In the summer of 2012, the world-class administrators on the 6th floor at Hampden were in a state of panic.
They were looking down the barrel of the unthinkable:
Rangers were going to be liquidated before the start of season 2012-2013.
Consequently, they wanted to assist the Suave Billionaire from Motherwell with his switcheroo.
The top-flight in Scotland at the time was the Scottish Premier League (SPL) and it was a separate entity from the other three professional divisions of the Scottish Football League (SFL).
Plan A was to simply parachute the new club with the basket of assets from old Rangers into the SPL as if nothing had happened.
That required the agreement of the remaining 11 clubs in the top flight.
They would probably have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for those pesky No To NewCo kids…
When that failed they needed a Plan B.
That was to take the new club and put it into the top tier of the SFL, i.e. one division below the SPL.
However, the clever chaps at Hampden didn’t factor in the courage and decency of the late great Turnbull Hutton of Raith Rovers.
During this tumult, Mr Neil Doncaster, then the top boy at the SPL, stated that “there is no mechanism for what we are trying to achieve”.
In other words, the people running the national game in Fair Caledonia were making it up as they were going along in order to facilitate the Ibrox brand.
In the end, the good guys won and Sevco Scotland Limited trading as “The Rangers Football Club” had to start at the bottom just like any other new club.
It was around then that Turnbull Hutton and I had a meet up in Auld Reekie.
We had been in touch throughout that period, but it was the only time we actually met.
In the bar of the George Hotel, he opined very freely about what had happened at Hampden during those days.
As I listened I thought out loud:
“If they were willing to do all of that so that a team called ‘Rangers’ could play at Ibrox, then what chance does a penalty have?”
The Raith Rovers man agreed and did so by deploying his industrial lexicon with the aplomb of a true Fifer!
He was a really great fella and I miss him.
The day I was in the Kingdom of Fife to pay my respects to the man none other than Neil Doncaster sat in beside me.
I heard the big man’s voice in my ear offering an evidence-based character analysis of the SPL chap in the vernacular.
The moment mugged me and I was caught between suppressing laughter and holding back a tear.
For those of us who merely want the game to be straight in Scotland, Turnbull Hutton did us all a great service in those days back in 2012.
On Saturday Tom Boyd sinned greatly against the poor dears at the SFA.
Now the Compliance Officer is to investigate the comments that he made on Celtic TV apropos the conduct of John Beaton.
Apparently, Tom’s quip about the referee’s favourite pub is also to be examined.
The usual suspects in the Fitba Fourth estate were wheeled out to label the Celtic Ambassador as merely feeding conspiracy theories to “the crazies”.
As I have written here on more than one occasion there is no need to go down the rabbit hole of a conspiracy theory on this issue.
Te late Jim Farry acted alone when he delayed the registration of Jorge Cadete.
What the world-class administrator did not expect was that Celtic’s new owner was a litigious North American businessman.
The Bunnet went to law and Farry was toast.
Fergus was used to travelling first class and he wasn’t going to sit at the back of the bus of the country he had left as a teenager in order to find a level playing field for his talents.
When he returned to rescue Celtic in 1994 he would not tolerate anyone harming his business.
There is no need to see the Farry Affair as prima facie evidence of a labyrinthine conspiracy against Celtic.
However, it is a slam dunk that at least one person in a position of power at the SFA was minded to hinder Celtic and ipso facto assist the Ibrox chaps.
People usually act within the belief system that they have been socialised into.
The Farry Affair wasn’t evidence of conspiracy, but rather of culture.
Moreover, it is unthinkable for anyone working on Scottish football journalism to look too far into that one.
Consequently, it was a pesky Fenian in Donegal who broke the Hugh Dallas email story.
Of course, it was in the Public Interest and it should have been a scoop for a Glasgow based journalist.
However, there are rules that they have to obey regarding those dignified matters.
Consequently, they make themselves irrelevant on important issues.
However, I was contacted by the folks at the Guardian as they saw the value in the story.
In the immediate aftermath of the Dallas sacking, one of the clerical workers who was disciplined along with the head of refereeing for breaking the SFA’s IT policy made an important allegation.
He stated via his GMB trade union representative that there was a “canteen culture” at the SFA of anti-Catholic and anti-Irish “humour”.
Obviously, I couldn’t possibly comment on that.
However, I would be interested to see how the refereeing fraternity in Fair Caledonia would fare in a diversity audit.
My suspicion is that there might just be a certain bowling club ambience to their Grade One officials.
Of course, this is what journalists on the ground in Scotland should be looking into.
It is the role of the Fourth Estate to hold power to account.
To punch up and not punch down.
What the Stenogroahy Corps are asking the world to believe is those match officials in Scotland are hewn from a unique seam of humanity.
