by Auldheid for the Scottish Football Monitor
On these pages at least there is a mounting lack of trust that the Scottish Football Association can or will govern our game in a fair and honest manner that recognises the principle of sporting integrity as paramount.
This mistrust is equalled only by the frustration at being unable to do anything to change the attitude and action of those at the SFA (and Leagues) responsible for that governance, a frustration compounded by the reluctance of the mainstream media to focus on the very issues of trust and integrity that concern us.
Back in early 2010 Celtic supporters represented by the Celtic Trust, various Association groups and individuals felt the same frustration and found a way to make their voices heard at the SFA – by using their club as a channel of communication to articulate their concerns.
A resolution was agreed and passed to Celtic to convey to the SFA and it was heeded by the club. There is no reason in why a similar conduit cannot be used by supporters groups of all clubs.
The enormity of the task, to get the majority of trusts and associations of all clubs to support this approach and give it sufficient weight, should not be underestimated, but in the interests of amplifying our voice, it is worth the effort.
Based on that 2010 experience, and on the discussion that has taken place on TSFM we have arrived at a (now amended) resolution below under the auspices of TSFM and which has been sent to all representative club supporters groups.
We believe one of the reasons the SFA and SPL were able to mislead (or simply fail to provide leadership) was because of the lack of clarity surrounding who should take provide that leadership and what principles should have been paramount.
The SFA were as tied to the commercial impact of Rangers demise as the SPL and indeed had to be reminded by the supporters of the importance of that sporting integrity. In the aftermath of the Rangers implosion, both the SFA and Leagues on the face of it appear still too commercially oriented to act in a way that balances commercialism and sporting principles.
We have attempted to address this in the resolution below. It also contains additional points raised already on TSFM and elsewhere. It is designed to assist in the widening of accountability in the sport.
We are not wed to the draft or the language. It is there to be revised but we hope it contains enough food for thought to be acceptable to the supporters groups and the clubs.
As recently as today, the SFA has published a Fans Charter. We welcome this development, and although it does not address our specific concerns with respect to governance it is a step in the right direction (http://www.fanscharter.com/).
Some of the principles published are;
- Challenge is to make a National Fans Charter known, accepted and influential
- Getting fan involvement in drafting charter important to acceptance, influence and growing awareness.
We think our resolution is an even bigger step in the direction of those principles.
DRAFT Proposal for Representative Supporter Groups e.g. Trusts or Associations to send to their club to convey to the SFA/SPL/SFL Boards.
We [Insert Association/Trust name here] and in association with fans’ groups of other clubs, ask [Insert Club name here] to convey the following to the Scottish Football Association, SPL and SFL on our behalf.
1 We believe that the commercial viability of Scottish football at the professional level depends absolutely on the belief by supporters that sporting integrity is at the heart of all competition, and that those governing them and the rules by which they exercise governance, must hold sporting integrity as paramount above ALL other concerns. This belief can be summed up in the one word “trust” Without trust in those responsible for governing Scottish Football, commercial viability will suffer, to eventual ruin of our game.
2 There is a perception (accompanied by some dismay and anger) among football supporters throughout Scotland that those who were charged with upholding the rules of the SFA and SPL/SFL, only did so partially – and even then only because of the threat of supporter action if they did not.
3 There appears to be no distinction or order of hierarchy between those governing the game (the SFA) for whom we believe preservation of sporting integrity should be the prime purpose, and the leagues (SPL/SFL) for whom commercial aspects are (understandably) uppermost. As a result sporting integrity lost its primacy and it was left to supporters to insist on it.
4 Consequently many Scottish football supporters have lost confidence that the Scottish Football Association will fulfil their purpose of safeguarding the sport. Indeed their silence following the revelation of a 5 way agreement last summer on the future of the liquidated Glasgow Rangers has exacerbated this loss of confidence in the SFA’s ability to administer professional football in Scotland in a manner that reflects their duty of care to all aspects of the game and everyone who takes part in it.
5 Decisions and deals have been taken by the SFA, SPL, and SFL without any public scrutiny. The operations and decisions of those bodies lack transparency and they are not accountable in any recognisable form to the football supporters throughout the land, without whom there is no professional association.
6 In our view this loss of trust can only begin to be restored by the SFA publically committing itself to:
(i) The production of an unequivocal “mission” statement of purpose/intent which will state (in whatever form they may exist) that maintaining sporting integrity is and will always be their prime goal. The statement will also describe how they intend to ensure this principle is followed in their interactions with Leagues and Clubs, particularly when commercial decisions that might undermine sporting integrity are implemented by the Leagues. (e.g. In the case of TV contracts, sponsorship or any significant league reconstruction).
(ii) Further: in recognition of the inability of some individuals to provide leadership during the past year simply because of conflicts of interest, take steps to remove any such conflict, and in doing so enable the organisation and its office bearers to function unhindered.
(iii) In the interests of transparency, publish the “five point agreement” that allowed The Rangers entry into SFL and SFA, provide a supporting rationale for entering into the agreement, and confirm that the terms have been or are being complied with.
Along with other trust restoring measures (see attached Annex) these steps should mark the end of the continuing lack of trust in the authorities.
7. We appreciate that it may be the start of next season before there is any visible evidence of our concerns being addressed although the statement of purpose/intent by the SFA (i) and action at (ii) can be readily put in place – would be a welcome early development.
8. All club’s supporters groups will be watching closely for signs of progress before advising our members and our other supporters if we feel the necessary trust restoring steps are being taken and advise that they can purchase their season books for 2013/14 knowing that sporting integrity is once more absolutely paramount in Scottish football to the betterment of our game.
Signed __________________________ on behalf of
[Insert supporter trust/association name here]
Date ______________
Annex to resolution.
The following is a list of other measures that the SFA should take in order to satisfy supporters that they should be entrusted with the job of governing Scottish football.
