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……………”
Danish Pastry says:
August 18, 2013 at 10:45 am
“He [McCoist] added: “We stayed in the lodges at Turnberry. It’s not exactly the same as the hotel but it’s a fantastic place and the lads enjoyed staying there.
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It would be a bit ironic if they were to stay in a five star hotel somewhere, only to find that the five stars had been awarded by the hotel to themselves, bore no relation to any credible ‘star’ rating system employed by other hotels, and that the hotel had gone to seed and was not as described in the brochure.
I note that T”Rangers statement talks about articles questioning if the club owns their facilities. Now I may be wrong but was the recent article not repeating the rumour that they DO OWN everything but want to sell them off.
I am another one that has tuped over from RTC to the TSFM and who rarely posts, I come on here every other day to read very informative posts which keep me upto date and speed with what is happening within our game and also the latest shenanigans developing over at Ibrox.
My husband is a TRFC supporter but rather than buy a redtop rag for his info he will ask me (Cfc fan) what info the posters have on TSFM as they always seem to be more accurate and a helluva lot faster than the rags.
At least that’s one I know of who genuinely does not believe a word that comes out of any of their mouths and that includes Walter the myth and Ally the prat. His words not mine.
From the blog above Mr Green and Opportunity Knocks— For Aberdeen?
Murray Park has been sold off completely and will no longer be available to The Rangers for any purpose whatsoever!
I know this is only my second post on this site but I have to ask when did Murray Park get sold and to who
Yes, AFC fans are aware that the last 20 years has witnessed more missed opportunities than Chris Iwelumo playing for Scotland.
I think the key points for AFC going forward can be divided into 3 categories:
This season – will the young players step up and push into the team to complement Robson, Flood and the others? Cammy Smith, Nicky Low, and Clark Robertson have been on the fringes of thing, and it would really augment our propspects this season if they can step up. Watching Anderson yesterday, it seems (sadly) that he is not realistically going to play 30+ games this year, and Reynolds is much better at centre-back than left back.
Although he has played nearly 100 games, Ryan Jack also needs to put a strong season in. Yesterday (again) he was in the shade compared to Flood.
The next 2 years – sort out a permanent new training facility. At present AFC are sharing the facilities of a private girls school – there have been rumours of a partnership with RGU, but nothing concrete yet.
Next 4-5 years – resolve the stadium issue. Pick a site to the west or north of Aberdeen (not south!), and get it agreed. If that means moving to Westhill or elsewhere in the ‘shire, away from the incompetence of Aberdeen City Council, then do it.
Iain says:
August 18, 2013 at 1:06 pm
From the blog above Mr Green and Opportunity Knocks— For Aberdeen?
Murray Park has been sold off completely and will no longer be available to The Rangers for any purpose whatsoever!
I know this is only my second post on this site but I have to ask when did Murray Park get sold and to who
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“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!”
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Iain, your quote is stated as being a “suggestion from some well informed parties”. It is not stated as something that is an established fact.
TW says:
August 18, 2013 at 1:04 pm
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Or it turned out to be a B&B which had actually bought the stars from a hotel which had gone bust.
From the blog above Mr Green and Opportunity Knocks— For Aberdeen?
Murray Park has been sold off completely and will no longer be available to The Rangers for any purpose whatsoever!
I know this is only my second post on this site but I have to ask when did Murray Park get sold and to who
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“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!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Iain, your quote is stated as being a “suggestion from some well informed parties”. It is not stated as something that is an established fact.
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thanks for your reply scottc
given that the bloger has included a suggestion from some well informed parties about Murray Park been sold I would take it he/she believes it is true or why include it, also the well informed parties would know who Murray park was sold to
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/9907813/Rangers-post-7m-losses-and-are-not-expected-to-make-profit-until-return-to-SPL.html
According to Brian Stockbridge, and supported by Neil Patey Rangers had around £21m in the bank at the turn of the year. By the end of July that money was all spent, along with any other money they managed to raise (other than this years season ticket money which as we understand it makes up the current bank balance, along with a loan from Sports Direct).
If we are to believe that was what was in the bank at the time, and that all of it has gone in seven months, one is really forced to ask where has it gone. If we do a simple straight line calculation on normal running costs of say £14m plus players wages of say £8m that’s a figure of £22m for the entire season. Over a 7 month period it’s around £13m.
So where has the other £8m gone.
In other considerations, it suggests that the club is running at a loss of something like £18m a year. Now I realise that things like season ticket income will go up when the club raises prices in higher leagues, however that is not going to make up that sort of gap, not by a long way.
I’m afraid we really are back to the Max Biallystock scenario.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K08akOt2kuo
awayonholiday @corsica1968 11m
Final blog post? @ScotCharityReg, #rangerscharitytheft & good faith: http://alzipratu.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/good-faith/ …
I’m another long time lurker from the early days of RTC. After seeing a few others do similar recently, thought it was about time I at least joined up and showed some proper support for the work that is going on here. Sadly way to far out the loop to have anything of significance to add to the wealth of information, but I reckon the more people who join TSFM to demonstrate their utter contempt of those who are destroying Scottish football, the more powerful and influential will be the voice of this site.
Is there anything more nauseating that McCoist trying to be ‘hip’ saying things like “it’s not my gig”?
