Good Morning,
In the last week, we have seen a number of strange occurrences in Scottish Football, which if taken together might just point to a very different land than the one we were lead to believe we live in just two short years ago.
First of all there was the report from a firm of well known accountants which pronounced that a significant number of Scottish Football Clubs had, in fact, sold more season tickets for this coming season than they had in the course of the last several years.
Then we had the spectacle of the National team travelling to Wembley and playing very well AND being cheered on by a very large travelling support who appear to have been full of fun and who acquitted themselves well in the big smoke.
This morning I read that today’s match at Pittodrie is a sell out — with the old stadium being packed to the rafters for the visit of Celtic. This is the first time that Aberdeen have been able to sell out the fixture for some 6 years!
Not only that, various Celtic supporting websites have lead with articles saying that the return of a strong Aberdeen and Dundee United are to be welcomed– in fact not only welcomed but positively wished for.
In contrast, stories abound about the in fighting on the Ibrox Board. There are surreptitious share dealings and all sorts of company jockeying being deployed by the rival factions who are trying to gain control of The Rangers. Further, there is the suggestion from some well informed parties that not only will Ibrox and the Albion be sold and leased back to the club to generate much needed immediate cash, but that Murray Park has been sold off completely and will no longer be available to The Rangers for any purpose whatsoever!
Clearly, there are big troubles at the club which will not assist in the stated intention of rising to the very top in Scottish Football.
In between all of this, the debate goes on about Campbell Ogilvie, Press manipulation, the correspondence between Media House and the SFA, and between The SFA and Ibrox re the relationship between Charlie Green and Craig Whyte and so on.
Standing with my business hat on, I looked at all of this and wondered what it all meant, and pretty quickly reached the conclusion that we are now in a time of supreme opportunity for some of the clubs in Scottish Football—- particularly Aberdeen FC.
There is a view abroad, that in the absence of the “Strong Rangers” that Celtic Football Club will win the SPFL title for almost evermore — or at least until they are toppled from the top spot by the rise of a strong Rangers club somewhere towards the end of this decade or early in the next– because we are assured that they will be back– in one form or another– in a rather Arnold Schwarzenegger like fashion.
That return or initial rise if you like– its timing and its manner— is dependent on a number of things– not least the exit strategy of Charlie Green and his cohorts.
If it is true that The Rangers are going to part company with Ibrox and the Albion, that they have taken on a loan of funds which attract a rate of interest that amounts to 15% per annum, and that there are set figures for buying the old ( and decaying ) stadium back any time soon, and that they have yet again hawked the season ticket money, then the already flawed Ibrox business plan is burdened even more by interest and rent payments of an additional £3M per annum and rising!
It should also be noted that the accounts for old co from the mid naughties onwards boasted that season ticket sales, merchandising, corporate hospitality and so on had reached unprecedented levels—- but—- the club still did not make an operating profit without strange internals transactions such as the repurchase of media rights which added £15M on to the P&L’s AND the sale of Jean Alain Boomsong!
Accordingly, the current position will not make for good financial reading.
So– let’s presume that in the current climate Celtic are out of sight and will always be champions for ever and a day. What do the rest of the clubs say in the absence of the Ibrox club without whom they have been told they will perish?
Well, If I were in charge of Aberdeen FC I would look out across a city with an inherent population of some 220,000 souls sitting in a county which takes the population up by another 40,000 or so. I would note that the compact city also houses two universities and a number of colleges — all of which attract visitors to the city— and that its position as the oil capital of Europe also draws in a substantial number of itinerant workers.
Further, personal knowledge shows that many who studied at Aberdeen University or Robert Gordon’s in the 80’s left the city as Aberdeen FC fans and no matter where they have ended up in life they still make the journey back to Pittodrie when they can– especially in good times!
Alas, however, Aberdeen has not enjoyed ” Good Times” of late— in fact not really since ……….. the arrival of David Murray at Ibrox!
If you cast your mind back to the pre Murray era, Aberdeen were a force not only in Scotland but Europe as the recent nostalgia re Gothenburg has reminded us.
The city has an economic micro climate which suggests that it can ride economic hardship better than most and so all things considered this current period provides a great opportunity for the Dons.
Unlike Dundee United, Hearts, and Hibs, Aberdeen FC sits in a large one team conurbation and should be on the doorstep of a populace which can fill Pittodrie every single week …… IF that fan base can be motivated.
And there lies the rub– how do you get a notoriously fickle fan base out of the armchair and into the stadium?
The late Bob Crampsey once described Pittodrie by saying ” And there are the masses of Aberdeen fans, masquerading as rows and rows of Empty seats!” yet in their heydey an Aberdeen crowd on a visit to Glasgow were among the noisiest– and to this football fans eyes — the scariest ( in a good sense ) supports to be seen.
Well, at this juncture, Derek McInnes and team need only look at every other football club in the land ( bar Celtic ) and determine that come next May those others will be below them in the league. If Aberdeen maintain a strong league run keeping everyone behind them then there is the possibility of a huge revenue swing in favour of the Dons– such a swing that would put them in an even stronger position for the following year.
Further, Aberdeen are a European name. Perhaps a European name from yesteryear and not the recent past, but the pedigree is there and as such there will be those who remember the heady European Nights both home and away. Reviving those memories and that reputation– at least to an extent– is not beyond the club, and with no disrespect to Motherwell and St Johnstone both of whom are liable to lose key players or even a manager between seasons, Aberdeen may just be of a size to consolidate each year rather than scramble to maintain the momentum of one good season which comes along every now and then.
