Beware the angry Shareholders — they might just demand an answer!

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Good Evening,

Whilst it is understandable that the continuing events at Ibrox remain a hot topic among all Scottish Football Fans — especially given the views of some sections of the press on such events– the never ending rush down the marble staircase is certainly not the only show in town.

The other morning we were treated to the “scoop” that Alistair Johnstone is afraid that Craig Whyte– the once proclaimed Multi Billionaire from Motherwell- may well still be pulling all the strings at Ibrox! This is a fear which is shared by those who walk the corridors of Hampden Park as they, too, are terrified of the prospect of Whyte returning in some shape or form and coming back to haunt them, especially as he has been deemed unfit and proper, banned sine die, and generally ridiculed for his past actions.

However, the Hampden jackets know fine well that their realm only stretches so far and that if by means of the proper application of company law, contract or some other piece of paper Whyte controls the shareholding of the self proclaimed “parent company” to the football club then they are in a fix. In fact, I will wager that they just would not know how to deal with such a situation as after all RIFC PLC neither holds a licence to play football nor is a member of the SFA and so, on the face of it, who owns it has nothing to do with them.

At this juncture, no one in authority knows who Blue Pitch Holdings are and, strangely, no one in authority knows who Margarita Holdings are either! Yet these two “holdings” whoever they may be, may well hold all the power down Govan way…… with the SFA completely powerless to find out who they are let alone get into any dialogue with them. All the SFA can do is talk to the appointed Directors and officers of The Rangers Football Club Ltd.

This, is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs.

Meanwhile, they will have no difficulty in finding out who the new shareholders of Dunfermline Athletic are. Those shareholders will come from the fanbase and will be clearly registered at Companies House, with the result that ultimately those fans/shareholders will appoint Directors who will then attend meetings and speak and opine on their behalf and in essence be the ” Voice of Dunfermline” at Hampden.

Perhaps, similar will follow from Heart of Midlothian?

However, those at Hampden — if they have any sense at all– will be most wary of events happening in the east end of Glasgow come November.

In the middle of the month, Celtic PLC will hold its AGM and amidst the items on the agenda is the fan driven notion that the Club— through its Directors—- should go further in holding the SFA to account and enquire into the granting of club licences, and in particular how it granted Rangers a club licence that allowed entry to the Champions League in 2011 when the small tax case was outstanding.

The Celtic board have deemed this motion as “Unnecessary” and in support of that contention have released documentation showing that they raised this very issue with the SFA on behalf of the shareholders and fans. Further– and here is the rub— The Directors reveal that they were not satisfied with the SFA response and have disclosed that they took the matter further and wrote to UEFA.

Ultimately, UEFA also provided a reply, which backed the SFA approach and which Celtic had little option but to accept  in the absence of admissible contradicting evidence..

It is on this basis, that Peter Lawell and Co say the AGM motion is not necessary. Note that saying that the motion is not necessary, is not at all the same thing as saying that what the motion seeks to achieve is not necessary or does not have the support of the board!

There will be those at Hampden who severely hope that the Celtic Board are successful in voting this measure down as obviously they deem their original reply sufficient and would like to end the discussion there.

However, my own view, is that whether the motion is successful or not, there are those within the SFA who will recognise there is trouble staring them in the face here. Real Trouble!

Let’s recap for a moment and draw some threads together.

Celtic’s past Chairman, Dr John Reid, said only a couple of years ago that the SFA was clearly not fit for purpose. He did so in the context of events surrounding Neil Lennon and other matters, but was unshakably robust in his condemnation of an institutionalised uselessness which he saw pervaded the Hampden ranks.

Prior to that, Henry McLeish produced a report which stated that he too had concerns about the Governance of Scottish Football and called for openness and transparency.

In the intervening period, we have seen Mr David Longmuir, former Chief Executive of the Scottish Football League, find himelf without a position following reconstruction– and this partly as a result of club chairmen being apparently kept in the dark about his payment, bonuses and expenes. I understand that there was considerable anger from some at the way in which they had been treated by Mr Longmuir.

Then there is Mr Campbell Ogilvie, El Presidente, who himself benefited from a Rangers EBT and who held sway at Ibrox during a period of time when Rangers– by their own admission— made unlawful and illegal payments to three high profile players in breach of tax laws and SFA/SPL rules. It is these breaches and the consequent Wee Tax Bill which has caused all the angst among Celtic fans and has lead to the highly regulated legal step of tabling a motion at the club’s AGM.

Basically, the position seems to be, that as at the due date when the appropriate documents and declarations were made for a Euro Licence by Rangers for 2011, the wee tax bill was outstanding and due. If it was overdue, then the SFA could not and should not have granted them a licence……. and potentially Celtic should then have been put forward as Scotland’s representatives in the Champion’s League.

However, that did not happen, and Ranger’s were granted a licence– something that the Celtic Directors clearly felt was not correct.

They may have disagreed with the awarding of the licence because there were those at Rangers at the time who declared that a payment to account had been made to the tax office– allegedly £500,000– and that they had entered into an agreement to make payment of the balance by instalments. Had that been so, then all would have been hunky dory and no more would have been said.

Alas, however, no such payment appears to have been made at all, and no such agreement was entered into and so, on that basis, the tax bill was overdue and outstanding as at 30th June in terms of Article 66 and as such no Euro Licence should have been granted.

However, the argument does not end there.

Auldheid, has posted frequently on these pages about the ins and outs of the licensing provisions and the mechanism and so I will leave that detail to him as he is far more expert in these areas than me.

Now, one of the SFA functions is to have an auditor– someone who can check books, contracts, paper work and so on, and it is part of the SFA licensing function to be satisfied that all the paperwork is of course correct and in proper fashion before they issue any licence.

In this case, it is alleged that the SFA did not perform their function properly.

In relation to the wee tax case, it is said that either they did not make sufficient enquiry of Rangers re the payment to account or the agreement which they were told was in place. At the time it was mooted in the press that no such agreement was in place as at the relevant date ( June 30th ) and a simple check with the revenue would have shown the truth of the matter.

Yet, for whatever reason, no such check appears to have been made, and if you recall a Radio Scotland interview with Alistair Johnstone, Rangers submitted the forms, the SFA replied with one or two enquiries about the BIG tax case which were answered, and thereafter the Licence appears to have simply dropped through the letter box without further ado.

You will also recall that the existence of the wee tax case became known BEFORE Craig Whyte bought David Murray’s shareholding in May 2011. In fact it was the subject of News Paper headlines weeks before the deal was completed, and so the fact that there was a wee tax bill was well and truly in the public domain.

When it came to filling in the appropriate forms,either, the SFA were mislead by those then at Rangers with regard to that tax bill, OR, they simply failed to do the requisite checks and make reasonable enquiries before they issued the licence.

However, the uncomfortable fact also remains, that one of the chaps who must have been in the know re the admittedly unlawful and offending side letters, contracts and payments to the three players concerned  was Campbell Ogilivie who was on the Rangers Board at the relevant time when the contracts and irregular payments were made under the Discount Options Scheme  from 1999 to 2002/3. Indeed he may even have initiated the first payment to Craig Moore in 1999. I reiterate that no one has ever contested that this was an unlawful scheme, and the irregular payments and paperwork are not denied in relation to that scheme.

There are Celtic shareholders who believe, rightly or wrongly, that when it came to the granting of the Euro Licence, the SFA did not play them fair on this occasion and that the wheels within Hampden were oiled in such a way that Rangers were favoured and Celtic were disadvantaged. It is a point that looks to have already been considered by the Celtic Directors in 2011, with the result that they concluded that they should formally write to the SFA and seek clarification.

However, we now have the prospect of those same directors having to go back to Hampden and say   ” Sorry, but I am forced to bring this up by my shareholders. I have a legal duty to them to enquire further”. Even if the motion is refused, the point has been made– there are shareholders who are demanding answers– just as shareholders of other clubs demand answers about the ever so secret 5 way agreement and other matters which have hitherto been not for public consumption.

The SFA have nothing to fear of course as they can simply repeat their previous answers,demonstrate that all was above board, and rest easy in their beds.

Except that answer did not satisfy the Celtic Directors on a previous occasion as they decided to take the matter to UEFA, and it would appear that some Celtic shareholders remain dissatisfied with the known stance of the SFA and so they want the Directors of the club to delve further. Without wishing to point out the obvious, if it turns out that the 2011 Licensing process was somehow fudged and not conducted rigorously or that those at Hampden were in any way economical with the truth or omitted certain details from the previous explanation, or covered up a failure in procedures—- well such omissions have  a habit of becoming public these days whether that be through the internet or otherwise.

The point here is that the actions of Hampden officials are coming under organised, legal and planned corporate scrutiny over which they have no control. The Blazer and club mentality that was once so widespread within the governing bodies is under increasing attack and is being rendered a thing of the past.

