From the TSFM Manifesto š
A spectre is haunting Scottish Football ā the spectre of Sporting Integrity. All the powers of the old firms have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this spectre: Billy and Dan, Blazer and Cassock, Record and Sun, Balance Sheet and P&L.
Where is the football fan in opposition to these that has not been decried as a “sporting integrity bampot” by his opponents in power?Two things result from this fact:
I. Sporting Integrity is already widely acknowledged to be itself a power for good.
II. It is high time that Lovers of Sport should openly, in the face of the whole world, publish their views, their aims, and meet this nursery tale of the Spectre of Sporting Integrity with a manifesto of fair play.
To this end, Lovers of Sport of various partisanship have assembled on TSFM and sketched their manifesto, to be published on tsfm.scot.
Those who love sport though are challenged not just by the taunts of the monosyllabic automatons in the MSM, but by the owners of our football clubs who have displayed an almost total disregard to our wish to have a fair competition played out in the spirit of friendly rivalry. In fact the clubs, who speak those fine words, are not nearly as outraged as we are by the damage done to the integrity of the sport in the past few years .
In fact the term Sporting Integrity has become, since the latter stages of the Rangers era, a term ofĀ abuse; a mocking soubriquet attached to those who want sport to be just that – sport.
Sporting integrity now lives in the same media pigeon-hole as words like Islam, left-wing, militant, Muslim – and a host of others; words which are threats to the established order now set up as in-jokes, in order to reduce the effectiveness of the idea.
In fact, a new terminology has evolved in the reporting of football by both club officials and The Succulent Lamb Chapel alike;
“.. Sporting Integrity but …”.
For example
“We all want sporting integrity, but finance is more important”
Says who exactly?
Stated in such a matter of fact way that the obvious question is headed off at the pass, it is sometimes difficult to re-frame the discussion – perhaps because crayon is so hard to erase?
This is the backdrop to The Scottish Football Monitor and the world in which we live. Often the levels of scrutiny employed by our contributors are far in excess of any scrutiny employed by the MSM. Indeed our ideas and theories are regularly plagiarised by those very same lazy journalists who lurk here, and cherry-pick material to suit their own agendas; regularly claiming exclusives for stories that TSFM and RTC before us had placed in the public domain weeks earlier.
This was going to lead into a discourse about the love of money versus the love of sport – of how the sacred cows of acquisitiveness, gate- retention and turnstile spinning is far more important to the heads of our football clubs (the Billys, Dans and Blazers of the intro) than maintaining the traditions of our sport.
However events of Friday 14th November have given me cause to leave that for another day. The biggest squirrel of all in this sorry saga has always been the sleight of hand employed instil a siege mentality in the Rangers fans. The press have time and again assisted people (with no love of football in general or Rangers in particular) to enrich themselves – legally or otherwise – and feed on the loyalty of Rangers fans.
A matter for Rangers fans may also be the identity of some of those who had their trust, butĀ who also assisted the Whytes and Greens by their public statements of support.
Our contention has been that rules have been bent twisted or broken to accommodate those people, the real enemies of the Rangers fans – and fans everywhere.
Through our collective research and group-analysis of events, we have also wondered out loud about the legality of many aspects of the operating style of some of the main playersĀ in the affair. That suspicion has been shared most notably by Mark Daly and Alex Thompson, but crucially now appears to be shared by Law Enforcement.
I confess I am fed up with the self-styled “bampot” epithet. For the avoidance of doubt, the “bampots” in this affair are those who have greater resources than us, and access to the truth, but who have lacked either the will orĀ theĀ courage or the imagination to follow it through.
We are anything but bampots. Rather, weĀ have demonstrated that the wisdom of the crowd is more effective by far than any remnants of wisdom in the press.
I have no doubt that the police investigation into this matter is proceeding in spite of great opposition in the MSM and the Scottish Football Authorities – all of whom conspired to expose Rangers to the custodianship of those for whom football is a foreign language.
I have no doubt that the constant exposition of wrong-doing on this blog, in particular the questions we have constantly raised, and anomalies we have pointed out, has assisted and enabled the law enforcement agencies in this process.
If we are to be consistent in this, our enabling of the authorities, we MUST show restraint at all times as this process is followed through. People who are charged with a crime deserve to be given a fair trial in the absence of rumour or innuendo. We must also, if we are to continue as the spectre which haunts the avaricious – and the real bampots – be seen to be better than they, and give them no cause to accuse us of irresponsibility.
This affair has now evolved way beyond one club gaining unfair advantage over others. For all the understandable Schadenfreude of many among us, the real enemy is not Rangers, it is about those who enabled and continue to enable the farce at Ibrox.
This is now about systematic cheating at the heart of the Scottish game (in the name of cash and in spite of lip service to sporting integrity), and how the greed of a bunch of ethically challenged officials allowed another group of ethically challenged businessmenĀ free rein to enrich themselves at the expense of the fans.
Whether laws were broken or not, theĀ players at Rangers have come and gone and are variables, but the malignant constant at the SFA and SPFL are still there. Last night, even after the news that four men had been arrested in connection with the takeover at Ibrox in 2011, they were gathered together at Celtic Park with their Irish counterparts, tucking into succulent lamb (perhaps) and fine wines, doing someĀ back slapping, makingĀ jokes about the vulgarities of their fans, bragging about the ST money they have banked.
The revolution won’t be over until they are gone, and if they remain, it is Scottish Football that will be over.
crawford says:
December 1, 2014 at 11:39 am
“Who are Van der Graaf Generator? Ask your dad”
The first time I saw a Van de Graaff generator, was when my first year class were shown round our brand new “white heat of technology” secondary school in 1963.
This contraption was sitting on a desk in the new science lab, and after a chorus of “whits that teacher” we received a demonstration of man made lightning.
The second time was at the Glasgow science centre, where I walked up to it, put my hand on the sphere and my grandsons’ face went white as a sheet when my hair stood on end. šæ
There was a progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator? around late 60s why does (King Crimson In the Court of the crimson king) come to mind as well?
See, a few minutes on TSFM and I am 50 years back in the past! Now I need to consult Google to refresh my memory. š³
ecobhoy says:
December 1, 2014 at 12:12 pm
“However if I was facing prosecution involving various charges arising from my taking control of a business then ā depending on the circumstances ā I might believe it could be helpful to my defence to establish the state of the business before my involvement”
—————————————————————-
Mr Whyte seems to put this defence in the public domain on 17th Oct 2012, in his BBC Newsnight Interview. Inter alia he is asked about SDM saying he was duped. He replies that he was not duped and then says:-
“If you look at the sales agreement you will see that it goes into great detail about insolvency events about a new company and what would happen if a new company was set up”
This is in fact what IS laid out in the sale agreement see my post, woodstein says: November 29, 2014 at 4:28 pm which I found odd.
