pete 2,499 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 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.” 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boabie 230 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 All that said when one sentence on the lines of "Rangers were sold to a crowd of crooks who were allowed to run amok" would have done. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aweebluesoandso 290 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 All that said when one sentence on the lines of "Rangers were sold to a crowd of crooks who were allowed to run amok" would have done. That will never be written, as they are all hoping that Whyte Green and CO are found not guilty. As it reinforces their stance on the collective punishment the club received from the governing bodies. Even when that crowd of crooks are found guilty, they wont change their opinions. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrahimHemdani 1 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) The SFSA is an organisation set up and run by Paul Goodwin after he was "let go" by Supporters Direct following complaints from Hibernian and Kilmarnock, supported by Doncaster and Regan, hitherto supporters of SD. Membership is free, so claiming almost 50,000 members is meaningless. His sidekick Simon Barrow describes himself as a "practical theologian, commentator, journalist, NGO consultant, adult educator and trainer". He is a co-director of the religion and society think tank Ekklesia. http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/about/staff Surprisingly or not depending on your view point, neither are listed in the organisation structure or advisory group. http://scottishfsa.org/about-sfsa/organisation-structure/ Despite lengthy CV's on LinkedIn, neither appear to be gainfully employed. In football terms they are nobodies and the SFA/SPFL will give them the time they deserve, which is none at all. Edited January 8, 2016 by BrahimHemdani 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boabie 230 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 " In football terms they are nobodies and the SFA/SPFL will give them the time they deserve, which is none at all." Sorry BH but especially in the past decade or so Scottish football and indeed Scottish life has started to be ruled by evidence suplied by "nobodies". Speirs springs to mind straight away. Who would ever have thought that a guy with a pencil who has nothing more than an O'level and who struggles to know what side of a baw is up during a match would be called every time weighty matters affecting us all , would become some sort of expert. It wasn't so long ago that Rangers fans were being asked to attend meetings to listen to experts like Goodwin. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrahimHemdani 1 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) It wasn't so long ago that Rangers fans were being asked to attend meetings to listen to experts like Goodwin. If you're referring to the launch of RF, then aside from a brief appearance at the first meeting and lending SDS's address, PG had precious little to do with it. The real expert behind it was former St Mirren director, Richard Atkinson. I can assure you that Mr Goodwin is persona non grata at Hampden Park. He may get a very occasional audience for appearances sake but beyond that his organisation is of no consequence. Edited January 8, 2016 by BrahimHemdani 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANGERRAB 3,338 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 All that said when one sentence on the lines of "Rangers were sold to a crowd of crooks who were allowed to run amok" would have done. Instead of 'run amok' perhaps 'deliberately cause an insolvency event' might have been better. At least that's what the charges against them state 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy steel 0 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Fwiw I got an email about this titled something like 'Let's Take Football Back' - I never joined this group nor did I actively send my details, and after the most cursory glance I deleted rather than replied. I think claims of 50,000 members can safely be taken with a big old bag of Saxo and it's daft claims like that which leave a bodies credibility busted. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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