From the always excellent Cartuja, recognise these 2?
http://twitpic.com/d90k4q
A paragraph from today’s Scotsman:
Mather, it has to be said, is not exactly a leader of substance. You might remember that, back in June, he borrowed a move from the Green playbook by trumpeting his desire to go after Rangers’ enemies, a carbon-copy of the tactic deployed by Green at the outset – and one that worked very well with the fans until they could see through him and his money-grab. “There will be times when you [the support] want us to tackle our enemies and it will seem like we’re somehow reluctant to do so or that we don’t care,” he said. “You might believe we don’t feel hurt to the same extent as you, but we do. Sometimes you have to wait. We’ve chosen, and we will continually choose, the right moment to strike. Please, never believe that I or any other directors don’t know the names of the people who have tried to damage this club. We know them all. We know what each one’s tried to do and I can assure you we will never, ever forget about that.”
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All the Govan clubs owners(past and present) treat their own fans with total contempt (must be part of the handover when new owners arrive). I and thousands of others also know the names of the people who have damaged the club and continue to do so and they include you Mr Mather and every other director and board member at the club. Outwith the club the SMSM have inadvertently damaged your club by not printing the truth (they do not need to seek it the know where it lies). The SFA have also helped due to CO at top and a long list of ex Rangers directors in prominent positions in the SFA, SPL and SFL.
If the fans of the Govan club do not understand or now know who is the real people doing damage to their club well what more can I say. Just go and put your money in as normal and your WATP directors and owners will just take it, pocket it, and then they will f*** off and it will start all over again. You have been warned AGAIN.
Helpmaboab says:
Is there anything more nauseating than McCoist trying to be “hip” saying things like “it’s not my gig”
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Yes – football authorities endorsing the dumping of tens of millions of debt and trying to carry on like nothing happened.
I well remember Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen.
Getting a draw against them at home was regarded as a good result, and at Pittodrie you just prayed you didn’t get royally humped.
There is no doubt that Aberdeen and Dundee Utd now have a not to be missed opportunity to resurrect those days and help make the SPFL the competitive league we all wish for.
That is a coruscating analysis of OSCR by alzipratu.
Despicable failure of regulation and failure to hold people to account.
I listened to Sportsound Extra on the i-player this morning and Graham Spiers referred to the ‘days of Martin O’Neill and Dick Advocaat’ and claimed everyone knew then something had to give. I wonder why he included the supposed lavish spending of Celtic of that period to make his point. We all know what ‘gave’ and Celtic currently sit in rude financial health having stuck to their business plan despite much media derision. The option was there for Rangers to pursue the same plan of course but not being grander than everyone else just wouldn’t do. Going back to Spiers, it seems Celtic must be criticised along with Rangers even when there is nothing to criticise Celtic for. Only he can explain this puzzling line of thought.
upthehoops says:
August 18, 2013 at 2:55 pm
The difference between the two clubs, in a business sense, was the quality of the people sitting on the respective boards and making the decisions. That is still the case.
People like Brian Quinn, who knew what needed done, and was willing to take the flak to do it. From 2007
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-492418/Celtics-mighty-Quinn-wins-critics—insists-Strachan-too.html
Three years ago, Brian Quinn suffered the humiliation of being harangued by his own supporters on Parkhead’s pitch. Yet the outgoing Celtic chairman never took the criticism personally.
Braving his final Champions League match after seven years at the helm on Tuesday, the rewards for perseverance duly arrived in the form of a pre-match ovation which implied all was forgiven.
……
Arriving at the club during a time of stabilisation and rebuilding under Fergus McCann, Quinn leaves with Celtic in significantly leaner shape, both financially and football-wise, than it was in 1995. Modestly, he passes much of the credit down.
“It’s important Gordon Strachan and Peter Lawwell stay,” he said. “One thing I wanted was stability. Fergus stopped the rot and began to put things in place with a new stadium and approach.
“To develop the club we needed people of talent on the managerial side. You must have a strong spine.
“We have a strong board, a strong chief executive in Peter, who has been a star, and a strong manager in Gordon. Gordon’s style irritates some people – he is idiosyncratic – but there is no better coach in football.
“He doesn’t involve himself in finance or transfers. He leaves that to Peter and it is a great division of responsibility. They are the best signings we have ever made.”
……
Retiring to his post-match howff in Glasgow’s Merchant City on Tuesday, the old chairman raised a glass to another Champions League win. And to a future which, he believes, lies in safe hands.
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Rangers have simply moved from rogue to charlatan to spiv. I genuinely cannot remember them being run properly in any sense. Certainly not since David Murray took over after having been rejected by Ayr United. Who have not been liquidated and still exist.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/rangers-crisis-shows-we-were-right-858421
Though according to the interweb they are in fact based in India!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayr_United_F.C.
Carntyne Riddrie says:
August 18, 2013 at 2:49 pm
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On the subject of humpings at Pittodrie. In the early 80’s myself and two friends travelled to Aberdeen early one Saturday with no tickets. We knew if we waited on the buses coming in we would get some tickets due to fans failing to make their early bus in time due to the excesses of Friday night. And so it was the case, with the first bus in very kindly selling us three tickets, and confirming the original holders were too worse for wear to travel!
Then Celtic got humped 4-2! 🙁
Good post by BRTH
The opportunity that the post is alluding to is the total readjustment of Scottish Football. This readjustment covers a number of elements.
A readjustment of the financial distribution which was previously almost criminally slanted in favour of the big two Glasgow clubs, readjustment to the fact that clubs must now look to their youth and ways of bringing them through in a professional manner, and finally a cultural readjustment of a large number of people, governing bodies and chairman of clubs that the previous system of running Scottish Football was hoplessly wrong and almost caused its terminal death. A level playing field for all clubs is the only way to bring Scottish football back to it’s halycon days.
