The “Lawwell Letter” is trending everywhere this week. To elucidate, it is email sent to (among others) Peter Lawwell and Eric Riley of Celtic on 26 July 2012 by SPL CEO Neil Doncaster.
The email came with an attached copy of the Five Way Agreement (hereafter “5WA”, the deal between Sevco, Rangers, the SFA, the SPL and the SFL). Now that it has been made public, it seems safe to speak openly about what it all means for us as folk who believe in sporting integrity.
I would preface my comments with a caveat though. On the face of it, the Celtic Chief Executive appears to have misled the gathering at the recent Celtic AGM. He was asked by a shareholder if Celtic were involved in the Five Way Agreement. Lawwell replied, “No”, and gave same “No” response to the follow up question, “have you seen it?”
Given that a copy of that email was in the possession of a few folk before that AGM, I have to admit to being surprised by that answer – although even more surprised at the apparent lack of due diligence implied by the lack of knowledge of its content.
We have attempted to contact Mr Lawwell to ask him if he would like to comment on the apparent discrepancy between the evidence and his answer (and I am sure we are not the only ones to have done so). To date, we have received no response. Given the complete lack of acknowledgement of the existence of this anomaly in the MSM, we should perhaps assume that none will be forthcoming.
Perhaps there is an explanation (yes I know), but Celtic should know, like Rangers old and new have come to realise, that silence on these matters breeds deep suspicion and distrust.
Assuming for the minute that Occam’s Razor applies here, there may be an uncomfortable truth emerging for Celtic fans – that Rangers (old and new) do not have a monopoly on dishonesty. There is also an uncomfortable truth that should emerge for Rangers fans too – that as we have said all along, this has never been about just Rangers, but about the governance of the game.
If the Celtic CEO did lie to the AGM a few weeks ago what are the consequences? He broke no laws as far as I can see. One insider I spoke to said simply this,
“So he lied. So what? What happens now? It’s irrelevant”
That is of course absolutely true. As long as controlling shareholders are happy that Resolution 12 is buried, and that no deep inquiry into governance is held into the workings of the game in Scotland, the lie is nonpunishable, though it would be a mistake to believe that accountability is confined only to the corporate rules governing Boards and shareholders; the corporate veil of “I was only following company policy” can be readily challenged in the court of public opinion, which has no statute of limitations.
What all this demonstrates of course is that Celtic have been saying one thing to their fans and shareholders, nodding agreement in private meetings about how appalling Rangers behaviour was, tut-tutting over how amateurish the authorities were, and wringing their hands in frustration at what a sham the LNS inquiry turned out to be.
At the same time, they have done nothing, allowed small shareholders to spend not inconsiderable suns progressing the matter, and quietly hoped that the “appetite” for justice would diminish so they could get back to whatever it is they and the rest do when subject to little or no scrutiny.
Whilst ten in a row is on the table of course, they can get away with it. To Celtic fans right now, understandably, nothing else matters. But what if TIAR is derailed? Not a stretch to imagine that the Parkhead kitchen could get uncontrollably hot in that circumstance. And when the TIAR squirrel finally ends its scurry, in either success or failure, where will the fans attention be diverted?
Perhaps the arrogance that permits making (allegedly) false statements to a general meeting, and (allegedly) misleading shareholders over Res 12 is borne of the knowledge that the parachutes are ready to be deployed when either of the above scenarios come to pass? If TIAR is achieved or goes south, are they already prepared for an emergency exit?
Celtic have two major shareholders whose combined holding is over 50% of the club’s shares. Dermot Desmond and Nick Train. Desmond is now in his eighth decade and Train is reportedly having some business difficulties. Both may well be moved to get out anyway, but fan unrest would make their decision a whole lot easier.
And Lawwell himself is – if you believe the MSM – on the wanted list of nearly as many top clubs as Alfredo Morelos.
The foregoing of course is extremely “Old Firm” centric, and as the two biggest clubs in the country they certainly have the biggest impact on the game, culturally, socially and financially. However there is no get-out clause here for others.
We KNOW there is evidence of fraud surrounding the licencing issue in 2012. We KNOW there is evidence of a cover up over that, and the EBT-related registration issues for Old Rangers. We KNOW that the Five Way Agreement was signed by football authorities in the knowledge that it would rob their own rules of judicial authority with regard to compliance by RFC prior to 2012.
We also know that NOT ONE club has taken a meaningful stand against any of it.
Clubs are saying one thing to supporters and doing their best to derail those supporters’ efforts on the other. We can also infer (not unreasonably) that the folk who run the clubs think that we as fans have no right to interfere in how they run their operations.
As I said earlier, Celtic can do what they like whilst TIAR is live, but afterwards, however it ends, the fans and shareholders involved in Res 12 will still be asking questions. Celtic in particular know how fatal it can be to alienate their own fan base – a fan base that has flexed its muscles with devastating effect for the boardroom in the past. And it is the wrath of the fans of all clubs that will eventually see the charlatans get their just desserts.
Our job as fans is to continue to hold those who care little for the honour and beauty of football to account, to continue to press them on their refusal to deal with arguably the biggest sporting scandal in Scottish history.
The bottom line (which is of course what the folk in boardrooms care about) is this. They need us far more than we need them. As fans of different clubs, the sensibility of those of us at SFM recognises that the real battle, the real war, is not between rival fans or rival clubs, but between the arrogant, self-entitled clique who run our game; who lie for fun, who cheat and belittle the sport; and the good folk who make it possible for the game to prosper.
