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.
neepheid says:
December 13, 2014 at 2:57 pm
‘Right now, Rangers are the laughing stock of world football.’
No they’re not, Bill. Very few people outside of Scotland know, and even less care, enough to laugh at your club. If people, of influence, from other parts of the world did care enough, then perhaps it wouldn’t have been so easy to get away with much of what has happened to, and by, the two clubs you have supported.
[Forgot link to source.]
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/opinion/sport/barry-ferguson-cancelling-christmas-new-4793484
neepheid says:
December 13, 2014 at 2:57 pm
The latest from the land of Merlin. Ally hung out to dry, I fear.
=================================================================
Yea but Ashley’s getting it in the neck as well. Wee Bill is obviously suffering withdrawal symptoms at the lack of crumbs thrown his way recently from the Blue Room.
He obviously thinks by having a wee go at Ashley normal service will be resumed. Ashley quite simply doesn’t know he exists and if he ever does – which I doubt – will still ignore him as he and his motley crew of posters aren’t on the radar.
It really is changed days for all the bottom feeder Blue bloggers who survived by peddling the Board’s Brown Brogues agenda to keep the ordinary Bears in their Rightful Place. Fans are now thinking for themselves and that means telling false prophets to go and do one š
I loved Merlin’s comment about the QoS dismantling of the once mighty Rangers: ‘This morning, the day after yet another humbling from a minnow team . . . ‘.
He just doesn’t get it ā QoS and others have turned into sharks and Rangers are the small fry being devoured by fast classy footballers hungry for victory.
So, after an excellent Queens performance (especially first half), I listen to BBC radio last night (Chris McLaughlin, Richard Wilson etc.) and today (Spiers, Young et al).
I knew that the discussions would revolve around McCoist and Rangers, and they did try to reel themselves in to speak about Queens occasionally, but FFSā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦it really is getting to Stalinist proportions here. Do these people think we are all stitched up the back? McCoist is great (Spiers and more), potential management material (Fitzpatrick), and on and on and on and onā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.
I have never been in a position where I felt completely disconnected from the BBC and media in general; indeed I respect the BBC enormously for its wonderful programming. However, over the last 3-4 years, both politically and in relation to football, I have grown to appreciate that I must work overtime to ensure my rationality filter isn’t bypassed or clogged by crap. Two plus two does equal four, doesn’t it? I’ve always been fascinated by how eastern europeans could suspend their senses for such a long time, and how Stalin was able to wield such impossibly brutal power over such a sustained period (see the wonderful – Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar by Simon Sebag Montefiore). In terms of brutality and subversion, I appreciate the situation causing me concern isn’t comparable: that should be taken for granted. What is comparable, is the media belief that ordinary people will suspend their rationality if it consistently narrates a storyline predicated on premises that are invalid.
WTFā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.It’s almost as if they actually believe what they say.
StevieBC says:
December 13, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Something quite sad struck me about that ‘Barry Ferguson’ article; it was written like he was talking in an episode of Downton Abbey – about the servants. Servants that go all year long with barely an acknowledgement that they exist, then suddenly they are being denied their moment of being a part of the ‘family’ at Christmas.
I know it won’t have been Ferguson who wrote the piece, and I don’t know if he reads it over to accept it in his name before printing – and I doubt he’d notice the condescending nature of the piece either – it’s just a pity that these people who the writer is apparently having sympathy with, can’t be written in terms that seem they are seen as equals on this earth, rather than just ‘them below stairs’!
Hamerdoon says:
December 13, 2014 at 4:05 pm
Totally agree with all you say, and congratulations on a great performance from your team, though not a surprising one according to those Hearts supporters who witnessed last Saturday’s game. You have a talented team, and an equally talented manager it would appear, and must have a very good scouting system too.
It’s great to see the name ‘Queen of the South’ in the headlines, regardless of what the morons write!
IIRC Not long after the formation of the current entity from Govan there were statements made that they would not play in the Top league in the land. They would staunchly refuse to be promoted into this ‘Den on Thieves’ Is the latest shenanigans all just to ensure that they remain true to this promise? My feelings about their magnificent journey is that the journey is in fact complete. They have arrived at the level they deserve to be at. It might even get a wee bit worse.
StevieBC says:
December 13, 2014 at 3:44 pm
This effort in the DR is from Barry Fergusonās ghost writer, [Keef ?]
Bazza sharing his opinion on the reporting of the shambles around the Govan clubā¦
āā¦Itās not easy to read stuff like this in a national newspaper but you have to wonder where the Rangers fans would be if it wasnāt for the work that this paper has done over the last few years. Because no-one inside that club seems prepared to tell them the truth about what is really going onā¦ā
==============================================================
Fascinating paragraph that appears to have been written by someone with a severe bad conscience over past cowardice.
And it still isn’t easy to read as the SMSM continue to ignore the truth and still don’t ask searching questions.
Gawd I reckon that could never have been passed by the paper’s lawyer. I reckon the Bears could successfully sue a number of ‘off the radar’ papers for telling lies about a stream of owners who left the fans out of pocket and failing to tell reveal the rampant spivvery and SFA corruption.
The SMSM don’t know the difference between ‘journalism’ and ‘succulent lamb’.
Just to enlighten SMSM ‘hacks’: ‘Succulent Lamb’ is the press releases swallowed whole by lazy journos from the hands of the club’s PR spinners. These tissues of lies are fit only for use in the khasi tae wipe yir erse way.
‘Journalism’ involves discovering the ‘truth’ which is never in the press releases and that most people within the club will never tell you for various reasons.
It’s not easy finding the truth and writing the story when it’s in the interests of so many of those in power to bury it or ridicule your efforts. But having the ability and courage to unearth a real exclusive is what separates failed sports reporters and top notch investigative journos and sadly there ain’t many of the latter in Scotland.
And they’ve been kept well away from doing their job by many senior managers who, like the club, want to endure the truth never sees the light of day.
Scottish Football as a whole has been badly let-down by the country’s systemic journalistic failure to print the truth and the media’s disconnect from reality.
And Bears have suffered as well because they believed the crap peddled by journos and pundits who will soon be rewriting history and deleting and shredding all the crap they’ve been peddling for years.
Thank you Allyjambo, much appreciated. Queens have been developing the youth squad profile for quite some time and we have been playing some decent football, maybe a wee bit sporadically at times, over that 8-10 years (relegation a mere trifling setback in the forward thrust!). Apart from a voting issue, which shall remain unspoken :oops:, we are on a more solid footing than I would have imagined a few years back. I’ve also seen some truly great football at times, the wonderful Stephen Dobbie being a highlight – what a player he is, and though I know why he didn’t make it big (a bit lazy), he is a gifted footballer, no question.
