I could have some sympathy if their debt was caused by having to meet SPL criteria, but it's not. Motherwell were the first to go into administration, back in 2002. Under John Boyle they had spent silly money signing the likes of John Spencer and Don Goodman. Had they improved in the league? Not really. Had they won anything? Nup. Administration saw them sack the likes of Andy Dow and Kevin Twaddle, who would later end up at Love Street (cheers lads). If rumours are to be believed, their young players, and I'm not talking in terms of James McFadden here but players younger than him, were on a minimum of £2,000 a week! Since going into administration, Motherwell have continued signing players, despite sacking several. That they have got away with this is scandalous.
Not as bad as Dundee though, who went into administration in November 2003. They had signed high earners such as Fabrizio Ravanelli and Craig Burley just a few weeks before going into administration. Surely they knew they were heading for trouble? Surely signing these players was pointless. Dundee have been spending big for years and it has got them nowhere. Juan Sara and Fabian Caballero cost a fair bit, as did most of Ivano Bonetti's signings. They managed to get a reasonable amount for Claudio Caniggia, both in commercial and transfer terms, but they still ended up in trouble.
Livingston went into administration last week, once again after years of over spending. I despise Livingston so was pleased to see them hit trouble. Anyone saying their problems aren't down to overspending on players is as deluded as Kris Robertson. Livingston bought their way through the divisions, then discarded players for next to nothing as they decided they didn't want them. I remember they tried to merge with Clydebank to try and get into division 1, and when that failed they spent £1million on a promotion winning squad. £1million spent, by a division two team! It hasn't stopped there either, with the likes of some Brazilian coach and some former Barca player costing money. Livingston got promotion, one season where they got into Europe, but have achieved little else.
I have no sympathy for these clubs. They have over spent on players and have got nothign in return. It's the clubs like Partick Thistle, who lost money via ground building and other problems, and Morton, who had a diddy chairman, I feel sorry for.
More clubs will follow. Dunfermline are hanging on by the skin of their teeth, whilst Hibs and Kilmarnock are always the subject of rumours. Hearts are selling Tynecastle, whilst Aberdeen sold their toaster. The Old Firm haven't escaped from these problems. Rangers supposedly tried selling Ibrox, whilst Celtic made a loss when their team made the UEFA Cup Final! Dundee United have spent big in the summer, but how long will they get away with it.
Fans everywhere are calling for the government to get involved, but why? Why should they help out clubs who have mismanaged themselves into this situation get money, whilst clubs like ourselves, Partick Thistle and Ayr Untied, who are not in administration, end up with nothing?
During our season in the SPL, many fans complained that we didn't splash cash on a striker. I was one of them. I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise to the board for being like that. Thanks to not spending, we'll at least have a club next season which isn't in administration. How many fans of SPL clubs can honestly say the same?