SPFL and Covid ( Leagues 1 and 2 to restart )

[Footballfirst]

 

Forfar Athletic Football Club (Official)

Suspension of Football at SPFL League 1 and below extended

The SFA/SPFL have this afternoon confirmed that they have received confirmation from the Scottish Government that in cognisance of the current restrictions in place across the country, they cannot currently commit to return dates for football below SPFL Championship level.

A further review/update will be take place no later than March 1st.

Although not unexpected, this decision still comes as a disappointment following proposals put forward by a working group set up by the clubs in Leagues One/Two including weekly testing of staff and players and other new measures which would have broadly been in line with current protocols utilised in the Championship for example.

These proposals if they had been accepted would have allowed for a resumption of training next week with a view to re-commencing league fixtures on March 2nd.

Looking ahead on a practical level, the possibility of being able to complete a 27 game league season and also the Scottish Cup is beginning to look a difficult proposition for League One and Two clubs and certainly with a now best case scenario of a mid to late March resumption of competitive action, difficult decisions would appear to lie ahead.

However as has been said on many occasions, football however much a part of the national and local fabric pales into insignificance at times like this. Thankfully the daily statistics of the pandemic in Scotland continue to be encouraging and the roll out of the vaccine programme gathers pace, especially it would appear in Forfar and the surrounding area.

All credit and as ever grateful thanks to all to the NHS staff and others who are involved.

Better times are surely on the horizon?

[Guest ToqueJambo]

8 minutes ago, Footballfirst said:

 

Forfar Athletic Football Club (Official)

Suspension of Football at SPFL League 1 and below extended

The SFA/SPFL have this afternoon confirmed that they have received confirmation from the Scottish Government that in cognisance of the current restrictions in place across the country, they cannot currently commit to return dates for football below SPFL Championship level.

A further review/update will be take place no later than March 1st.

Although not unexpected, this decision still comes as a disappointment following proposals put forward by a working group set up by the clubs in Leagues One/Two including weekly testing of staff and players and other new measures which would have broadly been in line with current protocols utilised in the Championship for example.

These proposals if they had been accepted would have allowed for a resumption of training next week with a view to re-commencing league fixtures on March 2nd.

Looking ahead on a practical level, the possibility of being able to complete a 27 game league season and also the Scottish Cup is beginning to look a difficult proposition for League One and Two clubs and certainly with a now best case scenario of a mid to late March resumption of competitive action, difficult decisions would appear to lie ahead.

However as has been said on many occasions, football however much a part of the national and local fabric pales into insignificance at times like this. Thankfully the daily statistics of the pandemic in Scotland continue to be encouraging and the roll out of the vaccine programme gathers pace, especially it would appear in Forfar and the surrounding area.

All credit and as ever grateful thanks to all to the NHS staff and others who are involved.

Better times are surely on the horizon?

 

It would be a shame if Forfar, who voted Yes to end the league and relegate teams early, were themselves relegated because the league ends early.

[queensferryjambo]

11 minutes ago, Footballfirst said:

 

Forfar Athletic Football Club (Official)

Suspension of Football at SPFL League 1 and below extended

The SFA/SPFL have this afternoon confirmed that they have received confirmation from the Scottish Government that in cognisance of the current restrictions in place across the country, they cannot currently commit to return dates for football below SPFL Championship level.

A further review/update will be take place no later than March 1st.

Although not unexpected, this decision still comes as a disappointment following proposals put forward by a working group set up by the clubs in Leagues One/Two including weekly testing of staff and players and other new measures which would have broadly been in line with current protocols utilised in the Championship for example.

These proposals if they had been accepted would have allowed for a resumption of training next week with a view to re-commencing league fixtures on March 2nd.

Looking ahead on a practical level, the possibility of being able to complete a 27 game league season and also the Scottish Cup is beginning to look a difficult proposition for League One and Two clubs and certainly with a now best case scenario of a mid to late March resumption of competitive action, difficult decisions would appear to lie ahead.

However as has been said on many occasions, football however much a part of the national and local fabric pales into insignificance at times like this. Thankfully the daily statistics of the pandemic in Scotland continue to be encouraging and the roll out of the vaccine programme gathers pace, especially it would appear in Forfar and the surrounding area.

All credit and as ever grateful thanks to all to the NHS staff and others who are involved.

Better times are surely on the horizon?

