A Sanity Clause for Xmas?

A Guest blog by redlichtie for TSFM

From what I can see Mike Ashley is likely to be the only game in town for RIFC/TRFC fans unless they want to see another of their clubs go through administration/liquidation.

That particular scenario potentially allows for a phoenix to arise from the ashes but on past evidence it is probably going to be an underfunded operation with overly grandiose pretensions taking them right back into the vicious circle they seem condemned to repeat ad nauseam.

Ashley has the muscle to strongarm the various spivs to give up or greatly dilute their onerous contracts and I suspect that is what has been happening behind the scenes.

From Ashley’s point of view I believe that what is being sought is a stable, self-financing operation that he can then sell on whilst retaining income streams of importance to SD.

I also suspect that he will come to some arrangement with the SFA to dispose of his interest once he has stabilised the club.

The problem for RIFC/TRFC fans is that Ashley is not going to fund some mythical “return to where they belong”, though that is beginning to appear to be the second division of the SPFL where they are heading to have a regular gig.

Like at Newcastle, Ashley will cut their coat according to their cloth. This will mean, again like at Newcastle, a mid-table team with good runs every so often. If the finances can be fixed then they will have an advantage over most other Scottish clubs but in the main we will be back to actual footballing skills and good management being what is important (pace “honest mistakes”).

With recent results and footballing style clearly those are issues that will require attention and McCoist seems likely to present RIFC/TRFC with an early opportunity to address at least one aspect of that if he continues with his current “I’m a good guy” press campaign. It may take just one unguarded comment or action and he will be out.

But will the Bears go for Ashley’s plan? So far they seem antagonistic and still cling to their belief that the world owes them a top football club regardless of cost.

If the fans don’t get behind the current entity I can see Ashley deciding the game’s not worth it and cashing in his chips. Some ‘Rangers Men’ will probably turn up and create a new entity for The People to believe in and Ashley will continue to draw in income from shirt sales and, most likely, charging fans at the world famous Albion car park which he will then own.

The upcoming AGM is crucial and from what we have seen of Ashley so far he gets what he wants.

The crushing reality about to descend on The People is that there really is no Santa Claus. A Sanity Clause, perhaps but no Santa Claus.

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Tom Byrne

About Trisidium

Trisidium is a Dunblane businessman with a keen interest in Scottish Football. He is a Celtic fan, although the demands of modern-day parenting have seen him less at games and more as a taxi service for his kids.

3,813 thoughts on “A Sanity Clause for Xmas?


  1. upthehoops says:
    January 5, 2015 at 10:02 pm
    3 1 Rate This

    Just finished watching Killie v Celtic.

    I see that Sarver is to release a stock exchange announcement in the morning. Is this just going to mean another tiresome round of sensationalist PR nonsense?
    ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    Yep.. But not for Bampots
    I bet Sarver has used Ashleys money to buy out Ashleys Mash Holding in a pretend deal. The idea,is to confuse the SFA (which it won`t) plus lots of gullible Bears who know next to nothing about shares and Spivs and might be wavering about supporting the 4Bs
    I would have added that it was also to confuse the thinking man`s phone in Presenters who educate themselves on TSFM. Unfortunately there isnt such a radio show in Scotland
    The reality is almost certainly that this is a quid pro quo deal wholly financed by Ashley and dreamt up in the days before Bampots were around to nitpick it to death


  2. upthehoops says:
    January 5, 2015 at 5:21 pm
    ……………….

    Do we know if anyone has passed this reply to BDO?


  3. Not too sure what to make of the recent developments re: the American squirrel, Ashley’s man as FD, Easdale’s loan [in readies ?], the reappearance of Alistair Johnston, the 3B’s, etc…

    But whoever wins control, IMO, there will still be some form of ‘fix’/manipulation/facilitation performed by the SFA and/or the SPFL, to ensure that the Govan club continues its journey – without being adversely affected by awkward rules or precedence.

    And I would love it, just love it, if that US lawyer Michael Garcia who recently resigned from investigating corruption at FIFA – was somehow engaged to give his considered opinion on the performance of the SFA and the SPL/SPFL in recent years… 🙄


  4. On the day that Ashley appoints his man as FD, Is it beyond the realms of possibility that he ponied up the £500k to Easdale? I know that the brothers are not short of a bob or two, but to have half a million lying spare in a drawer makes the mind boggle. In my opinion.


  5. neepheid says:
    January 5, 2015 at 9:46 pm

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    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/opinion/sport/record-fc-rangers-its-time-4922882

    Some good sense from at least part of the Ibrox support.

    ____________________________________________________

    Finally the decent pooh-bears find a voice and some column inches above the grizzlies.
    The cynic in me has to point out that this is 3 years late and ONLY after every other avenue has been roundly exhausted.
    But apart from that, power to their arm.
    Still… new ideas penetrating the bear brain.. like rules applying to them, and winning and losing fairly, and not simply by universal entitelement, who knows: even empathy with other fans. Causing some serious migraines I think, but signs some of them are starting to get it.


  6. essexbeancounter says:
    January 5, 2015 at 7:35 pm
    Tincks says:
    January 5, 2015 at 4:21 pm
    7 0 Rate This

    EBC or others – heeeeeeelp please

    http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk/disclosure/disclosure-table

    Edit – beaten to it by posters who know more than me
    ===============================================================
    …and me… 😳

    But thanks for the warm and flattering words Tincks…needed today, first day of “tax silly season” for us beancounters!
    ==========================================================
    Indeed.
    Tax doesn’t have to be taxing?
    Fortunately it is, so we have a job to go to in the morning. 🙂

    They should do an advert like the RSPCA one that “pets aren’t just for Christmas”, along the lines of “accountants aren’t just for January”.


  7. “There should be no ‘transfer war chest’ hubris or talk of catching Celtic. There needs to be sober, steady and deliverable targets that spends only the finances we generate through gate money, sponsorship and commercial activities.”

    As neepheid said, good sense, but far, far too late.

    How many of the commercial activities are unencumbered, or flat out belong to some other entity? Sponsorship – or Reputational Risk? It will take some time before any major sponsor would consider getting involved in Ibrox. Even the gate money is alleged to have onerous outgoings.

    Of course there is a viable footballing business, buried in here somewhere, but, its going to take time and money to dig it out of the hole, that the unlamented Duc de Normandie has so carefully buried it in.


  8. iceman63 says:
    January 6, 2015 at 1:17 am

    Rate This

    HMRC wind-up? Was it real , or just a wind-up?
    =======================================================
    Being on the brink of insolvency (or in effect insolvent) allows that type of question to arise.

    TRFC Ltd are insolvent and rely on RIFC PLC for funding. RIFC PLC made a statement to AIM that Alexander Easdale had provided a short term loan of £500K to “keep the lights on”, so it doesn’t appear to be wind up.