In short, the move by Celtic shareholders, is making it plain that they will demand proper corporate governance from their club in ensuring that any alleged failure in corporate governance by the SFA or SPFL is properly investigated and reported on.

Of course, if it turns out that the 2011 Licensing process was somehow fudged and not conducted properly for whatever reason, then it could be argued that Celtic were disadvantaged in monetary terms along with other clubs who may have been awarded Europa League licences, then the consequences could be cataclysmic. Hence a tendency to circle the wagons rather than admit to failures in the process that need addressing.

It is this reluctance to come out and accept that the licensing process appears to have failed, say at what point the process failed and what needs to be done to address those failures that in many ways has driven the resolution. It is clear to all that something is amiss but the SFA will not admit it, probably from fear of the consequences of doing so?  Perhaps some form of indemnity, a lessons learned enquiry with no prejudice might help?

It would come as no surprise to me at all if there were those at Hampden who live in dreaded fear of admitting that their processes were flawed and that a grave mistake was made. Under these circumstances, there may well be those at Hampden who simply wish that Celtic and their fans would just go away!

 

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About Trisidium

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

4,365 thoughts on “Beware the angry Shareholders — they might just demand an answer!”


  1. Hope Jack Irvine enjoys the Sunday papers.

    Tom English takes aim in The SOS
    http://www.scotsman.com/news/tom-english-playing-out-the-saga-at-rangers-1-3148998

    SOMEBODY at Rangers said the other day that the story of the club’s power struggle – the disappearing directors and the abject lack of corporate governance – had become so farcical that it was almost beyond parody at this point. Almost.

    This, therefore, is an exclusive – sorry, invented – interview with some of the key players in this tortuous saga.

    “James and Sandy Easdale, thanks for granting us an audience. I know you don’t like the limelight…”

    “Can I interject here, please…”

    “And you are?”

    “Just call me The Source.”

    “The Source?”

    “Aye. Can you direct all your questions to me, thanks. Sandy and Jamesie don’t have anything to say.”

    “We can speak for ourselves…”

    “No, you can’t. Leave it to me. I am The Source.”

    “OK, well, since you’re here Mr Source, can I begin by asking you about the alleged belittling of club legend, John Greig, in an email. As you know, this caused great anger among the Rangers support and nothing seems to have been done about it…”

    “Yes, Craig Mather is looking into that. He’s going to get to the bottom of it and the person responsible will face some very serious punishment.”

    “But Craig Mather has left the club.”

    “Exactly.”

    “Pardon?”

    “He has looked into it and he was just about to make a statement when, unfortunately, he agreed to stand down.”

    “So what about John Greig being called an idiot? What about an apology to the greatest player who ever wore the Rangers jersey?”

    “Uhm, we’re moving on, what’s past is past. We’re looking to a bright new future. In order to change the subject away from John Greig I’m going to allow you to ask the boys one question. Fire away…”

    “Jamesie, let’s start with you. Since the board members are dropping like flies, how quickly can you bring in new people? It’s just you and Brian Stockbridge left on the plc board now…”

    “Sorry, this is The Source again. I have to jump in here. New people will be added pronto. Top drawer people. Top, top drawer. It’s unfair on Stockbridge because he’s taking all the flak now that Mather has gone. We need to get a few more guys in there that the supporters can target. We need to beef up the defensive wall in front of Jamesie and Sandy. Bit worried that the fans will start pointing the finger at the boys soon, so we need to bring in more bodies to draw the heat. God forbid that the Daily Record run a front page picture of Jamesie’s and Sandy’s home like they did with Stockbridge’s. That would be atrocious.”

    “Jamesie, if I can ask you about the proxies you and Sandy are said to hold on behalf of some institutional investors such as Blue Pitch Holdings and Margarita Holdings. Nobody knows who Blue Pitch and Margarita really are. There is a fear that Charles Green and Imran Ahmad are stuck in there somewhere. There’s an even greater concern, as expressed by Paul Murray and Alastair Johnston last week, that even Craig Whyte might be involved somehow. Can you clarify exactly who Blue Pitch and Margarita are?…………………..

    Click link for full article


  2. Personally I found

    RANGERS WILL GET DUE CREDIT EVENTUALLY, SAYS ALLY

    much funnier 😀


  3. Tif Finn says: (570)
    October 19, 2013 at 10:19 pm
    ———————
    King and Murray must know that the spivs own the holding company etc. and that its unlikely that they will walk away without the price they feel is right. That price is likely to be a valuation based on how much the bears are prepared to pay to watch a team in blue play at Ibrox for the next 25 – 30 years.

    Why then the smokescreen? Getting a seat on the Board means SFA does it not?


  4. Just reading yesterdays postings.
    Three things jump out to me on a Sunday morning before heading out to lose some golf balls.
    (Excuse my clumsy edits)

    First a summary from a new member our community
    SFTB at 12.44
    …This was not a sin of omission; it was palpably a commissioned event.

    Then Barcabhoy at 10.42
    ….. email posted online, David Dowling, to what looks like SFA colleagues, including president George Peat and vice president, Campbell Ogilvie, multi-committee member, Findlay Noble, as well as a wide range of non-SFA contacts, discussing Bobo Balde’s Celtic contract…email explains what Bobo cost Celtic per game and per minute each season, both inordinately high figures, and finishes with the sentiment:“ahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahaha go on yerself bobo – get it right up them”

    Then in a great follow up simple analysis by BRTH at 4.19
    …However, again according to Charlotte, Regan had the good sense to have this announcement checked before making it public– and he had it checked by sending it to Rangers for checking????

    Pretty sad stuff.


  5. It seems to be getting reported that the Easdale Bros. are ‘True Rangers Men’ who have invested hard cash in ‘Rangers’. I believe that this is false as the shares owned by the ‘Family’ were gained from privatley purchasing shares from initial investors, including Mr C Green. and are shaes in RIFC with the money paid for them heading anywhere other than into the coffers of the overdrawn account of a football team. Could you please take note Mr Irvine.


  6. It looks like Tom English has decided that the time has come to take a seat in a lifeboat, rather than continue playing his violin to the steerage passengers as the good ship Sevco slides under the icy waves. Chick Young is made of sterner stuff, thankfully.


  7. Why did Plod / HMRC not charge that reprehensible mouthpiece for distributing pictures?
    A panda never forgets


  8. neepheid says: (855)
    October 20, 2013 at 8:27 am
    1 0 Rate This

    It looks like Tom English has decided that the time has come to take a seat in a lifeboat, rather than continue playing his violin to the steerage passengers as the good ship Sevco slides under the icy waves. Chick Young is made of sterner stuff, thankfully.
    ============================
    I don’t follow. What do you mean by that?

    (Personally I think Tom English is another churnalist and apologist. He must spend the money he saves on the succulent lamb – on, haemorrhoid cream – the amount of time he’s been sitting on the wall.
    He’s happy to ‘debate’ all things Rangers*, but he won’t debate why Sevco are even allowed to use the old entity name, wear the same strip, use the same crest, keep the history.
    He’s another who needs to be given a ‘pay off”)


  9. Latest from McMurdo:

    Bill McMurdo’s Weblog

    October 20, 2013
    Business As Usual

    Sandy Easdale has issued a statement which declares he is focused on the business plan at Rangers and is determined not to get into a personal slanging match with others in the boardroom wars.

    Easdale said in his statement:

    In recent days there have been suggestions that I speak publicly to the media about my family’s involvement with Rangers Football Club. At this stage I do not think getting embroiled in incessant speculation is in the best interests of Rangers. I have no desire to criticise any individual or group and believe the constant tit for tat that we have seen recently is damaging the Club. I am a committed investor and fan and want nothing other than to see Rangers continue its progress back to the top of Scottish football. AS far as I am concerned there is a business plan in place and I am certain the directors will do everything to ensure that it continues to be implemented.

    Some have already commented that Sandy Easdale is not saying much in this statement. That is, I think, kind of the point.

    Rather than get involved with all the emotive slagging engaged in by some, Easdale is determined to get on with business.

    While others are engaging in politics, Easdale goes about his business quietly and it is this application to business that is impressing people in the City.

    I can reveal that the Easdales and Jack Irvine spent a great deal of time in London last week with leading City figures. The support for Sandy and James’ strategic vision is substantial and there is a queue of willing candidates to join the PLC board. It is also clear that the Murray camp lack nothing near the voting support of the Easdales and it has been widely commented that former “billionaire” Jim McColl has suddenly become invisible.

    McColl’s support of the Requisitioners may through necessity become a much more token matter given the amount of time he must give to his own business interests. Increasingly Paul Murray has been seen to have taken the lead in the Requisitioner campaign.

    Of course, Sandy Easdale is not oblivious to what is going on and I am led to believe that, like many others, he has been appalled by the petty sniping of many parties in the Rangers battle and he has remarked to friends that he can’t understand why certain so-called fans are willing to risk the club’s future and to trample its name in the dust.