Resolution 12 is not just about Rangers – nor is it just about Celtic. It deserves to be embraced by every true football fan in the country. The Res 12 franchise needs to widened
Sooner or later the fans will demonstrate their unhappiness with the money men. They did it in 2012, and they will inevitably do so again.
tony 18th February 2020 at 18:25
easyJambo
Today??
===========================
Yes 25 mins ago. Then he has a go at RTC, as an anonymous blogger trying to stir up some hate.
Andrew Dickson@mrandrewdickson25m
No, I wasn’t. In any way whatsoever. So tough luck with that
Andrew Dickson@mrandrewdickson5m
Ironic that as my tweet appealing for better regulation on social media to curb faceless abuse hits 25k likes – thus showing huge appetite for the idea – an anonymous blogger tries to get some hate going my way. Couldn’t make it up. Folk here should be identifiable & accountable.
easyJambo
Cheers, accountable, they really don't do irony
I note this: https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/donalda-mackinnon
"BBC Scotland Director Donalda MacKinnon is to stand down as the corporation's Scottish leader after four years in the role and 33 years with the broadcaster"
And I note this
"..Donalda MacKinnon says: "Reflecting back on all that we have achieved, .."
Whatever else she 'achieved, as BBC Scotland Director MacKinnon continued the ban on any on-air discussion of the 5-Way Agreement,the Big Lie created by the SFA;and by so doing, allowed for the broadcasting and propagation of as wicked a lie as ever came from the lips of Josef Goebbels and the unjust punishment of such honest men as did not toe the party line.
As said in relation to the SMSM, what the feck would they do in really vital matters of Truth, if they allow untruths in the matter of a Sport not just to be left unquestioned and unchallenged but actively supported and propagated.
We are well rid of any such a person in positions of influence in the BBC, that supposed bastion of Truth.
We can, of course, confidently predict that her successor will also be a puppet.
John Clark
I don't care about the puppet, I want to know who's pulling their strings
easyJambo 18th February 2020 at 18:34
‘…Then he has a go at RTC, as an anonymous blogger trying to stir up some hate.’
%%%%%%%%%%
It is inconceivable that Dickson would not know that RTC is about as far removed from being just ‘an anonymous blogger’ as it is possible to be(well, apart from being anonymous!)
If there had been SMSM people who had not sold their souls for a mess of succulent lamb and SDM’s favour, but had done what journalists are supposed to do-ask the kind of questions asked by RTC-then , as CW himself says, RFC of 1872 might not have died: Murray would have been called to order early enough, and the cheating EBT years might not have happened.
And Scottish Football would have benefited by not having to perjure itself and throw integrity to the wind. ( And what the devil is happening at Fir Park as I write?)
Phil’s latest blog is stating that TRFC “HAD” to play the postponed game ASAP, as in: playing on the more reasonable / less stormy Monday night was simply not an option – for Ibrox financial reasons.
Which suggests that the MD Robertson is micromanaging cashflow – to the penny, by the day – and with no wiggle room to speak of.
Which is a rather risky way to manage any business… to state the bleedin’ obvious.
TRFC is currently just one ‘unplanned event’ away from tipping into the abyss, it would seem…?
Which is nice.
tony 18th February 2020 at 20:59
John Clark I don't care about the puppet, I want to know who's pulling their strings
=================
tony, in the interests of puppetry pedantry…
I'll see your puppet [with strings] – and raise you a marionette.
[And I'm now going to leave you all in peace: off to bed with a stinking cold/coronavirus. I may be sometime…
]
StevieBC
And we'll round it off with Dave pinocchio King
StevieBC 18th February 2020 at 21:23
Looking at the pictures of the game it was not very full of spectators, as season tickets have already been paid just how many bought a ticket for the game? i can’t see too much cash being generated for this rescheduled game. If cash is that tight things must be really bad.
Castofthousands 18th February 2020 at 14:19
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easyJambo 17th February 2020 at 00:54
“I wish I had retained a copy of all the documents posted by Charlotte Fakes.
………………..
I had all of Charlotte Fakes on an external hard drive, and it died on me (Get an external hard drive they said, put all your things on it and save it they said, and then the thing died on me)
CO, agreed: there couldn't have been many match day ticket sales – and you can only sell so many pies & Bovril, programmes, etc.
And if only for fans' safety, the game should have been played on the Monday night.
Mibbees in time we'll get the full story?
[Tablet getting switched off now.]
@C1
I don't think the cash generated on the night at the turnstile was the crucial aspect although sales of pies and programmes would help but more the payment of the ST money that is only released on a game by game basis. Money must have been needed on Monday morning . Sales from the Braga game had by then already been collected and probably spent . We can only speculate what the cash was for , transfer instalment would seem most likely as there is no mention (so far) of the Close loan being settled and February pay date is still 10 days away . I cannot see how they can see out the season if they are struggling right now . If either Ashley or Close come looking for their cash the lights will be going out.
easyJambo 18th February 2020 at 16:27
The part that I was interested in was the claim that Worthington had over the Oldco. That was settled “out of court” by a payment by BDO of £962,500 around the middle of last year.
…………………
https://twitter.com/ClusterOne2/status/1229895691792736258/photo/1
……………….
From this article Worthington Group in which whyte had a small stake, had been considering making a secured loan of £2.9 million to the club before it entered administration.
Was this the end result?….. the claim that Worthington had over the Oldco. That was settled “out of court” by a payment by BDO of £962,500 around the middle of last year.
Timtim 18th February 2020 at 22:29
I don’t think the cash generated on the night at the turnstile was the crucial aspect although sales of pies and programmes would help but more the payment of the ST money that is only released on a game by game basis.