    It may get the wind up the apologists in the SMSM if they can remove their
    succulent tongues from the arse of whichever New Knight, Phoenix Night, or Dani Behr is handing out the press release.

    Unlikely though. I think there are deckchairs slightly out of line.


  9. ekt1m says:
    January 6, 2015 at 12:11 am

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    On the day that Ashley appoints his man as FD, Is it beyond the realms of possibility that he ponied up the £500k to Easdale? I know that the brothers are not short of a bob or two, but to have half a million lying spare in a drawer makes the mind boggle. In my opinion.
    =====================================================
    Going back to before the recent share frenzy, there was a thumbs down from SFA to MA about further control of TRFC LTD (the club (FFS Doncaster)) via RIFC PLC (that’s a holding company as it actually owns the shares of another company). Now MA has a further placeman on the board of RIFC PLC (that’s the holding company of TRFC Ltd, Neil. It owns the issued share capital of the subsidiary (the club) FFS).
    Isn’t that more control?

    Paging Mr Regan.

    Mr Regan, are you out there.?

    Testing, testing. Scottish fitba calling.


  10. “The Rangers board will also have to consider what impact their own actions have had. Two weeks ago it was possible to find club chairmen and owners who – albeit cautiously – were sympathetic to Ashley’s desire for a controlling stake at Ibrox, on the grounds that there would be a general benefit if Rangers were restored as a contender for domestic honours as a consequence of investment by the billionaire owner of the Sports Direct retail chain.”
    ======================================================

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/11312737/Mike-Ashleys-bid-to-control-Rangers-blocked-by-SFA.html
    ======================================================================
    Can we have a list of the “club chairmen and owners who – albeit cautiously – were sympathetic to Ashley’s desire for a controlling stake at Ibrox” please?

    It would make things a lot easier for us.
    (Is cautious a euphemism for feck off though?)


  11. Sarver’s bid rejected. Looks like Ashley intends giving more loans.


  12. I see Alastair Johnston has surfaced through the medium of the Daily Record to question the motives of Robert Sarver. You would think Rangers had been a model of football club governance when Johnston was Chairman. To mention just one thing the beyond dispute wee tax case remained unsettled on his watch while the club splashed the same amount on Jelavic.

    Quite simply, Johnston benefits from the fawning media coverage afforded to so many Rangers people over the years. We can already see that King and the furry chaps are benefiting in exactly the same way. They are treated with deference by the media simply on the basis they are Rangers men of a traditional hue. That is just so wrong.


  13. There was a lovely Peter Cook skit on the Jeremy Thorpe trial where the judge told the jury they could not infer anything from the defendants’ refusal to give evidence, other than they could not be bothered crossing the floor of the court to answer a lot of impertinent questions. The barely day old Sevco takeover has just met its nemesis: a board that refuses to hold the AGM that would be necessary to allow Mr Sarver to buy 100m shares at 18p, and then offer the rest on similar terms. This seems a pretty short shelf life for an Ibrox saviour, even by the fleeting nature of such chimera.
    The statement also makes it clear the hat is being passed around the boardroom as we speak, to see out January. It’s already the 6th.
    On Saturday, Alloa are the latest in a line of honest teams expected to play them in a “sporting” contest sanctioned by the authorities. They should hand their heads in shame.


  14. No to the Yank Saviour:-

    The Board of Rangers has considered the possible offer from Robert Sarver (or a vehicle to be established and controlled by him) (“Mr Sarver”).

    The proposal by Mr Sarver comprises a placing of 100 million shares at 18p (“Placing”) which, if approved by shareholders at a general meeting, would be immediately followed by an unconditional offer at 18p pursuant to Rule 9 of the Code. The Placing would give Mr Sarver control of Rangers.

    While the Directors welcome Mr Sarver’s approach, they believe that, notwithstanding the current financial difficulties, the proposal does not adequately value a controlling interest in the Company and accordingly the resolution to approve the placing is unlikely to achieve the 75% majority required. The Directors do not intend to hold the General Meeting which would be necessary to implement the proposal.

    The Company is managing its cash resources carefully and will require further funding before the end of January. The Directors are in discussions with Rangers’ significant stakeholders with a view to arranging finance for the Club. This is likely to comprise loans in the short term and possibly equity in the medium term. The board has invited Mr Sarver to consider participating in a similar discussion alongside other supportive shareholders.


  15. scapaflow says:
    January 5, 2015 at 10:03 pm
    14 0 Rate This

    Tartanwulver says:
    January 5, 2015 at 9:09 pm

    Lofty and the boys have posted a reply to Private Fraser, in which the man with the crown says “I will not have gossiping in this jungle”
    ——–

    @Scapa, wasn’t there also a show from the peerless Croft & Perry called ‘Are You Being Sarvered?’

    🙂


  16. An offer of significantly less than the current share price, and also well short of very recent significant deals, can hardly be considered as serious or even testing the water. It will be interesting to see if Sarver hangs around creating a ‘will he won’t he?’ scenario that may help keep the price artificially high, making it very expensive for anyone looking to increase their shareholding in the short term. It’s perhaps a win, win, lose situation, where one man, who can’t buy more shares, prevents others doing so; another man gets the publicity he craves; and another bunch have to choose whether or not to pay inflated prices for more shares or sit back and wait until it might be too late!

    All it will take is for Sarver to increase his offer to prove me wrong, but he certainly doesn’t appear to be a man prepared to make an offer they can’t refuse!


  17. Re RNS
    “The Company is managing its cash resources carefully and will require further funding before the end of January. The Directors are in discussions with Rangers’ significant stakeholders with a view to arranging finance for the Club. This is likely to comprise loans in the short term and possibly equity in the medium term. The board has invited Mr Sarver to consider participating in a similar discussion alongside other supportive shareholders.”
    ,,,,,,,,,,,,
    Or put another way
    I wrote this announcement and enclosed it with my offer letter
    I am here on behalf of MA spending his money via my bank account to do what he tells me.
    I will be taking over his shares before the SFA Mtg on 27 Jan
    I have agreed with MA to make a big loan with his money. Enough to make me the biggest Creditor when I liquidate this basket case
    My short term goal is take over all the Onerous contracts for myself(meaning MA) and then milk this carcase forever. Longer term I intend to win the CL with the present squad augmented by duds from NUFC All paid for by those wonderful fans
    Oh
    My first step will be to introduce an orange shirt and flute bands at half time. They will play during the Hit the Crossbar competition


  18. @Allyjambo the offer is at the price the shares were at before 3 furry friends artificially inflated it. Yesterday’s rise was on takeover speculation hoping that the bid price would be more than yesterday’s buy price.

