The outbreak of internecine warfare at RIFC is being acted out through a real pea-soup fog right now. The war is being fought on so many fronts that it is difficult to see just exactly how many armies are involved, and how the alliances are shaping up.
Craig Mather would appear to be in the Charles Green camp, but it is difficult to imagine that he would be happy to hear old blunderbuss-mouth peppering Ally McCoist with shot. McCoist’s in-character but inelegant riposte, whilst a valiant attempt at deflection and self-preservation, put his mentor and chairman, Walter Smith in a rather awkward position. It gives Mather a double headache as he tries to head off Clyde Blowers boss Jim McColl – and his blowhard ally Paul Murray – at the EGM-pass.
If Mather stands by Green, and Smith does the same for McCoist, then the two main officers of the company will be in opposite, and hostile, camps.
As I say, making sense of it is difficult, but one thing is as clear as an empty window frame: the acrimony, which has been in existence for months, is only now being aired in public because the season ticket drive is over. The one policy that the warring factions have been in agreement with is “Not in Front of the Children”.
Now that the fans have been compelled to buy season tickets in substantial numbers through a mixture of fear, loyalty and a never-ending stream of press spin telling them that “Rangers are on the cusp of greatness if only the supporters cough up”, it seems acceptable that the real war can begin – but what is the prize?
There can be little doubt that all of the factions are aware that a conservative business model is necessary if Rangers are to establish themselves in Scottish football – certainly a more conservative one than that followed by RFC (IL). I infer therefore that the war is not over a Murray vs McCann approach. My best guess is that the war is one of ideals – between one faction which aims to make as much money in the short term as possible, and another which, whilst not averse to a bit of nest-feathering, sees the health of the club and the notion of a continuity Rangers as paramount.
The trouble for Rangers fans is that it is the former faction which holds all the cards – all the shares in fact. I think that all fans of the game of football would hope that people with football at heart would win out here, irrespective of what their partisan loyalties dictate on a day to day basis.
The problem for either warring faction is that the loyalty of the Rangers fans is finite. The “long road (back)” to the top is one which might engage them for while. It is a great journey which is not without its rewards and adventure, but expectations will be massive if and when they get to the top league. When the acceleration of progress meets the buffers of premier championship aspiration, gate money will be in the front passenger seat. Managing unrealistic expectations is extremely difficult, and evidenced by the use of McCoist’s recruitment sledgehammer to crack the nut of the bottom two divisions.
But here are some questions to which I honestly do not know the answer;
- How does the Rangersness faction wrest control away from these spivs?
- How will the spivs attempt to ensure that the Rangersness faction fails in their objective?
- Can the people in the Rangersness camp REALLY be trusted to act in the best interests of the club even if it is at odds with their own? This, given the close association with the terminal decline of the club they all profess to love.
- Is there any realistic scenario which allows this club to prosper and challenge for honours within a ten to fifteen year period?
My belief is that the key to the new club being able to establish itself is managing the expectations of the fans. Despite the MSM willingness to cut and paste RFC and RIFC press releases unadulterated, the ability of that same MSM to impress a message of realism into Rangers fans is zero. Not in front of the children in fact.
Is it really a sociological bridge too far to expect Rangers fans to turn down the expectation-ometer? I don’t believe it is. In the eighties, if I recall correctly, a seriously underachieving Rangers team were not met with demands for big spending. There was pressure on them to get better managers who could pick better players, but no demands for Fort Knox to be breached. If Rangers fans really want a club called Rangers playing in blue at Ibrox, and competing fully in the game, they need to find leaders who can sell the long-termism of such an aspiration. Many will hope, including the spivs and the MSM, that no such leader emerges.
TallBoy Poppy says:
August 7, 2013 at 3:56 pm
========================================
Paul Murray joined Esprit from Cazenove Private Equity. Paul has over 12 years experience in venture capital and was previously a Director of 3i’s UK technology business, based in the Thames Valley and later in London. He was responsible for over 20 investments at 3i
So to sum up;
Green, Mather, Stockbridge (maybe even, Craigie, Whyte! 😆 ) can pretty much sit tight and play a ‘straight bat’ to all comers….even if it means an insolvency event for ‘the club’. The holding company has the assets, Ibrox and Murray Park, and is separate from ‘the club’……..who merely have a franchise to sell tickets and replica tops etc…..so the Club can be bought and sold, but the assets remain the property of the spivs………then, now and forever. This is a mess….. 😆 😆
if only they had not embraced the ridiculously elastic definition of ‘the club’….oh yeah they had to, or their world collapses……. 😳
😯 😕
A Ponzi scheme is an investment operation that pays returns to its investors from their own money or the money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from profit earned by the individual or organization running the operation.
