Now that we are at the end of the league season, and with respect to the job still to be done at Tannadice and McDiarmid Park, it seems like a good time for a post holocaust report.
Fig 1 Average Weekly Attendances SPL 2011-2014
Peppered around this page are three charts and a table* showing the attendance figures for the SPL in the last three seasons. A school kid could tell you that there is a positive trend in those charts and figures, but the people who run our national sport will look you straight in the eye and tell you “that can’t be right – Armageddon is coming!”
It is one of the most ridiculous and mendacious situations I have ever come across. The people who run our national game, aided and abetted by those in the MSM (sans the eye contact though) are actually trying to persuade us of how awful our game is and how unsustainable it will be in the absence of one, just one, club.
Think about that. The SFA and the SPFL trying to talk us out of supporting the game unless we all recognise the unique importance of one, just one, club. That is what has happened, no matter how they try to spin it. And despite evidence to the contrary contained in these figures, not one of them has admitted to an error, never mind the downright lies that they told to support the position they held, the one where anyone speaking of sporting integrity was mocked and ridiculed.
Whilst growing up as football supporter in the 60s, one of things I was constantly bombarded with via the medium of the tabloid newspapers was that football clubs should be grateful for the publicity afforded them via their back pages. These were probably reasonable claims, especially in the light of the relative lack of access to players and officials conceded to the hacks in those days, and the pre-eminent cultural position in which they helped to place football. Alongside that, the broadcast media, particularly Archie Macpherson’s Sportscene and Arthur Montford’s Scotsport could be relied on to talk the game up. Of course, there was something in it for the papers – sales. The more column inches devoted to the national sport, the further northward their sales, and consequently advertising revenues travelled.
Fig 2 Avg. Attendances excl Celtic & Rangers
The situation was further cemented by the fact that the press in that ante-interweb era held a monopoly over the exchange and dissemination of information. That symbiotic, win-win relationship between football and the press was as much a part of football reality as the Hampden Roar. It also endured for decades. The press would talk up the game to such an extent that folk often remarked that they hadn’t realised how much they had enjoyed a particular match until they had read Malky Munro or Hughie Taylor’s report the next day. Archie Macpherson is on record as having said the same thing about legendary commentator David Francey, “It was a much better game to listen to than to see!”
Today that symbiosis is broken. The press themselves, in print and in front of microphones consistently belittle the product, talk of crises and Armageddon, of our own version of the Eisenhower domino effect of clubs going to the wall one after another.
Aided and abetted by the two chief bureaucrats in charge of Scottish football, Stuart Regan and Neil Doncaster, who have consistently helped to hammer home the message that Scottish football is not good enough, and cannot sustain itself financially without Rangers, a club that could not itself sustain itself financially to the extent that it is being liquidated.
At a time when Scottish football was clearly in crisis, and badly in need of sponsorship which could mitigate the effects of that crisis, the press and the authorities sought to strengthen their own negotiating hand by making negative claims about the state of the game which never came to pass, and for which they have never apologised. The actual situation, which would not have been hard to predict had anyone actually bothered to analyse the business of Scottish football, is summarised quite easily by saying this;
- Since Rangers’ liquidation and subsequent absence from the top league, the average home attendance of the other clubs has INCREASED overall (See Fig 2).
- In this season, the other clubs have added 50,000 fans to home attendances compared to 2011-12 (the last year Rangers were in competition).
- In that time the league has been won (twice) by Celtic, and the other honours have been claimed by St, Mirren, Aberdeen, Celtic and (either) Dundee United or St Johnstone.
- In that time, both Dunfermline Athletic and Hearts (who both had historical financial problems) entered – and exited – administration after fan-led buyouts.
- Dundee United have cleared off their bank debt.
- Kilmarnock have restructured their bank debt, freeing the club from a precarious long-term situation.
- League reconstruction has allowed some money to trickle down to the second tier clubs in an attempt to mitigate the immediate effects of relegation and to reward ambitious clubs.
Looking at the table of attendances above, it is pretty clear that immediately upon Rangers exit, the overall figures took a dip. However there was little difference the in the figures if you leave Rangers out of the equation (Fig 3) – despite Celtic’s attendance taking a hit that year (down by around 5,000 per home match).
Taking Celtic out of the calculations, it is clear that there is a 6,000 uplift in this average (Fig 2).
It is still undeniable that less people overall are watching football (Fig 1), but the trend is upward if one leaves the Ibrox club out of the picture.
Furthermore, this statistic exposes the double edged sword that is retention of home gates. The fact that gates are not shared is predicated upon the notion that the bigger clubs do not depend on the smaller clubs for income. And since the smaller clubs are no longer recipients of big club largesse, their fortunes are not affected, at least not as much as was suggested by the Regans, Doncasters and Traynors of this parish. The “Trickle-Down” theory of Reganomics said otherwise – but clearly and demonstrably it was wrong.
