As most of you will be aware, the Guardian recently agreed to and accepted payment from CQN for an advertisement which was intended to raise awareness of the Resolution 12 issue, an issue pursued determinedly by Celtic shareholders for the last three years. Subsequently, and citing the thinnest of excuses, they decided not to run the ad. This developed hard on the heels of the Herald actually soliciting the business from the advertisers for their own paper, and then without even seeing the copy, refusing to move forward. (See CQN story here)
A troubling aspect of GuardianGate is that CQN were lied to. They were initially advised that the ad was to be removed after editorial scrutiny. Subsequently they were advised that the decision came from an intervention by senior officials.
We are now focused on a media conspiracy to impose censorship in favour of a multi-million pound industry – to the detriment of its small investors and paying customers.
So which was true – and which was the lie?
Here’s a thing about the truth; it is seldom complicated, which is why the failure by the Guardian and the Herald to deliver a straightforward answer implies that there may be more to this nonsense than any of us first imagined.
At this point, it is worth noting that the Guardian is currently running an ad campaign by Toyota, a company who have admitted lying to environmental regulatory bodies for years about emissions from their cars (the Guardian professes to be a major campaigner on environmental issues), but won’t accept a paying ad that asks some polite and important questions about the conduct of a multi-million pound industry.
The denial of the Res 12 guys’ right to ask questions (no accusations – just bloody questions) via the once assumed to be pluralist and free press, should be ringing alarm bells all over the country, and the substantive issue has become largely irrelevant as a consequence. We are now focused on a media conspiracy to impose censorship in favour of a multi-million pound industry – to the detriment of its small investors and paying customers.
Two so-called quality newspapers, have mysteriously, after touting for advertising business, refused that very same business, and have given no good reason for doing so. If the Guardian refuse to accept an ad, I don’t believe that is censorship in itself, but when the dwindling number of newspaper proprietors in this country conspire to arrange an effective blackout of ideas, that is quite clearly censorship.
And for something so relatively inconsequential as football, I can only assume that we have all stumbled on to something far more serious.
Given the recent media rhetoric about Russia Today and their forthright coverage of Chilcot and Tory Election Fraud, it seems that like so many of the players in this saga, the irony circuit in the collective press brain is now as devolved as a human tail.
There are dark forces at work in our country, and they are running riot with basic freedoms. However it is important to put the football issue into the proper perspective; if the media can go to these corrupt lengths for a game of football, what will they do to protect the capital interests of arms manufacturers, food producers and media dictatorships?
They may have lost the war, but through fix after fix at the SFA and the SPL, in the press and in the media, the authorities are winning the peace – basically by denying that any peace is possible until we all accept the notion that black is white, right is left, and wrong is right
Migrant fruit-pickers
© Scotsman
Back in soccer La-La-Land’s Mount Florida Fruit Factory, the football authorities most definitely lost the recent war. RFC went out of business and failed the fundamental task of any football club – to sustain itself. In allowing that to happen on their watch, the authorities failed in their most fundamental role – to keep RFC alive.
However through fix after fix, at the SFA and the SPL, in the press and in the media, they are winning the peace – basically by denying that any peace is possible until we all accept the notion that black is white, right is left, and wrong is right.
And still, even in this atmosphere, the major shareholders at all of our clubs sit and do nothing. Are they part of the problem, an integral part of the conspiracy? Or are they scared witless of the forces that may line up against them if they dare to grow a pair, like the Resolution 12 guys?
Sporting integrity has taken a back seat recently. Season ticket sales are up all over the place; Celtic provided a marquee manager; the red tops are ablaze about the ‘return’ of the Rangers; Hearts and Aberdeen are newly emerged from financial difficulty, and now enjoy the realistic prospect of new eras of success; and another competitive and exciting year beckons in the Championship.
In normal circumstances this would be fantastic news. But all of it is based on a Lie – the Lie that the game is run according to the rules, and for the benefit of all clubs. When the euphoria at Parkhead dies down; when TRFC are reinstalled (actually it will need to be with a shoehorn, but it will be done) as part of the old duopoly that sees the vital contribution made by the likes of Hearts and Aberdeen and others as insignificant; when the next major ‘bending’ of the regulations becomes necessary; all we will be left with is that Big Lie.
The clubs will eventually have to deal with that – and the complicit roles they played in ramming it down each and every one of our throats.
I hope we make them pay.
Another thing about the truth though is this;
Everyone with skin in this game, with the exception of the mentally deficient, know exactly what the truth is;
- RFC cheated;
- RFC evaded, avoided, and deliberately withheld payment of tax;
- RFC failed to register players properly over (at least) a decade;
- RFC lied to the SFA, the SPL and LNS;
- Whilst all the above was happening, RFC won over a dozen on-field prizes;
- The SFA rewrote the terms of LNS to better tailor their preferred outcome;
- RFC were punished by way of a £250k fine. No other penalties were suffered by RFC;
- RFC entered liquidation and a new club, which co-existed with RFC, began playing in competition BEFORE RFC’s SFA/SPL membership lapsed;
- That club (TRFC for differentiation purposes) just achieved promotion to the Premiership;
As long as we keep reminding everyone of those truths, as long as we continue to give them a voice, they won’t go away.
And what if, next time, it is Hearts or Aberdeen or Celtic, who make a desperate attempt to get an edge over their rivals (an emergent TRFC perhaps)?
