Pars board issue statement after emergency meeting
Published 2 Jul 2012 09:25
6 Comments
THE board of directors of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club would like to make the following statement, firstly to the club's loyal supporters and more widely to the whole of Scottish Football, following an emergency board meeting today.
"We believe that this notice will now fully clarify our own position, for the avoidance of any further doubt, rather than snippets of information or interviews attributable to the club being used in isolation or out of context.
"It is clear that a number of different agendas exist at present but DAFC seek a fully inclusive solution that is in the genuine interests of Scottish football.
"The sporting integrity of our 'national game' must be retained along with its longer-term commercial interests rather than another short-term solution, which ignores completely the views and concerns of the ordinary fan.
"Matters are currently being progressed in an illogical manner, as the SPL should have met and voted on the Rangers situation definitively.
"Thereafter, if there is to be change a joint presentation should be made by all the Scottish football governing bodies together and not on an ad hoc basis as at present.
"Until the club had seen the exact proposals now being put forward, coupled with the feedback from our own supporters, which was vitally important, we had been reticent to speculate as previously commented.
"However, the board of DAFC, on behalf of its supporters and the wider footballing community of Dunfermline and West Fife, can now confirm that it will not be voting in favour of any solution which involves "Newco" being parachuted into SFL Division 1 next year.
"We asked our fans for feedback on this issue and within three days we had over 2000 responses and even allowing for an element of infiltration, the results were conclusive.
"95.4 per cent of supporters were against 'Newco' being parachuted into SFL Division 1, in return for restructuring Scottish football; and 96.1 per cent of supporters thought that 'Newco' should be required to apply for membership of SFL Division 3.
"In anyone's language these results are compelling and will likely be replicated by fans of other Scottish football clubs.
"The revised proposals we have reviewed contain a number of suggestions that are entirely credible in isolation, and everyone agrees that the structure of Scottish football must change, but it must be done for the right reasons and not used as some form of bargaining tool.
"The proposal document makes little or no mention of fans or their views, as was the case with the league reconstruction debate, and all these issues must now be put on the table to deliver a credible, equitable and viable solution.
"The document strongly implies that if the proposals are not accepted, then we will have financial meltdown in Scottish football, but if the loyal fans across the country desert the game then commercial sponsors or TV companies will have no-one to promote or broadcast to.
"The McLeish Report made a number of solid recommendations but Scottish football needs to be more radical with a number of additional matters being addressed as a matter of urgency, such as what do the paying public want?
"It would appear that the broad thrust of the McLeish Report appears to have been given immediate traction in the last couple of weeks, entirely for the wrong reasons.
"As had been speculated, a further proposal now being presented is Dundee Football Club taking the place of 'Club 12' in the SPL.
"DAFC acknowledge that the club was relegated last season as our results on the pitch were simply not good enough but we worked to a strict budget and had to take some very difficult decisions over the course of the season which upset our own fans, due to circumstances outwith our control.
"We were rightly replaced by Ross County Football Club on sporting grounds and we would like to take this opportunity to wish them every success next season.
"However, the situation regarding Rangers has led to the creation of a place for 'Club 12' - an entirely different scenario which has developed radically since February and was subject to many decision-making delays by the SPL.
"Despite asking for some direction or clarification, we have had no communication whatsoever from the SPL as to the rationale, rule reference or justification as to why Dundee FC is being proposed to take the place of 'Club 12' rather than DAFC.
"We are requesting in writing a definitive response from the SPL by 5th July to allow both ourselves and Dundee FC to plan for next season.
"From our recent survey, 56.5 per cent of our supporters think we would be better served playing in SFL1 next year, with the remainder stating they would prefer to be playing in the SPL.
"Although this represents a broad split, the board still believe it has a moral duty to its supporters and sponsors to robustly defend the club's position on this matter in the interests of both sporting integrity and legal precedent.
"At this stage we would not like to comment any further in public on this matter until we have received formal intimation of the SPL decision, which presumably carries the SFA and SFL support. We shall review our stance in the light of information received.
"Finally, can we again urge all true supporters of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club to stick together during these uncertain times and not to defer on renewing their season tickets and get behind Jim Jefferies and the team."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
-
jollymolly
95 posts
Jul 2, 11:22
Report commentListen to the fans and get ready for playing in SFL1 next year,
and the year after. and on and on and on......
especially if the rangers or "Newco" are parachuted into SFL Division 1 next year.
Recommend?
Yes 15
No 7
-
B2theB
188 posts
Jul 2, 15:11
Report commentLet's be honest here, until the whole country wakes up to itself, division one is probably the rightful place for the Pars.
I dream of a time, like in the days of yore, when people used to support their local team, rather than a team in a city they've never even been to, just because that team are winning, or because an outdated view that the team represents their religious views in some way.
What's wrong with Scottish football ?
Many things, but glory hunters are as much to blame for dropping gate receipts and the gap between rich and poor teams widening.
walk about Dunfermline centre, count the football tops you see people wearing.
How many Rangers ?
How many Celtic ?
And now, how many Pars tops ?
Sadly, this is being repeated in cities and towns across the world.
Support the Pars, buy their merchandise, pay money at their gate, and eventually they'll have enough money in the kitty to get the players to compete with the top teams.
Recommend? Yes 21
No 5
-
greenkeeper
3 posts
Jul 4, 14:00
Report commentI totally agree with the statement that Mr Turnbull and the Pars board have issued about the current situtation as reguards the complete MESS that tha S F A have left Scottish football in. One wonders if their has been a hidden adgenda at the back of all their misterious lack of decisiouns, in the case of trying to get the cheats back into a higher level than at the bottom of division 3.It dose not make sence to me a mear fan what all the fuss is about, when caught doing wrong as they have been the punishment should fit the CRIME so back to my comment about a hidden adgenda.All supporters should back their boards verdict with going through the turnstiles and return with coviction the trust in their boards.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 2
-
yorkman
1 post
Jul 4, 21:26
Report commentI purchased my season ticket looking to see my team play in the First Division and hopefully be entertained when we hopefully win more games than lose them. To try and get back in the SPL again with the consequence that will see us being slaughtered week upon week like last season is not on!!
Recommend? Yes 5
No 0
-
thefifer
6 posts
Jul 7, 15:12
Report commentLet's see Scottish football survive without rangers. In the name of sporting integrity rangers must go to div 3 As that is what there support want
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
-
ItsErnie
207 posts
Jul 7, 20:38
Report commentSurely the Pars governors don't want to get back to their glorious position holding up the rest of the SPL (ie at the bottom of it)? I'm all for supporting our local team but let's face the facts - the Pars don't have the players or the cash for the SPL. They would end up losing every game again! Do they honstly think we would happily trudge along week after week to pay to watch the slaughter.
For goodness' sake be content with being a major player in the correct division!
But of course the new 'Rangers' with whatever team they are able to cobble together should have to prove themselves before they are allowed anywhere at all in the league!
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