The abandonment of gate sharing has made Scottish football less interdependent than it once was, but the irony is that it works both ways. There is hardly a club in the country that depends on Rangers for their own existence, and here is the news; small clubs are no longer financially dependent on the former Old Firm.
Fig 3 Excluding Celtic
The fact, that is F-A-C-T, is that Scottish Football attendances in the top division are on the increase. The absence of Rangers has made no appreciably negative difference to any other club, far less caused a catastrophe of biblical proportions.
Even if the fools who were the harbingers of our doom were simply guilty of making an honest mistake, it is clear that they are uncontaminated with the slightest notion of how the game in this country operates. The Old Firm may be dead, but the OF prism is still being peered through by Stuart Regan, Neil Doncaster and the vast majority of print journalists. The latter who failed to honour that age-old football/press symbiosis because they believed, erroneously that David Murray’s dinner table was the hand that has fed them for over a century.
The irony is that as job opportunities diminish in the print sector, so too will the fine dining and patronage. I think they call that evolution.
Two years ago, in the wake of the fans’ season ticket revolt which saw the new Rangers forced to apply for membership of the league and begin at the bottom, those same MSM hacks taunted fans about putting their money where their mouths were. The fans responded splendidly as our statistics demonstrate, but typically there has been no recognition of this either at Hampden or in the media.
And the message from those fans is this: Scottish football is not dying. Not any more. At least not as surely as it was when David Murray started to choke the life out of it in the late 80s. The supporters are returning in numbers to see a competition untainted by the outrageous liberty-taking and rule-breaking of the last couple of decades, and all but one club has emerged from the mire of the Moonbeam Millennium looking forward to a new era.
If authorities allow the new era to thrive by restoring sporting integrity to the agenda, then the numbers, like the opportunities available to more and more clubs, will grow. The question is … will they?
Admittedly, these figures, like any set of statistics, can be cherry-picked to suit almost any argument that you care to construct. The fact remains though, that whilst it would be fanciful and ridiculously over-optimistic to claim that they bear witness to a burgeoning industry, it is utterly dishonest to conclude that they represent financial Armageddon. Armageddon? Aye right!
Here is link to Videcelts site.
http://videocelts.com/2014/06/blogs/latest-news/spfl-administration-farce-again-hits-honest-clubs
woodstein says:
June 2, 2014 at 11:47 am
————————————————-
I play golf with a well placed HMRC chap and he assures me that HMRC will not be letting this drift. They forced the liquidation because:
1. Their (freely available) rules would never have allowed a CVA.
2. The whole shooting match at Ibrox/MIM was (and is) a shambles.
3. HMRC really wanted to unleash BDO to recover as much money for the taxpayer, using the courts and criminal charges against individuals as necessary.
4. HMRC are determined that football clubs cannot be allowed to die then Pheonix with crooks and spivs making a killing at the taxpayers expence, this case will set precedent.
5. They were delighted with Prof Heidi Poom’s input and are using this to lever the case.
6. Getting it back to the FTTT would be a huge success for HMRC, they have mountains of material they can use to “chase the money”
This will be the long game, HMRC will win.
Wood stein
Yes I am familiar with the fox and scorpion story.
Are politicians born with that nature or is it learned.
My definition of a politician is someone who might, perhaps recognise the best in human nature, but thinks the worst will always take precedence and acts out of fear of the consequences of the latter.
Bawsman
I think HMRC will be more than annoyed at the merry dance they were led in the summer of 2011 when THAT UEFA licence was granted.
Put themselves out on a bit of a limb only to be shafted a week later.
Eddiegoldtop says:
June 2, 2014 at 8:19 am
“What a very odd figure Indeed !”
—————————————-
The conclusion you are inviting us to jump to concerning this apparent co-incidence is that Sevco 5088 are in some way entrained with the Murray group of companies. The likelihood of such a co-incidence being random is not a million to one but it would nevertheless be very long odds.
The possibility of (S)DM being the last man sitting at the end of this game of musical chairs is now virtually a distant memory.
New Local STV Glasgow TV station ready to go on air
By Jamie McIvor
BBC Scotland correspondent
6:30pm 2nd June 2014 Freeview 23, Sky117, Virgin 159.
Will it surprise us?
Auldheid says:
June 2, 2014 at 1:02 pm
—————————————-
Mr. White is a chap whose gas they would very much like to put at a peep………for previous, as well as more currents stunts.
There is a list though, he’s not alone.
Year of fun ahead.
ecobhoy says:
June 2, 2014 at 10:20 am
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/green-fails-in-legal-bid-to-dissolve-rangers-company.24368891
One thing’s for sure – there will be a reason for the story being run.
Interesting Eco
Could be – or could be diligent reporting – or, see;
……A statement on the Rangers website on April 12 said Mr Green was the sole director of Sevco 5088 and he had resigned to be the founder director of Sevco Scotland Ltd, the company he transferred Rangers’ assets to once the CVA had failed……
Hang on.
