soulfulsaint

Clyde now join Thistle, Morton, Falkirk and Raith as No

Don't you think its strange the the SFL are meeting to look at proposals that officially no one has come up with.

Yes.

It appears that the SFL's general meeting will <B> not </B> vote - it's simply a discussion about the related issues. I would not be surprised if they call and EGM - which will take another 5-7 days. Tick Tock or apply to the Third.

Some have asked why are they meeting:

According to the SFL:

"The most important aspect of the whole process is to consult with clubs.

“It will be <B> a general club meeting </B> where clubs have the first chance to see the issues we have been dealing with.

“They will debate them and discuss them fully with the board of the SFL and take appropriate action as required.”

If there is a vote it will be no. And we will then move to the only credible next step - Sevco apply to join the Third where there are two other potential new entrants according to press reports

I hear they are really strong applications and I can't decide which of the two to support

Brilliant! That's just what we need at Mcd, drums and trumpets placed just behind Ghosties seat create a great atmosphere

....There already is a big trumpet on Ghostie's seat

You could be right about the document but why haven't the chairmen or someone at the SPL come out to explain this and what are the SFL chairmen voting about on Tuesday if not this?

ETA: I firmly believe that decisions of this magnitude should be fully transparent and everyone should have confidence in the system that has been created to deliver such a document!

I don't know the answer to your first question. But I agree if it is an official SPL sanctioned document - which I doubt - then there should be greater transparency. Look at it again imp - its absoultely dire, if that is an offcial SPL document then we are in a shit mess. It can't be.

This document isn't just a twist and turn in the ongoing saga - its a wholesale change to the entire league system. If that doesn't merit a comment fron the club what does?Also, if the SFL clubs vote against this (which looks more likely than not) newco WILL be in the SPL according to this. It may be a new second league purely to let them in but it will be the SPL. Let's hope this is not a done deal with the SPL chairmen. The longer we hear nothing from them, the more I fear it could be.

Some fair points imp. But I really cannot see it being more than a discussion document, its not a thought-through proposal - surely? If it is then its one of the worst peices of management strategy I've ever seen. Shocking standard.

Meanwhile over at Hearts there would be a lot of very pissed off supporters if what you say was to come true. They have had an unprecedented surge in Hearts season ticket sales on the back of the NO Vote:

<i> "Hearts have reported an increase in season ticket sales in the wake of Vladimir Romanov’s emphatic comments over newco Rangers.

A Hearts spokesperson said: “It is reassuring to know that in such testing financial circumstances for the game in this country, supporters are playing their part in providing significant support.

“We are very grateful for this backing and we hope that it will continue in the days and weeks ahead in order that the club can build on its recent progress.”

SPL clubs have been warned to expect financial repercussions of not having Rangers in the top flight. However, Hearts will be buoyed by season ticket sales now standing at 8000 for the 2012/13 campaign. </i>

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/hearts-season-ticket-surge.18022787

Good bit of business. I think one year contracts will be much more common for all concerned.

Has anybody actually been able to find out who wrote this document and authorised it being sent out? If indeed this happened?

Reads like a draft discussion document to me ODAB can't believe that is an official document - suspect Doncaster drafted and then sent to a few people to comment and it leaked. Its shit even for a first draft.

It has been mentioned on here that people know things that they have heard from a good source. It could be argued that they are just being told what they want to hear and are naively swallowing it however that's not my point. Saints silence in this matter is causing a loss of confidence and when the promised "truth" comes out supporters will struggle to believe it.

I think there is some truth in this John. But I do feel that in such a fast moving minute-by- minute world, where its even difficult for obsessives like us to stay in touch - I'm never sure what the right reponse should be. The Board cannot do a running commentary on every breaking angle to this 'omnishambles'. But they could be more clear at <B> key </B> moments. They have pronounced a 'no vote' on the only matter they can vote on (SEVCO to SPL) and they did that after first telling a fans' forum and asking them to keep coinfidence for a few days until all the detail of the release was organsied. They were fourth or fifth SPL club to declare (easily Top Six). I didn't know there was a fan's forum but I'm glad there is - good on the club for convening that.

As for the document - I agree it is a scandalous and shabby piece of tat. I have a very strong instinct that it leaked and was not 'official'. It reads like a discussion document and I am near certain it did not have the prior approval of SJFC, as SPL members. In fact, most of the Board were in Switzerland at the Euro Draw and returned to another shambolic chapter. Not being SFL members they cannot vote on it so its unclear what a release would actually say. I am very confident they would vote NO again if they could. (Employment Law prevents the 'Doncaster Get Your Coat' Statement but I'd happily draft that one for them)

What I'm furious about is that season ticket sales have stalled again after a real flurry of excitement on the day after the 'no' vote announcement. So all I can say about that is that Neil Doncaster's document - which bleats on about financial meltdown - has denied St Johnstone much-needed season ticket sales from its core fans.

Communications are not great. But the club has already called for more volunteers to work on e-communciations and social media because they aware they could be better at communicating in what is now an 'always-on' world - good on them. But they have said much more than Celtic who have full PR department on call.

I remain convinced that the 'rules' and the wave of unrest from fans will prevent any 'compromise' suceeding - the SFA at times looks slow and inactive but remember any rash statement or rushed press-realese they issue can be what takes a decision to court again. They have been there once already.

