Gretna's lasting legacy may be the introduction of a pyramid system in Scottish football.
It's funny how much less important the demise of Gretna apparently became once it was clear that it wouldn't affect the title race. So when the border club finally did kick the proverbial bucket there were few sympathetic voices in the media. How the club became so reviled is a bit of a mystery, after all they were hailed as plucky underdogs in the 2005 Scottish Cup final, but their admission to the SPL seemed to be the final straw for most in the media. Happy to laud them as long as they didn't meddle in the serious business of the Premier League.
The papers were far more excited about the prospect of a new club being introduced to the league, probably the most coverage that club will receive for quite some time. The candidates ranged from the well known (cup crusaders Spartans) to the resurgent (the unusual bid from 'Third Lanark') and then the credible, unassuming teams such as Annan Athletic, Cove Rangers and Edinburgh City.
Annan Athletic won, surprisingly but the suggestions were that it was a close contest. Now ideas are being floated for a pyramid system (like they have in England to name one) which would greatly improve the Scottish game. For one thing it would create more competition in the Third Division, getting rid of annual whipping boys East Stirlingshire who have languished so long in the division that they have developed a cult following.
The system would have to differ a bit from England's because there is no conference to draw from, presumably a playoff between the 3 semi-professional leagues in Scotland (I wonder whether the Highland League would be involved, but it would certainly help) and even junior leagues. Linlithgow Rose showed in this years Scottish Cup that even if a team doesn't play professional league football it can still be more than a match for some of the more established ones.
Credit to any paper that prioritises this story ahead of Old Firm transfer rumours though. Watch this space.
Monday, 7 July 2008
Friday, 20 June 2008
Summer Lull
Haven't written much here lately, because there hasn't been much to report that hasn't received tedious saturation from the media. I suppose I will take a greater interest once the pre-season proper starts. Enjoying the European Championships a great deal even if France and Italy have been unsettlingly bad.
Will return to half hearted writing soon, busy summer.
Will return to half hearted writing soon, busy summer.
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Territorial Ambition
Finally making sensible choices for international friendlies.
It's been a dull couple of months, little happening that is worth remarking on. The continual struggle for supremacy amongst the Bore Firm and Rangers spectacularly boring UEFA Cup campaign have left me with little option but to sit tightly and wait for the start of the new season.
Though it might be worth waking for the 30th May when the Tartan Army will storm the streets of Prague as Scotland take on the Czech Republic. For most of you the reaction will be a resounding 'who cares?' especially with no competitive matches to ponder til September this year, but this and the Croatia match (by any standard a good result) show that Scotland are finally making sensible choices in choosing friendly opponents.
Unlike most of my countrymen, I did not think that we would beat England (save for maybe a lack of effort from the so called Lions, more than a possibility) given the chance, but I don't think truly meaningless friendlies are worthwhile either (such as those pitting us against countries like Faroe Islands for example). Teams like Czech Republic and Croatia: good teams that will provide a proper challenge for Scotland without resulting in a morale bashing defeat are the right choices to make. It could be the best preperation as we patiently wait the next campaign.
It's been a dull couple of months, little happening that is worth remarking on. The continual struggle for supremacy amongst the Bore Firm and Rangers spectacularly boring UEFA Cup campaign have left me with little option but to sit tightly and wait for the start of the new season.
Though it might be worth waking for the 30th May when the Tartan Army will storm the streets of Prague as Scotland take on the Czech Republic. For most of you the reaction will be a resounding 'who cares?' especially with no competitive matches to ponder til September this year, but this and the Croatia match (by any standard a good result) show that Scotland are finally making sensible choices in choosing friendly opponents.
Unlike most of my countrymen, I did not think that we would beat England (save for maybe a lack of effort from the so called Lions, more than a possibility) given the chance, but I don't think truly meaningless friendlies are worthwhile either (such as those pitting us against countries like Faroe Islands for example). Teams like Czech Republic and Croatia: good teams that will provide a proper challenge for Scotland without resulting in a morale bashing defeat are the right choices to make. It could be the best preperation as we patiently wait the next campaign.