- To increase transparency and accountability in a meaningful way – possibly via creation of an active supporter’s liaison group drawn from representative supporter groups of each club. Its remit, using an agreed consultative mechanism to generate dialogue, to hear supporters’ concerns and consider them before key decisions are made. In an industry that is totally interdependent it is folly to exclude a major stakeholder from key decision making.
- A tightening of and an annual and independent audit of the process for granting UEFA Club (FFP) and National Club licensing reporting to the representative supporter liaison group as well as other SFA members to ensure all clubs are living within their means.
- Introduction of a rule requiring all Scottish football club directors to declare any financial interest/shareholding in any club other than their own and to rule that disposition of those shares/interest should be a part of a fit and proper assessment of a person’s qualification to hold office at an association club.
- A feasibility review of Scottish refereeing to assess the potential for creating a professional service that the SFA provide to the leagues by recruiting and training referees, but where the leagues monitor and reward consistently good performances to an agreed standard. Given the sums dependent on referee decisions, the current system must change for everyone’s sake including the referees.
- A full explanation about the circumstances (including dates) surrounding the award of a UEFA Club licence to Rangers in spring/summer of 2011 when there was unpaid social tax that prime facie did not meet the conditions for deeming the granting of a licence acceptable under the UEFA FFP rules on unpaid tax (the wee tax bill).
The [Insert Club Name here] Trust/Supporters Association asks [Insert Club Name here] to convey our concerns above with their provenance to the appropriate authorities as they see fit viz:
- Football Authority in Scotland (The SFA)
- Europe (UEFA)
- Scottish Government (on the issue of accountability to supporters and proper checks and balance governance.)
My favourite bit of the Alex Thompson blog? The comment from the guy who said that he’ll only believe it when Charles Green says it.
Because, of course, Charles has been a paragon of truth up until now….
Regarding that supposed link to Whyte, I can’t see any connection between Pritchard Engelfield Solicitors of London and the now-delisted Pritchard Stockbrokers, which wee Craigie was a shareholder in and director of.
For more good fun, though, check the links between Charles Green – Chan Fook Meng – Rafat Ali Rizvi – Leo Knifton. Enjoy!
Personally, I tend to think these huge payments to Orlit in Singapore are more akin to the way Whyte funnelled cash to his old pal Earley via Banstead Athletic FC.
I wonder how much in total Green has paid out to his old business colleagues.
And I wonder how much is now left to pay all the bills and wages to the end of the season.
Regardless of the reasons why these two invoices have not been settled , the potential damage to a company newly on the AIM market is huge surely .
I find it hard to believe that CG would be happy to defer payment to allow a WUO to be made public ,if he believes there is a valid reason as to why the final two payments should not be due would it not make sense to air his side publicly before it came to this .
Someone mentioned the Lee Wallace payment and I think it is due on Feb ,also I seem to recall (phil I think ) mentioning payments due for the Albion car park and Edmington house deals .
With AT saying that requests to the club regarding the WUO have led to no replies would leave me (if I were a sevco fan) very worried indeed .I would have expected an immediate response from CG as soon as this came to light ,he may be in Australia but we are not in the age of the carrier pigeon anymore .
If it turns out that sevco 2012 goes down ,where does that leave any new tribute act .The ragers fans will surely just transfer their allegiances to the new the the ragers but are they going to part with any of their cash to help it limp along trying to keep the wolves from the rusty blue gates ,IMO that revenue stream will have well and truly dried up ,so that would leave ragers men with money the only saviours and they were found utterly wanting when asked to come to the fore .
If this goes belly up ,who knows what will be dredged up to carry on the tribute trilogy
The significance of the threatened WUO can’t be over estimated. Huge reputational damage risked for £400k.
I feel a song coming on . . . .
” So let the heartaches begin . . .” (Long John Baldry)
As I can’t find anything so far in the Scottish MSM, either;
– Thomson is making it up
or
– there has been a concerted effort to keep the winding up order story quiet.
Going on past performance, I know who to believe.
The Scottish MSM continues to be pathetic.
Traynor must have been earning his salary to keep this story hidden – in the Scottish MSM anyway. 🙁
Interesting week. After a host of Govan’s finest anointed the Tannadice match a kind of judgment day (Hateley, Goram, Smith et al) and went on to suffer a quite humiliating violation on the pitch, the wind seems to be blowing in a very different direction since. KJ’s piece in the Record on Monday informed us of a rift developing between CG and Murray, I’m guessing this came from Keef’s mentor, the new Ibrox spin master, why? If JT was brought in to do CG’s communications and all this financial stuff is about to hit the fan, JT must now be mired in some pretty deep brown stuff, and I doubt he can disappear to darkest Yorkshire and await the passing of the storm. Given JT’s previous for misinforming the masses he must be feeling a tad nervous as this one unfolds……….
From KDS.
It’s worth noting Chan Fook Meng’s linked to Tricor (shares suspended on AIM) plus convicted bank fraudster Rafat Ali Rizvi and “controversial businessman” Leo Knifton. 😉
These are Charlie’s pals. He’s now heading out to Singapore to get his orders.
And that could spell very bad news for FC Sevco. :pray:
If anything, this wee spat ties in with the Record’s hints about a barney between Green and Malcolm Murray.
Maybe the Rangers fans on the Sevco board are getting wise to Cheeky Charlie’s plan to very quickly siphon as much moolah as possible out of the fast-decaying husk before it expires.
There is an air of impending doom about the place, I’m told.
Just remember, those two invoices are for £400,000. Another two have already been paid.
So we could be talking about £800,000 paid out in “fees” to attract around £7m to cover the takeover costs and one month’s salaries. :cuckoo:
Just in case you missed it Alex Thomson is saying
“This claim arises from the club’s alleged failure to pay two of the four invoices issued by Orlit. The outstanding sum is £400,000.”
and
“The source has clarified to Channel 4 News that Orlit Enterprises was contracted to source and introduce the investors who provided seed capital in order to acquire the club from the administrator and to secure the June 2012 payroll.”