I was at Pittodrie yesterday and the atmosphere was fantastic. It was a hark back to the good days. Unfortunately the result did not go the way we wanted and the game itself was a bit of a tussle, but it was evidence that there will be a challenge of sorts to celtic this year. This won’t happen overnight but maybe the green shoots are there. This opportunity also needs to be supported by the authorities through more sponsorship and better TV deals, and also by the media (I know I know). I’m not holding my breath but the optimism is definitely there. Stand Free!!
Tif Finn says:
August 18, 2013 at 3:32 pm
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There is no doubt that Celtic since the McCann era have always had quality directors in comparison to Ibrox boards. Having said that the casual observer would never know, as the media who hailed David Murray as a business genius has always seemed reluctant to lavish the same level of praise in the direction of the Celtic Boardroom. Even now there is only a grudging admission of how well Celtic are run, but they are never held up as a model for Rangers to copy.
On a completely separate note I always refer to David Murray as simply that. I never use ‘Sir’ because I don’t have to. I am completely opposed to the honours system simply because I see so many undeserving people benefiting from it. We are told Murray’s Knighthood was for services to business but that seemed strange given his business ran up a £1 billion pound debt to a state owned bank. Personally I believe Murray would never have received a Knighthood without his Rangers association and the establishment doors that position opened. I also firmly believe Walter Smith would have been Knighted if it was not for the fact Jock Stein never was. To Knight Smith would have meant the Stein position would have to be discussed, and official papers released some years ago stated Stein was not ‘the right sort’ to be given that level of honour. That does not stop some present day Journalists still occasionally referring to Smith in print as ‘Sir’ Walter Smith. How utterly absurd that is.
upthehoops says:
August 18, 2013 at 3:46 pm
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Carntyne Riddrie says:
August 18, 2013 at 2:49 pm
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On the subject of humpings at Pittodrie. In the early 80′s myself and two friends travelled to Aberdeen early one Saturday with no tickets. We knew if we waited on the buses coming in we would get some tickets due to fans failing to make their early bus in time due to the excesses of Friday night. And so it was the case, with the first bus in very kindly selling us three tickets, and confirming the original holders were too worse for wear to travel!
Then Celtic got humped 4-2! 🙁
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Being in my very early teens I went to all matches home and away in the early 80s ( Generous Paper round ), and can recall a few beatings up there 3-1. 3-0 and 4-0 but cannot remember a 4-2 beating, the old grey matter might be disappearing though. Those days were my best as a supporter and although being rightly remembered as Aberdeen’s golden era, Celtic won more titles during Sir Alex’s reign, a fact not often spoke about 🙂
upthehoops says:
August 18, 2013 at 4:07 pm
It is only recently that some Celtic supporters have grudgingly accepted that the board may actually have done what could possibly be seen as a barely acceptable approximation of what could be considered a half decent job.
Some still believe that they actively act against the best interests of the club / team and always will believe that.
With regard whether or not the media in Scotland would ever give the Celtic board credit for running the club well … meh. They are more likely to discuss a “biscuit tin” mentality.
You have to look back and laugh at some of the nonsense Green talked.
A press conference from May last year, when the unconditional offer was accepted and Green was talking about a CVA to save the history of the club. Oh then he talks a load of rubbish about his dealings with Whyte etc
Then there’s some nonsense from the administrator about the CVA, and the unlikely prospect that it won’t go ahead..
http://news.stv.tv/west-central/99555-charles-green-tycoons-statement-on-his-takeover-of-rangers/
upthehoops says:
August 18, 2013 at 3:46 pm
…
Then Celtic got humped 4-2! 🙁
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8th December 1984?
McCaig`s Tower says:
August 18, 2013 at 4:49 pm
1 0 Rate This
upthehoops says:
August 18, 2013 at 3:46 pm
…
Then Celtic got humped 4-2! 🙁
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8th December 1984?
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Thanks, must have been one of them games when the trip to Aberdeen was remarkably short as was the journey home!!!! Honestly cannot remember that game.
Time to complain to Mr Lunny about flares and bangers at Pittodrie? Maybe those who complained of similar at Forfar will take this forward …
McCaig`s Tower says:
August 18, 2013 at 4:49 pm
1 0 Rate This
upthehoops says:
August 18, 2013 at 3:46 pm
…
Then Celtic got humped 4-2! 🙁
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8th December 1984?
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That’s the one.
Tif Finn says:
August 18, 2013 at 4:35 pm
6 1 Rate This
upthehoops says:
August 18, 2013 at 4:07 pm
It is only recently that some Celtic supporters have grudgingly accepted that the board may actually have done what could possibly be seen as a barely acceptable approximation of what could be considered a half decent job.
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I agree, although IMO many fans were taken in by a force feeding of tabloid nonsense about ‘parsimonious PLC boards’ etc. To be fair they also saw Rangers outspend Celtic almost every year, mainly because Celtic only had their own money to spend.
upthehoops says:
August 18, 2013 at 5:50 pm
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McCaig`s Tower says:
August 18, 2013 at 4:49 pm
1 0 Rate This
upthehoops says:
August 18, 2013 at 3:46 pm
…
Then Celtic got humped 4-2!
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8th December 1984?
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That’s the one.