The Ponzi scheme usually entices new investors by offering higher returns than other investments, in the form of short-term returns that are either abnormally high or unusually consistent. Perpetuation of the high returns requires an ever-increasing flow of money from new investors to keep the scheme going.
You know, the spivs have done this most beautifully……..and in front of everyone too.
What’s that phrase? Hide in plain sight?
Bravo.
Scottish football needs a strong Arbroath.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23598825
The Lone Rangers to lose millions !!!
Maybe Sevco (Scotland or 5088) would be interested in buying the assets (a horse and what else)?
arabest1 says:
August 7, 2013 at 4:08 pm
Its actually worse than that Arabest. For a not insignificant sum you’ll get the once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase a complete shell that loses 1m per month, before rent#. But you will get the name and the history, so that’s ok then. Roll up, roll up….anyone……………….anyone at all…….
# Just to be clear that’s a proper 1m per loss that needs funding, not a sneery accountant’s loss that saves tax or that gets funded by silly old creditors or mystery institutions. Proper hard cash that aint coming back.
redlichtie says:
August 7, 2013 at 4:05 pm
I think you have something there.
Also if they managed to move on Wallace and others at no cost to the company it would help create a rosier picture on the accounts that need to be produced for the Plc by 19 September.
Wondering how many of the ‘trialists’ may have played their last game for the club last night 🙂
Smugas says:
August 7, 2013 at 4:34 pm
arabest1 says:
August 7, 2013 at 4:08 pm
Its actually worse than that Arabest. For a not insignificant sum you’ll get the once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase a complete shell that loses 1m per month, before rent. But you will get the name and the history, so that’s ok then. Roll up, roll up….anyone……………….anyone at all…….
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So the best option for Rangersness devotees is to let TRFC plunge into oblivion and restart a brand new club called Govan Utd which will initially play in the Lowland League out of a newly refurbished Tinto Park in season 2014/15?
wottpi says:
August 7, 2013 at 4:39 pm
redlichtie says:
August 7, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Wondering how many of the ‘trialists’ may have played their last game for the club last night
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Is the answer all of them? There may be employment law considerations from breaches of contract but hey that can all be kicked into the long grass until the club goes into admin. A few bob would be saved to feather the spivnest and it would panic the potential Axis of Rangersness purchasers and lead to Alistair having a tantrum and throwing in the towel. Everyone wins!!
Can Charles tear up the “trialists” contracts before 1 September? It was intetesting to hear him say he wouldnt have spent as much.
Carrot/Donkey/Season tickets.
fara1968 says:
August 7, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Can Charles tear up the “trialists” contracts before 1 September? It was intetesting to hear him say he wouldnt have spent as much.
Carrot/Donkey/Season tickets.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Charles does what he is told to by Rafat, Imran and Craig.
arabest1 says:
August 7, 2013 at 4:08 pm
Not all the assets can be owned by the holding co, RIFC. The player contracts must be with the Club, TRFC. If a holding co held a player contract and paid salary it would constitute payment via a third party.
At the moment, these are not of significant number or value. But, I do agree with you that retaining the ownership of the bricks and mortar assets in the holding co will be the spiv agenda.
Of course, the novel idea of the ‘Club’ being Rangers FC is one of an entity with no legal personality, so it cannot have a contract or anything like it with anyone.
Has there been ANY utterances from our esteemed football authorities in relation to the fiasco down Ibrox way or are they all hiding in the Hampden cupboards with their fingers in their ears going “nananananana”?