Questions
If the two outstanding invoices are allegedly for a total of £400k, how much was the two that have been paid?
Does anyone else think that £400k plus is a lot to be paying just to get up to £5.5m to buy the assets and deal with the June payroll?
nickmcguinness says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 17:46
==============================
It’s a “work in progress” nick. It’s not meant to explain or solve the riddle but it’s the first five minutes work on a breaking story. As a collective, information is pooled and connections and coicidences, like Pritchards, are explored, expanded or eliminated.
Or we can wait for Sportsound or the Daily Record to tell us next year.
As I’ve said before it’s like a big jigsaw puzzle and David Murray has hidden some of the pieces in the hope that we don’t get to see what the picture is. It won’t stop us completing it…it’s just that by the time we’ve completed it we’ve forgotten who nicked the bits in the first place.
Does anyone else think that £400k plus is a lot to be paying just to get up to £5.5m to buy the assets and deal with the June payroll?
Well yes it – I give you
Parson St. Bhoy says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 18:02
http://thedemiseofrangersinpictures.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/charles-green-lies-to-fans-caught-in-act.html
WEDNESDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2013
Charles Green Lies to fans, Caught in the act.
I have obtained a copy of Charles Greens meeting with the Dubai Loyal at Ramada Chelsea Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai on the 3rd of February 2013 were Charles Green stated to his supporters that, “we will never run with debt as long as he is in charge”. It is “his philosophy that he believes his role is to build up the coffers of the club”.
This meeting took place on the 3rd of February 2013.
Today, 6th February 2013 it was revealed by Alex Thomson of Channel 4 News that Mr Green had in fact been served with a Winding Up Order over unpaid debt to the tune of £400,000 owed to a Singaporean company.
Research has been done and it now seems that a payment plan has been put in place to repay the debt.
One must question, when was the Winding Up Order issued? Did Mr Green know about the debt prior to meeting with the fans and also did Mr Green know about the debt 3 days ago and lie to his own supporters?
Below are statements made by Mr green followed by some questions.
Charles Green – Rangers CEO met with around 70 members of Dubai Loyal at Ramada Chelsea Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai
Sunday 3rd February 2013
Private members only meeting with Charles, on his way to Qatar then to Australia
During his introduction Charles mentioned that he had lived in Dubai for 4 years running the largest Diagnostic Lab in the Middle East. He then went on to talk about how he became involved with Rangers
· He said when he was first asked to get involved, he said ‘no’ but then again the rest is history.
· £4m of the investment cash came from the Middle East region from Blue Pitch investments.
· Much of the press coverage of Charles Green’s involvement has just been rubbish, in particular the coverage of his relationship with Ally McCoist in the early days.
· He talked about the bidding process for the club and although many people spoke about an interest, no one other than him and his team were prepared to sign the cheque.
· He then went on to talk about the restructuring with many of the current plans being proposed being madness. It seems that in Scotland ‘we enjoyed it so much he want to do it again’ something has to change.
· He believes the title stripping is a sham. When he first met with the SPL he was offered a deal which involved removal of 5 Scottish Cups 6 Leagues cups and 5 titles which he of course refused.
· He said the world is looking at the club and can’t believe what is going on in the way the club is being treated. He’s continued to try to tell the truth from day 1 and to be honest with the supporters.
· Of the 12 IPOs in the UK last year Rangers was the most successful
· He’s trying to look at the bigger picture looking at opportunities for Academies in Far East and Australia
· He then went on to talk about the finances of the club and says that Rangers, under his tenure, will never have any debt.
· He is looking at opportunities to build a communications platform that will ‘blow your mind’
· Other revenue gaining opportunities include new sponsors and stadium naming
· He believes the Rangers turnover could get to £100m without TV, second only to Man United and Arsenal providing we can get into the top tier. He sees the current situation as a real opportunity to change the model.
· The discussed £10m transfer pot is real but it won’t be used for the types of transfers done in the past but he believes there are class players to be bought.
· Rangers are looking at ways to remove the 3 Year Euro ban and are very interested in looking cross border leagues.
Q&A
Q: Expats were unable to get involved in the IPO
A: They are trying to bottom out a mechanism for this around disapplication rules. The question will be the price of the stock
Q: Discussion of selling the stadium name
A: Naming rights will be sold, but Ibrox will remain part of the stadium name. There are 3 potential bidders but he’s unable to put a value on it as he doesn’t know what league we will be playing in. We had a vote in the club that showed the majority of the Dubai Loyal members had no issue with stadium renaming so long as Ibrox remained in the title
Q: Murray Park Name
A: Name will change if we can add to a sponsorship deal. Mr Green confirmed that RFC owns all assets including Ibrox ,Murray Park and the Albion Car Park
Q: On the question of debt
A: Mr Green reconfirmed that we will never run with debt as long as he is in charge. It is his philosophy that he believes his role is to build up the coffers of the club
He said that it was a tough decision to maintain all the staff and ’a good’ Chief Executive would have fired 30% of the work force last year but he continued to look at the growing of the club rather than cutting back.
The decisions to buy the Albion Car Park and Edminston Club were no brainers in his opinion and the EC will be redeveloped.
Q: There was a discussion as to whether the club will have another Director of Football
A: Mr Green confirmed his full support of Ally McCoist at this time and doesn’t see any change taking place
He doesn’t believe in people returning to the club and says what we need now is freshness on and off the park
The lease has been signed for a new Rangers shop in Glasgow airport
It will remain open as long as it continues to make money
Q: Communications
A: talking about building our own studio phone-ins with the Jim Traynor where nothing will be off limits. He wants to open the doors to the fans
The meeting closed with the club thanking Mr Green for taking the time to visit us in Dubai and posing for photographs with the fans.