======================
Well remember that one – Big Frank MacDougall got four that day
torrejohnbhoy(@johnbhoy1958) says:
August 18, 2013 at 2:15 pm
You can almost feel Corsica charity’s hurt in that blog. What a disgrace. What a disgraceful country we have. Long before he mentioned Sandy Bryson I felt the similarity with the LNS enquiry was clear. Get Rangers off the hook is all that seems to matter in every enquiry or action taken by those in authority. Corsica Charity, you have my sympathy, and respect.
I may be afflicted with poor hindsight here, but is it not the case that the idea of a “parsimonious” board and biscuit tins and fan pressure for clubs to “spend big” are all post-Souness?
It may be that my memory is playing tricks, but although there was always a poor fan/directors dynamic, the amount of money spent on transfers as the solitary metric for director performance only became a reality after Souness joined Rangers.
Even although Scottish clubs were effectively acting as a nursery for the English First Division as far back as the 1940’s or beyond, I simply do not remember the same clamour to spend as became the blight of boardrooms everywhere until the eighties.
Players like Willie Fernie, Joe Baker, Alan Gilzean, Ralph Brand, Willie Stevenson, John White, Dave MacKay, Pat Crerand, Jim Baxter, Lou Macari, and Kenny Dalglish all had their heyday in England after learning their trade in Scotland, but despite clubs raking money in for these guys, I am not aware of any expectation amongst fans that the money should be spent.
David Holmes changed all that in an effort to fatten up the Rangers calf so that Marlbrough could dump his interests in Scotland. Other clubs saw that spending big paid dividends and expectations were raised almost universally (see Hibs, Hearts Aberdeen, Dundee United and Celtic).
Murray turned it into an art form.
fergussingstheblues says:
August 18, 2013 at 3:24 am
80 0 Rate This
… Tom English – “Savaged” on 606 by Mr Savage, then humiliated and cut off because “We have to get more calls in before the end, but thanks for your call anyway, Tom”
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Fergus, I finally got round to the ‘Tom England’ call (I think they called him England!).
Well, to be honest, I think he did ok. Savage was backpeddling a bit. Could Tom do more on the home front? Yes, no doubt, but he is in a bit of a unique situation in that he is a ‘foreigner’. Speaking as a foreigner myself, you don’t always feel as free to critique the country you are technically a guest in, as much as a home-grown native does. And whether we like it or not, I expect a lot of people will automatically assume he’s Celtic-centric just because of where he comes from. So, rolled up Scotsman jests aside, I probably have more time for Tom English than most of the others. I think he walks a fine line at times.
TSFM says:
August 18, 2013 at 6:44 pm
To be honest I agree with the overall comment but although the timeline fits I don’t think it was just predicated on souness, I think it was a larger WW (or possibly just Euro) phenomenon where clubs really started to splash money, and fans started to look for quick fixes, that’s not to say there wasn’t spending before but it seemed to take over the game from around then and created real separation between the haves/have-nots, we talk about the ‘glory’ days of competitive new-firm in the 80s but even in england during that period you had villa, forest etc regularly winning domestic and euro trophies, now we have the utd/city/chelski domination. Even Liverpool’s glory days wasn’t built solely on big buys. but yes I agree this clamour to always spend big whenever a team drops a point is to the detriment of building a sustainable sport.
TSFM says:
August 18, 2013 at 6:44 pm
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I have no doubt (in Scotland at least) Souness was the start of increased demands by fans for clubs to spend more. However there was always an element of it among some fans. Taking the case when the young Charlie Nicholas was the hottest property around and had his pick of top English clubs. Celtic players at the time earned a basic £300-400 a week plus bonuses while Nicholas was moving south for £2K a week. Yet many fans demanded that Celtic match this, but there was no chance of that at the time. Celtic under the old board had not touched their commercial potential and huge transfer fees for home grown players had sustained the club for years. As for young Charlie, why choose Arsenal at that time? Liverpool, playing alongside Dalglish was surely the place for him to go.
The Greasedales, from today’s red tops, courtesy of Henrik Vegetable on twitter.
Once you have each image open you can click on magnifying glass in bottom right corner you should be able to read it easily
Lord Vegetable @HenrikVegetable6m
http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w372/FFmessageboard/easdale1_zps4e658ca1.jpg … http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w372/FFmessageboard/easdale2_zpsa9518d1b.jpg … http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w372/FFmessageboard/easdale3_zpsf5b2abd4.jpg … http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w372/FFmessageboard/easdale30001_zpsd1e98343.jpg … http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w372/FFmessageboard/easdale4_zps87fe8ff7.jpg … #greasedales
paulsatim says:
August 18, 2013 at 8:57 pm
The Greasedales, from today’s red tops, courtesy of Henrik Vegetable on twitter.
——————————————-
Mr Irvine has one or two contacts in the Scottish press then
Football boardrooms and crocodile tears
Arsenal
Nina Bracewell-Smith on Twitter today
“And how deeply I regret selling to Kroenke. #AFC”
Sale price for her shares reported in Telegraph 2 March 2013 as around £116 million
Liverpool
David Moores “hugely regrets” having sold his shares to Hicks and Gillett
Sale price for his Liverpool shares reported in mirrorfootball 26 May 2010 as £202 million
Rangers
David Murray “I deeply, deeply regret selling the club to Craig Whyte”
Sale price reported in all the Scottish papers as £1, additional benefit the ability to sidestep an onrushing financial calamity running into the tens of millions
JackIrvine @JackIrvine 2h
http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/for-the-avoidance-of-doubt-rangers-stamp-on-inaccurate-stories-and-dump-jack-irvine/#more-4046 … Well worth a read. Very perceptive.