CVA failed June 12
CH logs show sevcoScotland Registered office changed 18 June
sevcoScotland Directors appointments filed 16June
sevcoScotland – CH registered an acquired property on 6 July
Sevco5088 had a binding – exclusive – irrevocable contract with D&P [according to them – they stated]
Lord Cardigan made an offer – to CG & Co – on 12 June
Were the Cardigan`s Group fully informed of the position by the admins
Could Lord Walter and Co have a claim against the admins?
– & they had no CW involvement – SFA no probs – & prob no 5WA
Possible?
Actually, I don’t think it is even that unusual. A company often floats with capital of £1 and then creates and allots shares for another £1m or £10m, so they end up with the extraneous £1. Usually it ends up hidden when the shares start trading as their price changes
Bawsman says:
June 2, 2014 at 12:47 pm
——————————————–
“HMRC will win” of that I am sure, but why refer back to the FTT? Can they not rule the FTT “wrong in law” and set aside the FTT decision ?
woodstein says:
June 2, 2014 at 1:48 pm
—————————————————
I have to stress that I am guessing here but I think there are SO many more questions HMRC would like to ask to ‘develop’ the work started by the Prof to maximise the taxpayer return.
However, the main reason I think it will be sent back is because the sitting judge KNOWS it will be sent back at some point, if he refers it back now, it will save him some face when his decision is overturned later.
Not being a spiv – trying to sense what normal businesses might do in a similar position. Why not mothball MP?
Removing it completely creates new circumstances that may not attract the wanted players in the future. Add to that any future new facility would take years to bring to operation, and – combine that with available new sites are hard to come by and, probably at premium cost.
These are sensible considerations I would have thought – but then I’m no spiv.
Bawsman says:
June 2, 2014 at 2:18 pm
‘…However, the main reason I think it will be sent back is because the sitting judge KNOWS it will be sent back at some point, if he refers it back now, it will save him some face when his decision is overturned later..’
————-
I suspect that if Lord Doherty had been minded to refer the case EITHER to a freshly constituted First Tier tribunal for a complete re-hearing of witnesses and examination of the evidence OR to the original tribunal with an order that they make fuller ‘findings in fact’ to justify their peculiar decision, he would have done it before now.
I think he will take the really bold step, and on the same evidence that was before the first tribunal, will make his own findings of fact, and will then apply the law in same way that Dr Poon did.
He will decide that the EBT arrangement, for all its apparent ‘legality’ was a deliberate sham involving conspiracy to cheat the taxpaying public , and that the ‘conspirators’ acted in complete bad faith, knowing that they were on the fiddle, and being prepared to equivocate, obfuscate, and probably even lie to prevent HMRC from getting at the truth.To avoid merely footballing sanctions, they were prepared to lie to the Football authorities. how much more readily would they lie to save themselves tens of millions and possibly criminal charges?
But if, by any chance, Lord D upholds the First Tier’s decision, it is certain that HMRC will appeal all the way to the Lords.
Apologies if posted previously, but anyone who denies that tax evasion is not endemic in today’s business environment should think again…!
…and this is only the tip of the iceberg….!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27478532
My post from the BBC reminds me of the scene in Porridge when Ronnie Barker (aka Norman Stanley Fletcher) was asked: “What are you in for”…to which re replied in a flash: “Got caught!”
Phil asking Laxey questions
John Clark says:
June 2, 2014 at 4:16 pm
11 0 Rate This
Bawsman says:
June 2, 2014 at 2:18 pm
‘…However, the main reason I think it will be sent back is because the sitting judge KNOWS it will be sent back at some point, if he refers it back now, it will save him some face when his decision is overturned later..’
————-
I suspect that if Lord Doherty had been minded to refer the case EITHER to a freshly constituted First Tier tribunal for a complete re-hearing of witnesses and examination of the evidence OR to the original tribunal with an order that they make fuller ‘findings in fact’ to justify their peculiar decision, he would have done it before now …
———
Oh how I hope your golf chum @Bawsman is proved correct and that your analysis @John Clark is the right one.
“…Scottish football may not have a huge amount going for it but at least it is perceived as being honest. It is when that reputation starts to slide – and spectators start to question whether there is skulduggery afoot – that the real problems begin…”
http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/it-must-remain-a-safe-bet-that-scottish-football-is-honest-even-against-the-odds.24374587
=================
From Graeme Macpherson of the Herald…who has obviously been living in a cave these last 2 years… 🙄
Phil McG asking questions of Laxey.
Why on earth would Laxey answer these questions (which after all relate to their private business)?
Phil describes them (the questions he asks) as being “in the public interest”.
That seems to me to be confusing “what certain bits of the public might be interested in” with “the public interest”.
I cannot see how the “public interest” extends to what some hedge fund chappies might plan to do to extract value out of their investment in a company that own shares in a company that runs a football team in Glasgow.
But by all means ask the questions (he is to be applauded for asking because virtually no one else will ask anything meaningful of anyone else involved).