 

 

SPFL have set a precedent from last season. Congratulations Falkirk & Queens Park.

 

Commiserations Forfar.

 

Congratulations again to Brechin to dodge relegation.

 

I am sure all the clubs who could be potentially relegated in play offs will vote for sporting integrity yet again.

[Thomaso]

7 hours ago, Rogue Daddy said:

Think there was a resounding GTF... and they quietly retreated to their wee offices, not to utter another word on the matter. Top work from the cream of Scottish Football! It makes you want to vomit!

Yeh that’s what I thought! The Clubs and the media should have slaughtered Maxwell for that farce!

[Thomaso]

1 hour ago, ToqueJambo said:

 

It would be a shame if Forfar, who voted Yes to end the league and relegate teams early, were themselves relegated because the league ends early.

That would be lovely!

[Geoff Kilpatrick]

Karma biting Forfar on the arse after voting to try and get bigger crowds from Falkirk and Partick. How's that worked out?

[Martin_T]

Graham Tatters of Elgin, who was one of the anti-reconstruction mouth pieces last summer, was also on the radio bleating about the decision. It would appear their season is in Tatters!

 

[washniklaw]

I’m really hesitant to write this post but I think reconstruction should be back on the table and (depending on what it looks like) I think it might pass this time.
 

Last summer was a shocking way to treat 3 clubs and it was wrong. It will always be wrong! What I don’t think is right is treating other clubs in the same terrible manner just because we were.

There will be people out there that hugely disagree and I accept many of their points but things have to move on sometime. Karma is amusing but doesn’t help things get better.
 

Scottish football needs to learn from its mistakes and start listening to the people worth listening to. Some of the clubs that were stupid enough to get into bed with ND/PL last summer will now see it from the other side of the fence and appreciate the injustices that followed. SPFL needs to think big picture and the first act should be removing Neil Doncaster from his position.

Without his minder (PL) would be the perfect time. Roll in Lawwells retirement and removal from the SPFL board.

 

 

[Hungry hippo]

2 minutes ago, washniklaw said:

I’m really hesitant to write this post but I think reconstruction should be back on the table and (depending on what it looks like) I think it might pass this time.
 

Last summer was a shocking way to treat 3 clubs and it was wrong. It will always be wrong! What I don’t think is right is treating other clubs in the same terrible manner just because we were.

There will be people out there that hugely disagree and I accept many of their points but things have to move on sometime. Karma is amusing but doesn’t help things get better.
 

Scottish football needs to learn from its mistakes and start listening to the people worth listening to. Some of the clubs that were stupid enough to get into bed with ND/PL last summer will now see it from the other side of the fence and appreciate the injustices that followed. SPFL needs to think big picture and the first act should be removing Neil Doncaster from his position.

Without his minder (PL) would be the perfect time. Roll in Lawwells retirement and removal from the SPFL board.

 

 

 

No need for teams to be treated like us or reconstruction. The season can be finished.

 

The lower leagues could play right through summer (when Covid rates should be extremely low) if necessary.

[washniklaw]

1 minute ago, Hungry hippo said:

 

No need for teams to be treated like us or reconstruction. The season can be finished.

 

The lower leagues could play right through summer (when Covid rates should be extremely low) if necessary.

That would be fair.

[SUTOL]

48 minutes ago, Martin_T said:

Graham Tatters of Elgin, who was one of the anti-reconstruction mouth pieces last summer, was also on the radio bleating about the decision. It would appear their season is in Tatters!

 

 

 

Is Tatters sill saying co VD instead of Covid? 

[Geoff Kilpatrick]

16 minutes ago, washniklaw said:

I’m really hesitant to write this post but I think reconstruction should be back on the table and (depending on what it looks like) I think it might pass this time.
 

Last summer was a shocking way to treat 3 clubs and it was wrong. It will always be wrong! What I don’t think is right is treating other clubs in the same terrible manner just because we were.

There will be people out there that hugely disagree and I accept many of their points but things have to move on sometime. Karma is amusing but doesn’t help things get better.
 

Scottish football needs to learn from its mistakes and start listening to the people worth listening to. Some of the clubs that were stupid enough to get into bed with ND/PL last summer will now see it from the other side of the fence and appreciate the injustices that followed. SPFL needs to think big picture and the first act should be removing Neil Doncaster from his position.