Retweeted by RhebelRhebel
TSFM says:
August 18, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Like most things you have to look at the bigger picture. From 1986 there was a brief window of opportunity open to Scottish clubs………….. if they had the cash. For the first time Scottish clubs had something that their English counterparts did not have; European football.
With the banning of English clubs their players looked to new shores to ply their trades in the top competitions. A succession of players left the English league. Lineker, Hughes led the way but with the influx of the Bank Of Scotland’s money RFC enticed recognised internationals to Ibrox.
It is easy now to say that there possibly was a case of ‘speculate to accumulate’ while the clubs south of the border were banned but with their rehabilitation and the introduction of the Champions League the gradual shift back to the expected norm began and there would be no stopping it.
The further disproportionate distribution of TV revenues within this competition took a few years to evolve but after that it was game over. First of all the G14 created a powerful lobby group that had a considerable impact which has led to the dominance of Spain, Germany, Italy, France and England within this competition to the detriment of clubs from all other countries.
Two examples of this in recent years are the easy to see. Firstly we had the spectacle of France failing to directly qualify for a World Cup and in the lead up to this we were told that the eight teams would simply go into the hat but when France ended up in the play offs suddenly the teams were seeded to allow France the best chance to qualify. Last year England failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the European Championships. In other words they were not one of the top four nations in Europe but when FIFA announced world rankings a month after this competition finished England were up to three or four in the world. Not Europe but the world. The reason for this is that the points for the national team go to help the co-efficient of the club teams in Europe and the English co-efficient needed a boost.
Anyway back to my original argument. There was no way from 2000 onward that any team outside the big 5 countries would make major sustainable income from the Champions League. as RFC were already deeply in debt at that time then the game was heavily stacked against them even with SDM’s miraculous share issue.
So in finishing it is my belief that there was a sound business model in the beginning however with the advent of the Champions League and the G14 the cards were stacked not only against RFC but every other club outwith the big five countries. Why SDM, the entrepreneurial genius, did not see this I don’t know but then again if I was on and ego trip, with fawning press everywhere, perhaps I would have missed what was coming down the line.
Allyjambo. Concerning the charity disgrace.
You begin to really wonder if the Govan club (even though dead) can be brought to task ever. Their action concerning the charity matches is so embarrassingly shameful even their own fans must cringe. How low can their deeds be they did not pay taxes, did not pay NI and creditors well just whistle, but WATP and we are the same club playing at the same stadium and debt free. Truth is they have been ripping off and conning their own fans so they have no conscience and no moral fibre (even though they are the fabric of our society).
We know the banking sector at HBOS gave money to this low life club through Mr Masterton and Cummings in the old friends act with MIH, they kept this monstrosity alive that bit longer. No need to mention the SMSM as we all know how low they can stoop to promote the club from Govan.
The SFA gave the corpse a breath of air and wrongly put them in Div 3. Why feed this Institution and its followers when they spout, anger, aggression, boycott threats, name these people, we will not forget those who harmed our club. How much power does a dead club have??
Why if they have been found guilty of many things, NOTHING happens, what is it really going to take to bring them to task and actually punish them.
Campbell Ogilvie sums up what we will put up with in this country. In fact his position shows their power, he is the dead club’s living representative on earth.
Oh how Mr Salmond must be hoping this can die a death soon.
[Sorry James – way OT]
paulsatim says:
August 18, 2013 at 9:51 pm
Yes absolutely brilliant read. The comments after it are, however, depressing especially non entities spouting on about the teaching of Religious Education in our state schools and the ‘problems’ this brings.
Hi DP,
Re- your Danish Pastry says:
August 18, 2013 at 6:47 pm
You’re probably right. looking at it again, I think Tom was stitched up on 606 last night, being let on a few minutes from the end, with not a lot of time. at least he did have a go. Savage is not one of my favourite pundits. He’s a freeloading ex-highly paid footballer who is not highly paid anymore. Since leaving the playing side, he’s trying to make a reputation by “Saying it how it is !”. He’s an idiot. This is the same guy who wanted to leave Birmingham to be closer to Wales and then signed for Blackburn ! Nuff said, Tom should just get a private interview with him, and then write a lot of rubbish about him – Is that not how the MSM work ? 😈
I was more intrigued however with your earlier post:
—————————————————-
Danish Pastry says:
August 18, 2013 at 10:45 am
All you cynics lighten up, staying at Turnberry was not only an act of professionalism, it was an act of supreme selflessness, done to show respect to Stranraer. Stranraer deserved nothing less.
“He [McCoist] added: “We stayed in the lodges at Turnberry. It’s not exactly the same as the hotel but it’s a fantastic place and the lads enjoyed staying there.
“It was actually cheaper than a hotel in Stranraer.
“We still continue to attempt to do the right things in the club and
by staying overnight at certain venues, we feel it treats the opposition with the respect they deserve.
“We did it in the SPL and I feel if we can do it there’s no reason why we shouldn’t because it shows a level of professionalism.””
PS Um, er …
—————————————————————–
It reminded on Saturday of Chico’s pre-match ramblings to Richard Gordon, along the lines of :
“Can someone tell me if there is a better drive to a Football Match on a Saturday afternoon than from Turnberry to Stranraer ?” Eh ?
From this we can deduce that Chic travelled to Stranraer on Saturday from Turnberry.
Now, did he :
(a) Travel there that morning for a RIFC Press Conference before the game, then travel on to Stranraer afterwards ?
(b) Stay there overnight on BBC Expenses at the same place ?
