Rangers newco: Opposition grows to newco Rangers in First Division as Dunfermline voice objection to entry

Published on 30/06/2012 00:00

THE strength of opposition to newco Rangers playing in the First Division next season intensified further last night as Dunfermline joined Morton, Falkirk and Raith Rovers in objecting to the Ibrox club joining them in Scottish football’s second flight.

Charles Green is facing the prospect of relaunching the Ibrox club in the Scottish Football League, with an application for entry to the Scottish Premier League set to fail. Seven of the 12 SPL clubs have now gone public with plans to reject the Rangers bid at next week’s formal vote, where the Ibrox club need an 8-4 majority in favour.

Reports this week suggested that plans are being put in place that would see Rangers relegated from the SPL to the First Division with immediate effect, rather than start from scratch in the Third Division. Dunfermline – who were relegated from the SPL last season – held an emergency board meeting yesterday and said in a statement: “Matters are currently being progressed in an illogical manner, as the SPL should have met and voted on the Rangers situation definitively.

“Thereafter, if there is to be change, a joint presentation should be made by all the Scottish football governing bodies together and not on an ad hoc basis as at present. The board of DAFC can confirm that it will not be voting in favour of any solution which involves ‘Newco’ being parachuted into SFL Division 1 next year.

“The revised proposals we have reviewed contain a number of suggestions that are entirely credible in isolation and everyone agrees that the structure of Scottish football must change. But it must be done for the right reasons and not used as some form of bargaining tool.

“The proposal document makes little or no mention of fans or their views, as was the case with the league reconstruction debate, and all these issues must now be put on the table to deliver a credible, equitable and viable solution. The document strongly implies that if the proposals are not accepted, then we will have financial meltdown in Scottish Football. But if the loyal fans across the country desert the game then commercial sponsors or TV companies will have no one to promote or broadcast to.”

With Rangers unlikely to play in the SPL next season, it has been suggested that the place of “Club 12” will be taken by First Division runners-up Dundee, rather than Dunfermline being reinstated. The Fife club have demanded clarity on the issue from SPL chiefs by 5 July.

Peterhead chairman Rodger Morrison believes Rangers should join his club in the Third Division. He told Radio Clyde: “For sporting integrity, they should be going into the Third Division. We are going to a meeting at Hampden on Tuesday regarding the proposals from the SFA, SPL and the SFL. I have viewed them and nothing has changed my mind simply because we have spoken about league reconstruction for how many years?

“I think it’s being brought up far too quickly on the back of the financial demise of Rangers.

“I think it’s going to be a heated debate on Tuesday. Some of the SFL clubs – especially in the First Division – seem to have the same view as me.”

Meanwhile, Lee Wallace has declared himself happy to be part of the rebuilding project at Ibrox, despite the ongoing uncertainty over the league status of the newco Rangers.

Wallace was one of the first Rangers players to commit his future to the club by accepting the transfer of his contract to Green’s Sevco company.

Thirteen players turned up for the first day of pre-season training, with Northern Ireland Under-21 defender Chris Hegarty yesterday signing a one-year deal to make it 11 senior players under contract.

Scotland international Wallace, who signed a five-year contract when he joined Rangers form Hearts in August last year, said: “This is a rebuilding process and I’m saying that I’m happy to be part of it, as are the guys through in the dressing room now. We need to roll our sleeves up and soldier on.”

On another busy day of developments concerning Rangers, the SFA confirmed they had received the requested information from Sevco over their membership application. Green submitted a letter of application to the SFA last Friday in a bid to assume Rangers’ membership but the governing body required formal documents relating to the company, requirements on fit and proper officials, and plans for the club.