No Artificial Pitch At Firhill

[potty trained]

You're right, it doesn't say that. What it does demonstrate, though, is that there are ways and means of securing funding over and above the club coughing up £500,000. It also shows that there's an opportunity for Firhill to become a community hub, something other have lauded Stenny for elsewhere.

 

The money must be available somewhere, otherwise Beattie wouldn't have been "leaking" it to every fan he came across in hospitality a few weeks ago, that this was going ahead and that we would be getting EUFA funding to cover the costs.

[Jaggernaut]

The money must be available somewhere, otherwise Beattie wouldn't have been "leaking" it to every fan he came across in hospitality a few weeks ago, that this was going ahead and that we would be getting EUFA funding to cover the costs.

 

That seems highly unlikely. Would UEFA cover the costs for every other team that also wanted to do this? The cost would soon run into tens of millions, and for what return for UEFA?

[twinny]

That seems highly unlikely. Would UEFA cover the costs for every other team that also wanted to do this? The cost would soon run into tens of millions, and for what return for UEFA?

 

UEFA probably has grants available for community initiatives that aim to develop football.

[Jaggernaut]

UEFA probably has grants available for community initiatives that aim to develop football.

 

Even so, how many times could they simply hand over hundreds of thousands of pounds to individual clubs all over Europe, and why would Thistle be eligible for such a grant, rather than any other of our competitors? Wouldn't that be the same as handing certain clubs an advantage over their competitors?

[twinny]

Even so, how many times could they simply hand over hundreds of thousands of pounds to individual clubs all over Europe, and why would Thistle be eligible for such a grant, rather than any other of our competitors? Wouldn't that be the same as handing certain clubs an advantage over their competitors?

 

I imagine that if there were any, there would be a limit and the best applications (those with the greatest community benefits) would be selected. It wouldn't be a selective advantage, more rewarding clubs that look after local communities.

[jaggybunnet]

You're right, it doesn't say that. What it does demonstrate, though, is that there are ways and means of securing funding over and above the club coughing up £500,000. It also shows that there's an opportunity for Firhill to become a community hub, something other have lauded Stenny for elsewhere.

 

just to add ref the dates were when "times were good" money wise with councils and the gov

[MMCF]

You fail to understand the small print here. These are the ten rules that really govern Scottish Football.

 

 

Rule 1 Everyone does what we (the SFA) tell them. No matter how stupid it might seem

Rule 2 Nobody gets to question us and nobody gets to argue with us

Rule 3 Nothing will ever change. Repeat nothing!

Rule 4 You have to do what’s good for Rangers Football Club

Rule 5 If Rangers can’t win things then Celtic must win them instead.

Rule 6 Small time hacks such as Yick Chung, Sames Strainer, and Shoo Heevins have more say than any of you paying clients

Rule 7 If you want to get ahead in this business you have to adhere to all of the above.

Rule 8 Don’t write to us. Don’t phone us. We are not interested

Rule 9 Life’s not fair. Eat it

Rule 10 keep showing up. Keep paying the money. We need you mugs buying stuff.

[Dark Passenger]

 

 

just to add ref the dates were when "times were good" money wise with councils and the gov

 

There are still various grants and funding mechanisms out there. You have to want them and, once you do, know how to get them.

[potty trained]

And still the mugs keep paying, and the directors of clubs sit there on a Saturday afternoon, drinking the clubs drink, eating the clubs food, paid for (if it is paid for) by their company.

 

And they sit on their padded seat, chit chatting to other directors and sponsors, about their business' palming each other with a deal here and a deal there...

 

And they might then go for an sfa job, brass button blazers wait, jetting off for the next world cup draw, sipping their free drink, staying in the best of hotels.

 

And still the mugs keep paying, we're the life blood, the game would be nothing without the fans! Or is it just that all these directors, journos, sfa heads, would be nothing, without the fans?

 

And with heart wrenching programme notes, begging for money for the next money maker that will save your club... The mugs keep paying.