Re-Jim McColl’s interview in the Herald. There is no doubt he spoke a lot of sense, but in IMO he let himself down with the grand statements about an ‘Iconic Club’ and a ‘worldwide brand’. No matter how level headed the Rangers fan the delusions of grandeur are never far from the surface. It still amounts to WATP, no doubt spoken with a more refined accent than usual.
helpmaboab
There doesn’t seem to be much going on at hampden at all (98 hrs since the smoke bombs at station rd) but lunny may be on holiday or maybe they’ve all just ‘walked away’ sorry couldn’t resist 🙂
could it be I’m back on the blogggggggggggggggg 😆 🙄 🙄 😉
My word that was a task
Had to jump through a few (Cmon the ) hoops after the Jack Attack ,but hey ho jonnyod is back 😀
So it looks like we are into a new chapter in the the old ragers /sevco charade
Looks like Hector is getting taken for a ride or maybe Hector has advised the actors to make the kid on bun fight look good .
IMO all the actors in this charade have known everything that has been going on and still do .
No side letters this time maybe just scripts
🙄 🙄 🙄 🙄
Is there anyone in ❗
🙄 🙄 🙄 🙄
C.mon yer scaring me now 😐
Sam says:
August 7, 2013 at 10:46 am
“A shareholder rights plan, colloquially known as a “poison pill”, is a type of defensive tactic used by a corporation’s board of directors against a takeover.”
———————–
The thought had crossed my mind.
————————
fergusslayedtheblues says:
August 7, 2013 at 6:07 pm
“IMO all the actors in this charade have known everything that has been going on and still do .
No side letters this time maybe just scripts”
———————–
There are now so many permutations possibly in play that the outcome could be a complete lottery. There may be an element of engineering but I suspect any script has left room for copious ad-libs.
I think we just need to watch, wait and speculate. We have already enumerated many of the possible outcomes.
There does seem to be a change in the air. Its been a long time coming but I think a change is going to come.
Talking of worldwide brands, i thought i’d take the opportunity to ask local fitba fans in this small village in northern Hungary where I currently am what they knew of Scottish fitba.
The answer (without prompting)? Dundee United. 🙂
Aberdeen, Rangers and Celtic with prompting.
FIFA says:
August 7, 2013 at 2:35 pm
Charlies answers 😀
Questions that could have been asked…
– What are your yearly operating costs… £1
– What is the Puma Deal worth…….. £3m
– What is the Blackthorn deal worth £20m
– What is your predicted income this year..£500m
– What is your current bank balance .. £20,000,000,000,000
http://alzipratu.wordpress.com/
OSCR say that misappropriating charity money is ok, if you have ‘good intentions’ and as a charity trustee,
You will suffer no consequence, not even a ban from being a trustee or charity board member of any sort !!
Only Sevcoland / (Scotland)
upthehoops says:
August 7, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Re-Jim McColl’s interview in the Herald. There is no doubt he spoke a lot of sense, but in IMO he let himself down with the grand statements about an ‘Iconic Club’ and a ‘worldwide brand’. No matter how level headed the Rangers fan the delusions of grandeur are never far from the surface. It still amounts to WATP, no doubt spoken with a more refined accent than usual.
===============================================================
I think you make a fair point. I think a major problem is that this thing about being a worldwide club is based on fantasy that has been generated at Ibrox and fed to the bulk of Rangers supporters by an uncritical SMSM who have never seriously examined the claims.
The size of the overseas base was debunked by Hugh Adams I seem to remember some time ago before his death and the fact is quite simply that Rangers is mainly a Glasgow-based support which spreads into the wider west of Scotland and with pockets elsewhere throughout the country and a significant following in NI.
All the other worldwide stuff is pure fantasy, Oh yes there are Scots abroad working and they set up Rangers clubs wherever they are but in relative terms – although it all sounds great – they count for nothing in terms of income. There are bigger amounts in places where Scots have traditionally emigrated to like England, Canada, USA and Australia but even these are fairly small beer in terms of revenue.
I’m sure Adams identified their biggest flaw which is that after the first generation of the emigrants’ children are born in the ‘new country’ that as they grow up they largely become involved with local sports and teams and by the time their children come along the process is virtually complete. What is left is an ever aging original emigrant clinging to their memories of a ‘home’ they have left behind.
The Rangers AIM prospectus identifies the actual ‘facts’ clearly rather than the ‘myth’ by stating: ‘The RFCL Group and the Rangers Group are financially dependent on the Club’s supporters who are concentrated in Scotland.
‘A significant amount of the RFCL Group’s and the Rangers Group’s income will be derived from season ticket sales and match day ticket sales to supporters attending football matches at Ibrox Stadium.’
