Rangers FC lodge papers to go into administration

The committee of Stranraer FC met this evening to discuss the papers recently received in advance of the SFL clubs meeting. The papers indicate a number of proposals and scenarios to deal with the potential vacancy that would occur if the expulsion of an SPL club occurs this week.

The committee unanimously agreed that the proposals are produced in haste and are unconvinced about the justification for departing from the rules and standards that the SFL represent. As a club recently faced with possible extinction and fighting our way back from financial difficulties we fully understand the position that a club could find themselves placed in and as a supporters run club, fully understand the passions of the supporters of clubs affected by such an event.

We are not convinced at the emotive language currently being aired to describe the potential ramifications to our game should a NewCo not be given special case treatment and consider that the benefits that could be negotiated do not counter balance the damage that would be done to the credibility of the SFL as a governing body.

We hold the stance that it is our place to act in the best long term interests of Stranraer FC and for Scottish Football as a whole and see no reason to breach the integrity of the SFL by filling a vacancy at any level other than at the lowest tier. The possibility of placing a NewCo at any other level breaches the sporting competition of our organisation and compromises the very structure of our game. There should not be a special case made for any club and we believe that the proper place for a phoenix club to restart life is at the lowest level. We believe it is right and proper than any club should have the right to apply for the resulting vacancy and we would then form a view on which club we would support for election to any vacancy based on the presentation case made by the applicants.

Irrespective of the size, stature, history and resources of the club filling the vacancy, the opportunity exists for that club to find their way back to their natural tier in the league structure in a fair and equitable manner while being encouraged to trade and exist successfully within the means at their disposal.

Restructuring of the league set-up and governing bodies is complex and difficult with many differing views and interests across the clubs in the spectrum. The current proposal has been compiled as a reaction to the unique and unexpected circumstances we are faced with and while there are clearly a number of ingredients that have great merit, this is too great an issue to be dealt with in this seemingly indecent haste.

Stranraer FC support the opening of a vacancy in the lowest tier given the options available at present and remain open to the continuing challenge of working towards a better future for all involved in Scottish Football.

The outcome of the Supporters’ Trust Poll with regards to the options the Club have been asked to consider in advance of tomorrow’s SFL Meeting at Hampden is as follows:-

Rangers/Newco:

Option 1 - to SFL3 – 68%

Option 2 - to SFL1 – 16%

Option 3 - to be terminated or suspended – 16%

The Club Executive accepts this as a clear steer from the membership for Option 1 and that is the stance that I will take forward into the SFL meeting. The stance will include the proviso that, in accordance with SFL rules, the Rangers/Newco will have to apply for election rather than be accorded automatic admission as the option, as currently worded, would imply.

It should be remembered that there will be no formal vote and I would hope that the meeting will be as much about providing substantially more detail to the headline document currently available and answering questions from the floor, as it is about member Clubs expressing opinion.

A joint Club / Trust Executive Board Meeting will take place on Wednesday evening when I will fully update those in attendance with the information emanating from the SFL meeting to allow for further meaningful discussion to take place.

Whilst I acknowledge that these are extremely difficult times for Scottish Football as a whole, the Club Executive will remain focussed solely on continuing to act in the best interests of SAFC and will not be drawn into debate or comment on matters that are not our direct responsibility.

Further updates will be posted as soon as appropriate.

J Stuart Brown

Operations Director

Edit: For the avoidance of doubt, please note that the wording of the three options is not that of SAFC but is word for word that used by the SFL in their documentation to member Clubs. There are five options in total but two of them are not relevant to SFL Clubs but lie within the scope of the SPL.