The irony (and I exclude the TRFC fans who frequent this site) is that TRFC, despite having the weight of the football and press establishments behind them, are being done no favours at all.
The increasing pariah status of their club is a sad but inevitable consequence of the wrong-doing by the old club, because the fans (understandably to be fair) seek to side with their own partisan interests in the face of outside hostility.
But think of this. If the initial-ism ‘RFC’ above was replaced by the name of any other club in the country, wouldn’t TRFC fans be complaining as loudly as the rest of us?
And what if, next time, it is Hearts or Aberdeen or Celtic, who make a desperate attempt to get an edge over their rivals (an emergent TRFC perhaps)?
What if they run roughshod over the same rules that were broken before but remain unfixed? What if, as a consequence, a compliant TRFC are denied an opportunity to play in Europe, or compete in a final, or win a league?
Will we then still be ‘Rangers haters’ if we protest about that or merely Hearts or Dons or Celtic haters?
This is not about revenge – it never has been – and no amount of wishful thinking will make it so. For most of us on SFM, there is no RFC to have our revenge on anyway, so the accusation makes no sense.
What we are about, what we are all about, is weeding out the clucken wort in Scotland’s football garden on level six at Hampden.
And it appears that some extraordinarily powerful individual or group, with enough muscle to bend the fourth estate to their will, wants to keep us all away from that garden..
midfielder Mikel Arteta has joined Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff,
EBT £674,603 SIDE LETTER YES. RANGERS CREDITOR Manchester City FC £328,248.71
It is a funny old game
Cluster OneJuly 3, 2016 at 22:34
‘…midfielder Mikel Arteta has joined Manchester City ..’
________
“……..Arteta thanked Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, his team-mates and the supporters, while reflecting on a memorable spell in north London……….It is a funny old game.’
_________
Yes, the cheating, scheming, lacking-in-integrity SDM’s club stiffs it creditors without being expelled ignominiously from Scottish Football and without said SDM being justly pilloried and despised as much as ex-knight banker of a banker Goodwin,and one of his stiffed creditors employs another of his ‘victims’, who might very well have to cough up a good few bob in taxes and penalties for not paying them when due while playing for SDM’s cheating team..
Bit confused….how can anyone be a director of an organisation that doesnt have a constitution? To ask the obvious, you do need a constitution to rule on how a director can be appointed, dont you?…..very confused, and anyone who thought they were one, or agreed to be one, to direct an organisation in line with its constitution should certainly also be confused as to what they thought they were doing…
did somebody just say..would you like to be a director? Yes? Ok, you’re a director..?
in fact, how long were they directors? and what did they do? What decisions did they take? And were they in line with the constitution? …. Oh wait…
and while i’m at it, when did they notice there wasn’t a constitution?
an MP??? Wow.
Homunculus said:
It may be significant to note that not long ago Rangers First bought a load of shares, taking their holding to something like 6%.
Whilst that was money spent in furtherance of their aim, to get as large a holding as possible in the PLC (I believe their ultimate goal is 25%) it would not have actually put any money in to the PLC or the club. That must have been quite disappointing for some people.
**********************
I think the greater interest is whether the shares are from the same source, and if this is the case – who is selling?
Started reading the Evening Times online report of the Celtic versus Sturm Graz match. Half way down there’s a box advert for Sevco supporters to buy season tickets. There’s even the hash tag Going for 55! Where do you start with this mince?
Hi All, been a while, good to be back. Work commitments and sun seeking beckoned.
In the pub Friday night I was chatting to a guy I have known for many years, a long standing TRFC supporter and a thoroughly decent man. He was telling me he is one of the many who pay £18.72 per month into the RFFF (or whatever it’s called these days) and that he is happy to do so. He stated that he is doing his bit to protect his club and boasted about the share % now owned. He has no idea how many fellow supporters are contributing, cash at hand, fund administration or who has their hand on the tiller. Director resignations? Well, things change, usually for the better.
He could not tell me from whom the shares had been purchased, at what price or who is the legal owner & benificiary of the shareholding. It is also viewed as a convenience that the Season Card does not need to be applied for, it is automatically deducted from his account. In ONE payment! Same for away tickets.
In his opinion, his club is being well run and the future is looking good. The signing policy has produced the correct blend of youth and experience to challenge for major honours this season.
I then steered the conversation towards the good looking girl at the bar.
helpmaboabJuly 4, 2016 at 09:26
We are all going for 55, just at different totals presently . TRFC have 55 to go to reach that figure .
Caveat EmptorJuly 4, 2016 at 10:26
‘…I then steered the conversation towards the good looking girl at the bar. ‘
_________
I think I would have body- swerved the wilfully blind decent chap and steered myself to the bar, good looking gal or not!
I have copied this from the John James blog, his latest is about the alleged problems with the roof at Ibrox stadium. This is taken directly from one of the comments in response, it is the comment in it’s entirety. I have no idea how much of it is true and as such am willing to accept that there is every possibility it is mischief making. To be honest I kind of hope so.
_________________________________________________
TrueBlueBillsays:July 4, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Surely the Lion Brand would have asked permission from Help for Heroes to use their logo and Lee Rigby’s name to sell their tat?
http://www.thelionbrand.co.uk/hfh-lee-rigby
Quelle surprise – they don’t!
