Guest Blog by Shyster and Shyster
Anyone hoping for some “on the record comments” made under oath in the Kinloch v Coral case is Court last week would have been sorely disappointed.
Like many people I followed James Doleman’s tweets from Court with interest. However, it became clear very early on in the proceedings that there was to be no seminal moment in the OCNC debate – despite the obvious defence available to Coral which would have made it so.
A tweet from Mr Doleman (see below) makes it clear that Coral sent a letter to Mr Kinloch explaining the reason why they would not pay out on his bet.
The reason, in a a sentence was that “Rangers were demoted, not relegated”.
Here is that Tweet from Mr Doleman.
I assume then, that an employee of Coral communicated this letter to Mr Kinloch without getting it “legalled” first.
That is extraordinary for a number of reasons; firstly, it is factually incorrect, and secondly it can be argued that this position leaves Coral open to exposure in other areas.
I find it difficult to imagine how this letter left Coral without the approval of their legal people, especially given that £250K plus legal costs was at stake.
If I was in Kinloch’s position, I would on the phone to the nearest no-win-no-fee lawyer I could find, because in the light of their explanation for refusing to settle the bet, and using terminology that Coral would understand, he is better than evens to win the case.
I think it would be fair to conclude this employee may be facing disciplinary action, and that this action will turn up as a case study in the training manuals sitting on shelves in every bookmaker shop in the country.
However just because the OCNC debate sat on the bench last week it doesn’t mean there wasn’t something juicy on show. The SPL’s legal representative, Rod McKenzie – a defence witness in the case – made some very interesting comments in his evidence.
Before I go into his comments further I would like to address some unfair criticism aimed at Mr McKenzie. As most of us know, he is the lawyer who helped create in elusive 5 Way Agreement.
Nothing has blurred the lines of the OCNC debate more than this document, and Mr McKenzie himself is most likely to have authored the 5 Way Agreement, and provided a rationale for his client, the SPL signing up to it. But the SPL would have outlined what they wanted in the Agreement, so any anger directed at McKenzie is misdirected. He was, quite rightly, looking after the interests of his client. It is not his fault that his client is an idiot.
Notwithstanding this, Mr McKenzie said – or rather didn’t say – some very interesting things.
- He told us that the 5 Way Agreement contains (what appears to be) nuclear grade confidentiality clauses.
- He couldn’t – or wouldn’t provide a definition of Relegation.
The man who wrote the rules for the SPL says he cannot define relegation. Well he can, but he chooses not to.
Conclusion? I can only infer that there is something in the 5 Way Agreement that precludes him from saying more.
I have seen (online) what are alleged to be draft versions of the 5 Way Agreement. In Football term though, and despite of existing Corporate Law, the OCNC debate cannot be fully settled until the actual and final terms of this agreement are known.
If only there was a way to see that document.
Went to Celtic Park with #2 son today and I think that the game illustrated how cruel football can be.
Celtic dominated the first half and the early part of the second, but for fifteen minutes before their second goal, Hearts bossed the midfield and looked like getting something from the match.
The second goal finished it as a contest, but I don’t see the score as being a fair reflection of the game.
BIG PINKJANUARY 29, 2017 at 17:11
but I don’t see the score as being a fair reflection of the game.
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Henderson’s pin point passing and Tierney’s at the end were just too much.
(this is not a celtic site) so did not know if i could respond with much more than the above line, just incase
Big Pink
I got my Latin O Grade, but can’t remember coming across this word.
Every days an education here.
That’s why I’m always lurking.
Cheers one and all!
Big Pink January 29, 2017 at 16:54
Attachment UK-Takeovers-Panel.Guide_.pdf
EJ
David Low is very firmly of the view that if “The Three Bears” were to trigger the threshold, they would most definitely be regarded as a concert party (see Appendix 5 of attachment).
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I agree with David Low to the extent of the Three Bears working in concert. However, on the basis of the attached document, King and the Three Bears have already been acting in concert, particularly when seeking control of the Board via the EGM in March 2015. King was also on record as having been in talks with Letham from October 2014 onwards re their £16M offer to buy a controlling stake in the club.
The fact that they haven’t been accused of acting in concert to date, is either down to no shareholder making a complaint to the Takeover panel, or that the shareholders believe that they they would be unable to prove that they were working in concert.
The Three Bears major share purchase came from Laxey’s 16.32% holding, with the deal going through on 31 Dec 2014 at 20p a share. Taylor already held 3.16% prior to that purchase. King’s purchase of 14.57% followed the next business day on 2 Jan 2015 at 20.1p a share from the holdings of Artemis, Miton and River & Mercantile. That one day difference in the deals and the 0.1p difference in price may be deemed sufficient separation to deem them not to be acting in concert.
The trouble is that if they up their game to leave Aberdeen and Hearts behind in on-filed terms, they will necessarily incur greater expense when their income is maxed. That is why expectations are a problem for TRFC – much bigger than those at Pittodrie or Tynie.
correct, hence my point re expectation versus cost. They only need to be just ahead of the rest, not right behind Celtic. Develop that as their strategy, as I’m quite sure Stewart Robinson would confirm off the record they do, and they will buy time. No arguement that they’ve paid a higher price than they needed to and equally my 12 points comment above echoes Big Pinks point – that they have to ride a fine line in achieving it. But they are
BIG PINK
JANUARY 29, 2017 at 17:06
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The club stated in their accounts stated that they expected to need loans in the region of £3.75m in order to cover expenses for the season. They would not need to do that if they expected to break even based on trading.
SouthernExileJanuary 29, 2017 at 18:53
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I think you could have phrased that better and still made your point. Intemperate language SE .
HOMUNCULUSJANUARY 29, 2017 at 18:44
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With further funds forcast to be required in March 2017.
Phil has stated that some members of the board had hoped that the south African-based entrepreneur was going to turn up with money this month.
So if he did not turn up with any money, who will give them loans in March.