…………………
Thanks for the clarification.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJmCXdRjtdQ
Cluster One
Had same problem with hdd, bought some software and recovered 13,000 photos and videos from holidays past
Cluster One 18th February 2020 at 22:36
https://twitter.com/ClusterOne2/status/1229895691792736258/photo/1
……………….
From this article Worthington Group in which whyte had a small stake, had been considering making a secured loan of £2.9 million to the club before it entered administration.
Was this the end result?….. the claim that Worthington had over the Oldco. That was settled “out of court” by a payment by BDO of £962,500 around the middle of last year.
=============================
The pension fund got all their cash back from funds still held in the Collyer Bristow client account.
The BDO settlement was regarding that claim that Wavetower (TRFCG) held a floating charge over the assets of the Oldco. The figure claimed varied enormously from £18m down to £2m or so. I think that BDO initially argued that the claim was worthless, as any money that RFC plc owned Wavetower was offset by the Ticketus cash that belonged to the club, but £16m of which was "loaned" to Wavetower to pay off the club's debt to Lloyds.
In the end, BDO decided that it would make more sense to reach a settlement than try to argue the case through the courts with significant legal costs involved..
easyJambo 18th February 2020 at 23:59
……………..
Thanks for reply.
From the Guardian .
Knowledge archive
“Is it true that Falkirk (or another Scottish side) were once shipwrecked on the way to a game?” wondered Dan Palmer in 2012.
The side who took a dip in the briny deep came from further down the Firth of Forth. Kirkcaldy’s Raith Rovers were taking in the sunnier climbs of the Canary Islands; in the summer of 1923 they boarded the Highland Loch, which was calling in at the Canaries en route to Buenos Aires with its cargo of passengers and, apparently, chilled meat.
The Stark’s Park party were off the coast of Galicia, negotiating Cape Finisterre, in violent weather when the ship ran aground. The players and other passengers were roused from their beds, lifeboats were manned and the group was towed to Villagarcia by local fishermen.
The following day a passing liner picked up the 20-strong squad and were, according to player Tom Jennings, invited to eat at the captain’s table because of their chivalrous behaviour during the rain-swept abandoning of the Highland Loch. A few days later they were safely deposited at their destination – and the traumatic journey did not seem to adversely effect the players. They won all four games, although history does not report another European adventure in 1924.
paddy malarkey 19th February 2020 at 13:19
Raith had their most memorable, on field, European adventure at the Munich Olympic stadium in 1995, with the scoreboard at half time reading 0-1.
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bayern-munich_raith-rovers-fc/index/spielbericht/1061159
Timtim 18th February 2020 at 22:29
I don’t think the cash generated on the night at the turnstile was the crucial aspect although sales of pies and programmes would help but more the payment of the ST money that is only released on a game by game basis.
=============================
At least they should have the cash available to pay their £15,000 fine for failing to control their players and coaching staff in the recent games against Hibs and Celtic.
Edit: Further good news for TRFC is that £5,000 of the fine is suspended.
paddy malarkey 19th February 2020 at 13:19
"…From the Guardian ….Knowledge archive'
_________________—-
I had heard of the wreck of the 'Highland Loch' in another connection, and there is this account with a picture of the travelling group /team
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05m5k19
easyJambo 19th February 2020 at 15:13
'…….Further good news for TRFC is that £5,000 of the fine is suspended.
_____________
Have we any idea what 'Charge 1-proved under deletion' may mean?
From the SFA website ( which incidentally still seems to show Regan as CEO!):
"Principal hearing date: Tuesday 18 February 2020
Outcome:
Charge 1 – Proved under deletion
Sanction – £5000 fine, £3000 immediate and £2000 suspended until End of Season 2019/20 ….."
And is 'suspension'' conditional on good behaviour for the rest of the season?
Or was there a plea that "we can only manage £10 000 of the £15 000 at the moment. Gi'e us some time to pay the rest, eh? "
"Suppose it’s proved another accused had been involved in the conspiracy, but not in all the sub-heads, you would find him guilty under deletion of the sub-heads he wasn’t involved in".
found this in the Jury Manual from June 2017 !
It does suggest that some of the charges – on the first count i.e. the Hibs game – were deleted and Sevco were found guilty on the charges which were not deleted. Perhaps the SFA will issue a commentary to this judgement, explaining what went on.
I remain extremely disappointed that neither Kent nor Morelos have been specifically disciplined for their behaviour – the message may be that this is quite acceptable to the SFA ?
This is going to be interesting, Rangers are looking for new retail partners for 20/21. One assumes that Elite and Hummel are not in the running for this lucrative opportunity.
https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/rangers-enter-market-for-kit-retail-partner/
Try, if you can, to find film of James Keatings’ second yellow card for simulation in the semi final of the Lower League Cup Thingy (What’s it called? Challenge Cup?).
It, of course, means he suspended for the final.
Not only should he never have been booked, he’s now lost his appeal.
What on earth were a) The match officials & b) The appeals panel thinking of………oh wait a minute I’ve just remembered who they were playing!
HS
Homunculus 19th February 2020 at 17:40
This is going to be interesting, Rangers are looking for new retail partners for 20/21…
========
Well, it seems that RIFC/TRFC has alienated Hummel and it would appear that the next Ibrox kit supplier will be from an even lower league; Bukta, Le Coq Sportif, Kappa, Patrick, Admiral, …Winfield…?
Don't even know if those brands still exist – but Winfield definitely died with Woolworths!
But, the serious point is this;
TRFC is highly unlikely – IMO – to get a top tier kit deal from e.g. Adidas, Nike, Puma.
It could be argued that the brand is now viewed as even less desirable by kit manufacturers,
…and there is currently a £16M Brand valuation included in the RIFC Balance Sheet, [see Note 10 in the accounts to 30/06/19].
