CONGRATULATIONS to Martin Hannan for highlighting the existential problems of many smaller sports clubs throughout the country (Closure of Craigroyston is a warning of a bleak future for football, The National, December 6).
I am very sad to hear of Craigroyston’s demise. They were a fine club. But they are not the first to go and we need to take collective action if they are not to be the last. In recent years, Kelso and Selkirk are two communities which have lost their senior football sides. It is not just about the players, but it is worth mentioning that outside the top division players get paid less than the top stars tip a waiter.
Local sports clubs of whatever code are a focus for their communities. They act as an umbrella for academy teams that provide a channel for children’s enthusiasm and promote health. They run walking football sides to promote exercise for over-50s. They provide a focus for the community to come together. It is vital that they survive for the sake of remote and underfunded communities the length and breadth of Scotland.
They have been hit hard by cash-strapped councils who seek to recover costs. Water rates and electricity charges have hit them disproportionately. Fuel costs are the albatross round their neck.
The entire takings from a match can go to pay the travel costs for a referee. Coaches to an away game are becoming a luxury few can afford. Car sharing with attendant environmental and safety concerns is becoming the norm.
National and local government needs to recognise the role that local sports club play in promoting a healthy society. There is something you can do. Rather than redundantly join the rest of the Scottish press in highlighting Rangers and Celtic, why not give some space to promote community football teams? It need not be such a tall order.
Every league can put you in touch with individuals who would be delighted to share news with you. For the rest of us; why not pick up the local paper, see who’s playing, go down to your local ground. I guarantee you a friendly welcome and a cheap and rewarding afternoon’s entertainment.
Ian Richmond
Gretna
AS a regular user for many years of all Scotland’s ferry companies, I am very glad to see CalMac management team stand up for themselves and their customer base after investing large amounts of their time and money applying and tendering for the Scottish Northern Isles’ two services that are up for renewal in 2020. All the while being informed they were unsuccessful and being graded inferior, not on price but on service and management provided on other contracts provided to the Scottish Government – and yet a contract was renewed with Serco?
It’s great to see a Scottish-owned company take on and sue the Scottish Government, who I feel have bowed to pressure and taken the easy route out of an issue that needs long-term vision and investment locally.
Serco’s history with major breakdowns and lack of support fleet speaks for itself and they were only saved by the great service and support locally from Pentland Ferries.
CalMac, like all service business, have there challenges to manage on a daily basis, with a wide and varied fleet of all ages and a large workforce that they employ and train locally and which has experience to bring to the table that is worth a lot.
Also I have to ask, why a local company like Pentland ferries is not considered?
We all need a chance in life to demonstrate what we can do and this man has certainly done that. With the delivery of his new fantastic catamaran vessel that was designed and financed internally and never lets us down?
I say bring on the court case and let’s see this contract kept in Scotland.
Ian Thomson
Gordon, Berwickshire
I HAVE recently come to the conclusion that BBC bias is not a political matter limited to the SNP.
My view is that this behaviour is actually racist. It belittles ANYTHING Scottish to the level of quaint, weird or novelty entertainment on the “and finally” section of the news programmes.
It is simple. Their audience is primarily not only English but south-of-Birmingham English, therefore the overwhelming bulk of their output is geared to that audience, many of whose views are that Scotland is a remote northern REGION of the UK where very little of importance ever occurs. We Scots are regarded as inferior foreigners who have to be reluctantly tolerated to preserve the UK.
I worked in London for two years in the 1960s.
I was NEVER called anything but “Little Jock” as there was another taller Scottish colleague. I developed an affinity with Irish and Welsh colleagues.
Have you ever heard anyone from these nations refer to an Englishman as Tommy? Probably not.
Barry
Blantyre
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