Any organisation’s plan for a top-down review of development would ordinarily be welcome news. Self evaluation, or even better independent evaluation is an ongoing process amongst professionals, individually and collectively alike. In the case of the SFA however a healthy scepticism is required. We are after all dealing with people who are the poster boys for self-interest and short-termism.
The SFA had previously commissioned a thorough review of the game (decades ago) by Rinus Michels, the inventor of “Total Football” and his report was largely ignored, partly because it implied criticism of the then current regime, and partly because it would cost money. A “Total Shambles”.
Henry McLeish also famously recommended (again after being commissioned to do so by the SFA) a more balanced approach to governance between the SFA and SPFL. This would have required a blazer or two having less say in the running of the game – and was therefore ignored.
Mark Wotte, the prominent Dutch coach hired as performance director at Hampden also suggested during his tenure that, in order to improve technique, more ball time should be provided for players in games.
He recommended seven a side competitions as the norm for u-15s (less players – more participation).
To accommodate this, club infrastructures would have required expensive upgrading, and coaches in clubs, not responsive to new ideas lobbied hard for the status quo.
The upshot is that we carried on with the same eleven-a-side games where many players hardly got a kick.
And in this classic Einsteinean definition of insanity, no overall improvements were to be found in the national team’s fortunes.
No wonder Wotte fled the scene in 2014 after three years.
Of course the details are debatable and subjective, but experience tells us;
Anything that
a) costs money or
b) upsets old boys’ networks
has a tendency to be hidden out of sight.
The recent “announcement” is merely a reaction to a couple of poor results, caused in part by inaction in the wake of previous reports’ recommendations.
An increasing number of observers of our game refer to an inferior mindset amongst players in Scotland, that we accept losing as the norm.
Hardly surprising that such a mindset is prevalent amongst professionals.
They must despair at the chronic self-interest, ineptitude and fecklessness of the “leaders” of our sport – an organisation that appointed Gordon Smith as CE (think about that for a minute) based on who his pals were, where McGregor and Petrie can become senior officers – “because it’s his turn!” – despite being unqualified squares in a round ball game, and where fairy-tales take precedence over reality.
As long as the blazers have a seat on the SFA bus, nothing will change.
JC 13:58PM
"The journalists of the continental European Press appear not to be afraid to ask critical questions of FIFA and UEFA."
——————————————————-
Perhaps they can ask questions about this!
Barcelona have been fined, wait for it,
300 Euros, yes 300 Euros, for tapping Antoine Greizmann from Athletico Madrid.
HS
John Clark 26th September 2019 at 13:58
There is a deep,deep,deep rottenness in the Scottish Press and in the Scottish business and commercial world that is far more deeply corrosive than the rottenness at the heart of Scottish Football.
===================================
Last night I watched 'The Papers' on BBC Scotland, which covered the demise of newspapers in Scotland. The digital age is of course a contributor to that, but what struck me was the utter arrogance shining through that the media is a great bastion of truth and democracy. They are only out to earn a living like the rest of us, but some humbleness would not go amiss. I do not wish anyone out of a job, but I am really glad I no longer buy newspapers. There are as many liars in their midst as there is in any other section of society.
upthehoops 26th September 2019 at 18:53
…………….
You only have to board a bus these days to notice no one is reading papers. Even the free ones.
You will remember, perhaps, that I wrote to the FCA some time ago; to Mr Bailey CEO on 25 June, with a reminder on 29 July, followed in the absence of a reply from him, with a letter to Mr Randell CBE, Chairman, on 13 August, with a reminder to him on 4 September.
I received a reply on 6 September on their behalf from a chap with the wonderfully Dickensian name of Pete Scrivener, of the Customer Contact Service of the FCA.
Mr Scrivener regretted that none my letters had been found, and suggested that it would be useful if I could provide copies, further suggesting that 'for a more timely response' I could email copies directly to 'our CEO's office using the following email address..'
On 11 September I duly emailed copies of the four pieces of correspondence. There was no technical problem , and the email was sent, according to the machine.
Today, 15 days later , not having had any acknowledgement never mind a 'more timely response', of receipt of that email I sent this to Mr Scrivener:
"to: ceocorrespondence@fca.org.uk
to:Mr Pete Scrivener
Dear Mr Scrivener,
Am I to expect any acknowledgement of,or reply to, my email of 11 September replying to your letter of 6 September ?
I replied to you by email because you suggested that that might provide me with a 'more timely' response!