StevieBC
I am [Ian] Black affronted at young Macphersons revealing article,I mean everyone knows there are rules against betting on games for certain factions ,if he needs any proof just ask Ally.on second thoughts, he would be better going back to his cave.
Campbellsmoney says:
June 2, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Phil McG asking questions of Laxey.
Why on earth would Laxey answer these questions (which after all relate to their private business)?…
===================================
Absolutely, but – as mentioned – I suppose he did at least ask.
Maybe if he had asked an open question such as;
“As a result of widespread speculation, what assurances can be provided to Laxey Partners investors that LP has always acted in an ethical manner – and in the best interests of its investors – when dealing with RIFC?”
[I know, the ethical bit was just my wee joke…]
Would have elicited perhaps a bland statement, but at least a response, and recognition/acceptance that LP actions are being monitored ?
Pretty clear now to all that Bears been led up the Garden Path by controlled [highly paid] PR
Oh – and guess what – it’s still going on – fancy that
Restrict News?
Must be worth it to someone
Mustn’t it
😉
Phil and the Laxey questions.
A pointless exercise indeed but only in terms of getting any response.
As are Phil’s questions to T’Rangers.
The point is that no-one else appears to be asking these questions, though it seems some of the supporters groups are waking up.
Phil clearly has as source of information from the inside at Ibrox.
Despite my wishing the whole thing would just get blown wide open, only he will know why he is being fed info and judge what to publish at this time.
However if and when the brown stuff hits the air conditioning he can hold his head up and say well I was asking questions when the rest of my profession sat by and watched the whole thing unfold.
I also note that on the subject of asking questions CEO Wallace may be chatting to the Bears on the other side of the pond.
I seem to remember Charlie Boy tried that trick in the US, the Middle East and OZ. Selected invites questions vetted minimal press coverage/access etc etc.
All we need now is an announcement of hook up with Raiders or the 49ers
PS
The annoying thing about the SMSM seems to be that on SSB and Sportsound soem of the journos say they ask questions but never get any answers.
However they very rarely seem to print exactly what questions they ask so we know exactly what issues people are avoiding.
CAMPBELLSMONEY says:
June 2, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Phil McG has asked some pertinent questions of Laxley Partners.
As we all know being in the public interest is not the same as being interesting to the public.
When it comes to dealing with a major shareholder in a plc which has significant influence on the prospects of a football club there is naturally a great deal of interest, particularly among the fans of the club in question.
There is as you rightly say no compelling reason for Laxley to respond to the questions proposed, but equally there is no reason not to ask them.
Whatever the Laxley responce is, even if there is no response at all it’s always useful to know whether or not significant players are willing to engage and reveal their intentions.
Taking this a little further.
Naturally the same questions might have been put to other significant shareholders, but it seems no one has their postal address, or email address, or phone number, or name.
There is absolutely no reason why anyone should have this information beyond those the particular shareholders choose as confidantes and vehicles for their investment, but given that we are talking about the ownership and direction of a Scottish football club the need for secrecy remains as intriguing and as puzzling as it is compelling.
I’m quite sure that Phil knows he will not get answers to these questions from Laxey, or the ones from the Ibrox press office. Asking them so publicly though, is a good way of putting out the fact (possibly) that these are the things he has been told (from within?) and may even have seen some form of proof. It’s actually a pretty good way of telling us what is happening. If the info was wrong, then we might expect the recipients to very quickly issue denials
Someone expects to have a stake in `The Rangers` and it’s all kept quiet & private – eh?
I`d wager there are dramatic live events in play
Try better half Bearettes
We`ve [and we`re a mixed bunch] been sheltering at a Darts Game for months – they know that we know that they know there are no `Darts` in that Pub – discretion / valour and all that
Not in the Public interest?
You do have to be kidding
😉
John Clark says:
June 2, 2014 at 4:16 pm
===========================
The really frustrating thing for me is if Lord Doherty does set aside the FTT majority verdict and sides with the views of Dr Poon, that true justice has flown the nest. All the benefits accrued during the EBT years remain set in stone and the entity that is the club from Ibrox is allowed to portray the image that everything is the same as it was before. We can never get justice in this matter, because the image being forced upon us is of a club being punished by being demoted to the bottom league. The truth is of course a new club was allowed to enter the lowest league in an unprecedented manner.
….”I know, the ethical bit was just my wee joke…”
Campbellsmoney and StevieBC…I have deliberately extracted this line from Stevie’s post to illustrate in simple graphical terms just exactly how today’s “free market” approach applies to investment(s).
