Pick your side. While the OBFA ( more later ) is about to be repealed, offering hope of change, things are pretty much still the same down at the OK Cabal.
Neil Doncaster has joined the SFA,
He of the “it’s the same club , timmy ” email-see Doncaster-Behind The Mask , previously on this site. Bearing in mind that he represented the view of the clubs in his SPFL position, that should be an indicator of how things are going to be for the foreseeable future.
From the Herald;
IAN Maxwell stepped down from the Scottish Football Association board last night with SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster voted in as his replacement – a dramatic move which seems increasingly likely to pave the way for the managing director of Partick Thistle to return as chief executive of the SFA.
With McKinlay unlikely to vote on the chief executive’s position as he prepares to step down from the organisation, the final decision – which could be taken within weeks, rather than months – will fall to SFA president Alan McRae, vice president Rod Petrie, Thomas McKeown of the Scottish Amateur FA, Doncaster, Mike Mulraney of Alloa and the association’s two independent non-executive directors Ana Stewart and Gary Hughes.
Alan MacRae, who shouldn’t be allowed out without adult supervision, said;
“I would like to thank Ian Maxwell for his valuable contributions to the work of our Board, in particular, the part played by him during the recruitment of our national team manager,”
“I am pleased to welcome Neil Doncaster onto our Board to replace Ian. Neil’s experience in the game should be of great benefit to the Scottish FA and I look forward to working with him and the other directors to drive the game in this country forward.”
“I am very grateful for the support of the Scottish FA Board and look forward to Scotland’s two main footballing bodies working together more closely than ever before for the good of the entire game,” said Doncaster.
He also said, via email, in response to concerns that the gaming industry is about to be regulated as to how much it can sponsor sport which it has a vested interest in…
I note your concerns. However, it remains the case at present that the gambling industry are simply far more willing than other sectors at present to invest in the game, north and south of the border. Of course, we would all be delighted if other industries (such as health foods, fitness products and others) had the same propensity to invest in football as the gambling sector does. But at present I see a lack of evidence that that is the case throughout the UK as a whole.
I see a lack of evidence that there is any effort whatsoever to find alternative income.
And this guy is now one of the most influential in Scottish football.
Along with this clueless git…
Still the only SFA chief to have a town named after him.
But not to worry…season books will soon be on sale, and there’s also a couple of Scotland friendlies to boycott….
There are plenty of people around who can negotiate good deals.
Have a look at where the real money is, and maybe there are some ideas there just waiting to be stolen..
Thanks to the massive BT Sports deal, UK’s TV pool is by far the highest in Europe at €154m, followed by Italy €111m, Spain €87m, France €75m & Germany €66m. Deducting the 10% given to Scotland (if a club qualifies for Group Stage) means €138m for England in 2017/18.
Staying with the Herald, how about this for a misleading headline.. ?
Video: Hundreds join Rangers v Celtic game march in defiance of police
Er, hundreds of “rangers ” fans, one would reasonably conclude from the advertisement for the “anti fenian march “.
In fact, lets continue to make reasonable assumptions..
Wonder where they had been ?
The Herald has , by implication, associated Celtic supporters, thats you and me, with a march that consisted of darkly clad people who hid their faces behind various forms of masks.
Thats unforgiveable, and the club should at the very least comment.
I’d also like to see the Supporters Association comment, and for everyone else not to buy the paper.
Lets lighten up a little, after a fairly serious start to todays Diary.
Now, who can we laugh at?
Daniel Candeias wants medals after extending stay at Rangers
From Radio Clyde, the broadcasting arm of the new club:
He told RangersTV: The people want us to win trophies, and so do the players.
This is the greatest club in the world when it comes to trophies, and now I want to win trophies with Rangers too.”
It is so good for me and I am very happy to sign this new contract with this club,”
It is a great club and I like the responsibilities that come with that.
I love wearing the shirt and I will give 200 per cent for this club.
Presumably he’ll be doing the accounts as well.
I am very happy here as it is like a family.
Everyone has welcomed me so well and my family are so happy with the city and the people.
When everything is like this, it makes it so much easier.
I am very happy with my performances, but that is down to the team playing well. I work hard every day to prepare for the games.
In these seven or eight months I have worked hard for the team, and now I want more of the same. I have more responsibility now and want to continue the way I have.”
He claims to “work hard for the team ” …did anyone else notice how he shrugged off his team mates when he scored at Ibrox..
Then again, they’re not the brightest bunch in the world who follow follow that team.
Though one of them did appear to have a somewhat unique insight..
I’m astonished that no one else has spotted the link…
I mean, they are being victimised, and you’ll never see a sympathetic report in the papers about them… well, unless you look.
Rangers pay more for policing Old Firm games than Celtic despite having smaller stadium
Nowhere in the story does it make the rather simple connection between the loutish behaviour of the home fans at Ibrox , such as pitch invasions, objects thrown, racist and sectarian chanting, and an above average degree of physical ugliness likely to cause distress.
Surprising, that.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Kristoffer Ajer, who has confounded critics and made a successful transition from midfield to defence, is about to be offered a new deal.
He’s on a deal that lasts until 2020, but there is talk that he’s about to be offered a new, improved longer term deal.
He must be a happy chappy.
Norway boss Lars Lagerbeck has picked him for the first team, and said of the youngster;
“Ajer has a lot of self-esteem and confidence and is the type of character we need to be successful.
“If he really wants to, he will become a very strong player for the national team for ten or 15 years.”
Someone else who might yet hang around is Patrick Roberts, who has spent a lot of time on the sidelines this season. He faced a question and answer session from a group of kids who certainly put the SMSM to shame with their directness. He was asked if he wanted to stay for ten in a row..
“I would love to be here but I can’t really say much on that. Something like that is massive and especially for Celtic to do it would be huge, and I’m sure they’ll do it and I’ll be part of of it if I’m here or not.”
He was asked who had the best atmosphere-Celtic or Manchester City ?
“That’s not really a question. It’s easy, Celtic. They are the best (fans) I will probably ever play in front of. Celtic by a mile, especially Champions League nights are special. Something I will take with me wherever I go”
Then he joined the kids in a chorus of “We’re On The One Road ” and skipped off into the sunset..
Scott Brown is due a testimonial, and it looks like Liverpool will be the opponents.
Not that it matters who it is, but Liverpool always bring a few fans, and some of them opt to spend money instead of nicking everything that isn’t nailed down.
James Doleman, the court reporter, proved yet again that he has an incisive mind when he spotted this.. which was a clear message that the betting industry has too much influence on our game..
Very sporting of Rangers to put Sunday’s result on their shirts along with the initials of Cetic’s goalscorers.
Or is it, as another pointed out, merely Karma ?
Finally, today could prove to be the first victory for the common football fan when the Scottish parliament votes to repeal the OBFA..James Kelly, the guy who has introduced the attempt to repeal it , deserves a huge amount of credit.
If only he’d turn his guns on the SFA.
After all, as Desi Mond pointed out, the football authority is a private company, and as such regulates an industry.
And yet surely if sectarianism, racism and violence are taking place under their umbrella, then they must be held responsible ?
Any other company would be…. in any other industry. One could argue that the SFA responsible for offering a sanctuary for extreme racial and sectarian views.
At the very least, such an argument cannot be ignored.
Yesterdays caption competition..
Caption : KT to Broonie “ What race are the gers in?” Broonie “ They’ve been non runners since 2012 pal.”
Today…