(c) Forget most of the journey until he got to Turnberry, then suddenly was enlightened about how beautiful Scotland’s Scenery was ?
I don’t understand why, as a highly paid BBC Employee, he was sent to a Scottish 3rd Div match in the first place when there was a full Premier League fixture list on.
I wish the BBC would sort out all this “Old Boy’s” act in their Scottish Sports (Football !) Dept.
The BBC like to boast that they are at the forefront of investigating wrong doings. Just look at programs like Crimewatch, Watchdog, Rogue Traders, etc.
If only they could amalgamate all 3 programs above in a certain area in Govan !
Take care DP.
paulsatim says:
August 18, 2013 at 9:51 pm
_______________________
I’m pretty sure that tweet was Jack’s way of quoting Sun Tzu – “Know thy enemy”
Though I don’t know which enemy list he subscribes to,
Charles Green’s, Craig Mather’s or Chris Graham’s?
Jack’s tweet is an attempt to bring the spotlight onto the car crash at the Emarld City and away from the prospective new owners Butch & Sundance. As cheesily grovelling as it is, it does highlight that Jackie boy reads these boards and takes any perceived attack personally.
Perhaps Jacky boy could assist with the following:
Who really owns Ibrox/Murray park/Albion/Edminston House?
Why were fans lied to about both RFC/TRFC’S parlous financial state?
Why did you fall out with JT?
Was your relationship with MCCoist contributory to the breakdown in relationships with certain players?
Why, when represenin
tpb/msm
TW says:
August 18, 2013 at 9:26 pm
Football boardrooms and crocodile tears
Arsenal
Nina Bracewell-Smith on Twitter today
“And how deeply I regret selling to Kroenke. #AFC”
Sale price for her shares reported in Telegraph 2 March 2013 as around £116 million
==========================================================================
Its Lady Nina to you pal and she is a lovely person who just isn’t keen on paying for anything. That much I know but at least I got two tickets from her for Highbury to witness an Arsenal pumping of Man U. Bartez and Beckham were clowns that day. 5-1 I think.
Rangers
David Murray “I deeply, deeply regret selling the club to Craig Whyte”
Sale price reported in all the Scottish papers as £1, additional benefit the ability to sidestep an onrushing financial calamity running into the tens of millions
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Which would have been the final straw for the Bank. After all they more or less owned MIH by then and for Rangers to go down with the Tax case debt whilst still a MIH group company would not have been helpful.
fergussingstheblues says:
August 18, 2013 at 11:25 pm
22 0 Rate This
I was more intrigued however with your earlier post:
————–
Nothing intriguing there, just a big tongue in my cheek.
I mean, suffering the indignity of roughing it at Turnberry for the sake of the opposition? That’s about as outlandish a statement as I’ve heard yet from that source. Even Charles and his pals haven’t used that one (but they might yet): ‘Much as it pains me, I feel that it’s only right that I shoulder the burden of this ‘uge renumeration and bonus – because it proves we are a big club. It shows due respect to t’other chairmen; even my personal enrichment via share transactions is but a noble and selfless act of professionalism. I never tell a lie.’ 🙂
Finally some good news for the Ibrox faithful. Echoing yesterday’s headlines, a hugely reassuring piece in The Herald. Some key points:
Sandy Easdale (tycoon) confirms:
* suggestions he was involved in gangsterism were “trash”
* told a Sunday newspaper he had no links with organised crime.
* Confirms to not have been involved in crime for 16 years
* Not on some sort of Interpol list
* Like Green, vows he’s with the club long-term
* McColl and P. Murray going to get ‘trounced’, ‘It’s going to be embarrassing.’
All hugely reassuring.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/leading-rangers-investor-i-am-no-gangster.21910046
Danish Pastry says:
August 19, 2013 at 8:03 am
——
I’m also in doubt about the double punishment of penalty & red card for goalies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Me too. The penalty should be taken before the substitute keeper is allowed to take to the field. That way there is no chance of Commons hitting it straight at the keeper. 😉
Sportscene highlights bias? Really?
Enough please.
Danish Pastry says:
August 19, 2013 at 7:14 am
Finally some good news for the Ibrox faithful. Echoing yesterday’s headlines, a hugely reassuring piece in The Herald. Some key points:
Sandy Easdale (tycoon) confirms:
* suggestions he was involved in gangsterism were “trash”
——————————————-
So let me get it straight, of the people involved in Rangers at the moment
Green has declared that he is not a liar
Mather has declared that he is not a crook
Easdale S. has declared that he is not a gangster
There may be other such examples related to other people around the club
Is there any other club whose personnel have to spend quite to much time proclaiming to the world with quite so much force that they are not social undesirables?
Strong stuff from Keith Jackson this morning, albeit much of it is about inter-newspaper squabbles. You’ve got to hand him the brass neck of the year award though, given he was firmly behind ‘billionaire’ Craig Whyte at the outset. IMO Jackson is not so much pursuing the truth, but pursuing an agenda of getting ‘real’ Rangers men in charge. If and when this happens, Jackson will not care a toss about the truth if printing it is detrimental to getting Rangers ‘to the very top’ of Scottish Football.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/keith-jackson-daily-record-pursuing-2184217
Danish Pastry says:
August 19, 2013 at 7:14 am
—————————————–
This is a puff piece in the rags by the Easdales’ new PR guru – a Mr J. Irvine. I have no doubt the script that the evil Jack supplied was happily reproduced in its entirety.