Yours sincerely, "
—-
The absence of a simple reply such as 'you're talking rubbish' or' you are quite wrong, and the FCA's hands are entirely clean and there was nothing wrong with the RIFC plc Prospectus' makes me think that they may have problem.
It is an undeniable fact that the shares being offered in the IPO Prospectus were not (could not possibly) have been shares in the liquidated Rangers of 1872. They were shares in RIFC plc in the share swap for SevcoScotland shares.
It is also an undeniable fact that the Prospectus emphasised the achievements of the 'most successful club in football history' with the very clear implication that that was the football club that was the main business of RIFC pl.When in fact, the football club that constituted and constitutes the business of RIFC plc is the seven-years-old club set up as SevcoScotland and name-chaanged The Rangers Football Club shortly after its birth.
Perhaps the FCA thinks that if they ignore me I will go away?
Or (and perhaps more likely) they do have a problem with clearing mail. ( They are not pukka Civil Servants, after all!
)
Small question if i may? Some weeks ago there was a discussion on Celtics Bayo being awarded two goals that had gone in by deflection. In the end i believe both goals were awarded as OG's.
Was the ibrox player who last night had a shot deflected into goal awarded the goal or was it awarded as an OG?
Higgy's Shoes 26th September 2019 at 16:46
'… 300 Euros, yes 300 Euros….'
+++++++++++++
My first reaction, Higgyy's shoes, was that there must have been a misprint: even a regulation ball doesn't cost as much as that!
My second reaction was to have a look at the judgment. I couldn't find it on the UEFA 'disciplinary' pages, but I was looking rather hurriedly under pressure of time. It might be there , but if it is I must have been looking in the wrong place.
There sometimes (?) seems to be no rhyme or reason to the SFA's 'punishments' . For UEFA to fine a club what is no more than a derisory token fine for what I imagine is a 'crime' of some seriousness really does require explanation.
Cluster One 26th September 2019 at 22:17
'.. Small question if i may? .'
+++++++++++
In trying to find the answer to your question, CO 1, I found myself on the SFA website.
I regret to say that I lost sight of your question when I read this:
"Walking Football Scotland Chairman Gary McLaughlin has been recognised for his dedication to the sport by UEFA as the silver prize winner of the Best Grassroots Leader category in the UEFA Grassroots Awards 2019."
https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/walking-football-scotland-chairman-honoured-by-uefa/?rid=14258
Mrs C said to me (when I mentioned it to her a minute ago when she came in to put the kettle on )" Is there a place near you?"
It has certainly piqued my interest. But I suppose I'm well over age. I shall make diligent enquiry!
PS I suppose Bayo can ask his own questions about his entitlement to credit in the very important matter of goal-scoring achievement
Mine of 22.54 above:
My apologies, Cluster One ,for using 'CO 1' in addressing your comment; slip of the pen/keyboard. I do know the difference between Corrupt Official and Cluster One.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-49838761
Pyrotechnics, injuries, coin throwing
Wonder if we’ll get any comment from the SFA or SPFL ? If this had been a European game then there would be repercussions. Do we operate to different rules and standards ?
Cluster One 26th September 2019 at 22:17
Small question if i may? Some weeks ago there was a discussion on Celtics Bayo being awarded two goals that had gone in by deflection. In the end i believe both goals were awarded as OG's.
Was the ibrox player who last night had a shot deflected into goal awarded the goal or was it awarded as an OG?
====================================================
That seems like a silly question Cluster One kamara plays for the establishment club so it has to go down as his goal it would only be an own goal if he played for someone else.
shug 27th September 2019 at 07:48
That seems like a silly question Cluster One kamara plays for the establishment club so it has to go down as his goal it would only be an own goal if he played for someone else.
…………………
It looks that way.
Everyone was quick to dismiss Bayos goals and award OG’s. But i have not seen the same dismissal of the ibrox players attempt on goal, so was just wondering what the difference was but as you say the simple reason may just be that kamara plays for the ibrox club club so it has to go down as his goal.
Shug and Cluster One
======================
As far as I know if a shot is on target and takes a deflection the player still gets the credit for the goal.
Quite why there was such a clamour to ensure Bayo's goals were counted as OG's against Hearts we can only speculate, because there was never a definitive camera angle to prove beyond doubt either of them were. Having been behind the first one I am more inclined to think it may have been an OG. The second one Bayo got to first in my view and it was on target so it was his goal. In the case of Levein and the Hearts players it probably mitigates the defeat in their professional mind. In the case of the media it was to put a negative slant on a deserved Celtic victory in my view. Rangers were going to sweep all before them this year and they don't like the fact Celtic under Lennon are more than up for them, and are winning fairly comfortably. The media coverage in the build up to the recent Rangers v Celtic game at Ibrox has to be the most biased, subjective coverage for many a long year. I have spoken to a large number of Celtic fans, and all of them say the media coverage in the build up made it the most satisfying victory over any Rangers* team for a long time.