I’m glad Hearts has regrouped and moved forward. I think you will reap dividends of the approach now taken. Good luck – this armageddon is just terrible
Afternoon spent listening tae the ‘wireless’, Sportsound (turns into ‘we don’t broadcast in your region’ at 3pm UK time) then Clyde which streams fine with in-match coverage. Not sure why a programme like Open All Mics is blocked. Anyhoo …
Also had a wee gander at twitter and there’s some big-time wishful thinking and rumour-milling going on regarding a Sevco demise on Monday. All very odd. Another wee rumour is yet another membership transfer of Sevco to St Mirren or some other unfortunate. Nae smoke withoot fire?
Phil’s latest brought some reasoned normality to the proceedings with a description of the harsh cuts going on among staff. From the standpoint of MA making cuts to create a financially viable club, how does he dispose of the admin-secure contracts that are siphoning off cash?
‘And I’m sittin here thinkin’ (Ā© Charlie Nicholas), has MA done a deal with Green and the others, as in, buying them off? Otherwise why go to the trouble of streamlining when a drastic liquidation is the only way to delete the really damaging contracts?
Maybe I should just stay off twitter š
Phil’s latest again:
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/reality-arrives-at-sevco/#more-5456
Jean7brodie says:
December 13, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Eco, when I read that bit the thought of Ally as a chameleon came to mind š
I then rememebered this cracker:
āWe had hoped to have been bringing you Arthur the Human Chameleon, but this afternoon, he crawled across a tartan rug and died of exhaustion.ā
Ronnie Barker. š
==============================================
I remember it way back and having a laugh but would never have remembered it was Ronnie Barker.
Yes McCoist is ‘A Man for All Seasons’. He would be well cast as Sir Thomas More with Mike Ashley as King Henry VIII š
The King wanted to divorce his wife and remarry which was illegal in England at the time and More, as a lawyer, didn’t believe his King was above the law. But he couldn’t disagree as that would have been treason meriting a head chop.
So he decided not to disagree but also not to agree. It was a fine legal point for debate but King Henry wasn’t one for debate. It was either his way or More’s head.
I think that’s how the current impasse down Ibrox Way will again be played-out. History really does tend to repeat itself š
Only about 5 calls to SSB tonight either nobody’s interested or the ‘ vetting ‘ procedure was particularly stringent tonight š
Danish Pastry says:
December 13, 2014 at 5:38 pm
=========================================================
The RIFC ‘Onerous Contracts’ is where the action is.
At least one of them is in place for 20 ( twenty years) and is only TWO years into that, ahem, journey.
Laxey Partners were not fully aware of this situation when they were planning a two week in/out Admin last February.
However what is now beyond dispute is that MA’s team is cutting through the entire staffing establishment.
That suggests to me that he wants to keep the lights on.
However the SMSM sponsored fantasy of MA bankrolling a tilt at the Champions League is just that-a pipedream…
Hamerdoon says:
December 13, 2014 at 4:56 pm
======================================================
A League of Ireland manager of my acquaintance watched your match against Sevco after I texted him to tell him the match was on.
He got back to me for clarification as he initially thought that you guys were in the red strip!
When I told him of the gulf in football budgets he thought I was joking.
He stated tome that the team in red “did not look coached at all”.
Actually he thought 2-0 rather flattered Sevco.
He manages a professional team week in week out-so I would take his word on this.
So I’ll take this opportunity to pass on his “Very well done to those other lads”.
š
PhilMacGiollaBhain says:
December 13, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Thanks for the coach’s message Phil. Wonder if Graham Spiers agrees with his thoughts? š
PhilMacGiollaBhain says:
December 13, 2014 at 6:16 pm
8 1 Rate This
…That suggests to me that he wants to keep the lights on…
————–
@Phil, I take it those who benefit from the contracts won’t benefit if the plug is pulled, so some kind of ‘lights on’ compromise between MA is perhaps being worked out? In that case, he could take it to season’s end then offload the trimmed down stabilized entity to the true blue knight requisitioners to run it ‘the Rangers way’ and pocket a cool profit? I suppose his own contracts could be embedded in any sell-on deal?
Hamerdoon says:
December 13, 2014 at 6:54 pm
===================================================
He’s a good fella is my buddy. He was a journeyman (his description) across the lower leagues in England. He seems to do everything at the club. He could do better I reckon, but he settled where he is in his home town. When I told him about the Five Star hotel lifestyle in the bottom tier of Scottish football he just gasped.
Allyjambo says:
December 13, 2014 at 4:10 pm
StevieBC says:
December 13, 2014 at 3:52 pm
“Something quite sad struck me about that āBarry Fergusonā article
Me too.
Why does the Manager Of Clyde Football Club always “write” articles about TRFC ? š
Hamerdoon says:
December 13, 2014 at 4:05 pm
55 0 Rate This
So, after an excellent Queens performance (especially first half), I listen to BBC radio last night (Chris McLaughlin, Richard Wilson etc.) and today (Spiers, Young et al).
I knew that the discussions would revolve around McCoist and Rangers, and they did try to reel themselves in to speak about Queens occasionally, but FFSā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦it really is getting to Stalinist proportions here. Do these people think we are all stitched up the back? McCoist is great (Spiers and more), potential management material (Fitzpatrick), and on and on and on and onā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.
I have never been in a position where I felt completely disconnected from the BBC and media in general; indeed I respect the BBC enormously for its wonderful programming. However, over the last 3-4 years, both politically and in relation to football, I have grown to appreciate that I must work overtime to ensure my rationality filter isnāt bypassed or clogged by crap. Two plus two does equal four, doesnāt it? Iāve always been fascinated by how eastern europeans could suspend their senses for such a long time, and how Stalin was able to wield such impossibly brutal power over such a sustained period (see the wonderful ā Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar by Simon Sebag Montefiore). In terms of brutality and subversion, I appreciate the situation causing me concern isnāt comparable: that should be taken for granted. What is comparable, is the media belief that ordinary people will suspend their rationality if it consistently narrates a storyline predicated on premises that are invalid.
WTFā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.Itās almost as if they actually believe what they say.
=====================
I’m quite convinced that most of them do actually believe what they are saying.
That are trapped and from inside the bubble I think its difficult for them to see the real world outside. And then of course they are all busy validating each others beliefs and opinions, strengthening the bubble further and insulating against the outside.