Remembering that march is going to be one hell of a month down ibrox way
BIG PINKJANUARY 29, 2017 at 17:11
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Was watching the game at my brother in law’s . Missus Gunnerb was concerned that maroon shirts were pouring all over their opponents for ten mins or so. I was more relaxed….Celtic backline not impressive and sadly for Hearts they didnt need to be. I hope Hearts can progress on the field as they seem to be doing off. They were never a favourite of mine before having my eyes opened by stalwart football supporters posting here. Still not my cup of tea but gosh all power to them for saving their club. FOH ???
CLUSTER ONE
JANUARY 29, 2017 at 20:32
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That’s the thing that a lot of people don’t seem to get, if there comes a time when no-one is willing to provide the loans they are finished.
There seems to be this notion that they can simply “go into debt”, not if no-one is willing to provide that debt. It’s as if fans believe that football clubs are somehow different from every other business. Debt is just available to them.
If you can’t pay your bills, including wages, when they fall due then you are insolvent. The bad type.
JOENINHOJANUARY 29, 2017 at 18:24
I baled out of Latin in 2nd year, as it was an optional ‘O’ Grade. Still fascinating to think back on though. Did doctors used to write prescriptions in Latin?
Sevco were dealt a hand by the decisions of the other 41 clubs in Scotland that left them with (at least the bones of) an SPL/Champions League cost base, whilst operating in the 4th tier of league football. Add to this the unscrupulous personalities in the boardroom that have put their own interests before those of the club. All in all, a tricky spot.
According to the numbers in their latest accounts:
“Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) improved to a loss of £0.1m from a loss of£6.8m…
The operating loss decreased to £2.5m from a loss of £10.0m in the previous year. The overall net loss for the yearwas £3.3m compared to a loss of £7.7m for the previous year…”
“Revenue for the year was £22.2m, an overall increase of £5.9m from the previous year.”
Average attendance up to 49000 so far this season, that is progress. European football (likely guaranteed at the end of this season) is a must if they are to continue on that trajectory.
upthehoopsJanuary 29, 2017 at 21:07
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Aye they did. Didn’t know what you were takin in your medicine (pronounced medsin)
I stopped it too in S2 but feel much poorer for it!!
Chose science and hated it. Big Breen was my Head Teacher!!
CLUSTER ONEJANUARY 28, 2017 at 16:24 35 Votes
At the start of january league chiefs modified existing guidelines and issued a reminder to scottish clubs about unacceptable behaviour at games by fans in a bid to avoid strict liability being imposed.After todays game Motherwell v the rangers.Over to you SPFL
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RE. The modified guidelines. will SPFL chiefs wait until monday to say anything about the motherwell v the rangers game?
Or will they wait for the match officials report?
Do the SPFL need a match report to act on the modified guidelines or can they act independently if there is nothing in the match report about fans behavior Would the SPFL release a statement on fans behavior at the motherwell v the rangers game, or would it be done behind closed doors.
Would the failure of the SPFL to say anything regarding the ibrox fans behavior at the motherwell game and maybe in future lead to strict liability being imposed with the SPFL’s failure to act.
I’m not saying it’s only the ibrox fans behavior that could bring about strict liability.Other clubs fans have to do their part, but if the ibrox fans can’t stop the sectarian singing what chance do clubs have of strict liability not being imposed.
What i’m trying to say is do the SPFL have a timeline to get clubs to act about unacceptable behavior at games by fans. And what will they do if fans of certain clubs don’t act on these guidelines and strict liability starts to become a reality
EASTWOOD
JANUARY 29, 2017 at 21:16
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They are predicting losses of £3.75m, having spent £1.8m on Garner. So they knew every bean spent on him, and every penny in wages, contributed to increasing losses.
They brought in Barton on whatever wages he was on, again increasing losses. Likewise Kranjcar, Senderos and Hill.
There is every prospect they could have ran the business as a break even proposition this year. Simply consolidating their position in the premiership and building in a sustainable matter.
They made a conscious decision not to. Rather choosing to run at a substantial loss, based on their turnover. They did that with no proper banking facilities and no line of credit, as basically a cash only business.
It’s madness and can only be attributed to a sense or entitlement and superiority. The problems they currently have are no-one’s fault but their own. Break even or close to it was entirely possible.
Jean Brodie
Big Jim was the very man who introduced me to haruspicy 🙁
He was almost human in a class – though somewhat less so from the podium 🙂
Ecce Romani indeed. I believe we may have trod the same playground Jean Brodie and BP although my alma mater in Latin was a certain Jean McFadden, all the way to Higher. Pax.
HOMUNCULUSJANUARY 29, 2017 at 22:05
The irony is of course, and all credit to them, T’Rangers are holding a high league position mainly with the team from last year and the reliance of Kenny Miller who is,to be frank, holding the whole thing together with his professionalism, never say die attitude and showing he still is a class player when it comes to the crunch.
The money spent over the summer has gone on injury prone players and guys who have yet to make any real impact. Out of them all Clint Hill has probably been the big success and it looks like he and Miller are having to beg for extensions to their contracts.
T’Rangers could have been in a similar position re the league with a better bank balance if they had taken a realistic view of when going for 55 was really going to kick in.
The trouble is they can’t help themselves from still seeing the club as Billy Big Baws.
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As for yesterday I thought Hearts put in a decent showing and as Big Pink says had a good period in the second half when they looked to be taking a bit more control before the second Celtic goal.
Some Jambos are getting impatient but things are clearly going to take time given the new manager, the number of new faces and some guys maybe not being fully up to speed. Added to that the loss of Paterson and now Souttar to major injuries is not really helping.
While Paterson can be a bombscare at times in defence I can’t help wondering if Tierney would have been given as free a reign down that flank late in the game if he had been playing.
Like Miller at T’Rangers sometimes one player can have a big influence on a team that can be the difference between a point/s, a narrow loss and what appears to be a hammering.