THE family business of former Rangers owner Sir David Murray fell into the red in its most recent financial year, with accounts hit by an exceptional charge of £1.2 million for a tax liability it had previously challenged.
………………
https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/17930467.murray-posts-loss-tax-provision-1-2m/
…………………
This guy and Tax. And he still has a knighthood.
upthehoops 27th September 2019 at 09:20
Quite why there was such a clamour to ensure Bayo’s goals were counted as OG’s against Hearts we can only speculate,
……………………..
Celtic can’t have another goal scoring machine. Hard enough trying to compare morelos to one celtic stricker never mind two. Poor LG when he comes back every goal could be counted as an OG.;-)
David Murray is still trying to cheat the tax man. The man has no shame.
https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/17930467.murray-posts-loss-tax-provision-1-2m/
https://twitter.com/heavidor/status/1177468061709783043?s=21
Déja vue all over again.
In today's 'The Scotsman', Professor Grant Jarvie of Edinburgh University (yes, friend of Regan and dismisser , in a patronising manner,of the 'Big Lie' cheating charge against the SFA as arising from nothing more than a bit of ' west-coast inter-club rivalry ' ) has a centre-page piece urging adoption of the 13 recommendations he makes in his 'The Jarvie Report 2019:A review of the Scottish Sporting Landscape'
In his piece, Professor Jarvie gives only 8 of the commendations. None of these relate to matters such as professional and moral integrity in sports governance and administration and participation, and the mechanisms need to ensure , where any public money is involved in any sport, that that sport operates cleanly, sportingly and fairly at every level and in all aspects.
I would have thought that any review of sport would make at least a mention of the ethos of sport, as well as advancing suggestions for improving the chances of achieving success.
But perhaps notions of fair play and sportsmanship get in the way of 'success' and partisanship in sports governance.
Well, that's a bit demoralizing.
7+ years along the road and some things stay the same;
– Murray is still being a dodgy chancer, re: HMRC liabilities, and he's still a wealthy Knight of the Realm.
&
– an Ibrox club is still recklessly splashing the cash it can't afford – and still generating a massively disproportionate amount of negativity right across Scottish football, for a multitude of reasons.
JC, after a quick Google search…
https://www.ed.ac.uk/arts-humanities-soc-sci/news-events/news/current-news/sfa-diversity
That's the Professor Grant Jarvie…
If any – knowledgeable – academic willingly chose to associate with Regan and/or the SFA…
then any reasonable person would have to seriously question that academic's judgement – IMO. Professor or not.
And subsequently, the impartiality of any related, research output would also have to be seriously questioned – IMO.
People like Murray cheat the taxpayer by instinct and principle. They don’t see anything wrong with not contributing, as they view tax as theft of their personal wealth – which comes about as a consequence of their ability to enrich themselves on the labour of others or a bit of inside knowledge of the markets – or a contract awarded by a pal.
There is no moral compass either so it is difficult to find a direction in their path and thus predict what they will do next.
The trouble is that our system of government not only allows this. It actively encourages it.
Cluster One 27th September 2019 at 08:56 shug 27th September 2019 at 07:48 That seems like a silly question Cluster One kamara plays for the establishment club so it has to go down as his goal it would only be an own goal if he played for someone else. ………………… It looks that way. Everyone was quick to dismiss Bayos goals and award OG’s. But i have not seen the same dismissal of the ibrox players attempt on goal, so was just wondering what the difference was but as you say the simple reason may just be that kamara plays for the ibrox club club so it has to go down as his goal.
Would it make sense to suggest that goals attributed increase the players value. So if Bayo is given goals his value and Celtics fortunes will only rise and this makes it an impossible task to challenge Celtic. Every little helps and all that from our friends in the media to keep Celtic players value down.
Summary of Celtic's annual accounts just published.