(PS On an entirley separate matter as an afficionado of the First Division I think the current SEVCO squad would get pumped - no way that lot would win the most competitive league in Scotland.)

Also worth keeping in mind that the club will struggle to break even on this round and may even take a hit. So this is about as keen a price as you could get for direct charter to and from Edinburgh. Guess its down to time versus money.

The Motherwell context is that they have launched the fan ownership scheme Well Society. John Boyle in effect seeking to hand back the club to fans. The call for fanbinvestors was doing fine but many have either refused to sign up and some have cancelled standing orders as a protest.

Not going to fall out with you Kilgour, especially as Rab was a great player for us! I am no keyboard warrior, I just honestly believe you are in a minority with your thinking. Maybe I speak to different people than you, but I work across Scotland including Glasgow and in recent weeks I have met NOBODY who thinks that a "special solution" for NewCo is in any way acceptable.

Snap - apart from Rangers fans or the disineterested I have met precious few football fans that are in any way sympathetic to a fudged deal or a quick fix let alone rewarding cheats

TMG Sport have just emailed about their charter to Turkey. £555 flying out on Wednesday and returning straight after the match.

http://www.tmgsport.com/stjohnstone/index.htm

Just booked online - on OS in 15mins - but this was the pre-boarding for registered fans. Saves time not so much money but given all the various problems its not a bad deal - think its 180 seater so after squad and travelling party, its around 140 for fans. For those that can't get time off work to go for a week its worth a throw.

I've also heard that BDZ, the Bulgarian train company you'll be using, are technically bust.

Get them into the Third Division.

Great to have Paul back. I hear they have put him on an EBT too. Well done Saints

Alex Thompson's latest blog savages the SPL 'document'

http://blogs.channel4.com/alex-thomsons-view/scottish-footballs-chance-saloon/2091

...and with tongue firmly in cheek ends with the killer lines:

<i> "The fans aren’t daft and they’ll not buy this, nor should the clubs – even those who’ve long hankered for the two-tier SPL.

It should all be about real change, real opportunities for clubs who are not toxic and for Rangers to have the chance – genuinely, credibly, cleanly – to put this behind them, do their time and come good as they surely will, with any deserved bragging rights earned the hard way in coming years.

Don’t take my word – pop up the A9 to the new hotbed of European football in Scotland – Perth.</i>

Yeessss!!!

Hearing that there may not be absolute confirmation for another week yet due to UEFA appeals process. Club still commited to a charter flight if it all pans out. But they are in a very difficult predicament - not knowing the city, or the opponent and yet wanting to see a great Saintees support.

Just as well this thread has become the Thomas Cooks of the CYS.

Blue Fez's all round

One Chairman who comes out of this with his reputation wholly intact is Turnbull Hutton of Raith Rovers. His robust statement yesterday was most welcome. Apparently, he also replied to a life long Rovers fan by email:

<i> Relax……we don’t respond to blackmail. We’ve made our position crystal clear. The document is a joke and an insult. I don’t care about SPL clubs or their problems. They haven’t shown much interest in ours!

We will not be rolling over. I’d rather play Junior Football!

T

</i>

I cannot verify that this is authentic but I have no reason to doubt that it is.

Sorry I can't believe this third rate document has any great status - if it has then we really are in a mess. 100% against this and trust it has no prior approval from Saints.

I am a convinced supporter of 'No to Newco' and I have bought my season ticket and will go to Europe.

Some facts:

Rangers are a few weeks from liquidation - if they are relegated then they will simply not exist by August.

Sevco 5088 are not in the SPL so cannot be 'relegated'

The relegated team in 2011-12 was Dunfermline

Team 12 are in the SPL season 2012-13.

Nor is it likely the sevco newco will be in SPL - chairmen and clubs have stated.

If RFC are being retrospectively 'relegated' if its for dual contracts then that is 3-0 defeats and Dunfermline are then not the bottom club and so cannot be relegated.

If Dundee are invited to join the SPL then Dunfermline have a strong legal case.

Since Livingston were demoted to 3 they too have a case to pursue.

A gathering of SFL chaimen are already likley to vote no, many furious that this 'plan' has even been mooted - it is not close to being approved.

Yes we have weasels as administrators.

But this won't happen

But stay vigilant as it would be a disgrace if it did.

C'mon You saints

I have bought season tickets and will go to Europe since my main anger was about the SPL but this does leave a sour taste if its true and has all the hallmarks of a compromise deal. Apply the ruels and don't reinvent leagues around a bankrupt club.

Anybody know how many season tickets have been sold?

AllI've ehard is the word 'brisk' tarzan now sure whast that means in real sales but insinctively feel it will be more than recent season which would be a great outcome

How can UEFA....

1. not confirm what team we are playing

2. not confirm whether the first leg is home or away

3. not confirm where the game will be played (if it's Eskisehir we play).

Shambles. It'd be difficult to mess it up worse than that deliberately.

I blame the SPL - Doncaster must have had a hand in this

As we get more details and as travel plans firm up can we keep all Euro travel advice, tips and hotel info in this thread please. I am acting as a care assistant for a group of fans who claim they were one Crazy Young Saints so any info on hotels with stairlifts let me know.

So all travel plans here please

C'mon The Euro Saints

Season tickets sales are going great guns today. Don't miss out - get on the phone - bargains to be had.