Today, I was sent this letter, and I think it is worth your while, dear reader.
I’m sure that Clare Haughey, Convener of the Public Health & Sport Committee at the Scottish Parliament, found it interesting.
As with all of these things, it is necessary to follow the money.
I’m told that this missive has already caused something of a stir at Hampden.
It is the human condition to want to mark your own homework.
Of course, it is.
However, anyone who still thinks that there is no need for an independent regulator in Scottish football simply hasn’t been paying attention.
This, for me, is the key part of the letter:
I would ask the Committee to give some thought to the Scottish Government’s (via Sportscotland) continued funding to an organisation that has failed its young players, is not open and transparent, is stubborn and resistant to change and dismisses any outside interference which would potentially disrupt the power and control enjoyed by its member clubs. Why should the Scottish taxpayer and its future taxpayers fund this organisation when it fails on so many levels?
I wish William Smith and Scott Robertson of the Realgrassroots team the very best.
Brilliant article, no wonder Scottish players are not coming through in 40 years,: they’re leaving the game because of Jim McLean-esque ‘registrations’ or Unfair Contracts in any other language, lacking intention between 2 parties.
Excellent work. If only the SFA could take a page out of the gold standard democratic practices of the SPFL! OH…wait a minute……..
Maxwell sat in front of the committee with what seemed to be an ignorant view of it and them. A couldn’t care less attitude. I would think that would put an end to his time in control of this shambolic mess of an organisation, ( The SFA ). I guess it is easier said than done.
Great letter, well worth a read
The question for me is why are poor tax payers paying anything to rich footballing organisations.
That is abhorrent
Mr. Maxwell is so unconsciously incompetent in the role that he occupies, I wonder if his role was properly advertised and whether a proper interview procedure was undertaken?
If this was not enacted thoroughly surely questions should be being asked.
That letter, IF the powers that be are paying attention, is on the mega tonne nuclear scale!! It verbalises brilliantly what every decent fan in the country thinks. It provides facts and figures, from someone who very clearly knows what he’s talking about, that a Joe Daftie like myself wouldn’t even know where to start looking for.
It’s brilliant!
He was beyond embarrassing. In his manner, attitude and answers.
Good luck guys corrupt to the core
This letter from Realgrassroots has been well crafted and no doubt represents the views of the SYFA, the SWF and all those volunteers participating in grassroots football across Scotland, of which I used to be one.
For decades, the SFA and SPFL have failed in their duty to aide the development of grassroots football.
Since the 80’s Scottish football has been going backwards under the watch of the governing football bodies simply because they have a vested interest to ignore the advice of the leadership in the SYFA and now the SWF.
It is these volunteers who week in week out, see the negative impact the lack of investment and direction in grassroots football has had on Scottish professional football. A poor professional football league system which disregards the development of young Scottish footballers and heavily relies on signing young foreign footballers, who are developed at the expense of young Scottish players.
It says everything, that Andy Roxburgh, our highly regarded technical coach and ardent supporter of youth football in Scotland, that he is now the Technical Director with the Asian Football Association. Look how football is developing in Asia!
The SFA and SPFL have no intention of becoming more open, transparent or accountable and will remain so until such time as there is independent oversight imposed upon them.
Until then, the Scottish Government should suspend all financial support to the SFA and SPFL. Scottish football fans across the spectrum of football clubs across Scotland should stand with Realgrassroots to initiate the necessary changes.
Wow!
What a powerful – and highly informative – letter.
The SFA – and the unqualified Maxwell – are even
worse than we all thought!
The fallout from this will be interesting to follow.
And good luck to William and Scott:
these are the sort of people who should
be running the SFA.
If/when Livingston, East Fife, Edinburgh City and Dumbarton fold, to name a few, at the season end, then what. This has been going on for years and it’s about time clubs started calling them out. But the next time we will see or hear from Doncaster etc will be in Germany, where they will again tell us how great we are doing
Edinburgh City just been docked 6 points for not paying players or the taxman!
Must be different rules in the lower divisions!
Does the SFA and SPFL know or understand the meaning of the word Independent ?
The employment of Stewart Regan and Neil Doncaster was this not supposed to bring independence and transparency to these corrupt organisations ?
I think this is a very well constructed assessment and reflection on how most of us view the SFA and SPFL and should create huge headaches within these bodies. It’s been a while coming and we need to keep up the momentum. Mr Maxwell’s presentation to the Government committee recently lacked any professional skill and demonstrated how pathetic a man he is. A higher level must be achieved and the liquidation of Rangers not blatantly ignored.