    Some of the vitriol has been aimed at the Easdales and this will no doubt increase as the battle for control of Rangers hots up.

    More and more Rangers fans are becoming scunnered by the levels of hate and animosity directed at Rangers officials.

    While it is understandable that emotions often run high in boardroom battles, it is getting more and more vicious in the Ibrox Civil War as the Rangers family is torn apart.

    Fortunately the team is performing successfully on the pitch and Rangers continued this season’s great run with a 4-3 victory yesterday after being 3-1 down at half-time.

    The team is doing the business on the park and it is clear that, despite the constant abuse fired at them, the directors are committed to doing the business off the park.


  11. From KDS:

    According to numerous sources, Blue Pitch is:
    (a)Arif Naqvi personally.
    (b)Mazen Houssami, by proxy.
    or
    (c)Abraaj Capital, as an “Institutional Investor”

    Has English mentioned any of them this week?
    ………………………………………………………
    Quick check on the Abraaj Group

    Arif Naqvi is Group CEO and they’re based in Dubai.


  12. No1 Bob says: (13)
    October 19, 2013 at 2:34 pm
    30 0 Rate This
    ———-

    Thanks Bob, that solved one of yesterday’s little mysteries on here regarding a deleted post. I followed your advice and arrived at the intended destination. Just shows that once you let the cat out of the bag it usually stays out.


  13. torrejohnbhoy(@johnbhoy1958) says: (1080)
    October 20, 2013 at 8:51 am
    ——————————————————————————————————————————————–
    On 24th August 2012 BBC Scotland revealed that “Dubai-based businessman Arif Naqvi was currently the single largest shareholder in Rangers. Arif Naqvi, chief executive of private equity firm Abraaj Capital, owns just under 18% after agreeing to invest £2m back in June.
    Naqvi is the man behind Blue Pitch Holdings but BBC Scotland understands that he has a personal holding in the club.”

    Chuckles then stated that ‘“I would like to clarify that in the case of Blue Pitch Holdings, the legal beneficiary is Mazen Houssami and not Arif Naqvi of Abraaj Capital’.
    (Contrary to what McMurdo had been fed – saying that Naqvi had personally put in £2million, The efinancialnews, a specialist trade paper, backed up the claim a month later stating “Abraaj chief emerges as leading Rangers shareholder.”)

    In the case of Margarita, even the Gin-soaked Leggat managed to climb back on to his bar stool long enough to find out last October that Jack Irvine’s favourite VAT-free zone – the Turks & Caicos Islands – was the home of the mysterious shareholder and that Jack had stopped off there on his way to Dubai.

    I would think that a hack of Edinburgh based English’ calibre, who has spent 2/3rds of his output in the last year on Rangers and Rugby, would immediately get on to the blower to the three people in his contacts book that had connections with……..er, Edinburgh, Rangers and Rugby – David Murray, Brian Kennedy, and Gordon McKie.


  14. Mc Murdo `reveals`……………………..
    I can reveal that the Easdales and Jack Irvine spent a great deal of time in London last week with leading City figures. The support for Sandy and James’ strategic vision is substantial and there is a queue of willing candidates to join the PLC board.

    Mc Murdo – who are the leading City figures?
    Mc Murdo – Name willing candidates please


  15. TallBoy Poppy says: (104)
    October 20, 2013 at 9:03 am
    ===============================
    Ach well,
    Just over a year late!.
    Par for the course for me.
    :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:


  17. Danish Pastry says: (1589)
    October 20, 2013 at 9:11 am

    torrejohnbhoy(@johnbhoy1958) says: (1080)
    October 20, 2013 at 8:51 am
    2 0 Rate This
    ———

    @torrejohn, Is there some new angle to this? Hasn’t his name been floating around for a while? Something to do with Mather stopping off there en route to SA?

    http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/rangers-green-reveals-all-re-blue-pitch-holdings-or-maybe-not-who-is-mazen-houssami/
    ——————————————————————–
    Nothing new.
    i must have missed the Blue Pitch stuff last year(don’t know why) so took it as new.
    would explain Green,Mather and co all stopping over in Dubai,though.


  18. torrejohnbhoy(@johnbhoy1958) says: (1082)
    October 20, 2013 at 9:08 am
    —————————————————————————————————————————————–
    The question isn’t ” who owns them” – it’s why is English suddenly asking again? I’m not 100% sure that I trust Mr English to dig up anything other than the next move in the Barren Knights’ playbook.
    A cynic would suggest that now appears to be the right time to re-reveal the mysterious shareholders.
    The question is – the right time for whom?


  19. torrejohnbhoy(@johnbhoy1958) says: (1082)
    October 20, 2013 at 9:14 am
    1 0 Rate This
    ———
    No problem. Shows how far Sporstsound has come though with three pundits yesterday questioning the mystery surrounding Blue Pitch and Margarita, and one even speculating that a Whyte involement may be lurking there.


  20. http://t.co/bBUe6ImyJ7

    Good article by McKenna in The Guardian lambasting the SFA and pointing to the fact that in the 60’s when we had our great array of footballing talent, the finest club team we ever produced was overlooked for Scotland selection.

    McKenna:

    ‘Scotland had a chance to be magnificent but we blew it because this nation has, for many, many years had the misfortune to be been run by the most incompetent ruling body in world football: the Scottish Football Association.
    Between 1965 and 1972, Scotland had at its disposal the most startlingly gifted array of players at any one time in our history but we missed our shot at glory.

    Denis Law, Ian St John, Dave Mackay, Pat Crerand, Charlie Cooke, Billy Bremner, Alan Gilzean and Jim Baxter all played in the same 10-year period. At this time also, Scotland had Celtic’s Lisbon Lions, the finest team the nation has ever produced and, for a five-year period, arguably the top club side in the world. If that Celtic team had been Polish or Belgian or Danish the international team would have filled their boots with them and lived off their riches. But they were Scots and, as such, only one of them was dee med good enough to gain more than 25 caps for his country.

    In any other country, Celtic would have formed the core of the national team and Law, Bremner, Gilzean and the others would have revolved around them. This was Scotland, though, and so our one and only golden generation failed to qualify for four successive international tournaments following some bizarre coaching arrangements and, ahem, “quaint” team selections.’

    I recall someone on here challenged this assertion with ‘statistics’ Dearie me.


  21. Danish Pastry says: (1590)
    October 20, 2013 at 9:24 am
    ————————————————————————————————————————————————-
    Not very far. It’s the agenda that AJ set last week.


  22. torrejohnbhoy(@johnbhoy1958) says: (1080)
    October 20, 2013 at 8:51 am

    From KDS:

    According to numerous sources, Blue Pitch is:
    (a)Arif Naqvi personally.
    …
    Quick check on the Abraaj Group

    Arif Naqvi is Group CEO and they’re based in Dubai.

    … and interestingly Mather and Stockbridge visited Dubai en route to SA the other week
    [Edit: Really must press F5 before posting]


  23. scapaflow says: (1048)
    October 19, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    They weren’t even French, but were of Norse stock.
    ——
    Hmmm. The Norsemen had been in Normandy for a century or so by that time, so had interbred with the local Franks. The Normans were a bit mongrel, if anything – and kept themselves separate from the French kingdom (such as it was) as much as possible.

    Southern – Robert the Bruce was pretty much a Jock himself. His most famous ancestor (R de Brus, 1st Earl of Annandale) was a Norman knight, but 150 years earlier. Oor Rab probably spoke a version of Norman French, that being the admin/courtly language of the day (hence the persistence of “de Brus”), but would have spoken at least early Scots as well, in daily informal conversation.

    As for Genghis Khan, dinna get me started on him. The most mispronounced man in history. 😉

    Apologies. Back to fitba … 🙂


  24. scottc says: (324)
    October 20, 2013 at 9:31 am

    0

    0

    Rate This

    torrejohnbhoy(@johnbhoy1958) says: (1080)
    October 20, 2013 at 8:51 am

    From KDS:

    According to numerous sources, Blue Pitch is:
    (a)Arif Naqvi personally.
    …
    Quick check on the Abraaj Group

    Arif Naqvi is Group CEO and they’re based in Dubai.

    … and interestingly Mather and Stockbridge visited Dubai en route to SA the other week
    [Edit: Really must press F5 before posting]
    =======================================
    Did Green not also stop off in Dubai during his “world tour”.


  25. Wee rumour on Scotsman’s comments after English article,Dave King has walked away.
    That’ll teach you Chico. (if true ).
    =========================
    There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow,
    There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow,
    The debt is as high as an elephant’s eye,
    An’ it’s climbin’ clear up to the sky.