Financial Highlights
· Group revenue decreased by 17.9% to £83.4m (2018: £101.6m)
· Operating expenses including labour decreased by 0.2% to £86.9m (2018: £87.1m)
· Gain on sale of player registrations of £17.7m (2018: £16.5m)
· Acquisition of player registrations of £6.2m (2018: £16.6m)
· Profit before taxation of £11.3m (2018: £17.3m)
· Year-end cash net of bank borrowings of £28.6m (2018: £36.1m)
· Year-end net cash, net of debt and debt like items, of £38.9m (2018: £27.0m)
Further to the Celtic accounts above, it is evident that the club has kept it's spending up, while absorbing the loss of CL income, so much so that their operating expenses were greater than their revenue.
The gain on the sale of players' registrations keeps the club profitable and there is also another unexplained sum of £8.795m for "Other Income". I assume that amount was the compensation paid to the club by Leicester for the termination of Brendan Rodgers' contract.
I suppose it's a sign of CFC's financial wellbeing, when a reduced pre tax profit of 'only' £11M might be met with general ambivalence by the support.
I guess the SMSM will try to create some drama around the drop in profit and revenue too.
But, if RIFC could produce numbers resembling anything remotely like these next month…
it would be guaranteed to put a huge smile across King's coupon!
In stark contrast to the CFC accounts…
the RIFC draft accounts will currently be handled by all concerned at Ibrox very reluctantly – like a smelly thing deposited on a pavement by a desperate dog!
bigboab1916 27th September 2019 at 16:41
………………..
One of the factors i was thinking off, but just could not get it down. So simple when you see it written down.
……………..
Would it make sense to suggest that goals attributed increase the players value. So if Bayo is given goals his value and Celtics fortunes will only rise and this makes it an impossible task to challenge Celtic. Every little helps and all that from our friends in the media to keep Celtic players value down.Thanks for that.
Nice to see two new clubs getting together!
Bengaluru FC ( founded 2013) are 'partnering' TRFC (founded 2012) over the next two years.
(But I wonder whether Bengaluru were told that TRFC is not the Rangers of 1872?)
Further to my post of 22.51,I have tried to find the email address of the CEO of the company that owns Bengaluru FC and the email address of the club, in order to send a wee message!
I tried the 'contact us' bit on the club's site, but just got the PR page.
I have to say that it took me a minute or two to realise that 'bengaluru' or'banguluru' is what we know from the English history we were taught, is Bangalore, in the deep south of India.
I mention that because just a few weeks ago Mrs C and I fell into conversation on Portobello beach promenade with a lovely youngish couple and their wee boy from that part of the world as we waited in the queue at the ice-cream van.
We have their phone number, and I will try to make contact with them, and possibly get them to translate the letter that I think I feel compelled to send to the club or the CEO at their postal addresses.
Isn't life full of little serendipities?
StevieBC 27th September 2019 at 12:49
'.. And subsequently, the impartiality of any related, research output would also have to be seriously questioned – '
++++++++++++
Agreed.
As a general rule of life nobody bites the hand of those who commission them, pay them, 'prefer' them, or might be instrumental in getting them an 'honour' of any kind for 'for services to whatever' .
There are serious questions to be asked about the governance of Scottish Football. Not the least of these are questions about its integrity and truthfulness and partisanship in the matter of the liquidation of Rangers Football club of 1872.
The questions have not been asked except by us.
That gives me a problem.
Credit where credit is due: I am no particular admirer of the man as a sports journalist, but I enjoyed the closing paragraph of Alan Pattullo's puff piece ( in today's 'Scotsman') advertising Ian Murray MP's book about the troubled times at Tynecastle and the heroic, successful escape from Administration and the avoidance of death by Liquidation .
Having quoted Murray as saying " writing the book……has been a nice escape from the madness down here at Westminster", Pattullo's last paragraph is
" 'This is our Story:How the Fans Kept their Hearts Beating' is available to purchase on the official Hearts website. Order,order"
Out of the many things that have exercised the minds of the ruling and ruled classes this week it seems that our Prime Minister's biggest concern is that he should be able to call the European Union (Withdrawal) (No.2) Act 2019 the Surrender Act.
Fair enough.
Presumably he would be equally relaxed if the cases of Joanna Cherry and Gina Miller were referred to as the Court of Session Carnage case or the Supreme Court Massacre case.
It's a sobering thought that if the numbers permitted the said Act could be subverted in what could only be described (if you're being consistent) as the No Surrender Act.
https://twitter.com/alextomo/status/1178023560515899393?s=21
Shape of things to come in Qatar?
Ex Ludo 28th September 2019 at 20:45
'… Shape of things to come in Qatar? ..'
++++++++++++++++
I note that at least one reply to Alex Thomson's tweet, reminds him about the corruption in Scottish Football!