    If I understand this correctly the offer involves more than doubling the number of shares. 100k new ones raise RIFC 18m in new investment sparking a takeover in which Sarver has to offer to buy the remaining 80k shares costing him up to another £15m. That puts the market cap at £33m,50%+ more than it stands today. Is the board really saying it thinks this basketcase losing more than a million a month is really worth more than thatthat, remembering what D&P sold the assets for and that the majority value of those assets are subject to a contiñgent liability. Plus the onerous contracts are still in play


  19. Goosy – My first step will be to introduce an orange shirt and flute bands at half time. They will play during the Hit the Crossbar competition.

    ——————————————-

    Don’t know that one. Can you whistle it?


  20. briggsbhoy says:
    January 6, 2015 at 9:13 am

    Mr Sarver maybe thinks he’s getting a bargain if he saw these old figures from 2009, number 165 on the list.

    http://www.johnfmurray.com/tag/best-property-in-sports/
    ===================================================================
    I note that John Murray the sport psychologist who compiled the list offer ‘Free Mental Tests’ on his website.

    Might be helpful for those involved at Ibrox or perhaps it’s already too late to change ingrained behaviour whether it be spivvery or rangeritis.


  21. In Englandshire there are national TV and Radio stories of a massive club called Glasgow Rangers being battled over by billionaires, with the board picking and choosing between multiple competing offers. Personally, I’m still following the Sevco Solvency Saga, but this new story sounds really interesting, does anyone have more details ?


  22. Sarver is valuing this company at a minimum of £33m? A company bought by Charles Green for £5.5m just 30 months ago, and which has consumed around £50m of other peoples money since flotation in December 2012? Which now has HMRC on its case (allegedly) with a winding up order all nicely drafted and ready to go?

    I would call it unbelievable, but then I was very dismissive of Green’s chances of getting institutional investors to subscribe to his IPO, yet as if by magic, under the spell of the great Svengali, they formed an orderly queue for fleecing. These were allegedly talented fund managers, with an intimate knowledge of UK business, who have just exited stage left with haircuts that the US Marine Corps would be proud of.

    So maybe it’s not surprising that an innocent from across the pond has caught a serious dose of Rangeritis, by contact with “Davie”, who is clearly a carrier of the dread affliction. Just a few sweet nothings in his ear from Davie, and he’s off to buy a legendary soccerball side for his sons. $50 million US? No problem, boys, I’ll have you playing pro soccerball in Scotlandshire in no time.

    Is this really how the world of business works? Although to be fair, Sarver is really a banker, not a businessman, so he’s just following in the footsteps of a previous banker with Rangeritis. And maybe this banker is using his own money, which would be a refreshing change.

    What will Ashley do now? He’s got more money than the Yank, but I doubt that he fancies paying over the odds to see him off. There must be a price that Sarver could offer that would tempt a majority of Ashley’s faction. Ashley’s easiest defence would be to collapse it all now, a controlled demolition, which could see Ashley walk off with what he wants, leaving Goldilocks & Co with the “club” they want so much.

    What I don’t know is whether insolvency is an option with a bid on the table. I’ll bet Ashley knows, though.


  23. A Role Model for the Bears ?

    “But Prince Andrew dazzles easily when confronted with immense wealth and apparent power.”

    “He suffers a fatal combination of privileged birth, frustrated ambition, sociability and intellectual deficit.”

    Libby Purves, The Times


  24. Sarver has done his job.

    He’ll hang around a bit longer but he has shown how easy it is to manipulate our media and our markets.


  25. This post by SaMule on KDS ties in with GoosyGoosy’s view that Sarver is connected with Ashley-

    It’s probably just a coincidence but Mike Ashley’s main US business Antigua Enterprises Inc is based in Peoria, a suburb of… Phoenix. Oh and it holds a contract with the NBA.


  26. upthehoops says:
    January 6, 2015 at 7:14 am
    44 1 Rate This

    Quite simply, Johnston benefits from the fawning media coverage afforded to so many Rangers people over the years. We can already see that King and the furry chaps are benefiting in exactly the same way. They are treated with deference by the media simply on the basis they are Rangers men of a traditional hue. That is just so wrong.
    —————————————————-
    Heard on SSB last night one caller rightly having a go at Macca and a few other ex Celtic players and their open criticism of Celtic. Mr Keevins did say that NO ex Rangers player criticise their old club to the point it becomes absurd. IMO the Celtic manager receives most of this bad press. The pundits have not given this man any time from the moment he arrived in Glasgow. When I compare the press and pundits coverage coverage between the Celtic manager and Ally McCoist tenure it is shocking in it’s open bias towards McCoist. No balance shame on them.
    The biggest sporting story in Scotland has not been covered correctly since it commenced and IMO will always be an embarrassing indictment of our SMSM.
    Scotland needs strong internet bambots.


  27. The Rangers statement this morning says that they will require additional funding before the end of the month.

    That will take ‘additional funding’ to around £5m since the end of October.

    Can anyone tell me what trading whilst insolvent looks like please?……That’s a serious question.


  28. tykebhoy says:
    January 6, 2015 at 9:10 am

    But does that mean the shareholders will receive more than 18p per share, and if not, putting emotional attachment aside, why would they accept the offer? If, on the other hand, what you describe means the shareholders would get a significantly better price per share, then I’d have to agree with you.

    Whatever the actual value per share, though, the board have rejected the offer, so, either Sarver must commit a few million pounds more to up his per share offer, or leave the total pot as it is and increase the per share offer, leaving less that will end up in the TRFC/RIFC bank account. It would still, on the face of it, be a great deal for the football club going forward, but that isn’t a consideration for the non-Rangersmen on the board.


  29. is it just me or do Messers Ashley & Sarver look like each other ?


  30. tykebhoy says:
    January 6, 2015 at 9:10 am

    If I understand this correctly the offer involves more than doubling the number of shares. 100m new ones raise RIFC £18m in new investment sparking a takeover in which Sarver has to offer to buy the remaining 80m shares costing him up to another £15m. That puts the market cap at £33m, 50%+ more than it stands today. Is the board really saying it thinks this basketcase losing more than a million a month is really worth more than that, remembering what D&P sold the assets for and that the majority value of those assets are subject to a contingent liability. Plus the onerous contracts are still in play.
    ==================================================================
    Always difficult to know what the share price will do in a situation like this but there’s no doubt the recent bounce came on the back of takeover fever.

    I would think that the cold reality that the yank is only prepared to pay 18p a share will have the ‘Go Home’ banners hung from the famous iron gates and see the share price drop back to 20-22p max.

    Pre arrival of the bouncing basketball I had thought that the price for an new share issue would be in the 15-18p range but probably closer to 15p.

    I know that it’s easy to look at the market cap figure and deem it ludicrous – which it is. But as I understand it market cap isn’t really that important to a serious investor especially one who wishes outright control.

    At the end of the day anything is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it and when we can’t figure out the motivation that people might have to buy Rangers then the price becomes difficult to estimate with any accuracy.