Without his minder (PL) would be the perfect time. Roll in Lawwells retirement and removal from the SPFL board.

 

 

If we hadn't been shafted last year I would agree. As it stands, I couldn't give a flying one.

[Deevers]

55 minutes ago, Martin_T said:

Graham Tatters of Elgin, who was one of the anti-reconstruction mouth pieces last summer, was also on the radio bleating about the decision. It would appear their season is in Tatters!

 

Absolutely no sympathy for any of them.  Turkeys that voted for Christmas.

[washniklaw]

8 minutes ago, Geoff Kilpatrick said:

If we hadn't been shafted last year I would agree. As it stands, I couldn't give a flying one.

An eye for an eye leaves is with the same problems going forward.

 

My dream outcome would be removal of the Chief Executive and anyone who was involved in the decision making process last year (SPFL board). The Mafia Don is retiring so institution is vulnerable. Let’s get after the cabal.

[washniklaw]

12 minutes ago, Geoff Kilpatrick said:

If we hadn't been shafted last year I would agree. As it stands, I couldn't give a flying one.

An eye for an eye leaves is with the same problems going forward.

 

My dream outcome would be removal of the Chief Executive and anyone who was involved in the decision making process last year (SPFL board). The Mafia Don is retiring so institution is vulnerable. Let’s get after the cabal.

[martoon]

42 minutes ago, washniklaw said:

I’m really hesitant to write this post but I think reconstruction should be back on the table and (depending on what it looks like) I think it might pass this time.
 

Last summer was a shocking way to treat 3 clubs and it was wrong. It will always be wrong! What I don’t think is right is treating other clubs in the same terrible manner just because we were.

There will be people out there that hugely disagree and I accept many of their points but things have to move on sometime. Karma is amusing but doesn’t help things get better.
 

Scottish football needs to learn from its mistakes and start listening to the people worth listening to. Some of the clubs that were stupid enough to get into bed with ND/PL last summer will now see it from the other side of the fence and appreciate the injustices that followed. SPFL needs to think big picture and the first act should be removing Neil Doncaster from his position.

Without his minder (PL) would be the perfect time. Roll in Lawwells retirement and removal from the SPFL board.

 

 

 

Surely clubs must have known, or at least suspected, that Covid could impact this season, too.

 

I did, JKB did, Hearts supporters and precious few others did.

 

But no, whether they considered it or not, they jumped into bed with Doncaster/Celtic/8.78iar, regardless.

 

Indeed, in many cases with relish. Various chairmen-come-pharmacists, clubs who grasped the chance to avoid relegation and/or play offs, Hibs, urged on by their scummy support, Dundee etc. all voted in their own short term interest or, in Hibs case, malice.

 

It was a no to reconstruction last season when empathy and decency were at stake. It was fair, they said, to relegate, or, rather, vote to demote, Hearts, Thistle and Stranraer and the prescription should be repeated.

 

"Take yer medicine, oot the game etc."?

 

They reaped it, they can sow it.

 

 

Edited February 10, 2021 by martoon

[martoon]

Let's get onto the next page, asap.

 

1888 gives me the dry boak.

[Randy Marsh]

13 minutes ago, martoon said:

Let's get onto the next page, asap.

 

1888 gives me the dry boak.

👍 Was about to post the same. 

[jamboinglasgow]

8 minutes ago, martoon said:

 

Surely clubs must have known, or at least suspected, that Covid could impact this season, too.

 

I did, JKB did, Hearts supporters and precious few others did.

 

But no, whether they considered it or not, they jumped into bed with Doncaster/Celtic/8.78iar, regardless.

 

Indeed, in many cases with relish. Various chairmen-come-pharmacists, clubs who grasped the chance to avoid relegation and/or play offs, Hibs, urged on by their scummy support, Dundee etc. all voted in their own short term interest or, in Hibs case, malice.

 

It was a no to reconstruction last season when empathy and decency were at stake. It was fair, they said, to relegate, or, rather, vote to demote, Hearts, Thistle and Stranraer and the prescription should be repeated.

 

"Take yer medicine, oot the game etc."?

 

They reaped it, they can sow it.

 

 

 

I was listening to a football podcast at the weekend talking about European football and one of the journalists on it made the point about football and Covid. He talked about the mentality since the covid (though it is has been with football longer) is that it only plans with the best case scenario in mind. His example is that any sane person can see that the idea of a Europe wide competition in June is mental at the moment, but UEFA are determined to do it anyway because they dont want to lose out any revenue. So it means the worst choices are being made to keep competitions running so they can keep things going "as normal."