There was no Impairment Charge to the Brand valuation last year, (i.e. RIFC believed their brand was still as marketable for any business deals / partnerships, etc.]
On the face of it, an even lower-end kit supplier deal would indicate (further) impairment of the Brand, i.e. that £16M on the B/S could be devalued…with a corresponding hit to the P&L.
Might not be a huge charge, [on paper], but it would inflate the annual, Ibrox loss figure even more…
Homunculus@17.40
Interesting choice of words in the press release. “Enter the market for kit” Wonderful sophistry. What kit manufacturer would want to hitch their wagon to *Rangers cart horse? Fraught with difficulties. As the club has discovered, you can’t sell the jerseys twice.
In other thoughts, what next for
Murray Park … Auchenhowie … Hummel Training Centre …
Higgy's Shoes 19th February 2020 at 18:05
Try, if you can, to find film of James Keatings’ second yellow card for simulation in the semi final of the Lower League Cup Thingy (What’s it called? Challenge Cup?).
===================================
https://twitter.com/i/status/1230185143677149185
Homunculus 19th February 2020 at 17:40
This is going to be interesting, Rangers are looking for new retail partners for 20/21
==================================
I wonder what SDI will be thinking about their "matching rights" for next season that were upheld by Justice Persey last year.
Notwithstanding the SDI complication, I worder if TRFC is looking to engage with a new retail operator that with give them a substantial sum up front for a multi year deal, to help with their cash requirements, a la JJB Sports.
Ex Ludo 19th February 2020 at 18:34
==================================
They are still tied to Sports Direct.
Elite are holding back £2.5m and there will be a Court case
Clearly the relationship with Hummel has totally broken down.
They have changed their facebook status from "in a relationship" to "single".
I would be surprised if the large companies are going to be getting involved in a bidding war for the business.
From Justice Persey's ruling in July 2019.
It appears that Persey clearly envisaged SDI exercising their matching rights for season 2020/21.
'John Clark 19th February 2020 at 15:47
Have we any idea what 'Charge 1-proved under deletion' may mean?…'
#########################
I am not a lawyer, but I suspect that since Hibs were found guilty of the 'other half' of a similar charge on 06.02.20 (which includes the phrase 'a hostile or argumentative situation with players and/or team staff from the opposing team') for the same incident during the match on 20.12.19, TRFC had no defence to their alleged offence & that their planned evidence of innocence/mitigation was invalid & impermissible (and thus deleted from proceedings).
I may be wrong: I often am!
Homunculus 19th February 2020 at 18:35
In other thoughts, what next for
Murray Park … Auchenhowie … Hummel Training Centre …
======================================
…… Donnay Training Centre or Londsdale Training Centre might fit the bill.
easyJambo 19th February 2020 at 19:37
================================
That's just evil.
ICT isn’t very happy about the Keatings appeal being rejected.
https://ictfc.com/club-statement-9
easyJambo 19th February 2020 at 19:37
Murray Park … Auchenhowie … Hummel Training Centre …
……………..
Will now be called the no longer murray park, the no longer Auchenowie, the no longer called Hummel Training centre,Tranor HQ.
Sad person that I am but due to tribal loyalties I normally am happy when ICT lose! However the decision made by the SFA today to turn down the yellow card appeal is such an injustice that I am have to agree with the statement they have issued. I will even contribute to any crowdfunding required if the SFA decide to punish them financially!
The way things are going it will be the Simmet and Pants Park
Timtim
The Admin Arena
John Clark 19th February 2020 at 15:47
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easyJambo 19th February 2020 at 15:13
‘…….Further good news for TRFC is that £5,000 of the fine is suspended.
Have we any idea what ‘Charge 1-proved under deletion’ may mean?
From the SFA website ( which incidentally still seems to show Regan as CEO!):
“Principal hearing date: Tuesday 18 February 2020
Outcome:
Charge 1 – Proved under deletion
Sanction – £5000 fine, £3000 immediate and £2000 suspended until End of Season 2019/20 …..”
And is ‘suspension” conditional on good behaviour for the rest of the season?
Or was there a plea that “we can only manage £10 000 of the £15 000 at the moment. Gi’e us some time to pay the rest, eh?
…………………
The offset rule.
Homunculus 19th February 2020 at 17:40
This is going to be interesting, Rangers are looking for new retail partners for 20/21.
—————————————————————————————-
So the legal dispute with Uncle Mick is sorted now, is it?
Sounds more tactical than actual H…..Maybe the Sevco SLO has been getting it tight regarding next season's kit, when the chances of reaching next season should be the question. (Haven't they realised Sevco are still £10m short of finishing this one?).
I'm not buying a public announcement surrounding negotiations, which are generally conducted under a veil of secrecy until the "Big reveal"….
Methinks it's merely something to settle the unsettled…….And it's doing the trick, judging by the excited chatter on Sevco medja…….They've forgotten all about tumbling down the league…….If only for a short while..
eJ
"…the decision is plainly wrong and the dogs in the street know this…"
=============
Ha!
That's a classy deliverance of a swift kick to the SFA goolies!
And, yet…
if the SFA CEO Maxwell wasn't a useful, overpaid puppet [or marionette
],
this could be an opportunity to establish his own credibility -and to show everyone that the SFA can indeed change.
[Bear with me on this!]
I'd guess as CEO, he must have some Executive privilege whereby he can – by exception – overrule or rescind an SFA sanctioned decision?
In this example, what if Maxwell stepped in to have the decision set aside ?
Of course, the blazers' heads might explode as they frantically reached for the rule book.
But, it would send a powerful message – both to the SFA staff and to the long suffering, paying customers / supporters.