Hence they appear to see anyone outside of the bubble as some sort of blinded hater or fantasist and they look for motives to explain why we refuse to accept what they so strongly believe to be the case – when in fact it is those inside the bubble that simply cannot see any part of the truth, even if they were to try.
woodstein says:
December 13, 2014 at 7:56 pm
Why does the Manager Of Clyde Football Club always āwriteā articles about TRFC ?
__________________________
I don’t think he does. I don’t even think he sits beside some junior hack while it’s typed. It’s probably read to him over the phone and he just says ‘Aye, ah think that’s what ah think.’
As for doing it while he’s manager of Clyde FC, or any other club, to say it’s disrespectful to his employer and supporters is putting it very mildly. Judging by his teams recent run of results he should be concentrating on his day job and forgetting everything he ever learned at Ibrox about coaching and football management.
jimlarkin says:
December 13, 2014 at 8:07 pm
I have this picture in my head of these ‘pundits’ sitting in their studio pontificating away while totally ignorant of the fact that nobody is listening to them.
The fact that ‘cost cutting’ is now under way at ‘The Rangers’ shows that this project will not be allowed to fold.
The only thing that will derail the project will be the SFA if they tell Mike to sell Newcastle before they allow him control. Tell him to desist influence over in Govan and remove his two men from the board.
At some point the dual ownership question will have to be addressed, if not by the SFA then UEFA. Will a points deduction be placed on ‘The Rangers’ or will a block on promotion based on dual ownership/influence every year until such point as one is disposed of.
There is now a ‘weather bomb’ of uncertainty swirling around Ibrox. Ownership/influence, the ability to raise cash, the ability to balance the books, the upkeep of the stadium, the onerous contracts, an aging playing staff, a bullish manager with questionable tactics. If any club had two of these issues then they have problems but ‘The Rangers’ have all of them. A full house of disaster. One impacts on the other. If you cannot balance the books there is no prospect of the city investing in the business which puts pressure on the business to reduce cost which in turn effects the ability to repair the stadium, buy players and attract a decent manager.
I really do not get what Mike Ashley see’s in this project.
There will be no money to make in it for at least four years, if ever, because he is demanding that the club live within it’s means. So the big earners will be moved on and the product will suffer, meanwhile the infrastructure needs addressing. There is no scouting which will have to be installed. This costs money but there is also the stadium upkeep which will drain cash too.
Like everyone else I’m watching this now in a sort of morbid fascination because I do not know where this is going to end. Every two days there now seems to be a new twist in the plot or some other unsavoury character appears.
It is absolutely horrendous to watch this play out before our own eyes.
Meanwhile ‘The Rangers’ fans attempt to roll with the punches but they are not Ali ‘rope a dope’ here. They have been sucked into a war of attrition, by Green and Ally, making friends as they went, well nearly. Unfortunately for them they are now trapped in the corner having suffered a series of massive body blows and they have no way out.
They are looking for scape goats for the second time in three years. First of all it was Whyte. Second it was Green. Third it was the board after Green left. Fourth it is was the Easdale’s. Fifth it is Mike Ashley. Meanwhile there has been a revolving door in the boardroom as a series of characters have come and gone, as well as Chairmen.
The real characters to blame can be seen every day when the fans look in the mirror. They allowed themselves to be schmoozed into a fantasy and they have been paying for it ever since. There is a great line in the film The Sting when they are talking about ‘The Big Conn’ and Paul Newman says “You gotta keep Lonnegan’s con, even after you spent his money”. Ring any bells!
The others to blame are sitting at Hampden. The SFA are as worthless a grouping of individuals ever assembled as an authoritative body.
It is no coincidence that Kilmarnock, Dundee United, and Aberdeen are now debt free. These clubs, along with the rest, will now shortly force through FFP and if the SFA resist then they will be swept aside. This will in turn tighten the noose even further down Govan way as there will be no ‘soft investment’ allowed. Clubs will no longer stand by and be deprived of European football, and money, by a financially doped adversary.
Scottish football has, and continues, to move forward. There are only two dinosaurs left in Scottish football and they are trapped in a world of yesteryear. They are the SFA and RFC/The Rangers.
Regardless of what the papers say the times they are a changin’!
Allyjambo says:
December 13, 2014 at 8:08 pm
“As for doing it while heās manager of Clyde FC, or any other club, to say itās disrespectful to his employer and supporters is putting it very mildly. Judging by his teams recent run of results he should be concentrating on his day job and forgetting everything he ever learned at Ibrox about coaching and football management”
—————————————————————-
Agreed, How must Clyde supporters be feeling?
“Itās probably read to him over the phone” no shame. š³
@Danish
An onerous contract is only valuable if there’s an entity on the other side that can continue to service it. Liquidation is not in the interests of the onerousor either.
If Ashley’s drip-feed financing is all that’s keeping the club from administration, and administration could result in liquidation, it’s worth it for the holders of the contracts to renegotiate down to a point that allows the club to keep trading, albeit at a reduced rate, once cuts are made elsewhere to non-essential spending. Ashley protects HIS contracts, and the club staggers on, much reduced.
The only option for the Bears is to withdraw their support, as many have, and make even the post-austerity and reduced-onerousnessed entity financially non-viable. But with the threat of another insolvency event making the likely prolonging The Journey all the more probable if they hold out.
I felt like posting months ago to say: Mike Ashley could be the best thing that happens to Rangers, and the worst thing for Rangers fans.
neepheid says:
December 13, 2014 at 2:57 pm
The latest from the land of Merlin. Ally hung out to dry, I fear.
https://billmcmurdo.wordpress.com/
////////////////////////////////////////////////////
From the above link
“Recently I have been blogging that Mike Ashley has the resources to propel Rangers out of the pit they are in and back to the big time. I think he has the desire to do just that and am aware he has plans in place. My major concern, which has so far not been alleviated, is he will leave it all too late.”
If the author is aware that MA has plans in place, is Mr Regan privy to such information? Have we seen anything to confirm that the SFA have received a response to their letter requesting details of MA’s intentions WRT The Rangers? That letter seems to have been airbrushed from the public record as have so many other things in the last few years.
justshatered says:
December 13, 2014 at 8:20 pm
____________________________________________
Great post pal.
CanuckBhoy says:
December 13, 2014 at 8:22 pm
1 0 Rate This
————
Cheers @Canuck, oh to be a fly on the wall when the current discussions between MA, CG & co are going on.
I heard Les Hutchison say (the chap who is helping Motherwell fans out with their project) that he was one of the original investors in RIFC shares. Not one of his best investments, he confessed. Hardly encouraging PR for the next offering.