Financial management and football rewards can go hand in hand when combined properly, and of all the clubs in Scotland who can benefit from a level playing field in terms of proper football governance, Aberdeen FC are uniquely placed in my opinion.
That is not so say that The Arabs, or the Hibees or anyone else cannot benefit– on the contrary— but the Dons are the most obvious candidates in terms of potential structure to really motor forward and regain a by gone status.
Such a situation, and the recognition of that potential, should be borne in mind by all at Celtic Football Club, as last year they struggled for a period in the league while they concentrated on their European exploits. If Celtic want to go further and further in Europe ( and why shouldn’t they ) they will have to be wary of any club which is capable of reigniting its fortunes from a lowly position or a position of having to look back at glory and potential glory rather than looking forward.
Further, with the way things are being organised at Ibrox, there is absolutely no guarantee ( some would say likelihood ) that an eventual challenge to a perceived dominance by Celtic will come from that quarter, and life in the top flight for any returning Rangers could prove very difficult if the likes of Aberdeen get their act together and start to produce the type of home grown team of old.
For now, I sense a degree of optimism about the Dons– not just on the playing front either. They have a fan base, they have a business model and a good young manager, and any comparative business exercise must conclude that they have every chance of rising above most of their rivals in the league, in terms of revenue, in terms of brand development and business expansion.
If I were an Aberdeen fan I would like to think positive and be ambitious in this climate, whilst at the same time casting an eye back to the days when they were top of the tree.
As one Aberdeen supporting ( but now Edinburgh based ) friend put it to me:
” Ah, those were the days my friend, those were the days……………”
@Tallboy
No problems
A journalist colleague told me that these ‘Rich List’ supplements are mainly comprised on the basis of questionnaires that people fill in.
There isn’t very much (if any) independent corroboration of the personal wealth that is claimed.
Two quality pieces of nonsense from today, both in relation to Ian Black breaking SFA rules on betting.
From McCoist – Everyone needs to sit down and talk about what is allowed and what isn’t.
Nope – We already know that, breaking the rules isn’t allowed. That’s what rules are.
From Derek Johnstone on Radio – It’s stupid that football players aren’t allowed to bet on games like the champions league or foreign games. So why should people be prosecuted for betting, anyway why didn’t they do something about it seven years ago. They must have known back then (sounds familiar). And also everyone does it.
So if you don’t agree with a rule you should be allowed to break it, is that what you are saying. (Ignoring the fact Black was betting on games including his own team, and betting against them.)
The frightening thing is that no-one will be surprised if that is effectively the outcome the SFA reach. That things need to be discussed and even if he did break the rules let’s just change those rules.
briggsbhoy says:
August 22, 2013 at 6:47 pm
What would our thoughts be on gambling on football if Referees and Linesmen were placing bets? Would it be OK if it just wasn’t the game they were officiating at, I mean it’s harmless that players are betting is it not ?
========================
Heck, the heid yin at the SFA bet that nobody would find out about his EBT!
Scottish football needs a strong Arbroath.
“Let’s all sit around a table and find out what’s allowed, what’s not allowed and then we can start again.”
Did Ally say this after the EBT scandal, the improper registration of Rangers players, a new SFA license or after Ian Black is outed as a gambling man ?
Stable door, horses, bolted, shut, after – arrange. Everybody stop, Mr McCoist would like a clean slate.
Not The Huddle Malcontent says:
August 22, 2013 at 4:28 pm
following has been posted on FF
Information from McCoist himself
A director of ladbrokes with an Irish name grassed black to the sfa
—————————————————————————————————————
If McCoist actually said this, he falls even lower in my estimation of him as a man. I really hope he didn’t.
toby says:
August 22, 2013 at 7:18 pm
“Let’s all sit around a table and find out what’s allowed, what’s not allowed and then we can start again.”…
========================
McCoist has been misquoted ?
Did he not say ;
“Let’s all sit around a table and find out what’s allowed for ‘Rangers’, what’s not allowed for all those other clubs, and then we can start again – as though nothing happened.”
nawlite says:
August 22, 2013 at 6:38 pm
They both touch the orange interest, but in different ways, hence different treatment? 😛
I’m sure he’s forever being misquoted Stevie. There’s absolutely no way he would have said …’Who are these people ? I want to know who these people are.’ After all, he knew who they were, so there was no point in saying it…
ecobhoy says:
August 22, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Nicely summarised.
I’m afraid you’re not missing anything.
Is it too obvious to trot out the well worn “Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations.” Orwell quote?
ecobhoy says:
August 22, 2013 at 6:29 pm
borussiabeefburg says:
August 22, 2013 at 5:38 pm
ecobhoy says:
August 22, 2013 at 4:40 pm
“I went to School in Glasgow and whatever the politically correct terminology for the separate systems of education I know that one of my schools only had Catholics in it and the other one only had Protestants in it. “
*******
Were you some sort of religious chameleon?
============================================
No just a bewildered, confused and frightened child subject to a bitter custody battle following the messy breakdown of my parents’ marriage. Any other personal details you would like?