Despite the “rightful indignation” served up in justifiable bucket loads, as espoused by my learned fellow poster John Clark, in the context of the limited regulation of the Alternative Investment Market,
there is absolutely no “public interest” question in the context of the initial and or subsequent investment(s), based on the original IPO
Should there be, or have been in the past, any “public interest” investment, momentarily forgetting the “shafted” creditors of RFC(IL), this should have taken priority over any IPO arrangements at the time…assuming a case could be made in today’s post Thatcherite economy and legal framework. Alex Salmond’s “fabric of society” quote comes to mind
Finally, in this context, the only “public interest” I can recognise are firstly, the aforementioned “shafted creditors” and HMRC…and I am sure we can all identify with both of these
John Clark says:
June 2, 2014 at 4:16 pm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
JC, I hope you are 100% correct and Lord Doherty is indeed, up for it, he will need protection though.
My reservations however, are due to witnessing decisions by (supposedly) learned and respectable people with respect to the Rangers since administration then liquidation visited them. Some of the following may not learned nor respectable 🙄
Hodge, Bryson, Longmuir, Regan, Doncaster, Ogilvie………need I say more?
StevieBC says:
June 2, 2014 at 5:26 pm
‘..From Graeme Macpherson of the Herald…who has obviously been living in a cave these last 2 years… :roll:’
———-
I read that piece by Macpherson earlier today. I have emailed him my view that our boys at the SFA have nothing to learn from Qatari Football in the dishonesty stakes.
upthehoops says:
June 2, 2014 at 7:54 pm
the image being forced upon us is of a club being punished by being demoted to the bottom league. The truth is of course a new club was allowed to enter the lowest league in an unprecedented manner.
If only that could be a title for a book 🙂
Can anyone update on the King/Gough account for season book pledges
Sorry for going off topic, but I have been annoyed by the mysterious Liechtenstein based Norne Anstalte, a subsidiary of London based Turquoise Capital as it turns out.
Would there be some relevance in this? The same names keep turning up in this saga. Close Brothers in this case.
http://www.turquoiseassociates.com/page.asp?pageid=29
Having got that out of my system I shall retire again.
Scottc, spot on, no response to Phil’s Q’s is the answer.
On the same theme I was told this by a very good legal top chap, “never ask a question of the opposition if you do not know the answer”. Phil I think may agree with that statement.
I think Phil is bored with ‘telling it like it is’.
Perhaps next week Phil will have a You Tube mime of ‘Admin For Sevco’, or a Yoffy an Finger Mouse special on ‘The Ragin Hedgefunder and The Angry Octopus’.
Octopus being the parent company of Ticketus.
Murray Park? Check out Sepa Flood map, and you’ll find its all over it, it’s also in the Greenbelt, how TF they got planning in the first place is baffling!, value for housing would be high but It could be a long and expensive planning battle, I wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole.
Scotland needs a strong Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee Utd and St Johnstone in Europe! And an Uncompromised SFA, ha! right.
Armageddon update:
– Aberdeen have announced a new seven figure sponsorship deal.
Scottish football needs more Armageddon!
yourhavingalaugh says:
June 2, 2014 at 10:55 pm
Can anyone update on the King/Gough account for season book pledges
=====================================================
Perhaps the tweet below from Phil McG is an indicator!
ecobhoy
Could you please restore my PM to its original state as I noticed that you have edited it, I didn’t think you were capable of such shocking standards.
Chancer67/ecobhoy
Guys, can I suggest that you give each other a break and move on?
Former Bayern Munich boss Uli Hoeness begins jail sentence
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27660034
Let’s hope BDO can achive similar success in prosecutions.
It’s a wee joke mate just adding some light relief 😳
Before the big hitters pick up the keyboard and dazzle us with their wisdom.
chancer67 says:
June 3, 2014 at 9:30 am
ecobhoy
Could you please restore my PM to its original state as I noticed that you have edited it, I didn’t think you were capable of such shocking standards.
==================================================
I would suggest that you publicly post what you are claiming is your PM in its original state and I will ask TSFM to confirm what the site database shows.
I have absolutely nothing to hide but I will not be accused of doing anything underhand.
blu says:
June 3, 2014 at 9:45 am
Chancer67/ecobhoy
Guys, can I suggest that you give each other a break and move on?
=========================================
@Blu – I have tried not to personalise this issue in my responses. But I will not let my integrity be attacked and not respond. And I wouldn’t expect any other poster on this site to be any different.
John Clark says:
June 2 at 9:56 pm
I have emailed him my view that our boys at the SFA have nothing to learn from Qatari Football in the dishonesty stakes.
_
John – TSFM needs a strong tea-spluttered emoticon!
😉
sannoffymesssoitizz says:
June 3, 2014 at 10:10 am
3 0 Rate This
Former Bayern Munich boss Uli Hoeness begins jail sentence
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27660034
Let’s hope BDO can achive similar success in prosecutions.
————-
Meanwhile:
BDO won’t be prosecuting anyone of course.
It is BDO’s job to pursue any civil action that they deem appropriate (debt recovery, gratuitous alienations, unfair preference, breach of directors duties, wrongful trading, fraudulent trading etc etc etc ) against whoever they think is in the firing line.
It is also job of a liquidator (should they find any evidence of criminal wrongdoing) to hand over any such evidence to the Crown Office/PF. The PF would then decide who (if anyone) is in that particular firing line.
