-
This is a reminder of 3 IMPORTANT RULES:
1- External self-promotion websites or apps are NOT allowed here, like Discord/Twitter/Patreon/etc.
2- Do NOT post in other languages. English-only.
3- Crack/Warez/Piracy talk is NOT allowed.
Breaking any of the above rules will result in your messages being deleted and you will be banned upon repetition.
Please, stop by this thread SoccerGaming Forum Rules And Guidelines and make sure you read and understand our policies.
Thank you!
SPL Season 04/05
- Thread starter Jambo Den
- Start date
Thistle go to court to block SPL vote
Partick Thistle are set to use legal action to prevent the Bank of Scotland Premier League having a second vote on the promotion wrangle.
The Firhill club were told on Tuesday that Bell's First Division champions Inverness Caledonian Thistle had not attained the required eight points from the SPL board to allow entry to the top flight.
However, the following day, Hearts and Hibernian called for the issue to be discussed again with a meeting scheduled for June 22 after it emerged that eight clubs claimed they had supported Caley's bid, which had hinged on a ground-sharing agreement with Aberdeen to reach the required 10,000-seater stadium.
But Partick will now meet with lawyers in a bid to have the second vote stopped.
Firhill chief executive Alan Dick said: 'Our belief is that the SPL cannot reconvene this meeting on June 22 on such a flimsy basis.
'If our lawyers advise us on Monday that this meeting can be stopped, then we will stop it.
'The gloves are off here. Hearts and Hibs have said there was something wrong with the original vote and that is a very serious accusation.
'Those papers were counted by three people - a lawyer, an accountant and a CBE (SPL legal adviser Rod McKenzie, SPL secretary Iain Blair and SPL executive chairman Lex Gold respectively) - on Tuesday.
'They were also counted three times and it was abundantly clear that Inverness failed to achieve the eight votes they needed.
'That in itself is almost irrelevant as Inverness have clearly not abided by the rules in the first place.
'From our position, this looks like sour grapes and an attempt to relegate Partick Thistle against the rules.
'Anyway, Dundee, who voted against Inverness, have already said they will not be changing their position so there would be nothing to prevent them and ourselves calling for another meeting if we were to lose out.
'All we are looking for is fairness. We believe that promotion and relegation should be decided on the field of play and we're in favour of stadium criteria being reduced from 10,000 to 6,000 seats.
'We have sympathy too for Inverness but they are in the wrong.
'We are ready for a fight and there will be a lot of blood as we're not prepared to take this lying down.'
Meanwhile, Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston has admitted he considered voting against Inverness as revenge against Aberdeen.
The Pars' chief was furious with the way manager Jimmy Calderwood's name was leaked as a replacement for sacked Steve Paterson last month before leaving East End Park.
The Dons also stand to gain £600,000 from the ground-share agreement with Inverness.
Yorkston remains silent over which way he did vote on Tuesday but insists he thought better of his original plan.
He told the Sunday Herald: 'I would be lying if I said that it didn't cross my mind that voting against Inverness was a way of having a go at Aberdeen, but that was not a factor when it came down to the vote. I voted on what I thought was right and Aberdeen didn't enter into it.
'The relationship between the two clubs is not as good as it once was because we were not happy with the way they went about things with our manager and I've told them that. But what happened happened.'
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=302433&cc=5901
This is crap. They got relegated and should take it with some shred of dignity, instead of trying to deny ICT their rightful promotion.
Partick Thistle are set to use legal action to prevent the Bank of Scotland Premier League having a second vote on the promotion wrangle.
The Firhill club were told on Tuesday that Bell's First Division champions Inverness Caledonian Thistle had not attained the required eight points from the SPL board to allow entry to the top flight.
However, the following day, Hearts and Hibernian called for the issue to be discussed again with a meeting scheduled for June 22 after it emerged that eight clubs claimed they had supported Caley's bid, which had hinged on a ground-sharing agreement with Aberdeen to reach the required 10,000-seater stadium.
But Partick will now meet with lawyers in a bid to have the second vote stopped.
Firhill chief executive Alan Dick said: 'Our belief is that the SPL cannot reconvene this meeting on June 22 on such a flimsy basis.