 

To me its the same with Scottish football, rather than look at what could be a really struggle for teams to play, possibilities of second outbreaks (which has now stopped all football below championship for an unknown period of time) they decided that things should stay as it was, because that is the optimium thing in normal times. The clubs never agreed to any reconstruction because it was not the best case scenario for themselves so they would not agree even though it could help clubs out if things start to go pear shaped.

 

Covid was an unprecedented event, Scottish football acted like that it wasn't.

[martoon]

10 minutes ago, Randy Marsh said:

👍 Was about to post the same. 

 

Every post helps, RM. 👍

[HMFC01]

Has this been posted yet? https://insidersport.com/2021/02/08/spfl-enlists-sport-collective-gv6-as-hunt-for-title-sponsor-continues/

 

 

"SPFL enlists Sport Collective GV6 as hunt for title sponsor continues" 

 

 

 

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has tapped Sport Collective GV6 to support the development and implementation of the league’s commercial strategy as it continues its search for a new title sponsor.

 

The UK-based sports marketing agency has been tasked with seeking out a new title sponsor for the top four divisions in the country after Ladbrokes declined to renew its deal at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

 

The newly merged agency has already tied down pizza franchise Papa John’s as the SPFL’s new sponsor until the end of the 2022/23 season. However, it now faces the task of finding a new title sponsor after the bookmaker, which served as the SPFL sponsor since 2015/16, opted against extending the biggest ever agreement in Scottish football.

 

The Scottish Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 are now without a title sponsor and the current climate poses a challenge to Sport Collective GV6 and the SPFL in finding a new partner.

 

“Scottish football clubs have a unique place in the hearts and minds of fans around the world and this season, despite the challenges being faced by all sports, we are delivering record TV viewing figures to back that up,” said SPFL Chief Executive, Neil Doncaster. “The League title partnership is an extremely exciting proposition and therefore we were keen to work with Sport Collective GV6 who share our beliefs and vision.”

 

The sponsorship specialist and digital consultancy was formed in October by Sport Collective founders and former Commercial Executives at the FA, Sean McAuliffe and Peter Daire, and GV6 Sports founder and former Head of Commercial Development at the English Football League (EFL), Steve Maddren.

 

Maddren, who is now Director at Sport Collective GV6, explained: “Through our delivery of the Papa John’s partnership into the SPFL, we have developed a strong understanding of the immense opportunity available for the right brand to connect and engage with the football and community audience through a multi-channel SPFL rights platform.

 

“We are looking forward to working with the team at the SPFL to create an innovative and progressive partnership to engage with fans in Scotland and the global stage, and feel incredibly proud to have been appointed by the SPFL.”

 

In October, the Loch Lomond Group’s vodka brand Glen’s was signed as an official partner to the SPFL but the league faced backlash from the Scottish Labour Party. A health spokesperson for the party called for the SPFL to do more to ‘control alcohol marketing in Scotland’ and ‘protect younger fans who are very susceptible to alcohol marketing’.

 

[martoon]

13 minutes ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

I was listening to a football podcast at the weekend talking about European football and one of the journalists on it made the point about football and Covid. He talked about the mentality since the covid (though it is has been with football longer) is that it only plans with the best case scenario in mind. His example is that any sane person can see that the idea of a Europe wide competition in June is mental at the moment, but UEFA are determined to do it anyway because they dont want to lose out any revenue. So it means the worst choices are being made to keep competitions running so they can keep things going "as normal."

 

To me its the same with Scottish football, rather than look at what could be a really struggle for teams to play, possibilities of second outbreaks (which has now stopped all football below championship for an unknown period of time) they decided that things should stay as it was, because that is the optimium thing in normal times. The clubs never agreed to any reconstruction because it was not the best case scenario for themselves so they would not agree even though it could help clubs out if things start to go pear shaped.

 

Covid was an unprecedented event, Scottish football acted like that it wasn't.

 

Aye, the lack of foresight and pigheadedness is baffling. 

 

These are exceptional times which call for sensible decision making. But no, let's just ignore unforeseen circumstance and press ahead like nothing has happened, is the stance. 