 

Edited March 15, 2012 by potty trained

[MMCF]

And still the mugs keep paying, and the directors of clubs sit there on a Saturday afternoon, drinking the clubs drink, eating the clubs food, paid for (if it is paid for) by their company.

 

And they sit on their padded seat, chit chatting to other directors and sponsors, about their business' palming each other with a deal here and a deal there...

 

And they might then go for an sfa job, brass button blazers wait, jetting off for the next world cup draw, sipping their free drink, staying in the best of hotels.

 

And still the mugs keep paying, we're the life blood, the game would be nothing without the fans! Or is it just that all these directors, journos, sfa heads, would be nothing, without the fans?

 

And with heart wrenching programme notes, begging for money for the next money maker that will save your club... The mugs keep paying.

 

Now you've got it, son! You'll go far in this game. Well as far as we'll let you

[lady-isobel-barnett]

And still the mugs keep paying, and the directors of clubs sit there on a Saturday afternoon, drinking the clubs drink, eating the clubs food, paid for (if it is paid for) by their company.

 

And they sit on their padded seat, chit chatting to other directors and sponsors, about their business' palming each other with a deal here and a deal there...

 

And they might then go for an sfa job, brass button blazers wait, jetting off for the next world cup draw, sipping their free drink, staying in the best of hotels.

 

And still the mugs keep paying, we're the life blood, the game would be nothing without the fans! Or is it just that all these directors, journos, sfa heads, would be nothing, without the fans?

 

And with heart wrenching programme notes, begging for money for the next money maker that will save your club... The mugs keep paying.

 

Dear Potty Trained

 

Have you ever thought of a career in football administration? Your above insight ticks all the right boxes. I wouldn't tho' rush off and get fitted for a blazer just yet Jobs don't come up that often as no one rarely does anything so few resigning matters and besides who's going to give up a position where you don't actually do anything more taxing than maintaining the status quo, That said if you could demonstrate some sort of relevant conflict of interest we could possibly fast track you onto a suitable committee.

 

yours insincerely

 

Sandy Sinecure

 

Scottish Football Asylum

[jaggededge]

I see Annan are hoping to put a 3G pitch in.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otland-17743974

 

I think it would be great for Jags, especially for all the Academy teams now.

[twinny]

I see Annan are hoping to put a 3G pitch in.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otland-17743974

 

I think it would be great for Jags, especially for all the Academy teams now.

 

I agree. The club have said the cost is too high considering that if we were to get promoted we would probably have to rip it back up again. The SPL have said in the past that they are open to artificial surfaces provided they are good quality, however I imagine if a team with an artificial pitch were to be promoted, the SPL would hold a vote on the matter. How do you think other clubs would vote if the decision could hurt a competitors budget by several hundred thousand?

[Allan Heron]

I see Annan are hoping to put a 3G pitch in.

 

Does that mean that their fans can stay at home and watch the game on their iPads?

[Allan Heron]

The money must be available somewhere, otherwise Beattie wouldn't have been "leaking" it to every fan he came across in hospitality a few weeks ago, that this was going ahead and that we would be getting EUFA funding to cover the costs.

 

So the old tradtions of Firhill communications from the board continue...........

[jaggededge]

I imagine if a team with an artificial pitch were to be promoted, the SPL would hold a vote on the matter. How do you think other clubs would vote if the decision could hurt a competitors budget by several hundred thousand?

I honestly don't know, but it's horrendous to think other clubs would vote for a valuable footballing resource and community asset to be ripped out, simply to disadvantage a rival team.

 

Compliance with the SPL is a consideration though and if Thistle do get the chance to go ahead with this, then it would be best to get that clarified. It would be daft to spend all that money then have to rip the pitch out a year or two down the line.

Edited April 18, 2012 by jaggededge

[Mr Bunny]

I honestly don't know, but it's horrendous to think other clubs would vote for a valuable footballing resource and community asset to be ripped out, simply to disadvantage a rival team.