It couldn’t be that the suggested and long anticipated bail out by CG is already happening, can it? Already out of the country, no need for a safe house in Glasgow or Yorkshire, and no pesky sneaking out of Ibrox in the boot of a car, or if it was an Eastenders episode, leaving in the back of a taxi, at night, with no luggage. Have you noticed this is nearly always how folk leave Eastenders?
Captain Haddock says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 18:36
or if it was an Eastenders episode, leaving in the back of a taxi, at night, with no luggage. Have you noticed this is nearly always how folk leave Eastenders?
=============
Always wondered how you did not post between 7.30 and 8.00 pm.
Know we know 🙂
Well, well, well.
And here was I just reading about FC Brondby’s current struggles to avoid bankruptcy as this winding-up order is Making more headlines. What a nice time to be globetrotting in sunnier climes! Perhaps Mr Green will now return to Glasgow instead of getting a bit of Aussie sun?
By the way, because of the financial crisis over here at Brondby the article, ‘Football Bankruptcy for Dummies’ appeared in the Danish daily BT a few days ago. It mentions some quite draconian punishments. Among others: there is immediate suspension from the league and cup competitions, all future matches during the season are forfeited 0-3, demotion two leagues, and the offending club cannot employ professional footballers for one year after the event. That’s some of the stuff. If Brondby don’t survive this season they may end up playing my local amateur team in the diddy leagues next year. Of course, they might bring some money to the wee leagues via travelling support, but since they have a bit of a hooligan element this might not be all sweetness and roses. The dog and I might just stay home that day 😀
But they are safe for a few weeks, until February 18, when the union for clerical staff will start making demands on behalf of their members employed by the club. In a comedy quote a professor at the Copenhagen Business School said (in English) that Brondby were ‘too big to fall’. That may have been an understandable typo, of course. But fall or fail, they’re not too big – nobody is. Never fear though, they are apparently banking on a successful share issue soon (I kid you not) to raise between 75-150m kroner, about £6-14m. Sensible people will no doubt be queuing up to buy shares in the ailing enterprise.
Meanwhile, Brondby players’ wages were finally paid ‘Vlad style’. Just as well. If a club does not honour player contracts – and three days after written requests for payment of said wages – the players are free to leave and join any other club they want. No nonsense pastry.
Anyway, back to the main story …
Seems to be that TRFC and MSM are locked in the No Surrender Bunker – trapped in a downward spiral of defiance, denial, hiding the truth, and now desperation.
… and who’s away wi’ the key? None other than the snake oil salesman – taking this tragi-comedy road show wherever he goes!
Statement from PR Guru JT
WITH regard to stories circulating about Rangers and Orlit, the sums sought are insignificant and agreement has been reached subject to the necessary paperwork.
Rangers Football Club is capable of meeting any debts presented legitimately and we would like to stress to our supporters there is no threat to the Club whatsoever.
The matter is unworthy of further comment.
——————————————————————————————–
Phew thanks for that (honest) Jim that has cleared that up, I was getting a wee bit worried.
Wow. They really are the gift that keeps on giving. Well done internet bampots one and all.
Some of the subway loyal must be feeling for nostalgic for the days of Bomber Brown’s rant. At least someone gave him the ten quid in cash.
ACCORDING TO GREEN: The lease has been signed for a new Rangers shop in Glasgow airport It will remain open as long as it continues to make money
——————————————————————————————————————–
What is that a week to week lease?
“…agreement has been reached subject to the necessary paperwork”.
Phew. I mean, that’s never been an issue in the past. Thanks for clearing that up, Jim.
valentinesclown says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 18:57
2 0 Rate This
Statement from PR Guru JT
WITH regard to stories circulating about Rangers and Orlit, the sums sought are insignificant and agreement has been reached subject to the necessary paperwork.
Rangers Football Club is capable of meeting any debts presented legitimately and we would like to stress to our supporters there is no threat to the Club whatsoever.
The matter is unworthy of further comment.
——————————————————————————————–
Phew thanks for that (honest) Jim that has cleared that up, I was getting a wee bit worried.
—————
I don’t want to step on James’s shoes here, after all he has only started this fangled head of communications lark recently, but if there was nothing amiss, should the statement not read more like:
WITH regard to stories circulating about Rangers and Orlit, the rangers football international football club have dealt with this oversight, and we have apologised profusely for this.
end
valentinesclown says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 18:57
Re the Rangers Statement
If the amounts are insignificant to the ‘ debt free, cash rich club’ then why let it get to the stage that Orlit were on the verge of issuing a winding up order (an action which apparently has not been denied)?
Even if Sevco thought that Orlit were out of order with their fees charged or whatever, surely this one could have been ‘headed of at the pass’ months ago so as to avoid their ‘enemies’ getting even the tiniest sniff of new ammunition to beat them with?
For the Sevcovians at best their financial management and PR has been poor in not resolving this before now. At worst the ship is perhaps starting to veer off course.
Interesting that TRFC have not commented on Internet rumours that the share offer has only raised c£9m in cash?
Jim T says, “Rangers Football Club is capable of meeting any debts presented legitimately…. ”
….but i thought Rangers didn’t have any debts…
PS
“The matter is unworthy of further comment.”
I guess the Sevcovians are hoping that the above doesn’t become 2013’s
” What they are saying is 99 percent crap”
If I had £22M in the kitty why would £400k cause cash flow problems?
Bagsy a T shirt with “SFM says…THIS MATTER IS UNWORTHY OF FURTHER COMMENT” on it.
wottpi says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 19:31
valentinesclown says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 18:57
Re the Rangers Statement
… At worst the ship is perhaps starting to veer off course.
=============================================
…and into mined waters…mibbees 🙄
“The matter is unworthy of further comment.”