Another conversation you’d have wanted to hear was Walter Smith telling Llambias, ‘We’re Rangers, we need to spend, spend, spend,’ and then hearing some home truths on the virtues of thriftiness and a frugal lifestyle š
Allyjambo says:
December 13, 2014 at 8:13 pm
Rate This
jimlarkin says:
December 13, 2014 at 8:07 pm
I have this picture in my head of these āpunditsā sitting in their studio pontificating away while totally ignorant of the fact that nobody is listening to them.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
That reminds of the old “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” philosophy debate.
Having said that, the sound of a falling tree is far more preferable to that of an ill-informed agenda driven pundit any day of the week.
The Cat NR1 says:
December 13, 2014 at 8:49 pm
1 0 Rate This
That reminds of the old āIf a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?ā philosophy debate.
———-
The Tunguska event in 1908 should really have settled that one. the sound of tens of thousands of trees felled by a meteorite impact was audible a very long way away š®
I’ll get ma toga.
The Cat NR1 says:
December 13, 2014 at 8:49 pm
I think your comparison of our journalists and pundits with falling trees is a truly apt one š
From a Guardian article a while back this year on “Uncle Mike”. this stood out. Principally as I’ve been totally stumped as to why he’s interested. Now I know. One of the unknown things that can bugger a business. False restriction on supply.
===========================
“Some suggest a bid, others that Ashley wants to sell his fashion brands ā such as Firetrap ā in the department store. There have been reports that he wants to supply celebrity-fronted sports brands to Debenhams, while rivals point out that the tycoon is always looking at ways of getting his hands on more Nike and Adidas stock, because the giant brands restrict his supply:”
“He is Adidas and Nike’s largest customer in the UK, but they won’t supply him as much as he wants. So he buys it from other people. For him it is not about price, it is about receiving supply.”
The whole article:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/17/sports-direct-mike-ashley-newcastle-united-profile
Question: do Rangers Retail exclusively order Sevco materials? In which quantities?
Anyone in Import clearance around?
Idle investigation only.
Have we had a look at the other side of the books as it were Rangers retail within SD. More profit than Newcastle?
http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/sports_direct/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=723&newsid=462999
No doubt, someone from the floor at the agm will seek clarity on the amount of due diligence the club and SFA have completed with respect to dual ownership. In any case the media will pick it up if it is missed.
These ARE genuine! No photoshop, honest. From in an email I received today. http://www.sportsdirect.com/rangers-league-cup-2015-t-shirt-mens-375155?colcode=37515521 http://www.sportsdirect.com/character-t-shirt-infants-314079?colcode=31407991
MASH taking the proverbial? Trying to see just how gullible the fans are?
It’s now 18 days since Stewart Regan was quoted,
“The next stage is to meet with Mike and his advisers and obviously get some clarification around some of the concerns we have got.
“We have a situation in our articles which prevents dual interests in football clubs. We gave Mike Ashley the ability to have up to 10 per cent shareholding in the club.
“As part of that, there was a commitment there would be no management or influence at Rangers Football Club.”
Have I missed the reporting of the meeting, or the SMSM asking Regan if he’s happy that there is no Ashley management or influence at The Rangers?
Actually, I’m being more niaive than normal, the SFA will already have a clear understanding of the ownership of the various Sevco parts and pieces and given that they are already happy with most of that – they’ll have dug into that in some detail, this will be an easy question of Me Ashley confirming his limited ownership of a small part of the whole. Dead easy.
Just Hatered at 8.20
Very Good!
Answered my own enquiry re imports after a wee dig. No obvious SD imports but RR do show up and unless you have the orders you would have no idea what brands are on the goods.
FTC/19/2013
This new or old ?
http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/tribunals/tax-and-chancery-upper-tribunal-/hearings-register.pdf
Tailothebank says:
December 13, 2014 at 10:08 pm
________________________________________
Think you got the name of poster wrong ā
What’s the difference between PMG and Bill McMurdo?
At the current rate, 48 hours.
davythelotion says:
December 13, 2014 at 10:56 pm
================================================
Ah bless…
McMurdo at least quicker than the MSM churnos
woodstein says:
December 13, 2014 at 7:56 pm
‘..Why does the Manager Of Clyde Football Club always āwriteā articles about TRFC ? ‘
———
I have emailed Mr Alexander on the point:
“Dear Mr Alexander,
Some of us find it a little odd, and not altogether acceptable, that your club manager, Mr Barry Ferguson, seems to use his contributions to the Daily Record to talk about another club.
This seems to us to suggest that his full attention is not actually on his managerial responsibilities at Clyde, but rather more on propagandising for a club in competition with his own.
Don’t you share that view?
Yours sincerely
JC
Craig Whyte today
āThere are complex issues but things will come to light that will be explosive in many ways.ā
He clearly has the tapes, and by the sound of it is preparing to throw the lot of them under the bus.
I suspect there might well be some individuals transferring assets to places out of easy reach of the authorities
Nothing more than mischief making from me here, but the dual ownership issue is with UEFA rather than the SFA I believe. English teams generally can’t be bothered with the Europa League, therefore perhaps it would actually suit Mr Ashley to have a way to get Newcastle out of the Europa League while simultaneously getting Rangers into Europe, kill two birds with one stone?!
That one might get me thumbs up. This one won’t. Having followed Mr McCoist closely throughout his career, him being my ultimate hero all the way through my childhood (and even those of you who don’t like him, watch some of his goals, you’ll see why), I actually have a view of him and his current goals / ambitions which I think is probably not exactly mainstream. I remember reading in his autobiography many years ago about the fans singing “Ally, Ally, get to f***” and his determination to turn that round. After improved performances, the “Super Ally” ditty was born, and remained in place after truly outstanding performances over the years. My take on him as a manager is that he believes he will turn it round, as he did as a player. I respect this view, and this determination, however I think he was markedly more talented as a player than he is as a manager.
I know many here speculate on his desire for cash etc., but he is already a wealthy man and I doubt his sole motivation in any of these recent developments is cash.
Graham Spiers has resorted to the theory, aired on here some time ago, that Ashley was going to use rangers as an advertising vehicle to promote the expansion of Sports Direct into Europe.
This kind of straw clutching was treated contemptuously by Cosgrove.
If Mike Ashley wanted to promote his brand via rangers why would he close the shop in Belfast?
MA wants to make money. Ally knows that the days of marble, five star hotels, high wages and onerous contracts are over.
This transfer window will be one way. ‘Living within your means’ is the only show in town.