It was confirmed to me by HFH earlier this morning that they had no idea that they were using their logo and they certainly hadn’t been given permission to do so.
Because of this HFH are looking to speak to the Lion Brand “as a matter of urgency” and they assured me that they “take matters such as this very seriously”.
Can – or more importantly will – these people stoop any lower?
_________________________________________________
It should be borne in mind that the people who produce these shirts claim
“All proceeds from sales will be invested directly into the club.
The Lionbrand is committed to rebuilding our club alongside all fans and all fans groups”
I find it hard to believe that they are using the Help For Heroes logo on shirts they are selling, with all of the proceeds are going to a football club. Particularly if they have not even discussed it with the Help For Heroes people. One is also left to wonder if they will try to have another “Armed Forces Day” at Ibrox this year.
Further to my post ( and thanks for all the thumbs up ) even I couldn’t believe it could be the case so had a peek at the Companies House site. Rangers First CIC does indeed have articles of association so now confused as to why a director thought they didn’t.
i suppose we are left to wonder at the competence of MPs (again), unless he doesn’t know that the articles are the constitution, so even more concerned as to his abilities or otherwise.
bad capt madmanJuly 4, 2016 at 17:12
Further to my post ( and thanks for all the thumbs up ) even I couldn’t believe it could be the case so had a peek at the Companies House site. Rangers First CIC does indeed have articles of association so now confused as to why a director thought they didn’t. i suppose we are left to wonder at the competence of MPs (again), unless he doesn’t know that the articles are the constitution, so even more concerned as to his abilities or otherwise.
_________________
Unless he actually meant that it no longer has a constitution due to the change brought about by the vote in favour of lending money to TRFC. I’m not sure, but it might make sense that such a sea change of purpose would require a fresh constitution and this has not yet been created and passed by the members! It is notable that the statement from RF didn’t refute Donohoe’s claims, it merely tried to blacken the resigning board members in the eyes of the bears! I know that if I was a member of a similar organisation, and someone in a position of knowledge was to make claims like those made, I’d expect any statement to categorically deny such claims and offer proof of their falsehood as quickly as possible.
We know Companies House only notes changes that have been notified to them, and that this can take a while to appear in the records. So, if a new constitution is required, and even if it has been created and passed, there’s every possibility it won’t yet be recorded at Companies House.
I do agree, though, that, on the face of it, the resigning members seem to have taken a while to notify anyone of the problems they claim exists, but, as I suggested yesterday, they’ve maybe been trying to correct what needed corrected to get the company onto a surer footing, in the best interests of the members. They would appear to have failed, and it’s not necessarily any fault of theirs!
Is it really 4 years?
July 4, 2012
At today’s General Meeting, SPL clubs today voted overwhelmingly to reject the application from Rangers newco to join the SPL.
Just a little bit on the TRFC America Jaunt. I noticed today that it was being called an ‘Exhibition Match’. Long long time since I heard that handle being used. They must be really embarrassed. But Mr Warburton himself was accredited with this gem. ‘Its not just a one game jaunt. Its 2 games..2 games of 45 minutes each….In the spouting utter pash competition we have the gold medal winner.
Carfins FinestJuly 4, 2016 at 20:47
Just a little bit on the TRFC America Jaunt. I noticed today that it was being called an ‘Exhibition Match’. Long long time since I heard that handle being used. They must be really embarrassed. But Mr Warburton himself was accredited with this gem. ‘Its not just a one game jaunt. Its 2 games..2 games of 45 minutes each….In the spouting utter pash competition we have the gold medal winner.
___________________________
I thought I could take the p*ss out of Warbs for that, nae bother, but it’s just too ludicrous to be beaten, the man is a genius of self inflicted comedic faux pas
What’s happened to that oh so clever City Trader? Maybe he made his money by convincing people that two half millions were actually two one millions – but made up of £5 notes instead of tenners, or something like that!
Got it! He learned from David Murray, remember the days of, ‘for every fiver…’
Cluster OneJuly 4, 2016 at 19:27
‘…At today’s General Meeting, SPL clubs today voted overwhelmingly to reject the application from Rangers newco to join the SPL.’
______
Ah, the days of old when men were bold!
Why in God’s name did they not follow their logic (and their consciences) and insist that if TRFC were to be admitted anywhere, it would be as the new club they were, instead of helping the Big Lie to be created and propagated?
There can be few of those club CEO’s /owners who do not sit at night, in quiet moments, alone with their thoughts, who do not hear the voice of Turnbull Hutton ,and wince at the look of scorn and contempt in his gaze as he holds their pusillanimity and betrayal of principle before their cowardly eyes.
CARFINS FINESTJULY 4, 2016 at 20:47
Can they field “Trialists” this season? Do they have any this season?
” ‘Its not just a one game jaunt. Its 2 games..2 games of 45 minutes each”
—————————————————————————–
I understand why he was moaning about having to play so many away games this coming season now.
As this is an international fixture with the Charlestown Dancers, with two “aways” back to back, do away goals count double double?.
The SFA rules are on-line, but does anybody have a link to the Sevco rules? I’ve been looking for ages.
night night chums
On the internal strife in the new club ( let them ,like political parties currently, tear each other to pieces, our withers are unwrung!), if I am reading the Companies House reference to Club 1872 correctly, there seems to be only one director.