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Gretna No Green
The SPL whipping boys went into administration this week, but some questions are likely to remain unanswered.
If you are a fan of hackneyed tired cliche, then you a probably among the most disappointed at the news of Gretna's demise. The club entered administration this week and as of this afternoon have 24 hours to pay £30,000 or face closure. Which would have chaotic consequences for the SPL.
My understanding is that all of the remaining and fulfilled fixtures involving Gretna would be declared void by the SPL, and so all teams in the league would be awarded to the value of 12 points. For teams like Dundee United, who lost twice to Gretna this season, this would mean a six point gain. Which would no doubt be appreciated by their fans.
Gretna's future also has considerations for teams like Kilmarnock and St.Mirren who would have previously been thought safe but for a mysterious new rule that states that a team must be relegated. Presumably this rule was created after the 2003 season, when Motherwell survived the drop because Falkirk's dilapidated Brockville home was not suitable for the SPL.
If Gretna do go out of business, it will leave a lot of questions. The most important being, that if Brooks Mileson, the financier of Gretna is in hospital, how does that put Gretna's immediate financial future in jeopardy. It appears as if Mileson has been backing the club through 'donations' of his own money rather than business capital.
This is an unorthodox arrangement, and if that were the situation at Gretna then it would certainly explain their sudden financial demise. It shows that the club have had artificial wealth and just why this was necessary is a further mystery. The questions are certainly piling up. Hopefully the Scottish back pages will be able to answer some of them.
If this is to be the end of Gretna, then few people will miss them. Many backed 'the dream' until it became a reality. Out of their depth in the SPL things have deteriorated for the club, and their ground sharing arrangement with Motherwell has just infuriated the press further as Gretna have done nothing to change their situation for next season. Add to this the clubs tendencies to set new records for low attendances and it's easy to see why most people will be glad to see the back of Gretna when they depart the SPL. By whatever means that might be.
If you are a fan of hackneyed tired cliche, then you a probably among the most disappointed at the news of Gretna's demise. The club entered administration this week and as of this afternoon have 24 hours to pay £30,000 or face closure. Which would have chaotic consequences for the SPL.
My understanding is that all of the remaining and fulfilled fixtures involving Gretna would be declared void by the SPL, and so all teams in the league would be awarded to the value of 12 points. For teams like Dundee United, who lost twice to Gretna this season, this would mean a six point gain. Which would no doubt be appreciated by their fans.
Gretna's future also has considerations for teams like Kilmarnock and St.Mirren who would have previously been thought safe but for a mysterious new rule that states that a team must be relegated. Presumably this rule was created after the 2003 season, when Motherwell survived the drop because Falkirk's dilapidated Brockville home was not suitable for the SPL.
If Gretna do go out of business, it will leave a lot of questions. The most important being, that if Brooks Mileson, the financier of Gretna is in hospital, how does that put Gretna's immediate financial future in jeopardy. It appears as if Mileson has been backing the club through 'donations' of his own money rather than business capital.
This is an unorthodox arrangement, and if that were the situation at Gretna then it would certainly explain their sudden financial demise. It shows that the club have had artificial wealth and just why this was necessary is a further mystery. The questions are certainly piling up. Hopefully the Scottish back pages will be able to answer some of them.
If this is to be the end of Gretna, then few people will miss them. Many backed 'the dream' until it became a reality. Out of their depth in the SPL things have deteriorated for the club, and their ground sharing arrangement with Motherwell has just infuriated the press further as Gretna have done nothing to change their situation for next season. Add to this the clubs tendencies to set new records for low attendances and it's easy to see why most people will be glad to see the back of Gretna when they depart the SPL. By whatever means that might be.
Saturday, 8 March 2008
The Young Pretenders
FIFA's eligibility rules are reforming in the wrong direction, and this has interested some south of the border.