 

Compliance with the SPL is a consideration though and if Thistle do get the chance to go ahead with this, then it would be best to get that clarified. It would be daft to spend all that money then have to rip the pitch out a year or two down the line.

 

Don't you know that the SPL make up the rules as they go along? They might say OK now, when you're in Div 1, but if you got promoted a different set of rules could apply. They could even change during the season.

Edited April 18, 2012 by Mr Bunny

[Jaggernaut]

What happened when Hamilton got promoted to the SPL? Did they have to remove their plastic pitch? And do they have a new one now, or are they playing on grass?

[jaggededge]

I think the new generation of artificial surfaces are such good quality that the SPL should really consider allowing them.

 

The Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow has an artificial pitch, so if it's good enough for the Russian PL ...

[Allan Heron]

What happened when Hamilton got promoted to the SPL? Did they have to remove their plastic pitch? And do they have a new one now, or are they playing on grass?

 

A working colleague is a Hamilton fan and quite close to the club so I asked him and received another example of the fact that Scottish football is run by morons.

 

Apparently, the SPL do not have a ban on artificial surfaces - there is nothing in their rules which precludes their use. What is in their rules is a requirement that needs undersoil heating even though you wouldn't need this with an artificial surface. Truly bizarre, and something that needs to be amended.

 

I think these surfaces are the only way to go and the cost/benefit case for them looked at over a reasonable period would be irrefutable. The club could either seek community grants to offset some of the cost and make it available as a community resource. Or just use it for all games - first team, reservers, youth teams - as well as training. Throw in a long term groundsharing arrangement with Clyde as looks to be a possibility and you'll have a well used facility that also saves ongoing costs for the hire of other facilities.

 

This might be a prime idea for a specific fundraising exercise that everyone could join in on - individuals or corporate - with some means of recognising the contributions. Certainly, more appealing to dig a little deeper for something of obvious benefit rather than just throwing money away to allow us to keep our heads above water.

[MWM]

Annan are the latest club to adopt an artificial surface. Its only a matter of time before every senior part-time club has one. And some full-time ones. **** the SPL and their stupid rules.

[lineens weegie army]

Annan are the latest club to adopt an artificial surface. Its only a matter of time before every senior part-time club has one. And some full-time ones. **** the SPL and their stupid rules.

 

And, whilst admittedly not Scottish, Milan and Inter have apparently agreed to install one in the San Siro...

 

So it's good enough for one of European football's great grounds, but not the SPL??

[Duck snort]

Reported today that an artificial pitch is to be installed at the San Siro in time for next season.

[glasgow boy]

its not just about the artificial pitch is it,

 

our youth set up is to old fashion

how can you start a youth set up at 19s and work your way down,

 

we need a compleate overhaul of the set up starting from 5 years on and upwords .

 

the pitch would pay for its self with the young teams and first team using the pitch

and no more cost of hiring pitches to train on ,

 

would like to hear the clubs plans for the next few season concerning the youth set-up,

[lady-isobel-barnett]

its not just about the artificial pitch is it,

 

our youth set up is to old fashion

how can you start a youth set up at 19s and work your way down,

 

we need a compleate overhaul of the set up starting from 5 years on and upwords .

 

the pitch would pay for its self with the young teams and first team using the pitch

and no more cost of hiring pitches to train on ,

 

would like to hear the clubs plans for the next few season concerning the youth set-up,

I'm not sure I completely understand. I'm under the impression that to recover the costs of an artificial pitch you require heavy rental. As a rough rule the clubs that have installed these pitches are in a one club town and thus have no or little competition in their immediate areas. I very much doubt we could have such a free hand.

Perhaps over a much longer period the benefits of a joiny up youth system would provide enough dividend to not only cover the outlay of an artificial pitch but to reap the rewards. I feel tho' without the return from rental.that existing clubs with these pitches can anticipate we couldn't realistically finance such a venture.

Edited April 21, 2012 by lady-isobel-barnett