Now, I seem to remember that the ‘Proposa’l was that all sorts of odds and sods of ‘fan’ groups were to be pulled into constituent membership of Club 1872 CIC as the ‘holding unit’, with about seven directors, and a communications representation and bells and whistles and Lord knows what kind of grandiose ideas.
Do we know what happened? Is Club 1872 only Mr Blair? Has he got monies from the other elements who were to be represented on the Board under his sole control?
At the very least, it all looks bit untidy. Or do I need to do a whole lot more research? Not that I have any great interest in the welfare of the new club: I just want to be aware of any dirty mess that our Football authorities might again have to misuse their powers to ‘sort out’.
Pat Byrne
July 5, 2016
Cheers Nickmcguinness could have had a nasty law suit coming my way if you hadn’t pointed that out. Still disgraceful regardless, using HFH logo without their permission beggars belief. How low will these scumbags stoop?
_________________________
I would have to assume that you have not seen the new orange T shirt with the HFH and the Lee Rigby Soldier Motif on it? Takes distasteful to a new level. The poor mans family must be wondering what their son did to deserve association with these knuckle dragging idiots.
CARFINS FINEST, where can I watch or read MW say this? Can you post a link to it? There may be more to the quote that puts it in context. Or not. It might be as daft as it sounds. He wouldn’t be the first manager to say something stupid and he certainly won’t be the last.
Link to a site that has printed the resignation letters of the Rangers First Three!
https://resignationletters.wordpress.com/2016/07/04/resignation-letters/
Upshot is that the three believe they were voted on to do a job but that the direction of the operation was already set in stone but has not been built on sound foundations.
They can’t see a way of reverse engineering it so have decided to go as opposed to getting caught up in the nonsense and risk damage to their reputations.
All three appear to imply they are concerned what may happen to members monies.
wottpiJuly 5, 2016 at 10:10
Link to a site that has printed the resignation letters of the Rangers First Three!
https://resignationletters.wordpress.com/2016/07/04/resignation-letters/
Upshot is that the three believe they were voted on to do a job but that the direction of the operation was already set in stone but has not been built on sound foundations. They can’t see a way of reverse engineering it so have decided to go as opposed to getting caught up in the nonsense and risk damage to their reputations.
All three appear to imply they are concerned what may happen to members monies.
_____________________________________
Assuming they are genuine reproductions of the letters:
I am pleased to see that my assumption that the resigning directors had been endeavouring to sort out the mess, hence the time taken to go public, was correct. It makes their actions all the more serious, and dare I say, honourable. It’s good to know that there are some honourable people on the periphery of things around Ibrox.
I think, though, wottpi, the upshot is far greater than how you see it, though what you say is well founded. I shall be rather surprised if matters end with the resignations, as I get the feeling that within those letters there’s director-speak for ‘there’s something rotten in the kingdom of Denmark!’ There is also a clear indication that these knowledgeable directors do not consider that those wielding the power there have the intellect (I’m being kind) to run the trust/company properly. The non-existence of a list of members must surely make any vote, particularly the one to change the purpose of the fund, invalid and improper if not downright illegal.
There is also the sense that all three see things in the same way that Brian Bowman described and that the members’ money is not safe.
I can’t copy and paste anything from the blog, but in the letter from ‘Peter’, he says he is ‘baffled’ that there was a vote in February (to join Club 1872 or to make funds available?) when the proposals (pay over cash to TRFC via Club 1872?) were already at an advanced stage, which might indicate that someone was in a hurry! The letter doesn’t give an indication as to what vote he is referring, but clearly the recipients of the letter will know exactly what vote it was.
The four blog responses show that there are some members very worried by this development, and that there is a, not unexpected, aura of ‘ruling by fear’ within their ranks.
It seems that the people holding power within these supporters organisations are the same, or the same kind of, people King used to rabble rouse the masses that aided his triumphal march to power. As so often happens when a crook uses rabble rousers to his own ends, they end up making matters worse for him, rather than just slinking off into anonymity, for they want their slice of the pie too. In saying that, I am sure there are basically honourable people trying to run things properly, but are just out of their depths, finding themselves over-ruled and afraid to rock the boat.
I can see some form of administrators being sent in, perhaps by the FSA or similar, to oversee the running of the trusts/companies and perhaps even winding them up and returning what cash is available to the members.
ALLYJAMBO
JULY 5, 2016 at 11:34
As always my 1st thoughts were if the letters were genuine but they appear to be and if not they are very elaborate.
Anyone who has run any kind of sports or social type operation involving members and funds will not be surprised by how things can get out of hand and/or a few loud mouths trying to gain control and steer things to their benefit and desires.
While it is clear there appears to be some of the usual suspects trying to run the show there are other highly qualified professionals involved in this venture.
One would have thought that they would be more worried by these recent developments and disclosures than appears to be the case!
The whole thing comes back to a lack of openness and transparency with regards to all goings on down Govan way.
Speaking of which, I wonder how they are doing producing the 30th June year end accounts?
wottpiJuly 5, 2016 at 12:07
ALLYJAMBO JULY 5, 2016 at 11:34
As always my 1st thoughts were if the letters were genuine but they appear to be and if not they are very elaborate.
Anyone who has run any kind of sports or social type operation involving members and funds will not be surprised by how things can get out of hand and/or a few loud mouths trying to gain control and steer things to their benefit and desires. While it is clear there appears to be some of the usual suspects trying to run the show there are other highly qualified professionals involved in this venture.