'If our lawyers advise us on Monday that this meeting can be stopped, then we will stop it.
'The gloves are off here. Hearts and Hibs have said there was something wrong with the original vote and that is a very serious accusation.
'Those papers were counted by three people - a lawyer, an accountant and a CBE (SPL legal adviser Rod McKenzie, SPL secretary Iain Blair and SPL executive chairman Lex Gold respectively) - on Tuesday.
'They were also counted three times and it was abundantly clear that Inverness failed to achieve the eight votes they needed.
'That in itself is almost irrelevant as Inverness have clearly not abided by the rules in the first place.
'From our position, this looks like sour grapes and an attempt to relegate Partick Thistle against the rules.
'Anyway, Dundee, who voted against Inverness, have already said they will not be changing their position so there would be nothing to prevent them and ourselves calling for another meeting if we were to lose out.
'All we are looking for is fairness. We believe that promotion and relegation should be decided on the field of play and we're in favour of stadium criteria being reduced from 10,000 to 6,000 seats.
'We have sympathy too for Inverness but they are in the wrong.
'We are ready for a fight and there will be a lot of blood as we're not prepared to take this lying down.'
Meanwhile, Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston has admitted he considered voting against Inverness as revenge against Aberdeen.
The Pars' chief was furious with the way manager Jimmy Calderwood's name was leaked as a replacement for sacked Steve Paterson last month before leaving East End Park.
The Dons also stand to gain £600,000 from the ground-share agreement with Inverness.
Yorkston remains silent over which way he did vote on Tuesday but insists he thought better of his original plan.
He told the Sunday Herald: 'I would be lying if I said that it didn't cross my mind that voting against Inverness was a way of having a go at Aberdeen, but that was not a factor when it came down to the vote. I voted on what I thought was right and Aberdeen didn't enter into it.
'The relationship between the two clubs is not as good as it once was because we were not happy with the way they went about things with our manager and I've told them that. But what happened happened.'
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=302433&cc=5901
This is crap. They got relegated and should take it with some shred of dignity, instead of trying to deny ICT their rightful promotion.
AberdeenFC
Min
to be fair i can see why partick are pissed off, they had to spend £1 million to get their stadium up to SPL standards when they won the 1st division in 2002. while inverness knew the rules to get promoted but didnt do anything about it 
its still annoying though, the same teams in a 12 team league 3 years in a row is shocking!! i want to watch inverness in aberdeen stadium! 
its still annoying though, the same teams in a 12 team league 3 years in a row is shocking!! i want to watch inverness in aberdeen stadium! Lonestarr022
Starting XI
Im just waitin for Celtic and Ran gers to say thats it we should go to the EPL, when taht happens the SPL will be on the level of ireland and wales leagues.
Partick Thistle...get tae f*ck
What a bunch stupid twats all these football club chairmen are. The basic "rules" of league football are that promotion and relegation are decided on the football pitch, not some stupid vote by a bunch of boring c*nts in grey suits.
Partick were complete sh*te on the pitch last year, even worse than Aberdeen, and that takes some doing, so they should be relegated.
Football fans are not interested in the pathetic little rules and regulations these tosspots have invented. The game is not about these cigar smoking arseholes, it's about football action on the pitch and the fans that pay to watch it.
If these morons can't understand the fundamental need for promotion and relegation in league football, why the f*ck are they getting involved in the game in the first place? They clearly don't give a toss about the football, just the balance sheets.
What next, awarding the Scottish Cup to the team with the nicest seats? Award the SPL title to the team with the best undersoil heating? FFS, what a f*cking mess.
What a bunch stupid twats all these football club chairmen are. The basic "rules" of league football are that promotion and relegation are decided on the football pitch, not some stupid vote by a bunch of boring c*nts in grey suits.
Partick were complete sh*te on the pitch last year, even worse than Aberdeen, and that takes some doing, so they should be relegated.
Football fans are not interested in the pathetic little rules and regulations these tosspots have invented. The game is not about these cigar smoking arseholes, it's about football action on the pitch and the fans that pay to watch it.
If these morons can't understand the fundamental need for promotion and relegation in league football, why the f*ck are they getting involved in the game in the first place? They clearly don't give a toss about the football, just the balance sheets.