Also Castofthousands says:November 29, 2014 at 11:25 pm.
I see that the English Football League has re-disqualified Massimo Cellino.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30276764
Are you watching Regan?
Allyjambo says:
November 30, 2014 at 3:16 pm
jimlarkin says:
November 30, 2014 at 2:09 pm
My point wasnāt to make out Ticketus to be somewhat innocent, just that they, apart from HMRC, lost out most money and were directly involved through Whyte (and perhaps others at Ibrox). It could be argued that it was their own fault they lost so much money, but, in reality, RFC werenāt defrauded because the club was paid for and itās debt cleared (to the bank). If Whyte had walked away with the Ā£20m, or a part of it, leaving RFC still owing the bank, then he would have defrauded the club.
Of course, that is very much a simplification and I suspect
Anyway, whatever his plans, or his actions, Rangers got their Ā£20m and Whyte took the basket case and, though he may have made it a bigger basket case, kept it going for a bit longer than might otherwise have been the case if heād kept it as a small basket case šÆ .
There is the other side of it where charges possibly involve the administration episode and he could well be involved in wrongdoings there. It will depend on whether or not it was a part of the ālong gameā from before Whyte took over, just how much any establishment figures might be involved in this part of the case.
As weāve seen with the LNS enquiry (I know itās not a ālegalā case) what is uncovered very much depends on what charges are brought and how they are framed. If the police and prosecution are only after those in the dock (currently) then we may see fairly quick proceedings with everyone happy to do deals and get a āresultā. I think it will only be if they are after larger fry that any trial might go āall the wayā. That larger fry might well join them in the dock if, once presented with the defence evidence, the police decide they have enough to go after them with.
========================================
Hope this link is ok to post as it is publicly available –
http://www.scribd.com/doc/136013092/Ticketus-v-Whyte-Judgment-HC12F03282
I just noted the first sentence “1. Theses proceedings relate indirectly to the takeover of the Rangers Football Club Plc (āRangersā) on 6th May 2011. Rangers went into administration on 14th February 2012 and is now in liquidation.”
That’s that settled then š
McCoist said: āIāve spoken to Derek [Llambias] a few times and heās positive and keen to help.
āHeās still very hopeful that we can get promoted. He just said to continue doing my job, go and look at players and then weāll have discussions.
āIāve been for a look at some of Newcastleās young players already.
āI cover as many games as I can. Weāre looking all over the place.
āWe havenāt discussed budgets yet, things like āYou have X amount to spendā or āYou need to get rid of himā.
āThat will be further down the line.ā…
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-boss-mccoist-eyes-up-4721947
============================================
Getting confused again !
I thought Llambias’ initial remit was to ‘have a look under the hood’ and give Ashley feedback.
Llambias was initially a consultant, then became a NED.
Yet, going by the above quote, Llambias seems to have taken on an operational role, and making decisions.
Does this mean that Ashley has already decided to stay with TRFC, and will put in more funds ?
ā
The AGM will be interesting, with the board consisting of:
1 Executive Chairman
0 CEO
0 CFO
0 Executive Directors
3 Non-Executive Directors
Not exactly the A Team to deal with the mounting crisis. Will anyone be saying “I love it when a plan comes together” – probably not – unless of course Mike makes a cameo appearance as Father Christmas.
RIFC shares
Strange – after seeing such deals done, like 08.00hrs, people getting up to buy or sell quantities of less than 50
(even as low as 1) and on Friday there was only one trade (sell) all day, then today – Zilch !
Is this because of the change of noMAD ??
“if youāre not at the heart of the prosection or defence teams in any court case itās difficult to predict their strategies which they deliberately keep under wraps to keep the other side wrong-footed.”
While this is a well-worn staple of TV drama it is fact almost never the case. The prosecution and defence are generally not allowed to surprise each other, both have to discuss in pre-trial what evidence they are going to introduce and judges get rather annoyed about any last minute changes to either side’s case without a compelling reason.
In one recent high profile trial I covered the prosecution got some new and compelling evidence while the case was being heard. The learned judge would not allow in to be brought into evidence ruling that it could have been discovered earlier. Which was good news for one well known flame-haired defendant.
ecobhoy 9:56 am
Hope I don’t sound too pedantic, but Kilmarnock did not support Rangers (sic) in the vote. The distinctions are quite important IMHO.
Rangers supported Sevco (quite literally), Kilmarnock abstained and the other 10 clubs voted against Sevco being allowed direct admission to the SPL, giving an overall vote of 10-1-1. Rangers voting on Sevco is another of the conveniently forgotten/ignored facts that make a nonsense of the ‘same club’ claims.
ecobhoy says:
December 1, 2014 at 11:09 am
——————————
The prescience of the late Hugh Adam never ceases to astound. It strikes me every time I read that piece by the inestimable Glenn Gibbons. Okay, Adam had the inside track and the best vantage point to see clearly how much of a spoofer and blowhard David Murray is, but to state in 2002 so unequivocally that the shares of Rangers 1972 were going to become worthless ten years before it happened is remarkable.
Of course, as is their wont, the bears didn’t heed his warning, instead maligning him as a renegade rather than as a prophet of doom should they not change their ways. They did the same after Mark Daly’s BBC documentary about Craig Whyte. Can that really still be the reason Silly Sally refuses to talk to the BBC? Oh my aching sides!
The foul obit that the Herald published about Hugh Adam by a “Rangers historian” whose name I wouldn’t demean myself to write is still a low point in this ugly saga.
Torquemada says:
December 1, 2014 at 5:07 pm
The foul obit that the Herald published about Hugh Adam by a āRangers historianā whose name I wouldnāt demean myself to write is still a low point in this ugly saga.
___________________________________________________
I totally agree with this statement Torquemada. It was an utterly shameful and dishonourable piece.
James Doleman says:
December 1, 2014 at 4:53 pm
āif youāre not at the heart of the prosection or defence teams in any court case itās difficult to predict their strategies which they deliberately keep under wraps to keep the other side wrong-footed.ā
While this is a well-worn staple of TV drama it is fact almost never the case. The prosecution and defence are generally not allowed to surprise each other, both have to discuss in pre-trial what evidence they are going to introduce and judges get rather annoyed about any last minute changes to either sideās case without a compelling reason.
In one recent high profile trial I covered the prosecution got some new and compelling evidence while the case was being heard. The learned judge would not allow in to be brought into evidence ruling that it could have been discovered earlier. Which was good news for one well known flame-haired defendant.