I've often wondered why Thomson did not defy the 'journalists' who threatened him when he spoke critically of the whole 'Rangers' saga, and really get torn into the 5-Way Agreement and the nonsensical lie that TRFC are Rangers of 1872.
It is such a 'good story' on many different levels .
What a brilliant programme could have been made: perhaps a 40 minute exposeé on Channel 4 detailing the original Press admissions that Liquidation ends a football club's existence, the subsequent about-turn, the panic, the political interventions, the name-changes to try to hide the fact that it was Rangers of 1872 that had gone down the plug-hole, 'Club 12', Sevco 5088 and the 'novation' to SevcoScotland and of course the 5-Way Agreement, not to mention reaching back to dodgy licensing practices, the setting up of RIFC plc on a palpably misleading IPO Prospectus, etc etc.
40-minute exposee? What am I saying? Geez, there was material there for a 26-week series!!
I do hope that he was not frightened off, or ‘leaned on’ by more senior execs in Channel 4 ( wouldn’t put it past them!) but considered that a programme about a grubby provincial tiddler of a sports governance body with inflated ideas of its 'world' importance would not justify the time and energy required to make it.
I do wish he had made such a programme, though.
Namaste.
I was most interested to read of the 'partnering' arrangement you have entered into with 'The Rangers Football Club'.
I was puzzled, however, by the remarks made by the respectable Mr Mandar Tamhane.
He seemed to be under the impression that 'The Rangers Football Club' is the old, very successful football club that was founded in Glasgow in 1872.
In reality, Rangers Football Club that was founded in 1872 went into Liquidation in 2012.It ceased to exist as a football club, losing its membership of the then Scottish Premier League and its entitlement to membership of the Scottish Football Association.
The club that is now called 'The Rangers Football Club' is a club that was set up in 2012( just one year before your club was set up!) as SevcoScotland, which applied for membership of the then Scottish Premier League and was denied membership.
Liquidation causes a club to die.
As was recognised by the media in 2012, the Rangers of 1872 ceased to exist, ceased to be able to participate in professional football, and, accordingly, ceased to be able to add to its sporting achievements, which remain frozen in time.
Your new 'partner' , I believe, is sailing under false colours, falsely and un-sportingly claiming entitlement to the sporting achievements of a now dead club!
You may wish to refer to the UK 'Companies House' website to check for yourself that Rangers of 1872 is 'In Liquidation' and that 'The Rangers Football Club' with which you are now partnered was incorporated as SevcoScotland in 2012 and changed its name very shortly thereafter.
If you already knew this, then, I would say, shame on you for supporting the pretence that you are 'partnered' with a long-established , famous club.
The Rangers Football Club' of 2012 is legally NOT 'Rangers Football Club' of my grandfather's time, but a parvenu, claiming that to which it is not entitled.
I assume, of course, , that you did not know that you were being practised upon, because if you had known the truth you may have thought twice about your partnership venture.
On which note, let me express the wish that football in India may flourish at every level.
Yours in sporting Integrity,
John Clark
https://twitter.com/mundialmag/status/1178216803601993728?s=21
French fans protest.
Ex Ludo 29th September 2019 at 10:47
https://twitter.com/mundialmag/status/1178216803601993728?s=21 French fans protest.
========
Lyon fans just won the Internet!
And as for TRFC partnering an Indian team…
I would have thought that King would sniff more football and 'investment' opportunities in partnering with a Nigerian club.
RFC had two Indian players on trial back in November 2011.
Sunil Chhetri, one of the 2011 trialists, has Bengaluru links. There's no immediately obvious link with the other, Jeje Lalpekhlua.
Plenty on Google about them.
StevieBC 29th September 2019 at 12:29
And as for TRFC partnering an Indian team…
…………….
Am i correct in saying it’s just a two year partnership?
If so why just two years?
Rangers say they will have an “active presence” in the Indian football market.Will this partnership give Bengaluru FC. an “active presence” in the Scottish football market?
………
The two-year deal includes a scouting link-up that will identify the best emerging talent in India.
Will this two year deal as it is a partnership identify the best emerging talent in Scotland for Bengaluru FC?
…………..
Rangers academy players will have training trips to India, and the Scottish Premiership club will hold soccer schools in Bengaluru.
…..
Will Bengaluru FC academy players have training trips to Scotland?
……………..
“This partnership opens up Rangers to the vast football community in India and provides a great platform for us to engage with our wider fanbase,
……….