What next, awarding the Scottish Cup to the team with the nicest seats? Award the SPL title to the team with the best undersoil heating? FFS, what a f*cking mess.
Partick Thistle, in all fairness, should stay.
ICT deserve to be in aswell.
Dundee, Motherwell and Livingston need to be relegated.
After all Partick did to keep their heads above water i have alot of respect for them.
Partick, ICT, St. Johnstone - SPL
M'well, Dundee, Livingston - D1
ICT deserve to be in aswell.
Dundee, Motherwell and Livingston need to be relegated.
After all Partick did to keep their heads above water i have alot of respect for them.
Partick, ICT, St. Johnstone - SPL
M'well, Dundee, Livingston - D1
Pars to interview Clemente
Javier Clemente wants to come to Scotland to see the club
Dunfermline Athletic plan to interview former Spain coach Javier Clemente this week for their manager's vacancy.
And Clemente is likely to emerge as surprise favourite for the job should his demands fall within their budget.
Pars chairman John Yorkston told BBC Sport: "We have been given indications that money is not the main thing.
"He wants back into management and the Uefa Cup is an attraction. It's intriguing as he must be one of the top 10 managers in the world."
Yorkston had originally thought that Clemente would be outwith Dunfermline's financial reach.
But the man sacked last year by Espanyol is likely to be among the prime candidates after Dunfermline's board draw up their shortlist on Monday evening.
"We hope to arrange to meet him, either him coming here or us going to Spain - we have a couple of directors on holiday over there anyway - or even halfway in London," said Yorkston.
Clemente had told the Sunday Herald: "Money is not the only consideration.
"I am keen to get back in charge of a football team. If there is a serious offer, I will come over to Scotland.
"My agent, Miguel Santos, has been talking to Dunfermline.
"Although I have taken no part in these initial discussions, I am interested in the position of coach at Dunfermline.
"I know Dunfermline will be playing in the Uefa Cup next year, which makes the job an attractive proposition."
Former Livingston boss Davie Hay and Stan Ternent, who has just left Burnley, had been expected to be the favourites for the job.
Other possibles for the shortlist are former Rangers and Scotland defender Richard Gough, present Dunfermline coach Sandy Clark, who previously managed Hearts and St Johnstone and former Republic of Ireland striker Frank Stapleton.
While Gough has no managerial experience, Yorkston says that the experience and quality of his intended assistant means that the application cannot be dismissed easily.
Clark had talks with Yorkston on Sunday, Hay spoke to the chairman informally last week and Ternent has also spoken to the Pars chief by telephone.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/dunfermline_athletic/3781377.stm
Javier Clemente wants to come to Scotland to see the club
Dunfermline Athletic plan to interview former Spain coach Javier Clemente this week for their manager's vacancy.
And Clemente is likely to emerge as surprise favourite for the job should his demands fall within their budget.
Pars chairman John Yorkston told BBC Sport: "We have been given indications that money is not the main thing.
"He wants back into management and the Uefa Cup is an attraction. It's intriguing as he must be one of the top 10 managers in the world."
Yorkston had originally thought that Clemente would be outwith Dunfermline's financial reach.
But the man sacked last year by Espanyol is likely to be among the prime candidates after Dunfermline's board draw up their shortlist on Monday evening.
"We hope to arrange to meet him, either him coming here or us going to Spain - we have a couple of directors on holiday over there anyway - or even halfway in London," said Yorkston.
Clemente had told the Sunday Herald: "Money is not the only consideration.
"I am keen to get back in charge of a football team. If there is a serious offer, I will come over to Scotland.
"My agent, Miguel Santos, has been talking to Dunfermline.
"Although I have taken no part in these initial discussions, I am interested in the position of coach at Dunfermline.
"I know Dunfermline will be playing in the Uefa Cup next year, which makes the job an attractive proposition."
Former Livingston boss Davie Hay and Stan Ternent, who has just left Burnley, had been expected to be the favourites for the job.
Other possibles for the shortlist are former Rangers and Scotland defender Richard Gough, present Dunfermline coach Sandy Clark, who previously managed Hearts and St Johnstone and former Republic of Ireland striker Frank Stapleton.