One of the more pleasant legacies of Berti Vogts tenure as Scotland manager was his decision to axe players who had entered the national fray with questionable intent. It was less 'to play for my country' and more 'to play for this country because my country aren't interested'. Sure the results suffered, to very new lows in most cases but at least everyone was playing with heart, and representing their country of birth! The way it should be!
Problem is, there is no official ruling that makes that so. In fact, most developments regarding eligibility are aimed at making it easier for people to play for a country that they weren't born in. Naturalised citizens for example, are eligible. In Scotland this includes players like Nacho Novo, Steve Lovell and Billy Mehmet, so no real benefits there. The fact is that Nacho Novo may well have lived in Scotland for over 5 years, he's still Spanish.
More problems arise with the 'grandmother' ruling which has been responsible for the exodus of one or two Scottish players to Ireland. In particular Aiden McGeady, born in Glasgow, took advantage of this ruling. The latest decision by FIFA is the most disconcerting. The 'one cap' rule which means that players can change nationality even if they have represented another country provided that they only represented that country once.
If you subscribe to my view then you will also be unsettled by talk of enlisting English born players such as James Morrison (West Brom), who wants to play for Scotland because 'opportunities with the England team will be limited.' This great patriot is not alone, Barnsley cup hero Brian Howard reckons he's in with a shot of displacing Kris Boyd or James McFadden and has appealed to George Burley to come and get him.
More worryingly I've heard rumours that Burley is seeking the services of Fitz Hall (Wigan) to see if he would like to rule out England and come play for Scotland. Hopefully this is only a rumour. Obviously Scotland have benefited from this in the past, with English born players such as Andy Goram being of great use to the national team. Also future Scotland great Steven Fletcher is English born. Both players are Scottish by second generation, not third.
The problem I have with the eligibility rules, despite there being nothing officially wrong with English players being in the Scottish national team, is that it devalues the nature of the team. As a Scotland fan I want to know that the players are playing for their country and not as a flag of convenience. It is insulting to the many good Scottish players in the SPL today to entertain notions of third generations or naturalised citizens.
One of the more pleasant legacies of Berti Vogts tenure as Scotland manager was his decision to axe players who had entered the national fray with questionable intent. It was less 'to play for my country' and more 'to play for this country because my country aren't interested'. Sure the results suffered, to very new lows in most cases but at least everyone was playing with heart, and representing their country of birth! The way it should be!
Problem is, there is no official ruling that makes that so. In fact, most developments regarding eligibility are aimed at making it easier for people to play for a country that they weren't born in. Naturalised citizens for example, are eligible. In Scotland this includes players like Nacho Novo, Steve Lovell and Billy Mehmet, so no real benefits there. The fact is that Nacho Novo may well have lived in Scotland for over 5 years, he's still Spanish.
More problems arise with the 'grandmother' ruling which has been responsible for the exodus of one or two Scottish players to Ireland. In particular Aiden McGeady, born in Glasgow, took advantage of this ruling. The latest decision by FIFA is the most disconcerting. The 'one cap' rule which means that players can change nationality even if they have represented another country provided that they only represented that country once.
If you subscribe to my view then you will also be unsettled by talk of enlisting English born players such as James Morrison (West Brom), who wants to play for Scotland because 'opportunities with the England team will be limited.' This great patriot is not alone, Barnsley cup hero Brian Howard reckons he's in with a shot of displacing Kris Boyd or James McFadden and has appealed to George Burley to come and get him.
More worryingly I've heard rumours that Burley is seeking the services of Fitz Hall (Wigan) to see if he would like to rule out England and come play for Scotland. Hopefully this is only a rumour. Obviously Scotland have benefited from this in the past, with English born players such as Andy Goram being of great use to the national team. Also future Scotland great Steven Fletcher is English born. Both players are Scottish by second generation, not third.
The problem I have with the eligibility rules, despite there being nothing officially wrong with English players being in the Scottish national team, is that it devalues the nature of the team. As a Scotland fan I want to know that the players are playing for their country and not as a flag of convenience. It is insulting to the many good Scottish players in the SPL today to entertain notions of third generations or naturalised citizens.