Interesting that Keef is developing my earlier point re sevco’s competitiveness in today’s rag.
The board realise they only need to be just second with a decent financial outlook. King remains immersed in his opinion that at absolute worst they should be very nearly first and hang the financial consequences of being so. He’s right in the long term but the board are correctly more concerned with his route map.
Interesting also that King appears to be being isolated in the Record of all places. No-one is bigger than the club, sorry Club, particularly when they sus you don’t have a pot to utilise any time soon.
I don’t know why only part of this post appeared on the site at the first attempt.
A tale of three or maybe four goalkeepers plus four clubs.
JJ is claiming that Matt Gilks has walked away and the the THE rangers are desperate for a goalkeeper to provide cover for their first choice, Forderingham, Has Gilks walked away?
Chelsea have now been reported to have improved their offer for Celtic’s Craig Gordon to £4m. Gordon is reported to be keen to listen to Chelsea.
A red top is reporting that Port Vale are demanding that the money ( £250,000 ) should be paid up, in full, before they will release young keeper, as they don’t fully trust the THE rangers to pay later after they have signed the goalkeeper Jak Alnwick.
I have a solution for three of the four clubs,
Celtic sell Gordon, pocket the £4m, that keeps two of the four clubs happy, Celtic hardly need a keeper.
Port Vale sell their keeper Jak Alnwick to Celtic for the full £250,000 c.o.d. Now we have three happy clubs. Celtic now have goalkeeper cover until the summer and a £3.750.000 profit on the two deals.
As for the fourth club, well all I can say is don’t go to the marketplace if you don’t have any money to spend.
So the Port Vale Chairman wants to see proof of the existence of 250,000 blue pounds. At last someone with half a brain in football.
Are we to believe the Chairman of an English third tier team has a better handle on the Govan finances than our dear leaders at the SFA and SPFL? Or is it they know fine well the “journey” is almost over, but as usual do not want to cause any ripples for the Govan youngster. As The Rangers head toward a financial cliff edge, can/will someone in authority signpost the danger ahead, or will the new club steam on regardless as did the previous club?
HOMUNCULUSJANUARY 29, 2017 at 22:05
I’ll be interested in see a breakdown of the numbers upon which you state Sevco are heading for almost-£4 million loss?
As per my previous post, the trajectory – and stated objective – is towards a breakeven model and I simply don’t see evidence of reckless spending that would entail that model had been jettisoned. Indeed, the persistent criticism from the usual MSM mouth-pieces are that they are not spending enough.
Sevco were not responsible from the position in which they started, the 4th tier starting place was solely by design of the clubs that voted to that end, presuming clubs are autonamous entities at all. But i doubt we will agree on that one! If you’re blaming Sevco for crimes of the previous ibrox occupants, then, again, we shall have to agree to disagree.
EASTWOOD
sevco bring these crimes upon themselves with the ludicrous “we are the same team” nonsense
More thoughts on TRFC’s attempts to buy a keeper on tic!
They clearly don’t have the £250,000 to buy this young keeper, who, we might expect, is to replace reserve keeper, Matt Gilkes. They, apparently, do have enough for a down payment of £60,000, though. But, what if this £60,000 is only available if they can sell a player? Could one of those players be Wes Foderingham himself?
I say this because I am a bit bemused by this apparent effort to buy a replacement reserve goallie, when, surely, it would not be too difficult to find a reserve quality keeper for free, even if only for the rest of the season! Hibs, after all, won the Scottish Cup with an unfancied keeper signed as back-up, and I doubt he hurt their bank balance much, and repaid it a thousand times over!
Substitute keepers are a must have, but, in the short term, don’t have to be stars, or even ‘starlets’, so why have all this bad publicity highlighting their cash dilema, when they could have quietly secured a reliable, if ageing, keeper to see out the season! And surely they have a youngster on their books to bench-warm anyway!
If I am in any way correct, does it mean that, should they sell anyone today or tomorrow, the maximum spending money left over from current/imminent ‘bills to pay’ would be £60,000? Could it even mean that £60,000 would be all that’s left after repaying the February salaries loan?l
As I say, just my thoughts on something that has caused an avoidable airing of something I am sure the TRFC board would rather not air, with a suggestion of what might have made it necessary to risk this airing!
EASTWOODJANUARY 30, 2017 at 12:42
HOMUNCULUSJANUARY 29, 2017 at 22:05 I’ll be interested in see a breakdown of the numbers upon which you state Sevco are heading for almost-£4 million loss?As per my previous post, the trajectory – and stated objective – is towards a breakeven model and I simply don’t see evidence of reckless spending that would entail that model had been jettisoned. Indeed, the persistent criticism from the usual MSM mouth-pieces are that they are not spending enough.Sevco were not responsible from the position in which they started, the 4th tier starting place was solely by design of the clubs that voted to that end, presuming clubs are autonamous entities at all. But i doubt we will agree on that one! If you’re blaming Sevco for crimes of the previous ibrox occupants, then, again, we shall have to agree to disagree.
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I would imagine Homunculus is basing his £4m loss projection on RIFC’s own published prediction of a £4m borrowing requirement to see out the season. Reasonable to assume, even without upcoming court cases, that that would represent a loss of a similar figure. In other words, they will have spent more than they earned, financed by loans, = loss.
EastwoodJanuary 30, 2017 at 12:42
‘….Sevco were not responsible from the position in which they started, the 4th tier starting place was solely by design of the clubs that voted to that end,..’
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I agree that Sevco, now known as TRFC Ltd, were, as a new creation both in commercial law and under the Articles of Association of the SFA and the then SPL, were not responsible for the cheating behaviour of that rotten knight of the realm and that two-bit, would-be big-time asset-stripper who killed RFC(IL).
However, they exhibit the same cheating mentality evidenced by that disgusting SDM by claiming to BE the very same RFC(IL) that his cheating ( even though ,like a yellow coward, he made sure some sucker like the little runt with ‘off the radar’ wealth was left carrying the can) destroyed.