————
if I had just parted with my hard earned cash for some shares, I’d be a tad upset about that. comment.
when will those who did, and start asking the right questions, and stop settling for tours of pubs and promises which can not be kept?
PS
“The matter is unworthy of further comment.”
I guess the Sevcovians are hoping that the above doesn’t become 2013′s
” What they are saying is 99 percent crap”
————————-
Sorry but
“debts presented legitimately…. ”, is out in front of that 🙂
Auldheid (@Auldheid) says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 19:41
If I had £22M in the kitty why would £400k cause cash flow problems?
Maybe someone below has the answer?
Phil MacGiollaBhain @Pmacgiollabhain
The £22.5M is in the club/company’s.account,isn’t it? Yeah, has to be. We would have heard…
To give them the beneift of the doubt if the invoices were for fees that the club/company disputed then I wouldn’t be paying either. However to get to a postion that a WUO is on the cards tends to make it somewhat more serious in that the two sides must be far apart in agreeing what is owed.
“The matter is unworthy of further comment.”
pretty much sums up the arrogance of JT and teh sevconians in general – they really do deserve each other and i’m gonna enjoy Admin Mk 2 when it arrives
Valentines day would be nice
@Pmacgiollabhain
Anyone who thinks that the Sevco “statement” on the Orlit story is the end of the matter is very much mistaken. As in REALLY mistaken.
@Pmacgiollabhain
jim traynor.
THE jim traynor “mistaken”
how very dare you !!!
To state the bleedin’ obvious…
Now that it appears to have been confirmed that – yes indeed – a WUO was granted to a TRFC supplier – you would think that the SFL/SFA would be extremely concerned about the financial well being of their newest club member – that one without the 3 years accounts ?
As I type, I am sure that Longmuir & Regan are all over the Govan club like a rash to get answers…
So, they went into admin on Feb 14th 2012, IIRC? *looks at calendar*. It would be TOO good to be true…
Without sprinkling on any street marches…
The WUO relates to a basic trade creditor for services rendered in gathering the original spiv 5.5m. I don’t see how that relates to a failure to ingather the promised, and much flaunted 22.5m – other than to say that if it was in, they would be paying the creditor to avoid the PR. There’s still a piece of the jigsaw missing somewhere that Phil Mac seems to be leaving to our imaginations. Naughty. Funny, but naughty nonetheless.
It’s only 4.35am in Perth, Oz…don’t wake the poor man up for a matter ‘unworthy of comment’. It can surely wait until morning porridge time
Sorry must be Sydney
Peter Lawwell used this “The matter is unworthy of further comment” retort only last week, so Mr Traynor is obviously an admirer of the Parkhead Supremo’s sarcastic wit.
Traynor will have been in touch with Green before this statement was promulgated. Why, therefore, is there no quotes from Green? After all, he likes to hog the limelight with his fans so it is strange that the verbose CEO declines to speak directly to them on this occasion.
Despite being ‘on tour’ this week Green still found time to write a personal message to HMRC over something that was of no concern to his company – yet a deafening silence from him on a vital matter affecting the confidence and future of his organisation.
Statement from PR Guru JT
‘WITH regard to stories circulating about Rangers and Orlit, the sums sought are insignificant and agreement has been reached subject to the necessary paperwork.
…………………………………………………
Necessary paperwork….it’s called an INVOICE JIM!
STV article below reporting on the WUO.
What is a bit curious though, is that I fully expected a forthright, blustering statement being dispatched from iBrox, insinuating that the supplier was in effect ‘at it’ for overcharging / not delivering as per agreement – and so their invoices where not being paid, [and regardless of the fact that a court seems to think otherwise ?].
A rather tame – and uncharacteristic – effort from CG/JT.
Why ?
http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/212982-orlit-enterprises-make-debt-claim-against-charles-greens-rangers/
Seriously Guys
We have a bunch of Spivs who set up a Spiv Co
Their aim is to milk the Gullible and then exit pronto
So what happens this week?
Hello Hello Hello
Up pops a Spiv from nowhere clutching a £400k invoice that must be paid or TRFC will be wound up
Amazing eh!
What a rotten trick for one Spiv to pull on another
That`s if we believe this winding up nonsense is Kosher
What is most likely to happen next?
1. £400k gets siphoned out of TRFC under the very noses of the Gullible and nobody blinks an eyelid.
2. The Spiv CEO gets cover to reveal that the share issue only raised about £9m in cash with the rest as debt for equity swops and loan notes in faraway countries.so there is a temporay cash issue on the horizon,
The Message to the Gullible?
“TRFCwill have to bring forward next seasons STs to help us over this temporary difficulty”
” Just a one off of course”
The Message to Regan and Donkey?
“We need that SPL shoehorn badly or we will blame a TRFC liquidation on the SFA”
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The real agenda?
I reckon
The Spivs are struggling to keep TRFC afloat and need to collect ST money early.Once it is collected most of it will vanish out the door to repay Spiv “loans” from other Spivs Loans taken out to buy shares that are now being returned.because TRFC are not in the SPL next season
The exit strategy?
Many Bears fail to buy into early renewal of STs providing a perfect excuse for a cash crisis in the Summer
With the ST takings safely siphoned offshore TRFC will then be put up for sale with Administration likely if there are no offers
What a wheeze!
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
All speculation of course
in his statement
JT Confirmed there was a debt – that was not being challenged/disputed
Confirmed they couldn’t pay it and had to get a payment plan – no £22.5M in the bank then
Also, he confirmed that it was TRFC who were liable – by the fact he didn’t say it was the consortium (so, are TRFC now paying off that purchase price – plus interest, fees, etc?)
if you were a supplier who got shafted last year and were foolish enough to do business again this year, i guess you’d be wanting bills paid up right away now.
Might we see a run on the club and further WUO’s issued?
interesting times.