    Obviously those with the most amount of ‘skin’ in the business whether via onerous contracts or varying levels of rangeritis will normally pay more but gullibility can strike the most asture businessman with a regularity that never ceases to amaze me.

    However now that Sarver has made his pitch I can’t see the remnants of the Institutional Investors hanging on hoping for a longer haircut. They’ll be looking to do a deal IMO and get out before the pile of cards collapse and I think they might be joined by others who have nothing to lose in the way of onerous contracts.

    If others friendly to the cause of the 4B have the money to buy then RRM might just win the shareholding majority. If they don’t we will have a company where former Ashley employees amd mystery overseas investors control the boardroom with a very large bloc of shareholders and paying punters in perpetual revolt.

    It bodes ill for the future of Rangers and it would appear the only alternatives are a drip-feed of crisis loans or some kind of insolvency event.

    And this takes us back to the eternal question: What assets are actually left to secure the loans on? Can Ibrox or Murray Park be used as security?

    I also don’t think that the SFA will judge Ashley’s level of control merely on shareholding or the number of his old pals and ex-employees who sit on the Rangers Board. I would be amazed if they didn’t look at the contracts he holds and the security he holds for loans.

    And that takes us back to the interesting question if he doesn’t provide the loans then who does? The Easdales don’t have the money required and I genuinely think allegations that Ashley would slip cash under the counter is simply ludicrous.

    There’s no doubt that Ashley is a hard-nosed businessman with deep pockets who is quite capable of creating a Rangers able to live within its financial income and play a style of football which fits that governance model.

    It won’t suit a section of the support who will walk but that’s the nature of a helluva lot of sports and football is no different.

    But one thing I am certain of is that Ashley will do nothing illegal or even anything that would taint his hard won business reputation to save Rangers as was. It simply just isn’t worth it and having looked under the hood and stripped the engine he knows that only too well.


  31. whisperer

    Have you ever seen them in the same room together?

    They do a superb version of “What a swell party this is” from High Society!


  32. valentinesclown says:
    January 6, 2015 at 10:12 am
    10 3 Rate This

    upthehoops says:
    January 6, 2015 at 7:14 am

    Heard that call last night.

    My view as a non Celtic fan was that Keevins was, reasonably, saying it was far more refreshing and healthy to have ex-Celtic players (Macca on the show, Hartson and Sutton were the traitors outed by the caller) having the occasional honest pop at their old club than have the ridiculous situation of ex- Rangers players getting so tongue tied in trying to avoid criticism of the Ibrox club that there contribution to any discussion or debate was meaningless.

    If some Celtic fans can’t stick some of their own telling the occasional home truth and would prefer the fawning nonsense Keevins says he experiences from ex Bears what hope do we have?

    Anyway Macca stole the show by pointing out why should he be a vocal supporter of his old club being he left as far back in 1989 due to the club not paying his wages. He further offered up the suggestion that if he was lying the club could sue him.

    The obsessed caller, also called Macca, opined that his namesake should have been happy to play for the Hoops for free. Doh!!


  33. Bawsman says:
    January 6, 2015 at 10:14 am

    Can anyone tell me what trading whilst insolvent looks like please?……
    ____________________

    Common sense would suggest it looks like what we see happening at Ibrox. The legal definition is probably a bit different.

    One thing’s for sure, the lender is getting into a stronger position with every loan he gives, for he could pull the plug whenever he sees fit!


  34. The Ashley connection with Phoenix revealed on KDS in interesting. It’s also amazing how one of the original investors in Sevco 5088 was ‘Scottish’ Company Glenmuir which also is heavily involved in embroidering logos onto sportswear.

    Obviously a pure coincidence but shows what a small world it is.

    I did a piece on Glenmuir back in July 2012 at: http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/who-are-the-mysterious-sevcorangers-investors-some-answers-guest-post-by-ecojon/

    Antigua Enterprises Inc., together with its subsidiary, The Antigua Group, Inc., manufactures and distributes embroidered apparel and accessory products primarily in the United States. The company designs and markets men’s, women’s, and children’s lifestyle apparel and sportswear under the Antigua label. Antigua Enterprises Inc. offers its products to the licensed sport, golf, corporate, and specialty retail markets. It was formerly known as Southhampton Enterprises Corp. and changed its name to Antigua Enterprises Inc. in June 1997. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Peoria, Arizona. Antigua Enterprises Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Ashley NA, LLC.

    There is also an interesting piece on Wiki at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigua_Apparel


  35. I took the following paragraph from Wikipedia’s entry on trading while insolvent

    “Any director who knows that the company is insolvent and makes the decision to continue to trade, and in doing so increases the debts of the company can be made liable for the company debts.”

    Does this mean that the decision to appoint an FD who was previously working as a consultant is actually an offence in this bizarre situation at Ibrox?


  36. Quite a week for Mike Ashley.

    He has to choose a manager / first team coach for Newcastle

    http://t.co/1piUBFRIjH

    He needs to decide how much involvement to have at Ibrox

    And his third club that he has an interest in, whom we often forget about, are in the process of deciding whether to offer employment to Ched Evans. He has been sent this open letter by the Police and crime commissioner of Northumbria

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B6qZISeCMAE_i9U.jpg:large


  37. Danish Pastry says:
    January 5, 2015 at 5:39 pm

    “Some people on SoS will have to eat humble pie about Easdale if Barca’s info correct”

    Based on past performance “ra peepel” don’t do humble…


  38. More Ashley problems.

    http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-supporters-trust-write-8390077

    a letter to UEFA copying in the local MP for the area.

    To whom it may concern,

    I write on behalf of the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust concerning an issue which we believe needs certain attention and clarification.

    Mike Ashley has been the owner of Newcastle United since 2007. He has sole ownership of the club which is a participating member of your competition and has been for many years.

    Newcastle United is an historic and prominent football club.

    Each season Newcastle United enters your competition with others and the supporters hope and expectation (we are nothing if not optimistic) is that it will be successful and on occasion may win the trophy and/or qualify and gain entry into the Uefa competitions which are part of its reward.

    This is part of the incentive for all clubs and their supporters who buy tickets and is an implicit understanding for TV companies who buy rights and for sponsors who pay for advertising etc. This is part of the package sold to supporters, TV companies and indeed other competing teams. This is what gives your competition its prestige and it is what TV companies, sponsors and fans buy into.

    It is therefore of major concern to Newcastle United supporters that the increasing involvement of Mike Ashley with Glasgow Rangers FC may have the wholly undesirable effect of meaning that the prize available to all competing clubs in your competition of qualification to Uefa competitions may be deprived from Newcastle United because of Mr Ashley’s involvement with Glasgow Rangers FC.