While Gough has no managerial experience, Yorkston says that the experience and quality of his intended assistant means that the application cannot be dismissed easily.
Clark had talks with Yorkston on Sunday, Hay spoke to the chairman informally last week and Ternent has also spoken to the Pars chief by telephone.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/dunfermline_athletic/3781377.stm
Lonestarr022
Starting XI
and so inverness win this vote and are promoted, but will there be another appeal?
So far it looks like Partick have resigned themselves to playing division 1 football next year.
Also, the 04/05 fixtures were announced earlier in the week with ICT, so I'd say it's pretty sure they are up.
Once again, thanks for everyone who signed the petition, you changed the SPL for the better!
Also, the 04/05 fixtures were announced earlier in the week with ICT, so I'd say it's pretty sure they are up.
Once again, thanks for everyone who signed the petition, you changed the SPL for the better!
AberdeenFC
Min
Originally posted by Jambo Den
you changed the SPL for the better!
haha
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/3870437.stm
Robinson nears exit
Chris Robinson could be on his way out of Hearts Football Club.
BBC Scotland understands the club's chief executive has found a buyer for his shares, although he and Hearts have so far refused to comment.
Robinson has been much criticised by the Hearts support after his decision to groundshare at Murrayfield for at least one season.
He had also revealed plans to sell Tynecastle to ease the club's debts, but had met with widespread opposition.
-----------------------------
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSS!!!!!!!!
Robinson nears exit
Chris Robinson could be on his way out of Hearts Football Club.
BBC Scotland understands the club's chief executive has found a buyer for his shares, although he and Hearts have so far refused to comment.
Robinson has been much criticised by the Hearts support after his decision to groundshare at Murrayfield for at least one season.
He had also revealed plans to sell Tynecastle to ease the club's debts, but had met with widespread opposition.
-----------------------------
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSS!!!!!!!!
Ok, well that seems to have come to nothing...
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=782402004
HEARTS are exploring an ambitious link-up with football clubs in Thailand which could see some of the Far East?s most promising youngsters pull on the famous maroon jersey, the Evening News can reveal.
The idea is currently under discussion in Bangkok following a visit to Tynecastle of two prominent Thai MPs believed to be keen for their country to forge a relationship with the Gorgie outfit.
Kobsak Chutikul, deputy leader of the Chart Thai party, and Dr Rattanapian met Jambos chairman George Foulkes while in Britain on a trip arranged by the Inter-parliamentary Union.
With interest in UK football, in particular the English Premiership, currently at an all-time high in Thailand, the pair were quick to accept an invitation from Foulkes to take a look around Tynecastle for their first experience of a Scottish stadium.
The politicians left suitably impressed and will report back to Foulkes following further talks at senior level in Bangkok, with the possibility of striking commercial deals with Hearts also thought to be under consideration.
It is understood the proposal is very much in its infancy although, if successful, the plan would see some of Thailand?s top teenagers sign up to continue their football education under the watchful eye of Hearts boss Craig Levein and his coaching staff at their recently opened academy at Heriot-Watt University at Riccarton.
The news of the possible tie-up with Hearts comes after Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawara?s recent multi-million pound investment offer to Liverpool.
There has been recent speculation over chief executive Chris Robinson?s intention to sell his stake in the Gorgie club but the timing of the visit from the Thai delegation is purely co-incidental.
"I thought this was too good an opportunity to miss and so invited the gentlemen along to Tynecastle," said Foulkes.
"They said they wanted to know more about the club and our academy and see the stadium. Although I explained the background to the situation at Hearts I wouldn?t draw any conclusion from their visit.
"But the situation we are in at the moment means we need to look at any opportunity which may help the club out of its current financial situation."
He added: "Because of the Thailand Prime Minister?s interest in Liverpool it occurred to me they might be interested in some way of getting involved in Scottish football and who knows what this may lead to.
"Hopefully the Thai youngsters could come over here and use the academy and maybe get involved in the youth squads."
Foulkes expects to hear of any developments within the next month or so, with Chutikul set to approach the Thai government about the plan.