And you have to remember that the original ‘design’ dreamed up by men whose ars.s should be kicked from here to hell ( from where they would be kicked out as undesirable) was that the new club should sail merrily and seamlessly into the SPL.
Happily, and to their credit ( and by gum do they need some credit marks) the SPL and the SFL were honourable and honest enough to face reality: Sevco , TRFC Ltd, was no more than a new applicant for a place in Scottish Professional Football. There was no’design’ on their part, simply an acceptance of legal and spoting reality.
IF decent, honest folk had founded TRFC, and had accepted the truth that they could not claim to be the RFC of our fathers and grandfathers, and had gamely striven without complaint to make their way in the game honestly, and without the bluster and all the ranting nonsense that we have been subjected to for four feckin years, there would have been room for acceptance, and, possibly, encouragement.
But who can be arsed listening to people like King ( the master tax cheat and Court pronounced .. what was it again?)and the other self-seeking chancers who have tried to make their personal fortunes from a lying club?
The RFC of SDM was, under him, rotten.
It corrupted Football Administration.
TRFC is likewise rotten and corrupting of Scottish Football by its pretence to be what it is not , but a pretence which disappears when it comes to paying the debts owed by the club it pretends to be.
EASTWOODJANUARY 30, 2017 at 12:42
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I’m not “blaming” anyone for anything, merely stating what I believe to be facts, which I have taken from the public domain.
Rangers International Football Club PLC / The Rangers Football Club Ltd have had trading losses in each year of their existence. Given that comes from audited accounts available freely from Companies House I think it is fair to say this. It is a loss making business, spending money it is not earning. It is relying on loans to see it through. That is in addition to a share issue which I believe raised something like £22m. So the net trading losses in the first 4 years have to be something like £32m, an accountant can tell me where i got that figure wrong but intuitively it seems straightforward to me.
The club is working on a cash basis and at the end of June 2016 owed around £10m to shareholders / directors. The same accounts stated that they would need to borrow around £3.75m during the course of 2016 – 2017 and indeed had borrowed £2.9m in October, with the rest to come in March 2017. They also predicted requiring further borrowing in 2017 – 2018, though the quantum would depend on how much they earned from European competition, profits from player trading etc.
I believe it is reasonable to infer that a cash business which expects to have to borrow £3.75m is doing that because it expects costs to be higher than income, i.e. running at a loss. If it were a cash flow issue it would have been described in that way, mentioning that whilst they would need to borrow money in October that money would also be repaid within the same financial year. Indeed why mention it at all if that’s the case. Plenty of businesses use an overdraft or other borrowing to see them through times when cash flow is difficult.
With regards the position the club finds itself in. That is really no-one else’s fault. They applied to join the SPL as was and their application was rejected. As far as I am aware the only way into the SPL at that time was via promotion from the SFL division 1. They then applied to the SFL and were accepted into that league. I see no problem with any of that. There is no fault or blame, it is simply something which happened. The new club applied to get into the league and that happened.
You say
If that were true then why did they buy Garner for £1.8m and take on what I imagine is a substantial wage, say £10k per week as a guess. That’s £500k for the year. Likewise Barton, Kranjcar and Hill. If we were to assume they were getting an average of £10k per week (and evidence suggests that Barton was considerably more) then that’s £500k each for the season. So the total spend on players (without any signing on fees factored in) would be £3.8m. I’m sure you will agree that is a familiar figure, or very close to one.
Yes Rangers could probably have been a break even club this year but they choose not to be. No-one else did that. They choose to spend more than they were earning, rather than keeping the same squad. Whilst that squad is unlikely to have won the league it could have competed with most teams in it. I would suggest that it would have been a really good bet for a European spot. I can only assume that just wasn’t good enough.
Re: the [normally] absent TRFC chairman.
Recently, Phil suggested that at a ‘Sevco High Command’ meeting, King offered to sell his shares.
It was also reported last year by Phil [?] that King had secretly offered his shares to Ashley.
We are also aware that King doesn’t spend much time at Ibrox, or to take in games.
And just why would any TRFC supporter choose not to attend their first home game against CFC on Hogmanay ?
Especially as it also signaled a glorious completion of ‘the journey’ ?
King’s behaviour has been consistent: he is not particularly interested in the Govan club, and has placed self-interest above the club/company on 2 – alleged – occasions now.
So, logically, after informing TRFC/the Directors that he wants to sell up, then he should immediately step down from the Board.
You would think?
King has seemingly now confirmed that his interests are no longer aligned with RIFC/TRFC.
Glad the £22mraised in the share issue was mentioned. Even allowing for a poor retail deal, that money and ticket sales should have been enough to see a club survive in the lower leagues. How much money was wasted in trying to act as if they were one of the top clubs in Scotland? How much money did Ally McCoist trouser in 4 years? Charles Green? They were paying their players SPFL wages and signing SPFL standard players when in the fourth tier against part timers (no disrespect intended). Then there was the travel arrangements, the biggest, fanciest buses on the Scottish roads to drive up to 4+5 star hotels the day before a game and I’m not talking about Dingwall.
They might have one of the largest supports in Scotland but at the end of the day they were playing at the lower reaches in Scotland. A bit of longer term planning and they could have arrived at the end of their ‘journey’ debt free.
They did not inherit the debts of the old club, barring some football ones, which may or may not have been paid, so why on earth were they in hock to Mike Ashley two years ago? Now they are owing God knows how much to God knows who and are still living hand to mouth.
All of this for pride, trying to be something they are not. Well you know what they say about pride!
JIMBOJANUARY 30, 2017 at 17:02 1 Vote
Glad the £22mraised in the share issue was mentioned. Even allowing for a poor retail deal, that money and ticket sales should have been enough to see a club survive in the lower leagues. How much money was wasted in trying to act as if they were one of the top clubs in Scotland?
