Scottish Football Monitor (SFM)

Former chair of the Celtic Supporters' Trust David Low with his take on the goings on at boardroom level, what he feels should be the next steps, and his support for the CST's quest for better corporate governance.

David Low on the Celtic Trusts' innovative solution to clubs' dilemma on how to give fans value for the money paid for no-show season tickets. And a groundbreaking idea for how football could embrace the modern technological environment.

John speaks to Stuart Wallace (@srwallace1), Chairman of the Foundation of Hearts (@The_FOH), about the success of the fans group over the last decade, how they have achieved so much, and what they hope to achieve in the future.

This episode is the first in a multi-part series and explores the holy grail of football fans - ownership of their club. In part one, John Cole talks to David Low, the Chair of The Celtic Trust, a fan and shareholder body committed to fan ownership. Low explains the realities, the dream, and the pragmatic steps that need to be taken by such a fan organisation. Part two we will hear from Stuart Wallace of The Foundation of Hearts, the successful ownership vehicle of fans of the Edinburgh giants.

David Low as the Chair of the Celtic Trust on issues surrounding season ticket refunds, and on league reconstruction

David Low on life after the virus, the futility of the charges against the SPFL officials and the possibilities for massive change in the game, some for the good and some not so much.

Andrew Smith, Chair of the Scottish Football Supporters' Association (SFSA) on Covid 19, the SPFL controversy, and the future of Scottish Football

David Low on THAT resolution, the outcome, and the prospects for survival for Scottish clubs

SURVIVAL! David Low talks about the ramifications of COVID19 for football in Scotland, and how ending the season sooner rather than later is an existential solution to problems faced by many clubs

David Low (@Heavidor) talks about the revival of foreign interest in Scottish clubs, and why Rangers won't be one of them - for now.

John talks to David Low about the Big Two's published accounts, the breakaway Euro league and SFA's fitness for the modern world.

This week, John talks to George Galloway, politician, broadcaster, and football fan. hear george's views on the SFA, Sky & BT coverage of football and the duty of care that football is failing to give to our heroes.... and some other stuff! We also discuss the conflicts arising from Rangers pursuit of Derek McInnes, the SPFL's laughable handling of ICT's transport problems travelling to Dumfries at the weekend, and the most improved side in Scotland this term.

On the agenda this time; Hearts 'Standgate', SFA Euro-licencing, major managerial vacancies, and Judicial Review of SFA procedures; guests are Hearts blogger Matt Leslie (https://mattleslie74.weebly.com/) and Auldheid, 

Once again, David Low joins us to discuss Rangers International Football Club's annual accounts, and deliver his diagnosis and prognosis. Is expectation the football club's biggest enemy - or is it the lack of football expertise in the boardroom?

Special programme attempting to deal with the new 'deal' between TRFC and Sports Direct, and the attendant spin in the media. David Low gives us his take on the situation and the effect it has on the underlying situation.

This week, the final part of our two-part interview with Lisbon Lion Jim Craig in which Jim recalls the emotion of the greeting he received from the fans in Lisbon in 1967, of seeing his father in the crowd, and of his first meeting with his wife Elisabeth, at Celtic Park, on the team's return from Portugal. John also chats about the pride of Aberdeen and Celtic fans after the cup final, and of a watershed for Dundee United after their hopes of a Premiership return are dashed by Hamilton.

This week, John speaks to former Celtic player Jim Craig about his emotions amidst the 50th anniversary celebrations of Celtic's 1967 European Cup triumph, about how it helped define him and his team mates, and Scottish football itself. There is a round up of the resolved promotion and relegation issues, and a look at warring managers and players. James Doleman also joins the show again to chat about developments in the Craig Whyte trial, now in its fifth week 

This week, John talks to Foundation of Hearts Chairman Stuart Wallace about his memories of the old Hearts Main Stand, and his hopes for the new one as the stadium rejuvenation takes shape. There's also talk about the real disgrace behind the allocation of tickets controversy for the cup final, and a round up as The Championship, and Leagues 1 & 2 come to conclusion. James Doleman also returns to give us his thoughts on the second week of the Craig Whyte trial, and we look to Dundee again - United this time - to discover the career and achievements of the great Dennis Gillespie.  

This week, James Doleman again offers his guidance on the Craig Whyte trial, whilst John gives a quick round-up of winners and losers, promotion and relegation in the leagues. Joey Barton is again in the news. Is he the victim of hypocrisy? Are the Rangers board managing their biggest asset - the fans - properly? Also, a tribute Dunfermline legend Harry Melrose, arguably the first midfield general in Scottish football.

This week's TWM guest is court reporter and Tweeter extraordinaire James Doleman (@jamesdoleman - and www.byline.com) who talks about the challenges of reporting and Tweeting on developments in the current Craig Whyte trial. John asks why football managers can't be pals and looks forward to an historic Scottish Cup final. Also the spotlight falls this week on the late and wonderful Frank Beattie, Kilmarnock's most successful ever captain and arguably greatest servant.