 

There should have been reconstruction last summer to accommodate a shorter season with less games but all there has been is small, token gestures toward it: no Cup replays for example.

 

Universal, curtailed seasons of 20-30 league games, old style straight knockout in Europe and suspending 2nd, sometimes 3rd, domestic cups should have been implemented. Instead we ploughed on with the dugs dinner that is League Cup groups and, down south, they persisted with their equivalent of the Challenge Cup.

 

Sadly, though, TV money was the first consideration. Struck me as bizarre, then and now, that everyone and everything has had to make sacrifices and be flexible but not Sky and co with their contracts etc.

[John Findlay]

15 minutes ago, HMFC01 said:

Has this been posted yet? https://insidersport.com/2021/02/08/spfl-enlists-sport-collective-gv6-as-hunt-for-title-sponsor-continues/

 

 

"SPFL enlists Sport Collective GV6 as hunt for title sponsor continues" 

 

 

 

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has tapped Sport Collective GV6 to support the development and implementation of the league’s commercial strategy as it continues its search for a new title sponsor.

 

The UK-based sports marketing agency has been tasked with seeking out a new title sponsor for the top four divisions in the country after Ladbrokes declined to renew its deal at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

 

The newly merged agency has already tied down pizza franchise Papa John’s as the SPFL’s new sponsor until the end of the 2022/23 season. However, it now faces the task of finding a new title sponsor after the bookmaker, which served as the SPFL sponsor since 2015/16, opted against extending the biggest ever agreement in Scottish football.

 

The Scottish Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 are now without a title sponsor and the current climate poses a challenge to Sport Collective GV6 and the SPFL in finding a new partner.

 

“Scottish football clubs have a unique place in the hearts and minds of fans around the world and this season, despite the challenges being faced by all sports, we are delivering record TV viewing figures to back that up,” said SPFL Chief Executive, Neil Doncaster. “The League title partnership is an extremely exciting proposition and therefore we were keen to work with Sport Collective GV6 who share our beliefs and vision.”

 

The sponsorship specialist and digital consultancy was formed in October by Sport Collective founders and former Commercial Executives at the FA, Sean McAuliffe and Peter Daire, and GV6 Sports founder and former Head of Commercial Development at the English Football League (EFL), Steve Maddren.

 

Maddren, who is now Director at Sport Collective GV6, explained: “Through our delivery of the Papa John’s partnership into the SPFL, we have developed a strong understanding of the immense opportunity available for the right brand to connect and engage with the football and community audience through a multi-channel SPFL rights platform.

 

“We are looking forward to working with the team at the SPFL to create an innovative and progressive partnership to engage with fans in Scotland and the global stage, and feel incredibly proud to have been appointed by the SPFL.”

 

In October, the Loch Lomond Group’s vodka brand Glen’s was signed as an official partner to the SPFL but the league faced backlash from the Scottish Labour Party. A health spokesperson for the party called for the SPFL to do more to ‘control alcohol marketing in Scotland’ and ‘protect younger fans who are very susceptible to alcohol marketing’.

 

Neil Doncaster it's not my fault.

[OTT]

15 minutes ago, HMFC01 said:

Has this been posted yet? https://insidersport.com/2021/02/08/spfl-enlists-sport-collective-gv6-as-hunt-for-title-sponsor-continues/

 

 

"SPFL enlists Sport Collective GV6 as hunt for title sponsor continues" 

 

 

 

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has tapped Sport Collective GV6 to support the development and implementation of the league’s commercial strategy as it continues its search for a new title sponsor.

 

The UK-based sports marketing agency has been tasked with seeking out a new title sponsor for the top four divisions in the country after Ladbrokes declined to renew its deal at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

 

The newly merged agency has already tied down pizza franchise Papa John’s as the SPFL’s new sponsor until the end of the 2022/23 season. However, it now faces the task of finding a new title sponsor after the bookmaker, which served as the SPFL sponsor since 2015/16, opted against extending the biggest ever agreement in Scottish football.

 

The Scottish Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 are now without a title sponsor and the current climate poses a challenge to Sport Collective GV6 and the SPFL in finding a new partner.

 

“Scottish football clubs have a unique place in the hearts and minds of fans around the world and this season, despite the challenges being faced by all sports, we are delivering record TV viewing figures to back that up,” said SPFL Chief Executive, Neil Doncaster. “The League title partnership is an extremely exciting proposition and therefore we were keen to work with Sport Collective GV6 who share our beliefs and vision.”