If both civil and criminal matters arise in the same insolvency, the progress of the civil matters can often be held up by inquiries into the criminal matters.
I have enjoyed over the last few years enjoyed reading the blogs and comments from many of the posters on this site and on “random thoughts”?
There has been real moments of insight into what has been a foggy story (the collapse of Rangers and the new clumpanies “acceptance” into the Scottish football scene. There has been comic moments, moments of complete nonsense and some utter drivel.
However there is now attempts to legitimise debate on “Celtic State Aid” and discredit a longtime poster on here and “random thoughts”!
The attempt to discredit is an attempt to discredit the sterling work done on debunking the lies being spun. It is sad that things have gone this far.
Now that Richard Wilson has joined the BBC I can no longer stomach reading their football pages. Along with being unable to listen to their broadcasts Chico/Jackson why should I have to pay for this tripe. It is really sad that these individuals have their hands in our public purse.
fara1968 says:
June 3, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Now that Richard Wilson has joined the BBC I can no longer stomach reading their football pages. Along with being unable to listen to their broadcasts Chico/Jackson why should I have to pay for this tripe. It is really sad that these individuals have their hands in our public purse.
===========================================
I have had issues with some things that RW has said in the past but on balance I always found him to be a fairly balanced reporter with a bit of a brain and often throws-up points that other journos don’t go near.
Indeed back in the early summer of 2012 as Green was putting together his anonymous offshore consortium of investors Wilson ran a piece in the GH stating that the SFA had learnt that Rizvi was apparently one of the investors.
He was the only journalist to do so and IIRC the rest of the SMSM ignored it. However that’s what sparked the SFA into getting assurances that Rizvi wasn’t involved in Rangers and asking for the identities of the investors.
Of course the SFA being the SFA were happy to accept the identity of the ‘front men’ for the anonymnous offshore spivs and an assurance Rizvi wasn’t an investor. Much much later of course – thanks to CF and the leaked emails – we found out that Wilson’s sources were right on the money wrt Rizvi.
Personally if I think any journo has strayed to an extent that is unacceptable then I will post on what I consider to be unacceptable and I also always email the journo and his editor and often the explanation can be useful in understanding the tramlines they sometimes have to operate in.
I am no apologist for the SMSM and am scathing on them most of the time but there are a few exceptions. Suffice to say I have never felt the need to complain about Wilson to his editor.
It’s been acknowledged their finances are `fragile` – and reputedly accountants keeping a close eye on things to avoid overstepping any legals. As for ST sales and so on I guess that is their business – my view is the Bears are sick to teeth of the whole shambles now looking to a third season of more of the same major rip-offs – want it stopped somehow – and may want to bring matters to a head.
The discussion about finances – so far focussed for `contracts` – players – training facilities and so on again arguably is their own business – only if it didn`t impact on other costs such as policing, St Johns ambulance and importantly having able staff and infrastructure to marshal thousands of supporters – both home and away – safely.
Policing Costs particularly should be a concern to Authorities – are these `fragile` too?
Spivs have demonstrated by their actions and financials chicanery that even the Bears do not warrant any priority – or proper communication – or if they – really – even care. What must they think about other supporters?
The SFA / SFPL need to get a handle on guarantees to all supporters that they are in safe hands and not reliant on words or letters of comfort from Accountants – MSM nonsense – PR statements and all the other surreal elements we cannot trust to be secure.
Martin c says:
You should get the facts correct before you commit to posting what you want to believe.
I stand by what I said that my PM was edited by ecobhoy, if he wants to play the school bully that’s fine but bullies always get a taste of their own medicine eventually.
I have it from reasonable authority that chancer67 is exactly that. Ecobhoy has done more than enough for me to have his back, it seems that to discredit or attempt to bully stalwarts on this site to get people to maybe leave it? is that the order of the day chancer? you’ll lose son/lass.
You seem to have been found out chancer67, maybe time to go quiet for a while ❓ . Ecobhoy has never done anything to make us question his integrity.
This blog is no different to RM or FF or VB, I knew it wouldn’t be long before closing ranks would take place.
@indy14 Would you care to expand on your character assassination.
Danish Pastry says:
June 3, 2014 at 10:57 am
“FIFA’s ethical fox is due to report on June 9.”
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You encapsulate the position nicely Danish. Sporting governance was not forged with one eye focused on a crystal ball; the need to fill multifarious TV schedules with hours of mindless ‘entertainment’ could never have been envisaged 150 years ago when many sports were emerging from the cocoon of the feudal system. The very ‘fair play’ ethic that underpins sport makes it a target for exploitation.
The thing about football (for me anyway) that seems to have been lost, is that it was infused with a socialist ethos. The working man would make it his recreation of choice on a Saturday afternoon. Indeed there would likely not have been a great deal of choice when the half-day Saturday came into being about 100 years ago. This was at a time of emancipation for the labour movements.