So this partnership that looks like it’s only going one way.This two year partnership with a six year old Asian side is going to open up Rangers to the vast football community in India?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49857008
Indian Football sending itself up:
I post this for fun meaning no offfence to anyone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idido_mcHm0
Big Pink 27th September 2019 at 14:42
People like Murray cheat the taxpayer by instinct and principle. They don’t see anything wrong with not contributing, as they view tax as theft of their personal wealth – which comes about as a consequence of their ability to enrich themselves on the labour of others or a bit of inside knowledge of the markets – or a contract awarded by a pal.
There is no moral compass either so it is difficult to find a direction in their path and thus predict what they will do next.
The trouble is that our system of government not only allows this. It actively encourages it.
—————————-
This is the big story, in terms of Scottish and UK governance and for this blog, the mismanagement of Scottish football by the corrupt and the Quislings. I happen to know someone who has worked with Murray for many years, and your assessment is absolutly correct.
Macflurgy
I am not in the least surprised. We live in a country of two directly opposing cultures and neither can understand the other. I subscribe to one culture and belief. That which holds in esteem the sense of community and devolved responsibility that values public services and is happy to contribute towards their cost. The other culture can’t comprehend that sense of community because it has little compassion for others.
The Murrays of this world lack empathy, lack compassion, and truly believe that excessive wealth can only come about because of their own hard work; and that those not so fortunate only have themselves to blame for that.
This should be the job of good governance, in football and elsewhere, to curb the excesses of greed. It should also be the job of their paid for hacks in the MSM, but instead they celebrate privilege, pour scorn on those who rail against it, allow greed to be normalised.
Cluster One 29th September 2019 at 17:31 14 5 Rate This StevieBC 29th September 2019 at 12:29 And as for TRFC partnering an Indian team… ……………. Am i correct in saying it’s just a two year partnership? If so why just two years? Rangers say they will have an “active presence” in the Indian football market.Will this partnership give Bengaluru FC. an “active presence” in the Scottish football market? ……… The two-year deal includes a scouting link-up that will identify the best emerging talent in India. Will this two year deal as it is a partnership identify the best emerging talent in Scotland for Bengaluru FC? ………….. Rangers academy players will have training trips to India, and the Scottish Premiership club will hold soccer schools in Bengaluru. ….. Will Bengaluru FC academy players have training trips to Scotland? …………….. “This partnership opens up Rangers to the vast football community in India and provides a great platform for us to engage with our wider fanbase, ………. So this partnership that looks like it’s only going one way.This two year partnership with a six year old Asian side is going to open up Rangers to the vast football community in India
__________
Fear not CO, the purpose of this 'news' has already been served. That purpose is generally known as a PR piece, thought up by people at a different Level, and commonly known on blogs like this as a squirrel.
Now, whether or not this particular squirrel is related to any bad news about to break, I do not know, but the level of this squirrel may well point to an awakening down Ibrox way to the fact that they aren't really a big club outside of their own deluded bubble, and that a partnership with a fellow new club, in a not very advanced/flegeling/pretty sh*tty league, is about as good as it gets.
Allyjambo 30th September 2019 at 08:48
…………….
I remember when it was all Dallas cowboys and Adidas.
Rangers* new partnership deal is a master stroke that opens the club* up to 1.2 Billion new supporters. It is expected that Indians will flock to be associated with the Worlds' most successful club* which already has an estimated 500 million fans globally. Even if just 1% were to invest a single rupee on a weekly basis then signing the likes of Christiano Ronaldo would become the new reality said a source close to the Ibrox boardroom. Rangers already have a working relationship in Asia and the far East as was evident when the Ibrox club knocked back a £20m bid for Golden Boot contender Alfredo Morelos. Shares in the holding Company are expected to multiply rapidly and Club 1872 spokesman said this is an ideal time for fans to invest wisely for the future . One enterprising Season ticket holder has already started a Rangers* based Hedge Fund in Brechin with a Luxembourg branch in the offing. The Empire is back thanks to Dave King
If Gerrard keeps winning SPL games, and TRFC is still closely vying for top spot towards the end of the year…
there could be a serious period of frustration / reassessment for Gerrard.
We know the RIFC financials released next month are not going to be pretty.
What happens as a result is debatable.
But, IMO, it 'should' be fairly reasonable for Gerrard to be told there is no money for any signings – or even loanees perhaps – in the January window.
At best, it could be a scenario of 'sell a player first' before any squad additions could even be considered.
But, we saw that – even with an established, full-time Director of Football – TRFC couldn't punt either Morelos or Tavernier.