    Chorus
    Oh what a beautiful morning,
    Oh what a beautiful day,
    I’ve got a wonderful feeling
    Everyone’s walking away,


  26. Tic 6709 says: (475)
    October 20, 2013 at 9:51 am

    Wee rumour on Scotsman’s comments after English article,Dave King has walked away.
    That’ll teach you Chico. (if true ).
    ====================================
    Wee Chics kiss of death.

    Thank God he’s no a St Mirren fan!.


  27. From Rangers Rumours.
    Bad news for the bears,if true:

    18 Oct 2013 09:30:36
    Looks like king is not c’ming for
    now anyway, one of todays papers:
    “finance director stockbridge spoke
    to king it looks like the talks were
    fruitless”
    billy h


  28. BigGav says: (47)
    October 19, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    Carntyne says:
    October 19, 2013 at 11:42 am

    The following from Glenn Gibbons in today’s Scotsman suggests at least one person has broken ranks.

    The most ludicrous – indeed, scandalous – point of the indiscretions, and a series of others throughout the short history of The Rangers International Football Club plc, is that no director, from the chairman and chief executive down, appears to have been aware of their illegitimacy, or had the power – or the authority – to prevent them.

    ————————–

    However, RIFC plc is not ‘the club’, and it is undeniably true, even to the most blinded Sevconian, that the company has a short history.
    _____________________

    My reading of Gibbon’s article leaves me in no doubt he is referring to Rangers as a whole.
    Here…The recent departures of Ian Hart, Bryan Smart and Craig Mather from the Ibrox boardroom have given Rangers the appearance of a present-day Mary Celeste, drifting aimlessly without a crew, apart from a couple of deckhands on the bridge. indicates he is talking about the club.

    And here…With only finance director Brian Stockbridge and non-exec James Easdale occupying seats, Rangers no longer have a properly-constituted board, and co-options are needed in a hurry. That prospective haste, with its built-in risk of unsuitable or inappropriate appointments, could, in itself, be a reason for apprehension among the laity.

    Does the following refer to R.I.F.C. …Just last week, it was reported that the man in charge of the kitty, Stockbridge, had told a fans’ group that Rangers would be down to their last £1 million by April. As market-sensitive revelations go, this one could have sent the stock through the floor, or to the club?

    Or does this?…That stick of dynamite was soon followed by the well-publicised tale of Mather’s trip to South Africa for talks with Dave King with a view to installing the Glasgow-born entrepreneur as the club’s next chairman. The least surprising aspect of this story was its consequence, an official retraction on Rangers’ website, ordered by the company’s nominated adviser (NOMAD), Daniel Stewart.

    The overall tone of the article indicates he is aiming at the club as a whole and not just R.I.F.C. The reference to R.I.F.C. seems to me to be an ironic dig.


  29. Tom English
    ON the advice of police, Brian Stockbridge, the Rangers finance director, has had to improve the security system at his family home following a photograph of the property being published on the front page of a newspaper on Friday.

    Police went to his home and installed “what can be legitimately called a panic button” according to a person familiar with the story.

    Stockbridge has come in for heavy criticism over the way he has managed Rangers’ finances and incurred the wrath of the fans when videoing Malcolm Murray when the former chairman was under the influence of alcohol.

    Much of the flak has been par for the course for an executive in his position, but lately there has been a number of more objectionable threats made online and the publication of a picture of his distinctive home alerted the police to a possible risk to his safety and the safety of his family.

    On various supporters’ websites there was anger over Stockbridge purchasing the house with the help of a £200,000 bonus awarded to him when Rangers won the Third Division title.

    The house was purchased a year before, however. Stockbridge has resisted calls to resign, but protests are ongoing. Stockbridge and James Easdale are the only remaining directors on the plc board following the recent departures of Ian Hart, Bryan Smart and Craig Mather.


  30. Blue Pitch were one of the handful of original pivotal investors who invested in Sevco 5088 Ltd and whose investment was subsequently transferred to Sevco Scotland Ltd and eventually TRFCL and then via a 1-for-1 share swop to RIFC Plc.

    I initially tracked the Naqvi connection back in July 2012 at: http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/who-are-the-mysterious-sevcorangers-investors-some-answers-guest-post-by-ecojon/

    Blue Pitch and Margarita remain a mystery to this day with Green spinning many contradictory stories about them which has totally confused pinning down the identity of the overseas-based investors. However I have little doubt that Naqvi was involved with Blue Pitch at the start with at least a £2 million investment and possibly £4 million. Where he appears to have parted company with Green is that he apparently refused to accept shares in Rangers and demanded that his loan was repaid in cash as per the original agreement he had with Green. Other investors went along with Green’s sales patter and took the shares sweetened by copious amounts of 1p shares for the original consortium and some favoured people like McCoist and the confusing case of ex-Rangers director Hart.

    It is rumoured Naqvi doubled his money in six months but he has never responded to my emails to him personally or to his bank or his Geneva-based frontman for Blue Pitch. It seems like a very good return but apparently Orlit was also paid a commission for ‘finding’ Mr Naqvi which is all very strange as Green claims he is a long-time personal friend so why would anyone be paid a commission for ‘introducing’ him as an investor?

    I have detailed a curious interlude concerning that which also deals with an interesting intervention with McMurdo at: http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/ecojon-on-the-greenmcmurdo-discrepancy-and-mr-naqvis-investment-in-rangers/

    What I haven’t been able to work out is that if Naqvi got his £2 million back then who is left as an investor in Blue Pitch. And of course I can’t help but think that the inordinate expenses shown in the recent accounts re the huge cost of the flotation might, in part, have come about by paying Naqvi his cash as per the original deal.

    When you look back at the failure of the IPO to raise what was expected and then look at the level of ‘expenses’ for raising it and factor in all the millions going out to various people like possibly Naqvi then it becomes glaringly obvious that it was just a question of time and operating cost burn rate that would determine when the train crash happened – it was inevitable.

    And we still haven’t a clue who Houssami, the front man for Blue Pitch, is as explained at: http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/rangers-green-reveals-all-re-blue-pitch-holdings-or-maybe-not-who-is-mazen-houssami/#comments

    But one thing we do know is that the Easdale Camp are holding the proxy votes for Blue Pitch and Margarita but we don’t know if they have a clue who they are acting for and maybe that’s why they’ve decided not to talk as it could be a tad touchy if they had to admit they didn’t know and possibly even more sensitive if they did know and it turned out to be someone like Whyte or Rizvi.


  31. Does anyone know?
    Where o where are BDO?

    Can anyone give us an update as to where we are at with BDO enquiries?


  32. Angus1983 says: (1179)

    October 19, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    Aye, Jim, but they are called Rangers, y’know.

    Meanwhile, on a similar pedantic theme:

    fergussingstheblues says:
    October 19, 2013 at 7:41 pm
    Just an additional observation. In 1066, The French came over from Normandy and conquered Britain.
    ——
    No they didn’t. They never conquered Britain.

    Oh well, mix this into the “broth”.

    The Normans (My ancestors) also expanded into Scotland and Wales, although in a very different way from the conquest of England.

    Scottish kings from the time of Malcolm Canmore (1058 – 1093) tried to introduce Norman personnel and practices into their realm, perhaps out of respect for a perceived cultural superiority, but certainly in order to strengthen their own political position.

    Particularly under David I (1124 – 1153), major land grants were made to Frenchmen (including one of my ancestors) and for example the grant of Annandale to Robert Bruce, ancestor of the later Scottish king of that name. (I am not related here).

    The kings and churchmen also brought the Scottish church more closely into line with that of Christendom further south. Malcolm and his wife Margaret founded the Benedictine monastery of Dunfermline, while David I introduced new monastic orders such the Cistercians and Premonstratensians. (see my name here).

    There were significant periods of antagonism between Scottish and English kings, but also periods of peace such as in the time of David I of Scotland and Henry I of England.In Scotland Normans were invited in by kings of the native line.


  33. OT. Sorry, but do we have any legal eagles on who might DM me re some legal advice for my son? Have to go out just now but will be back around 1300hrs. Thanks in advance. Not football related.


  34. I came across an article yesterday that mentioned Gerry McNee. Remember him? Now, McNee was a reporter whom I loathed. He always played Celtic against Rangers. If there was a criticism of one, he’d always find a way to criticise the other. His anti-Irish comments really raised my hackles and it actually got to the stage where he’d regurgitate the same old shite every other week in order to fill his column inches. At least that was my take on it. That said, he certainly never seemed to shirk tackling the boards and managements of both clubs, which on more than one occasions left him with a sore face. At least he was not seen as biased…everyone despised him.

    If he was still writing, I wonder what his take on the Sevo shenanigans would be? With such a rich/limitless seam of real intrigue and scandal, I wonder if he’d take the current MSM modus operandi and say nothing that would raise the ire of Sevco fans, or would he go for the throat of the Sevco management in much the same way as he did with guys like Liam Brady, Paul Gascoine, Billy McNeill and even David Murray on occasion.