Later, after the second World War when European football came to the fore I always felt that this acted as a healing of wounds on the European continent. The need for a socialist ideology to rebuild Europe in the aftermath of the war and the way football allowed people of different nationalities to come into contact with each other without outright hostility, was part of this reconciliation I believe. The game was very much about the ordinary working man and the ethos was inclusive and co-operative, even amongst great rivals. Governance was fashioned in this environment.
The game has now become monetised. In the process, part of its founding ethos has been diluted, though not entirely lost. Esprit de corps is at the heart of sport’s being and any businessman that forgets this is likely to misunderstand the product he is peddling. The governance that has been inherited seems incapable to prevent the erosion of this spirit.
At least Scottish football had its bampotterati steeped in generations of tradition, that had an instinct for the whiff of corruption. That instinct helped protect it from the worst excesses of financial expediency. The world that the beautiful game has been parachuted into may find this same instinct so overwhelmingly diluted as to be non-existent. Any boycott of FIFA’s centrepiece tournament would likely be immediately breached by a horde of enthusiasts that could have little appreciation of how important a word like ‘integrity’ might be considered. Football has become just another product and its ingredients need not be pored over for signs of adulteration.
chancer67 says:
June 3, 2014 at 3:01 pm
This blog is no different to RM or FF or VB…
==================================
I’m sure you didn’t intend to offend the whole TSFM website with that statement c67. 😯
We have all at some point overstepped the mark on RTC/TSFM – and myself included.
Doesn’t make you a bad person, but at that time I did choose to go quiet for a while.
Campbellsmoney says: June 3, 2014 at 11:24 am
BDO won’t be prosecuting anyone of course.
____________
Thank you for providing clarity to my oiginal uninformed post.
Sanno
I made a statement that again has been taken out of context about the blog being no different to assorted bear sites.
What I meant was not to cause offence to the bloggers or the content of their posts but the ganging up or closing of ranks when someone or something upsets the balance of the blog and I apologise if any offence was caused.
Castofthousands says:
June 3, 2014 at 3:13 pm
…
The game has now become monetised…
==================================
And as I get ever more cynical, I can’t help thinking that the eventual, logical endgame is some sort of Euro franchise set up – exclusively for the commercial benefit of the biggest European businesses/clubs.
We have observed how the SFA/SPL has placed commercial objectives ahead of sporting objectives.
I have no faith that either UEFA or FIFA will ultimately protect sporting integrity over money.
And IMO, the more recent interest shown by American sports club owners in the EPL for example, could help to promote a move towards a franchise set up.
Hope I’m way off the mark though.
Castofthousands says: June 3, 2014 at 3:13 pm
These ideals are why I continue to be an avid follower of TSFM. 😎
StevieBC says:
June 3, 2014 at 3:31 pm
And IMO, the more recent interest shown by American sports club owners in the EPL for example, could help to promote a move towards a franchise set up.
==================
I’m afraid that a franchise system is the aim of the authorities, not just in Europe, but here in Bonny Scotland too. When it is revealed by Doncaster that the TV deals have required the continual guaranteed presence of two specific teams in the top flight, failing which the TV deal collapses, what is that but a franchise system. But not an up front franchise system, oh no, it’s a grubby, sleekit little under the counter franchise system. That appears to be the way in this country. Superficially, everything fair and honest, but in reality behind it all a grubby network of backroom deals and sporting integrity not even an afterthought. I think it stinks. If they want a franchise system (and they do) why not just be honest about it? Then we can all vote with our wallets.
There’s a good example description of the sevco5088 saga from ecojohn on random law thoughts in particular
– and as another example – a stv report – link;
http://news.stv.tv/west-central/221247-rangers-chief-charles-green-appointed-craig-whyte-to-sevco-5088/
Most of you will all be familiar with saga and including the signatures in dispute subject to [we`re told] a `police probe` in late 2013 – where this episode appears to have been kicked into the long grass. MSM, as usual, a bit coy on a follow up to this [that I`m aware off] – now why could that be? – What happened to that probe? – Did it happen?
Now I`ll try to make this as simple as I can.
Six months is long enough for the Police or whoever to determine if signatures true or not.
If – and If – the signatures were forged – kinda think we`d sure have heard about it by now.
chancer67 says:
June 3, 2014 at 3:30 pm
1 0 i
Rate Up
I made a statement that again has been taken out of context about the blog being no different to assorted bear sites.
What I meant was not to cause offence to the bloggers or the content of their posts but the ganging up or closing of ranks when someone or something upsets the balance of the blog and I apologise if any offence was caused.
Chancer if you are a ’67 type of chap, it seems unlikely that as a fan of the green and white that you would endeavour to attempt to plea innocence when comparing this and RTC sites as the equivalent of FF VB or any other angry bear site.
Doing so as a bhoy would clearly even in your own eyes be an affront to everyone on here, so again I call you out as a chancer and a fan of TRFC (being a fan of TRFC is in itself not crime I might add – although in my opinion daft :)). I have no doubt whatseover.