Overseas financial success for any UK team can only be met with building an indigenous fan base in developing countries whose population have disposable income which can be spent on supporting a football team mainly through new media and kit sales. But to do that you have to compete on a world-wide basis with dozens of top flight clubs many of whom are already entrenched in these markets.
Rangers are a long long way from breaking into that kind of market which also happens to be a very expensive exercise which Rangers have neither the playing talent nor money to exploit.
Not so bonnie Prince Charlie has returned from France with his army of supporters to regain his throne from other pretenders, he confesses he is devious and divinely right but asks us to forgive his transgressions for the sake of unity( the union). His illegitimate daughter Charlotte( a suspected spy) has been given the titles to the Albany and he has dismissed the advice of his best commander Lord Murray( Malcolm not David). Us commoners are left “chasing the deer ” and are being ordered not to ” take back the Knights ” or believe the stories of Sir Walter the Scot. The upcoming battle will be held on marshy grounds and every supporter is now drinking through a glass darkly and singing ” “Óró Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile. ”
If this gets through moderation I apologize in advance for the analogy fest and wish the Celts all the best tonight against the Vikings.
is there any way to get rid of the 5 min countdown when posting ?
fergusslayedtheblues says:
August 7, 2013 at 5:58 pm
My word that was a task
Had to jump through a few (Cmon the ) hoops after the Jack Attack ,but hey ho jonnyod is back 😀
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think I need some sort of lookup table so that I know everyone’s new names. 🙂
Welcome back jonnyod
andy says:
August 7, 2013 at 7:20 pm
is there any way to get rid of the 5 min countdown when posting ?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wait five minutes?? It’s just to give a chance to edit
fergusslayedtheblues says:
August 7, 2013 at 6:16 pm
Calm yer jets 😉 Folk are busy tonight.
Sam says: August 7, 2013 at 10:56 am
Auldheid says:
August 7, 2013 at 9:59 am
———————————————————–
But who funded Octopus??
—————————————
Great question …. all we know to-date is …
It was an Octopus Protected EIS fund …… ok, that’s one for the regulator as it does not seem to comply
This deal was the largest deal they had entered into …. so very unusual and with extreme high risk
Up to this point Ticketus deals with footy clubs including RFC was to provide short term funding and did not appear on accounts as it was cleared
The deal required investment board clearance … How ?’.. unless it was a targeted deal under investor direction …. but Octopus are the fund managers ? …. cannot explain !
So what guarantee’s were in place and what were these secured against ….. no way going into such a deal without security ….. !
Well, we know of the CW guarantee and the story surrounding that …. and CF has provided loads of background material …… x
The recent Ticketus victory assures CW is liable for £17m ….. the guarantee ….. but that’s a side show IMO as Ticketus know they have no chance of recovering ….. what it has done is to establish that the guarantee sticks …………….. The security becomes a player as CW’s settlement …. I would not be surprised if this was the original deal … TU just wanted to ensure no CW exit strategy ….. only thing is …. where has CW hidden it …… LOL ….. is it out of arms reach ….. or was that the plan with TU anyway ?
All along the Charge has been protected ……
1)
look at the original TU deal …. monies in escrow by late May to fool lloyds and efforts to ensure they were not aware of the source …..
2)
Look at the D&P admin ….. why the complexity ……. ?
3)
Why the PR to deflect from importance of the Charge (including an effort on TSFM …!)
4)
Some very strange going on at Merchant House and …. surprise surprise …. Pritchard Stockbrokers …
I have always thought that Dave King put up the money to Octopus.It was his way of getting back in.
Remember the meeting in Switzerland.
http://www.therangersstandard.co.uk/index.php/articles/current-affairs/278-charles-green-does-not-own-rangers?
A Sevconian asking some questions of the directors and owners of the ‘club’ (sorry – holding company)
Funnily enough, he kept referring to ‘the club’, as he should.
Maybe the penny will drop, the club he used to support, went bust and it is a different club playing at ibrokes
NOW.
The emperors new clothes f c.
Tic 6709 says: August 7, 2013 at 8:42 pm
I have always thought that Dave King put up the money to Octopus.It was his way of getting back in.
Remember the meeting in Switzerland.
—————————————————-
He is high on the list ……… and yes ….. remember the Zurich mtg ….. and point 4 above comes into play !
jimlarkin says:
August 7, 2013 at 8:42 pm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chris Graham nailing his colours to yet another mast.