========================================
http://www.thedrum.com/news/2014/04/09/drums-phone-hacking-trial-blogger-james-doleman-named-top-50-reporters-social-media
š”
AmFearLiathMĆ²r says:
December 1, 2014 at 12:55 pm (Edit)
19 0 Rate This
I did Maths (yes, thatās an āsā on the end, my American aping friends!) and Computing Science at Uni. Donāt remember many couplets, but I do recall one of our lecturers telling a joke about an airliner where the pilots fall ill, and the stewards make a desperate plea for a pilot to come forward from the passengers. A Warsaw resident steps forward, although he warns that heās only really flown single seaters. He looks at the myriad of dials and controls in the flight deck, and declares that thereās nothing he can do, as āIām just a simple Pole in a complex plane.ā Seriously, if you were a mathematician, youād be wetting yourself at that. Or maybe notā¦.
)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sounds like an Adam McBride-ism to me š
I note Ally is perhaps eyeing up young Newcastle Talent and getting them in on a loan deal.
While Rangers are not alone in this is it not just sheer madness that clubs have players on their books who (mainly youngsters) are put out on loan and then the squad is then replenished by taking in players on loan from other clubs.
Is it not time this merry-go-round was sorted out so that clubs had to live and die by their poor signing decisions and lack of youth development.
If Ally is down looking at Newcastle players , then presumably Mike Ashley has sorted out his cross ownership issues with the SFA
Big Pink says:
December 1, 2014 at 5:29 pm
Regarding the intersection poetry and maths/science, the great Tom Lehrer had something to say. I also think this song explains the Sevco accounting system as well as anything I’ve seen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIKGV2cTgqA
Auldheid
Re the Supporters’ Direct governance issue. As you know, the SPFL/SFA pretty much dictate what goes on there and they pretty much shut down the previous leadership of Supporters’ Direct, basically by withdrawal of the old patronage chestnut – something that is used remorselessly by clubs to drive a wedge between fans.
The SFA claim of Supporters’ Direct conflict of interest must go down as irony of the year IMO, however the bigger point is that as a Quango, Supporters’ Direct is under a lot of pressure to tow the line. A healthy dose of independence would be a plus I think.
wottpi says:
December 1, 2014 at 5:57 pm
I note Ally is perhaps eyeing up young Newcastle Talent and getting them in on a loan deal.
While Rangers are not alone in this is it not just sheer madness that clubs have players on their books who (mainly youngsters) are put out on loan and then the squad is then replenished by taking in players on loan from other clubs.
Is it not time this merry-go-round was sorted out so that clubs had to live and die by their poor signing decisions and lack of youth development.
—————–
Two questions
1. Who else in Scotland is doing this?
2. Have TRFC actually done this yet? Because as far as I can see, although they’ve loaned out a lot of players who could have got them through the lower divisions while gaining useful first team experience, they replaced them with permanent signings, which (aside from transfer embargoes and trialist rules) they’re perfectly entitled to do.
I always get my SDs mixed up TSFM. I have sorted it out though, Supporters Direct not Sports Direct š
neepheid says:
December 1, 2014 at 11:38 am
Only three weeks until the AGM of RIFC. The Board are proposing a share offer to raise the Ā£8m required to get them through to the end of the season. Ashley wouldnāt take part in the last offer, so I wonder what heāll do this time around? Will he even vote for the AGM resolution to disapply pre-emption rights? I donāt see why he would.
It seems to me that he is exercising a lot of control as things stand by the drip feed method of financing. The issue of a load of new shares can only weaken his position, especially since he is restricted to a 10% holding.
The question is whether Ashley has enough shareholder allies to block the motion to disapply pre-emption. I believe the motion requires 75% to vote in favour.
But even if the motion passes, how much appetite would there be for another issue of shares in RIFC? Not a lot, would be my guess. In which case the Ashley life support drip continues, for as long as it suits Ashley.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Before Ashley loaned Ā£2m (now Ā£3m) the Spivs had only one aim
Dis- apply exemption rights
Increase the share capital by enough to reduce the value of minority holders by at least 35%
Award freebie shares to themselves thus raising their % ownership of the assets by at least 25%to 30%
This move clears the decks for a Prepack Administration/Liquidation in which the Spivs shareholding is translated into ownership of the assets
I can`t see any other game plan that would bring a higher return to the Spivs so itās got to be their goal
Ashley forged a temporary alliance with other holders to get 51% ownership and secure Board appointees
However
As soon as a dis – application resolution is passed Ashley has outlived his usefulness to the Spivs His 51% control evaporates if and when the Easedales bloc switch sides
People seem to forget
It takes a 75% resolution to dis-apply pre-emption rights and increase the share capital
But
It only takes a 51% majority to award freebie shares
I wouldnāt be a bit surprised if the real fun starts shortly after the AGM
Something like
The Ashley appointees are fired from the Board
The freebie shares get issued to the Spivs in exchange for phoney (but legal) debt
Prepack Administration/Liquidation follows swiftly afterwards
The SFA claim of Supportersā Direct conflict of interest must go down as irony of the year IMO, however the bigger point is that as a Quango, Supportersā Direct is under a lot of pressure to tow the line. A healthy dose of independence would be a plus I think.
==========================================================================
Does this mean that they were involved in a tug-of-war with the ‘Authorities’?
I’ll say this for you goose. You ‘re certainly consistent!
Jake Cantona says:
December 1, 2014 at 6:45 pm
1) From the premiership – Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Motherwell, St Johnstone, Partick Thistle, from a quick wiki looking at teams who have at least one players out on loan but also have at least one player in on loan.
2) Correct they have not done it yet but when Scott Gallagher the goalkeeper was at the club McCoist wanted to get in Bell, keep Alexander with the idea of possibly loaning out Gallagher to a team in the higher division so he could gain 1st team experience. As you say permanent signings but bonkers logic. The same logic will be applied if there is a sniff at getting Newcastle youngsters.
I was on the taxi run earlier so caught some of sportsound. Richard Wilson and (I think) a Lamont?
OC/NC needs no further airing here but a couple of relevant snippets I thought.
First up Alan Johnston lamenting his players lack of application in the cup. Terms like “overwhelmed” and not dealing with the fact ” it was rangers being thrown about with usual pomp.”
Now firstly it’s not Johnstones job to point out it’s not rangers but then no-one else seems prepared to be doing it either. It is however his job to make sure that they realised they were facing an ageing Daly, Miller and McCullough, not Gough and laudrup et al.
Next up was our old friend Richard W in full flow. Goldfish bowl, higher responsibility, no where to hide in a historically dominant club used to winning as is the old firm case he so vehemently believes in.