The MD Stewart Robertson admitted on camera to STV during last week that they haven't even started recruiting for Mark Allen's replacement…but they were still currently "taking stock" of the market / situation, whatever that means.
Ergo;
Interesting times ahead, and no amount of SMSM spin will be able to cover up a seriously p!ssed off Gerrard…
and especially if he starts complaining to his England based media contacts.
Big Pink 29th September 2019 at 23:53
The Murrays of this world lack empathy, lack compassion, and truly believe that excessive wealth can only come about because of their own hard work; and that those not so fortunate only have themselves to blame for that
============================
Just like his heroine Margaret Thatcher. The greed we witness today is a direct result of what she put in place decades ago (in my opinion). It goes a lot further down the financial tree than David Murray as well.
PAYE is clearly for the little people, despite it underpinning our society. It is certainly not for everyone, and some elected politicians even fought to try and ensure Rangers players and David Murray didn't have to pay it – incredible but definitely true. Think about that – everyone must pay tax under the law of the land, yet some elected politicians and many journalists wailed like hell when that law was applied to Rangers.
'Cluster One 29th September 2019 at 17:31
This partnership opens up Rangers to the vast football community in India and provides a great platform for us to engage with our wider fanbase,
So this partnership that looks like it’s only going one way.This two year partnership with a six year old Asian side is going to open up Rangers to the vast football community in India?'
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There seems to be some serious money in the corporate structure behind Bengaluru.
I'd be interested to know where & when TRFC & Bengaluru's paths' intersected. One of TRFC's Far East-based investors perhaps? An IMG/Alistair Johnson connection? Something/someone else?
Does anyone have any knowledge re. when we’ll hear about the Sports Direct court case quantum and payment plan ?
J.J. that's interesting about the Indian club's backers.
And if I was being a really cynical Bampot…
I wonder if this unknown club, based in a country with relatively minimal interest in football…
will suddenly start trading players with TRFC for sizeable £ amounts…?
I'll get my washing machine loaded.
Jingso.Jimsie 30th September 2019 at 16:11
……..
Rangers academy players will have training trips to India,
………
Getting the vaccines will give the young Academy players something to look forward to.
ClusterOne@17.52
If JohnJames is correct in his blog today then vaccines will be the least of the Academy players problems in the sub-continent.
If JohnJames is correct in his blog today then we should frame it, varnish it and hang it in Kelvingrove Art Gallery for posterity as it will be a rare work of art.
Timtim, absolutely!
Based on certain recent claims, another blogger has proven his sources are anything but reliable, and just plain wrong…
and resorted to a rather shameless fishing exercise.
Fame at last , JC ?
https://www.followfollow.com/forum/threads/latest-ramblings-from-a-moonhowler-email-to-bengaluru-fc.91883/
paddy malarkey 1st October 2019 at 13:10
Fame at last , JC ? https://www.followfollow.com/forum/threads/latest-ramblings-from-a-moonhowler-email-to-bengaluru-fc.91883/
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The least JC could do to soothe the outraged bears is to send them a peace offering?
Like a selection of cookies perhaps…from Millie's in Braehead Shopping Centre?
ROLLS BUILDING COURT 24 Before LIONEL PERSEY QC sitting as a Judge of the High Court Wednesday 2 October 2019 At 10:30 AM (All Day) Directions Hearing CL-2018-000726 SDI Retail Services Limited v. The Rangers Football Club limited.
It's Showtime!
https://twitter.com/DBestseventy2/status/1179032296701120513
I've taken the info for the court from this tweet but am having difficulty confirming the validity so apologies if I have jumped the gun.
Shown here as sixth case down on tomorrow's official list as published:
https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/court-lists/list-cause-rolls2/commercial-court
Cheers JJ, so it's a directions hearing and not necessarily an announcement of the amount they need to stump up just yet ? A chance for Dave to kick the can down the road a bit further . The wheels of Justice turn slowly indeed.
Timtim 1st October 2019 at 16:57
Cheers JJ, so it's a directions hearing and not necessarily an announcement of the amount they need to stump up just yet ? A chance for Dave to kick the can down the road a bit further . The wheels of Justice turn slowly indeed.
===================
No idea how any of this works, but might this be the Judge asking if an agreed deal between the two parties has been made, and if not he will then give them a final date to do so and if not he will set the amount?
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/scottish-premiership/4785866/rangers-sports-direct-mike-ashley-court-compensation/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1569946531
…………….
How it is being reported.
I wonder if heads will roll soon.
