We will not ignore fans over newco, says SFL chief David Longmuir

[Steve1872 4]

By STEPHEN HALLIDAY

Published on Monday 2 July 2012 21:16

 

 

 

SCOTTISH Football League chief executive David Longmuir insists the views of supporters over the contentious possible future of a newco Rangers in the organisation next season have been taken on board ahead of tomorrowâ??s Hampden summit of their members.

 

 

 

Representatives of all 30 SFL clubs will gather at the national stadium tomorrow morning to debate the document distributed to them last week. Drafted by SFA chief executive Stewart Regan in conjunction with Longmuir and Scottish Premier League chief executive Neil Doncaster, one of its key proposals is the admission of Charles Greenâ??s reformed Rangers into the First Division. The move has caused widespread disquiet among fans of SFL clubs, who believe the Ibrox club should instead have to submit an application to join the Third Division in the wake of their failure to emerge successfully from administration.

 

No vote on the issue will be carried out at tomorrowâ??s meeting. Under SFL rules, a minimum of five daysâ?? notice is required to call an extraordinary general meeting of clubs where any such resolution can be put to what would be a secret ballot.

 

Tomorrowâ??s meeting, called by the SFL board last week, is intended to gauge opinion among the member clubs and for Longmuir and his fellow board members to try and persuade them of the merits of a proposal which would eventually see the organisation amalgamate with the SPL from the 2013-14 season.

 

 

 

â??The Scottish Football League would like to acknowledge and thank all fans who have taken the time to contact us in relation to the current critical issues affecting our game,â? said Longmuir in a statement tonight.

 

â??Many fans have shared with us their concerns and their views on opportunities for the broader game which may arise out of the current issue. I can confirm that every piece of communication has been read objectively and sincerely, and that many contributions have been insightful and thought-provoking. We will, however, be unable to respond to each individual piece of correspondence. I thank you for your understanding.â?

 

Some clubs, however, have already taken the strong views of their supporters on board by publicly declaring their opposition to Rangers being placed in the First Division. Falkirk, Raith Rovers, Morton, Dunfermline and Clyde have stated they would vote against the proposal. Several others, including Partick Thistle and Alloa, have released statements pledging to take feedback from their fans on board before making a decision.

 

SFL president Jim Ballantyne, meanwhile, has revealed he intends to abstain from any vote as his own club, Airdrie United, could be among the beneficiaries of Rangers joining the organisation. If the Ibrox club were admitted to the Third Division, Airdrie would be promoted to the First Division as the runners-up in last seasonâ??s play-off final. Ballantyne found himself in a similar position in both 2008 and 2009 when Airdrie moved up a division as a result of the respective demotions of Gretna and Livingston for insolvency events.

 

â??We are going to abstain from voting because Airdrie could benefit from a particular decision,â? said Ballantyne. â??But it is not a formal vote [on Tuesday], we are just looking for a steer from the clubs. I donâ??t know whatâ??s going to happen. We are going to completely run through the document sent to all SFL clubs last week and assess all the various options available.â?

 

The SPL will be keeping a watchful eye on events along the corridor at Hampden. They are scheduled to hold their own general meeting on Rangersâ?? future on Wednesday when they will vote on whether the existing SPL share of the Ibrox club is transferred to Charles Greenâ??s newco. Seven clubs â?? Hearts, Dundee United, Aberdeen, Hibs, St Johnstone, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Mirren â?? have already publicly declared their intention to vote â??Noâ??. Green needs an 8-4 vote in his favour to retain SPL status for Rangers.

 

His newco club require to gain SFA membership in order to play anywhere next season. Their application was received by the SFAâ??s lawyers on Friday and will be assessed this week.

 

Meanwhile, Green has vowed to pursue legal claims against the Rangers players who refused to join his new company. Norwich-bound Steven Whittaker and Kyle Lafferty, who joined Swiss side Sion, became the first of ten players who objected to their transfer to the newco to secure moves. However, Green has vowed to fight for transfer money and revealed he had written to every league club in the UK warning them to stay away from the players.

 

Green said: â??Our lawyers will pursue these claims. We have written to every Premier League and Football League club in the UK telling them clearly that we see this as a breach of contract.â?

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rangers-newco-we-will-not-ignore-fans-over-newco-says-sfl-chief-david-longmuir-1-2388687

[GovanAllan 0]

Yes listen to the fans filled with hatred that's the answer to all this mess.

[mark_jer 0]

What about the Rangers fans, do they not count?

[Guest Corky_Laputa]

Since when has anyone in Scotland listened to the fans?

 

Utter shite as usual...

[pete 2,499]

Since when has anyone in Scotland listened to the fans?

 

Utter shite as usual...

 

When it suits their own means.

[biggordy 0]

Arguably about 1/3 of all football fans in Scotland follow the Rangers to some degree (figure based on % of attendances 2011/2012)

That's quite a substantial amount of people!

 

If they fail to acknowledge this massive number then we can easily presume there is no place for any democracy in Scottish football AND that the "Haters" will have ruined our Game forever.

[der Berliner 3,255]

Honestly, should e.g. Bayern Munich or indeed Real fall under the same status as we are and the German or Spanish supporters will get a vote, does anyone envisage that they would vote FOR these clubs to retain their status and are being re-instated in the BL or La Liga strait away? Or any other league?

 

That is where "democracy" fails to deliver. You could likewise cast an "impartial" vote on more severe punishments for rapists and child-molesters, a vote solely done by mothers.

 

The democracy asked for here will see Annan Athletic or Spartans join the SFL 3 ahead of us. It is as simple as that.

[alexscottislegend 2,074]

Honestly, should e.g. Bayern Munich or indeed Real fall under the same status as we are and the German or Spanish supporters will get a vote, does anyone envisage that they would vote FOR these clubs to retain their status and are being re-instated in the BL or La Liga strait away? Or any other league?

 

That is where "democracy" fails to deliver. You could likewise cast an "impartial" vote on more severe punishments for rapists and child-molesters, a vote solely done by mothers.

 

The democracy asked for here will see Annan Athletic or Spartans join the SFL 3 ahead of us. It is as simple as that.

It doesn't invalidate your point but Annan are already in the SFL3.

[trueblue 64 53]

SFL president Jim Ballantyne, meanwhile, has revealed he intends to abstain from any vote as his own club, Airdrie United, could be among the beneficiaries of Rangers joining the organisation.

 

“We are going to abstain from voting because Airdrie could benefit from a particular decision,” said Ballantyne.

 

A view not shared by Riley at the mhanks, indeed you could say the same about Motherwell, Dundee Utd and St Johnstone who all sit on the panel to judge us. The mhanks want our title, the others want the mhanks european place.

[der Berliner 3,255]

What would happen if say 6 SPL clubs abstain from the vote?