This attempt to bludgeon particpants with your dare I say (Stupidity) opinions proves that this site is capable of much better, go ask someone who graduated from Primary school to take over
I have been witness to many such attacks on top class people on both sites before, and tbh I’m fed up with it, these moronic attempts to undermine Ecobhoy are such a drain on your braincell you must drink loads of Red Bull!
Castofthousands says:
June 3, 2014 at 3:13 pm
1 0 Rate This
… The thing about football (for me anyway) that seems to have been lost, is that it was infused with a socialist ethos. The working man would make it his recreation of choice on a Saturday afternoon. Indeed there would likely not have been a great deal of choice when the half-day Saturday came into being about 100 years ago. This was at a time of emancipation for the labour movements …
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Indeed. A boycott, though, is something that I wish a few organizations would consider. If the FAs of Germany, Spain, France, Italy and the home nations said they were boycotting events I expect Blatter and his pals would be gone.
In an ideal world a majority of Scottish clubs would threaten to set up an alternative home governing body as reaction to the corruption and general incompetence of our governing authorities.
Speaking personally, the EPL and CL have lost their attraction to me. I’m only really interested in Europe as far as Scottish teams are involved, and perhaps a couple of the English ones. A bit parochial perhaps, but it’s become a joke when national champions are forced to jump through so many hoops simply to enter the tournament proper. I’m in the process of dumping my current TV subscriptions.
Oddly enough, the current financial poverty of Scottish football may be the saving of the decent game. Priorities being steered back on course, perhaps. The lower leagues have become fascinating and the exposure those teams I remember from way back are getting is great to see, albeit on the back of ‘The Journey’. And the top tier, although currently a one-horse race, is at least being run on a mostly level field.
If UEFA want to encourage a tiny elite of super-rich clubs that employ international all-stars, then they’ve lost me for good. And if FIFA continue their current behaviour, international football will become a sport akin to boxing, with its fixed results and outrageous outcomes — the domain of gambling syndicates and gangsters.
I’ll take my local amateur club and the decent Scottish clubs any day over the phony fitba that UEFA & FIFA want to serve up.
I see we appear to have entered the silly season!
Oh well – Shorts on, taps awf, more ice in my cider please, chin chin!!!
Time to chill, the next twist in the soap opera will be along shortly.
Having read some MSM articles today on Roy Keane ruling himself out of the Celtic job I have to seriously ask what the MSM truly want, even after all that’s happened. The tone of the articles were pretty negative, both towards Celtic and the Scottish game, while at the same time acknowledging the financial realities Scottish football faces. Well, they can’t have it both ways. Either they want clubs run in a proper way, or they want clubs to borrow millions they can never pay back, then indulge in tax evasion and avoidance schemes, while they (the media) crow from the rooftops about the success that brings.
So if any of you are reading guys, what strategy genuinely makes you happier? I know what my money is on, despite only one strategy being the right one.
wottpi says:
June 3, 2014 at 4:59 pm
5 0 Rate This
… Time to chill, the next twist in the soap opera will be along shortly.
———–
Might not be long to wait if this tweet from Phil Mac Giolla Bhain is anything to go by:
Miller signs for a Glasgow club ,world record maybes ,first time a player has played for 3 different clubs that play in same City .
yourhavingalaugh says:
June 3, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Miller signs for a Glasgow club ,world record maybes ,first time a player has played for 3 different clubs that play in same City .
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Not even a record in Glasgow – Mo Johnston; Patrick, Celtic, Rangers……. 🙂
YourHavingALaugh @ 6.17pm:
“Miller signs for a Glasgow club ,world record maybes ,first time a player has played for 3 different clubs that play in same City .”
Forgotten about MoJo then? (Partick Thistle, Celtic, Rangers)
Bam Potter says:
June 3, 2014 at 6:47 pm
YourHavingALaugh @ 6.17pm:
“Miller signs for a Glasgow club ,world record maybes ,first time a player has played for 3 different clubs that play in same City .”
Forgotten about MoJo then? (Partick Thistle, Celtic, Rangers)
————————————————————–
…not to mention Darren Jackson; Meadowbank, Hbs, Hearts…….seems a quite common occurrence really 😀 😀
Slight difference ,he played for the old Rangers twice,so that would be Rangers Old co,Rangers Old co ,Celtic and now The Rangers,haud oan has Mo Johnson hung his boots up.
And why did it take months to `discover` signatures – may be – `forged` ?
That doesn’t add up
MSM ran with these `stories` – perhaps they could explain themselves?
macfurgly says:
June 2, 2014 at 10:56 pm
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iirc there are two or three ex-Close Leasing employees associated with Turqoise Capital
With all the clubs in London, there will be quite a few who have played at three clubs. Clive Allen and Bobby Zamora spring to mind, Scott Parker has done at least five different clubs. William Gallas might be the record holder as he did three clubs in the same city in a foreign country unlike the others.