Exceptional Circumstances

Ex-FIFA vice president David Will believes that the Old Firm move into the English league would not be sanctioned except under "exceptional circumstances".

He believes that it would set a dangerous precedent which would see "the big Belgian clubs trying to get in the Dutch league, the Dutch ones trying to get in the Bundesliga".

I think he has a point. FIFA will not support this plan.

If they did, though, what would those exceptional circumstances be? Might it be that Scotland is technically no more than a region of the United Kingdom. This is a sad, but true, fact. It would certainly strengthen any case for a single British football team.

Independence anyone?

SPL feeder team?

I suppose I could be constructive here. I relation to the proposal to move my beloved Celtic to England. 

If, Decency Forfend!, this idea were to take root perhaps we might leave a team in the SPL. A reserve side, a feeder side, call it what you will. Not sure about the practicalities of this but perhaps players could be transferred from one squad to the other during the transfer window. 

If this ever happened surely that'd be the way to go. And I know which team I'd support. 

The Sky Shilling

Sure, there's plenty profits to be had by joining the EPL. Taking the 'Sky Shilling'. But remember they are all relative.

All this filthy lucre would have to be ploughed into the team. Simply to survive. Like virtually all the middling clubs currently fighting for EPL survival we'd have to take chances. Increase our debt. Take a punt on some billy bigshots.

We can forget our prudent business model. We can forget running a proper business.

Did I mention that I was against this proposal? 

SOS

Someone wise, I think it was Bruce Hornsby, once said: 

"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?"

To me, this sums up the Celtic/EPL proposal. I don't care about Rangers. They are soulless. This doesn't apply to them.

Email to Phil Gartside

From: Musters

Sent: 23 April 2009 09:59

To: Phil Gartside

Subject: Celtic to join EPL

Hi Phil,

 

I'm very interested in your EPL2 idea. Like all Celtic fans I feel that it would be a great honour for a small club like ours to come and play in the "Best League in the World". We are touched by your concern for our welfare. The opportunity to come and play in England against, your club, Bolton, Ipswich and Crewe Alexandra has been a long held ambition. Anything to escape the mind-numbing repetition of Scottish football, not to mention the freezing sub-antarctic temperatures, would be most welcome.

 

Alas, I fear your idea may be ill-fated. I think that other clubs similar to your own would not be quite so welcoming. They may suspect that they'd get beaten on a regular basis by us. Protectionism will win the day. Not everyone is as forward thinking as yourself, Sir.

 

So, the reason for this correspondence, is to tell that when your idea is roundly rejected, as it surely will be, by all your peers, why not think about this. Why not consider bringing Bolton up North. Into the SPL. I mean obviously you'd have to start in, say, division 1, but I think within a couple of years you could easily achieve a top 6 position in the SPL. At least you'd have a better chance of qualifying for Europe.

 

Think about it.

 

Regards,

 

Musters

Bred in the Bone

I've been hearing a lot of opinions on this matter. I think, on balance, that most Celtic fans might disagree with me. 

They might regard me as a member of the "tartan brigade" for wishing Celtic to remain in a Scottish league. That Celtic, and all that it stands for, has not been particularly well served either by Scottish society or, by extension I suppose, the Scottish football authorities. That we should therefore feel no particular loyalty to this league. I've heard some say that we are strong enough to represent everything that is great about this club wherever we play. In short, that the greatness of Celtic Football Club somehow transcends Scottish football.

To me, this all comes from the heart. Not the head. 

We are a Scottish club playing in a Scottish league. This is important. If we give this up I believe we dilute ourselves irreparably. Sure we'll always have the Celtic "brand" but what will it mean?

What we are today is bred in the bone. Almost as much in all the hard miles travelled to the likes of Pittodrie and Tynecastle as at home in Paradise. 

WTF did this come from?

Phil Gartside, the Bolton Chairman, has put forward a plan for a two-tier EPL with Celtic and Rangers being invited to join the second tier. His primary motivation, of course, is to ensure a softer landing for clubs, like Bolton, who are prone to relegation to the dreaded Championship. 

Quite how this new league, EPL2, would be anything other than the Championship, re-branded, is another question entirely but, the invitation of Rangers and Celtic is obviously key to his proposal.

Let me say right off that, as a life long Celtic supporter, I am dead set against this proposal. I fully understand why Peter Lawwell would consider, is obliged to consider the proposal, but any financial or competitive arguments are very unlikely to sway me on this one. 

Here are the three main reasons I am against this plan:

1. Celtic are a Scottish club (with an important Scottish and Irish heritage).
   
2. As, such, we have a great opportunity each season to represent Scotland in Europe.
   
3. Celtic are a Scottish club.

I'm sure there many other reasons. If this plan takes hold then I'll be able to expand on them in this blog. Once I think about it more. Hopefully you'll also contribute to the debate. Maybe you'll even change my opinion. You never know.

in opposition to the motion

Welcome to my blog. I've called it "in opposition to the motion".

What motion am I opposed to?

Well, I'm very much opposed to the notion of Glasgow Celtic, Glasgow ... Celtic, moving into the English Premier League.

At least I think I am...