There is no need for any oversight or inquiry as they are paragons of virtue and utterly untouched by bias.
If you have that view of anyone in an authority position then you certainly can’t call yourself a journalist.
Since the death of Rangers and in the summer of 2012 the Stenography Corps implicitly signed up to an Orwellian fiction about Sevco.
For example, I am not aware of anyone on the sports desk of the Herald renouncing this front page of their newspaper.
For the avoidance of doubt, it is forensically accurate.
Rangers DID die in 2012 when the CVA was refused.
However, it serves powerful vested interests to pretend that Sevco is the original Rangers.
So with that Orwellian fiction in place, what chance does a penalty have?
If Tom Boyd is to be investigated by the Compliance Officer then the SFA could be about to score the biggest own goal since the days of Jim Farry.
Hopefully, Celtic get properly lawyered up if the Compliance Officer makes a move.
I’m reminded that the most important revolutionaries are often the unintentional ones.
Tom Boyd forgot himself on Saturday and misspoke on Celtic TV.
He should have realised that there are some truths that cannot be said on Planet Fitba.
Discover more from Phil Mac Giolla Bháin
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I hope the SFA try and pursue this evidently crazy course of action.
The reason I say this is I want them to force Celtic into self defence mode and finally get the gloves off with all the issues they have been stalling on for years.
I want Lawwell and Co to show their teeth and finally get some true wrong righted.
That in itself would go along way to mending the fractured relationship between Board and Fans.
If they fail to do so we are Donald Ducked.
Bring it on and get tore Intae this mob once and for all.
Beaton has previous. March 2014 v Albion Rovers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup.
Rangers struggling, one down, high punt into the Rovers box, goalie comes to claim it and is assaulted in the air by Moshni who had been pushed forward in desperation.
100% foul, Beaton awards the goal, his team goes on to win the replay comfortably.
The incident is still out there on U Tube. Even the Rangers pundit in the studio agreed that the goal should never have stood.
If any case is brought against Tom Boyd by the SFA or any other mob, ‘the Huns with the banner’ should be exhibit A for the defence. I personally do not believe that the SFA will touch this one with a 10ft barge-pole…too much danger of THEM being exposed for what they are. HH
I once worked beside someone who trained referees. He told me that when practising for the (then) offside rule the linesman was instructed to shout ‘Celtic’ when they raised their flag, and ‘Rangers’ if they didn’t raise the flag.
This is why until 9/10 in a row is sorted one way or the other VAR will not be introduced in Scotland. Saturday was just the first of many strange decisions coming Celtics way this season.
I will be interested to see if the SFA do take this further. I do not believe that referees discriminate against Celtic. Not now. They do make decisions which make you wonder about their competence and on occasions vision. However, I do make an exception for Beaton. Firstly, the decisions themselves and his refusal to change them. Yes, I saw him rake his studs down a player’s back but that is not a card, even a yellow? Really. Secondly, his personal interactions with the rangers players were very different from those of Celtic, a fact I noticed even during the game. Play that game back and watch him. Thirdly, the afters in the pub. Taken together, they present pretty strong evidence that is at least worth a second look. I believe the SFA know they have a problem with him and do not know what to do about it. Are they really going to open Pandora’s Box?
There is no evidence that the pic that was circulated was taken on the night of the game.
However there is plenty evidence that he is either utterly incompetent or a cheat.
If the pic was taken on a phone it will be dated.
The pics, not pic, including selfies, were posted either on the night or early the next morning by at least some people I recognised. The Crown Bar is just down the road from my local. There is no doubt whatsoever that they were genuine. So why was Beaton not at the very least hawled in and advised as to the stupidity of his having done what he unquestionably did?
Phil, it was great to see the wonderful Turnbull Hutton mentioned.
Below is an email I sent him in 2013 and his reply-it’s rather long but it really captures the flavour of the man if you can squeeze it in.
February, 2013
Dear Mr Hutton,
Forgive me for adding to what must be a burgeoning mailbox.
However, like many who are regular attenders of Scottish football matches, and indeed season ticket holders, I have been an admirer of your acute and articulate observations on Scottish football in general, and in particular on your comments on the chicanery that the SFA and SPL indulged in last summer (even though I find your attachment to Raith Rovers completely baffling!!!)
I recently heard an mp3 of your comments re league reconstruction addressed to your club’s supporters. I must say, I agree with your analysis and think the current proposal, while involving some risks, ought to provide a much fairer distribution of the available monies, together with a more interesting programme and a sensible pyramid structure.
Finally, concerning the unedifying spectacle at Berwick on Saturday, I understand that not only was Tommy Burns mocked, but that there was also a chant concerning the sister of Scott Brown who died of cancer . The catholic church obviously has its problems but I don’t think that a football match in the SFL is the right place to criticise it in the most offensive terms.