Looking at images of some front and back pages. Dapper Craig on the front worried Ally on the back.
Anyone read the interviews with Whyte in the Sat/Sun issues of The Sun?
RyanGosling says:
December 14, 2014 at 2:44 am
Ryan I imagine Newcastle United and their fans would relish a go at the Europa league. One of its predecessors is the last trophy they won as a club. Don’t get you at all with that theory.
You are 100% right to regard McCoist as a hero. His contribution as a player was immense. As a Celtic fan he caused me many heartaches with his tendency to pop up and settle a game in Rangers advantage when I thought it was all done and dusted.
As for McCoist’s motivation in handing in his notice. I really don’t go with the theory it’s because the secretary or the groundsman were laid off. He is wealthy as you say, and he will walk into a career in the media. He could have enhanced his legend status by simply resigning and ripping up his contract. He has reached the business end of the ‘journey’ and he has been a spectacular failure, despite huge backing in terms of the wage bill. In my view it is only the Rangers fans in the media who protect him from an almighty savaging.
Danish Pastry says:
December 14, 2014 at 7:29 am
Haven’t read any Whyte stuff but this tweet from Barcabhoy could be telling.
davythelotion says:
December 14, 2014 at 4:48 am
I reckon the reason the MSM/pundits keep pushing this advertising in Europe (Champions League) nonsense is because it’s the only explanation they can come up with for Ashley’s involvement with TRFC – that isn’t bad news for the bears!
upthehoops says:
December 14, 2014 at 7:34 am
Could be a message to the ‘other side’ – ‘buy my tapes or face jail!’ – though, in truth, it would be a very dangerous game to play now as the law definitely has it’s eye on him, and the rest of the spivs involved. He’s possibly just setting up the media for a ‘My Story – The Man Who Bought The Jerseys’ bidding war!
CRAIG Whyte claimed he was innocent of fraud charges over his Rangers takeover.
Former owner Whyte, who is accused of swindling his way to power at Ibrox , vowed to clear his name but said he had no fear of prison.
Whyte, 43, was speaking for the first time after he was dramatically arrested in Mexico last month .
He said: āThese are huge issues and I donāt take any of it lightly. I always sleep well at night. I know that I have done absolutely nothing wrong. Over the last six months, I donāt think it has been very difficult.
āBut if you asked me over the last month, I would say it hasnāt been very pleasant in lots of ways.ā
Whyte, who plunged Gers into administration during his controversial reign, faces jail time if he is convicted of serious charges.
He said: āIt wouldnāt be very nice but it doesnāt frighten me.
āItās not something I would wish on anybody but I hope that it doesnāt come to that.
āItās too early to be thinking like that, Iām positive.ā
The businessman, from Motherwell, blasted prosecutors and cops over his nicking in Mexico City minutes after landing on a flight from Japan.
He said: āI agreed to surrender on December 8 so I was taken by surprise to be detained in Mexico. In my view the Crown Office and the police did that for the publicity – there was no extradition.
āI came back here voluntarily, I have co-operated with prosecutors for the last two years and they have still not asked me a question.ā
Whyte said he had no plans to get involved in football again.
He added: āI donāt regret doing it because I think you regret the things you donāt do ā but I wouldnāt do it again. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wouldnāt be rushing to do a football deal again.ā
The tycoon, once based in Monaco, became a hate figure among supporters after taking Gers into administration as they tumbled from top-flight football to Division Three. The club was later liquidated, sparking an exodus of top players.R
davythelotion says:
December 14, 2014 at 4:48 am
Graham Spiers has resorted to the theory, aired on here some time ago, that Ashley was going to use rangers as an advertising vehicle to promote the expansion of Sports Direct into Europe.
==========================
If Ashley thought investing Ā£30M in Rangers would bring Sports Direct Ā£60M I’m sure he would do it. However, he would also want to factor in Rangers breaking even despite an increased wage bill.
Spiers is clutching at straws IMO, but he and his fellow bears need something to cling to. The alternative is way too painful.
The Craig Whyte interview in The Sun
Published: 45 minutes ago
CRAIG Whyte last night protested his innocence of fraud charges over his Rangers takeover and revealed: āI sleep well at night.ā
Former owner Whyte, who is accused of swindling his way to power at Ibrox, vowed he will clear his name.
But as he lifted the lid on his dramatic arrest in Mexico last month, he insisted he has no fear of prison.
Whyte, 43, said: āThese are huge issues and I donāt take any of it lightly. I always sleep well at night.
āI know that I have done absolutely nothing wrong. Over the last six months, I donāt think it has been very difficult.
āBut if you asked me over the last month, I would say it hasnāt been very pleasant in lots of ways.ā Whyte, who plunged Gers into administration during his controversial reign, faces jail time if he is convicted of serious charges.
He said: āIt wouldnāt be very nice but it doesnāt frighten me.
āItās not something I would wish on anybody but I hope that it doesnāt come to that.
āItās too early to be thinking like that, Iām positive.
āIām not going to mope around and think of the worst things that could happen to me because thatās not the way to live.ā
The businessman, from Motherwell, blasted prosecutors and cops over his nicking in Mexico City minutes after landing on a flight from Japan.
And he branded news reports following his arrest as āb*******ā. He said: āI agreed to surrender on December 8 so I was taken by surprise to be detained in Mexico.
āIn my view the Crown Office and the police did that for the publicity ā there was no extradition.
āI want to get across all the b****** thatās been written in the last couple of weeks.
āI came back here voluntarily, I have co-operated with prosecutors for the last two years and they have still not asked me a question.ā
He had on the same smart grey coat he wore when he ran a gauntlet of angry Light Blues fans outside Glasgow Sheriff Court in November.
And Whyte, sporting the floppy hairdo and beard that are his new trademark, revealed he has no plans to invest in frootball again.
As he tucked into a burger lunch at a swinky hotel restaurant, tanned Whyte said: āI donāt regret doing it because I think you regret the things you donāt do ā but I wouldnāt do it again.
āHindsight is a wonderful thing. I wouldnāt be rushing to do a football deal again.ā
The tycoon, once based in Monaco, became a hate figure among supporters after taking Gers into administration as they tumbled from top-flight football to Division Three. The club was later liquidated, sparking an exodus of top players.
He claimed Rangers would have gone under sooner had it not been for his takeover in 2011.
He went on: āI never asked for any of it. Iām a private, low-key kind of guy, not at all suited to being involved in a football club.
āWhat everyone forgets is Iām the only person in recent years who hasnāt taken a penny out of Rangers.