    May I also note that over the last twenty years Newcastle United has been a regular participant in Uefa competitions including the Champions League, the Europa League and the Uefa Cup. Newcastle United has only spent one season out of the English Premier League in the last twenty years. Newcastle United currently attracts the third highest attendances in the Premier League and is one of the best supported clubs in Europe. Newcastle United has previously won the Inter Cities Fairs Cup, the fore-runner to the Uefa cup. It represents one of the high-points in Newcastle United’s history.

    The cause of our concern are the parts of Uefa Regulations of the Uefa Europa League – 2012-15 Cycle – 2014/15 Season.

    In particular may I refer to article 3 – reproduced as below:

    Article 3

    Integrity of the competition

    3.01 To ensure the integrity of the Uefa club competitions, the following criteria apply:

    ((a) no club participating in a Uefa club competition may, either directly or indirectly:

    (i) hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in a Uefa club competition,

    (ii) be a member of any other club participating in a Uefa club competition,

    (iii) be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance

    of any other club participating in a Uefa club competition, or

    (iv) have any power whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a Uefa club competition;

    (b) no one may simultaneously be involved, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition;

    (c) no individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition, such control or influence being defined in this context as:

    (i) holding a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights;

    (ii) having the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of the club;

    (iii) being a shareholder and alone controlling a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights pursuant to an agreement entered into with other shareholders of the club; or

    (iv) being able to exercise by any means a decisive influence in the decision-making of the club.

    3.02 If two or more clubs fail to meet the criteria aimed at ensuring the integrity of the competition, only one of them may be admitted to a Uefa club competition, in accordance with the following criteria (applicable in descending order):

    (a) the club which qualifies on sporting merit for the more prestigious Uefa club competition (i.e., in descending order: Uefa Champions League and Uefa Europa League);

    (b) the club which has the highest priority access by virtue of its performance in its top domestic league championship and as indicated in the 2014/15 access list (Annex Ia);

    (c) the club which has the best club coefficient ranking as established in accordance with paragraph 9.03.

    Clubs that are not admitted are replaced in accordance with paragraph 2.14.

    As you may be aware Mike Ashley’s growing involvement with Glasgow Rangers places Newcastle United in the position of possibly losing the benefits of competing in Uefa competitions as per the above. Mr Ashley owns almost 10% of a share-holding in Rangers, has had the power to call an EGM to remove directors and appoint his own preferences to key positions at that club (i.e. Derek Llambias to the position of CEO.

    Mr Llambias fulfilled a similar role at Newcastle United until his resignation in 2013 and is a long established associate of Mr Ashley). Glasgow Rangers are reliant upon Mr Ashley for a number of loans and his influence on that club would appear to be central to its future direction.

    Glasgow Rangers remains one of the most prominent and best supported clubs in the United Kingdom. As a club it has participated regularly in Uefa competitions and I would imagine would expect to do so again when it has recovered from its current travails.

    We believe there is an obvious question to be address of dual ownership given Mr Ashley’s sole ownership of Newcastle United and Glasgow Rangers. These are two clubs with a tradition of playing in Uefa competitions.

    I would put it to you that currently Newcastle United is a participating member of your competition which is unable to benefit fully from any success it might achieve. Further we fear this knowledge reduces its appetite for success in your competition and consequently, as one of its traditional and prominent members, reduces the sporting integrity of your competition and consequently the commercial value of the fixtures it is involved with.

    Clearly, we would be interested in any clarification you can give on this matter and we would be happy to meet you to discuss our concerns and bring further evidence if you should wish it.

    My kind regards,

    Norman Watson

    NUST Chair


  39. @Allyjambo

    It means that the offer price to the remaining shareholders will be 18p which is less than almost all will have paid for them. Shareholders don’t have to sell and they may well get a better price for them later but their holding would have been diluted by over 50% and Sarver would control the Clumpany and the makeup of the boards. Also it would probably no longer be publically listed meaning the shares are harder to sell by those that did hang on.

    Does Sarver up his offer? Well I think valuing the Company at as much as £33m is ridiculous given the doubts over MP/Ibrox so I wouldn’t have even offered that (would that I had the wherewithal to even consider it 😉 ) He could as you say leave the pot roughly the same but buy only 82m new shares at 20p given RIFC almost £16.5 new investment and offering to buy all other shares at 20p costing another potential £16.5m. However that has the possibility of leaving him owning just over 50% and depriving RIFC of what amounts to about a months losses at current rates.

    I don’t think anyone is going to offer much above the 20p and don’t forget 20p per share is a lot more than the shareholders will get if RIFC is liquidated.


  40. andygraham.66 says:
    January 6, 2015 at 11:22 am
    ‘..a letter to UEFA copying in the local MP for the area.’
    —————-
    Well done to the NUFC supporter(s) who penned that letter.It must surely be picked up by other English clubs and the FA and make them take notice.


  41. mcfc says:
    January 6, 2015 at 11:26 am

    Smooth, Too Damned Smooth. Sarver hitting all the right notes and in exactly the right order. Sounds like he’s been very well coached and rehearsed by someone without blue tinted corneas.

    http://news.stv.tv/west-central/305506-rangers-reject-18m-bid-by-robert-sarver-to-take-control-of-club/
    ======================================================================
    Oh he’s smooth all right and very well-coached but I’m not so sure that his coach doesn’t wear blue-tinted corneas.

    I even buy the bit about looking at EPL teams and he would have quickly realised he doesn’t have the pockets to dabble there. Indeed if he had and he was connected to Ashley then surely he would have been fuided towards NUFC.

    But no he ends-up in the lowest bargain basement level aka Rangers. And the heart-tugging refrain that an old Rangersman – former player no less – infected him with rangeritis just doesn’t wash.

    IMO he simply hasn’t explained the WHY. There is another connection not yet apparent but as to which side? That is the question and it may well be that he is astute enough to switch horses if it suits.

    Still he obviously can talk the talk but can he walk the walk having set the crossbar pretty high with his statement:

    “First and foremost I believe what the club needs today is a very quick, major injection of capital to stabilise things and I can give the Rangers supporters a categorical assurance that I have the resources and ability to get this club back to its elite level.


  42. wottpi. While I wouldn’t want ex-Celtic players to be little more than cheerleaders for the club in the media, like Derek Johnstone, and Mark Hately, I certainly wouldn’t put too much faith in what McAvennie says.

    The club didn’t pay him? I can’t accept that one.

    Maybe he’s mistaking getting fined every week for returning late for training, after spending his weekends in London with his Page 3 girlfriend?

    Of course, maybe I wrong, and Macca is telling the truth, and Celtic just simply refused to pay wages to their best player, who I’d imagine would have had some kind of contract.

    This terrible action from the club forced Macca into a desperate attempt to raise cash, and he resorted to financing deep sea diving expeditions for buried treasure!

    I think all the years of Cocaine, and Champagne, abuse may have addled Macca’s brain.