I wonder whether, as part of any merger of the SPL and SFL, rules might be developed that involved the docking of points from clubs whose supporters engage in such offensive chants. It really is time to stop this at all football grounds in a civilized society. I have no doubt that this uncivilized behaviour would stop when it hit the pockets of the clubs concerned, and one would find that the hearing acuity of some managers would improve miraculously.
Kind regards,
Peter
Peter
Thanks for your email.
I find it hard to disagree with your views. Whatever happened to the great Holyrood led initiatives on this blight on
the alleged ‘greatest little country in the world?’
There are times when one could easily despair – and I don’t mean scraping a draw against Cowdenbeath!
I have no clear idea as to where all the machinations of the past year will eventually lead us. The optimist in me sometimes convinces the sceptic in me that things will improve…………I guess time will tell.
Your proposed solution makes sense. It’s obvious that society has pussyfooted about this for too long, and that some radical action/thinking is now required.
If and when any proposed new, merged, rule book were to materialise, I wonder whether Scottish Football has the guts/inclination to address this issue. I’m happy to ask the question – if I ever get the chance – in an appropriate forum.
I’m sure that will go down well!
Thanks for taking the trouble to write.
Kind regards
Turnbull Hutton
Hypothetical question. If Mr Turnbull Hutton had been in charge at Parkhead back then does anyone believe that Resolution12 would STILL, after all this time, be a live issue? In fact, I don’t think it would have been an issue at all. I think he’d have politely asked the question and at the first sign of stalling by the SFA, he’d have gone straight for the jugular. As would have the Blessed Bunnet!!!
Disagree with you Phil about the Farry affair not being evidence of a conspiracy, that could only be true if you believe that Jim Farry handled the paperwork for all player registrations personally, I find that impossible to believe.
Even if you take the view that he chose to handle that particular registration himself then he must have taken it from someone else who would have known that it was being delayed unnecessarily and given the high profile nature and publicity surrounding it, other people in the organisation would have known what he was doing and the irregular nature of it, and that makes it by definition a conspiracy,
When you add in the internal investigation which went on for months and the fact that the SFA’s lawyers were prepared to defend it in court then you’ve got a sizeable number of people who were aware of wrongdoing and were either keeping quiet about it or actively engaged in covering it up. The idea that Farry acted alone out of animosity to McCann was a press construct at the time to deflect from what was another glaring case of SFA bias against Celtic.
No one at the SFA challenged Turnbull Hutton’s assertion that the organisation was corrupt.
Farry’s wingman on the Cadete affair is still in situ allowing him to drive a bus through the SFA’s own rule book when it was discovered that the EBT element of Rangers players contracts had been omitted from the details lodged at Hampden. Many of the recipients had been given a side letter which were hidden from HMRC because all concerned were fully aware of the consequences.
Of course there was someone who had pitched up at Hampden from his previous gig at Rangers who was fully aware of the EBT payments. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary he denied all knowledge of the payments and side letters.
Instead of being sacked on the spot he remained in situ at Hampden throughout the EBT saga.
It had to be pointed out to this senior figure that whilst enployed by the SFA his ownership of Rangers and Hearts shares might impact on his impartiality.
To alleviate any such notion he immediately sold the shares to his wife to show what a stand up guy he was!
Definitely to be filed in the ‘you couldn’t make this up’ category.
A form of words was constructed to subvert the notion that dozens of players over a near 10 year period were incorrectly registered and any match which a single recipient participated in should have resulted in the original result being voided and a 3-0 win awarded to the opposition.
Beaton should have been sacked the moment his picture appeared in the media celebrating with fellow fans after the victory over Celtic after ignoring several ordering off offences by Morelos.
Can you imagine a similar situation in England, say Man Unt v Liverpool, with the ref being pictured joining in the post match celebrations with the fans of the winning team?
Naw, me neither. Corrupt my arse, it’s way more serious than that.
Spot on.
Hi Phil,
great writing as usual.
Is it not worth (someone) setting up a single page website listing the grade 1 refs and there ‘supposed’ affiliation and coumnn in it to show if they have admitted what team they support….
Lets get it out ther properly – if the referee objects or updates the website with comments that could be shown..
I really hope CELTIC INSISTS that Tom Boyd does end up in front of a tribunlat the SFA so that evidence can be presented of affiliation of each referee comes out into the public domain…
Celtic should take it further with SPL – and start to insist that referees have no affiliation with any club that they are refereeing. There is no doubt it would be easy to employ English/Welsh/Irish/European refs for certian specific matches…
Br,
Allan
Phil, off topic but has sevco paid the Ashley bill?
From this mornings CeltiNewsNow,the site has an article claiming that Celtic already have lawyers on this.