Arthurian Legend
Artur Boruc should concentrate more on making headlines for his performances rather than his behaviour.
Depending on your point of view, the SPL is either better or worse for having Artur Boruc. The Polish keeper, often a standout performer for Celtic (forget McDonald, Celtic wouldn't have won half the games they have without Boruc) is capable of belief defying agility and spectacular goalkeeping that firmly establishes him as one of the best keepers in Scotland, and has even invited interest from giants such as AC Milan.
Unfortunately Artur is less well known for immaculate professionalism, and this is where the problems start. Back in 2006, there was a highly publicised controversy when after the Old Firm derby Boruc was cautioned by police for allegedly making gestures towards Rangers fans. The gesture which provoked most offence was the sign of the cross. Boruc being a Catholic, blesses himself before every game. At the time I defended him saying that it was just naivety and an honest expression of his faith.
However despite all the controversy Boruc decided to repeat the step in the next Old Firm game, which is inexcusable for a professional. He invited more scrutiny this season by repeatedly refusing to shake hands with Rangers players after Celtic were thrashed at Ibrox. Celtic fans were delighted, but it again cast doubts over his attitude.
The latest spate of media attention to surround Boruc occurred after the recent Hibs - Celtic encounter, in which Boruc was booked for 'waving cheekily' to Hibs fans. Gordon Strachan led protests, backed by fans that referee Ian Brines was wrong to do this. Boruc himself responded with a statement that was a textbook example of infamous Celtic paranoia, claiming that 'referees were out to get Celtic.'
Now although Ian Brines was perhaps a bit harsh to book Boruc, the idea that Artur is the innocent victim in all of this is laughable. His past reputation speaks for himself, and firm refereeing is the best way to deal with it. Perhaps he should consider his behaviour more carefully next time before he wonders about his treatment at the hands of authorities.
Depending on your point of view, the SPL is either better or worse for having Artur Boruc. The Polish keeper, often a standout performer for Celtic (forget McDonald, Celtic wouldn't have won half the games they have without Boruc) is capable of belief defying agility and spectacular goalkeeping that firmly establishes him as one of the best keepers in Scotland, and has even invited interest from giants such as AC Milan.
Unfortunately Artur is less well known for immaculate professionalism, and this is where the problems start. Back in 2006, there was a highly publicised controversy when after the Old Firm derby Boruc was cautioned by police for allegedly making gestures towards Rangers fans. The gesture which provoked most offence was the sign of the cross. Boruc being a Catholic, blesses himself before every game. At the time I defended him saying that it was just naivety and an honest expression of his faith.
However despite all the controversy Boruc decided to repeat the step in the next Old Firm game, which is inexcusable for a professional. He invited more scrutiny this season by repeatedly refusing to shake hands with Rangers players after Celtic were thrashed at Ibrox. Celtic fans were delighted, but it again cast doubts over his attitude.
The latest spate of media attention to surround Boruc occurred after the recent Hibs - Celtic encounter, in which Boruc was booked for 'waving cheekily' to Hibs fans. Gordon Strachan led protests, backed by fans that referee Ian Brines was wrong to do this. Boruc himself responded with a statement that was a textbook example of infamous Celtic paranoia, claiming that 'referees were out to get Celtic.'
Now although Ian Brines was perhaps a bit harsh to book Boruc, the idea that Artur is the innocent victim in all of this is laughable. His past reputation speaks for himself, and firm refereeing is the best way to deal with it. Perhaps he should consider his behaviour more carefully next time before he wonders about his treatment at the hands of authorities.
Monday, 3 March 2008
Weird Science
Kenny Deuchar's departure for the MLS is the latest in a line of unusual moves for Scottish players, but the Gretna exile may be the one to buck the trend.
The transfer window rarely provides much enjoyment for fans outside the Old Firm. I'm a Dunfermline fan by default and all it did for me was confirm that the Pars are intending on a long stay in the First Division.
Signing players who are out of contract seems to be the stock in trade for these lesser teams.