I would take anything he says as seriously as I would a Sun editorial.
Well done to Celtic tonight, not a superstar scoreline but a great result for Scottish football. Here’s hoping St Johnstone can complete their task tomorrow!
Well said – caus…
Who are celtic’s potential next C L qualifier opponents?
I have my tin hat on here, but why are Celtic cash rich and selling ,hooper ,wanyama, and now wilson.I have to say Neil Lennon could quiet rightly go in the cream puff, its bad enough getting things right in europe without having to change your team in the early rounds.Just saying,bye the way I am a armchair supporter so i realise my opinion is only an opinion 😆
ecobhoy says:
August 7, 2013 at 6:51 pm
===========================
I remember the Hugh Adam comments well on the perception Rangers had they were a worldwide brand. A lesser known article though was one I remember from around 2002/2003 when Celtic traveled to the USA to play in what was called the Champions World Series. The organisers made the point Rangers didn’t get asked because they are not a big draw in the USA. That is why I was dismayed that Jim McColl spoiled an otherwise sensible article by claiming Rangers are huge in a world sense. Thinking about it though, he has been force fed that view from Murray and his media pals since 1986 and perhaps it’s made an indelible mark on his thought process.
On a different note is there a club anywhere else in the world claiming to be as big as Rangers claim they are that has never achieved the pinnacle of what is available to them, which in Rangers case is becoming European Champions? I don’t think there is any other such club.
twoyearsanddone says:
August 7, 2013 at 9:15 pm
Good question. Answer: because they have a business model and a plan and it works.
Scotcc
cheers
jean7brodie 😳 ,it wis scary though
IMO it’ still all about
SDM
TBK
HMRC
CW
TU (CG only came in because Ally lost Euro revenue and CW /TU deal was exposed )
-HMRC
TBK .
I may have suspected a spivs getting greedy angle but with WS coming in to front the ST buying ,I ruled that one out .
prediction …….Public charade of a bun fight and the original investors sounded out by the Mint taking the new club off the so called bad peepil
jimlarkin.
I don’t know if that’s all of them jim. SPLstats @SPLstats 42m
Celtic’s potential opponents in the Play-off Round are Austria Vienna, Maribor, Ludogorets Razgrad, Shakhter Karagandy & Legia Warsaw/Molde.
==========================
Steerpike says:
August 7, 2013 at 7:19 pm
“Not so bonnie Prince Charlie has returned from France with his army of supporters to regain his throne from other pretenders,”
———————–
Good evening Steerpike. You appear to be in a convivial mood. Courting acceptability perchance?
You make an interesting metaphor but it doers not stand up to scrutiny.
Charlie never went away. He just left Imran and Brian to do some babysitting whilst he watered the garden. This is no invasion force. They are very much incumbent.
Charlotte’s legitimacy is beyond your knowledge and mind. This is one variable that seems unlikely to be resolved.
To describe Malcolm Murray as Charlie’s general jumps to a conclusion which more knowledge would not allow you to so easily reach.
Who exactly is chasing the deer. If you’re referring to the Rangers supporters then I’d suggest they haven’t summoned up enough energy to chase their own tails. The initiative has dwindled whilst the succulent lamb fattened.
You’re part right about the ground. It seems particularly boggy. I wonder who would choose such a field for the fray? I’m not sure the regal charger will survive such leg-breaking terrain.
Your good wishes for a Scottish football team are to be welcomed.
from PhilMacG on Twitter…
RIFC: Jim McColl FOUR shares. Paul Murray no shares Frank Blin no shares. A total investment in the club of less than FOUR POUNDS.
😮 😀
jimlarkin
Wonder if the peepil will tell the bears all about their wee plan or will they just whisper it in their ear during a handshake .
After all it wouldn’t do for Hector to get wind of it ,then again maybe he will be doing some of the whispering 😈
AMQC
Is the club not TRFC ,not RIFC
Bangordub says:
August 7, 2013 at 9:23 pm
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twoyearsanddone says:
August 7, 2013 at 9:15 pm
Good question. Answer: because they have a business model and a plan and it works.
—————————————————————————————————————————–
Bangordub, I am not advocating the rangers model by any means 😀 , just the timing and the fact Neil lennon and his team are having to do clint eastwood 😀 and adapt and improvise.I always thought that Martin o’neil if given a wee bit extra as well as retaining his players he would have went on to even better heights ,celtiic have the money NOW ,just a wee bit more .