One would have thought that they would be more worried by these recent developments and disclosures than appears to be the case!
The whole thing comes back to a lack of openness and transparency with regards to all goings on down Govan way.
Speaking of which, I wonder how they are doing producing the 30th June year end accounts?
_____________________________________
I think this is rather more than a typical sports or social type operation, it is a limited company, holding, we hope, some £700,000 in it’s coffers. This isn’t an argument over where they go for their Xmas do or do we need a 30 seater or 50 for the trip to Forfar? There will, no doubt, be some individuals with the nous to run such an undertaking properly, but will they have the will to get involved in a situation that seems to be getting worse? I suspect that the kind of person RF needs right now is hardly likely to want to get involved and risk professional and personal damage to his or her reputation, and maybe worse, and is more likely to seek a return of their ‘investment’ and leave as quietly as possible than put their hand up and volunteer their services.
Think back to the post (can’t remember who by) that described a discussion with a bear friend who could see nothing untoward with the goings on at RF. He, I’d guess, will be representative of the bulk of the members, only wanting to do what he considers best for his football club, and not interested in anyone rocking the boat. There is a culture around these organisations that isn’t going to be easy to change, and I’d say it can only be changed if the board of TRFC/RIFC want it to. They (King) are pulling the strings.
The string is visible, it’s called James Blair.
ALLYJAMBOJULY 5, 2016 at 12:37
Indeed it is a big operation with huge funds that needs careful and professional management.
But that was my implied point. There appears to be a case building whereby the whole thing is perhaps being run and controlled by amateurs you wouldn’t trust with the social club’s Xmas outing funds.
What the ‘professionals’ are making of this and what action they are planning, heaven knows. However it looks like potential trouble is brewing.
wottpiJuly 5, 2016 at 13:00
I think that what we are seeing at RF is as a direct result of the birth of TRFC and the way it was conceived and the type of people involved in it’s conception. That, and the WATP attitude that has been used for a century to rally the troops around a false ’cause’.
Whether or not there has been anything underhand going on at RF (and in the link to Club 1872) there can be little doubt that the whole set up is a mess, and that people have been using that mess to try to finance the current regime at Ibrox. With this so obvious mess at this organisation, it makes it even more questionable that TRFC/RIFC have allowed themselves to be so closely linked by the presence of James Blair on the boards of companies that, by their nature, should be completely independent of each other.
The siege mentality that has been built around all things ‘Rangers’ will no doubt be blinding the RF members to what’s going on, and is probably something that King has been aware of and actively built and used. There’s nothing like a siege for keeping all those inside, on the walls, looking out and shouting at their enemies, while their leaders are digging an escape tunnel for themselves and their loot. All the time, unaware that their ‘enemies’ aren’t actually besieging them, they are just standing back waiting for their citadel to implode! Which would just be history repeating itself!
A number of years ago, perhaps it was on RTC, I wrote enquiring of the nature of Rangers’ links to the armed forces – it was, if I remember correctly, at the time of their first ‘Armed Forces Day’.. I got no answer, though a fair few thumbs up…and down. Some people obviously didn’t like the question, made them a bit uncomfortable, no doubt.
Well, now I have the answer to the question. Loyalty, eh, what a bunch of heroes they are!
https://www.byline.com/column/52/article/1143
ALLYJAMBO
JULY 5, 2016 at 14:53
=======================================
It appears that story is right then, absolutely appalling.
Though can I just add that it is unlikely any Rangers supporter who actually bought one of those knew what the Lion Brand people were doing.
I merely conjecture here, are there links between Lion Brand, Club 1872, Sons of Struth. Am I right in saying that the Sons of Struth people are behind the Lions Brand shirts and that Club 1872 benefit from their sales.
Tweet from James Doleman:
“Just had further communication from Help for Heroes, they have asked Lionbrand to remove the shirts from sale.”
If Lion brand is selling goods without the permission of Help for Heroes and using their brand for pecuniary advantage and then the proceeds hit Club 1872 and then onto the Club are the proceeds not derived from crime and should the Police be investigating?
HomunculusJuly 5, 2016 at 15:47
ALLYJAMBO JULY 5, 2016 at 14:53 =======================================
It appears that story is right then, absolutely appalling.
Though can I just add that it is unlikely any Rangers supporter who actually bought one of those knew what the Lion Brand people were doing.
I merely conjecture here, are there links between Lion Brand, Club 1872, Sons of Struth. Am I right in saying that the Sons of Struth people are behind the Lions Brand shirts and that Club 1872 benefit from their sales.
______________________
Hopefully I didn’t put across that I thought the purchasers of the tops were aware of any irregularities, except, perhaps, on the shirt manufacturing
I do think, though, that there has been a massive hyping of the ‘Armed Forces’ link with ‘Rangers’ that is totally unmerited (again, what is that link?) and is being used by both the club, and now some, lets say ‘misguided’, individuals to create funding.
I suspect that a ‘donation’ will be making it’s way to Help for Heroes quite soon, or it will be if they have any sense!
WOTTPI
JULY 5, 2016 at 10:10
Link to a site that has printed the resignation letters of the Rangers First Three!
https://resignationletters.wordpress.com/2016/07/04/resignation-letters/
…
=================
[Again, assuming these are genuine.]