āEven these current charges, I donāt think Iām accused of taking any money out of Rangers.
āI bought a company that was bankrupt for Ā£1. Rangers were already completely bankrupt at the time when I got involved.
āAll I did was step in to try to rescue a situation that was already way beyond. It was my intention to take it forward as a business and not to see it in the sorry state it is in at the moment.ā
Asked what went wrong, he said: āChampions League would have been a bonus but if Rangers had got into the Europa League they would not have gone into administration that season.ā
Whyte reckons only someone with Ā£100million to chuck at the club could have done a better job than him ā and that administration was on the cards before he bought out Sir David Murray.
He said: āGiven the set of circumstances, itās difficult for anyone to do unless they were willing to chuck Ā£100million and make sure they bought the players to get results in Europe and so on. Rangers would have gone into administration, before I came along, they were taking insolvency advice.
āAbsolutely, no doubt about it. Probably sooner.ā
Whyte, banned from Scottish football for life in 2012, reckons his relationship with Gers supporters is broken forever but he is just as hurt by the clubās fate.
And he believes nothing he could say to the Ibrox faithful could shake his bogey man image.
He said: āIām not angry, you have to play the hand that you are dealt but disappointed is a fair comment.
āIām a Rangers fan myself, my family are Rangers fans.
āThey have every right to be angry but there is nothing Iām going to say that will make any difference about their anger so itās pointless trying to have that conversation.ā
Asked if he thinks there is any chance of the Rangers fans changing their minds about him he added: āYou can never say never because never is a long time. Hopefully when the facts come out, and they will in this process, people might form a different view.
āThere are complex issues but things will come to light that will be explosive in many ways.ā
He admits none of the turmoil he now faces was expected when he took over the reins but says the mistrust among fans is āentirely unfairā.
Whyte added: āAnyone who deals with me and has known me knows thatās not the person they recognise. Itās not a fair reflection of who I am.
āI think the average fan, and I donāt want to be patronising here, but they donāt understand the complexities of everything that has been going on. Of course, I sympathise with them.ā
Before his first court appearance, Whyte hadnāt been seen in Scotland for a year since he gave evidence at Inverness Sheriff Court at the trial of two former workers at his castle home near Grantown-on-Spey, Moray.
In September the bank repossessed it after he failed to keep up with remortgage payments.
Whyte said: āIt was a pain in the a*** to be honest. It was empty 90 per cent of the time.
āIt was just a pile of bills with no benefits. I donāt regret losing it.ā
He was also hit with a 15-year ban from running a company at the Court of Session.
He said: āI didnāt defend it. Partially because I didnāt know about it ā they didnāt serve any papers.
āSecondly itās not safe to go to trial in Edinburgh every day and thirdly because it has to be funded at the cost of several hundred thousand pounds.ā
Cheers @sickofitall.
Fascinating stuff. Not the words of an unconfident man. If he was the source of the CF stuff, it’s probably not just bluff and bravado either.
I like the “As he tucked into a burger lunch at a swanky hotel restaurantā¦” bit. Not succulent lamb but does the SMSM Academy only have one handy hint for background ambience to a story or is it a journo putting down a marker for an expenses claim?
According to Craig Whyte, “I bought a company that was bankrupt for Ā£1. Rangers were already completely bankrupt at the time when I got involved.”
If what Mr Whyte says is true – and yes, I know, that’s potentially a big If – does that suggest that Rangers (RIP) were trading when insolvent?
I thought that trading when insolvent was illegal and could, potentially, lead to any director who knew that the company was insolvent and still took the decision to continue to trade, and in doing so increase the debts of the company, be held liable for the company debts.
If only Mr Whyte had been able to get some of these outstanding “loans,” – you know, these EBT “loans” as authorised by his predecessor – repaid, then there would have been plenty cash to pay all the bills.
D-Day for McCoist – Sunday Herald
The 52-year-old, who was said to have “surprised” the board when he informed them on Thursday of his intention to work his 12-month notice period at the club – news that was subsequently made public ahead of Friday night’s defeat to Queen of the South – will be accompanied by legal counsel for the talks, which are likely to thrash out his exact point of departure from the role he has held since succeeding Walter Smith in July 2011.
The timescale is important because of the impending club AGM on December 22, an occasion which already seems likely to be stormy. Rangers reported Ā£8.3m losses last month and need to raise a similar amount before the end of the financial year if they are to stay afloat, while Llambias is midway through a series of savage cut backs at the club. After the departure of seven or eight administrative staff at the club in recent weeks, including the manager’s secretary, academy director Jimmy Sinclair is widely expected be the latest casualty in the next few days. Some sort of resolution on the McCoist affair, one way or another, before the AGM therefore seems inevitable.
Llambias, the non-executive director and a close ally of Mike Ashley, and chairman David Somers were in London this weekend, and are likely to spend the next few days working out their strategy ahead of the talks. Essentially they are mulling over three options. Either McCoist stays in position, an outcome which seems unlikely given the heightened feelings on each side and the alarming sense of drift witnessed in the 2-0 defeat to Queen of the South, or he goes on so-called ‘gardening leave’ for the remaining 12 months of his contract whilst someone else takes over team affairs. Alternatively, money could be found to settle the estimated Ā£400,000 which is outstanding. While members of his backroom team such as Kenny McDowall and Ian Durrant would be hugely reluctant to take over first-team duties given such a scenario, even on a caretaker basis, it is at least worth pointing out that McDowall spent 10 years at Celtic, rising to the role of a respected reserve team coach, while Durrant currently coaches both the first team and the reserves, and has one match as caretaker under his belt, a 3-2 Scottish Cup defeat to Dunfermline when he filled in after the departure of Paul Le Guen back in 2007.
Both parties in this delicate negotiation will be determined to tread carefully, not least the Ashley camp, given that the businessman’s mishandling of the departure of Newcastle United’s Kevin Keegan led to an independent arbitration panel awarding Keegan a Ā£2m payout for constructive dismissal.
Nonetheless, the Sports Direct tycoon appears to be exerting increasing influence on the club – regardless of SFA chief executive Stewart Regan’s pleas for further clarity on his plans – and may be keen to install his own man in the manager’s office. The likes of Stuart McCall, Terry Butcher, Billy Davies and Derek McInnes have been suggested as plausible replacements but all may be wary that taking the job in such circumstances would leave them open to the accusations of disloyalty from supporters.
Meanwhile, the Rangers players were back in training yesterday, with McCoist reportedly cancelling a scheduled Christmas party in the wake of Friday night’s disappointment in Dumfries, where the margin of defeat could well have been greater than the eventual 2-0 scoreline.
