Guernsey pay the price

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Guernsey are going to have to pay a high price for playing in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy. The Football Association has ruled that the club must cover the cost of flights, accommodation transport for all three match officials and 25 members of the opponent’s team.

What is more, any postponed home tie must be rescheduled on the UK mainland with Guernsey covering the cost of hiring a neutral ground no more than 30 miles from Gatwick. The same provision will apply if an away tie is drawn, depriving the Green Lions of a home replay.

Scots opt for pyramid

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The Scottish FA has agreed to a new pyramid system that allows for promotion and relegation to and from the Third Division. There will be play offs between the bottom club in the Scottish Premier Football League and the champions from each of the Highland League and the new Lowland League.

Among the teams in the Lowland League are phoenix club Gretna 2008, Edinburgh City, University of Stirling and the superbly named Gala Fairydean Rovers. However, the also aptly named Civil Service Strollers are not included.

Hearts administrator gets a boost

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Administrator Bryan Jackson is optimistic Hearts will reach the season ticket sales needed to keep the ailing club afloat. Accountancy firm BDO took control of the Edinburgh club last week and set a target of selling 3,000 more season tickets to keep going over the summer.

‘Sales started off very well. I understand we got to nearly 500 by yesterday,’ Jackson told BBC Scotland. ‘This was more than we’d anticipated and it shows the demand is there.’

Hearts had already sold 7,000 season books before entering administration but the money raised through those sales has already gone

Dunfermline fans worried by mystery bid

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Dunfermline Athletic supporter group, The Pars Supporters’ Trust has called for the mystery second bidder to buy their club to reveal itself to alleviate growing concerns of the club’s supporters.

Fans group Pars United submitted a bid for the club and the ground (which are separately owned) earlier this week. Talks between Pars administrators BDO and Pars United are expected to resume early next week after it emerged their offer for both the club and their East End Park stadium was unacceptable in its present form.

Texan takeover saga at Dundee FC

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The Texan takeover saga at Dundee FC continues. Dundee benefactor Bill Colvin remains hopeful the proposed investment at Dens Park will take place.

On Tuesday, Colvin, who’s already ploughed in a six-figure sum over the past three years, was due in London to meet with American partner Tim Keyes to discuss the latest developments surrounding their £1.5 million plan.

Cardiff City AFC to expand stadium

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Cardiff City AFC have unveiled plans to expand the Cardiff City Stadium to an eventual capacity of 38,000. Designs have been outlined to supporters as part of an ongoing feasibility study and the first stage of development could begin as early as September or October this year.

Phase one of the expansion would see the ground’s Ninian Stand given a second tier – with the roof of the stand removed before the end of the coming season. Then 5,000 seats would be put in between May and August next year, in time for the beginning of kick-off in the 2014/15 season.

Big bid battle for FA Cup rights

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It looks like there is going to be a big battle for television rights to the FA Cup which should leave the Football Association significantly better off. In January 2012, ITV acquired broadcast rights for 16 FA Cup games per season, as well as some of England’s home qualifying games, for an annual cost of £43m.

Hearts enter administration

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Hearts have served notice of their intention to appoint an administrator. The Edinburgh club have debts of £25m – owed to Lithuanian-based companies formerly owned by Vladimir Romanov – who are themselves facing insolvency.

Last week, the entire Tynecastle squad was put up for sale, with Hearts seeking £500,000 to keep them running over the summer. It means Hearts will start next season in the top flight with a deduction of 15 points. Hearts owe £15m to Ukio Bankas, which has been declared bankrupt.

Haskell persists with Sky Blues bid

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American tycoon Preston Haskell IV intends to persist with his attempt to buy a half share in the Ricoh Arena and secure control of Coventry City despite his disappointment at not being named preferred bidder by the administrator.

Sisu were able to mount the largest bid by writing off debt.   Haskell thinks that their business model is not sustainable in the long run and hopes they will eventually sell out to him.