Poor old Sandy labours the point that he was merely in an open prison with ex-Etonians just because of a bit of tax fiddling. In other words he’s not a real criminal like those nasty types who pay thugs to steal scrap metal, intimidate small bus operators or torch rival taxi cabs.
Re-the Easdale ‘gangster’ stories. In the absence of tangible evidence then the man must be assumed innocent. I do share his concern about the portrayal of taxi owners though, with this interesting factual tale.
A few years ago a man living in the Inverclyde area successfully secured a taxi ‘plate’ from the Council. After just a few weeks in business, he was visited at home by two gentlemen who offered to buy his ‘plate’ from him. He was taken aback at the generosity of the offer, but declined as he was happy with his new venture. A couple of nights later, he and his wife were awoken by a loud noise. Looking out the window he saw his taxi in flames. He then decided the taxi business was not for him and moved onto a different venture. Isn’t it a shame how some taxi owners give others a bad name!
TW says:
August 19, 2013 at 9:22 am
McCoist says he is not a manager
Just spat my cornflakes all over the pc screen, when I read this belter
…http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/keith-jackson-daily-record-pursuing-2184217?
Keith jangle jangle and TRUTH – Only a matter of time then, before He refers to Sevco/the Rangers and clarifies the myths, ie. Sevco and Rangers 1872 (iL) are two separate clubs…Sevco were never relegated, LNS did not clear Rangers (1872)(iL)
See you in court jangle jangle…
TSFM says:
August 19, 2013 at 9:09 am
0 0 Rate This
Sportscene highlights bias? Really?
Enough please.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quite right. On to more important matters..
In view of Paul McConville’s recent post on Traynor’s outburst and, in particular, Paul’s comments on Copyright, I’d like to ask this:
Is TSFM literally built on a Star Trek theme and on a Progressive Rock framework? 😀
“I need all the facts you can muster, Mister”
“I’m a doctor, not a fantasist. It’s dead, Jim”
“Fascinating”
“Can you tell me where my club doth lie?”
said the unifaun to his true love’s eyes.
“It lies with me!” cried the Green of Maybe
for her merchandise, he traded in his prize.
“Paper’s late!” cried an internet bampot.
“Old Club dies!” The note it left was signed “Old Knight’s debt”
– it seems it drowned
selling Rangers by the pound.
Meanwhile, The Lamb Lies Down On Edmiston Drive.
justshatered: I agree with most of your points, including that cards are stacked against clubs outwith the Big5 (the coefficient points end up as a self-perpetuating advantage for clubs with 4 teams in the CL from the get-go) up to your “belief that there was a sound business model in the beginning” – no club should base its model on the chance of European cash. Leeds United are the poster boys for that.
I also believe that the money paid to the English players back in the day would have unsustainable and did start an arms race of sorts, which drove Scottish clubs into financial difficulties. Sure you can say they shouldn’t have but given the strength of Aberdeen and Dundee Utd at the time, why on earth wouldn’t they have tried to continue to compete rather than watching Rangers disappear into the distance? Celtic had their own well-documented financial problems and has been said before, you have to tip your bunnet to Fergus for putting and end to chasing rainbows. If only the “business genius” that was SDM could have put his ego into neutral even for just a few years…
As for some revising history – I saw comments relating to the paltry sum Celtic got for Dalglish back in the day – it was £440k which at that time was a record for a transfer between British clubs (Keegan went to Hamburg for £500k). That was amazing business back then tbh. Wasn’t there a quote from Bob Paisley that “Liverpool sold the best player in England but bought the best one in Britain”?
paulsatim says:
August 18, 2013 at 9:51 pm
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JackIrvine @JackIrvine 2h
http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/for-the-avoidance-of-doubt-rangers-stamp-on-inaccurate-stories-and-dump-jack-irvine/#more-4046 … Well worth a read. Very perceptive.
Retweeted by RhebelRhebel
=======================
In the piece Paul McConville points out that the copyright statement at the foot of the page says ‘Rangers Football Club’, but which entity is referred to?
Certainly it can’t be the entity without legal personality, since that can’t hold a copyright. A good point well made by PMcC.
The logic leads to recognition that it cant enter into a contract or agreement – such as with players.
Got me thinking again about the LNS opinion, and something I posted about when the decision came out – Rangers FC cannot be deemed to have agreed to comply with any kind of rule by any sensible governing body.
If LNS (SPLIC) held that the entity ‘Rangers FC’ has no legal personality, then how can it be charged with anything? Why did he not query the wording of the charges?
In effect, Rangers FC as an as yet undefined collection of assets was charged with having broken the rules… wtf?
A car charged with speeding?
The claimsdrect guy from the ad looking for damages from the ladder?
In the drawing room the Rev Green points out that it was the candlestick that did it and thats where the charge should be levelled?
… and then, of course, there was the Bryson Interpretation. Nuff said.
Why was any sensible use of legal or quasi-legal principles completely turned on their head by the governing bodies dealing with old Rangers?
From a sevco forum via CQN!! 😆 😆 😆
monaghan1900
09:21 on 19 August, 2013
Sevcomedian hungry for more tradition:
“I would call on Craig Mather and Everyone at Rangers, to install a new tradition, and play the National anthem before every home game before the game starts.
With the commonwealth games coming up and the National vote on Independance…..I would like to see, Glasgow Rangers ” The Quintessential British Club” performing a new ritual at every home game, similar to the way The Americans do before every NFL / Baseball game, having the Rangers players and /not the away team;…. standing for our anthem and sing loud and proud.