You state: ‘There are no “separate systems of education”: both schools you attended are part of the state education system. It’s unhelpful and misleading for you to use the terminology you’ve adopted.’ I have explained the context it was used which IMO is perfectly acceptable and one which most West Central Scotland people of a certain age would recognise.
I am actually beginning to wonder if you live in Scotland or are a helluva lot younger than myself because you appear not to have a scoobie about the realities that existed when I went to school.
+++++++++
Ach, you’re missing me making light of your comment: you were saying one school ONLY had one religion in it, and the other one ONLY had another: yet you were at both? I’d hazard a guess that both of these schools had quite a mix of religions/sects involved. 😕 🙂
Why ask if there are any other ‘personal details’ I’d like? Your affairs, of which you’ve revealed an awful lot, are not my business. But, to satisfy your conjecture, yes, I live in Scotland, and have had a working life in state education which spanned 5 decades. However, I don’t live in the west of Scotland, and perhaps thus am lacking some of the experiences, as opposed to realities, from which you have benefited. For what it’s worth, the vast majority of your posts are factual and interesting to me.
Back to the football, in this context: I think it’s unhelpful, if the sport in this country is to move forward successfully, to refer to past religious experiences and perceived or real bias which have affected decision making at many levels.
The enemy, in my eyes, are, in order: 1, the money men, 2, the authorities, some of which are heavily influenced by the money men, and 3, the main stream media, also influenced to an extent by number one.
And this collection of money men (spivs, crafty bankers, TV companies, even Doncaster and Regan, feel free to add to the list) will not be bothering one iota which school anybody attended.
Gawd McCoist really does need to get a muzzle fitted for his own protection.
He states: “If it’s in their rules, it’s in their rules. I don’t know if it’s too strict but everybody should sit down and know the rules. Not enough people do know the rules – and I include myself in that.”
Don’t know about sitting down – I would think a lie-down in a darkened room with a cold compress on his brow might be more effective.
But what really interests me is his talk about ‘their’ rules and how it conveys the impression to me that, for some reason, that SFA edicts just don’t apply to Ibrox.
I wonder when he is going to check his facts before opening his mouth ❓ It’s also a weird situation to allege that a Ladbrokes director, with an Irish sounding name, grassed up Black but then to brandish a list – presumably in defence of Black – where Ally’s squad have grassed-up 100 of fellow Scottish players in a few minutes. Bizarre is the only word I can think of to describe the situation and I can’t wait to find out why Guidi was turfed out the press conference – probably asked if McCoist’s name was top of the list.
The SFA have got to instruct McCoist to hand over his list and if he refuses then he should be charged with bringing the game into disrepute. If he can’t muzzle himself then someone else will need to do it IMO. We all know the sub-plot going on here and the SFA really have got to stop this nonsense in its tracks.
Okay, perhaps I’m just paranoid, but please hear me out.
Since Ian Black’s case became public knowledge there has been a constant stream of views from various quarters that amount to basic whataboutery, but none of them are backed up with evidence. It has reached new heights today with McCoist and his ‘list’. This sort of nonsense does no good unless people are willing to follow through and expose what they claim is going on. There is no need for the clarification McCoist seeks as the rules are blatantly clear. An ICT player was on Sportsound tonight saying players are clearly reminded of the rules on betting each season. The subtext of all we’ve heard so far is in my view now building up to the quite absurd view that Black, and therefore Rangers, is somehow being singled out while others are being ignored, and sadly some neanderthals are starting to buy into it. All it does is add to an already festering situation where some people can’t, or just won’t, see reason.
I despair, I really do, but perhaps I’m just paranoid.
They didn’t muzzle him when he was putting people’s lives at risk to such an extent that the Police believed it was a serious threat and took positive action to protect people.
They are hardly going to do it now.
McCoist, like Green seems to be exempt from being taken to task over his public proclamations.
Sorry o/t
I went to watch the fitbaw mostly in the 70s and I was very synical about the amount of draw,s in old firm ties in cup games, At the time the gate money was the important revenue raiser I believe. So it made me think a replay was always on the cards,any auld yin feel the same ( pardon the pun auldyin )or have any idea how many replays there were ? My memory might not be that good 🙂 tried a google search no joy.
Danish Pastry says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:23 am
briggsbhoy says:
August 22, 2013 at 7:56 am
What bank manager is his right mind is given out this loan …
———–
The kind who know that the Spanish government is afraid of clubs, and treads softly softly around the subject of accumulated tax debt, thus freeing up lolly for vulgar transfers. How about an alternative European Cup with admission only for clubs who operate as solvent entities, without indirect state sponsorship?
—————————————————————————-
How about a Champions League tournament that allows Champions in before 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed clubs.
Hint is in the name.
Whilst we are at it.
We might want to maintain the other part of it’s name and re-continentalise it.
European CL.
Not Asian or Middle Eastern.
Stop thinking money UEFA and think integrity.
sorry for my ignorance
but why is it an AGM costs £ 150 k ??
upthehoops says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:14 pm
Mr McCoist is well aware of the rules, I don’t think they have changed since he was a player. He is simply at it. Vincent (Three Wise Monkeys in One ) Lummy needs to get off his well paid backside and tell Mr McCoist to hand over his wee list or else. Seriously, this is wrong, whether its 1p or £100,000 players and officials can’t be betting on games.
The SFA needs to discipline everyone betting on football regardless of club or position.
The SFA: – A permanent embarrassment and occasional disgrace
whisperer says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:32 pm
sorry for my ignorance
but why is it an AGM costs £ 150 k ??