    Based on their own previous experience with McNee, does anyone here think that he’d be a positive or negative contributor. I’d stick my neck out and say that he would most probably tear the Sevco management a new one on a weekly basis. High praise indeed for a guy I wouldn’t give a nod in the desert.

    So, is this the kind of guy we need in the MSM and if so, why don’t we have one?


  36. Angus1983 says: (1179)
    October 20, 2013 at 9:36 am

    Southern – Robert the Bruce was pretty much a Jock himself. His most famous ancestor (R de Brus, 1st Earl of Annandale) was a Norman knight, but 150 years earlier. Oor Rab probably spoke a version of Norman French, that being the admin/courtly language of the day (hence the persistence of “de Brus”), but would have spoken at least early Scots as well, in daily informal conversation.
    ————————–
    Angus – or was he really a Paddy? From wiki I know:

    The diplomacy worked to a certain extent, at least in Ulster, where the Scots had some support. The Irish chief, Donal O’Neil, for instance, later justified his support for the Scots to Pope John XXII by saying “the Kings of Lesser Scotia all trace their blood to our Greater Scotia and retain to some degree our language and customs.”

    While I remain convinced the true purpose of this blog is to debate the various revisionist interpretations of medieval history, I think you’re right, we should yield to the fitba.


  37. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hugh-keevins-celtic-wanting-report-2472714?

    WTF. From Keevins ?

    Does he even read the Shiite he writes before putting it into print?

    He says that the Celtic – after Wee Fergus ‘saved’ celtic
    . . . Because of Celtic fans buying shares, now have shareholders (dissidents) who are trouble makers.
    They are trouble makers because they are questioning how Rangers* got a UEFA licence from the SFA in 2011
    . . .ergo Celtic and Rangers* should not have fans representatives on their board !

    But, Dunfermline were ‘saved’ and are owned by their fans !

    Ok, he gets that.

    Celtic were ‘saved’ by Fergus McCann
    Celtic fans have an issue with Rangers* UEFA licence in 2011
    Dunfermline were ‘saved’ by their fans, who now own Dunfermline FC!

    What he does not mention
    What exactly were Dunfermline saved from?
    What exactly did Fergus McCann save Celtic from?

    What is the importance of Saving them from (whatever Dunfermline and Celtic were saved from)?
    Why should fans not have a right to raise their grievances.
    Why does he not question the SFA’s – we’re above reproach – attitude?
    Why does he not actually go through the timeline of the Celtic fans’ grievance?

    Can’t his paper see that he is causing them lost revenue in sales?!!


  38. LEST WE FORGET

    From:Andrew Dickson
    Date: 7 December 2011

    Subject: FW: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIALTo: Ali Russell Cc: Craig Whyte AliI refer to attached email,

    I have asked Stephen and Carol to get Ramsay’s view on this.We have had no press calls on this and again I have concerns that if the SFA issue this as a general release it will raise the whole issue again and indeed add to speculation about a licence for next season.Please can I have your thoughts .
    Regards
    Andrew

    From: Stephen KerrSent: 07 December 2011 To: Andrew Dickson; Carol PattonSubject: RE: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
    And the media follow up question today once statement is released will be -Will Rangers get a licence for next season?

    From: Stewart Regan [mailto:Stewart.Regan@scottishfa.co.uk]Sent: 07 December 2011
    To: Ali Russell; Andrew DicksonSubject: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIALImportance: High** Confidential **** High Priority **

    Ali/Andrew
    Further to my discussion yesterday with Andrew on the matter of Rangers FC’s European licence I would like to release the following statement.

    I believe this will be in the interest of both the club and ourselves and I hope you agree.
    Please can you confirm that you are happy with the content. If so, I would propose to issue this later today at an agreed time with yourselves.
    Thanks
    Stewart

    In light of persistent speculation across all media, the Scottish FA would like to clarify the position in regard to Rangers FC’s licence to play in Europe as governed by Article 50 of the UEFA Regulations.

    It is noted from the report submitted to the Licensing Committee by Rangers FC’s advisors Grant Thornton UK LLP, dated 30th March 2011,that:
    “All the recorded payroll taxes at 31 December 2010 have, according to the accounting records of the Club since that date been paid in full by 31 March 2011, with the exception of the continuing discussion between the Club and HM Revenue and Customs in relation to a potential liability of £2.8m associated with contributions between 1999 and 2003 into a discounted option scheme.

    These amounts have been provided for in full within the interim financial statements.”Since the potential liability was under discussion by Rangers FC and HM Revenue & Customs as at 31st March 2011, it could not be considered an overdue payable as defined by Article 50.

    We are satisfied that the evidence from all parties complied with Article 50 and, on that basis, a licence was awarded for season 2011-12.

    Add editor’s notes. (Include Article 50 here from UEFA Regulations)

    Stewart M. Regan
    Chief Executive
    The Scottish F.A.

    From:Craig WhyteDate: 7 December 2011 Subject: Re: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIALTo: Andrew Dickson Cc: Ali Russell , Craig Whyte

    It would be crazy for them to put this out. Ali, please call me on this.

    Sent from my iPadFrom:Ramsay SmithDate: 7 December 2011Subject: RE: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

    To: Stephen Kerr , Carol Patton , Ali Russell , Craig Whyte , Craig Whyte

    All
    We should put some pressure on the SFA from a high level, from Ali or Andrew to say we do not believe this is a good idea the SFA putting out such as statement. It stirs up the issue again. What they should do is if they get a legitimate media inquiry respond to it by saying there is no issue whatsoever with Rangers licensing arrangement with the SFA.If they persist they will only cause issues for themselves as much as Rangers.
    Ramsay

    From: Ali RussellSent: 07 December 2011
    To: Stewart Regan; Andrew DicksonCc: Ramsay Smith (Ramsay@mediahouse.co.uk); Stephen Kerr (StephenKerr@rangers.co.uk)Subject: RE: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

    Stewart,
    Tried to phone you. Would prefer no comment or the following

    “We have looked at this matter and there is no issue with the licence granted to Rangers from the SFA. “

    I look forward to speaking to you later,
    Ali

    From:Ali RussellDate: 7 December 2011 Subject: RE: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
    To: Craig Whyte , Andrew Dickson , Fiona Goodall Cc: Craig Whyte , Ramsay@mediahouse.co.uk, StephenKerr@rangers.co.uk, Gary Withey

    All sorted -Held until further notice and I have agreed we will meet Stewart and Campbell for dinner in the next couple of weeks to discuss bigger issues.
    I also made it clear we were very unhappy with the approach the SFA took last week! Hopefully we can move forward now.
    Kind Regards,

    Ali
    Subject: Dinner with Stewart Regan/Campbell Ogilvie/Craig WhyteDate: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:31:30

    From: Ali Russell To:

    Craig, just to confirm that the dinner with Stewart Regan/Campbell Ogilvie, yourself and Ali will be on the 20th@ 7.00pm.I have booked the Glengoyne private dining in Hotel du Vin, and also provisionally booked a hotel room for you (if you’d require?)
    Fiona


  39. John Clarke @11:32

    Many thanks John ,I look forward to reading ‘refreshed’ BDO report.


  40. rantinrobin says: (416)

    October 20, 2013 at 9:28 am

    While not arguing that the SFA were correct to ignore so many Celtic players – it will always remain a mystery why they achieved so few caps – I remember one occasion, when the SFA bowed to the pressure, and played 6 Celtic players in a friendly against Russia at Hampden. It was a disaster. It looked to me, from the terracing, that the non-Celtic players were frozen out (not deliberately), while the Celtic players looked for others to make the runs their club team-mates would make. The whole thing looked like massive confusion. In the end, Scotland were lucky to get away with a 3-0 defeat. It was, sadly, a victory for those who sided with the SFA. If my memory serves me correctly, one of the goals was scored by Tommy Gemmell, a 30 yard own goal, after a mix up involving 2 or 3 Celtic players. As you might expect, the press made a big thing about it and the ‘experiment’ was never tried again.

    Having witnessed it, I became of the view that it was a bad idea to play so many players from one club, any club, as the rest of the team is kind of alien to them (that’s just how it looked to a 15 year old). However, had the ‘experiment’ been successful, I expect that there would still have been precious few Celtic players receiving their just number of caps.


  41. ecobhoy says: (2021)
    October 20, 2013 at 10:37 am
    —————————————————————————————————————-
    I’ve sent you a DM ecobhoy.


  42. The Rangers Football Club Ltd board minutes dated 31.10.2013 states that the shares held by Margarita Trust was to be registered in the name of ATP Investments Limited.

    ATP Investments Limited is a company incorporated in Singapore with identification number of 200602619K.

    I wonder why this did not happen?


