Letter: The SPL's 'healthy' financial figures don't seem to add up

Published on Sunday 7 September 2008 23:47

Am I the only one wondering what planet Scottish club football is on to be self-congratulating themselves over the supposed healthy financial figures for the SPL?

The stark facts are one member club – Gretna – went bankrupt this year and was ejected from the league. Moreover, Gretna had been the replacement for the insolvent Airdrie a mere five years prior, who reconstituted themselves by taking over the remains of the also insolvent and groundless Clydebank.

Add to this the fact that Hearts, Motherwell, and Livingston have stared financial oblivion in the face over the last decade when the economy was supposedly booming, and this report seems less reassurance than whistling in the dark. The farce outside the SPL is illustrated by First Division Airdrie United losing their captain last spring to ex-league side Bo'ness United who apparently offered higher wages.

Scottish club football knows it is in an administrative and financial muddle but seems determined to avoid the critical restructuring. Its four competing structures must become one united in purpose and vision, a pyramid system introduced, and an end to the ridiculous scenario of two competing non-league structures – the SFA's East and Highland leagues against local Junior leagues.

MARK BOYLE

Linn Park Gardens

Johnstone

Mistaken report didn't leave Partick fans in the pink

In The Scotsman's round up of football in the Scottish First Division, I must say I enjoyed the report of Airdrie v Partick Thistle: "Partick Thistle's pink warriors also have maximum points after their much talked about away strip brought them good fortune in their 1-0 win at Airdrie United."

May I point out that Partick Thistle actually played in their traditional red, yellow and black home strip.

JAMES CASSIDY

Kintyre Crescent

Airdrie

Connery's sectarianism swipe appears somewhat belated

It appears to me to be rather ironic that Sir Sean Connery now decides to have a somewhat belated swipe at sectarianism in Scottish football after openly (and very strangely) supporting both sides of the argument.

KENNETH S. HARRIS

High Street

Dalkeith