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Did the Mr Wallace 120 day review that turned into a 127 day review not spell out where all the money went or was wasted
Cluster One, haven’t got time to read the full report just now but here’s a wee snippet from Graham Wallace:
“The Club raised £70.7 million through ticket sales, commercial revenues and share issue proceeds between May 2012 and December 2013, and spent this relatively quickly, and in some areas liberally, with only £3.5 million of this cash remaining at 31 December 2013.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-120-day-business-review-report-3455488
JIMBOJANUARY 30, 2017 at 17:51
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Reading that again and thinking back to all the boards that have been at ibrox, since 2012 get’s you wondering did any of them know what they were or are doing?
Everything is on the never,never and hope for….
The Rangers need to be playing in UEFA competition every season in order to obtain access to this substantial prize fund.
Looking back and now… They couldnae run a menage
https://twitter.com/ReadCeltic/status/825740529916846080/video/1
27 games unbeaten was Brendan Rodgers having a wee dig around the 45-second mark.
What a difference, the Glasgow Half-Marathon course remeasured and found to come up short, after competitors themselves sensed a piscatorial whiff. Apologies all round, sorry, your pb’s and times don’t count (but the results stand). Free entry to those affected in this year’s race. Clean, concise and honest (if I’ve got my facts right).
If only errors and inconsistencies in Scottish Football C/clubs were dealt with in such a clearcut and truthful fashion there would be no lingering aroma.
EKLOONJANUARY 31, 2017 at 06:21
What a difference, the Glasgow Half-Marathon course remeasured and found to come up short, after competitors themselves sensed a piscatorial whiff. Apologies all round, sorry, your pb’s and times don’t count (but the results stand). Free entry to those affected in this year’s race. Clean, concise and honest (if I’ve got my facts right).
If only errors and inconsistencies in Scottish Football C/clubs were dealt with in such a clearcut and truthful fashion there would be no lingering aroma.
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Then again the Marathon organisers do not hold the cultural power within Scotland that the club from Ibrox does. They do not have a swathe of Westminster and Holyrood politicians willing to turn a blind eye to all sorts of misdemeanors, including stealing money from the public purse. Neither do they have a lighted torch and pitchfork heavy mob at hand ready to storm the gates whenever anyone tries to speak the truth or apply the rules.
I noted the news item that The Great Scottish Run had been found to be about 150m short and my initial thought was – Aw Naw; Not yet another Statement from Chris Ze List Graham.
“How comes they’re 16 mullyin mair short than us and naebody says nuttin?”
No Chris. That’s metres. Not millions. Of pounds.
And they’ve acknowledged it. And accepted it. And acted upon it. And taken action.
Still it would distract him from his new career as a Film Critic and his forthcoming review of T2 Trainspotting.
“A Masterpiece. Apart from one bit.”
“Two Thumbs Up. Except for the sequence obviously inserted by reactionary running dogs.”
“A Hit. Apart from the bigoted, sectarian, oppressive and discriminatory daud.”
“Five Stars. But not as good as the Five Stars on oor jumpers which indicate…I’m not sure actually. One per year? No, that can’t be right. We’ve had them for five years…”
“Oscar? O’Scar mair like. Obvious plot to unsettle the Constitutional Monarchy by brainwashing the hoi polloi into laughing at things that are…what’s the word?…funny?”
What does Ze List not do for a living that allows him all day every day to selflessly, free, pro bono and for nothing work for the Cause?
Talking of which:That’s not how you spell Halloween.
Jeezo, there is some amount of dross to wade through in these transfer windows, and worse on the last day !
I’m still puzzled by the signing of the Sevco signing of the Port Vale keeper though (has it been confirmed?)
As was discussed, they appeared to have been short of readies, for a lump sum payment, so on the assumption that Paul has been paid, is Peter going to be beelin’?
It has to come from somewhere, right?
Corrupt officialJanuary 31, 2017 at 12:02
Jeezo, there is some amount of dross to wade through in these transfer windows, and worse on the last day ! I’m still puzzled by the signing of the Sevco signing of the Port Vale keeper though (has it been confirmed?) As was discussed, they appeared to have been short of readies, for a lump sum payment, so on the assumption that Paul has been paid, is Peter going to be beelin’? It has to come from somewhere, right?
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It is reported as being confirmed, but reports in the SMSM are not always reliable
Matt Gilkes is also reported as being sold to Wigan (I think it was) for an undisclosed fee, which is exactly the amount stated in the report I read for the new keeper
Regardless, unless there is any movement before the window’s end, TRFC have only brought in a couple of loanees and changed their reserve keeper since it opened.
ALLYJAMBOJANUARY 31, 2017 at 14:09
“Regardless, unless there is any movement before the window’s end, TRFC have only brought in a couple of loanees and changed their reserve keeper since it opened.”
——————————————————————————————————————————
TBF Ally they would be mental to make any purchases of substance given their finances, but 2nd slot is deffo not a gimme, and if it clicks for Cathro quite sharpish at Tynie, (and I don’t think he is far away) 3rd is not even a safe bet.
Would love things to click for Cathro and sharpish tomorrow night but a push for third spot may be just out of Hearts’ reach.
At present I’d give more of a chance to St Johnstone having a go being Tommy Wright makes them difficult to beat and he seems to know how to get points from the rest of the chasing pack.
T’Rangers need to rely on Miller and Hill staying fit as they are the two galvanizing the team. Garner and Rossiter may offer something different if they can get back to fitness but other than that there is nothing obvious within their squad that should really be worrying anyone else. Lots of possession but little to show up front and always suspect at the back.
It has to be said though that Warburton does at least have the players going into games with a good attitude and willing to play for the whole 90 plus minutes, which is where others seem to be failing.
These transfer windows must be painful for the bears to endure: haven’t they suffered enough ?
In the not so distant past, the prior club Rangers was forever linked with big names, and they did acquire many big money, and current Engerlund internationalists. Exciting times.
