oise, though it didn’t become popular until elastic was inc
O
We’re stuck with
F – and
luded a decade la
the
ter
split
Friday April 27 2007
15
Gary joins
We’re only a small nation – and every penny counts
tribute to
L
themselves over the finishing line
AST weekend Celtic dragged reported gloomily last year that our
and brought the SPL
league was “even worse” than those in
not be enough money to sustain all the
Jambo Rab
conclusion.
to its foregone
the Ukraine and Chile. It failed to report
clubs and there would be fewer high
was that the SPL
profile matches to tempt
title race was a non-event ef
For the second season in a row the
than many larger countries, such as the
was ranked higher
won before the SPL
fectively
Czech Republic, and that Scotland was
mean two fewer Old Firm matches and
In Scotland, an 18-team SPL
TV.
would
Not a season goes by when the split
split.
the smallest country in the top 20.
two fewer Edinburgh derbies.
is not derided universally
some hurried and short-lived soul
, prompting
million people have a better league
Why the hell should a nation of five based on Irish people’
Given that the current Setanta deal is
searching by the powers-that-be.
than far larger countries? Chile has a
the Old Firm, any subsequent
s desire to watch
population three times that of our own,
would be far less lucrative.
TV deal
A
a square peg into a round hole. It’
The split is their attempt to bludgeon
the Ukraine nine times. force many into bankruptcy or part-time
Less money and more clubs would
Hearts fan Rab McLean is already a sell-out.
HUGE fundraising effort in memory of
halfway between an unsustainable
s
18-team league and a 44 game farce.
sized European nations – Denmark,
If we compare ourselves to similar football.
Norway
enabling 12 teams to share
Thus the the split was born,
bash on May 4 at Shrubhill Masonic Club.
More than 300 fans have booked up to attend the
understand why it exists.
I don’t like it, nobody does, but I can
high profile and, one could argue, in
, Ireland – the SPL is more without having too many games or losing
TV revenue
a healthier state. W
those extra lucrative derby matches.
and will preside over the night’
Hearts legend Gary Mackay is among the guests
history
Scottish football is a victim of its own
crowds and more coverage, admittedly
e have bigger
but maintains the status quo.
A compromise that pleases no one
Signed tops, ball, meals at top restaurants, and
s auction.
hospitality for the Hearts v Hibs derby are among
boot a ball we have very old structures,
. As one of the first nations to
because of the Old Firm.
not to mention a proud tradition.
their leagues and until writing this article
Nobody here pays any attention to that keeps our many clubs in existence.
We’ll always struggle to find a solution
the prizes.
Our game has been re-inventing itself
which play in leagues that have no
We have loads of teams, many of
I had no idea about their set-ups. Seems since the 1970s in a bid to do that.
son David, is to raise cash for Handicabs, Craighall
The event, organised by Rab’s wife Margaret and
Day Centre and the Hearts Disabled
connection with the senior game.
Denmark has an identical split to ours.
a result we have junior teams who get
As
sending the Old Firm south. Surley the
One idea often bandied around is
Rab died last year just days after watching his
Association.
bigger crowds than lower league clubs.
that runs
Norway has a league of 26 games
they play each three times then have
April to November. In Ireland league would be more competitive and
beloved Jambos win the Scottish Cup.
therefore more entertaining? In reality it
joining the senior set-up and would
These clubs have no intention of
a knockout tourney would become like the W
multiple sclerosis, died with the trophy
The Edinburgh dad, who had a long battle with
never be asked anyway
similar population to ours, has a split
. Croatia, with a
Even more Scots would support the
elsh league.
Hugely popular with his fellow Hearts fans, Rab
.
was mourned by scores of fans.
the sport, which should ideally be
. That handicaps
and a two-month break in the middle.
housed within one big pyramid rather
Utd or Newcastle. Hearts would win the
Glasgow Two, the rest opting for Man
than lots of wee ones.
dominated by one or two clubs who
Like Scotland, these leagues are
dwarf the rest – with similar problems.
league – but how hollow would it feel
memory
That led to the idea of a tribute night in his
with no one paying attention?
The following day his family plan to scatter
, which will kick off at 7.30pm.
his ashes after erecting a heart-shaped stone in
previous generations have left us
Another difficulty is the legacy
– giving us an inflated view of ourselves.
league, which would be
They can’t have an 18-team
more entertaining,
current set-up. Fans and pundits have
We’re stuck with the Old Firm and the
his memory.
a right to criticise – but keep
Scottish Cup and the inscription: ‘Jambo ’T
It will include a photograph of Rab with the
the days when Scottish clubs did well in
Many fans and writers can remember
as there things in perspective. W
End’. Margaret told Planet Hearts this week: “W
ill The
Europe, when we had players known
would only wee, after all.
e’re
thought that Rab would approve. It will be very
e
worldwide.
ROLAND
emotional for us. of such greatness, we beat
Today, in the absence
TYE
people have said and done over the last year for
“We’ve been simply overwhelmed by what ourselves up about it.
us.
The Scotsman
David has been run ragged – but we’re delighted.”
The tribute night has been a lot of hard work –
so popular
“We could have sold it out twice over, he was
donations to Margaret instead at 12 Dochart Drive,
a71 Those unable to make the event can send
. We’ve even got a waiting list.”
Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH4 7LB.
Dear Planet Hearts: Just a
reminder from all at Bathgate Hearts
that the official 105 years was 5pm
on 26.04.07 (Thursday)
Perhaps you could enclose this
small reminder to all Jambos in
Fridays edition. Hopefully you still
have photos of Horace the auld
Hibby, and could include a photo of
his depressing old face.
Iain Ross, by email.
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