Tommy says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 20:41
Peter Lawwell used this “The matter is unworthy of further comment” retort only last week, so Mr Traynor is obviously an admirer of the Parkhead Supremo’s sarcastic wit.
Traynor will have been in touch with Green before this statement was promulgated. Why, therefore, is there no quotes from Green? After all, he likes to hog the limelight with his fans so it is strange that the verbose CEO declines to speak directly to them on this occasion.
Despite being ‘on tour’ this week Green still found time to write a personal message to HMRC over something that was of no concern to his company – yet a deafening silence from him on a vital matter affecting the confidence and future of his organisation.
————————————————-
Easy to answer,Tommy.
This is the 1st real piece of bad news to emerge.Better to be away at the ECA meeting,cementing your place as the worlds top club than having to deal with a triviality like a WUO.There are minions back in Glasgow who can deal with this “administrative error”
What happened to yesterdays big announcement of kit & shirt sponsorship?.
Maybe Green’s told Nike & Apple that they’ll have to wait ’til he can make it.They’re lucky to get T’Rangers,don’t you know.
Seriously,there is only 2 excuses for the WUO debacle:
1.They don’t want to pay or deliberately leave it until legal action is threatened,
or,
2.They can’t pay!
Whatever it is,the damage will be worse than just paying(if they have the money),I don’t see what would be gained by not paying if you had the cash.
Worrying times if you’re a Sevco fan or an SPL/SFL/SFA CEO.You may soon have a lot of questions to answer.
So just so we know what marvelous achievements Charlie had at the ECG thing in Doha heres the minutes.
BTW only Aberdeen and Celtic are full members (wonder why) Hearts and pretendygers are assosciates
All he got was a warning that financial fair play is the only game in town and everyone else is quite happy with Euro competitions as they stand thanks very much.
=====================================================
Quote
Future format of European club competitions
In light of the upcoming UEFA Club Competitions Cycle 2015-18, ECA Member Clubs were invited to participate in an internal ECA Survey on the future of both the Champions League and Europa League competitions. 87 member clubs from 36 different national associations responded to the survey, which achieved the following results:
– 75% expressed their “satisfaction” or “extreme satisfaction” with the current structure/format of UEFA’s club competitions;
– 92% believe that the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League should continue to exist in parallel;
– 61% would welcome offering the UEFA Europa League Winner/Finalists direct access to the UEFA Champions League Group Stage.
In summary, the results of the survey clearly show that European clubs are very happy with the current competitions and do not wish to see major changes to their structure/format. The option whereby the UEFA Europa League Winner/Finalists automatically qualify for the UEFA Champions League Group Stage of the new season raised some interest and support provided that the effects on the access list are carefully considered.
Third-Party Ownership
In response to discussions taking place both within UEFA and FIFA in relation to a possible ban of third-party ownership (TPO) of players’ economic rights, ECA invited its member clubs to express their opinion on this very important matter. The discussion was preceded by presentations from UEFA’s Head of Licensing Andrea Traverso, who outlined UEFA’s position, and Daniel Lorenz Pereira, Legal Director of member club FC Porto. The debate proved very lively emphasizing the importance of this issue for a number of clubs. It was made clear that TPO is a very complex phenomenon as there are many different aspects to the way it operates. Consequently, there is no unanimity among ECA Members as to whether TPO should be banned or not. ECA will further assess the merits and impact of TPO on the game and the repercussions of a possible ban. ECA will continue to engage and work alongside UEFA and FIFA on this matter.
ECA Women’s Committee
In view of the growing interest in women’s football over the past few years, the ECA Executive Board decided to create a women’s football committee within the structure of ECA. The aim of this committee is to offer a platform allowing for European women’s club football matters to be discussed and eventually brought up at UEFA/FIFA level. Furthermore, ECA will aim to develop membership services for ECA member clubs with a women’s section. The committee will be chaired by Jean-Michel Aulas (Olympique Lyonnais) who will keep updated the ECA Executive Board on developments within the committee. The structure and exact composition of this committee are yet to be defined. The inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place on the occasion of the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final to be held in London on the 23rd of May 2013.
Financial Fair Play
An update was given to ECA Members on the Financial Fair Play project. Clubs were reminded of ECA’s support for the new regulations and were told to adhere to the rules which are seen as essential in ensuring the sustainable development of club football. Furthermore, the clubs were reminded of the upcoming deadlines which need to be respected. These include the need to provide information relating to the overdue payables and the break-even rule by the summer of 2013.
ECA to meet clubs from other confederations for workshop
The 2-day event in Doha concludes on Wednesday with a dedicated workshop for non-European clubs. For the first time, and in response to the positive feedback received from clubs around the world following ECA’s achievements, ECA has decided to share its experience/knowledge with clubs from other confederations.
The workshop will be followed by a media conference at approx. 13h30 local time which will see the ECA Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge sum up the two days in Doha. The media conference will be streamed live on http://www.ecaeurope.com.
At what point will the SFA call TRFC and enquire as to their abilities to meet their financial obligations as a football club?
06 February 2013
The terrible addiction of the Rangers-hating bloggers
By Bill McMurdo | CRO Editor-at-large
The poisoned pens (or should that be keyboards) of the anti-Rangers bloggers are pouring out more “revelations” about Rangers’ finances, this time the conjectured fall-out between Orlit Enterprises and Rangers Football Club Ltd, resulting in the now notorious “winding-up order” which Toxic Thomson, Phil Multi Names and Paul McConville are salivating over.
It’s all a bit Groundhog Day, with the usual suspects poring over the minutiae of Rangers’ financial transactions, looking for that Pulitzer moment. 2012 revisited with the same fantastic claims and not-so-expert analysis.
Arif Naqvi
We have to accept that this is basically just these saddos’ addiction – a kind of financial porn habit where they keep looking for the killer blow against a club they despise with such bigoted venom that never seems to come.