But, we now know of course that the financing of said transfers was decidedly dodgy in many cases.
So, for the latest Ibrox club to be scrabbling about the lower leagues – and also being publicly humiliated over doubts about their ability to pay a pittance of a fee – must be metaphorically as sore as a Mitre Mouldmaster smacked at full pelt onto your bare thigh on a frosty, Saturday morning !
It must be even more choking to see other clubs go about their transfer business in quiet, dignified manner.
I think the word I’m looking for is…karma. It’s a b!tch !
Corrupt officialJanuary 31, 2017 at 14:36
ALLYJAMBOJANUARY 31, 2017 at 14:09 “Regardless, unless there is any movement before the window’s end, TRFC have only brought in a couple of loanees and changed their reserve keeper since it opened.” —————————————————————————————————————————— TBF Ally they would be mental to make any purchases of substance given their finances, but 2nd slot is deffo not a gimme, and if it clicks for Cathro quite sharpish at Tynie, (and I don’t think he is far away) 3rd is not even a safe bet.
__________________________________
Ignoring the embarrassment caused to TRFC over this signing saga, the signing of a reserve goalkeeper hardly merits the coverage it’s received, unless it was to disguise the fact that he’s TRFC’s only actual signing in their drive for second place! The two loan signings might make a difference, but that would only highlight the dearth of talent at Ibrox!
I suspect the ‘mental awareness’ that has broken out at Ibrox has more to do with there being absolutely no money, and no more loans other than those needed to keep the lights on, with which to not be mental!
STEVIEBCJANUARY 31, 2017 at 15:33
“I think the word I’m looking for is…karma. It’s a b!tch ! )
——————————————————————————–
It’s only a bitch if you are Stevie.
Ally
I’m confused if they are reporting a fee for Gilkes. Two days ago, before he signed for Wigan, there was a report that he had “left” TRFC.
I assumed that his contract had been terminated?
@AgentScotland 7h Wigan paid £110,000 for Matt Gilks which enabled The Rangers to make an acceptable increased up-front bid for Jak Anwick yesterday.
BIG PINKJANUARY 31, 2017 at 18:41
Ally
I’m confused if they are reporting a fee for Gilkes. Two days ago, before he signed for Wigan, there was a report that he had “left” TRFC.
I assumed that his contract had been terminated?
__________
Who knows, BP, there’s so much ‘alternative news’ around TRFC, confusion could be what it’s all about.
It’s nearly over. The transfer window. The power of Celtic against giants in the EPL versus The Rangers struggling for loan deals to see the season out. Happy?
Celtic have handed out a few loan deals to our competitors in the SPFL. Happy?
I’m not.
This can’t go on. As I said a few days ago, like John Collins said we need good opposition. Hearts. They used to be great opposition. Records are not important. Good football is.
What is the answer?
STICKY!!
Funds Update:
Last week we only raised an extra £30 – taking us up to £1056. Sadly we also lost another batch of subs 🙁
Thanks to everyone who has contributed, and there is still a plea for those monthly subs.
Still grateful for all of your efforts.
CLUSTER ONE
that agent scotland guy is generally mocked on twitter,take with a pinch of salt
TONYFEBRUARY 1, 2017 at 03:08
—————–
Will look out for that
It’s now about 9.55 pm On Wednesday 1st Feb, here in Devonport, Auckland.
Mrs C and I (forgive me) “jetted “in from Brisbane yesterday , and after a full day of stoating about Auckland, are relaxing in the nice little studio flat up the hill from the Royal Naval base.
( All to do with extending the visa.
Instead of getting nothing for the (for 2) 600 dollars that extension costs, you can for a few hundred more, leave Australia, go to NZ ,get a temporary visa free of charge to enter and exit NZ, and get back into Oz for another three months.and do that as many times as you like for for a year, apparently)
We’ll be back in Brisbane on Friday night.
Anyway, on this wee limited tablet, I just want to say to Jimbo that while ‘ records don’t matter’,
the truth and accuracy of a Sport’s history record is absolutely vital.
For as long as there are one hundred of us (oops! veered off into the “Declaration of Arbroath” there, for a second!), for as long as the SFA and the SPFL maintain the fiction that TRFC are RIF (iL), and that they are entitled to the ‘ honours” but not deserving of the contempt and scorn that attaches to RFC (IL), and thus attempt to falsify the history of Scottish Football then the Sport is morally bankrupt.
If it in consequence goes financially belly -up like CW’s RFC, then tough titty.
There can be no genuine competition in a sport where cheats are officially allowed to ‘ win.
JOHN CLARKFEBRUARY 1, 2017 at 09:26
I’ll echo these sentiments. People will rightly say the facts are the facts, that the truth of liquidation is simply indisputable, that we shouldn’t care if fools and liars deny it happened. It’s barely worth even debating such an evident reality. Sevco bought a basket of assets. We all know it, it’s undeniable.
Indeed, there is no issue with the average blue nose punter retaining whatever semblance of spiritual ties to the club his father and grandfathers watched from the terraces.
But whilst the SFA membership of “Rangers FC” remains active, extending back in time prior to 2012 thanks to that botched transfer to Sevco, there will remain the grounds – however spurious – for the same club narrative to be propagated. By the media, in Courts of Law, from official football authorities.
That is status quo, there is no point denying it – things do not change by themselves.
JC, There are records and there are records.
Celtic’s records are genuine and praiseworthy, my great uncle was Jimmy McGrory so I know. But I stand by what I say, winning is all important. And winning in style.
As for The Rangers records, I would rather not say.
And for the record I loved Hibs. winning the Scottish cup last year not because it was against The Rangers but because of their history they finally deserved it.
On the January transfer window
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/14929713.Dave_King__Rangers_boss_Mark_Warburton_will_be_given_January_funds_to_help_clinch_European_berth/
Dave King: Rangers boss Mark Warburton will be given January funds to help clinch European berth.
