The Spider

Well now that we’ve spent over an hour bigging up the Old Firm, before we have a quick look at what’s happening in the diddy leagues, let’s head over to MacDiarmid Park to see what’s been happening in the Challenged Cup Final. Derek, what’s the latest? Well Richard you join us as we enter the last few minutes of what’s been an engrossing game in spite of the 0-0 scoreline. No sponsors for this year’s competition of course, but Clyde & Raith Rovers have been doing their best to make this occasion worthy of the competition’s name. As you would expect it’s been the full time club who have dominated proceedings, but The Bully Wee have been competent and principled in their resistance of Raith’s sustained pressure. Hold on Richard, hold on, it’s a penalty to the part-timers. To be fair it was a great move from the Clyde boy, selling the Rovers’ defence a complete dummy, but did they really have to dive in so recklessly without considering the consequences. It was as blatant an error as you’ll ever see Richard, expertly converted by Robert Jones who’s on a hot scoring streak right now - that’s his 3rd in 24 games. Just in front of me I can see the Clyde Treasurer gleefully rubbing his hands in anticipation of the prize money that’s surely coming Clyde’s way as we now enter time-added-on with Raith now also disadvantaged by being a man down following that incident. But wait, what’s this…………I don’t believe it Richard, what a stupid thing to do right at the death here! Raith had seemingly abandoned any attempt at strategy, and in desperation were trying any means possible to rectify the situation. Clyde on the other hand were in complete control, but with virtually the very last kick of the game they’ve conceded a spectacular own goal following isolated pressure from Raith’s substitute who was only signed this morning from Club Castlemilk. Well, back to you in the studio Richard. It looked like Clyde had stolen it, but Raith have now turned the tables on them and this game’s not over by a long way!

Sorry to disappoint but I only looked in because Stranraer are now my nearest team and I'd been tempted to take this game in...........wish I had now!

Looking that way at the moment. Hope you put money on it.

Always knew those trips to Falkirk & Meadowbank would come back to haunt you .

Hope that's indeed true...........the stupid lack of judgement that's resulted in the gift that keeps giving.

but obviously not since Jimmy "Walks On Water" Rooney as that would be a comparison too far

nor our winger (according to Gardner Speirs' tactics manual ) Lawrence Shankland

or a chairman who is stupid enough to trade in a relatively small amount of compensation for a decent % of a very high transfer fee

No idea what the actual figure being mooted is, but the word currently being used across the media at the moment is "substantial". As you rightly point out though, it would be zilch if he went to either of the Old Firm under current arrangements.

It depends entirely on the context that "status quo" is used in as remaining amateur is the "status quo" as far as our constitution is concerned. Beyond that of course you are pefectly correct in everything else you say as we face huge change whichever route we go down, and things will never be the same again. Some actively embrace the possibilities that turning professional might bring whilst others are concerned that the extra expense would drain our reserves over a period of time, but for others it's simply a question of damned if we do, damned if we don't, so which is now the least worse option.

Agreed. I simply observe (as in the case of Muirfield Golf Club) that if a concept gains momentum then subsequent EGM votes have been known to considerably change. IF the first vote fails, I think it's very important to note the margin. If a majority vote is against professionalism, then that should be the end of that debate for the forseeable fututure as it should also be if the motion passes. If however as TMWNN suggests, between 66% and 74% are in favour, then I'd suggest that a second vote is almost inevitable as there will be rightful pressure on the others to re-consider their position purely on democratic grounds. Any in-between outcome is most undesirable and will do nothing to unite the club going forward.

Yes for your first sentence, but I respectfully suggest you are completely wrong with your second. If the motion fails but has a majority support, as a democrat personally I see nothing wrong with The President making the argument that a majority of members are in favour of the motion and appealing to those who voted against to change their minds in a second vote at another EGM. Now you are perfectly at liberty to say you disagree with that line of thought, but I simply ask how would that be illegal per the comparison I made with Muirfield Golf Club?

Nor can I, but it's not what would happen in an "overwhelming" majority scenario that I'm seeking further clarification on. What would you want to do in a 51 v 49 small majority scenario - sit at your keyboard and complain about it or have you a practical suggestion, perhaps along the lines of what i was advocating?

That is the other side of the coin and why it's so important that the Club makes a sufficiently strong case for turning pro in the documentation it will be handing out at the forthcoming meeting (and hopefully mailing to all members shortly thereafter). If it fails to make the decision an easy one and the motion fails, then they will have nobody to blame but themselves.

So if a first vote produces a majority in favour, but fails to reach the 75% threshold, are you going to give up or harness your admirable passion and try again?