There was one crumb of comfort for the beleaguered Ibrox club yesterday, however. Plunging temperatures in Fife put paid to Hearts’ efforts to get their Championship match with Cowdenbeath played, meaning that the Ibrox club’s arrears at the top of the table remain at nine points. That match has been rescheduled for December 23, just one day after that potentially turbulent Ibrox AGM.
Whether McCoist has presided over his last Rangers match, the row will do little to engender enthusiasm amongst the Rangers support. While he remains manager, McCoist still hopes supporters turn out to support their team, starting at Ibrox next Saturday against Livingston. “I understand there are a lot of reasons for some supporters staying away but as manager of the football club I have to say we would far rather be supported in great numbers rather than small numbers,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter if it is one thousand or fifty thousand, the focus on the job is still the same for the players and that has to be the way.”
Alba bhoy.
In my usual patronisingly simplistic fashion. Bankrupt (no cash) is not insolvent (no assets).
Et tu Gordon?
An open letter from Gordon Smith. WARNING – contains the ‘L’ word.
http://www.sundaypost.com/sport/columnists/gordon-smith/gordon-smith-sends-open-letter-to-mccoist-1.736263
andygraham.66 says:
December 14, 2014 at 9:57 am
D-Day for McCoist ā Sunday Herald
============================================
Thanks for that andy. If we ever needed any proof about how useless the SMSM is we have it all in that weak puff masquerading as an in-depth story fit for a Sunday Newspaper.
Any old enough to have read and remember the Sunday Standard – from the same stable – will hang their heads in shame at how low the Sunday Herald has sunk as has all the other Scottish titles in the Group.
Not an ounce of investigative journalism involved and the only possible piece of ‘news’ there is all but ignored. It implies McCoist cancelled the player’s Xmas party. Now that is a story worthy of some digging but the reference to it is just left hanging limply in the wind like a wet rag.
Had thought of penning a missive on all the pros and cons of Ally’s position, along with the potential knock on for his pals who many have forgotten in the equation.
However rather than bore you the thing that strikes me is that despite some saying Ally could walk into a media role the fact is he and his amigos reputation in football is toast. Fine being a retired star striker with a cheeky line of patter but these guys are fast becoming viewed as ‘failed’ lower league managers and coaches.
While they have been coining it in they are all still relatively young for this potentially being there last big pay day.
Martin says:
December 14, 2014 at 10:33 am
Here is my, much shorter, version of what Gordon Smith was saying to McCoist in his open letter:
Dear Ally,
You and me are mates.
We both love Rangers and are true Rangers men.
I left Rangers and didn’t demand the money I was due (nowhere near as much as you are due, but let’s not split hairs).
You are a totally useless manager, best for Rangers that you leave.
I’m making this letter public so all the bears can see how much of a Rangers man I am.
Yours,
Gordon Smith
PS Would be great for my credibility if you were to leave tomorrow and let it be known it was my letter than finally persuaded you go.
PPS I’ve booked the tee for 10.30 on Friday, at our favourite course in Portugal.
From Gordon Smith’s piece, which Martin linked to above:
“Stability is crucial at any football club. When you are talking about Rangers, A CLUB WHOSE FINANCIAL PROBLEMS MEAN THEY HAVE TO WIN PROMOTION THIS SEASON, it is a necessity.” (my capitals)
There you go, everything that’s wrong with the TRFC business case and the media response to it in one handy sentence.
The whole McCoist thing is just one great big dog whistle / bat signal to let the Rangers men with money know that the club is about to be downsized on the pitch ….. akin to Walter’s ” we need to get lucky with suspensions and injuries …… ”
I suspect no-one is listening to Ally and all that will happen is a decline on the pitch from now on.
A Glasgow-based SME struggling for money and being ripped off by its senior mgt team, no easy solution , ultimately a dreadful Rangers team out of Ibrox or out of Hampden ….. the Rangers nightmare of regular beatings by the likes of Ross County , Dundee (Motherwell and KIllie results always a given) seems to be getting pretty close……..
It is the hope that kills you, seems to me that the hope is just about gone …
andygraham.66 says:
December 14, 2014 at 9:57 am
D-Day for McCoist
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Will D stand for Demoted?
A rather simple solution to the Boardās managerial problem would be to move Ally within the organisation which I believe is covered by āRFCL has the right, at any time after any notice of termination to suspend Mr McCoistās duties or require him to only perform specific tasks or duties. During this period RFCL must continue to pay Mr McCoistās basic salary.ā
A job swop with Billy Kirkwood would seem to be the most likely answer. Billy is presently Senior Academy Manager, U17 & U20 Coach and has achieved promotion out of the Division that Rangers are presently in, although a good number of years ago.
This would neatly tie up the following:-
1. The Board would seem decisive and if Ally will not accept his new duties then he breaches his contract.
2. It would cost very little as Billy would only require a small bump in salary compared to the overall cost of Ally leaving and a new manager being installed
3. Ally could still serve the club he loves for another 51 weeks
I know that the fans would prefer a Club legend like Gordon Durie over a former Dundee United legend but Gordonās previous health issues may make that a non-starter.
Normally, I would also propose this via e-mail to David Somers but since Craig Houston has revealed that a club employee monitors social media sites (probably not wise for Derek to cut that job) then Iāll save myself 5 minutes and not bother as Iām pretty certain that this site will be bookmarked!
Some clarification by our legal community would be useful regarding the admission of taped evidence . This is what Lords McCluskey and Sutherland ruled on the matter previously
” These opinions make it clear that the following are the reasons which are commonly given for admitting this evidence.
First, the evidence could–leaving aside the question of other objections–have been led by the Crown, because it is relevant to the Crown case against the accused who made the statement and it has always been competent to lead evidence of admissions made by the accused as part of the Crown case.
Second, evidence which tends to incriminate the accused who made the statement is relevant also to the defence of the co-accused, where only one of them could have committed the crime.
Third, as the statement contains an admission against the interest of the person who made it, it is more likely to be true than false and it is therefore evidence which should be made available at the trial.
Fourth, the evidence of those to whom the statement was made or heard it being made is the best evidence of the fact that the statement was made, as the person who made it is not a compellable witness at his own trial.
And fifth, as the accused is a party to the proceedings at which the evidence is to be led, he or she has the protection which the law gives to accused persons in cases where evidence is to be led which may be incriminating.”
It would also be useful to understand whether a tape recording is viewed in Scotland as being Physical evidence or hearsay.