I’m sure Mark Warburton is thrilled to have been given the funds to acquire a new reserve goalkeeper from the English lower leagues. To replace the reserve goalkeeper who left. That should make getting the European spot a lot easier.
To be fair it’s really not that much of an ask. It’s difficult to see how Rangers won’t finish second or third, and if Aberdeen, Celtic or Rangers win the Scottish cup then they will get the European spot either by winning the cup themselves or the fourth placed team in the SPFL premiership getting in. I don’t see them falling below fourth from the current positions and points.
I know I’m making a few assumptions here but it’s really difficult to see how Rangers won’t play in Europe next season. I do not think the FFP rules will be used to preclude them. UEFA will let the national association decide on that and won’t interfere in my opinion. I think we can guess what way the SFA will go.
Jimbo, I take your point. You had me reaching for ‘The Time For Heroes’ Cup Final DVD I was given for Christmas there! Winning the Cup was important for me as a Hibs fan but winning it in such style is what made it so deserving and so very special.
Who were we playing again?
Normally, I’d probably agree with that. However………
If it’s Hearts that miss out on Europe because of that, can you honestly see Anne Budge leaving it alone? She strikes me as someone who not only isn’t part of the ‘Old Boys’ network, but forgets to go by the ‘unwritten rules’ that being part of that entails!
AMFEARLIATHMÒR
FEBRUARY 1, 2017 at 13:09
================================
I genuinely have no idea, prior to her overt involvement with Hearts (I believe she has been a supporter for years) I could not have told you who she was. As it stands just now I have no idea about what she does for a living or what type of person she is. She may be a hard nosed business woman who takes no lip from nobody. In which case I’m sure she will stick up for Hearts, if she believes the rules have been broken.
To be clear I am pretty much in the same boat with regards someone like Iain Bankier. I had no idea he even existed prior to his involvement with Celtic and have no notion what his personality is like and whether he would fight what he sees as an injustice.
Extracted from Chris Jack’s latest ESJ effort;
“…
[Warburton] said:
“I hope Rangers fans don’t see it as a derogatory statement. But right now the disparity is such with the clubs down south that we can’t match it.
“So how do we get money in? If it means you get a good price which means you get good value for the club then you have to do it.
“If you sell a player for £8million and you buy three or four players and move them forward, then that is the way. We have got to move, recognise the gap and respond to it.
“If that means selling your prized asset at the right time and for the right price, then I am sure they will do it.
“What the manager does is fight the corner. My job, and David and the staff, is to always fight for the football department…”
===================================================
Two observations;
– is the manager trying to distance himself from “the board’s” transfer strategy ?
&
– is Warbs implying that Barrie McKay is now worth £8 million ?!
What will McKay be worth in the summer then ?
HOMUNCULUSFEBRUARY 1, 2017 at 15:05
AMFEARLIATHMÒRFEBRUARY 1, 2017 at 13:09================================
I genuinely have no idea, prior to her overt involvement with Hearts (I believe she has been a supporter for years) I could not have told you who she was. As it stands just now I have no idea about what she does for a living or what type of person she is. She may be a hard nosed business woman who takes no lip from nobody. In which case I’m sure she will stick up for Hearts, if she believes the rules have been broken.
To be clear I am pretty much in the same boat with regards someone like Iain Bankier. I had no idea he even existed prior to his involvement with Celtic and have no notion what his personality is like and whether he would fight what he sees as an injustice.
____________
Like you, homunculus, my knowledge of Ann Budge is limited to what she has done since saving Hearts, but I still sometimes wonder where people get the idea that she will fight the good fight and bring honesty and integrity to Scottish football, apparently because she is a woman and not one of the boys.
I am of the opinion, though, that she will do what she considers is best for Hearts, and if she is made to believe that saying nothing that might damage TRFC is what’s best for Hearts, she will say nothing to damage TRFC, such as raising a complaint should they qualify for Europe ahead of her club.
Of course, one might ask how calling out TRFC for breaking the FFP regulations could possibly damage Hearts, especially if it means Hearts progressing into the Europa Cup qualifiers, and I couldn’t give an answer, other than to point at the farce that was the LNS enquiry, and say, if they could carry that off, they can convince/persuade most club chairpersons that they must stay quiet and accept that they (theSFA/SPFL) know best!
It has to be remembered, too, that Hearts are looking for favours from Hampden to help them complete the new stand, by making their final three league matches of this season all away from home, with as many away fixtures at the start of next. It is possible that without this help (that should be a given) that Hearts could lose more money than they’d make from a likely truncated stay in Europe!
Ann Budge will also be accutely aware of how Romanov was demonised after calling out the SFA and the status quo a number of years ago, and how much that cost Hearts!
In Scottish football, it has to be remembered, it is not enough to be 100% right, not when being right hurts a football club in Govan.
I should say, though, that I hope the FFP compliance statement in the Hearts’ accounts is an indication that she will be brave enough (along with the rest of the board) to stand up and say ‘enough, is enough’, and, at the same time, call for a regulation to be introduced for similar statements in all future club Annual Accounts, a la Hearts and Aberdeen, to put the onus firmly on the clubs, themselves, before season’s end when a decision has to be made, or a club is made to look bad for claiming a European place that’s rightfully theirs!
@AJ – I was always under the impression that it was Ann Budge from Newell & Budge – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2918635/Business-profile-The-30m-IT-woman-with-iron-in-her-soul.html.
THEGAMESABOGEYFEBRUARY 1, 2017 at 17:44
@AJ – I was always under the impression that it was Ann Budge from Newell & Budge – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2918635/Business-profile-The-30m-IT-woman-with-iron-in-her-soul.html.