 

The sponsorship specialist and digital consultancy was formed in October by Sport Collective founders and former Commercial Executives at the FA, Sean McAuliffe and Peter Daire, and GV6 Sports founder and former Head of Commercial Development at the English Football League (EFL), Steve Maddren.

 

Maddren, who is now Director at Sport Collective GV6, explained: “Through our delivery of the Papa John’s partnership into the SPFL, we have developed a strong understanding of the immense opportunity available for the right brand to connect and engage with the football and community audience through a multi-channel SPFL rights platform.

 

“We are looking forward to working with the team at the SPFL to create an innovative and progressive partnership to engage with fans in Scotland and the global stage, and feel incredibly proud to have been appointed by the SPFL.”

 

In October, the Loch Lomond Group’s vodka brand Glen’s was signed as an official partner to the SPFL but the league faced backlash from the Scottish Labour Party. A health spokesperson for the party called for the SPFL to do more to ‘control alcohol marketing in Scotland’ and ‘protect younger fans who are very susceptible to alcohol marketing’.

 

 

Jesus christ, so we'll have consultants sooking more money we can't afford out of the game. 

 

Sourcing a sponsor is Neil Doncasters job and he's utterly failed to do that. Why are no chairmen publicly calling for the weasels heid? He's paid very near £400k a year why can he not do this simple ****ing task???

[Deevers]

3 minutes ago, John Findlay said:

Neil Doncaster it's not my fault.

Being paid a Kings Ransom for abject failure at every turn. How he is still in post is a mystery.

[John Findlay]

2 minutes ago, Deevers said:

Being paid a Kings Ransom for abject failure at every turn. How he is still in post is a mystery.

Peter Lawell

[cheetah]

posting for no reason to get of page 1888

[niblick1874]

1 hour ago, washniklaw said:

I’m really hesitant to write this post but I think reconstruction should be back on the table and (depending on what it looks like) I think it might pass this time.
 

Last summer was a shocking way to treat 3 clubs and it was wrong. It will always be wrong! What I don’t think is right is treating other clubs in the same terrible manner just because we were.

There will be people out there that hugely disagree and I accept many of their points but things have to move on sometime. Karma is amusing but doesn’t help things get better.
 

Scottish football needs to learn from its mistakes and start listening to the people worth listening to. Some of the clubs that were stupid enough to get into bed with ND/PL last summer will now see it from the other side of the fence and appreciate the injustices that followed. SPFL needs to think big picture and the first act should be removing Neil Doncaster from his position.

Without his minder (PL) would be the perfect time. Roll in Lawwells retirement and removal from the SPFL board.

 

 

 

You must never hand corruption an olive branch.

 

Why would you suggest doing that?

 

When you say Scottish football needs to learn from it's mistakes and start listening to people worth listening to, your reasoning falls apart. The whole thing is corrupt from top to bottom for goodness sake, including the MSM. They are never going to listen to anyone unless, what is being said is what they want to hear and we know that fixing things for the good of all, is not what they do.

 

There are only two ways to go about this. We either go along with the corrupt bullies when they are being corrupt bullies becoming bullies ourselves, or, we don't, while loudly shouting about it. There is no in between.

 

What we are is everything and if we are going to go along with bullies we will be the opposite of what I hope we are.

 

Again, there is no in between.  

 

 

[HMFC01]

Old news from end of December.  I'll post it anyway, to push the page forward.   Someone might not have read it. https://insidersport.com/2020/12/29/spfl-shown-a-red-card-for-alcohol-sponsorships/

 

 

"SPFL shown a red card for alcohol sponsorships"

 

A Scottish Labour Party (SLP) health spokesperson has criticised the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) for its sponsorship deals with alcohol companies.

 

The call for Scotland’s football authority to “blow the whistle” on alcohol advertising follows the recent announcement that Glen’s Vodka would become a new partner of the SPFL.

 

Neil Doncaster, Chief Executive of the SPFL, has described the new deal as “an exciting partnership with a well-respected Scottish brand,” at a time when the sport has suffered financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

However, the Labour spokesperson, in addition to Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems and Alcohol Focus Scotland, argued that the Scottish Government should do more “control alcohol marketing in Scotland,” including a ban on alcohol advertising in professional football.