Had to stop at this Freudian slip [?] in the second letter, para. 7;
“Rangers First needed time…to cleanse their membership…”
A bit harsh ?
Anybody got any ideas about what has happened to the clumpany.
james forrest latest
http://thecelticblog.com/2016/07/blogs/barmy-sevco-fan-site-begs-masons-orangemen-to-save-their-club/
Further to my previous two posts, I think I owe an apology to the RF directors having seen their resignation letters online. The reports of a lack of a constitution did not refer to RF but to another organisation that RF was to be merged with.
My apologies to those concerned and TSFM readers for going off on a rant that I should have looked into more fully first. Something we all should do I suppose if we want this site to be taken seriously.
Shug,
I too wonder about The Clumpany. I know he doesn’t post as much these days. I can’t even access his blog now. Come on clumpy!!!
HomunculusJuly 5, 2016 at 15:47 ALLYJAMBO JULY 5, 2016 at 14:53
Who runs Lionbrand is not clear from any of the websites.
On facebook Craig Houston of Sons of Struth says the following
The Rangers 1872 site does however fully endorse Lionbrand and encourages fans to buy their ‘tainted’ products.
Just had a quick look at the The Clumpany blog and it has been marked as private. Maybe they have been unmasked, or just gone on holidays.
There is a suggestion that Lion Brand is somehow connected to a company called Fleshers Haugh Ltd. I do not know if there is any truth in that it is just something I have read
If you do a search for “Fleshers Haugh Scarf” this appears on Google (see attached image). I believe this company supplied the original red and black protest scarf favoured by the old anti-board element.
However if you click on the relevant link it takes you elsewhere, I believe it’s a re-direct.
http://www.therst.co.uk/shop/
What appears to be the RST shop is now in fact Club 1872.
It would appear that Fleshers Haugh Ltd, supported RST through sale of scarves. Lion Brand are now supporting Club 1872 through sales of merchandise, including sales where they breached Help For Heroes rights.
Can someone confirm the exact role of James Blair these days.
I know he was elected to the Rangers First Board earlier in the year but what does that mean in relation to Rangers Club 1872.
It would appear highly dubious, if as RIFC company secretary, he held a position and had influence within an organisation that not only is promoting and encouraging fans to buy unofficial merchandise from a now ‘tainted supplier’ but that same supplier is also one that is using base jerseys from the club’s official kit suppliers main rivals- Adidas and Nike.
In any world where dignity and integrity is worn as a badge of honour, that surely stinks a little?
JIMBO JULY 5, 2016 at 18:25
No clumpany twitter either.
The Lionbrand people have an interesting way of donating money.
“All profit from our Fernando range goes to Fernando
Our new 16/17 range will see all profits being ring fenced for club 1872
All other merchandise will go towards the club direct in forms of Season Tickets, Matchday tickets, youth development donations and rangers lotto donations as well as prizes and give aways to lionbrand customers all of which will see the club getting 100% of the money.”
So they will be buying season tickets, matchday tickets, lotto tickets and providing prizes to “lionbrand customers”. I suppose buying yourself tickets and goes on the lottery does strictly speaking see the money going into the club but it is rather an interesting take on what a donation is.
I suppose all of you chaps who have bought your season tickets et al have made “donations” to your club. What’s in it for you though. Oh that’s right, going to games.
“Youth development donations” one is forced to wonder if that would be via the Sons of Struth scheme.
Emailed lionbrand yesterday ref Help for Heros & Lee Rigby.
Kinda stinks.
Reply below.
Hi
Yes all profits went to the organisers of this event. We at lionbrand were only acting as an engine to sell the products. The organisers did have authority for this to be done and contributed to both causes and also through an organised charity football match.
Its really sad that people are trying to look for faults with people working tirelessly trying to raise money for good causes.
Hope that clears up for you
Best regards
TLB
GLASGOWBOABJULY 5, 2016 at 19:06
It seems to be that Rangers Legends were involved in a HfH and Lee Rigby charity match v Portsmouth Legends earlier in the year.
That seems to have all been above board.
The issue now is that HfH polo shirts seem to have appeared on the Lionbrand site without any mention of where money is going.
Clearly, at this time HfH don’t have a clue what is going on, especially given the use of their logo.
Maybe it is all well intentioned. Maybe money is going to where it should. It is however just another example of how folk down Govan way just make a pigs ear of things.
It’s interesting that almost all of the statements about where the money goes from the sale of merchandise says that profits are donated to the relevanrt benificiaries. There’s a lot of deductions before one ever gets to a profit.
new james forrest
http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/a-toxic-association-how-a-soldiers-charity-has-been-dragged-into-the-ibrox-civil-war/
wottpiJuly 5, 2016 at 18:54
‘…I know he was elected to the Rangers First Board earlier in the year but what does that mean in relation to Rangers Club 1872.’
________
Mr Blair is a Director of Club 1872.
This is from Companies House: see https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/SC525940/officers
CLUB 1872 LIMITED
Company number SC525940
2 current officers / 0 resignations
AS COMPANY SERVICES LIMITED Active
Correspondence address 1 Rutland Court, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 8EY
Role Secretary
Appointed on 4 February 2016
Registered in a European Economic Area What’s this?
