on the table. advertisementBut it will take a massive amount of lobbying to push through the offer being put together by the Old Firm. Directors across the country will be wary of effectively allowing the Old Firm to control the most important contract in Scottish football. But St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour today admitted he would be willing to look at any plan which would benefit the SPL. He said: "I don't know enough about the proposals to comment in depth, but I would never be against anything which brought more money into our game." St Johnstone's Geoff Brown is also very interested to see the fine detail of the proposal but warned: "You have to look at the ramifications of this move. I don't think anyone outwith the Old Firm would want to be dictated to by Rangers and Celtic. "If it's true and they are putting this scheme together, then that is effectively what will happen in the future. That would be a problem. "At the moment, we effectively have 12 equal shareholders. The last thing 10 of those members will want to do is to give their powers away. "Remember, that is what caused the collapse of the previous contract with Sky. "However, if it was on a fixed-term contract, for a set number of years, then it is something I'd look at. "I can totally understand the reasons the Old Firm are doing this. They have seen the money they take in from broadcasting decrease. They have looked at what they can do to increase it. "This is something I would consider." With TV money accounting for almost half of the income generated by some clubs, anything which is an improvement on the �£65m five-year offer placed on the table by ESPN/Sky would be welcomed. It has been reported that the vote on this ESPN/Sky offer has to be made within the next 48 hours. But the SPL have confirmed that although there is a meeting on Thursday, it is not necessarily the case as it would require all 12 clubs to agree to make their decision within that time-frame. The Old Firm can refuse to vote now, and in so doing buy more time to sell their own proposal to the other 10 clubs. The �£25m they are prepared to put on the table as the initial cash would be boosted by extra money generated from the sell-on of the games or a pay-per-view package. Separate club channels for Rangers and Celtic have also been mooted as a possible way to bring the games to subscribers. Rangers chairman Sir David Murray and chief executive Martin Bain have been heading the high-power talks with Celtic's Peter Lawwell and Dr John Reid. Celtic's major shareholder Dermot Desmond is also reported to have been involved in the discussions and Bain revealed: "I can confirm the Old Firm have had talks regarding the current broadcasting arrangements. "We're deeply disappointed at the proposals on the table and are exploring other avenues. At this stage I don't want to comment further." Publication date 14/07/09

If you want a bet on the SPL, bide your time, there will be opportunities over the season when it is possible to back both teams at odds against.

Very true......but why accept an offer of �£500,000 for CA, when everybody knows there are 2/3 Clubs after him. Surely it's the perfect case of saying yes to the highest bidder.

Nothing in Skegness.

IMO the money Rangers will spend for a central defender, will be as much as to only afford bargain basement players ['Well player Reynolds]. You are talking about English Division 1 players being bought and sold for the likes of �£5m. We were very fortunate to buy Boogie when we did, and for the money.

Aye ok.

Can you imagine both our central defenders being injured, suspended or the like.

RIP http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8145425.stm

Whoever we end up selling, it surely is not the way to conduct transfers. The buyers can wait till Rangers start getting nervous, buy for below the market price, and probably too late for us to negotiate sensibly, any additions to our squad. I just hope we don't end up having to play Broadfoot or McCulloch as central defenders for any amount of time. BTW I wasn't inferring any censorship, just wondering why you can't have a rumour in Belfast, plenty Rangers Supporters over this week-end.:spl:

He didn't say it was, as much right to post a rumour as the Novo OP. Probably more accurate.

Yesterday was the first time I had seen it, pity the work on it has stopped.

Annybody seen this before? http://www.rangershistory.co.uk/seasons/1886-87.html

Well it made me smile.

We went in a mini-bus, 8 of us, 2 years savings in the pocket. That sick after the game we decided to hit the road North, got as far as Watford. Two years worth of savings drank in one night, Champagne the lot. The locals couldn't believe it 'you got beat didn't you'. :spl:

In the 1974/75 season, Stewart Kennedy was as good a goalkeeper as I have seen at Ibrox. One of the main reasons we won the League that season, of course it all went wrong after Wembley.

Don't hold your breath, this is Rangers (Bain) we are talking about.

Would be better with KFC.

I heard on Monday, but don't know the time.

RTV are to be congratulated for that programme last night. :spl: Not often I say that!!

Well done the lads, and lets hope it brings results.

Has he signed the petition??

Ooops there again.:spl:

Yep just noticed.

It's in a thread about the BBC and Falling Standards.

Signed.....All main web sites? Does that include FF?