After fellow blogger William
McMurdo’s recent article regarding the possibility of Rangers being
fast-tracked into the SPL 2, the entire debate has become something of a hot
potato among fans.
The previous plans, as we know,
which involved such ridiculous titles as ”National League’ (the current
division 3) fell through thanks to the ‘no’ vote from St Mirren and Ross County.
So it is with desperation the SFL are trying to cultivate an ‘SPL 2’ – a sort
of pseudo ‘first division’ with play-offs to earn passage into the SPL.
The Scottish Football League did
not support the reconstruction plans the SPL had made, and are attempting to
break away with the SPL 2 – with David Longmuir et al negotiating with the
SPL/SFA to make it happen.
But behind all the confusing
plans (and it is extremely complex) is the controversial notion of Rangers’
insertion into said SPL 2. Currently a division 2 team, the Ibrox men, it is
being mooted, would be fast-tracked up a league. Rather than gaining rightful
promotion to the SPL 2/First Division, Govan’s finest would be given a pass
there instead.
This notion, to the majority of
Rangers supporters, borders on scandalous and horrific. Not only do Rangers
fans wish to earn their right of passage by honest graft, but it is felt that
such a brazen move would line the pockets of the club’s enemies.
There are a number of
misunderstandings and angles about this which this article will attempt to
clarify.
The first point to note is many
fans are deeply against the idea of turning their backs on those who provided
the club with such safe haven during its darkest hours – by abandoning the SFL
it would be an insult to those who welcomed the club when it was cast to the
flames by the SPL. However, the point which is lost on many is the SFL themselves are the ones trying to make
this happen. This is not an SPL-initiated concept, it is the Scottish Football
League, the ones Rangers joined, who are trying to negotiate with the SPL to
‘join’. How would Rangers be abandoning them if this very initiative is one
they are trying to force through – in conjunction with Rangers’ participation?
Many would point to the fact, in rebuttal, that it is strictly the First
Division who are trying to break away, but this is irrelevant – the ones who
welcomed Rangers last season are the Third
Division and Rangers are now a Second Divison side so Rangers are no
longer ‘helping’ anyone in Scotland’s
bottom tier. Reconstructed SPL 2 or otherwise.
The point is Rangers will not be
turning their backs on anyone no matter what happens with reconstruction,
unless fans believe the club owes the Second Division something in some way?
And that is a matter for the individual supporter to mull.
Hamilton’s Chairman Les Grey outlined what
the First Division wants:
“We have always said we would prefer a
42-club solution. If they are unable to do that, we can’t sit on our hands and
see what happens. We have given them (SPL) an alternative and that option
includes a second tier, a Championship. That’s all there is to it, there is
nothing sinister behind this. There were 10 clubs at the meeting who were all
in agreement to put this proposal. I’m not going to name them.”
The ‘Championship’ would be the
SPL2, and that would be Rangers’ possible destination.
So let us look an argument
against Rangers being scooted up to this fabled division. That argument is the
money Rangers’ promotion would put into the pockets of the SPL. Given an SPL 2
would see the First Division being dissolved and flushed into the SPL, it
effectively means any cash generated by those clubs would automatically be
controlled (and used) by the SPL and its member clubs.
This is a strong case against;
why on earth should Rangers’ generate funds for those who kicked the club when
it was down? Rangers’ generated a huge viewership for Sky Sports and ESPN last
season, more than any other Scottish club, but of course a side problem with it
was it still went straight into the pockets of the SPL because they had
purchased the TV income rights for the lower 3 divisions already to the tune of
£2,000,000. So, sadly, like it or not, Rangers already have been lining the pockets of the SPL.
Therefore this is nothing new –
joining the SPL 2 would not really change much in that respect – while the
wishes of the fans are understandable, their club has been profiting the SPL
for the past 12 months. A point lost on many.
Another issue is the cutting of
one’s nose to spite their face; Rangers are bleeding cash at a rate of £6M a
year. At the level of income currently being achieved, this lost cash is only
going to increase. Rangers supporters do not want to help their enemies;
understandable if flawed (as already pointed out). However the problem is
helping themselves. Income levels will be higher in SPL 2, and that will
shore up a great deal. Coagulation will start and the finances of the club will
get stronger.
In crude terms, what would fans
rather have: themselves and their enemies suffering with less cash, or both
benefiting with more? What is more important – prioritising the club’s
financial future or hurting those who hurt Rangers? That, again, is a question
for the individual fan.
This debate has so many more
nuances that it would be impossible to cover them all. Arguably there is no
right or wrong answer, both morally and logically speaking.
Whatever will be will be and
Rangers as a club will almost certainly listen to its fans if invited to the
SPL2 (should it happen).
I just hope the final decision is
the best one for the future, the health and the reputation of the club.
Whatever that decision may be.