Placed registered SCOTLAND
Registration number SC316974
BLAIR, James Active
Correspondence address 1 Rutland Court, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 8EY
Role Director
Date of birth February 1964
Appointed on 4 February 2016
Well, I can tell you that I was in Court 12 in Parliament House for the hearing ,before Lord Glennie, of HMA v CW.
Mr Muir and Mr? for the Pursuer, Mr Dewar and Ms Hughes for the Respondent. K.O was at 10.17, Court adjourned at about 11.30, reconvened at 1.45 pm, and business concluded at 4.00 pm.
Reporting restrictions still apply, but I think I can say that a couple of witnesses gave evidence.
(The longish adjournment was to enable Counsel to read and digest some material newly submitted)
The hearing continues at 10.00 a.m. tomorrow.
A little bit boring, to be frank.
JOHN CLARKJULY 5, 2016 at 21:25
Thanks JC.
If you were Puma would you not be fuming and asking the , lets us that term again, ‘conflicted’ RIFC Company Secretary for your money back / or withholding any sponsorship cash that was due.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTM7E4-DN0o
As I understand it, PB & Tris are on holidums. So we have new temp. moderators. I think it would be nice if you introduced yourselves. Hello I’m Jimbo pleased to meet you.
Bit off Topic, but relevant.
Lionel Messi ‘given 21-month jail term’ in Spain – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36721892
He’ll probably not do any time but it at least sends out a message to others with dodgy tax affairs, sorry creative financial management.
I see the SuperAlly defence of “I never read contracts” didn’t wash.
Cracking player tho’, maybe they should just tag him so he can’t step out of the Centre Circle for the first 90 mins of a game!
It seems under 2 yrs for 1st time offenders can be served as probation.
In Court 12 all day today,5 witnesses. Boring.I nearly nodded off.
We’ll see if tomorrow is any more interesting.
I have seen a whole lot of revisionism and retrospective explanations coming out today in relation to the tops for sale on the Lionbrand website.
As I understand it these are the facts.
Lionbrand were advertising tops for sale which had the Help For Heroes logo on them.
Help For Heroes did not know about that and had not authorised it.
They got in touch with Lionbrand and asked them to remove the offending items.
They are still advertised for sale at £22.74.
Perhaps someone can update me if I have missed something today.
@ Homunculus, James Doleman has recently tweeted that Lionbrand have issued a statement and he has forwarded it onto HfH. Haven’t seen that statement.
.
…previous post is a ghost with a black eye…..
This board in the last 24 hours reminds me of the joke about a silent order of monks.
As a concession, the monastery had a draw every four years allowing one monk to speak just one sentence in the refectory at supper. Brother Jack (no relation to Father Jack) wins it and stands up after the repast to declare, “The soup was too cold”. Lo and behold, Brother Jack wins the draw once more four years later. When the meal is over he tells the assembled brothers, “The soup was too watery”. Another four years pass; this time Brother Ted wins the right to open his mouth. He gets up with a scowl on his face and blasts, “I can’t stand any more of this moaning about the soup”.
Sqirrel alert, BB clearly trying to deflect us from the issues raised by Carfins Finest. I demand answers as to how the ghost got a black eye! ?
Statement from TRFC.
Thursday, 07 July 2016, 13:15by Rangers Football ClubAddThis Sharing ButtonsRANGERS Managing Director, Stewart Robertson, has decided not to stand for election to the SPFL board. Mr Robertson’s decision comes after much thought and consideration.
Mr Robertson is fully committed to ensuring Rangers’ return to the top flight runs as smoothly as possible.
It should be pointed out that after a series of meetings with other Premiership representatives over the last month, Rangers is confident its views are being listened to and treated with the utmost respect.
It is accepted that Rangers’ voice is being heard within Hampden, both at SFA and SPFL levels.
Although Mr Robertson won’t be standing for election, he has made it clear he will be available to assist the governing bodies when and if required. No-one should be in any doubt Rangers will be perfectly positioned to contribute and play a full part in moving Scottish football towards a brighter future.
Press release ! I will not be contesting the Tory Party / Prime Minister elections any time soon. Ends.
ALLYJAMBOJULY 7, 2016 at 14:31
Statement from TRFC.
Thursday, 07 July 2016, 13:15
…
Managing Director, Stewart Robertson, has decided not to stand for election to the SPFL board…
=========================
Mmm, that doesn’t make sense, IMO.
The statement implies that TRFC doesn’t need to be formally represented on the SPFL board…as it is doing/will do what TRFC wants anyway ?
I would have thought that TRFC would have recognised that SPFL / SFA representation was a top priority, if only to reinforce that club’s view that its survival – and success – is a fundamental requirement ‘for the good of Scottish football’.
Must be a story behind that decision – and the communication looks suspiciously concise for an official TRFC statement !
Feeling depressed down in the dumps well they are here to entertain you cheer yourself up read and don’t stifle the laughs.
http://www.ibroxnoise.co.uk/2016/07/ask-not-what-rangers-can-do-for-you-ask.html
shugJuly 7, 2016 at 16:42
Feeling depressed down in the dumps well they are here to entertain you cheer yourself up read and don’t stifle the laughs.http://www.ibroxnoise.co.uk/2016/07/ask-not-what-rangers-can-do-for-you-ask.html
________________________________
Just how many collection tins are they passing round, sorry, I meant how many different funds are they setting up? Could it be yet another world record for a football club?