============================
Pies ?
whisperer says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:32 pm
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sorry for my ignorance
but why is it an AGM costs £ 150 k ??
=============================
Come on you all know by now
Lawyers.
Tic 6709 says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:35 pm
They’re claiming it would cost £150k to run both events, which seems a bit high. Maybe they should ask A C Milan over for another ” charity” match.
McCoist Wishart Kyle et all Just wrap it please.
There has been a written rule for long enough.
He broke it.
No whataboutery please.
whisperer says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:32 pm
sorry for my ignorance but why is it an AGM costs £ 150 k ??
———–
Board Directors get £25k appearance/danger money each. The rest is pies.
v
scapaflow says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Tic 6709 says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:35 pm
They’re claiming it would cost £150k to run both events, which seems a bit high. Maybe they should ask A C Milan over for another ” charity” match.
==================
Oh,you are awful,but I like it. (for the older viewers).
ianagain says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Polygraphs for the board?
scapaflow says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:52 pm
ianagain says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Polygraphs for the board?
========================
They could make a fortune selling tickets for that show.
scapaflow says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:35 pm
==================================
Perhaps the SFA should go public in a similar way they did a couple of weeks back after Mather then McCoist made complete fools of themselves. Shouldn’t be too hard
1. There is sufficient evidence to proceed with a case against Black
2. There is insufficient evidence to proceed with a case against others at this time. Put up or shut up Ally!
Tic 6709 says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:48 pm
OMG how I hated Dick Emery!!!
Not sure if this has been asked already but why would Ally McCoist have such a list? If he accepts it’s against the rules then what were his intentions in creating such a list – leverage in the lower divisions? Or does this go back much further?
If he believes there is no rule breaking then why have a list at all?
So many questions – so much whataboutery.
borussiabeefburg says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:01 pm
Raised in Perth across the road from a Catholic school in Barossa street. Moved to Denny, early 50’s. Again there was a separate Catholic school and if not a Protestant school certainly non-Catholic. No chance of being a Celtic supporter at this High School. ..even wearing green was suspect.
TSFM made a comment IIRC at the inaurguration of the website along the lines that religion would play no part. A commendable idea but one I thought at the time was missing what was at the root of many of the issues in football as well as society.
My hope is that time will see an improvement in people’s tolerance. My own family has a gay, a lesbian, a black, protestants, Catholics, a Lutheran, a German, Rangers supporters and even English.
My dad’s attitude was that we were “all Jock Tamson’s bairns” and I have tried to follow him in this.
My heart goes out to Ecobhoy. I know through Catholic friends the discrimination that they faced in the 50’s and 60’s and possibly still do though I am now 30 years removed from Scotland. It still upsets me even now. 😥
A Native American comment from where I no longer remember said it took four generations for things to change. I don’t know if they were correct but it leaves room for hope. 🙂
Thanks all for putting me right
Pies … Danger Money … Polygraphs … Lawyers
Oh I feel so enlightened
Sooooperb !!!!
whisperer says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:32 pm
sorry for my ignorance
but why is it an AGM costs £ 150 k ??
==============================
This activity has been contracted out to a Charles Green company…? 🙄
…and he’ll invoice for GBP 250K ?
Careful Guys – the Black Betting lark is a carefully timed very convenient distraction
.
Suspect real game is buying time delaying GM – and real battles
& goodness knows what else
CW in play? / TU in play? / PM `Inquiry` ??? / ……………………& why sudden CG / Ahmed stuff?
V quiet on those fronts
upthehoops says:
August 22, 2013 at 9:05 pm
6 0 Rate This
scapaflow says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:35 pm
==================================
Perhaps the SFA should go public in a similar way they did a couple of weeks back after Mather then McCoist made complete fools of themselves. Shouldn’t be too hard
1. There is sufficient evidence to proceed with a case against Black
2. There is insufficient evidence to proceed with a case against others at this time. Put up or shut up Ally!
——————
It appears the SFA have dismissed Ally Mcoists call for a meeting to clarify the rules.spokesperson states the rules are clear.
http://bit.ly/19zCQVf
borussiabeefburg says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:01 pm
I’d hazard a guess that both of these schools had quite a mix of religions/sects involved
———————————————————————————————————————–
None! One was Catholic and one was Protestant and this was mirrored throughout Glasgow and the West of Scotland. However you appear to have confirmed you have no personal experience of schooling in the area and I would therefore caution against making guesses that have no basis in fact.
It is also never wise, even to this day, to make light of anything which might involve religion in the geographic area under discussion – such is the curse of our history. But to achieve any progress we must fully understand the reasons why we are where we still are and what is required to bring about positive change.
To ignore or be blinkered wrt the core reasons behind the facade actually prolongs the division and we desperately need political leadership and courage to lance the suppurating sore that still infects Scotland far beyond the football field. Sadly there is no chance of that before we get the referendum over, one way or another, because politicians of all parties tend to view the issue as a vote loser.