St.Johnstone plucked nationwide publicity straight from the 'where are they now' file when they offered a six month deal to Jody Morris: A former Chelsea starlet who never scaled the same heights as John Terry but possesses an FA Cup winners medal. The same day a former Falkirk starlet possessing a Scottish Cup runners up medal signed for MLS team Real Salt Lake: Kenny Deuchar.
Deuchar made his name as the prolific scorer in the lower leagues who was also a practicing doctor, but when Gretna made it to the SPL he was sent out on loan spells, apparently not good enough for the demands of the top flight. Ironic then that his last game would result in him netting a double.
His MLS deal doesn't have parity with David Beckham's. The incentives for Deuchar are the chance to work in a local medical center and the prospect of an annual friendly against Real Madrid! However he is probably relieved to be away from Gretna, who have inherited Heart's mantle of 'crisis club.'
It remains to be seen how well he will adapt to life in the US. Scottish footballers tend to be poor travellers. Former Kilmarnock prospect Peter Canero is currently clubless after failing to make an impression in the MLS for Red Bull New York, maybe he should have stayed at Dundee United.
The fact that the name Alex Williams will mean nothing to most SPL fans is a testament to his wasted potential. A hugely prolific striker for Stirling Albion, Greenock Morton and Clyde, Williams signed for Australian side Armadale SC in 2006. He scored 7 goals in as many appearances but returned to Scotland after a few weeks, unable to settle. He had short spells with Ross County and Clyde on his return, and currently plys his trade for Ayr United.
The most high profile failed move was Garry O'Connor's departure from Hibs. The big moneymaking move to Lokomotiv Moscow looked great on paper. The problems surely stemmed from the fact that O'Connor had probably never been to Russia before and spent only one season before coming back to Britain.
Hopefully Deuchar's move will be more successful. After all, if he can't make it as a footballer he could always settle for life as a doctor.
The transfer window rarely provides much enjoyment for fans outside the Old Firm. I'm a Dunfermline fan by default and all it did for me was confirm that the Pars are intending on a long stay in the First Division.
Signing players who are out of contract seems to be the stock in trade for these lesser teams.
St.Johnstone plucked nationwide publicity straight from the 'where are they now' file when they offered a six month deal to Jody Morris: A former Chelsea starlet who never scaled the same heights as John Terry but possesses an FA Cup winners medal. The same day a former Falkirk starlet possessing a Scottish Cup runners up medal signed for MLS team Real Salt Lake: Kenny Deuchar.
Deuchar made his name as the prolific scorer in the lower leagues who was also a practicing doctor, but when Gretna made it to the SPL he was sent out on loan spells, apparently not good enough for the demands of the top flight. Ironic then that his last game would result in him netting a double.
His MLS deal doesn't have parity with David Beckham's. The incentives for Deuchar are the chance to work in a local medical center and the prospect of an annual friendly against Real Madrid! However he is probably relieved to be away from Gretna, who have inherited Heart's mantle of 'crisis club.'
It remains to be seen how well he will adapt to life in the US. Scottish footballers tend to be poor travellers. Former Kilmarnock prospect Peter Canero is currently clubless after failing to make an impression in the MLS for Red Bull New York, maybe he should have stayed at Dundee United.
The fact that the name Alex Williams will mean nothing to most SPL fans is a testament to his wasted potential. A hugely prolific striker for Stirling Albion, Greenock Morton and Clyde, Williams signed for Australian side Armadale SC in 2006. He scored 7 goals in as many appearances but returned to Scotland after a few weeks, unable to settle. He had short spells with Ross County and Clyde on his return, and currently plys his trade for Ayr United.
The most high profile failed move was Garry O'Connor's departure from Hibs. The big moneymaking move to Lokomotiv Moscow looked great on paper. The problems surely stemmed from the fact that O'Connor had probably never been to Russia before and spent only one season before coming back to Britain.
Hopefully Deuchar's move will be more successful. After all, if he can't make it as a footballer he could always settle for life as a doctor.
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