Surely there are no rules against stopping us starting this now.. Its our identity and we should jump on this now, on the lead up to the most important year in British history. The Rangers fans would love it, and certainly would have Ibrox packed for kick off. AND IF there is ANY Fifa ruling on this, then get Broxi Bear in the centre circle and get it loud and proud over the tannoy.
I would and my wee boy would love to see the Mongolian brass band for example, playing this before kick off…..what a spectacle it would be.”
upthehoops says:
August 19, 2013 at 9:27 am
That was so cringe making, it’s hard to believe anyone could call it journalism. It was of the same quality as the Traynor/TRFC PR put out the other day. It was an appeal to TRFC fans to buy the DR as it had always told (it’s own idea of) the truth about Rangers. We all know the only time it’s ever told the truth was at least 6 months after the event, and always too late.
I particularly liked this:
“And a full six months after he had banned yours truly for revealing what he was up to with the club’s season tickets in the first place.”
It would have been nice, and indeed worthy of being called journalism, if he’d explained just how Whyte managed to stop him printing the truth, and why, he, Jackson, didn’t, in the interest of Rangers and it’s support, print and be damned. Sycophant, coward, grovelling, succulent lamb, and many more uncomplimentary words could be used in a description of this plea to TRFC supporters; while it could never be described as justification for the Daily Record’s pathetic coverage of the Rangers’ downfall. Keith Jackson, and the vast majority of the MSM, are as guilty of feeding the supporters of the team he supports with the spivs’ PR, as he would now accuse his former mentor, Jim Traynor, of doing. And still not one word of criticism of the greatest spiv of all, David Murray, the man who ran first, fastest and furthest of them all.
Your lordship I think their suppers ready. 😈
A wee bit of general speculation on the split of shares dwon Govan way for anyEGM.
Rounded off there are 65m shares.
The fans bought £5m worth at 70p so thats 7.2m shares floating either way.
That leaves 57.8m.
The prospectus showed a list of names that would hold around 36.5m shares at the floatation.
These include Charlie and his mates but also Mike Ashley who may have dropped Charlie off his Xmas card list. We also do not know if and who Hughes and Ahmed may have sold there shares to. We have no idea if Laxey are on Charlie’s side. That initial list also includes Legal & General who may be on the side of professional corporate governance. The of course there are smaller but fairly substantial shareholders like Mr McCoist who were not listed.
So 36.5m held by those names in the prospectus, the fans 7.2m and those who put the £17m at the floation.
I’m guessing the named list may still hold sway over 30m of the orignal 36.5m. Prior has said he is undecided. Therefore it could be nip and tuck.
So the questions are
Did Charlie bring in new mates as part of the £17m or were they all ‘respected investors brought in by the reputation of malcolm Murray. Either Easdale is holding part of the post floation shares (but no regulatory news so no large holding??) or we are double counting as he will vote in the same manner as those he bought the shares from, eg Ahmed
Will the investors who weren’t amongst the initial chosen few and saw their investment of 70 drop to 42p in a matter of months along with none of the ‘promises’ in the prospectus come to fruition really want to support keeping Charlie and members of the current board in position.
Still plenty fun and games to be had.
PS
Still no regulatory news showing James Easdale, as a director, has bought more than his current 357143 shares ( I think I was generous the other day and assigned Charlies to him) or that anyone connected to the Easdales and Sandy in particualr has acquired more than a 3% holding of the club.
Seems like a lot of press coverage for both McColl and the Easdales when it looks like they hold Hee Haw of the 65m shares out there.
What a tangled web they weave 🙂
Context for Keith Jackson in today’s Record and his off the radar amnesia of what he wrote previously
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/when-journalists-forget-which-team-they-are-on/
Strange ticket availability at Ibrox for the next 2 home games
Rangers v Berwick – ramsdens cup – 27th aug – club deck closed but main stand open
Rangers v East Fife – Sat 31st – Entire main stand & Enclosure is unavailable – but Club Deck open
anyone any theories on this?
Just watched an episode of the one and only Hawaii 5-0 (I refuse to recognize the tribute act) called “The Double Wall”.
A convicted killer pleads his innocence by holding a shotgun to a doctor’s head, giving McGarrett until the man falls asleep to find the real killer. It turns out that behind it all was a corporate web of holding companies fronted by….wait for it….Craig W…ilkie.
It might be my over-active imagination, but I wonder if a certain lamb serving football club custodian saw this and thought of a twist, with the real guilty party pleading his innocence and blaming the whole thing on a certain Craig W…hyte?
Open letter to Keith Jackson
=======================
Keith
Have you no shame.
Regards
Tif
PS Chapeau for the brass neck. You have surpassed even yourself with today’s bunkum. Not that it isn’t true at least in part, but FFS after how you extoled Craig Whyte on his arrival, and sold the Rangers support down the river with your stories of his wealth.
Not The Huddle Malcontent says:
August 19, 2013 at 11:00 am
Decorators in – “Wet paint” ??
wottpi says:
August 19, 2013 at 11:11 am
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Not The Huddle Malcontent says:
August 19, 2013 at 11:00 am
Decorators in – “Wet paint” ??
=================================================
I understand that something is wet……needs more than a lick of paint though. (it’s not as bad as we suspect, but there is no money to fix it)
THE Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) is to review an advert in which Rangers were described as the ‘most successful’ club in Scotland.
http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/advertising-watchdog-to-probe-rangers-claim-1-3052337
In the Record article, Jackson says the statement by Whyte on the official Rangers website was published on January 31 2011, a few weeks before administration. Good start Keith, that was last year which was 2012!