 

The campaigners have referred to a study by Sterling University, which found that alcohol marketing appeared every 98 seconds in an SPFL match.

 

Speaking to the Daily Record, Scottish Labour MSP, Monica Lennon, said: “It’s time to blow the whistle on alcohol advertising in sport.

 

“If chief executives can’t see that during a pandemic, then they possibly never will.

 

“Progressive legislation is needed to promote and support public health, especially to protect younger fans who are very susceptible to alcohol marketing.”

 

Fans have been banned from bringing alcohol to Scottish football matches for over 40 years due to alleged links to disorder and crowd control, but advertisements for beer and spirits are still a common sight in the country’s stadiums.

 

However, the Scottish Women’s Premier League has made the decision to ban both alcohol and betting sponsorships, and the English Premier League has not seen an alcohol company shirt sponsorship for three years.

 

Lemmon added: “Scottish women’s football has already made clear that accepting alcohol and gambling sponsorship would be incompatible with their role in promoting healthy lifestyles amongst girls and women and supporting them to make positive choices.

 

“It’s time others followed that example.”

 

An SPFL spokesperson commented: “We are very pleased to welcome Loch Lomond Group as our latest Official SPFL Partner, particularly at such a challenging time for our sport.

 

“It is important to note that the group, like all major UK drinks companies, is strongly and actively committed to the principle of responsible drinking.”

Edited February 10, 2021 by HMFC01

[martoon]

7 minutes ago, cheetah said:

posting for no reason to get of page 1888

 

🙌

[washniklaw]

9 minutes ago, niblick1874 said:

 

You must never hand corruption an olive branch.

 

Why would you suggest doing that?

 

When you say Scottish football needs to learn from it's mistakes and start listening to people worth listening to, your reasoning falls apart. The whole thing is corrupt from top to bottom for goodness sake, including the MSM. They are never going to listen to anyone unless, what is being said is what they want to hear and we know that fixing things for the good of all, is not what they do.

 

There are only two ways to go about this. We either go along with the corrupt bullies when they are being corrupt bullies becoming bullies ourselves, or, we don't, while loudly shouting about it. There is no in between.

 

What we are is everything and if we are going to go along with bullies we will be the opposite of what I hope we are.

 

Again, there is no in between.  

 

 

What I’m saying is we overthrow what exists by showing there is a better way. The more clubs that the SPFL upset, the more chance of a revolution. Corruption can  and has been undermined from within and we can show that there can be change.

 

A major improvement would be the removal of the 2 most powerful people in the exhausting structure.

PL and ND.

[SectionDJambo]

Doncaster must know where the skeletons are being hidden, or have some incriminating information about some of these people in a position of power within the SPFL. How else could anyone, so divisive, incompetent and lacking in progressive ideas keep a job that pays £400k plus bonuses?

They could employ a secretary at a quarter of his salary, without bonuses, to do the work he manages to get away with.

[HMFC01]

I should have posted this one first.  Before the red card headline one.   Bit more detail what the sponsor gives. https://insidersport.com/2020/12/23/liquor-brand-glen-becomes-spirit-of-spfl-in-new-partnership/

 

 

"Liquor brand Glen becomes ‘spirit of SPFL’ in new partnership"

 

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has named Scottish spirit and vodka brand Glen as an official partner and ‘The Spirit of the Scottish Professional Football League’.

 

The liquor brand’s parent company, The Loch Lomond Group, struck a deal with the SPFL that runs until the end of the 2022/23 season, which will see the two parties work closely together for the next three years.

 

As part of the deal, Glen’s Vodka will be granted the exclusive presenting rights to each division’s Manager of the Month and Manager of the Season awards. 

 

“It is fantastic to be able to welcome Glen’s Vodka and Loch Lomond Group as an Official SPFL Partner,” Neil Doncaster, SPFL Chief Executive, remarked. “This is the start of an exciting partnership with a well-respected Scottish brand that will see new commercial opportunities, including special edition products, for a number of SPFL clubs.

 

“Loch Lomond Group’s significant support comes at an important time for our clubs and we are grateful to them for making this commitment with us. The SPFL is very much looking forward to working with Glen’s Vodka and Loch Lomond Group for the next three seasons and, hopefully, beyond.”