However that strays beyond the remit of the Blog but always remember that when you label a fellow poster ‘some sort of religious chameleon’ then you are likely to get a response even from someone like myself who has no interest in organised religion and hasn’t had since a fairly young age. Again, for the record, I have no problem with anyone who follows any religion as long as they respect the right of others to follow a different one or none at all.
borussiabeefburg says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:01 pm
‘…… money men (spivs, crafty bankers, TV companies, even Doncaster and Regan, feel free to add to the list) will not be bothering one iota which school anybody attended…’
—–
Except, of course, when there’s an opportunity to exploit blind ignorance and bigotry by using ‘religion’ as a rallying cry to con money out of one’s ‘faithful’.
whisperer says:
August 22, 2013 at 9:24 pm
half serious answer, it seems very high, you just need a room, printed agenda’s and other materials, and letters out to the shareholders. Hotel accom for some or all of the directors. hard to see where you spend £150k unless your putting everyone up at Ally’s wee hidehole on the coast.
StevieBC says:
August 22, 2013 at 9:32 pm
whisperer says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:32 pm
sorry for my ignorance but why is it an AGM costs £ 150 k ??
==============================
This activity has been contracted out to a Charles Green company …and he’ll invoice for GBP 250K ?
===========================================
I think most of the cost will be in hiring highly skilled international investigators to trace the mystery shareholders 😎
Not read it yet but the redoubtable George has gone down the charlotte route.
22 Aug 2013 19:05:59
ED. As per post earlier boy advised to put my flyer content up on Scribd
It is on there now
george
——————————————————————————–
1.) How do we find it George? does it have a title. Just typed Rangers FC into the search but couldn’t find it. Just tons of things from that Charlotte Fakes!
http://www.scribd.com/doc/162271091/Rangers-and-the-Old-Firm-Long-Firm
Baybear
——————————————————————————–
2.) Do you have a link?
JG
http://www.scribd.com/doc/162271091/Rangers-and-the-Old-Firm-Long-Firm
ecobhoy: briefly, I’ll agree to disagree.
and john clarke, over time, several sides, and not just in Scotland, have done this.
scapaflow says:
August 22, 2013 at 9:46 pm
whisperer says:
August 22, 2013 at 9:24 pm
half serious answer, it seems very high, you just need a room, printed agenda’s and other materials, and letters out to the shareholders. Hotel accom for some or all of the directors. hard to see where you spend £150k unless you’re putting everyone up at Ally’s wee hidehole on the coast.
____
They`ll need security 😉
But more black smoke mesuspects
Read it now. Oh dear.
Also hes been leaned onno game appearance
Caps on chaps
22 Aug 2013 18:48:23
BEEN READING PEOPLE CANNOT MAKE 12pm Friday AS WORK COMMITMENTS?
OKAY OPTION @ MEET ME AT IBROX MAIN DOOR AT 3PM ON THE SUNDAY THIS WILL MEAN IT IS NOT A PROTEST BEFORE A GAME JUST A CHANCE FOR THOSE THAT WONT BE THERE ON FRIDAY AT 12pm OR TUESDAY AT 5PM or 31st at 12pm GAME DAY SAT HOPING THE BIGGEST TURNOUT THEN
I AM TRYING TO GIVE YOU ALL A CHANCE TO READ WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED OVER LAST 12 MONTHS THROUGH FRIENDS AND DOING SOME DETECTIVE WORK MYSELF
SO BEARS AS TIMALLOY SAYS NO EXCUSES A SUNDAY IN AFTERNOON I WILL BE THERE ALL 4 TIMES IF YOU ALL TURN UP I WILL GET THOUSANDS MORE FLYERS EVERY DAY IT ONLY COSTING ME £100 per 2000 I CAN COPE WITH THAT AND IF IT WAS TO EVER NEED 30000 AND THE FACT THAT WOULD SEE A REAL PROTEST I WILL HAPPILY PAY PRINTING COSTS
YOU KNOW THE DATES AND TIMES
RTID. george
The AGM costs:
Hire of venue capable of accommodating all shareholders: £60 000
Security, stewarding. £20 000
Catering £15 000
Stationary, copying printing. £10 000
Brasso for necks. £45 000
CW may offer ‘mates rates’ for the hire of Ibrox. Bring your own hard hat!
So Ally has a list of over 100 players AND officials!
Is this another threat?
He needs clarification on the rule?
A player cannot bet on any football match in Britain, Europe, North, Central, and South America, Asia, Africa, games on hover pitches and low orbiting football pitches, matches within the Solar System or indeed the greater Milky Way galaxy.
What is it you fail to understand?
Is English your second language that something is lost in translation?
It is becoming quite clear that the word ‘cannot’ and the phrase ‘shall not’ never entered the lexicon down Govan way. He is a complete embarrassment.
Oh well good idea George
I’ll get thumbs downed like mental for this I know, but I’ve seen this raised again here today and many times before and just thought I’d stick my opinion in. The whole McCoist saying “who are these people” situation – he made that statement and it transpired that “Rangers” actually knew all along who were on the panel, as did every other club. Now I might well be naïve, but I just took that in the heat of the moment he was asked a question and said what was on his mind – because people within Rangers knew it doesn’t mean McCoist knew, and he might not even have known they knew. My point is; we can’t say for sure that he was just rabble rousing. After all, there are a lot of things, such as finances etc., that go on within Rangers that Ally has been quite clear he’s not up to speed on.
RyanGosling @10.03 pm.
My point is; we can’t say for sure that he was just rabble rousing. After all, there are a lot of things, such as finances etc., that go on within Rangers that Ally has been quite clear he’s not up to speed on.
===================================
I’ll presume omitting Football Management was an oversight.