SHUGJULY 7, 2016 at 16:42 4 0 Rate This
Feeling depressed down in the dumps well they are here to entertain you cheer yourself up read and don’t stifle the laughs.http://www.ibroxnoise.co.uk/2016/07/ask-not-what-rangers-can-do-for-you-ask.html
—————————
And yes i did laugh…
after a four-year sabbatical, forced on us by the SPL clubs in 2012….yes i did laugh.
Rangers have been reduced to scrounging around, looking for the best free transfer players currently on the market,
without having to pay a transfer fee for any of them. In fairness, we have picked the best of them,..How do they know they have picked the best of them. After one game…oh! wait two games of 45 min….yes i did laugh.
I also believe that at long last, we have a board that we can trust to run the club properly now. Even if they have to run it frugally for the time being,…So no overinvestment then…yes i did laugh.
I have devised an idea to rid us of the bad debt that we have accrued in the process of being demoted to the lowly Third Division of Scottish football…Demoted…yes i did laugh.
shame on the Scottish Government for not stepping in, to help save the whole of Scottish football. The Spanish Government would not have let Real Madrid or Barcelona suffer the same fate!…Would Real Madrid or Barcelona stiffed 247 creditors and gone into Liquidation owening millions?…yes i did laugh.
We have fans around the world who could easily get involved, and we also have a load of wealthy fans, who I am sure would be willing to help us out,….Where were these wealthy fans when they could have saved the club from Administration and Liquidation?….yes i did laugh.
Let’s be honest here – charity begins at home with this one! …..Ah! charity, less we forget. http://www.scotsman.com/news/rangers-charity-criticised-over-ac-milan-cash-1-3031799
The chaities watchdog has criticised the rangers charity foundation after it was revealed that cash collected from a fundraising match went to the club instead. The game between rangers legends and the AC Milan glorie was played after the ibrox side entered administration. However complaints were lodged after it transpired that nearly £200.000 went directly to the club,and not the charity….I did not laugh
Managing Director, Stewart Robertson, has decided not to stand for election to the SPFL board…
Could it be because he knows Sevco will not finish the season and doesn’t want a riddy?
Its not so long ago they were screaming from the rooftops about wanting a rep on the board.
I was beginning to think 100 toatie bampots were hiding in BP’s suitcase. ….Or the moderators were not being moderate with their moderating.
.
helpmaboabJuly 7, 2016 at 18:55
Managing Director, Stewart Robertson, has decided not to stand for election to the SPFL board…Could it be because he knows Sevco will not finish the season and doesn’t want a riddy? Its not so long ago they were screaming from the rooftops about wanting a rep on the board.
____________________________________
I can’t imagine anything positive has happened at Ibrox that might cause this change of heart; in bear psychology, getting someone onto the board would be a major coup as another (in their minds) step on the road back to ‘where they belong’ and an example of their ‘bigness’.
I think the least negative thing for their club is that, in a situation where four people were chasing three positions, TRFC have been given a hint that, in three 45 minute games
, they are the losers. To fail in a ballot for a second time would have the opposite effect from what they seek, as it would never have happened to any other ‘big club’, and certainly not to Rangers FC!
There is, of course, the worst (well maybe not the worst, for there could be something worse that no one’s sniffed yet) case scenario, that it is felt that it wouldn’t be prudent to have an SPFL board member doing his day to day job in the same building as the supposedly neutral Scottish Football governors. Could you imagine the reaction of the other board members, when in the midst of a discussion that could benefit TRFC (and maybe others) Robertson let slip, ‘well, when I was chatting to Stewart in the gents, just the other day…’? or, ‘Neil, that plan I put to you in the car park yesterday…’
PS I realise that in the event TRFC do move to Hampden (not saying they will need a temporary home) I realise Murray Park would be used as their administrative base, but it might still be too much for Scottish football to accept that a club using Hampden (even if they did pay a fair rent) could also be represented on the SPFL board.
Another full day in Court 12. One witness giving evidence all day.
Judge a little bit anxious about time, at suggestion that things might not conclude tomorrow.
Winning Captains has just announced a big update on Res.12 tomorrow night at 6pm Celtic Quick News. Including a Q & A session.
This just posted on CQN……………
WINNING CAPTAINS on7TH JULY 2016 10:16 PMAllez Les Bleus. On est en finale!!!!
Tomorrow evening at 6pm CQN Magazine will publish an update on Resolution 12, and quite an update it is too.
James Forrest, of this parish, will get advance notice, so that he can compose his thoughts and deliver his narrative.
We will have a Res 12 Q&A from 7pm and have arranged for the chap I met earlier in the week to be on here to talk to CQN’ers.
Make no mistake these four guys are absolute heroes. Some of them have had to endure sickening online attacks and threats which is one reason why we have been more in the fore ground in recent times.
Some of you contributed to the recent advertising campaign for Res 12. Thank you for that. As you know I got the money – around £5000, back from The Guardian.
It is our intention to use some of this to find what is coming next. This will be included within the feature tomorrow. There is no need to provide advance warning to those who would see us fail.
When we are done every penny left over goes to Mary’s Meals.
We also have the last 50 tshirts arriving tomorrow and you can get yours if you haven’t done so already from Cqnbookstore.com
Remember
PERSISTENCE BEATS RES12TANCE
….. And, rather marvellously, I have tomorrow evening all to myself!