I am led to believe that it was Orlit Enterprises that introduced Arif Naqvi of Abraaj Capital to Rangers. Mr Naqvi invested £2 million in Rangers last year.
So Rangers owe Orlit money?
Wow – what a story.
To quote the irrepressible McConville on his blog:-
“With no knowledge of the details of the invoices and the apparent dispute, it would be wrong to take this as a sign that Rangers are in financial difficulty.”
You said it, Paul.
But thanks again for your interest in Scotland’s biggest team.
_____________________________
So Rangers owe Orlit money?
Wow – what a story.
does this fool not reallise the story is non payment of the debt
Long Time Lurker says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 21:18
At what point will the SFA call TRFC and enquire as to their abilities to meet their financial obligations as a football club?
==============================
I assume you’re having a laugh,here.
Traynor says it’s not worthy of further comment.I’m sure that’ll be good enough for Regan and his cohorts..
“Rangers Football Club is capable of meeting any debts presented legitimately and we would like to stress to our supporters there is no threat to the club whatsoever.
“The matter is unworthy of further comment.”
——————————————
That will satisfy 90% of all TRFC fans. after all, they have never been led up the garden path before, let them follow follow.
It did cross my mind that this WUO business might be an integral part of Green’s exit strategy. After all, he has the properties tucked away in the holding company. If TRFC is wound up, it just saves him a load of money. Having to cover TRFC’s losses every month must be painful to Green. Every pound that goes to pay Ally’s pretty poor collection of overpaid primadonnas is a pound that Green will never see again. It would burn me, in his position, and as is well documented, a Yorkshireman is just a Scotsman with his generosity removed.
The ideal solution for Green is a return of the Blue Knights or similar, who would buy the loss-making TRFC for a nominal sum, but then pay a tasty rent to RIFC every month. He might well sell Murray Park for development or golf, and together with what is left of the IPO money everyone gets a nice payoff and Green can wash his hands and go back home. He really can’t be enjoying this any more.
I pity the next owners of TRFC, though. It is not a viable business without major cost-cutting, but who’s going to tell the bears? Not a task I would fancy.
There seems to be a feeling in some places I have read tonight that not paying your suppliers until they get a winding up order is a legitimate form of debt management.
Maybe in the World of the rogue and the shyster, not in the World of proper businessmen. It does nothing whatsoever for reputation and credit worthiness. It is also simply poor form, if someone has made the supply to you and you have no issue with it then pay your bills.
One can only suspect that anyone in the position cares little for either reputation or credit worthiness. Or indeed dignity for that matter.
Is this just another of the traditions that Mr Green brought from the old club to the new.
torrejohnbhoy says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 21:22
I was not being sarcastic, honest.
If this goes (.)(.) up then a lot of people are going to look stupid. If the AIM and/or SFA announce that they have converns int he financing of TRFC then a lot of people including Mr Traynor are going to look stupid.
I hope Mr Traynor has taken lessons from Jack @mediahouse – with a view that he gets paid on time.
All joking aside – if history does repeat itself, the SFA are going to have to look very seriously at their competence as a licence issuer.
neepheid says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 21:24
=========================================
This is Greens way to play his Joker.
Threaten to close TRFC and make it plain that if he doesn’t get his asking price,he’ll close them.This time there will be no coming back.
The buyer will either have to pay top dollar for the lot.I’d go somewhere around £25m or just buy the team and lease Ibrox back but I’m sure Green would make that prohibitive.
They could of course,groundshare with someone but that would leave Green with all the properties,including Ibrox to use as he wishes.
Some choice for someone like the Blue knights to make,especially when they could have had the lot for next to nothing!
If the smelly stuff hits the fan and newco ends up in the same position as Oldco ii is not just those that boughyt Shares but all those who bought seasom tickets
ScottishLawThoughts take on today’s event just posted.
Charles travels all the way to Perth Glory to hold talks? **sh
The only date in the calendar for him is this. Hope his sutcase is bulging.
Fan Calendar
Welcome to the Fan Zone Calendar, the best spot to stay updated with Perth Glory events.
POKER NIGHT Sunday, February 10, 2013
Time:
Registration 4pm
Game Starts 5pm
briggsbhoy says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 21:37
If the smelly stuff hits the fan and newco ends up in the same position as Oldco ii is not just those that boughyt Shares but all those who bought seasom tickets
====================================
Season ticket holders money,I assume,will have been used to pay the bills of TRFC.
Shareholders,however,have shares in a Holding Company and this money may never have reached TRFC.he club can fold but the RIFC can sail on with property and cash in its portfolio.
torrejohnbhoy says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 21:36
I cannot see Mr Green playing the joker – if he holds the club to ransom his life is likely to be made very complicated by angry fans. I am not for one second advocating volience. I remember one RFC fan saying on TV or perhaps radio just before the administration of RFC that if TGEF screwed the club, the moon would not be far enough away.
the latest chapter in the sevco pantomime reminds me of two things :-
1. George W Bush
There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — [pauses] — shame on you. Fool me — [pauses] — You can’t get fooled again.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTKtyBupoHE
the club can never fold, it never holds any cash in the SFA rooles.
andy says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 21:19
1 1 i
Rate This
06 February 2013
The terrible addiction of the Rangers-hating bloggers
By Bill McMurdo | CRO Editor-at-large
“I am led to believe that it was Orlit Enterprises that introduced Arif Naqvi of Abraaj Capital to Rangers. Mr Naqvi invested £2 million in Rangers last year.”
———————————————————————————————————————-
Ok let’s just say that the Orlit bill is sorted.