    As for the Celtic supporter saying any player should play for free, well that’s absolutely insane. As insane as believing Macca’s “The money was to fund expeditions for buried treasure” excuse.


  43. Dear Mr Sarver,

    When you try to mediate in an internecine domestic dispute, even with the very best of intentions, you are doomed to failure unless you really delve deep to understand the issues that are so pivotal to the dysfunctionality that they are never spoken of – by anyone. This makes things tough for an uninitiated outsider.

    For example, you may be perplexed by the visceral reaction you get if you suggest a generous, short term loan to stabilise things for a few months, secured against the company’s most obvious and valuable assets. Try it and see. Then you’ll begin to understand that there is much LESS to RIFC’s potential than meets the eye.

    yours cryptically

    mcfc


  44. tykebhoy says:
    January 6, 2015 at 11:37 am

    Thanks for your response, tykebhoy.

    So there’s nothing potentially wrong with the board’s rejection of the offer and so no likelihood of a challenge that they were not acting in the best interest of the shareholders. It does, perhaps, highlight that the current board don’t have the best interest of The Rangers Football Club at heart! Not that that would take anyone on here by surprise 😛

    I suspect, though clearly don’t know, that there may be some Stock Exchange regulations that require a board to be able to justify turning down a takeover bid without putting it to a vote, but doubt that would be triggered by this offer.


  45. Mr Sarver added: “My three sons all play soccer, as we call it here in the US, for (former player) Davie Robertson’s club. Initially, I’d had some of my advisors examining potential investments in teams in the English Premier League and in Spain, but Davie encouraged me to take a close look at Rangers.
    **********************************************************
    I don’t mind if the SMSM wishes to simply regurgitate press releases (yes, I have low expectations , which are consistently not met) but could they at least cut out the bits that are, even to the untrained eye, a load of utter bow locks.

    Or maybe this Rangersitis is more contagious than anyone thought ? 🙄


  46. andygraham.66 says:
    January 6, 2015 at 11:17 am

    And his (Ashley)third club that he has an interest in, whom we often forget about, are in the process of deciding whether to offer employment to Ched Evans. He has been sent this open letter by the Police and crime commissioner of Northumbria

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B6qZISeCMAE_i9U.jpg:large
    ———————————————————–
    Vera Baird QC Police & Crime Commissioner – Northumbria starts her letter to Ashley:

    I am writing to you following media speculation that Oldham Athletic Football Club has received reassurances from its biggest sponsor Sports Direct that they will not withdraw £1 million sponsorship if Oldham sign Ched Evans, despite Oldham’s main stand sponsors Verlin Rainwater Solutions saying it will end its association with the club if Evans signs.

    The rest of the letter is well worth a read and she makes it clear she wants Ashley to add his weight to those opposing the signing by exercising commercial pressure on Oldham.

    I wonder if Ashley ever actually had this rumoured master plan involving a string of cross-border football clubs whether he might now be feeling he may have strayed beyond his famed commercial expertise.

    As footie supporters know only too well there’s no accountancy logic in following your team – for most fans it’s an all-consuming passion driven by deep visceral emotions.

    IMO Ashley probably thought that NUFC fans were the exception – at some stage he’ll realise we are all the same in certain aspects.


  47. ecobhoy says:
    January 6, 2015 at 11:51 am

    Oh he’s smooth all right and very well-coached but I’m not so sure that his coach doesn’t wear blue-tinted corneas.
    ===========================================================================
    Eco – quite agree – far too many questions from such a short piece, if your vision is not chromatically impaired. But what struck me was a certain King-like detachment that suggests he’s treading water waiting for something else to happen – which I think favours Ashley much more than G&3B. For example, “what the club needs today is a very quick, major injection of capital to stabilise things” then “I have the resources” but no offer of a loan against RIFC’s apparent wealth of physical assets. Even if his offer was accepted today, it would take way beyond Jan to happen.

    I think we can safely say that Mr Sarver is not Mr Saviour – unless of course you want him to be and you have no alternative. It seems the sports business world is very small – I wonder if Robert Sarver knows Jon Pritchard.

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/sportsmoney/2012/10/08/what-can-we-learn-from-the-financial-meltdown-of-glasgow-rangers-fc/


  48. Cosmic Truth says:
    January 6, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    Macca seemed very sure of himself and indeed upset and animated about the whole thing.

    Looking on Wiki it says McNeil claims Macca wanted to go south to be with his girlfriend. Macca appears to have said in his autobiogrpahy he was due a signing on fee.


  49. @Allyjambo at present there don’t seem to ne many shareholders bailing at above 20p so yes the 18p offer or my suggestion of a revised 20p possibility is not likely to get the support of 75% of shareholders. If all the board are against it then they know their holdings proxies could vote it down anyway without consulting the rest at an EGM.

    However how desperate does it have to get before an 18-20p offer would have hands bitten off. The Easdale loan until the Brenford cheque for the first installment turns up is the latest indication of how tight cash is. Trading while insolvent is not being “able to meet debts as they become due”. They are currently avoiding that by crisis loans but how much longer can they rely on the goodwill of those providing the crisis loans to continue to do so.

    I’ll repeat 18p now is much better than 0.00 if a liquidation event occurs regardless of how big your hit is on accepting that 18p The board are playing a game of brinkmanship and potentially playing off two sets of investors in the hope the offer price will rise. How much would you invest in a company that you will need to feed in excess of £1m a month for the forseable future until it might just reach a breakeven position?


  50. “I’ve had detailed research carried out on Rangers and I’m convinced that we could take it back to the top of the Scottish game on a stable and sustainable basis.”

    This is undoubtedly true, but then you get in the door and find the old place needs a bit of doing up; and this strange contingent liability thing hanging over the stadium and training centre; and then there are all these awkward contracts one of which severely restricts the merchandising revenue; and there are also all these bills and secured loans; and a set of..ahem..”passionate” fans and media pack all demanding to know when you’re going to sign Lionel Messi, etc, etc.

    Who knows though: maybe he is Father Christmas. It’s his move now.


  51. tearsofjoy says:
    January 6, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    I often mused during Hearts’ darkest time: what if I met some very wealthy man and told him all about Hearts, maybe he would be happy to spend some (many) of his millions saving them? Of course it was all nonsense, but hey, maybe it wasn’t!!

    If David Robertson’s grasp of what’s gone on, and continues to go on, at Ibrox matches that of ex-players who actually continue to live within a car drive of the stadium, I’m sure he was able to give Mr Sarver some very valuable information about the club. I’m sure, too, that he made sure the American knew all about the more colourful side of the club and what many of their songs are actually about!


  52. Cosmic Truth says:
    January 6, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    As for the Celtic supporter saying any player should play for free, well that’s absolutely insane.
    ——————————————————————-
    There’s absolutely no way of knowing whether the caller was a Celtic supporter. Might not even have been a Bear.

