St Johnstone Chairman: Clubs can't survive without Rangers.

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

By PAUL FORSYTH

Published on Sunday 1 April 2012 00:00

STEVE Brown, the St Johnstone chairman, has warned that if Rangers go into liquidation and are not permitted to re-enter the SPL as a new company, several top-flight clubs would go out of business.

One of the six members of the SPL board whose job it would be to consider an application by the “new” Rangers, Brown stressed that he had yet to make up his mind as to what would be the most appropriate course of action.

He said that he hoped never to be faced with the decision but, if he was, he would have to weigh sporting integrity against the cost to clubs such as his own. Refusing to grant the Glasgow club an SPL licence would, in his view, lead to a financial “disaster”.

Asked if he meant that some clubs would go to the wall, Brown replied: “I think they would. I think a lot of them are kidding themselves on. One or two of them are on the brink as it is. If they’re on the brink as it is, and they’re getting support financially from Rangers and Sky, there can only be one thing [that would happen].”

In an exclusive interview with Scotland on Sunday, Brown also called for a more conciliatory approach by the SPL’s non-Old Firm clubs to the current row over voting rights. Some have said that they would consider resigning from the top flight in protest.

He says that only the best-run clubs would survive in a league without the Old Firm. “Would you get by without the Old Firm? We [at St Johnstone] would get by. We’ve demonstrated that because we’ve been in the First Division for seven years, but you certainly wouldn’t have the same calibre of player at your club. Could the other teams get by without the Old Firm? I think three or four of them would go out of business. Careful what you wish for.”

Brown says that, if a newco Rangers were to be excluded from the SPL, the economic impact would outweigh any other benefits. “You probably would get more supporters because your team would be likely to be more competitive, but in financial terms, it would be a disaster, an absolute disaster.

“In financial terms, I can’t see how [the other clubs] could possibly fill the gap. The revenue they [Rangers] bring with them equates to probably three or four games against teams from the bottom six. It’s a huge void, both in gate revenue and TV money because it is my understanding that the Sky contract would fall through.”

The self-interest of others will outweigh their egos and "morality".

[Jimfanciesthedude 24,485]

he'll be ridiculed by the diddy club fans, yet the man knows his stuff

[MosesMcNeil 1,664]

Fuck them one and all - these are the self-same clubs meeting to demand more of the monies we generate as a club and support.

A fact openly discussed by this fanny: “In financial terms, I can’t see how [the other clubs] could possibly fill the gap. The revenue they [Rangers] bring with them equates to probably three or four games against teams from the bottom six. It’s a huge void, both in gate revenue and TV money because it is my understanding that the Sky contract would fall through.”

[kanjo 26,327]

maybe only now they're beggining to realise the implications.

[maxiblue 18]

he is speakin with common sence,somthing that has been absent from most other chairmen for a little while now....WE WILL SURIVE,they may NOT...

[dan_ger 1,454]

They are shitting themselves and rightfully so.

If we go into liquidation I would not be surprised if there will be moves to rapidly restructure the league system. As a Rangers fan I would rather go to the 3rd division than put up with sanctions from clubs that rely on us for their very existence. They are leeches.

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

They are shitting themselves and rightfully so.

If we go into liquidation I would not be surprised if there will be moves to rapidly restructure the league system. As a Rangers fan I would rather go to the 3rd division than put up with sanctions from clubs that rely on us for their very existence. They are leeches.

True, but sometimes leeches have a value.

[WCPRANGERS1 2,997]

Clubs INCLUDING Celtic are now starting to realize the full implications of not having The Rangers there.......what really gets to me though is ho they ere all to quick to jump on the bandwagon and start trying to give us a kicking while were down and as Super said WE ONT FORGET.......Browns comments may be spot on but he only cares coz his on and many other clubs are likely to go to the wall without our money!!!!

[RAFREG 471]

They are shitting themselves and rightfully so.

If we go into liquidation I would not be surprised if there will be moves to rapidly restructure the league system. As a Rangers fan I would rather go to the 3rd division than put up with sanctions from clubs that rely on us for their very existence. They are leeches.

I agree the third div would be my preferred option and pass most of these clubs on the way back up. With any luck that scumdee mob would go bust.

[Alnic3856 358]

Is he after some money from the RFFF?

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

Is he after some money from the RFFF?

lol

[krissg910 110]

st johnstone are a well run club and there board/chairman knows what he is doing. everything he says is right and atleast hes man enough to admit the spl needs rangers.

i think the sporting integrity is a dig at all the people spouting this shit to give themselves a shake. yes liquidation should have certain punishments to it, but all the shit that has been mentioned is over the top.

they need our money and club therefor any deal must be fair i.e. a financial and points penalty for the 1 yr only. none of this 3,4,5 yrs shite the taigs are all shouting about.

[J_RFC87 761]

Refusing to grant the Glasgow club an SPL licence would, in his view, lead to a financial “disaster”.

It is fact, not just his view. Some people in this country are more intent on punishing us rather than helping saving us!

Barely any one is helping apart from ourselves, never forget it.

[allanh91 75]

Well said sir.

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

It is fact, not just his view. Some people in this country are more intent on punishing us rather than helping saving us!

Barely any one is helping apart from ourselves, never forget it.

Just as there are those who are more intent on hating us than supporting their own club.

The parallel is obvious, as are the reasons.

[Senna 735]

It is fact, not just his view. Some people in this country are more intent on punishing us rather than helping saving us!

Barely any one is helping apart from ourselves, never forget it.

Exactly. Super's quote about looking up at who is kicking us when we're down should be at the front of everyone's minds until this is over.

[bazzl82 2]

If we were to go into liquidation I really hope it fucks the spl mainly cos of the fans that have mocked n laughed at us

[kanjo 26,327]

in fairness...if the 10 SPL clubs 'walked away' and we were fine...this would be the best option.

I guarantee with almost 100% accuracy that ANY scottish club outwith the SPL would take their place and agree terms currently in place.

[delamonty 992]

So... let's say we go into liquidation. We apply to the SPL and are told ok, but you start the next 3 years -10 points down. What do we do? Tell them to f8ck off and go to Div 3?

Might be nice winning the league starting from -10 pts?

All of this posturing by the powers that be is simply being engineered by liewell imho. I am fine with either..But .I don't want to see clubs (and decent ones) going out of business. Others can and I couldn't care less.

But.. I also do not want The Rangers to be pissed on by people that well, just hate us. Apply to the SPL, we get told we can join but with circumstances that are ridiculous. No viable league for us in Scotland. England here we come perhaps.

Crazy times ahead methinks?

[corkinator 611]

the only silver lining in all this is if we go the whole house of cards comes down soon after. I cannot stomach the way we have been treated by certain quarters throughout this whole mess. NEVER FORGET THE SPL, SFA AND REGAN!

[WilliamFyfe 1,438]

The mans right

[ronniemca 479]

this guy is spot on.and yet some of our support still give their money to the likes of dundee utd,hibs aberdeen etc.when will they ever learn.boycott the bastards .