RyanGosling says:
August 22, 2013 at 10:03 pm
Fair do if that is what you believe however given that he made that statement on RFC’s own media channel what was their internal PR machine doing?
Their own internal media would have been reporting on this for their own website and would have had discussions with the RFC representatives. So RFC’s own internal media would more than likely also have known who was on the board.
You may believe what you say but at the very best McCoist’s choice of words, at a very emotionally charged time, and given the more extreme elements within the RFC support were badly chosen.
Given the way he has behaved since and even today regarding the Ian Black situation he has let himself down badly. Unfortunately in doing so he has misrepresented a situation that may have lost a lot of fans money but it is no skin off his nose when he’s on £700K a year.
Oh and I tend not to thumb down as I try not to be negative but debate issues that are important to everyone here.
ecobhoy @9:43pm
Well spoken Eco………
Religion is what stops the poor from killing the rich.
RyanGosling says:
August 22, 2013 at 10:03 pm
God loves a trier 😉
justshatered – I agree, McCoist’s choice of words were poor, but you provided an explanation, though not a justification, in the rest of your sentence – “emotionally charged”. As I said, I know its not going to be a popular viewpoint on here, but I just don’t think he was being malicious with his statement at that time.
RyanGosling says:
August 22, 2013 at 10:23 pm
Yes “emotionally charged”.is the phrase I used but given the amount of time McCoist has spent in the West of Scotland, his knowledge of the way things are, and more importantly the position he held at the time and indeed holds today and the fact that, as stated above, the likelihood that the person interviewing him even knew the names I believe that is quite compelling evidence that he knew fine well what he was doing and more importantly the likely outcome of that specific statement.
Just reading the appeal from ‘George’ the Rangers fan trying to rally the bears to the cause. If ‘George’ has a beard and is wearing a hat, people should try and establish Bomber Brown’s exact whereabouts at the time!
RyanGosling says:
August 22, 2013 at 10:23 pm
Ryan, being unpopular on here is par for the course. Just keep posting and you will be welcome but seriously challenged.
justshatered – fair play. He’s spent a lot of time in the west of Scotland etc., but everyone gets wound up in the heat of the moment. I see it one way, you see it another, it’s something that has been mentioned a lot on here and I just thought I’d express my view. Anyway, let’s not labour the point, agree to disagree. Onwards and upwards. And more clichés of that nature.
Whatever happened to the Crown Office criminal investigation of the `Take – Over`?
Or Lord Hodges required receipt of BBC Tapes?
Or Gary Withy [!]
Or CWs 200k SFA fine? – But can do deals on tape with spivs that eventually get a new SFA `license` ?
Or Marty`s D+P `Playbook`?
Or SFA uselessness
Etc…………………..
.
Fatigued systems need overhaul
borussiabeefburg@9:50
My late father was a Glasgow docker.It was commonplace for those of a certain religion to be favoured over others when it came to the allocation of daily work.I myself was denied the opportunity to gain an apprenticeship on account of the school I had attended.It may have been different in your neck of the woods,but it was widespread here in the west of Scotland.To deny this is an insult to me and to others who suffered the same fate.
RyanGosling says:
August 22, 2013 at 10:37 pm
You left out my personal favourite and one that has been used once or twice recently;
‘draw a line under it and move on’.
Cheers mate
helpmaboab says:
August 22, 2013 at 10:41 pm
borussiabeefburg@9:50
My late father was a Glasgow docker.It was commonplace for those of a certain religion to be favoured over others when it came to the allocation of daily work.I myself was denied the opportunity to gain an apprenticeship on account of the school I had attended.It may have been different in your neck of the woods,but it was widespread here in the west of Scotland.To deny this is an insult to me and to others who suffered the same fate.
*********
Helpmaboab, I was turned down for a job with British Rail because of my ‘lack of craft’. You have misread/misinterpreted what I have written. As an aside, I was also passed over for education jobs in state schools due to my ‘lack of religion’ on more than one occasion.
I have full understanding of the bigoted stance of individuals and groups of people: my hope is that we can move away from that, both in general society and, due to the remit of this site, Scottish football.
From CQN, hope this works.
vSom mes que un club
22:32 on 22 August, 2013
James Forrest nails McCoist.
On the head.
Spot on.
http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/a-step-too-far/
The Glen says:
August 21, 2013 at 11:58 pm
44 0 Rate This
Para Handy says:
August 21, 2013 at 10:57 pm
——————————————
Para, I asked a genuine question, I would think that posters gave honest and genuine answers to it.
There are no squirrels involved in any my posts I can assure you.
I’m not getting paid for taking time away from watching ancient, but enjoyable, music videos on youtube.
———————————-
The Glen,
My post was not aimed at you specifically but rather that the MSM are now engaging in what would make The Rangers right. This is not necessarily a bad thing, however, surely after the shenanigans of the last years almost now, should we trust what the MSM have to say and wither there is an element of message management in their writings?
And Scapa, I don’t believe that removing the poison from an infected well cures the problem in the pipe work. Scottish football doesn’t need an alcohol wipe.
Scottish football needs a strong antibiotic.
Sunincapricorn says:
August 22, 2013 at 10:50 pm
Deeply sad that you have tainted this site.