Now I’m sure he was going to go onto say unless of course one side cheats to give them that dominance (and the flip side of the PL 10m comment is that the other side benefitted, whether deliberately or not btw) but “slips up administratively” leading to an inescapable liquidation, that in fact they can hide behind a compliant media pretending that liquidation never happened. I’m sure that was what he was going to say, but time pressures meant they had to move on.
wottpi says:
December 1, 2014 at 7:33 pm
1) From the premiership ā Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Motherwell, St Johnstone, Partick Thistle, from a quick wiki looking at teams who have at least one players out on loan but also have at least one player in on loan.
2) Correct they have not done it yet but when Scott Gallagher the goalkeeper was at the club McCoist wanted to get in Bell, keep Alexander with the idea of possibly loaning out Gallagher to a team in the higher division so he could gain 1st team experience. As you say permanent signings but bonkers logic. The same logic will be applied if there is a sniff at getting Newcastle youngsters.
——————–
Ah, ok. Sorry, I got the impression there was a wholesale carousel of players. One or two in and out could be accounted for by any number of things, e.g. needing injury cover, and it doesn’t seem an unreasonable use of the loan system. Are you suggesting there shouldn’t be a loan system?
And I did have the goalkeeping situation at Ibrox in mind because that was absolutely mad – and they signed Simonsen as well.
Wottpi says:
December 1, 2014 at 5:57 pm
I note Ally is perhaps eyeing up young Newcastle Talent and getting them in on a loan deal.
While Rangers are not alone in this is it not just sheer madness that clubs have players on their books who (mainly youngsters) are put out on loan and then the squad is then replenished by taking in players on loan from other clubs.
Is it not time this merry-go-round was sorted out so that clubs had to live and die by their poor signing decisions and lack of youth development.
===============================
Easier said than done without resorting to loan deals.
Dundee United have, I’m sure we’d all agree, a half decent record in bringing through young players.
However young talent needs time to mature and its difficult to always “produce” first team ready talent for a given position at a specific time – injuries can also be a factor.
Hence United have
a)picked up emerging talent from other clubs
and (more pertinentily)
b) used loan deals to fill gaps e.g. Conor Newton from Hull to replace Andy Robertson this season and Curtis Good from Newcastle to provide defensive cover last season (in part due to loss from by a young player, John Souttar).
Smugas says:
December 1, 2014 at 7:37 pm
=============================
I turned Sportsound off. You have already covered some of the reasons why, but the loaded questions from the host Kenny McIntyre towards Richard Wilson, and Wilson’s subsequent replies, ensured the output was what both of them ultimately wanted. The BBC need to be more impartial than this, they really do.
wottpi says:
December 1, 2014 at 11:13 am
9
0
Rate This
easyJambo says:
December 1, 2014 at 11:04 am
1 0 Rate This
Danish Pastry says: December 1, 2014 at 11:00 am
Humour is not dead, unlike ā¦ š®
======================
Yup. Green Whyte and now Irelandā¦..whatever next? š®
The Sons of Struth will be planning their next boycott amid claims of their traditions being eroded once more.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I note the new Nomad was established in 1872.
Good or bad omen??????
Probably bad as like the died club they claim 140 years of history when it is now getting close to 143 or is that 3 š
==================================
My attention was drawn today to the long post of May 2012 on CQN
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=9322&cpage=1#comment-1440382
I have little experience of share dealings or company devices for camouflage purposes but perhaps those with that kind of bent (nothing nefarious implied :)) might want to have a read and comment. (subject to care re current legal cases)
I must have missed it, but has there been any confirmation that W H Ireland has in fact been appointed as NOMAD to RIFC plc?
I’ve gone blind ( and into all kinds of interesting blind alleys) trying to find anything from WH Ireland about their appointment.
The thing everyone needs to remember with the McCoist..Newcastle loan player scenario…
McCoist has not looked at any other club over the last 3 seasons for loan deals and their current cash destruction…would suggest it’s not rocket science to believe they are only getting loan players from Newcastle on favourable or VERY VERY FAVOURABLE TERMS…which no other team has access to..
Cheating by any other name!
jockybhoy says:
December 1, 2014 at 12:09 pm
I have that Hugh Adam interview and a follow up interview (2009) in my bookmarks I was referring to them so oftenā¦
http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/interview-hugh-adam-seven-years-after-sounding-a-dire-warning-over-rangers-future-1.928796
———————————————————–
Brings back memories of when Darryl Broadfoot had something useful to say.
upthehoops says:
December 1, 2014 at 7:04 am
The SFA will never gain anyoneās trust in its current form. As long as Regan and Ogilvie continue to darken the corridors the stench of conspiracy will surround everything we see, and everything they say and do surrounding the club from Ibrox.
———————————————————–
Why is Petrie never included with Regan & Ogilvie?
He is equally, if not more, complicit in this Unholy Trinity.
Paulmac2 says:
December 1, 2014 at 9:27 pm
3 0 Rate This
The thing everyone needs to remember with the McCoist..Newcastle loan player scenarioā¦
McCoist has not looked at any other club over the last 3 seasons for loan deals and their current cash destructionā¦would suggest itās not rocket science to believe they are only getting loan players from Newcastle on favourable or VERY VERY FAVOURABLE TERMSā¦which no other team has access to..
Cheating by any other name!
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Not so sure
Maybe its the reverse
Assume Ashley owns 100% of NUFC and 10% of TRFC
Suppose an NUFC player on say Ā£10k/week is loaned out with TRFC paying all the wages
Accounting wise
Ashley saves Ā£9k/week for the duration of the loan since he offloads Ā£10k at NUFC and pays Ā£1k at TRFC
Better Still
Ashley transfers the player permanently from NUFC to TRFC and gives him a Ā£5k rise to Ā£15k/week to persuade him to go
TRFC go bust after a month the player becomes a free agent, Ashley saves the balance of wages on his NUFC contract
,,,,,,,,,,,,,
What a wheeze
All you need to do if you want shot of a bundle of duds
Is
Buy into a small club, transfer your duds ( with a handsome pay rise )
and liquidate it a few months later
Paulmac2 says:
December 1, 2014 at 9:27 pm
The thing everyone needs to remember with the McCoist..Newcastle loan player scenarioā¦
McCoist has not looked at any other club over the last 3 seasons for loan deals and their current cash destructionā¦would suggest itās not rocket science to believe they are only getting loan players from Newcastle on favourable or VERY VERY FAVOURABLE TERMSā¦which no other team has access to..
Cheating by any other name!
============================
Might be worthwhile waiting until they get some loan players before accusing them of cheating ā
Just because (IIRC) one “report” in the MSM has been picked up on don’t make it true…
Also I doubt that any Scottish club getting a loan player from an English club has paid anything other than a very small percentage of their salary…cheating as well ā ā ā
A big thanks to those folks who are subscribing to the blog for regular contributions. Your assistance is very much appreciated – although to my shame under-acknowledged.