The referees association is biased beyond any doubt,the criteria for joining such an organisation is such that,your average CFC fan will not readily meet.They like their membership to be of the staunch variety and as such that leaves fans of certain[any other club but sevco]clubs feeling it’s definitely not the place for them.
IF there ISN’T a bowling club ambience amongst those that are ‘chosen’ I’ll be extreme surprised,shocked even.
So,let’s hope they score that own goal.This is complete whataboutery when certain clubs fans are,on a near enough weekly basis-
Encroaching,nearly every week
Invading,nearly every week
Gaining illegal entry,eg.Rugby Park
Endangering their own disabled supporters lives
Singing banned songs with no consequences
Causing chaos and general unrest aplenty
But,OH YES,here we can make complete tools of ourselves and cause uproar because a CFC ambassador speaks the truth.I back Tom all the way he should be free to speak his mind,not scanning every word before it’s uttered from fear of upsetting klan and smsm members.
Again we have the system,the establishment teaming up to try and make the slightest thing stick and throw our club into the mire.SHAMEFUL.and,unfortunately, it’ll be same for years to come.
Afraid I can’t agree with you Denis. The PLC IS the problem. HH
This of course is a farce of the highest Order (Grandmaster Level 5)
Celtic have the finances to drag these muppets through Court umpteen times over.
It makes you wonder why it is our Chefaufseher does not appear to have the stomach for these matters.
Why is he so reluctant to defend the Club?
Time he went and was replaced by someone who will.
Same with that squinty eyed tube at Ayebroke time we slung his haw maws in a vice.
Can you imagine the furore if the s f a take action. At least it would bring it out in the open. Green brigade banners, protests by Celtic supporters and we’ll pad lawyers on behalf of the club. Bring it on. We are all Tom Boyd
I’d like to start by thanking the Board for their latest public reply.
It’s obvious someone in authority read my post last week ….in which I criticised the use of the word ” Surprised.”
This has now been seriously cranked up to “Astounded “… and whilst its still not what I would have hoped for…its a step in the right direction..:0)
On a serious note however…
I fervently hope that the SFA do make an issue of this and attempt to impose sanctions ….because it would give us the opportunity to demand retrospective action for the following :
Sevco recently stopped short of calling Willie Collum a cheat…but still demanded he be removed from refereeing Sevco’s matches.
This brought he game into disrepute.
The Liverpool Gobshite wasn’t in the door 5 minutes when he stated that Sevco had been the subject of 10 years of refereeing and SFA decisions going against his Club.
This also brought the game into disrepute.
Finally…Let me take you back to when Sally McCoist was in charge….
He became an expert at inflammatory statements…and continually brought the game into disrepute.
The common denominator in all this however…is…
At no time have Sevco been sanctioned for any of the foregoing.
The Defence rests its case M’Lud.
Bring back Fergus. This Celtic board is part of the problem.
How sweet it must have been on February 8th 2015 for then ailing Mr Hutton to see his Rovers eliminate Sevco from the Scottish Cup.
On Tom Boyd I don’t think anything will come of his comments but if they do Celtic had better not take a disposable lighter to a firefight.
Celtic TV be like: did we just break a story?
https://youtu.be/76JCZnfahcA
I wonder what answer we would get from the diversity officer at Hampden if he was asked to substantiate the diversity of those on the Hampden payroll in terms of sex, race,colour, religion, creed, secret, or otherwise, society?
My previous letter to him on this matter must have gone astray in the post.
Nothing is going to happen about Boyd.
But, “I would love it, just love it” if the SFA ‘imposed a fine’ on Celtic.
Could you imagine the court case?
[Well TRFC went to The Court of Session without consequence.]
In one corner is Boyd: “I was telling the truth.”
In the other corner, the SFA blazered buffoons, informing the judge that The SFA rulebook / guidelines trumps free speech!
I really like the idea of an SFA Diversity Audit. If they having nothing to hide, why not?
Dear Phil, what happened to the so called sanctions against sevco, or did they pay the money at 4 clock Friday
It would fail immediately when the match officials are scrutinised.
Apart from the odd exception the profile of the rest of them would be identical.
Who would have thought that by far the majority of our match officials would be supplied by the Lanarkshire and Glasgow associations?
The standard is abysmal…… Common factor…….Fleming.
Saw a bit of the Ross County/Hamilton game the other week.
3 hand ball claims in the match, none of them of the 50/50 variety, not when the ball is being punched clear by defenders.
Ref missed them all.
Hampden needs to be gutted but no one has the appetite for it.
Maxwell has moved seamlessly into his role as top gun and has absolutely no interest in an independent inquiry into the fraudulent 2012 UEFA licence application which was waived through by the appropriate SFA committee, none of whom thought it necessary to check with HMRC about Rangers claim to be up to date with their tax liabilities.