Ryan,
I used Ally’s delightful, ’emotionally charged’ statement earlier on tonight, and the dogs in the neighbourhood are still going doo-lally. Whether he knew or didn’t – and there is good and ample reason to say he knew exactly who was on the panel, he doesn’t live in a vacuum. He knows the goldfish bowl of Glasgow. He knew exactly with these remarks, what the likely outcome would be. To say otherwise is to be completely disingenuous. McCoist’s cheeky chappy facade has long since slipped revealing an altogether different character. Rangers fans have galvanised behind his not walking away declaration. Partly this has been their undoing. He stands as complicit as many others in the misfortunes of TRFC. When all is said and done and spent, he can always take up sheep herding.
borussiabeefburg
Forgive me,but I do think there is a difference between being overlooked for a job due to ‘lack of craft’ and being denied a trade as a result of the religion I belonged to.However,agree with your other sentiments.
jean7brodie says:
August 22, 2013 at 11:01 pm
7 1 Rate This
Sunincapricorn says:
August 22, 2013 at 10:50 pm
Deeply sad that you have tainted this site.
========================
Totally agree, would one of the mods please remove that post / link please.
[Indeed. We won’t be hearing from that particular twisted individual again – TSFM]
http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/a-step-too-far/
The Field’s of Green take on McCoist’s latest dangerous ranting.
Just a couple of observations over the last week. Kevin Kyle was on Radio earlier this week and admitted that he is attending Gambler’s Anonymous. He gave a good insight into how Gambling is rife amongst Scottish Footballers.
On Mr Black, he has been highlighted for 160 betting offences by the SFA, including 3 matches he played in (backing his team to lose into the bargain). 160 ? Think about it, that’s a hell of a lot the SFA actually have evidence on !
[Edited]
Mr McCoist is RIGHT in what he say’s. He probably does have 100 names he could spout out. Unfortunately, his player was CAUGHT. That’s the difference. The other 100 will know the rules as well, but are not stupid !
Think about it Ally, you should apologise for your ill timed remarks and make a statement that you stand by the rules and will educate all under your wing.
Mr B should call Mr Kyle and find out when the next meeting is.
Talking of Mr McCoist, was it not him that was Black-Balled by Souness for sneaking off to Cheltenham for 3 days on a gambling spree ?
Man up Ally ! The Rules are there. Your guy has been caught, 100 have got away with it. Do you want to drop them in it now ! Go on, I dare you ! We demand to know their names ! (Copyright Acknowledged).
If I was you, I’d re-employ Kevin Kyle and also bring in Kevin Twaddle to Murray Park (or whatever it’s called now). They are probably best to advise if YOU don’t understand The Rules !
Para
I said once you clean the poison from the well you have a chance to clean the pipework, and, I stand by that. A huge part of the problem, that has made the SFA a permanent embarrassment and an occasional disgrace, has been the revolving door between Ibrox, and Hampden. Ibrox is part of the root cause, apply your multi spectrum antibiotic there, and you have a better chance of killing the infection in Hampden, fail to do so, and it will likely come back as a more virulent antibiotic resistant strain.
Para Handy says:
August 22, 2013 at 10:58 pm
———————————
No worries Para – my apologies if my reply seemed rather short – I’m not here as a distraction, and just wanted to make that point.
Apologies for the distraction from tonight’s proceedings obviously.
ecobhoy says:
August 22, 2013 at 9:43 pm
borussiabeefburg says:
August 22, 2013 at 8:01 pm
I’d hazard a guess that both of these schools had quite a mix of religions/sects involved
———————————————————————————————————————–
None! One was Catholic and one was Protestant and this was mirrored throughout Glasgow and the West of Scotland. However you appear to have confirmed you have no personal experience of schooling in the area and I would therefore caution against making guesses that have no basis in fact.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I fully appreciate that it is unwise to comment on this but I will anyway.
There is such a thing as a Catholic School and it is a creation of the Educational Act of 1918 which enabled denominational schools to operate in the State system (there are apparently 3 Scottish Episcopal schools and one Jewish school).
The “protestant” schools are non-denominational state schools and are therefore not protestant schools although in ecobhoys era there may only have been protestant pupils but I suspect there were some atheists too.
fergussingstheblues says:
August 22, 2013 at 11:50 pm
Not sure why it was edited TSFM, I think it is documented on MSM and common knowledge, but stand by your moderation.
Tic 6709 says:
August 22, 2013 at 10:57 pm
‘..James Forrest nails McCoist. ..’
—
Well and truly.
The fact that McCoist felt that he could do the list-of-names thing with impunity reinforces all that we have believed has been rotten in Football administration in this country for years.
RFC ,and its successor new club, arrogate to themselves a primacy in Scottish football based not on merit, but on a combination of ‘complicity-in-spirit’ of influential figures in the SFA ,and plain ordinary ‘blackmail’ of the ‘we are too big to fail’ kind.
And, of course, in more recent times, a readiness to cheat, not just Scottish Football, but their many creditors and the taxman/taxpayer.
It must, it really must, stop!
And it can only be stopped by a clear-out of the SFA board.
Poor George !
I feel kinda sorry for the guy. Here, at last, is a ‘Real Rangers’ man prepared to put his head above the parapet and his money where his mouth is. You have to respect that, they’ve been few and far between during this debacle. It’s just a crying shame that he is over 18 months too late.