We are of course grateful for all contributions, but the drip-drip of subscribers is our bread and butter.
Thanks once again.
Just a thought.
If I was Ann Budge or Petrie say,If TRFC punted their players they couldn’t afford in the 1st place,then brought in loans from a conflicted shareholder,then I’d be threatening the SFA/SPFL with all sorts of legal action.The blatant influence of Ashley would be staring you in the face.
If this is allowed it only proves that firstly,our governing body will continue to bend or break any rule,no matter the damage caused to our games or other clubs,but secondly,no matter the damage done to the other clubs,not one of them will challenge this injustice.
They will accept anything,even though long term it will cost their club as integrity goes out the window,rather than speak up against TRFC and RC Ogilvie etc.
This is what I don’t get.
No one,no matter what it costs their club,is willing to speak out.Turnbull Hutton called them corrupt. CFC through Lawwell are on record as saying integrity must come First.Stephen Thompson has fought D.Utds corner.Apart from these I cannot recall(and I may be wrong) anyone else involved in Scotland’s 42 senior clubs ever raising a complaint.
There’s the problem.
Big Pink says:
December 1, 2014 at 5:29 pm
AmFearLiathMĆ²r says:
December 1, 2014 at 12:55 pm (Edit)
āIām just a simple Pole in a complex plane.ā
Reverse Polish notation (RPN) is a mathematical notation (The description “Polish” refers to the nationality of logician Jan Åukasiewicz) he wasn’t simple. š
One of the better known programming languages using RPN is FORTH.
The Forth programming language was invented by Charles Moore for control of telescopes in observatories using small computers like Mount Palomar IIRC.
Elicon Inc of Brea, California, is using FORTH software to drive the same kind of computer-controlled cameras that were used to film the sophisticated space-battle scenes in Star Wars.
A very poetic language, it was to be called Fourth as in 4th but the machines it started out on could only handle up to 5 character names, so forth it was.
Note to self. I must stop boring TSFM posters. š³
OK done.
Hence, “May the Forth be with you”?
I’ll get my cloaking device.
Boycott nr. 94. Much tittering on twitter about MA taking Ā£9.25 of every Ā£10 spent by fans on merchandise.
http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/30284514?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
torrejohnbhoy(@johnbhoy1958) says:
December 1, 2014 at 11:04 pm
‘…Thereās the problem..’
——
And it is a puzzlement.
It is extraordinary that an association of small/ small-to-middling businessmen appear
a)to have been content to keep their heads down while their elected Boards perpetrated a monumental offence against what their businesses are actually engaged in [ namely and ironically,”Sport” and the furtherance of the Sporting Ideal]by bringing into existence ,by lies and deceit, a new ‘member’of their association
and
b)appear still to be content to keep their heads down and mouths shut when that new member has done nothing but bring shame and mockery upon their Association as any kind of ‘regulatory’ Sporting Body.
I feel my lip curling in contempt that so many business men should be so afraid to speak up and slap their Executives into place and force them to deal properly and openly with the Directors of RIFC plc, instead of bending every effort to accommodate them at any price.
It cannot be that the majority of club owners/directors are less aware than we on this and other blogs are, can it?
Are they so afraid, even to seek clarification? To ask to see the full details of the 5-way agreement? To query why the bully-boy Yorkshire horse manure tyke was deferred to so readily?
What fear has them in its grip, that none ( with one or two honourable exceptions) will openly ask the questions we ask?
Auldheid says:
December 1, 2014 at 8:47 pm
‘..My attention was drawn today to the long post of May 2012 on CQN’
————–
An my eye was drawn to the last few sentences in that CQN post:
” Many are said to be unhappy with the arrangement as some Pritchard brokers were also transferred over to WH Ireland…”
And my eye fell on it because in trying to explore WH Ireland, I noticed that the then FSA was asking some questions of WH Ireland and the activities of one of their people who had quietly but quickly disappeared.
It would be interesting, if not surprising, to discover whether the disappearing individual had been one of those former Pritchard brokers.
torrejohnbhoy(@johnbhoy1958) says:
December 1, 2014 at 11:04 pm
That’s quite a few leaps of conjecture there TJ. You might as well tell us how it all turns out š
Except none of these people have raised a complaint – aside from Turnbull Hutton. Neither Peter Lawwell nor Stephen Thomson have uttered anything apart from platitudes and the odd snide remark at press conferences.
For all the talk of sporting integrity, they were still enraged at having to lose Rangers from the SPL – and attempted to coerce the D1 clubs into accepting them. And that was the reason for Turnbull Hutton’s complaint outside Hampden.
The real problem is that they are all guilty of failing to maintain sporting integrity. Say one thing – do the other. They care hee-haw for sporting integrity.
James Doleman says:
December 1, 2014 at 4:53 pm
āIf youāre not at the heart of the prosection or defence teams in any court case itās difficult to predict their strategies which they deliberately keep under wraps to keep the other side wrong-footed.ā
While this is a well-worn staple of TV drama it is fact almost never the case. The prosecution and defence are generally not allowed to surprise each other, both have to discuss in pre-trial what evidence they are going to introduce and judges get rather annoyed about any last minute changes to either sideās case without a compelling reason.
===============================================================
Your first paragraph comes from a longer post of mine (undernoted) in response to another poster. Unfortunately posting the paragraph in isolation has had the effect of skewing its actual meaning beyond recognition which I’m sure was accidental.
You appear to have formed the conclusion that I was talking about deliberate illegal non-disclosure or pulling some kind of last-minute stunt in a court room.
If you examine the posts objectively it’s quite clear that I was responding to easyJambo’s question about whether DM would be questioned on a couple of specific points.
I indicated I didn’t know the answers as I have no access to the strategies which will be employed by either the defence or prosecution nor indeed who will actually be witnesses at any trial which might take place.
I also have no idea what evidence is held by the Crown or Defence which will no doubt increase exponentially as the weeks and months progress.
You might find the following links helpful:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/06/10093251/0
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/09/11092728/0
Sky sports news waxing lyrical about Spartans and their achievements on and off the park š
Especially their community programs
A more than deserving club waiting to take the place of the basket case playing in blue at ibrox
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/108463-in-full-document-sent-to-sfl-clubs-to-put-rangers-into-the-first-division/
This was posted on Twitter. It is a link to the STV website posting the full transcript of Regan’s e-mail to try and force the new Rangers into the then first division. It will not be the first time most of you have read it, but it is a timely reminder of where we were, and presumably still are, given the SFA hierarchy remains unchanged. Early in the document it states ‘Unless behaviour changes, nothing changes’. At least that part has been proven to be correct.
