Rangers go bust?

[Cheeta]

Myself, financially speaking I think people maybe overrate the Old Firm rivalry a wee bit. True, an even greater lack of competition within the SPL as a whole would definitely hurt the gate, we've seen that in past seasons when one club or the other has run away with the prize early, and the fact remains the SPL is most certainly a gate driven league, but...the real money is in making the group stage of Champions League. Appearance fees, TV revenue (huge), the gate (also huge) and merchandise. A half empty Parkhead or Ibrox for an entire season would be more than offset by the usual revenues gains of a serious UEFA competition. So, allowing the creation of an easier path to Europe, by say dropping one of the usual suspects who regularly qualify for Europe, does for certain parties have its appeal no?

It has to be said that European competition also has a certain distracting quality for the supporters about it as well. An exotic flavour, an energy if you will which excites in a way in which the too often tediously, predictably, and often mundane league calendar never will. And that's the intent of European competition isn't it?

So does either character in the Auld Firm need their rival? When it comes down to dollars and cents I wouldn't say "need". But I would say the lesser of two evils most certainly is having the rival around. Not essential but weighing all considerations, to my mind at least, keeping the OF intact should be the preference for the vast majority of the leagues clubs.

I only mention this because Lord knows the powers that be know that the SPL charters are pretty much write in pencil. Seriously, they do seem like they make things up as they go along so nothing is ever a guarantee. Regardless of what's written today it could all change with a bit of smudging from an eraser, instigated by a simple majority.

And when the taxman is involved, and an angry one at that? Well, all bets are off.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

.... So, allowing the creation of an easier path to Europe, by say dropping one of the usual suspects who regularly qualify for Europe, does for certain parties have its appeal no? ....

You should maybe take a look at where Scotand's euro coefficient is heading:

http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/...crank2013.html

After this season there will be no more automatic entry into the Champions League group stages.

[argh1]

It's the constant HMRC for back taxes thing for millions of pounds.............constantly at every level of Brit soccer.
Can you imagine Revenue Canada or provincial Finance depts letting things go to 50 or 70 million $ before sending in the sheriff to lock the doors and seize the assets?

[alberta white]

In the UK, the tax system kinda operates the other way round than in Canada and Australia.

Unless you a company director or self employed, ergo an employee of a company you do not personally file. Onus is on the Taxman getting the money off you rather than you getting a rebate off of him.

This been the case company taxes can be manipulated, not necessarily in the persuance of illegality, but to aid the nature of a companies cashflow.

Thing as, as there is not a mad march dashby the general populus to get money off of Mr HMCR, tax revenue does not drain away quicky, so companies racking up large tax debts is not uncommon.

Filling was relativley new to me but getting about $2K back each year feels good. If save even 50% of the UK working population had to do this then I sure Mr. HMCRwould have no option but to chase down the none payers more dilligently.

[jordan]

You should maybe take a look at where Scotand's euro coefficient is heading:

http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/...crank2013.html

After this season there will be no more automatic entry into the Champions League group stages.

I am pretty sure its already lost, we had to qualify this year in third round of Champions league qualifying, where we lost to Malmo.

[CanadianSoccerFan]

And the UEFA coefficient would only sink further with more non-OF clubs putting up stinkers in Europe and Celtic likely with even less resources to qualify for the Champions League with due to declining domestic revenues.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

I am pretty sure its already lost, we had to qualify this year in third round of Champions league qualifying, where we lost to Malmo.

It's easy to find the answers on stuff like this on Bert Kassies website:

http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/...ccess2012.html

The guy is a legend where coefficients are concerned. This season Scotland's champions and the second placed team enter at the third qualifying round in the champions and non-champions streams. My understanding is that if Rangers don't get out of administration by March 31st (and it looks far fetched that they will be able to do it) they won't be eligible for a UEFA license for next season and the third placed team (Motherwell right now) will get into the Champions League qualifying rounds instead.

The problems will start in earnest once the season where Rangers made it to the UEFA Cup final drop out of the calculation because that will mean entry at the first and second qualifying rounds of the CL and EL at at an awkward time of year when Scottish teams have usually barely even started their preseason training. In contrast, a team like Malmo are in midseason form at that time of year due to playing a summer season format.

And the UEFA coefficient would only sink further with more non-OF clubs putting up stinkers in Europe and Celtic likely with even less resources to qualify for the Champions League with due to declining domestic revenues.

An interesting snippet that emerged on that last bit yesterday is that the SPL's new broadcasting deal with Sky and ESPN has an exit clause if the SPL doesn't contain both Rangers and Celtic.

[Ottawa.Eye]

I think the SPL, SFA and FIFA will protect Rangers because they are such an historic club to Scotland and world football. It's really sad to see thought but I hope they get out of Administration soon.

[alberta white]

I think the SPL, SFA and FIFA will protect Rangers because they are such an historic club to Scotland and world football. It's really sad to see thought but I hope they get out of Administration soon.

Yes, Yes, and I don't think so.
FIFA don't have any real influence in scotland and really would prefer if the the SFA was part of the FA. that way the could argue for a disbandment of the IFAB and take sole charge of all football related matters.

[Marc]

Of the clubs you list some of them were actually booted down a few divisions. Examples would be Livingston, Halifax and Chester. There are also examples of clubs ceasing to exist altogether such as Gretna in Scotland, Rushden & Diamonds in England and Omagh Town in Northern Ireland.[/FONT][/COLOR][/LEFT]

Of course but that was my point. It's never a Leeds or Leicester that gets wiped off the map or has to start from the bottom. Although of course I know it's not that simple.

People like to rag on Darlington for building their ridiculous stadium (25k all seater) in 2003 whilst in Tier Four, which seems nuts now. But to be fair since that time fellow 2003 Tier Four alumni Southend, S****horpe and Doncaster have played in Tier Two (with Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Orient and Rochdale coming close to promotion last season), and considering Swansea and Hull have both played in the top flight since that time ... maybe the former Darlington owner's vision wasn't so crazy as it now seems.

It's a difficult game between promoting competitive, upwardly mobile leagues and local club-building whilst ensuring strong financial management.