    Could simply have been an organised ‘plant’ to spice-up the show – it does happen you know. And there again it might have been a PR troll.

    Take nothing you see or hear at face value unless you can independently prove it to be true. Do that and you might still be totally wrong in your conclusion but you won’t have been duped and taken for a MUG!

    I have actually been amazed at some of the recent vitriolic personalised utterances on BT Sport from Sutton wrt to RD. At the end of the day Sutton gets his cash to do this and it would appear most ex-Rangers players get paid to keep mum by the media.

    I was a huge Sutton fan as a player and now I tend to mute him on the box because sadly RD didn’t inherit much in the way of a team. I don’t even blame his predecessor NL.

    I just couldn’t believe the continual outpouring from Chic last night about Chris Commons and his abilities – btw the ability level isn’t obviously a topic for discussion here IMO.

    However being an auld cynic I did wonder what Chick was actually up to. Was he simply doing Commons a turn by trying to help secure a contract at Parkhead more to his liking.

    Or was he trying to help stoke fan resentment if Commons is sold in this window?

    All I want as a football fan is honest assessments of the football being played on the field and not having to wonder during a game what ‘political’ sub-plots the commentators are running and on whose behalf.

    Celtic has been downsizing to meet the current financial constraints of Scottish Football – it’s bloody painful and there are no quick-fix cures and yip we will lose supporters which is a pity.

    But I would rather be on the road we are on as a club than have a stadium sold-out on bigotry. That’s my personal choice and others have their’s. I’m sure there’s enough excitement for me in the title fight this year and, indeed, next year with the exciting promotions we’ll be seeing.


  53. ecobhoy says:
    January 6, 2015 at 12:50 pm
    All I want as a football fan is honest assessments of the football being played on the field and not having to wonder during a game what ‘political’ sub-plots the commentators are running and on whose behalf.
    ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    Go to Settings, Switch subtitles to ” Off” then Click “Mute” and throw away the Remote Control


  54. Allyjambo says:
    January 6, 2015 at 12:39 pm
    ‘.. I’m sure, too, that he made sure the American knew all about the more colourful side of the club and what many of their songs are actually about!’
    ——–
    Mr Sarver , I imagine, as of Jewish faith and ethnicity, probably wouldn’t have a clue about,or be particularly interested in, ancient disputes between ‘Christian’ sects in a small island off the coast of Europe..
    It takes guys like Charles Green to fasten on an aspect that he could exploit to his personal advantage!


  55. highlights from Spiers’ latest piece in the Herald

    My heart doesn’t bleed for Rangers. But I do desire a day when this club is strong and fit and ready to compete at the top of Scottish football.

    Imagine for a moment if five men of very substantial wealth could possibly come together and work for the greater good of Rangers.

    If personalities and agendas can somehow be pacified, there is the potential for a bright new dawn for Rangers. And one where money is not short to repair the damage and disrepute done at this broken club.

    In saying this, I’ve not changed my mind one jot on King. His conviction for illegal activity in South Africa is a supreme embarrassment, and the SFA, should King ever want boardroom status at Ibrox, would be laughed out of the country if they crumpled and ever afforded him “fit and proper” status.

    The best four lines from http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/opinion/spiers-on-sport-rangers-fans-offered-an-agonising-glimpse-of-prosperity.1420537609


  56. tykebhoy says:
    January 6, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    What you say makes perfect sense, if dealing with a regular company, but so much about TRFC/RIFC is ‘irregular’, even more so than at most football clubs, that sense doesn’t enter into things much. The board, under, one must presume, instruction from Ashley, don’t want to sell up, perhaps at any conceivable price. They are in a position to block any moves, regardless of what other shareholders or the club’s supporters might want. They will, of course, have to play by the AIM rules and within company law but will be able to block any offers until they reach a point that might trigger a valid complaint. I’d suggest that, should Sarver be serious and start to lodge improved offers, we might get an indication of just how desperate/keen Ashley is to hold onto whatever it is he has at TRFC/RIFC. The problem for those wanting to see him out is that his shareholding isn’t large enough for any conceivable price offered to cover what he will probably lose in terms of contracts, onerous or otherwise.

    I’m sure there’s been many similar offers for businesses turned down because the board don’t want to sell – regardless of the price – for reasons best known to themselves, that are never made public!

    I think, as it stands, Ashley is playing for time to do whatever it is he wants to do to ensure it ends with him making lots of money. Only if he is forced out, or rather his board is, or someone makes him an offer that covers his potential profit, will he relinquish his grip on TRFC/RIFC.


  57. No disrespect to anyone but there is irony inherent on posts on a site such as this critical of debate and opinion (surely TSFM’s lifeblood ? ) elsewhere. . .
    I forr one much prefer to hear pundits such as macca + sutton speak their minds .
    A great bear friend of mine stated that he was brought up to believe that political/social/religious debate was not to be countenanced . . .
    Such stuff was presumably the preserve of ones betters . . ?
    Perish the thought that such subservience should ever stifle intellectual inquiry in the community of minds I (humbly) aspire to be part of . .


  58. upthehoops

    January 6th, 2015 at 7:14
    =====================

    Clearly it is wrong, but we should all know that by now.

    Doesn’t mean we have to accept it this time though.


  59. upthehoops says:
    January 6, 2015 at 7:14 am
    61 1 Rate This

    I see Alastair Johnston has surfaced through the medium of the Daily Record to question the motives of Robert Sarver. You would think Rangers had been a model of football club governance when Johnston was Chairman. To mention just one thing the beyond dispute wee tax case remained unsettled on his watch while the club splashed the same amount on Jelavic.

    Quite simply, Johnston benefits from the fawning media coverage afforded to so many Rangers people over the years. We can already see that King and the furry chaps are benefiting in exactly the same way. They are treated with deference by the media simply on the basis they are Rangers men of a traditional hue. That is just so wrong.
    =========================================================================
    What amazes me is how the SMSM perceive and treat two different Scottish CAs.

    The first one, with that burgeoning quality of humility, not to mention integrity, walks into a bank in Glasgow, and with his own funds and with barely a fanfare of publicity, pays off a struggling Premiership club’s overdraft, minutes before the bank threatened to pull the plug and file for liquidation. He then proceeded to build a stadium (the club/company was already there!) which is a reflection of his lasting legacy.

    The second one, basking in the limelight of his own massive ego, uses his exalted position of RFC(IL) to defraud genuine creditors, taxpayers in particular.

    The first one is called McCann and is derided by many parties in Scotland

    The second one is called Johnston and is feted by those same parties.

    Please explain why…?