  43. 118
    Celebration of a goal
    While it is permissible for a player to demonstrate his joy when a goal has been
    scored, the celebration must not be excessive.
    Reasonable celebrations are allowed, but the practice of choreographed
    celebrations is not to be encouraged when it results in excessive time-wasting
    and referees are instructed to intervene in such cases.
    A player must be cautioned if:
    • in the opinion of the referee, he makes gestures which are provocative,
    derisory or in
    fl
    ammatory
    • he climbs on to a perimeter fence to celebrate a goal being scored
    • he removes his shirt or covers his head with his shirt
    • he covers his head or face with a mask or other similar item
    Leaving the
    fi
    eld of play to celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offence in itself
    but it is essential that players return to the
    fi
    eld of play as soon as possible.
    Referees are expected to act in a preventative manner and to exercise common
    sense in dealing with the celebration of a goal.
    ——————————————————————————————————————————————–

    So from this it would seem that there are certain situations where a yellow card has to be issued at a goal celebration, other than that it seems down to the ref’s interpretation.

    Why then the consistent booking of Celtic players (I have yet to see an instance when Celtic players have not been booked when there is contact with fans in last 2 seasons – even when the contact has been minimal) and the complete inconsistency of the referee’s enforcing this interpretation on other sides ?

    Smacks of bias and there is actual footage of this


  44. Allyjambo says: (606)
    October 20, 2013 at 11:50 am
    rantinrobin says: (416)
    “….Having witnessed it, I became of the view that it was a bad idea to play so many players from one club, any club, …”
    ==========================================
    Worked OK against Israel in 1986. Five Dundee United players on the pitch at the same time plus future Arab Jim Bett too. Paul McStay scored to give a 1-0 victory.

    http://www.11v11.com/matches/israel-v-scotland-28-january-1986-239646/

    Scottish Football needs a strong Dundee United (and Arbroath).


  45. jimlarkin says: (561)
    October 20, 2013 at 11:35 am
    What exactly were Dunfermline saved from?
    What exactly did Fergus McCann save Celtic from?
    ———————————-
    Good point
    Celtic of course (as you allude) were “saved” from the L word by a wee man in a bunnet cos liquidation means the end of a football club

    Rangers weren’t saved by the L word, but MSM say that’s ok cos something LNS said in some report re-wrote Scots law on unincorporated associations meaning that a club which does incorporate remains distinct from the new corporate entity – in stark contrast to the position clearly understood by anyone who knows anything about Scots law and as set out in the recent Scottish Law commission report on unincorporated associations

    Dunfermline were saved from the L word but MSM say if they hadn;t been they would be dead cos the MSM seem to have forgotten LNS’s groundbreaking take on the Scots law of unincorporated associations

    And the MSM will of course wheel out LNS’s comments whenever suits re Order of the Phoenix fc…and so on ad infinitum

    By the way if the big tax case goes against Rangers is there any chance that HMRC will pursue the debt against whatever entity is claiming to be Rangers 1872 at the time? If so, will a few minor changes hastily be made to the club’s official website and the scottish league website re honours list and year of formation..and maybe Durranty will be able to earn some of his big salary by hastily colouring out the stars on the strips with a blue marker pen.

    And finally, if the unlikely happens and Scotland votes “Yes” will Alex Salmond still proclaim that the most vocal supporters of the old Union (thousands of whom used to regularly wear England football tops and who still abuse Scotland supporters on their way to Hampden (I have experienced this myself)) are the “fabric” of the new independent Scotland?


  46. Bawsman says: (207)
    October 20, 2013 at 11:37 am
    12 0 Rate This

    LEST WE FORGET

    From:Andrew Dickson
    Date: 7 December 2011

    Subject: FW: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIALTo: Ali Russell Cc: Craig Whyte AliI refer to attached email,

    I have asked Stephen and Carol to get Ramsay’s view on this.We have had no press calls on this and again I have concerns that if the SFA issue this as a general release it will raise the whole issue again and indeed add to speculation about a licence for next season.Please can I have your thoughts .
    Regards
    Andrew

    From: Stephen KerrSent: 07 December 2011 To: Andrew Dickson; Carol PattonSubject: RE: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
    And the media follow up question today once statement is released will be -Will Rangers get a licence for next season?

    From: Stewart Regan [mailto:Stewart.Regan@scottishfa.co.uk]Sent: 07 December 2011
    To: Ali Russell; Andrew DicksonSubject: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIALImportance: High** Confidential **** High Priority **

    Ali/Andrew
    Further to my discussion yesterday with Andrew on the matter of Rangers FC’s European licence I would like to release the following statement.

    I believe this will be in the interest of both the club and ourselves and I hope you agree.
    Please can you confirm that you are happy with the content. If so, I would propose to issue this later today at an agreed time with yourselves.
    Thanks
    Stewart

    In light of persistent speculation across all media, the Scottish FA would like to clarify the position in regard to Rangers FC’s licence to play in Europe as governed by Article 50 of the UEFA Regulations.

    It is noted from the report submitted to the Licensing Committee by Rangers FC’s advisors Grant Thornton UK LLP, dated 30th March 2011,that:
    “All the recorded payroll taxes at 31 December 2010 have, according to the accounting records of the Club since that date been paid in full by 31 March 2011, with the exception of the continuing discussion between the Club and HM Revenue and Customs in relation to a potential liability of £2.8m associated with contributions between 1999 and 2003 into a discounted option scheme.

    These amounts have been provided for in full within the interim financial statements.”Since the potential liability was under discussion by Rangers FC and HM Revenue & Customs as at 31st March 2011, it could not be considered an overdue payable as defined by Article 50.

    We are satisfied that the evidence from all parties complied with Article 50 and, on that basis, a licence was awarded for season 2011-12.

    Add editor’s notes. (Include Article 50 here from UEFA Regulations)

    Stewart M. Regan
    Chief Executive
    The Scottish F.A.

    From:Craig WhyteDate: 7 December 2011 Subject: Re: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIALTo: Andrew Dickson Cc: Ali Russell , Craig Whyte

    It would be crazy for them to put this out. Ali, please call me on this.

    Sent from my iPadFrom:Ramsay SmithDate: 7 December 2011Subject: RE: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

    To: Stephen Kerr , Carol Patton , Ali Russell , Craig Whyte , Craig Whyte

    All
    We should put some pressure on the SFA from a high level, from Ali or Andrew to say we do not believe this is a good idea the SFA putting out such as statement. It stirs up the issue again. What they should do is if they get a legitimate media inquiry respond to it by saying there is no issue whatsoever with Rangers licensing arrangement with the SFA.If they persist they will only cause issues for themselves as much as Rangers.
    Ramsay

    From: Ali RussellSent: 07 December 2011
    To: Stewart Regan; Andrew DicksonCc: Ramsay Smith (Ramsay@mediahouse.co.uk); Stephen Kerr (StephenKerr@rangers.co.uk)Subject: RE: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

    Stewart,
    Tried to phone you. Would prefer no comment or the following

    “We have looked at this matter and there is no issue with the licence granted to Rangers from the SFA. “

    I look forward to speaking to you later,
    Ali

    From:Ali RussellDate: 7 December 2011 Subject: RE: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
    To: Craig Whyte , Andrew Dickson , Fiona Goodall Cc: Craig Whyte , Ramsay@mediahouse.co.uk, StephenKerr@rangers.co.uk, Gary Withey

    All sorted -Held until further notice and I have agreed we will meet Stewart and Campbell for dinner in the next couple of weeks to discuss bigger issues.
    I also made it clear we were very unhappy with the approach the SFA took last week! Hopefully we can move forward now.
    Kind Regards,

    Ali
    Subject: Dinner with Stewart Regan/Campbell Ogilvie/Craig WhyteDate: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:31:30

    From: Ali Russell To:

    Craig, just to confirm that the dinner with Stewart Regan/Campbell Ogilvie, yourself and Ali will be on the 20th@ 7.00pm.I have booked the Glengoyne private dining in Hotel du Vin, and also provisionally booked a hotel room for you (if you’d require?)
    Fiona

    . . .All sorted – Held until further notice and I have agreed we will meet Stewart and Campbell for dinner in the next couple of weeks to discuss bigger issues. . .

    Bigger issues . . .i wonder what they WERE !?


  47. Allyjambo says: (606)

    October 20, 2013 at 11:50 am

    rantinrobin says: (416)

    October 20, 2013 at 9:28 am
    ==================
    On the 10th of May 1967 there were 7 players from Celtic who started the game,a meaningless friendly against Russia,the sub was W Wallace (on for Law) 2 weeks before the European Cup final.
    That’s how the SFA supported the first team to be in the Final.


  48. On February 7, 2013, Ecojohn on this forum quoted Jack Irvine’s blogger of choice McMurdo as stating:”It was Orlit Enterprises that introduced Blue Pitch Holdings”.
    Orlit’s directors include Rafat Rizvi’s wife plus his frontman, Singapore lawyer Chan Fook Meng.