So, George, for the avoidance of doubt. Rangers FC, that club which you once so revered, is currently being liquidated leaving many, many creditors and the common taxpayer with debts amounting to tens of millions of pounds. To all intents and purposes your club is dead. The only way the administrators could recoup any of these debts was by selling the remaining assets (Ibrox , Murray Park, a car park and some Players Registrations) to the highest bidder.
Sevco Something or Other Ltd, fronted by a notorious shyster, Charles Green, may or may not have purchased most of these assets (including the right to use the Rangers logo) for a mere £5.5M. He then changed the name of his new company to ‘The Rangers Football Club Ltd’ in order, in my humble opinion, to fool potential customers into believing that they were still the same club founded in 1873.
This deliberate illusion was so successful that 30 odd thousand deluded souls like yourself spent their hard earned cash (incidentally, raising almost 50% more than the original purchase price) to buy Season Tickets to watch a third rate team in the Scottish 3rd Division prancing about in Royal Blue shirts pretending that they were still the old Rangers that used to ‘dominate’ Scottish Football.
Unfortunately, for you, a supplicant mainstream media were, and still are, happy to play along with this fantasy. They were more than happy to spout their uneducated and wilfully ignorant views on Liquidation to the ‘loyal’ followers of the once mighty Rangers while shouting down detractors from this nonsense (usually with the disclaimer that ‘it’s all about opinions’).
Worse still, these poor excuses for journalists continued to perpetuate this resurrection fantasy while this new club set up a holding company, Rangers International Football Club, for the remaining assets which they subsequently floated on the stock exchange. This cunning ruse raised an additional £20M (or roughly 4 more new Rangerses) which RIFC appear to have spent in only eight short months. I hope you didn’t fall for the old ’70p per share’ routine?
But here’s the rub. All these guys have ever cared about is money. They could not give a flying fig for the club, the fans, the history, the traditions or even the football, except in so far as they can use these to extract more money to fill their fat coffers. None of them, not a single one, who has been or continues to be involved in this shenanigans has ever contracted ‘Rangersitis’, I’ll personally guarantee it. Spivs are immune to that kind of ailment, that’s a football fan’s disease although I guess you probably realise that by now.
However, these are only ‘so-called’ businessmen doing exactly what ‘so-called’ businessmen have always done, generating profit for themselves and their shareholders. What they choose to do with these profits is entirely up to them. It’s their profit, it’s their assets, it’s their company and it’s their club, end of.
So here’s what I would do. Instead of wasting your time calling your brothers to arms to challenge the spivs at Ibrox. Hoping to spur their consciences or attempting to force them to change their wicked ways. Why not go down to the SFA HQ and demand the immediate resignation of Campbell Ogilvie, Il Presidente of the SFA. While you’re at it, you’d be as well getting shot of Mr Regan, Mr Bryson, Mr Lunny and all the other wastes of space who have sat on their fat behinds watching the old Rangers die at the hands of these corporate money-monsters.
Even now they are turning the other way while a virtual conveyor-belt of spivs takes it in turns to chew on the mangled carcass of what once was a mighty Scottish institution, while the old Rangers fans are fed a steady diet of lies, half-truths and platitudes.
These guys are supposed to represent the ‘governing body’ of Scottish football. They were supposed to stop this kind of thing from happening. They were supposed to be there to stop our beautiful game being corrupted by rampant corporatism. All they had to do was apply the rules ‘without fear or favour’ and this would never have happened. But they didn’t.
As a result of a simple failure of leadership and an unwillingness to apply the rules, which is, in the end, the only reason for their existence, the SFA have accelerated the runaway decline of the entire game in this country, perhaps beyond repair.
The SFA have made a charade out of a mockery out of the sham that is The Rangers debacle. They’ve let the Rangers fans down badly, they have let their beloved club die and they have given its illegitimate offspring free rein to continue to screw the loyal supporters for every last shekel. It’s an absolute disgrace George and I am not surprised that you are angry. I just wish you could direct your anger towards a more positive end.
Scottish football needs a new governing body.
It was mentioned earlier by a commenter (to whom I owe an apology for my forgetfulness),that Ally McCoists use of the word “their” when referring to the SFA’s rules, may allude to a mindset within Ibrox that these rules are for others and not TRFC.
This may or may not have been “tongue in cheek”.
I do find it odd though, that Grant Russell in his piece for STV inserts the word “the” (twice) and not “their”.
These are in quotation marks in the written statement copied and linked below.
————————–
“If it’s in the rules, it is in the rules. Not enough players know the rules and I include myself in that. I wasn’t [aware of the rules] as I hadn’t studied them.
http://bit.ly/19zCQVf
————————–
A wee bit of subliminal assistance there.
Wouldn’t want Ally getting into trouble now.
I find the discussion here on schools both uninformed and irrelevant frankly. FWIW I was brought up in west of Scotland and was neither Catholic nor protestant. My family were atheistic socialists and we supported Celtic in a comprehensive local school. We were in a very small minority but in no way fearful in our school. All state schools in Scotland are open to all pupils regardless of race or religion. Catholic schools offer a specific faith based education within that system but are still comprehensive, non- selective and open to all. Now back to the fitba please
Before the hearing. Ally mccoist has admitted Blacks guilt…..cheers matey
also..given that mccoist himself didn’t know the rules and has backed the player. Its going to make it very hard for him to punish black for breaching then
Certainly can’t see them sacking him….not without having to pay him off. Hope both sides ( sevco and black) have good lawyers should the sfa ban him for any length of time.