Latest news with #BarryDouglas
The National
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
East Ayrshire councillors reject ‘very British' daily flag raising
Conservative councillor Neill Watts had proposed flying the three flags every day at the London Road HQ in Kilmarnock, describing it as 'a very British way of expressing joy and pride' and 'a symbol of unity.' His motion suggested that these flags be flown daily except when a different flag is more appropriate for special occasions. However, the proposal was met with strong opposition, particularly from Labour group leader councillor Barry Douglas, who questioned both the practicality and its similarity to moves at Reform UK run councils in England. READ MORE: Neil Oliver quietly dropped from Glasgow tour buses after years of backlash He challenged the resource implications, asking whether flags would be installed at all council buildings, how much that would cost, and who would be tasked with raising and lowering the flags. 'There's a cost involved in all of that,' Douglas said. 'Raising and lowering flags takes staff. Are council officers to stop their duties to do this every day?' He also took issue with Watts' description of the Conservatives as 'Scotland's strongest unionist party,' suggesting the recent general election results told a different story. 'Are we really talking about community cohesion,' he asked, 'or making a political point around the flag?' Labour councillor Peter Mabon also opposed the move, stating that while flags were appropriate on special days, raising them daily would eat into officer time. He said: 'We're talking about 200-plus hours every year in all weathers to raise and lower flags. Our officers have enough to do.' Barry Douglas (Image: LDR) SNP council leader Douglas Reid also opposed the motion, expressing support for the current approach. 'We've got a policy that's lasted before my time as leader. Raising flags for special occasions, like Ukraine or Rainbow Flag (for Pride), makes it meaningful. Changing that sends the wrong message.' Conservative councillor John McFadzean argued the proposal was modest in scale. 'For all the time it would take to hook on one flag and wind it up, there's not a huge implication. Civic pride helps lift morale.' Douglas responded by drawing parallels with Reform UK-run councils in England, where flag-related motions have gained traction. He acknowledged Watts' claim that he had been approached by Reform but had declined. 'Maybe he wants to tell the chamber something today. It is a big issue for Reform, but why is it such a big issue for him?' Chief governance officer David Mitchell then intervened to clarify that there is no East Ayrshire Council flag. 'There has never been a council flag and we certainly don't have one at the moment.' Watts denied any political motive, explaining his motion was based on personal observation. 'I would be more than happy just to have a flag – it doesn't matter whether it's the Saltire, it doesn't matter whether it's the flag of the United Kingdom, 'I just think that we should have at least a flag at this building as a mark of respect to our communities.' He also reiterated his Conservative affiliation and rejected any association with Reform. 'I certainly am a Conservative and I am nowhere near Reform in that respect.' In the end, councillors voted overwhelmingly to maintain the current flag policy, with 24 voting in favour of an amendment to retain existing arrangements and just four supporting the motion.
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ruthless SPFL boss wants to keep just TWO stars next season as he wields axe on squad with ex-Scotland duo told to leave
The last remaining man from their most successful team in recent history is heading off too MAKING THE CUT Ruthless SPFL boss wants to keep just TWO stars next season as he wields axe on squad with ex-Scotland duo told to leave AXEMAN Simo Valakari only wants to keep TWO of his relegated St Johnstone players. Sven Sprangler and Drey Wright are the only McDiarmid Park stars set to be offered new deals. Advertisement 5 Simo Valakari is gutting his relegated St Johnstone squad Credit: Kenny Ramsay 5 Their only remaining cup double winner Stevie May, centre, is leaving Credit: Kenny Ramsay 5 Barry Douglas (also departing) and May are the side's only Scotland capped players Credit: Andy Barr Valakari has been ruthless in gutting the Saints squad following their drop into the Championship. Sprangler and Wright will now be offered reduced terms in line with those under contract, who are all suffering wage drops. Graham Carey, Nicky Clark, Matt Smith, Benji Kimpioka, Max Kucheriavyi, Barry Douglas, Cammy MacPherson, Arran Cocks and Liam Parker plus six young players have been told to go. Under contract players Josh Rae and Andre Raymond, both loaned out in January, have been told they have no future and made available for transfer. Advertisement The goalkeeper Rae had a successful spell with Raith Rovers while Raymond played just four times for fellow Championship side Dunfermline. Loan stars Andy Fisher, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Sam Curtis, Zach Mitchell and Elliott Watt depart. Club legend Stevie May, who was part of Saints side for each of their three major cup wins, will also move on this summer after spending the campaign on loan to Livingston, who could pass Saints on the way up if they win the play-offs. He scored the last of Livi's four goals across the two legs which saw Davie Martindale's men progress past Partick Thistle in the semi-finals. Advertisement May is one of two former Scotland caps to be departing Perth, with his run out coming in a November 2014 friendly against England at Celtic Park. The visitors won 3-1 with goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wayne Rooney, Andy Robertson netted for the hosts. St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari on loving 'crazy' club owners, his Motherwell days and run-in with a Celtic hero Barry Douglas played away to Hungary when Alex McLeish picked up the first win of his second spell at the wheel. Matt Phillips scored the only goal of that European Qualifier. The now-exiting May is also the only player still on the books who was involved in the famous cup double under Callum Davidson, coming off the bench in the League Cup final against Livingston but remaining on it in the Scottish Cup final against Hibs. Advertisement Shaun Rooney scored the only goal in both games four years ago to complete a famous trophy triumph. 5 Stevie May and Nathaniel Clyne of England Credit: Kenny Ramsay 5 Barry Douglas in action against Hungary Credit: AP Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Herald Scotland