    CharlotteFakes also revealed that the Margarita shares were to be transferred to ATP Investments.
    This company is also based in Singapore and is an investor in Inovio Pharmaceuticals, which has faced many allegations of “Boiler Room” and “Pump and Dump” share scams in recent years.
    All of which recalls Rizvi’s old links to “King of the Boiler Rooms” Leo Knifton.
    Whatever the actual connections, there seems no doubt that a significant, and controlling, percentage of the original Sevco investors were unashamed spivs with links to major fraud (see Rizvi and Bank Century, Indonesia).
    They had clearly spotted a cash cow they could milk until it was dry.
    They were certainly not here “for the journey”.
    Now it seems that these spivs, with knowledge of how to squirrel away large sums of cash in offshore tax havens, are passing on their shares and voting interests to the Easdales for an unknown “consideration”.
    What a stench there is emanating from Ibrox.


  49. Robbyp
    I too experienced many a time were i would have gladly whacked Mr McNee …. But have also enjoyed a few pints with him in recent years … Have tried to get his opinion of current shenanigans to no avail … A happily retired chap who only has time for CL fitba these days ! !


  50. Re-Gerry Mcnee, I reckon he would be having a field day with the current shenanigans at Ibrox, but I’m also sure he would find time to have a pop at Lawwell, either because he wanted to, or his Editor said he had to.


  51. jimlarkin says: (562)
    October 20, 2013 at 11:35 am
    16 0 Rate This

    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hugh-keevins-celtic-wanting-report-2472714?

    WTF. From Keevins ?

    Does he even read the Shiite he writes before putting it into print?

    He says that the Celtic – after Wee Fergus ‘saved’ celtic
    . . . Because of Celtic fans buying shares, now have shareholders (dissidents) who are trouble makers.
    They are trouble makers because they are questioning how Rangers* got a UEFA licence from the SFA in 2011
    . . .ergo Celtic and Rangers* should not have fans representatives on their board !

    But, Dunfermline were ‘saved’ and are owned by their fans !

    Ok, he gets that.

    Celtic were ‘saved’ by Fergus McCann
    Celtic fans have an issue with Rangers* UEFA licence in 2011
    Dunfermline were ‘saved’ by their fans, who now own Dunfermline FC!

    What he does not mention
    What exactly were Dunfermline saved from?
    What exactly did Fergus McCann save Celtic from?

    What is the importance of Saving them from (whatever Dunfermline and Celtic were saved from)?
    Why should fans not have a right to raise their grievances.
    Why does he not question the SFA’s – we’re above reproach – attitude?
    Why does he not actually go through the timeline of the Celtic fans’ grievance?

    Can’t his paper see that he is causing them lost revenue in sales?!!

    —————————————————————-

    IMO articles like this one demonstrate why the licencing issue is so important. Does Keevins really think Sevco could be evicted and thrown into the street by this action? if only! There is a paper trail, right to the heart of the SFA, and its time the SFA were called on the disgraceful toadying to the Govan club. If there is evidence that they gave RFC (IL) a euro licence, and the cash that goes with it…..and lied about it…….they will have to resign. Had Rangers gone into administration at that point there may have been a very different outcome….they may even have survived, instead they went bust and Scottish football endures the trauma of officialdom trying to save them by fair means and foul……in fact it was just foul. Time for a clean broom at Hampden and this issue could be the catalyst to usher in a new era, with the hopelessly anachronistic elements of SFA buried in the grave next to Rangers.


  52. theoldshed says: (42)
    October 20, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    Rangers weren’t saved by the L word, but MSM say that’s ok cos something LNS said in some report re-wrote Scots law on unincorporated associations meaning that a club which does incorporate remains distinct from the new corporate entity
    =========================================
    What everyone who relies on this LNS statement seems to forget, is that he added the rider, “for the purposes of this tribunal only” or similar words
    He did this to stop certain parties trying to say he had no jurisdiction over the old or new entity

    As an aside, if you look at Paul McConville’s latest blog, there is a picture of the RFC board posing proudly with the SPL trophy
    Why were they allowed to do this, if the club was separate from the company ?
    Does anyone know

    By the way BRTH, two excellent contributions once again


  53. Re Hugh Keevins
    Hugh’s article implies that the reason for shareholders in CFC raising this issue is so they can put their rivals out of existence forever. That is quite a miraculous leap to make. To me the issue being raised at this time is all about the SFA.
    TRFC did not exist when the SFA granted the license and I cannot imagine any possible sanctions being imposed on them in any eventual outcome. This is not a war between two sets of supporters but articles like this do not help it to stay that way.
    As for all the other guff about “existence” and “rivals” well you could pick holes in that all day but that would be rising to the bait. I had to laugh though at his description of Celtic Park being an immaculate detached property. This must be gleamed from memory as he has been barred entry for the last few seasons.


  55. Re-Hugh Keevins. I have politely e-mailed him in the past regarding articles he has written, and received what I can only describe as sneering replies, which I thought were unbecoming of a Journalist of his vintage. Based on experience I reckon he is best ignored, but each to their own.


  56. Why, oh WHY the hell did I click the link to Keevins latest! “Demented ramblins of dissident shareholders” is it Hugh?
    I suppose it’s completely my own fault, they say that insanity can be defined by repeating the same mistakes and expecting a different result… guilty!!
    God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Oh, and a taxi for Keevins :slamb: … Oh, and Chick :slamb: . Thanks. 😈


  57. fara1968 says: (136)
    October 20, 2013 at 2:02 pm
    –”To me the issue being raised at this time is all about the SFA.”
    ——-
    And we must keep that as our main focus.

    The blog is NOT and never has been about seeking the destruction or extinction of RFC.

    The fact that that happened was nothing to do with us: entirely the fault of greedy SDM and greedy CW ( aided and abetted by an utterly negligent SFA).

    It is not even about the current self-destruction of a new club ( owing its existence to SFA chicanery ).

    Some people on the blog may indeed wish for the name of ‘Rangers’ in any shape or form to be expunged as having been synonymous with all that was/is rotten in Scottish Football, and deserving to be cast permanently into exterior darkness.

    Most, however, have made it clear that the crime of the SFA is far,far more serious than the crimes of one or other club, alive or dead, since they are of the same nature in their destructiveness of justice, fairness, sporting integrity as are the alleged crimes of the Police Federation’s spokesmen in the’ Plebgate’ story in relation to civic justice and law and order.

    And, whatever else, the ‘business story’ of an apparently self-destructive, new football club wearing the shroud of a recently defunct one, is absolutely riveting:

    possible connections with Interpol-wanted fraudsters,
    real connections with home-grown convicted persons,
    shadowy middle- and far-eastern money men,
    newspaper editors in thrall to potential blackmailers,
    public broadcasting corporation less than neutral in its coverage,
    individual journalists not reporting even the known truths factually and accurately let alone not asking hard questions,
    CEOs having panic-alarms installed,
    mail-room staff at an unconnected club being taught how to look for suspect packages,
    Army High Command complicit in supporting partisan and sectarian behaviour.

    If Tom Clancy had written the novel, it would have been seen as too far-fetched.

    But who can resist it, and resist speculating not on if, but when, the death of the new club will come?

    With whatever emotion that may bring?

    But we must keep targeting the SFA, because Scottish Football really does need a clean out.

    And our newspaper editors need to get off their knees and develop some self-respect.

    .


  58. The following link is to a previous article of Hugh’s where he criticises the bunnet for his dogged pursuit of a transfer fee for John Collins and an explanation of Jim Farry’s behaviour. The point is that Fergus would not need a shareholder resolution to open the can of worms that is the deeply misguided shenanigans down govan way. Fergus would have raised the issue of the improper application of a licence at the time. Hugh’s Jack-inspired attempt to undermine a democratic process is in stark contrast to his silence on the fillibustering tactics being employed by what’s left of the board in order to keep the ordinary supporter in the dark.
    http://www.thefreelibrary.com/HUGH+KEEVINS%3B+Ball's+in+your+court,+Fergus.-a061089820


  59. Can anybody post a working link to LNS full report please? It’s almost as though somebody doesn’t want anybody to see it any more. 😮


  60. And, by the way, are Richard Gordon and I the only two folk to have thought that at a corner kick the ba’ must clear the quadrant? Just goes to show.
    I was dumbfounded at the ba’s-up caused this afternoon in the ICT-P. thistle match.Need to watch it tonight, and need to read up the rule book. ( Yes, yes, I know..)


  63. Ronnie Esplin has just tweeted that there should be some press release from Sevco’s Nomad this afternoon. I will post it up when it appears


  64. I have yet to see a single MSM report which explains the real nature of the Celtic AGM resolution and what it seeks to achieve. Either they don’t understand the Euro licence issue or they are deliberately trying to distract from it.