______________
Thanks for the link, it is her, of course, but throws no light on the matter, other than to confirm her singlemindedness. The interview was obviously from a time before she became involved with Hearts, but does seem to suggest she is not interested in making friends, and that might mean she is even less likely to be ‘one of the boys’ or scared to step on anyone’s toes. She has made her money, sold her business, and is in thrall to no one, so is unlikely to worry about loss of business contracts from rubbing anyone up the wrong way, as I have long believed to be a problem within Scottish football, so just might be prepared to call anyone, or any club, out if she thinks cheating is going on. She will, however, be the kind of person who will weigh up the pros and cons of any, and every, situation before acting, and only she knows if she is prepared to rock the boat and go toe to toe with TRFC and their protectors at Hampden.
A lot might well depend on whether or not she has sounded out, or has been sounded out by, her counterparts at Aberdeen and Celtic and knows she can count on their, and other club chairmen’s, support, should push come to shove!
I hope Anne Budge – with Leean Dempster – will be a force for the good of Scottish football as a whole and able to resist becoming Petrified in the attempt. Time will tell!
The knives are certainly out for a certain footy manager.
I do have some sympathy for Warbs.
The only option TRFC would seem to have – and at no extra cost – is to promote Weir.
But surely Weir has been supporting Warbs’ plans to date, so what would he change wrt tactics etc ?
And would the players respond any better under Weir ?
Just for a laugh…
Did anyone see this in the DR ?
It looks suspiciously like a scurry of squirrels had attached itself to the back of Charlie Nicholas’ napper.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/transfer-deadline-day-charlie-nicholas-9731175
I went to see trainspotting 2 this evening and immediately cast a couple of the characters with Easy & Ally Jambos (even although the protagonists were Hibees) . It’s Ok I cast them as the good guys!
Read this on STV and thought, Shirley not!
“Sections of the travelling support expressed their displeasure at the decision to replace Hyndman with Josh Windass on the hour mark.
Warburton explained his call, saying: “He is 20 years old, hasn’t played many 90 minutes and on Saturday he played an outstanding 90 minutes. He is a young, precocious talent and Saturday took a lot out of him.
“The pitch out there is so heavy. We’ve got a responsibility to his parent club. We have got to look after their asset.”
https://stv.tv/sport/football/1379668-hearts-loss-is-worst-of-my-rangers-reign-says-warburton/?utm_content=buffer94cb1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Why get a player on loan, if things get a bit iffy take him off for the sake of the Parent Club. If I was a Rangers fan, I would think,’What’s the point’?
this useless wee samsung bloody tablet!
It’s ten past eleven pm here on 2nd Feb, and I cannot find a way to ‘ refresh’, so the most recent post I can see is Merc doc’s at 23.37 on 1st Feb.
Has no one posted since then? Has something happened on what from here is the far side of the world?
It’s no different here on the ‘near’ side, JC!
MercDocFebruary 1, 2017 at 23:37
Read this on STV and thought, Shirley not!“Sections of the travelling support expressed their displeasure at the decision to replace Hyndman with Josh Windass on the hour mark. Warburton explained his call, saying: “He is 20 years old, hasn’t played many 90 minutes and on Saturday he played an outstanding 90 minutes. He is a young, precocious talent and Saturday took a lot out of him.“The pitch out there is so heavy. We’ve got a responsibility to his parent club. We have got to look after their asset.”https://stv.tv/sport/football/1379668-hearts-loss-is-worst-of-my-rangers-reign-says-warburton/?utm_content=buffer94cb1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Why get a player on loan, if things get a bit iffy take him off for the sake of the Parent Club. If I was a Rangers fan, I would think,’What’s the point’?
________________________
I think one of the most telling remarks from Warburton was when he described TRFC as ‘a development club’. They may well be a ‘development club’, but I doubt very much that that is a way the board, and definitely not the supporters, would like their club to be described.
But even then, as he was talking about players on loan, they are not even a development club, they are just a struggling wee club (with a big support) who rely on bigger clubs trusting in them to give some youngsters game time! In defence of Warburton, though, I would say he’s showing a level of professionalism in taking these young, potentially valuable, players off once it is obvious they have nothing to gain from a match which was, after an hour, passing them by, in a situation where tiredness and frustration could lead to injury. He might very well be honouring an agreement with the parent clubs to take particular care of these players and not overplay them.
I have to say, that in the games I have seen them play, the two loanees have been better, and more effective, than that £6m player, Barrie McKay! Not developing too well in that way, is it?
I have seen Clyde defeated many a time but rarely treated with contempt by another team – there was a team treated with contempt by its opponents last night -creaking old bones often stop working precipitously and perhaps that was part of it.
John Clark,
In case you missed it, last night we were given an indication of how right Mark Warburton was in turning down the opportunity to sign 15 new players in the transfer window, preferring to wait for ‘quality’ instead. That tactic has clearly worked out well, while Ian Cathro has shown how clever the pundits who continue to ridicule him, most recently for signing 9 players in the window, were.
Chris Sutton, one of the few voices of reason surrounding Ian Cathro’s move to Hearts, must have loved every moment of last nights match!
Sorry, BFBP, if you mean a team winning by a substantial goal margin. I can’t agree with this equating to contempt, painful as such a defeat is for players and fans alike.
Don’t forget the equally struggling honest wee teams in opposition who turn up more in awe of the big support than they are encouraged by their ‘wee’ opposition’s struggles. Lose that aura, especially so close to the window slamming shut and they’ve big problems. For that reason I’m glad we’re not facing them on Saturday! Wounded animals and all that.
BFBP
I have to agree with Prohibby, and hope (if it was Hearts you were referring to) that my team didn’t treat their opposing players with any sort of contempt, despite the contempt I, myself, feel for the club that plays as ‘The Rangers’. I think it worth noting that despite getting a bit of a run around, even the older and slower players didn’t start clogging and continued to play with their own self-pride. Something their supporters lacked when they started leaving around the hour mark!
ALLYJAMBOFEBRUARY 2, 2017 at 11:16
I noticed he also got in the “where is the £30m ?”