 

Furthermore, Glen’s special edition whiskies will be made available for supporters to buy via club stores in Scotland, with a proportion of the profit donated to chosen charities and foundations across the country by Loch Lomond and SPFL clubs.

 

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, added: “Football is the number one sport in Scotland and, with the fantastic success of the National Team in qualifying for the 2021 European Championships, this is a great time to support Scottish football and its clubs. The teams in the SPFL are part of Scotland’s cultural fabric and Glen’s vodka is an award winning and iconic Scottish brand, so it was a natural fit to give our backing to Scotland’s best loved national sport.

 

“The last months have been extremely challenging for many clubs, and our new official partnership with the SPFL will help ensure that the SPFL, and Scottish football more generally, gets some of the financial support it needs at this time.

 

“Irrespective of their club affiliation, our consumers, who are supporters of all the clubs across Scotland, have been incredibly loyal and supportive to our brands and business over many years and especially through this horrible pandemic. Now it’s our turn to support, as best we can and in our own modest way, their clubs and their favourite sport.”

 

 

[The Future's Maroon]

19 minutes ago, cheetah said:

posting for no reason to get of page 1888

👏👏👏

[cheetah]

24 minutes ago, martoon said:

 

🙌

 

12 minutes ago, The Future's Maroon said:

👏👏👏

still on it I see.

[HMFC01]

Livingston vs Hamilton – Postponed

Wednesday, 10 February, 2021

Livingston FC regretfully announce that tonight’s Premiership clash against Hamilton Academical FC has been postponed due to the heavy snowfall of recent days. 

 

With between 3 & 4 inches of snowfall on Monday night and another 4 to 5 inches last night, the park has over 8 inches of snow currently lying on it, with more in other areas.

 

Trying to clear that amount of snow from the park is near impossible in the timescales involved and there is so much snow on the park that there is physically not enough room at the edges of the pitch to clear it to. A 15-metre test run in the car park left a 6ft snow pile – a clear indication that the issue would be the same at pitch side.

 

As soon as a rescheduled date has been confirmed, we’ll be sure to update you all on the club website and social media channels.

 

 

 

 

[And he’s not praying!]

**** 1888.

[And he’s not praying!]

And again. **** 1888.

[And he’s not praying!]

One more time.

 

**** 1888.

[And he’s not praying!]

☹️
 

 

[niblick1874]

6 minutes ago, washniklaw said:

What I’m saying is we overthrow what exists by showing there is a better way. The more clubs that the SPFL upset, the more chance of a revolution. Corruption can  and has been undermined from within and we can show that there can be change.

 

A major improvement would be the removal of the 2 most powerful people in the exhausting structure.

PL and ND.

 

I get what you are saying however.

 

The whole thing is corrupt and if you think once they leave a good guy will come in having been given carte blanche to do all the right things, you are not getting the vice like grip that the corruption within Scottish football has over Scottish football, and more. This will never be fixed unless it is broken. It's not broken for two teams. Until that happens, nothing will change.  

[EIEIO]

21 minutes ago, washniklaw said:

What I’m saying is we overthrow what exists by showing there is a better way. The more clubs that the SPFL upset, the more chance of a revolution. Corruption can  and has been undermined from within and we can show that there can be change.

 

A major improvement would be the removal of the 2 most powerful people in the exhausting structure.

PL and ND.

The voting structure particularly in the Premiership is what really needs to change above all. Replacing PL etc by a vote of the pimps and spivs that run most Scottish football clubs would I suspect be little cause for celebration. I'm usually a positive guy but outwith a few clubs there are some idiots involved in Scottish football as the various chairman demonstrated far too often last season.

[niblick1874]

25 minutes ago, SectionDJambo said:

Doncaster must know where the skeletons are being hidden, or have some incriminating information about some of these people in a position of power within the SPFL. How else could anyone, so divisive, incompetent and lacking in progressive ideas keep a job that pays £400k plus bonuses?

They could employ a secretary at a quarter of his salary, without bonuses, to do the work he manages to get away with.

 

You answered your own question. 400k

[Borders Jambo]

Fingers crossed to get onto page 1889

[Borders Jambo]

My view is we should never forgive those individuals or Clubs that were involved in demoting us, Partick and Stranraer.

[martinb]

must be soon

[And he’s not praying!]

**** 1888.

[And he’s not praying!]

Sakes.

[And he’s not praying!]

Longest page EVER.

[And he’s not praying!]

😞