"The objective is to develop our youth and get them linked up to a training programme," said the Thai MP. There is great interest in UK football in Asia and we see that as something we want to steer our youth towards.
"We want to look at a good athletic programme which is part of a wider framework of activities. Otherwise we will spend another 100 years getting to where you are now."
He added: "We have a very young population in Thailand which is getting larger and larger. There is enormous interest in the English Premiership but a link-up between Scotland and Thailand would be interesting. We shall talk about the possibilities with the government and the experts will then come in and have a look at things."
-------------------------
Umm, shoe.
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=782402004
HEARTS are exploring an ambitious link-up with football clubs in Thailand which could see some of the Far East?s most promising youngsters pull on the famous maroon jersey, the Evening News can reveal.
The idea is currently under discussion in Bangkok following a visit to Tynecastle of two prominent Thai MPs believed to be keen for their country to forge a relationship with the Gorgie outfit.
Kobsak Chutikul, deputy leader of the Chart Thai party, and Dr Rattanapian met Jambos chairman George Foulkes while in Britain on a trip arranged by the Inter-parliamentary Union.
With interest in UK football, in particular the English Premiership, currently at an all-time high in Thailand, the pair were quick to accept an invitation from Foulkes to take a look around Tynecastle for their first experience of a Scottish stadium.
The politicians left suitably impressed and will report back to Foulkes following further talks at senior level in Bangkok, with the possibility of striking commercial deals with Hearts also thought to be under consideration.
It is understood the proposal is very much in its infancy although, if successful, the plan would see some of Thailand?s top teenagers sign up to continue their football education under the watchful eye of Hearts boss Craig Levein and his coaching staff at their recently opened academy at Heriot-Watt University at Riccarton.
The news of the possible tie-up with Hearts comes after Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawara?s recent multi-million pound investment offer to Liverpool.
There has been recent speculation over chief executive Chris Robinson?s intention to sell his stake in the Gorgie club but the timing of the visit from the Thai delegation is purely co-incidental.
"I thought this was too good an opportunity to miss and so invited the gentlemen along to Tynecastle," said Foulkes.
"They said they wanted to know more about the club and our academy and see the stadium. Although I explained the background to the situation at Hearts I wouldn?t draw any conclusion from their visit.
"But the situation we are in at the moment means we need to look at any opportunity which may help the club out of its current financial situation."
He added: "Because of the Thailand Prime Minister?s interest in Liverpool it occurred to me they might be interested in some way of getting involved in Scottish football and who knows what this may lead to.
"Hopefully the Thai youngsters could come over here and use the academy and maybe get involved in the youth squads."
Foulkes expects to hear of any developments within the next month or so, with Chutikul set to approach the Thai government about the plan.
"The objective is to develop our youth and get them linked up to a training programme," said the Thai MP. There is great interest in UK football in Asia and we see that as something we want to steer our youth towards.
"We want to look at a good athletic programme which is part of a wider framework of activities. Otherwise we will spend another 100 years getting to where you are now."
He added: "We have a very young population in Thailand which is getting larger and larger. There is enormous interest in the English Premiership but a link-up between Scotland and Thailand would be interesting. We shall talk about the possibilities with the government and the experts will then come in and have a look at things."
-------------------------
Umm, shoe.
Shiels moves to Hibernian
By Richard Clarke
Dean Shiels has joined Scottish premier division side Hibernian.
The club’s official website reports that the striker, who was released by Arsenal earlier this month, has signed a three-year deal.
The 19-year-old, who hails from Northern Ireland, joined Arsenal as a scholar in the summer of 2001 and signed professional forms a year later.
Last season he scored seven goals in 19 games for the Under-19s and made three Reserve team appearances.
http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=213156&title=Shiels+moves+to+Hibernian
By Richard Clarke
Dean Shiels has joined Scottish premier division side Hibernian.
The club’s official website reports that the striker, who was released by Arsenal earlier this month, has signed a three-year deal.
The 19-year-old, who hails from Northern Ireland, joined Arsenal as a scholar in the summer of 2001 and signed professional forms a year later.
Last season he scored seven goals in 19 games for the Under-19s and made three Reserve team appearances.
http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=213156&title=Shiels+moves+to+Hibernian