Looking at the monies paid to various parties for RIFC kit sales
For every Ā£10.00 spent on a replica kit:
Sports Direct receives Ā£9.75
RIFC receives Ā£0.25
Owner of the intellectual property i.e. crest receives x
I wonder if those monies i.e. x are paid from SD to that third party or is payment made via RIFC?
tcup 2012 says:
December 2, 2014 at 6:44 am
23 0 Rate This
Sky sports news waxing lyrical about Spartans and their achievements on and off the park š
Especially their community programs
A more than deserving club waiting to take the place of the basket case playing in blue at ibrox
———————————————————-
I have to point out that they have lost out in the vote to join the leagues in the past. It appears they are as popular as the Deid club once was.
I have mentioned on here before that Spartans are not entirely squeaky clean and lovable.
When hosting StMirren in a cup match about 10 -15 years ago, they saw Saints team lists, waited till the game started and protested about a genuinely innocent mistake made by St Mirren.
A protest that went directly against the footballing spirit of the rule it invoked.
Instead of Saints having the their bench packed with youngsters who would never sniff the grass….
The youngsters were all playing.
Saints were fined Ā£20,000 – this not long after upgrading Love Street to comply with SPL rules and installing mandatory under soil heating.
A dear, dear fine – thanks to “lovely” Spartans.
Not EveryBuddie with a love for Scottish fitba thinks that shower would grace the Senior ranks.
Who are those people? I think we should be told.
fishnish says:
December 2, 2014 at 8:58 am
That’s right fishnish. And weren’t the Spartans involved in that dirty horse trick the Greeks played on the Trojans!
upthehoops says:
December 2, 2014 at 6:59 am
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/108463-in-full-document-sent-to-sfl-clubs-to-put-rangers-into-the-first-division/
This was posted on Twitter. It is a link to the STV website posting the full transcript of Reganās e-mail to try and force the new Rangers into the then first division. It will not be the first time most of you have read it, but it is a timely reminder of where we were, and presumably still are, given the SFA hierarchy remains unchanged. Early in the document it states āUnless behaviour changes, nothing changesā. At least that part has been proven to be correct.
———————————————————-
A very timely reminder which sparked the memory of the e-mail below which was sent a couple of days earlier to the cabal that ran Scottish Football then. Of particular note is Action J as Petrie gets the REAL job to do.
Apologies to those who know it well but I do not have a hyperlink only the hard copy.
23 June 2012
Dear all,
Many thanks for your contribution and support over the last two weeks in trying to deliver a programme of change that will move Scottish football forward whilst addressing the need to deal with the Rangers matter with integrity and in line with our own values as an organisation.
I was hugely encouraged with where we got to last night on a long and tiring phone call and I thank all of you for your efforts to move this issue forward.
I thought it would be helpful if I summarised where I think we are:
1. The Rangers Football Club will be relegated to the 1st Division of the SFL with immediate effect and will be replaced in the SPL by Dundee FC.
2. The television rights for Rangers FC matches in the SFL will be purchased by the SPL for the sum of ĆĀ£1m as a one-off fee for the season 2012/2013.
3. The two leagues will merge into a single league body – The Scottish Professional Football League – effective season 2013/14 – with a working party set up immediately involving representatives from the SPL, SFL and (if required) the Scottish FA to plan the integration of the two bodies – people, rules, rebranding, commercial considerations and so on.
4. A new Board of Directors will be appointed to govern the single league. The make up of this Board will consist of an Independent Chairman, CEO, 3 representatives from the Premier League, 2 representatives from the Championship/Leagues 1 & 2 and 2 Independent Non-Executive Directors.
5. Play-offs will be introduced immediately with the first matches taking place at the end of the coming season 2012/2013.
6. Enhanced parachute payments will be implemented from the end of the season 2012/2013 to soften the landing for club(s) relegated from the Premier League.
7. A revised all-through distribution model will be put in place to provide: a) An all-through distribution model for clubs 1-22 and a minimum guarantee for 20 clubs in Leagues 1 & 2, equivalent to what they would earn under the current settlement agreement.
8. A Pyramid System will be put in place which open up the bottom of League 2 effective from the end of season 2013/2014 with the first opportunity for promoted clubs to enter the league being 2014/15 thus allowing for licensing to take place.
9. Consolidation below the Third Division to take place to create a Lowland & Highland League structure effective 2014/15 with appropriate play-offs and promotion/relegation to be put in place. Clubs to be briefed that the previous season 2013/2014 will involve the opportunity to enter play-offs for the first time.
In terms of actions/timings I think the following needs to happen in this coming week:
A) A joint statement today from all 3 bodies confirming that productive discussions have taken place on a new blueprint for Scottish football. Consultation will continue over the next two weeks with a view to clubs getting together week commencing 2nd July to try and agree the way forward. (D Broadfoot to provide this and circulate to DL/ND for approval)
B) Rod P / Jim B to finalise the all-through financial model by Wednesday this week latest.
C) Neil / David to finalise the detail on Governance, Commercials and Play-Offs (ideally Monday/Tuesday) and incorporate these, plus the financials in B) above into a legally binding Heads of Terms ‘draft’ for presentation to each league body w/c 2nd July.
D) DL to organise SFL Board Meeting w/c 25th June to gain buy-in to the plan and also arrange an all club meeting w/c 2nd July
E) ND to gain support from SPL Clubs 28th June
F) SFL Clubs Meeting to be planned for 3rd July
G) SPL Club Meeting to be planned for 4th July
H) Scottish FA Board to sign off on the final plan post 4th July. Subject to approval all bodies (including Newco) to sign legal documentation.
I) Agree joint communication strategy
J) In parallel to A-D above, could Rod Petrie please brief Charles Green confidentially on the discussions from a Scottish FA perspective so that there are ‘no surprises’ and there is a general acceptance of the plan plus all of the other conditions discussed e.g. transfer embargo, fines, repayment of football debt, waiving rights to legal challenge, acceptance of relegation and so on.
K) Andrew to ensure our check list of disclosures relating to Newco and Fit & Proper Person criteria are delivered by 2nd july. The Board will need these plus the Heads of Terms above in order to complete this plan.
The Scottish FA Board have agreed to provide a one-off restructuring budget of Ā£1m on condition the above plan is delivered.
I hope this covers everything.
Speak soon….now off to the airport!