This is what I understand the position to be on Physical evidence
Physical evidence
“A party can introduce physical evidence, either as an exhibit to a witness statement or in some cases as a separate item of evidence on its own.
Physical evidence comes in many different forms, ranging from incriminating objects (e.g., the murder weapon, the defective ladder, etc) to maps, charts, drawings, sound and video recordings, photographs, etc.
In many cases, it is important to preserve physical evidence so that it is not tampered with, contaminated or otherwise spoiled prior to trial, and the party proposing to offer such evidence will need to arrange for this.”
I expect Ally will be receiving lots of letters, open and private, reminding him of friendships and favours.
The subtext appears to be that Ally knows where the bodies are and who put them there. It would appear that none of the current regime can afford to provoke Ally, hence the ridiculous 12 notice period.
As for the AGM, MA may decide to underwrite a share issue (with the agreement of the SFA) but will anyone in their right mind take a punt on a diluted share in a company like this? They couldn’t raise Ā£4m at the last one.
My guess is that when the Court turns it’s full glare on sevco etc, the only person smelling of roses will be Craig.
I was shopping this morning and was offered a free newspaper so took a Sunday Times basically because of the TV page back section.
The front news part of the paper is good in fact very good with sometimes fearless and quite incisive journalism about a wide range of subjects today from Jack Straw and extraditions,to the Scots guy who was maybe pushed out of his building by the Russian Mafia.
And in the sports section there is a superb piece from Vitaliy Stepanov blowing the whistle about Russian doping and in fear for his life for being honest.
And Rod Liddle is always good value and not frightened to ruffle feathers. He calls it as it is.
So I can say The Sunday Times is good (even if I have issues about its owners politics and influence).
But
Two of its writers today are so out of place in the paper.
So much so they make me question the veracity of all the good stuff I was reading and the good stuff this paper does.
And make me question the editorial management.
Both writers are in the sports section.
And both provided us with very succulent lamb.
Douglas Alexander and Graeme Souness both wax lyrical about Rangers related stuff today and mostly their friend Ally.
I was a fan of Souness as a player.
And I accept Souness is not a writer but is there for insight and indeed his pieces are probably ghosted for him.
Well today Graeme tells us what a nice guy Ally is and that he’s had a tough job to do.
And how he was a good guy when he was manager and made the dressing room a nice place to be.
And how Ally always has new jokes to tell.
And how Graeme himself had bad chairmen but poor Ally has had even worse.
Really incisive stuff Graeme about what is going on at Ibrox and no stuff about his time at Newcastle or thoughts on the current Ashley link.
Alexander, who seems to be the only named Scottish journo writing for The Times, is regurgitating all the bull that he has in turn been fed by the bull generation industry that feeds off this club.
There are so many questions Mr Alexander could ask on behalf of people who shell out real pound notes to buy his paper but hasn’t and probably never will.
Douglas one of the first I’d ask would be to find out from Mr Souness what he was remunerated for by the EBT some years after he had left his employment.
And I’d ask if Ally really ever had his wages reduced.
There is an enormous juxtaposition of journalism approach in The Sunday Times.
We have real insight and proper questions from a long list of professional journalists and we have the Scottish Football desk patronising the Scottish audience.
And we know how the game up here works Douglas.
You need to keep yourself in the loop to get the morsels coming your way from your “pals” so you will never rock the boat and while your pieces are better written than those in the red tops it is still the same PR generated bull.
No journalism more regurgitation.
Maybe one day The Sunday Times will put a real team on to this story and go right back to the knighted one, his pal the banker, the tax efficient payments made and how, the sale for a pound, the steep fall into chaos and liquidation, the subsequent possibly very dodgy sale of the assets and the carpetbagging soap opera since.
Its all there waiting for the right team of journalists.
Alexander and Souness won’t even make the subbies bench.
What is Smith on,the same guy that when questioned at the height of the problems coming out had no shame in admitting he knew nothing,nada,zilch when he should have ,did,but kept schtum,well Gordon here’s an open letter to your good self
Dear Gordon
In you time at Rangers(IL) what exactly was your remit
Where you in regular conversation with football manager
Did you have or where you included in any meetings regards the running of said club
On your resignation from whatever role you had,where you actually entitled to compen.
For someone that had financial issues which resulted in a bankruptcy seems strange not to pursue contractual compensation unless it was never there in the first place.
See what you have started Gordon no one will be sending cards now ,just open letters,I will do Ally’s later.
RyanGosling says:
December 14, 2014 at 2:44 am
…. the dual ownership issue is with UEFA rather than the SFA I believe……
…..I know many here speculate on his desire for cash etc., but he is already a wealthy man and I doubt his sole motivation in any of these recent developments is cash.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You are correct in stating that the SFA can allow Dual Interests in Clubs under Article 13.1 when the Board has given prior written consent.
The basis for this consent is contained in Article 13.6 which states in full – In considering whether to give any such consent as may be required by this Article 13, the Board shall have regard to the need to promote and safeguard the interests and public profile of Association Football, its players, spectators and others concerned with the game and shall have regard also to these Articles, the rules and regulations of the Scottish FA and to the constitution and rules of those bodies of which the Scottish FA is in membership and, accordingly, any such consent shall be subject to such conditions as the Board shall consider appropriate in all the circumstances.
I think we can all agree that it is very likely that the SFA Board would grant consent if the only other option they are presented with is the Liquidation of Rangers.
I also think you are correct about Allyās beliefs and motivation plus I do think the redundancies will have upset him as he will know some of those employees very well. We are all complex individuals and to try and paint him as a one dimensional character is wrong.
P. S. I have sent you a PM.
P. P. S. Anyone contemplating a two faced joke from the one dimensional character reference ā forget it.
PhilMacGiollaBhain says:
December 13, 2014 at 6:16 pm
“The RIFC āOnerous Contractsā is where the action is.”
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RIFC? This set me thinking – are the onerous contract with RIFC rather than TRFC? In which case, it is RIFC (rather than TRFC nĆ© Sevco) that would have to be liquidated to get rid of them… This might explain Mike Ashley’s cost-cutting agenda – is he applying austerity measures to TRFC in order to sell it as a going concern (to Blue Knights or whoever), leaving RIFC as an empty husk and the onerous contracts worthless?
Finloch says:
December 14, 2014 at 11:39 am
I’m just wondering if, as a Hearts supporter, Souness is doing his best to keep his mate, McCoist, in situ. I know I’d be doing the same š
But, in reality, the number of ex players and journos that are feeding off the ‘Rangers story’ is quite phenomenal, and none of them are actually helping, though they probably think they are.