(I know, wholly hypothetical…).
Does anybody have info on the VAR set up for Ibrox tomorrow and Parkhead next week ?
To be fair on Rangers we should also probably consider the latest development in their Everyone Anyone campaign.
https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/everyone-anyone-fans-charter/
Extracts
“It is 2020, there is no place in football or indeed society for racism, homophobia or anti-social behaviour. Ibrox is a place where we can all come together, celebrate our diversity and enjoy the football.
“We have achieved much since our launch, but we cannot become complacent and the campaign will evolve in the weeks and months ahead. The launch of the Fans Charter is the latest strand of this initiative and going forward any supporter buying a season ticket or match tickets will be expected to sign up for this new code of conduct.”
The Everyone Anyone Fans Charter
I pledge to play my part in the initiative by:
Jimmy Bones 19th February 2020 at 17:01
'..you would find him guilty under deletion of the sub-heads he wasn’t involved in".'
_____________
Grateful to you, JB.
It's puzzling , though.
Why would there be charges against a party if they could be deleted because he wasn't involved? Sounds like the 'charge' sheet was made up by the same PF who produced the charge sheet against the 'conspiracy' of the alleged conspirators Green, Whyte and the others!
Homunculus 19th February 2020 at 21:39
‘..To be fair on Rangers we should also probably consider the latest development in their Everyone Anyone campaign…’
Sadly, Homunculus, the ‘Charter’ is missing one very important pledge:
” I pledge to play my part in the initiative by:telling the truth that TRFC, as a club newly admitted to Scottish Football in 2012, is not Rangers football club of 1872 and is consequently telling an untruth and making false claims when it attempts to claim to be that club. In the interests of Sporting Integrity I will uphold the self-evident truth that sporting titles and honours can only be claimed by the clubs that actually won them.”
Without that, the ‘Charter’ is pointless and dishonest and simply a diversionary, hypocritical exercise.
And there can be no moving on with unrepentant cheats.
paddy malarkey 19th February 2020 at 21:27
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Does anybody have info on the VAR set up for Ibrox tomorrow and Parkhead next week
………………………
https://www.fck.dk/en/news/var-new-pitch-and-world-class-lighting-celtic-clash
…………………..
For next week https://twitter.com/rbuchanan1964 Football Stadium Manager May have some information
Extracted from the latest Ibrox statement, re: new kit supplier;
"…Furthermore, Rangers will celebrate its landmark 150th year in 2022, which represents a unique opportunity for the successful partner to join the anniversary celebrations."
Yet another reason to hope that the Ibrox club is dead – and buried – sooner, rather than later…
StevieBC
Agreed, my own club, celtic, facilitate it as well, that's why I no longer spend money in scottish football, its a laughing stock
The latest advertising for a kit manufacturer to bid for a deal for next season is an act of desperation or should I say another act of desperation. What it is telling us is nobody has approached them even though they will be well aware a deal is up for negotiation and any approaches made by Rangers* to encourage a deal have been rebuffed . Why would anyone waste their time and money preparing an offer that Ashley merely has to match in order to seal the deal .Why would a rival company prepare a deal that has to be shown to Ashley. Their past is now coming back to haunt them , they are toxic , they cannot be trusted and King is still hiding behind the curtain . The man they all wanted , the man they sacrificed a real billionaire and successful businessman for , the man that everybody without blue tinted specs warned them about will be the man that condemns them to insolvency.
Timtim
The Simmet and Pants Park
I near died laughing.
'Simmet and Pants of Argyle Street'
Fine purveyors of footballing apparel since 2020
James Bisgrove, Rangers’ Commercial and Marketing Director commented: “We’re delighted to announce that we shall be engaging with potential partners that can deliver an official Rangers kit supply and retail operation that mirrors the demand of the club’s global fan base.”
I put that quote into google translate. It came up with the Spanish phrase 'estamos jodidos'.
Re Rangers searching for a new kit manufacturer. I assume either Ashley will be able to move in and match any offer?
On another note, how many clubs of the brand magnitude they claim to be ever have to publicly reach out to try and get a manufacturer?
StevieBC 19th February 2020 at 22:36
'…, Rangers will celebrate its landmark 150th year in 2022….'
________________________
If the 'Bismarck' hadn't been sunk on St Valentine's day in 1941, she would have been 81 last Friday, and if the loathsome Adolf hadnae killed himself, he would be 133 in 2022.
RFC of 1872 died on 31 October 2012 as finally and conclusively as both of the above.
Shame on those who try to pervert the truth of that actual fact:they deserve nothing but our scorn and contempt.
My working assumption is that the original contract terms with SDI are still active.
If so, I don't think there is a 'window' for TRFC to find new merchandising partners for next season.
In these circumstances, it seems highly unlikely that any reputable sportswear manufacturers and/or retailers would touch TRFC with someone else's bargepole.
Is yesterday's announcement simply a prod to SDI to seek an injunction/interdict to enforce its existing rights for next season?
There is no easy way out of this mess for TRFC.
Going back to the original SDI terms under a court order – rather than doing so voluntarily – might just be considered to be the least worst outcome.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to work out the point or objective of the most recent Statement. I'm guessing Adidas, Nike et al have got commercial arms with things like phone numbers that T'Rangers could use to sort out the ever escalating bids to be a "Partner".
One obvious challenge is that the successful bidder to ascend the marble staircase will be part of the celebrations of the landmark 150th year. How many companies are going to tender on the basis that the kit is still going to be around in 142 years time?