  60. Spiers on Sport: Rangers fans offered an agonising glimpse of prosperity

    http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/opinion/spiers-on-sport-rangers-fans-offered-an-agonising-glimpse-of-prosperity.1420537609

    No wonder people no longer buy newspapers. Possibly Sarver has been ‘coached’ by reading SMSM as I can’t see any difference between its rubbish and the PR moonbeams being generated in the Blue Room.

    I simply don’t know what Galaxy Spiers and his fellow munchers inhabit but I have never been more certain that if the Bears aren’t told the naked, unvarnished truth then Rangers truly is doomed.

    Here are some of Spiers’ offal insights:

    By whatever means – probably via a fresh rights issue – money will at long last be pumped into Rangers.

    But it is a mess soon to be cleared up.

    There is the potential for a bright new dawn for Rangers. And one where money is not short to repair the damage and disrepute done at this broken club

    My heart doesn’t bleed for Rangers. But I do desire a day when this club is strong and fit and ready to compete at the top of Scottish football.

    Spiers reminds me of Charlie and his forlorn wait for The Priest to lead the massed Ibrox Choir and I wonder if Spiers will survive long enough to see the ‘Rightful Place’ being attained.

    I also can’t help but ask Spiers what happened to the tens of millions that have already been pumped into Ibrox recently which has apparently disappeared down the plughole. Does he think the destination of fresh millions will be any different?


  61. John Clark says:
    January 6, 2015 at 1:06 pm

    It takes guys like Charles Green to fasten on an aspect that he could exploit to his personal advantage!
    ================================================
    What many forget is that Green, long before Rangers, was involved in Scottish and Irish businesses.

    This is a piece I did back in December 2012 which refers to Green’s long standing business connections in Ireland:

    http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/charles-greens-irish-business-connection-orange-strips-by-ecojon/


  62. wottpi “Macca seemed very sure of himself and indeed upset and animated about the whole thing.

    Looking on Wiki it says McNeil claims Macca wanted to go south to be with his girlfriend. Macca appears to have said in his autobiogrpahy he was due a signing on fee.”

    I have no doubts whatsoever Macca wanted to move back down to London to be with his girlfriend, who wouldn’t?

    Wanting to be with her led to him being late back for training regularly. In the past he has regaled us with tales of how he used to be late for training often, and how he enlisted the help of a helicopter pilot, Radio Clyde’s Eye In The Sky iirc, to help get him get to training on time.

    If there was a way of bumping a player who was leaving, or had left, the club, out of money they were owed, I certainly wouldn’t put it past out old board to use it, but I think I would be looking for someone with a tad more credibility than Frank McAvennie before I decried anyone.

    I find it strange that Frank is saying, if what he’s saying isn’t t true, then Celtic should take legal action. Who at Celtic Park now, would even give a monkey’s toss whether Frank is telling the truth, or not, never mind go to court over it?

    This happened around twenty five, or so, years ago. A more cynical guy than me might say that if Frank relished legal action so much, the time to take part in it was 1989, when he was, allegedly, being ripped off, and not 2015.

    Did you believe Frank when he said the bag of money police found in his car was to fund a deep sea diving expedition, for sunken treasure?

    Frank was a fantastic player, but as pundit I find him toe curlingly bad, and I’d treat anything he says with a great deal of caution.


  63. John Clark says:
    January 6, 2015 at 1:06 pm

    I was thinking more that he might find it obnoxious rather than something to take advantage of, John. As a Jew he will be aware of how his predecessors were persecuted, and might find it a tad embarrassing to join someone else’s ‘persecutors’.

    Sadly, though, the world is full of people, particularly those who make a god of money, able to turn their mind off to the less savoury features of their business whenever it suits, but if Sarver isn’t one of those, it may well be something that causes him some concern. Possibly not concern enough to shelve his plans, but when added to the rest of the mess he is as yet possibly unaware of…

    His actual knowledge of ‘Rangers’ will, quite likely, be limited by whatever direction he’s been pointed in, though he will undoubtedly carry out a more in depth research should he be allowed into view whatever isn’t already in the public domain. He could start by visiting here; to, at the very least, have an idea of what to look for.


  64. essexbeancounter says:
    January 6, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    While I get the thrust of your post I think we are getting carried away with regard to the Bunnet myth.

    Lets face it the rest of Scottish Football weren’t overly worried about who the Bunnet was and where he came from. Like T’Rangers failing today many fans of other clubs, at that time, would have been happy to Celtic go the same way.

    As has been recorded, amongst Celtic fans there was elements of concern about what McCann was going to bring but he got on with it and won people round with his no nonsense approach.

    The press didn’t like it because he gave them nothing. He just stuck to his plan and saw it through with the result of Celtic being the club it is today.

    While he may have suffered a short period of cack from the SMSM, today my guess is that you would be hard pushed to find anyone, be that journos, club chairmen/officials or fans who did not admire and acknowledge the good he did for his club and how that has been the model of sustainability that most other clubs are now trying to achieve.

    Therefore IMHO the derision ended long time ago.

    I do however agree that when any old soak from Ibrox opens their gob the SMSM laps it up without question. However as said in previous posts that is their modus operandi for they believe that is what sells papers.


  65. Nearer, My God To Thee

    Look at the headlines today: http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Scottish+Championship/Rangers

    Then look at the headlines yesterday: http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Scottish+Championship/Rangers?JavaScript=1&searchheadlines=&search=&Period=1&Page=1

    And consider how little the MSM have needed to engage with the facts stated by RIFC plc itself that they needed an emergency £500k loan yesterday to keep them out of Administration for “the next few days” under threat from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. And that RIFC plc needs a further cash injection to remain out of Administration at the end of the month.

    How convenient that there was a billionaire to talk about – but those unpleasant circumstances have not changed one bit. Who, if anyone, will provide the payday loan this month and again next month until a share issue can be organised – if ever . . And what will be used for security?
    .
    I do hope there is something to prevent us from discussing such vulgar trivialities tomorrow.

    And the band played on . . .


  66. But I do desire a day when this club is strong and fit and ready to compete at the top of Scottish football.

    G Spiers

    Isn’t it funny how that same thought has never occurred to any of the fans of the 40 other diddy clubs in Scotland?

    Come on red army, stand aside, you knows your real place. Graham desireth it.


  67. Nell Doncaster says:
    January 6, 2015 at 12:57 pm
    As Stephen Thompson prepares to send the cheque for Charlie Teller, could the SFA/SPL not divert any of the monies directly to any member clubs due cash from Murray’s folly.
    ———————————————————————————-
    Neil during the Telfer compensation debate didnt the governing body of Scottish Fitba state that if RIFC2012 claimed to be in fact RFC1872 then any monies due to RFC1872 like the Telfer cash would be directed straight the the SPFL to pay the 250k fine imposed by Lord Nimmo for tax evasion ???


  68. Cosmic Truth,

    I believe it was HM Customs at Dover who found the money in McAvennie`s car.

Comments are closed.