Page 1 of Falkirk denied entry to the SPL

Just heard that the SPL have rejected Falkirk`s bid to entry to the SPL as champions of the First division.
The powers that be can say what they wish but IMHO the simple reason the bid was rejected was to ensure that Motherwell FC did not go to the wall. Had they been relegated they would have been in very real danger of folding completely as they are trying to find a buyer and that would have been almost impossible had there been a drop in TV revenue and gate receipts in the 1st division allied to the exodus of "Stars!!!" like McFadden.
This is not the first time Motherwell have been saved by this type of action and the way they are going it will not be the last.
I sincerely hope that Falkirk FC along with other clubs outwith the SPL take this matter to the courts. Whether our ground or others is a tip or not, football and any clubs position in any league should be judged primarily by their footballing merits. If Falkirk do seek a ruling in court and this throws next seasons SPL and First division games into chaos then tough.
In all honesty I never believed that we would be allowed up so it was not exactly a shock but it still hurts.
Over the last 20 years Falkirk have been relegated when 3rd bottom of the Premier league ( now there is a contradiction of terms) and denied a play-off when entitled to one . yet all we ever hear is how we are expecting favours from other clubs.
I had better stop now as my keyboard is getting a bit of a thumping so I had better go.
Choagy :-(

This item was edited on Friday, 23rd May 2003, 13:54

That sucks mate :-(

Rich

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This item was edited on Friday, 23rd May 2003, 13:58

Why am I not really surprised ?

It makes me sick that this protectionism can be allowed, what right has Motherwell to be protected this way ?

I`m embarrassed to admit I was born and brought up in Motherwell, but would happily have seen them go out of business if that was the result of fairplay and decency by the SPL.

I`m so sorry, Choagy

P.

I bear no ill towards any of the supporters of any of the SPL clubs. The dissapointment and anger is only directed at the chairmen who voted against Falkirk.
Whether the vote went for us or against us all I was hoping for was that the vote would have been fair and transparently so. Unfortunately the decision by some chairmen will be deemed to have been governed by their own clubs future well being and not on the validity of Falkirk`s case.
I am not going to attempt to fool any person by asking them to believe the Falkirk board would have acted differently. All I and many others wanted was for the decision to be made by people who did not have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Possibly the SFA and the SFL could have decided on the validity or otherwise of the case.
With this in mind I feel the SPL is now tarnished and tarred with the label of being a "Protectionist , Self Preservation Society"
(SURPRISE SUR,chuffin,PRISE)
who have decided that footballing criteria and a teams ability on the field have absolutely nothing to do with promotion.
Never mind, my Son , me and my mates will still follow them next season .
I will still get my season ticket.
I will sponsor a player again if possible.
I will stand on the terraces at Ochilview , or wherever we play.
I will still shout to loud and teeter on the brink of a brain haemorrage.
But hey , that is what it is all about , or is it???

FAO others , many supporters on many forums from the majority of SPL clubs have voiced their support of Falkirk`s claim to entry to the SPL. It seems a pity that the chairmen do not share the same opinions as them.

Choagy :-)

If there are any petitions going about let me know and I will sign.

All the best,

The 42%er,

A Leicester who is also tired of been beaten with the s***y end of the stick.

That`s disgusting - and a slap to the face of the real soccer fans who support clubs like Falkirk (As opposed to the glory hunters supporting clubs I hardly need to name)

We have a similar kind of favouritism down here in England - it`s where a referee will keep the match going until Man Utd score;)

Latest update is that Falkirks board may lodge a legal objection, which would be excellent.
The vote was 7-5 with the 5 " good guys " being Aberdeen, Dunfermline, Kilmarnock, Hearts and Hibs.
Motherwell were obviously not going to vote for relegation, but the Old Firm should be ashamed of themselves.

P.

As the vote was on whether Falkirk`s submission met the criteria laid down by the SPL or not I find the 7-5 vote quite confusing. Either the vote should have been 12-0 in favour or 12-0 against. The fact that several clubs voted for or against the submission leaves the outcome open to ridicule. This means that in essence 5 clubs agreed that Falkirk met the criteria and 7 did not think so. How can it be that there are two opinions that are contrary to each other.
The cherry picking / asset stripping is already in flow. Stuart Taylor is of to Partick Thistle and I dare say O.Coyle will bail out to Dundee Utd. This is a further kick in the teeth for Falkirk if the vote was not bad enough in itself.
The usual tripe has been quoted on BBC Radio Scotland by the usual suspects. Either that we have spent countless hundreds of thousands on players or we have point blank refused to renovate Brockville. Both are garbage factoids that have been repeated so often and for so long some people are starting to believe them to be fact. If any of them cared to include facts in their quotes they would do well to remember that Falkirk were saved from bankrupcy a couple of years ago by the fans, amongst others, so how on earth could the club fund a new stadium. Also any signings have been made as a result of selling players combined with funds raised by "Back The Bairns" .
But then again why let fact ruin a good story eh !.
I sincerely hope that Falkirk pursue this through the courts and by doing so throw the SPL fixture list into utter mayhem and the TV rights as well.. Sauce for the goose etc.
Ach tae hell wae it am af fur a couple o` Stella`s

Choagy :-)