The tenor of the Statement gives the impression of desperation with a touch of delusion. Why not mention the exciting prospect of a Joint Venture into the world of Trackside Marketing and Retail experience? As Homunculus has observed the lucky bidder could have their brand tied in to the former Murray Park, Auchenhowie, Hummel Training Centre with the grand opening of The Erzi Wrigley Spearmint And Yer Macaroon Bar Lodge Of Footballing Excellence.
I think the most professional part of The Statement is the email address at the end. Most helpful if you can't figure out how to contact The Most Successful Club In The World. There are shades of the grand launch of Level 5; Blythswood Square location; champagne flowing, Walter Smith and Murdo McLeod (i.e. no bigotry here), proudly declaring that with zero PR experience this was the greatest PR outfit ever all ending with the website advising that the contact point was a mobile telephone number. Nothing says professionalism like a burner phone.
I pity whoever has to plough through the email responses this morning and then have to take the results to the Blue Room. One consolation will be that unless PC World have new lines of credit (buy now; pay in 2690) they won't have to weed out tyre-kicking time wasters from South Africa.
I think we should remember that RIFC/TRFC have continually confounded us by their ability to pull the wool over the eyes of businesses and businessmen we all tend to assume have a basic level of business acumen. The name 'Rangers' still seems to capture the imagination, or is it greed, of companies operating within, and on the fringes, of football, and with the one genuine claim to 'greatness' they possess, circa 50,000 at most matches, a sure-fire selling point when it comes to a merchandising lure, I'm pretty sure they will find some mug company that will give them a fairly lucrative contract. I doubt it will be as good as their most recent one, but they will get one. Whether that contract survives the litigation that will almost certainly follow is another matter altogether.
I suspect, though, that TRFC will be looking for an upfront payment, probably in time for yesterday!
The terms of the injunction appear to prevent TRFC using Hummel for next season's kit, so I can understand them seeking a new supplier. The original deal was for three years, but ran to season 2020/21.
What I don't get is why they are also looking for someone to run their retail operation, when SDI was prepared to meet the "matching rights" of the Elite deal while Hummel remained the kit supplier.
Under the terms of the agreement TRFC could only seek a new partner in the last six months of the end of the current deal, which would mean January 2021. They are a year too early, in my view, and are likely to end up back in court in fairly short order.
Surely this established sportswear manufacturer is the perfect fit for TRFC?
https://www.oneills.com/uk_en/
They seem to have worldwide reach according to their list of clubs that they supply:
https://www.oneills.com/uk_en/clubs
Then again, perhaps not!
Catching up here but just saw the James Keatings " crime" for the first time . That truly beggars belief, feel sorry for the player that he is now got to sit out a Cup Final because of the Clowns at the SFA . Firstly I have to blame the referee . ICT went out of their way in their statement to not blame the ref and to say their was nothing underhand going on with the panel who sat in Judgement. Well in my opinion it was nt a penalty but for a ref to not realise it was a " coming together" of 2 players is imcompetent at the very least. For the SFA to then look at the video evidence and dismiss it is ASTOUNDING !!!!. I think ICT are on the button about people on the panels not understanding football but there is something way more sinister going on . The SFA have tied their selves up in knots over the past 8 years or so with everything regarding a certain blue team from Glasgow . The recent Morelos/ Kent inaction being the latest . Its as if they now deliberately make wrong decisions to try and justify it isnt just Rangers decisions we get wrong ! Crazy as it sounds . When oh when are the club chairmen gonna finally say enough is enough and send them on their way…. a ( football) boy can dream
Roddy Bhoy
I see Leane Dempster of Hibs is joining the ranks of the disaffected with the SFA Judicial Panel Protocol .
She should read SFM's view at https://www.sfm.scot/jpp-perverting-justice/ on the failings of the system and how to put it right.
If anyone is having issues withe hyperlink from Auldheids post above then just drop the last part ie use:
https://www.sfm.scot/jpp-perverting-justice
roddybhoy 20th February 2020 at 11:03
"Its as if they now deliberately make wrong decisions to try and justify it isnt just Rangers decisions we get wrong !"
Mate, you missed the important part that links the ridiculous dismissal and panel review with the SFA's ongoing handling of Rangers*………..Keatings' dismissal came when ICT were drawing 1-1 with……. Rangers* !
Admittedly only the Colts, but they had to be given the best chance of reaching a final, didn't they? The panel decision was just sour grapes, I imagine.
What happens if nobody bids for the kit retail deal ? Can Ashley toss a £1 coin over the table and claim the lot ? Would King set up a bogus offer in the hope Ashley would match it ? Can Ashley just not bother which would be literally taking the shirt off their back. This is turning into an utter shambles created entirely by Dave King . The pitch is infected, the retail deal is shambolic, the shortfall is lethal, the fans are toxic, the players are unsellable , the manager is unsackable , the bills are mounting and the Chairman is a criminal pariah that has been cold shouldered by the City. Who in their right mind would want to invest in this organisation and be associated with it. They are clinging on to the hope of a Europa League run to fund them in the short term , Braga can bring it all crashing down with a win tonight.
Timtim 20th February 2020 at 13:07
What happens if nobody bids for the kit retail deal ? Can Ashley toss a £1 coin over the table and claim the lot ? Would King set up a bogus offer in the hope Ashley would match it ? Can Ashley just not bother which would be literally taking the shirt off their back. This is turning into an utter shambles created entirely by Dave King . The pitch is infected, the retail deal is shambolic, the shortfall is lethal, the fans are toxic, the players are unsellable , the manager is unsackable , the bills are mounting and the Chairman is a criminal pariah that has been cold shouldered by the City. Who in their right mind would want to invest in this organisation and be associated with it. They are clinging on to the hope of a Europa League run to fund them in the short term , Braga can bring it all crashing down with a win tonight.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Go Braga!