Regards
Stewart
fishnish says:
December 2, 2014 at 8:58 am
4 0 Rate This
tcup 2012 says:
December 2, 2014 at 6:44 am
///////////////////
Can’t say I know much about the events involving Spartans 15 years ago
I would also have to take it you were involved in the game or involved at some level with Spartans/saints
To state that they knew before kick-off
I’llm
So because of this 1 perceived injustice to Saints the whole football community should kick them into touch
TCUP
Regan was at the game on Saturday mixing in the public lounge ..as was Strachan( who is the sponsor of the Academy there) That’s it ..you worked it out …he was obviously there sizing them up to replace you know who !!!!…
Btw painful as it was …well done and thoroughly well deserved Spartans..also the minutes silence for AM and the the Scotsport theme tune that followed were done with a real touch of class!
What a great club!
Prohibby says:
December 2, 2014 at 9:59 am
1 0 Rate This
fishnish says:
December 2, 2014 at 8:58 am
Thatās right fishnish. And werenāt the Spartans involved in that dirty horse trick the Greeks played on the Trojans!
———-
Could they honestly expect Spartans to show the Corinthian spirit? Greeks with gifts?
I’ll get me tunic.
@weeman
Point J
Confidential discussions with Green. Must have been so easy for Charles and the boys. Treated rite special like. Oh how those running the SFA/SPL/SFL must regret it all now. Or maybe they don’t?
Charles and Ibrox and Mr Somers
Surely Mr Somers will demand that Charles renames his horse – or pays handsomely for using the trademark of RIFC plc or TRFC Ltd without prior agreement
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3y1k7TIgAABOeL.jpg
Or is Charle the type to taunt the current board with a cruel joke so close the the AGM?
fishnish says:
December 2, 2014 at 8:58 am
A dear, dear fine ā thanks to ālovelyā Spartans.
Not EveryBuddie with a love for Scottish fitba thinks that shower would grace the Senior ranks.
Who are those people? I think we should be told.
=======================
I take your point, it all sounds a bit petty, but then I wonder which clubs in Scotland have a perfect record of fair play and sportsmanship? Most people might name the one they support, but struggle to name any others?
Even in my own long ago experience of amateur football, every team was watching every other for any rule breaches that might get them a bye or a result overturned. But that was back in the sixties, maybe it’s not like that any more?
Whatever Spartans allegedly did 10/15 years ago is more than outweighed by the enormous effort they have put into youth, community and womens football over the years. Whatever the reasons are them failing to get elected to the league over the years, I very much doubt that there is any underlying ill-will held against them across the football world.
Personally, I regret not getting the chance to play for them at some level once I graduated and stopped playing for Edinburgh University AFC, as I moved down south. Although they are a very different club now, I’ve always followed their progress due to their historic ties with the university.
tcup 2012 says:
December 2, 2014 at 10:09 am
3 0 Rate This
fishnish says:
December 2, 2014 at 8:58 am
4 0 Rate This
tcup 2012 says:
December 2, 2014 at 6:44 am
///////////////////
Further to my earlier post
I would like to add
Fishnish I think in the incident you refer to
I would be more angry/embarrassed at my own club A protectional football club for not knowing the rules of the competition they were in
Rather than the opposition (in this case an amature football club) for pointing out the mistake
fishnish,
Do you mean the tie in 2006 when St Mirren went through after a replay? The Ā£12,500 fine was obviously a sore one but, as we know, other teams have been put out of the cup for breaking the rules. Spartans for one. SFA – applying the rules without fear or favour since 1873.
All seems very quiet on the trading of RIFC shares which I thought might have shown some activity following the signing of accounts and agm notification. But nothing traded yesterday nor today as yet.
Possibly tied-in with the NOMAD issue. I don’t know. But defo all quiet on the southern flank.
Danish Pastry says:
December 1, 2014 at 11:41 pm
16 2 Rate This
Boycott nr. 94. Much tittering on twitter about MA taking Ā£9.25 of every Ā£10 spent by fans on merchandise.
http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/30284514?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
__________________________________________________________________________________
Interesting post DP. Union of fans saying they had “qualified accountants” analyse the accounts – I suspect they just read TSFM to get a spin free view of what is happening to their club!
__________________________________________________________________________________
melbournedee says:
November 29, 2014 at 9:07 pm
30 1 Rate This
While a dividend from Rangers Retail (RR) would obviously be welcomed by TRFC, I donāt believe that potential contribution to TRFC cash flow can be very significant.
In an earlier post, I attempted to include a table which showed the results for RR for 2014 and 2013 and the 51% share that belongs to TRFC.
RR began operations during the financial year ending 30th June 2013.
The 2013 accounts show that during that period, RR made a profit of Ā£498k for the part year that they traded. The 2014 accounts show that RR made a further profit of Ā£1,157k for that year.
It is interesting to note that the results for the half year to 31st December 2013 show RR made a profit of Ā£1,153k, so for the second half of the 2014 financial year, RR only made a profit of Ā£4k. That is due to the disclosures regarding inventory bought above cost and lease obligations in exiting the Belfast/Glasgow Airport stores.
If we assume that those impairments are a one off, and that RR have had another successful trading period up to Christmas and made a further profit of around Ā£1,100k since June 2014, the total profits of RR since inception are Ā£498k + Ā£1,157k + Ā£1,100k = Ā£2,755k.
TRFC have a 51% share in these profits, so if RR pay out the estimated maximum dividend of Ā£2,755, TRFC get Ā£1,405k and Sports Direct get Ā£1,350k. However, the 2014 accounts show shat a small dividend was paid by RR during the second half of the year, so TRFC have already received a Ā£113k dividend.
The maximum dividend that I can see RR paying out to TRFC in the immediate term is therefore about Ā£1,300k ā helpful in getting through to the end of January, but Iām sure it has already been factored into the Ā£8 million requirement to get through the next 12 months.
As a matter of interest, The RAcing Post archives show three horses using the Ibrox name
HORSES (3) Ibrox (FR) – 2012Ibrox (IRE) – 2005Ibrox Park (SAF) – 2007
The guest wifi I’m using won’t let me access the details – very strict – so I’ll take a look later for any interesting snippets.
mcfc says:
December 2, 2014 at 12:05 pm
That would be the Duc de Normandie indulging his sense of humour
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/u/a-horse-called-ibrox.1417508222
Interesting choice of racing colours!
fishnish says:
December 2, 2014 at 8:58 am
==========================
Fishnish, just realised that St Mirren lost to Gretna in the cup that year – maybe the Mileson project is more worthy of your long-simmering resentment?
It’s never-ending – Gretna beat Dundee and then lost to Hearts. Could we be happy with any of those winning a trophy at that time? Spartans should be awarded the cup retrospectively.
scapaflow says:
December 2, 2014 at 12:10 pm
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/u/a-horse-called-ibrox.1417508222
Interesting choice of racing colours!
==============================================
The Evening Times says “green and pink silks,”. The image I’m looking at looks green and white š Are they trying to soften the blow ?
