A voice of reason has risen from the depths of Scottish football after an endless supply of pleas for unity and harmony in the SPFL from teams who will only gain from the recent shambles that has unfolded.
Stranraer – who backed Rangers calls for an independent investigation – issued the most articulate statement yet and in it revealed their desire to continue to take the fight to the footballing authorities for their alleged wrongdoings.
They also were the first team to highlight one of the most pertinent points from teams assuming the moral high ground since football was called to a halt, it is easy to be a crusader for peace and accept the status quo when you are not affected negatively by the actions of others.
Ian Dougan, Chairman of Stranraer, made it perfectly clear what his club’s position is following the SPFL EGM which saw the independent investigation blocked:
“We have consistently stated that the original resolution was fundamentally flawed, therefore we wanted to allow for a comprehensive investigation to source true learning outcomes from the process to date.
“Ultimately, we failed to get sufficient numbers to carry the day however, 13 (thirteen) clubs from all levels of our game did vote to what they considered to be cause for concern, with a desire to highlight failings of a proper process at board level.
“There have been various persons suggesting that a line is now drawn on this matter, and we subsequently now move on for the greater good of the game. If I may state, this is an extremely easy analysis to arrive at when you have no concerns, nor were adversely affected by actions of recent decisions.
“I make no apologies for the fact that it is not in my nature to concede all too easily, or indeed remain silent, nor accept any decision that I feel is unjust towards our football club – a club that I am extremely proud to serve as chairman.
“As such, I intend, with the full backing of my committee, to explore all avenues in order to properly redress, with fellow likeminded clubs to achieve what I believe is the righting of wrongs on so many fronts.”
When teams like Motherwell preach forgiveness and togetherness there will be few that give it much credence when, if the league is cancelled now, they will remain in third place and be given a Europa League slot. Of course they want everyone to move on and start concentrating on next season.
Likewise, with Neil Doncaster and Murdoch MacLennan, their desperation to see the whole sorry saga put behind them is embarrassing, however, with Rangers and now Stranraer refusing to lie down and Hearts and Partick Thistle also unlikely to give in, the line is far from drawn under the matter.