Is Bill McMurdo really happy with financial geniuses who are paying possibly well over £400k to secure £2m of investment? Especially when you consider that Mr Green already knew Mr Naqvi (see below)
[Oh and by the way Bill Naqvi didn’t appear to invest at all according to Mr Green]
CHARLES GREEN, Chief Executive, issued the following statement today:
“There has been renewed speculation and media comment recently regarding the current shareholders in The Rangers Football Club. A full list of current shareholders will be published in the share prospectus which will be issued within the next few weeks.
“A lot of attention has focused on investment funds which have taken a shareholding in the Club to date.
“For example, I would like to clarify that in the case of Blue Pitch Holdings, the legal beneficiary is Mazen Houssami and not Arif Naqvi of Abraaj Capital. Mr NAVIQ IS A PERSONAL FRIEND OF MINE and I approached him early on in the process about a shareholding but HE HAS NOT PROCEEDED on the basis that the investment fell outside the core geography he invests in.”
“It’s all a bit Groundhog Day” – Bill McMurdo
Yes, Bill. Yes indeed. Football club insists everything is fine. Football club doesn’t pay “insignificant” bill. Very familiar.
Poached from Scots Law, apologies.
“I think you should have said from the outset that Mr Chan Fook Meng should in no way be associated with that other well known entrepreneur, Mr Chas Fooked Yees.”
________________________________
Also known as Phileas Fogg.
paulmac2 says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 20:55
Necessary paperwork….it’s called an INVOICE JIM!
“””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
Take your pick from:-
1. I’m expecting a postal order.
2. The cheque is in the post.
Parson St. Bhoy says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 22:17
paulmac2 says:
Necessary paperwork….it’s called an INVOICE JIM!
“””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
Take your pick from:-
1. I’m expecting a postal order.
2. The cheque is in the post.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I took it to mean there may be a print room next to the laundry.
On a brighter note for Scottish football, congratulations to our new manager Gordon Strachan and his team on their victory tonight.
“He believes the Rangers turnover could get to £100m without TV, second only to Man United and Arsenal providing we can get into the top tier. He sees the current situation as a real opportunity to change the model.”
How, the current turnover is around £30m apparently, where is the other £70m going to come from. Even better, “without TV”. No-one else has ever seen it, so how is Mr Green going to do it, more than treble the club’s current turnover. maybe he should replace meaningless soundbites with actual business plans.
“Rangers are looking at ways to remove the 3 Year Euro ban”
They are looking for ways to remove a ban that doesn’t exist. That’s going to be just as impressive as the point above. Rangers aren’t banned from Europe, as a new club without accounts they simply don’t qualify for entry.
Are Rangers’ fans actually buying this nonsense. It doesn’t even make sense.
I’m puzzled by the Traynor statement
_____________________________________________
WITH regard to stories circulating about Rangers and Orlit, the sums sought are insignificant and agreement has been reached subject to the necessary paperwork.
Rangers Football Club is capable of meeting any debts presented legitimately and we would like to stress to our supporters there is no threat to the Club whatsoever.
The matter is unworthy of further comment.
__________________________________________________
If Alex Thomson has confirmed the outstanding sum is £400,000 then this is not insignificant for a div 3 club, who appear not to have settled all football debts as per 5 way agreement.
If the sums are insignificant, then why the need for an agreement which is reliant on unspecified paperwork? And in what way is this paperwork “necessary”?]
And are debts not real debts until such times as they are “presented legitimately” – presumably Mr Charles is the judge of that?
dentarthurdent42 says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 22:33
Hate to be a pedant but the turnover is reported not as around £30m but “with turnover set to be below £30million”
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/mobile/rangers/rangers-fans-in-plea-to-charles-green-over-ibrox-naming-deal-113594n.20003558.
If we say 38000 season tickets at an average of £215m, that equals £8m
10,000 pay as you goes at !5 for 20 matches, that equlas £3m
Throw in some corporate at £1m, thats £12m in total.
To get to £30m you need £18m to be made up from merchandise sales, advertising, sponsorship & any other commenrcial deals plus TV cash and prize money.
Frankly I can’t see it myself so its not £70m he needs to get to the £100m mark at ‘todays prices’ it might be as much as £80 – £85m.
Parson St. Bhoy says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 22:27
Yep, thought we played quite well. We’re still lacking a natural striker – which hopefully Rhodes will mature into (anyone that scores as many goals as he does on domestic duty must have something!). Him up front, with Fletcher doing the spade work alongside him should hopefully see us right.
And let’s be honest, any sort of positive performance was always going to be an improvement on Levein. We attacked from start to (almost) finish, and it was only in the last few minutes that we seemed to run out of steam, but I’ll take that for a start.
Herald are meekly reporting a copy and paste of Traynor’s non statement. Can’t see any other mention of it beyond Channel 4. Phil broke it on Sunday, Tomo put it mainstream this afternoon. Where have the hacks all gone?
dentarthurdent42 says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 22:33
How, the current turnover is around £30m apparently,
==========
More like £15m currently. Say 40,000 season tickets at a generous average of £200 gives £8m, say 20 home games with 10,000 match day tickets at £15 gives £3m, a total of £11m. There will be some catering receipts, a bit of TV money, maybe some sponsorship? But very difficult to take it over £15m, So getting from there to Green’s £100m is a bit of a step, to say the least. That sort of comment from Green just confirms to me that he has absolutely no intention of hanging around much longer.
Flocculent Apoidea says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 22:23
2 0 Rate This
Parson St. Bhoy says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 22:17
paulmac2 says:
Necessary paperwork….it’s called an INVOICE JIM!
“””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
Take your pick from:-
1. I’m expecting a postal order.
2. The cheque is in the post.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I took it to mean there may be a print room next to the laundry.
——-
The paperwork will be the repayment agreement and hefty interest
If I were a shareholder in RIFC I would be on the blower to my stockbroker first thing tomorrow morning
bailemeanach says:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 23:02
Where have the hacks all gone?
“””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
To the beach to put all their heads back in the sand.