Phil has a new blog up
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/welcome-to-the-pity-party/
Compare and contrast with McMurdo minor’s “Pity Party”
melbournedee says:
November 29, 2014 at 9:07 pm
===============================================================
I noticed on the Darkside a few day ago a post that stated that the Belfact Rangers shop would be re-branded as a SportsDirect outlet in January.
I have to say I find that a bit hard to believe given that there already are 3 x SD outlets in Belfast at Newon Abbey; Boucher Retail Park; and Yorkgate Shopping Centre which isn’t that far from the closing-down Rangers Shop in Ann Street.
But for the sake of argument let’s assume it will be re-branded – that being the case I would have thought a transfer of lease would be at minimal cost.
I haven’t noticed any comment wrt to what, if anything, will become of the Rangers store at Glasgow Airport other than it is rumoured to close. I always saw this as a Green vanity project anyway and wondered if it could ever turn a profit.
upthehoops says:
December 2, 2014 at 6:59 am
38
0
Rate This
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/108463-in-full-document-sent-to-sfl-clubs-to-put-rangers-into-the-first-division/
This was posted on Twitter. It is a link to the STV website posting the full transcript of Reganās e-mail to try and force the new Rangers into the then first division. It will not be the first time most of you have read it, but it is a timely reminder of where we were, and presumably still are, given the SFA hierarchy remains unchanged. Early in the document it states āUnless behaviour changes, nothing changesā. At least that part has been proven to be correct.
*****************************************************
Thanks for posting that link – a reminder of just how bad things were and still are with the SFA/SPFL omnishambles.
There are many points in that link that make me angry but what angers me most is that it is clearly stated that the SPL clubs have refused Sevco admission to the top table, thus unfairly turning the spotlight on them when the reality of the situation is/was : the fans (ie CUSTOMERS) were so outraged at
this fudge they told the SPL clubs they would boycott their own clubs if this happened , such was the feelings of anger.
And where in this depressing document does the fan/customer get any recognition as being part of the game plan ?
For me that document is a thing of beauty in that it is an exercise in shape shifting of the highest order. The SFA/SPL/SPFL wolf in the manger problem is being passed back to the clubs as though it was a thing of THEIR making.
I’m tired of this now. I’m tired of the fact the SFA/SPFL don’t have a governance structure worthy of running a multi million pound business and which can be manipulated at will to force member clubs to do the bidding of Sevco.
Ā£16 million going out of the game ? What does that even mean ? The vast majority of clubs would get pennies out of that Ā£16 million and Sevco & Celtic , as we all know , would have been (as usual) the main beneficiaries of the TV deal. Talk about scare mongering. I don’t want to talk about sporting integrity any more : it’s about integrity (or the lack of it , from top to bottom) and the lack of governance and leadership.
Well done to all on TSFM for not losing sight of this.
ecobhoy says:
December 2, 2014 at 12:42 pm
0
0
Rate This
melbournedee says:
November 29, 2014 at 9:07 pm
for the second half of the 2014 financial year, RR only made a profit of Ā£4k. That is due to the disclosures regarding inventory bought above cost and lease obligations in exiting the Belfast/Glasgow Airport stores.
===============================================================
I noticed on the Darkside a few day ago a post that stated that the Belfact Rangers shop would be re-branded as a SportsDirect outlet in January.
I have to say I find that a bit hard to believe given that there already are 3 x SD outlets in Belfast at Newon Abbey; Boucher Retail Park; and Yorkgate Shopping Centre which isnāt that far from the closing-down Rangers Shop in Ann Street.
But for the sake of argument letās assume it will be re-branded ā that being the case I would have thought a transfer of lease would be at minimal cost.
I havenāt noticed any comment wrt to what, if anything, will become of the Rangers store at Glasgow Airport other than it is rumoured to close. I always saw this as a Green vanity project anyway and wondered if it could ever turn a profit.
The original Airport shop was set up pre JJB, when both Rangers (RIP) and Celtic were expanding their retail operations. Celtic were approached by BAA to open one at the same time, as they were scared to show favouritism, and had Celtic not agreed, Rangers would not have been granted the licence.
ecobhoy says:
December 2, 2014 at 12:42 pm
The Rangers store in Belfast will be replaced with a ‘Sweatshop’ running store rather than a typical SD outlet.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/more-bad-news-for-rangers-fc-fans-as-city-centre-shop-to-shut-30783055.html
http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/
It seems that Rangers’ fans are as fond of a boycott as Ayatollah Khomeini was of a fatwa. I do find it very difficult to keep track of the list of enemies of Rangers via various petitions and boycotts.
So far, off the top of my head, I can think of Hearts, Dundee Utd, Raith Rovers, The BBC, The SFA, HMRC, Burtons, The Daily Record, Jim Spence, Stephen Thompson, Turnbull Hutton, Mark Daly, Mike Ashley, The Scottish Government, Alex Thomson, Channel 4, Peter Lawwell, Craig Whyte, The Easdales, Paul Murray, season tickets, various incarnations of the Rangers Board, The European Union, the Scottish national team, all good bookstores and Sports Direct.
Apologies if I’ve missed a few, but you’ve really got to be smarter than the average bear just to keep up.
From the document authored by Regan advocating āRangersā being placed in IRN-BRU First Division for season 2012-3, something I have either forgotten or missed:
It appears the 30 Scottish Football League clubs were told that putting the Ibrox side into the second tier WILL DELIVER BENEFITS TO THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE, one of which was that the
āScottish Government remain committed to our community strategyā
Had the Scottish Government offered any input or advice to the SFA regarding the soon to be liquidated club, and/or had the Scottish Government threatened to withdraw support in some manner if the placing of the new club into the second tier hadnāt been found to be acceptable?
Which of course it wasnāt.
borussiabeefburg says:
December 2, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Dunno, but, I do take all the statements in that email with a bucket of salt. How many of the risks posited with such certainty actually came to fruition?
The email reads like a list of scary assertions, stated with with confidence, by people who believed they would never be put to the test. oops.
Charlatans, the whole bloody lot of them, without exception. The sooner every last one of them is removed from their positions within the authorities, the sooner the game will feel clean.
I’ve just noticed, amd admit I may be in detention for not doing my homework, that the Union of Fans are claiming that the King Ā£16m “offer” was “fully funded”. Now my razor-like deductive skills tell me that someone must be telling porkies here, ‘cos I’m pretty sure Easdale and Somers saif something different . . .
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/for-every-10-spent-retail-4730464
And in a statement the UoF said: “Since the release of the accounts for RIFC PLC, the focus has rightly been on the almost immediate requirement for more cash simply to pay bills and also the boardās wish to raise Ā£8m in equity finance despite recently turning down a valid, fully funded offer for Ā£16m.