The TEN have handed in their notice and laid the cards on the table that they will break away from the SPL in two seasons and leave the Old Firm that amount of time to find a new league or join the new one on the terms of the TEN. This means, in effect, that if they have nowhere else to go they will have to join the new league, cap in hand, and accept a reduced percentage of any profits accrued.
This is a bold and brave move by the non Old Firm teams who have said "enough is enough." The revenue from Old Firm gates, the P.R. their inclusion in our league gives us will, it is holped, be more than made up for by increased gates once the new league begins in season 2004/2005. With teams beginning the season with every hope of challenging for the league it is hoped the lapsed fans will return in numbers.
This is a slap in the face for the Old Firm and no doubt their media supporters will now be out in force for some time to come to belittle the move made by the rebellious TEN. They will be hitting their heads against a brick wall as the TEN are united to make this new league a success. For the first time in my lifetime the power struggle may be removed from Glasgow and the East Coast teams may come to the fore and begin the challenge to become the major powers in Scottish football.
I feel the only reason they left the door open for the Old Firm to come in was a legal one and they had to do it, otherwise they might have cast them adrift once and for all as a cancer with a much higher financial clout than any other Scottish team to have any chance of challenging for honours. The signing of any player who looks likely to help the poorer clubs, only to place them on the bench, e.g. Darius Adamczuk, Billy Dodds, etc., has made the TEN determined to show their teeth, and they have done so, with a resounding NO to the Old Firm.
It was strange to see how the Old Firm based media practically ignored today's meeting, nothing of note in the Daily Record, hardly a mention on the T.V. How they will react tomorrow is likely to be of a critical nature of the decicsion that I believe will save the future of the Scottish game.
The Old Firm hate Scotland and they hate everything Scottish. They should go, and go gracefully without a parting shot at the bows of the teams who struggle week in, week out, to survive. I for one won't miss the Natzi salutes, the waving of the Union Jack or the singing of the Sash. Nor the booing of Flower of Scotland. Nor shall I miss the Irish flag at Parkhead, the bigoted singing of Irish songs and the religious hatred that comes with it. Mr O'Neill may pretend it isn't happening, but the other TEN teams have stood firm against it.
WE WILL BE WELL RID OF THE OLD FIRM. ENGLISH FOOTBALL, ACCEPT THEM AT YOUR PERIL.