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Simo Valakari ‘ready for challenge' of winning promotion as Saints suffer drop
However, the Staggies' last-gasp equaliser, after Valakari's players had applauded their supporters and headed up the tunnel, left the Perth men four points adrift with just one game to play and consigned them to the Championship for the first time since 2009. 'I see it this way – we could not get the result in our game so it was out of our hands what happened elsewhere,' said Valakari. 'We cry tonight, we cry tomorrow and then on Friday we turn our heads to changing this club back to winning ways. That starts on Sunday. 'We respect the table. We weren't good enough or clinical enough in key moments. 'We put ourselves in a difficult place. When you need a favour you're relying on luck but it wasn't to be. 'When you look at the history of this club it has been difficult for a few years. 'We've been fighting relegation for a while. Now it has happened and it hurts.' Valakari insisted he is up for the challenge of trying to bring Saints straight back up next season. 'I've already told my players it was hard to play in this relegation battle, but if this was pressure, it will be even more pressure next year,' he said. 'Pushing for promotion you need to be at your best every day and even when you are not at your best you still need to get results. 'It will be very, very hard and a big job to turn around the culture of the club, but that starts on Friday. 'We need to face it and become the club that can get back to the Premiership. 'I am ready for that challenge. I want to do everything in my power to do it.' Saints were two down at the break after a Barry Douglas own goal and an Alan Forrest strike before Graham Carey gave them a glimmer of hope with a free-kick but Hearts held on for a third straight win under caretaker boss Liam Fox – the first time they have achieved that feat in the league since February 2024. 'I think that stat probably backs it up, I get people will pour cold water on it and say you're in the bottom six,' said Fox. 'Yes, you're right, but it's still difficult to win three games back to back in the Premier League. It's tough. 'As you can see tonight, we had to work really, really hard for it. So I'm delighted. Let's see if we can make it four on Sunday.'
The Courier
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Barry Douglas believes St Johnstone have piled pressure on Dundee and Ross County
Barry Douglas believes St Johnstone have piled pressure on to Ross County and Dundee with their weekend win. And going into the final week of the Premiership season as the hunter rather than the hunted may be no bad thing. Saints are only three points adrift of County in the wake of Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Highlanders. While they are battling it out against Hearts on Wednesday night, the Dingwall side will be clashing with Dundee at Dens Park. Neither of the two teams above them can yet discount the possibility of automatic relegation. And Douglas is determined that the McDiarmid Park men will make sure they are in a position to capitalise on slip-ups. 'We have everything to gain and nothing to lose,' said the veteran defender. 'We have been down at the bottom of the table for so long, we're underdogs and we've been written off. 'That means we can play with freedom. 'We can just give the best account of ourselves individually and collectively. 'Everyone thinks we're down, so let's see if we have enough over the next week. 'The pressure isn't on us. Other teams know they have to win. 'We're not where we want to be but the pressure is always on the teams who are leading. 'When you go to win a title, it's the team at the top, not the ones chasing, who feel it. 'That's where we are, the other teams need to win or they're in trouble.' Saints' victory over County brought into focus the fact that on form, since the last transfer window, they've not got the points record of a team likely to go down. 'You look at moments over the season and I think that winter period really hurt us,' said Douglas. 'That was when we really needed to get some points, but we fell adrift back then. 'That was when we had to survive and stay in there. 'But credit where it's due, we've got ourselves back in contention. 'The gap is down to three points with two games to play so we've got a chance to make this great escape. 'We have to show up and get those results. 'It will be difficult, but we know we're good enough to get something from these games.' Saints had to do it the hard way at the weekend after playing their way into trouble for County's equaliser. That's an obvious area in need of improvement at Tynecastle. Douglas said: 'We have spoken about it in the dressing room and said that going into the split, all we could do from that position was be in contention to ask questions of other teams. 'We've done that. 'I think we should have been in a better position. 'We've dropped too many points in those type of games and been naive. 'Even against Ross County, we got a bit of luck with the offside, but that's maybe what we've needed. 'We have taken a lot of belief from that win but we are humble enough to know it's just three points and we have to be even better against Hearts. 'They are better team than the table suggests but we believe we are that too. 'It's all about results and finding the balance, eradicating the errors and also playing the way we know suits us.'
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Saints have 'nothing to lose'
Barry Douglas, 35, says St Johnstone are adopting a "nothing to lose" attitude in their fight against relegation. (Courier - subscription required), externalRead Saturday's Scottish gossip