Just in the passing, I have received this from the FCA today
"Thank you for your email on on 14 February 2020, which is receiving our attention. We will contact you again shortly to set out how we are dealing with the matters raised.
Further information on we handle complaints and the work of the Complaints Team can be found here.
If you require any additional information in the meantime please contact us….."
—
What's the betting that a period of time will pass, I will send a reminder/request for update, and will get a message to the effect that they can find no trace of anything I have sent and will I please send copies……!?
Yep, and with the additional rain since Sunday – and even just today – the Ibrox pitch is going to churn up tonight.
It could be a 'scrappy' game against Braga, just like the Livi game.
…and if TRFC was to lose by 2 goals tonight… the torch and pitchfork mob could be venting their frustrations on Edmiston Drive after the game…
It never rains, but it pours at Ibrox these days!
Auldheid 20th February 2020 at 12:19
..".I see Leane Dempster of Hibs is joining the ranks of the disaffected with the SFA Judicial Panel Protocol".
____________
The ICT statement,signed by their CEO and Countersigned by their Chairman ends with these words:
"..there is clearly something wrong with the system, if it is not addressed, we are all responsible for the continuing denigration of our standards, our supporters view of the national game and sporting integrity in Scottish football."
I would feel rather more sympathy with ICT (and with such other clubs and Chairmen who apparently have united in a show of support with them) if they had not allowed our game to be so perverted as to allow a new club to claim the titles and honours of a dead club!
Letting a cheating club claim to be something that it is not has been extremely damaging.
That was an act of perversion of sports governance about which there can be no two legitimate opinions.
And if that core of deceit and rottenness had been properly excised at the time, we might have had some chance of keeping high standards of sporting integrity and good, sensible and fair application of discipline in relation to ordinary players and on-field alleged offences.
[I agree of course that the video evidence in the Keating case is clear that he has no case to answer and the refusal of his appeal is perverse in the extreme.
I wonder whether there might not be justifiable reason for seeking Judicial Review of what to many appears to be decision based on complete disregard of filmed evidence?]
Clashing court dates for next week. You wait a few weeks with nothing, then along come a couple of cases scheduled at the same time.
LORD DOHERTY – C Munn, Clerk
Wednesday 26th February At 9.00am
Starred Motion
CA86/19 David Grier v Chief Inspector Police Service of Scotland – Kennedys Scotland – Ledingham Chalmers LLP – A & WM Urquhart
LADY WOLFFE – C Stark, Clerk
Wednesday 26th February At 9.00am
Pre-Proof By Order
CA132/18 Memorial Walls Ltd v The Rangers Football Club Ltd – MacRoberts LLP – Anderson Strathern LLP
Just to let everyone who is interested know, this is the Final response from the BBC to a complaint I had lodged with them. It came after I had gone through the whole appeals process;
“HMRC drops further £5m from Rangers tax claim”, BBC News Website.
I am writing to let you know the outcome of the Executive Complaints Unit’s investigation into your recent complaint about the above article on the BBC News website. I have understood you to say the opening sentence of the article was incorrect and misleading and, as a result, perpetuated “the lie that the present team who play out of Ibrox are the same club”. I have therefore considered your complaint in light of the standards for due accuracy which are set out in section 3 of the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines.
I do not believe there are grounds to uphold your complaint but I hope I can explain the reasons why I have reached this conclusion.
My understanding is Rangers FC, the football club, was owned and operated by The Rangers Football Club PLC and this company went into administration on 14 February 2012. The company’s “business, history and assets” (which included the football club) were subsequently transferred to Sevco Scotland Ltd on 14 June 2012 by the administrators, Duff and Phelps1. On 31 July 2012, Sevco Scotland Ltd changed its name to The Rangers Football Club Limited and The Rangers Football Club PLC (in administration) changed its name to RFC 2012 PLC. RFC 2012 PLC was placed into liquidation on 31 October 2012 with BDO LLP appointed as liquidators.
The administrators of Rangers Football Club PLC (Duff and Phelps), the liquidators of RFC 2012 PLC (BDO LLP), and those representing the Scottish football authorities have all taken the view the football club was part of the “business and assets” purchased by Sevco Scotland Ltd/The Rangers Football Club Limited. For example, one of the joint administrators, Paul Clark, said on 12 June 2012:
We have been informed by HMRC they will not support the proposal for a Company
Voluntary Arrangement at the meeting of creditors on Thursday, June 14. As aresult of this decision, the Sale and Purchase Agreement in place with the consortium led by Charles Green will take effect and Rangers Football Club will continue within a new company structure…
… HMRC has taken the view that the public interest will be better served with the liquidation of The Rangers Football Club plc as a corporate entity. The Club will continue to operate as it has always done but within a new company structure.
In its interim report dated 10 July 2012, Duff & Phelps stated at paragraph 10.9:
“The history and the spirit of the Club have been preserved by the sale which was completed on 14 June 2012 and it is now the responsibility of the new owners to secure its future.”
One of the liquidators at BDO, Malcolm Cohen, said on 12 June 2012:
It is important to understand that the appointment of liquidators will not mean the end of football at Ibrox – only the end of the company that ran the club.
A statement from HMRC said on the same day2:
Liquidation will enable a sale of the football assets to be made to a new company, thereby ensuring that football will continue at Ibrox. It also means that the new company will be free from claims or litigation in a way which would not be achievable with a CVA. Rangers can make a fresh start.
In an interview with BBC Sport on 1 January 2015, the Chief Executive of the Scottish Premier League, Neil Doncaster, said:
Neil Doncaster: The decision, very clearly from the commission, was that the club is the same, the club continues, albeit it is owned by a new company, but the club is the same.