    Is there any chance one of our more articulate contributors (such as Auldheid) could find a way to get a comprehensive press, radio or TV interview to set the record (and The Record :)) straight on what should be a matter of genuine public concern?


  65. ratethisthenyabampots says: (68)
    October 20, 2013 at 3:17 pm
    0 0 Rate This

    Can anybody post a working link to LNS full report please? It’s almost as though somebody doesn’t want anybody to see it any more.
    ========
    Let me save you the bother.
    Rangers, as was, operated an ‘off the books’ payment method for a number of years in order to, in the words of SDM ’employ players we could not otherwise afford’. They did this in a way that was contrary to the rules and regulations of the associate bodies. The club was then in breach of the regulation which requires that a licence to play in Europe if the club has paid all social taxes timeously. They were granted a licence anyway, thereby depriving other clubs of both the opportunity to play European football and the income. They were then put into administration by their owner and subsequently liquidated. The alleged owner of some of the assets initially refused to acknowledge LNS’s hearing and belatedly involved himself when he realised that a potential result was that, if Rangers(IL) were found guilty then they could be stripped of titles, more damagingly however was that other European associations may have investigated the possibility that clubs in their jurisdiction had been disadvantaged by Rangers(IL) rule breaking.
    After much flimflammery from people who had a reputation to protect, LNS found the following:
    Rangers were not liquidated
    Rangers broke the rules but as they had obeyed part of the rules, it didn’t amount to cheating
    Rangers didn’t receive any sporting advantage by paying large numbers of players, who they could not otherwise afford, large sums of undeclared money without declaring the payments or paying tax due on the DOS
    Rangers, despite not being liquidated,were not in a position to pay a financial penalty so the fine should be counted against the creditor account of the company which didn’t do anything wrong.
    The rules were insufficiently clear for Ranger’s employees to understand. Campbell Ogilvie should know given his experience of working for the offending club and the regulatory body.
    Nothing to see!!!!!


  67. davythelotion says: (168)
    October 20, 2013 at 2:58 pm
    ==============================
    Reading that Hugh Keevins article from the 90’s made me think just how easy it must have been to be a Sports hack in those days. I’d imagine the conversations in the Press Bar would be along these lines:

    Hack 1: Usual lads?…four halfs and four half pints son. Oh…eh…don’t be thinking we claim all this on expenses. Have one for yourself…all in a day’s work eh son!

    Hack 2: See the latest from McCann…still banging on about that Collins transfer…you’d think he’d just accept it and let it rest

    Hack 3: If I was him I’d do anything to keep my face out the papers, what with that squint.

    Hack 4: I write about his squint but I always say it’s an ‘unfortunate’ squint, because it sounds like we care a bit

    Hack 1: Aye, but apart from that he should think what Murray would have done in the same situation. He’d have paid Collins anything he wanted to stay, and played the ace card of Rangers being far bigger than Monaco

    Hack 2: McCann doesn’t have the money for that. He’s only put about £6M into Celtic…who knows just how much Murray’s put into Rangers, but it’ll be much more than that.

    Hack 3: Aye…Murray is a different level of businessman….everything he does oozes total class. As I said though, what about McCann’s f*ckin squint!

    Hack 4: I heard a whisper McCann thinks Rangers get all their money off the bank, and Murray puts nothing in.

    Hack 1: What a load of pish. Murray says f*ck all about that in those press releases he gives us when the Rangers accounts come out. You’ll be telling me next McCann has seen Rangers accounts.

    Hack 2: I’ll tell you what I’ve heard as well. McCann actually thinks Jim Farry deliberately withheld Jorge Cadete’s registration and stopped him playing the semi final against Rangers.

    Hack 3: Oh for f*ck sake, I’ve heard it all now. He might have been in Canada for a while but the old paranoia never left eh!

    Hack 4: McCann will rue the day he takes Farry on. Jim is an awkward so and so, but he’ll have McCann for his breakfast.

    Hack 1: It would bring a tear to a glass eye…whose round is it?

    Hack 2: I’ll get this one. Before I go though the computer guy at work was saying this Internet thing is going to be big in the next ten years or so.

    Hack 3: Aye…I’ve heard that anybody will be able to get a news story out there. In their dreams if you ask me.

    Hack 4: I think we’ll be safe enough lads, now get the f*ckin drink in!


  68. On the Scotland v USSR (corrected that) match, I wasn’t suggesting that the ‘experiment’ failed therefore it was correct to not play half a team of players from one club, I just wanted to bring into the discussion that it had been tried. As I said, it was the impression I had as a 15 year-old.
    Redlichtie, if I was still a 15 year-old when the match against Israel was played I might have changed my opinion 🙂
    The thing is, regardless of the circumstances, the match played into the hands of those (much older than 15) who would prefer not to have a Scotland side dominated by Celtic players; though 4 in that great match at Wembley, the same year, might beg the question, ‘why not?’


  69. http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8982463/

    Paul Shackleton hopes to bring some short-term stability to the Rangers board
    Last Updated: October 20, 2013 4:29pm
    0

    Rangers only have two people in the boardroom at the moment
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    Paul Shackleton has confirmed he is working hard to bring some short-term stability to the beleaguered Rangers boardroom.

    Shackleton represents Daniel Stewart, the League One club’s nominated advisors, and has been holding discussions with the club’s powerbrokers in the past few days.

    Chief executive Charles Green, his replacement Craig Mather, commercial director Imran Ahmad, and non-executive trio Bryan Smart, Ian Hart and Walter Smith have either been sacked or resigned in the last six months.

    These developments leave only finance director Brian Stockbridge and non-executive director James Easdale on the current board, which prevents the club from calling an Annual General Meeting.

    “I can’t go into detail but I have been speaking with shareholders,” Shackleton said.

    “We are actively trying to sort the situation out. We are doing everything we can to get it sorted. It needs stability.

    “I have been talking to everybody, trying to map out a path through this minefield. Once we have done that I think we can make a decision.

    “There needs to be more directors at the club. Two directors are not suitable for the long term.

    “But I’ve not been sitting on my hands. It is a very complicated situation and we are doing what we can to sort it out.

    “There is a process to go through and I’m trying to come up with ideas. We are very keen to get it resolved as soon as possible and I think I am making progress.”


  70. What do Keevins, and others of his ilk, fear about this coming Celtic AGM, and the questions re the football license?

    They fear that it will open up discussions, at the very least, of the complicity of the SFA in the Rangers fiasco. It might very well result in undeniable proof that the SFA, and other Scottish football bodies, were prepared to act outside of the rules, or fail to act within the rules, to the detriment of all other members, just to benefit one club, Rangers. As surely as night follows day, it will become clear, to even those in the MSM, that every other step the SFA have taken to facilitate a ‘Rangers’, has been done without due regard to the rules and a desire to do what’s right. The revelation that the SFA were prepared to deprive one untainted member club of the chance to make millions of pounds, just to shore up a discredited favoured member club, will open the door to the claim that ‘if they’ve done it once, they’ll do it again’ and we all know there’s a catalogue of questionable ‘decisions’ made to the benefit of both forms of Rangers that defy belief.

    Keevins and his mates fear that this might be the first breach in the dyke that’s holding back the mucky water, and the flood is overdue.


  71. Allyjambo says: (608)
    October 20, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    Yes AJ, that might be the flood that will clean out the Augean Stables I have often referred to.


  72. paulsatim says: (571)
    October 20, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    Tell me that release is a wind up. He might as well have said that he’s getting paid triple time on a sunday to come with a blumin good reason why they can’t announce an AGM. And he’s not sitting on his hands either begorrah. No, no he’s really really busy no less.

    Red Jack onto the Black Queen Paul.


  73. Allyjambo says: (608)
    October 20, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    What do Keevins, and others of his ilk, fear about this coming Celtic AGM, and the questions re the football license?
    ==============================================
    The media will be there, and the resolution will be discussed. It’s out there now and they’ve done their best to muddy the waters, but there is going to be bright, articulate people there who will challenge the board. The board, while probably having enough to defeat the motion, are equally bright and articulate. I await with interest.


  74. redlichtie says: (260)
    October 20, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    Worked OK against Israel in 1986. Five Dundee United players on the pitch at the same time plus future Arab Jim Bett too. Paul McStay scored to give a 1-0 victory.
    ——

    Didn’t work so well in 1983 – Leighton, Rougvie, McLeish, Strachan and Weir started against Northern Ireland, and McGhee came on as a sub after an hour. Willie Miller was injured or we’d have had 7 on the park. Anyhow, we got beat 2-0. 🙂

    Future Dons Roy Aitken (yeah, I know) and Davie Dodds (EM) also played.


  75. BDO did apply for restrictions to the CoS on open publication of their next 6 month report
    Wonder how that went MSM?…..
    .
    [Answers please on the back of a pinhead inscribed with 6 inch nails]

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