I think (I'm not a lawyer) that Mr. Persey wants to see proof from TRFC that the directions he issued in his last findings (payment of fees to SDIR, suspension of the Elite deal to sell replica jerseys etc., etc.) have been complied with.
I understand from a rapid Googling that these hearings usually last only a short time. This one is booked for all day. Read into that what you will…
The judge also held that Rangers company secretary James Blair was ‘untruthful’ in his dealings with Sports Direct.
He also claimed Blair provided ‘unconvincing’ evidence.
……………………
In any other club this guy would be out the door by now.
Re : Cluster One @ 19.43 1 Oct
Did anyone notice on that Sun link provided by C1 above re Ashley there was a story in the sidelines announcing the death of Gary Withey at the age of 55 – a key figure in the Collyer Bristow part of the Sevco story – sounds like a sad end of a guy who probably wished he'd never met Craig Whyte .
naegreetin 1st October 2019 at 20:18
re Ashley there was a story in the sidelines announcing the death of Gary Withey at the age of 55 – a key figure in the Collyer Bristow part of the Sevco story – sounds like a sad end of a guy who probably wished he’d never met Craig Whyte .
………………….
Good spot. Only 55 RIP I don’t expect his years with the ibrox saga were a joy.
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4784795/gary-withey-craig-whyte-rangers-death/
…………….
Link to above story.
Some extracts from the craig whyte court case with Withey.
https://twitter.com/ClusterOne2/status/1179138698044153856/photo/1
In essence his services involved releasing the Ticketus monies to complete the purchase rather than the other way around, a decision which cost his employers insurers the thick end of £24m providing ample flesh for the BDO forensic team for years to come and creating vindication in the (false) impression amongst bears that the final result was somehow positive cash wise.
Paddymalarkey@13.10 yesterday.
Fame indeed for JC. That’s him on the list now. It was probably the use of the term “parvenu” that caught their attention.
RIFC has just notified Companies House that they have issued another 34,904,703 shares at 20p a share.
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/SC437060/filing-history
That will raise £6.98m. I don't know if it is new cash or another loan conversion,
I have no idea who has purchased them, but the new shares are over and above the previous loan note conversion.
You might wonder if the new shares have been issued to cover the costs of the SDI settlement.
Elite Sports (LBJ Sports Apparel Ltd) have also lodged accounts to 31 December 2018 in the last couple of days.
It's difficult to make any sense of them, or even if they are related to TRFC, but the figures for "Stock", "Debtors", "Cash at Bank" ndd "Creditors" are all significantly higher than the previous year's numbers.
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/07111486/filing-history
The RIFC announcement represents an increase of 16.22% in the previous RIFC share capital with the new shares now representing 13.95% of the total shares issued.
Depending on who has purchased them, it means that others will be diluted further, e.g. Club 1872 held 10.7% just over a year ago, which has been diluted progressively to 5.5% today.
A check on the RIFC share information page shows that the new shares have gone to existing investors.
Here is the current list
Shareholder Shares held %
New Oasis Asset Limited 66,672,893 26.655%
Douglas Park 36,000,000 14.39%
George Alexander Taylor 24, 074, 998 9.625%
Borita Investments Limited 16,111,955 6.44%
Barry Scott 13,895,000 5.55%
Club 1872 13,702,838 5.48%
George Letham 12,247,516 4.90%
John Bennett 8,300,000 3.32%
New Trace Limited 7,500,000 3.00%
The previous list had:
New Oasis Asset Limited 56,223,584 26.12%
Douglas Park 30,000,000 13.94%
George Taylor 17,574,998 8.17%
George Letham 12,274,516 5.70%
Barry Scott 12,420,000 5.77%
John Bennett 5,300,000 2.46%
Club 1872 Shares 13,732,254 6.38%
Borita Investments Limited 11,132,500 5.17%
New Trace Limited 7,500,000 3.48%
Forgive my ignorance when it comes to stocks and shares, but can a company issue as many shares as it likes, or is there a limit? Sevco seem to issue more and more every year, or so it seems!
I'm amazed too, at all of these businessmen continuing to pour money into a company that has lost money every year since it was formed.
To my untrained eye, it looks like the business strategy of RIFC is to continue issuing share certificates until they win the Euromillions …..
The approximate investment figures for the latest share issue are as follows
NOAL (King) £2.09m
Douglas Park £1.2M
George Taylor £1.3m
Barry Scott £295k (£45k of that may be a conversion of the balance of his previous loan)
John Bennett £600k
Borita (Wolhardt) £995k
Unspecified £500k (equivalent to 1% of the club's shares)