BBC Question: So the official take from the SPFL is that Rangers Football Club continues, it’s the same club?
Neil Doncaster: Yes, it’s the same club, absolutely.
He clarified the difference between a football club and a company in this context as follows:
Neil Doncaster: The member club is the entity that participates in our league and we have 42 member clubs. Those clubs may be owned by a company, sometimes it’s a Private Limited Company, sometimes it’s a PLC, but ultimately, the company is a legal entity in its own right, which owns a member club that participates in the league.
BBC Question: So, once and for all, the league is putting this to bed, it’s the sameclub? Neil Doncaster: It was put to bed by the Lord Nimmo Smith commission some while ago – it’s the same club.
I appreciate you may disagree with the views cited above and the understanding of those I have quoted but the evidence appears to support the view it is RFC 2012 PLC, the company which previously owned Rangers FC, the football club, which is facing a claim for unpaid tax from HMRC. The football club was part of the “business, history and assets” sold to Sevco Scotland Ltd on 14 June 2012 and so it is widely recognised the football club is not involved in the HMRC action. In conclusion, I do not believe the article was inaccurate or misleading and so I do not have grounds to uphold your complaint. There is no provision for further appeal against this decision within the BBC but if you do wish to take the matter further, it is open to you to ask the broadcasting regulator, Ofcom, to consider your complaint. If Ofcom thinks your complaint raises a potentially substantive issue, it will give an opinion on whether the BBC has observed its editorial guidelines. Information about Ofcom’s role regarding BBC online material can be found here and information about lodging a complaint with Ofcom can be found here. You can also write to Ofcom at Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA.
I will be sending a further appeal to Ofcom. I will post the outcome.
watcher 20th February 2020 at 16:44
Well done for eliciting some sort of reply, albeit a cowardly one totally lacking in any suggestion that any 'investigation' was carried out other than to search their archives for quotes, as if quotes are, in themselves, proof of anything.
The following from Doncaster is worth a visit, I think, in that it is completely untrue, for we know that the 'club' registered with both the SFA and the SPL, as was, is, in fact, a limited company. It is also extremely wrong to suggest a 'club' can be owned, unless it has some corporate form, as in, you cannot own something that has no record of its existence, and if something such did exist we can be 100% sure we would all have had sight of it by now. Clearly, if the BBC had any wish to come up with the truth of the matter, they would have asked for sight of the membership documents of Rangers Football Club (as was) that show that the member of the SPL was, in fact, not the limited company. Unless I am completely wrong, and the members of the Scottish FA and Leagues are genuinely registered as 'clubs' and not limited companies, then if Neil Doncaster is accurately quoted, he lied. And if he had to lie..!
"Neil Doncaster: The member club is the entity that participates in our league and we have 42 member clubs. Those clubs may be owned by a company, sometimes it’s a Private Limited Company, sometimes it’s a PLC, but ultimately, the company is a legal entity in its own right, which owns a member club that participates in the league."
Something that I've been mulling over ever since CW re-opened the OCNC debate is the following question:
If Sevco (Scotland) Limited hadn't changed its name to The Rangers Football Club Limited, would there now be any sort of 'Rangers' playing in the SPFL? Quite simply, Charles Green had to change the name of his company to be able to register his football club as 'The Rangers FC', and, again, if I am wrong about this, and it is not TRFC Ltd that is registered with the game's governors, we'd have seen the documentary proof quite some time ago.
Again, and I apologise for repeating this, but, if there is any documentary proof of what Doncaster says in existence, then we would have seen it at the very outset of Charles Green's 'Rangers'. I also repeat that if there is no documentary evidence of what Doncaster says in existence then what he says is a lie and there has to be a reason that he had to lie, and that reason could only be that the club currently playing as Rangers is a new club.
watcher 20th February 2020 at 16:44
'…Just to let everyone who is interested know, this is the Final response from the BBC'
++++++++++++
You've done very well, watcher,in getting the BBC to show such clear evidence of being party to the propagation of deceit and lies , making ars.s of themselves in so doing!
Aj has nicely made the points that need to be made.
The fundamental fact is that a new club was created and admitted into Scottish Football. Why would that have been necessary if the club that was owned by the plc had not gone into liquidation? Why would the new owner of club that was already in membership of the SFA have to set up a new club?
There was only one entity that was a member of the SFA : RFC plc of 1872. It lost that membership when it entered Liquidation.
And all the Donalda MacKinnons and BBC Executive Complaints Units personnel's repetition of 'evidence' from the parties most complicit in the Big Lie cannot change that fact.
I shall actively support the call for abolition of the BBC's special position, because while I wholly subscribe to freedom of opinion and freedom to express opinion, I could not in all rationality accept the propagation by a publicly funded broadcasting company of factual untruths as being expressions of 'opinion'.
And in this one disgusting little saga about a cheating football club, the BBC is propagating an untruth.
May the liars whose wages we are paying pay in their turn for their betrayal of Truth and lie as uncomfortably in their beds as Judas might have done if he hadn't hanged himself first!
easyJambo 20th February 2020 at 16:12
'..You wait a few weeks with nothing, then along come a couple of cases scheduled at the same time.'
_____________
Isn't that just like the thing?
And both beginning at nine. ( I wonder are the 'reforms' going so far as to make judges work 'nine till five' instead of 10 till 4?)
I'm interested in both cases, of course, but I'll probably opt to attend the 'memorial walls' case since it is directly related to TRFC's finances and contract law, whereas the Grier matter is personal to Grier rather directly involving TRFC/
That's if the distaff side let's me attend at all!
Maybe see you in Court next week!