Oh and I forgot to mention
I predict a new share issue will be coming to a club near you under the slogan off
WE THE FANS HAVE TO STEP IN AND RECLAIM OUR CLUB …..
and it’s only just had it’s 1st birthday too ….bless
newtz says:
August 7, 2013 at 8:22 pm
“The deal required investment board clearance … How ?’.. unless it was a targeted deal under investor direction …. but Octopus are the fund managers ? …. cannot explain !”
————————-
I recall that part of the Ticketus court action to make recovery from Craig Whyte referred to the ignorance of the lender concerning the use that the funds would be put to. If Ticketus/Octopus had shown knowledge of Whyte’s plan then they risked getting stuffed by the court (Financial assistance) so they maintained the line that the lender had no such knowledge. I’m sure the judgement made reference to the Ticketus board. This seemed to be used to underline the formality of the claimants operational procedures, presumably to make Whyte’s claim of prior knowledge look amateurish.
Of course Ticketus knew all along. One of Charlotte’s earliest tweets illustrated the need for secrecy:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/142046684/dont-tell-murray
The following rather lengthy correspondence links Ticketus, Duff & Phelps (MCR) and CW:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/142089135/Duff-and-Phelps-Advice
So I think the Ticketus link is still live. Exactly where it might surface will be interesting to observe.
Fergus – RIFC was the subject of the share offer and the entity currently listed on the LSE AIM. It isn’t, AFAIK, the entity which ‘owns’ any of the assets e.g..g Ibrox/Murray Park.
Happy to be corrected re asset ownership -this is my recollection of the situ.
jimlarkin says:
August 7, 2013 at 8:42 pm
“A Sevconian asking some questions of the directors and owners of the ‘club’ (sorry – holding company)”
————————-
A pallid attempt at analysing the business case. I suppose a start has to be made at some point. Now need to do two years worth of revision to get up to speed. Not sure if pass marks will be obtainable in any upcoming examination.
twoyearsanddone says:
August 7, 2013 at 9:15 pm
14 2 Rate Down
I have my tin hat on here, but why are Celtic cash rich and selling ,hooper ,wanyama, and now wilson.I have to say Neil Lennon could quiet rightly go in the cream puff, its bad enough getting things right in europe without having to change your team in the early rounds.Just saying,bye the way I am a armchair supporter so i realise my opinion is only an opinion 😆
_____________
hooper was in the last year of his contract and would not sign an extension
they were offered silly money for wanyama
wilson wants to move back to nottingham for family reasons
all sold at a big profit
woyearsanddone says:
August 7, 2013 at 9:38 pm
Have to admit I actually like the Clint Eastwood adapt and improvise style 😀
I am not actually a long standing fan of Celtic but I admire how they go about their business. It ain’t flashy, remember NL was not bought in as a big name expensive Manager, same as the Team. Every one of them has enhanced their reputation by being part of the club however. The Club has prospered as well. Everyone wins.
AMQC
I suppose it all depends on which way the wind is blowing for Sevco whether it’s club or company
Although I have noticed that the peepil never have that problem when they are asking the gullible to hand over their cash ,then of course it’s ALWAYS the CLUB ….funny that 😕
Forgive the Celtic comment on here, but there was a question asked.
Celtic will sell any player who insists on leaving, as long as the value they place on the player is met or is exceeded. To hold a player against his wishes, is neither good for team morale or team performance.
Victor was always going to be a short stay, he knew that and so did we. The game therefore becomes maximising the sale price. Job done nicely there.
Gary, believes he can be an England International. I think he falls a little short, but you can’t argue with his logic that his chances are improved by a move to the EPL. Job done well in getting £5.5 million with only a year left
Wilson wants to see his daughter growing up. There is no argument that a humane employer can make that says no , in this circumstance. Again the CEO has done well , with getting the price he got.
There will be others down the line who follow these paths.
Virgil and Rogic may follow the Victor path. Forster may follow the Hooper path. Thats life for every football club in the world bar 3.
Barca, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are the only 3 clubs in the world that once you are there, and a solid first team pick every week, you just don’t leave.
Celtic are doing a remarkably good job of maximizing their business plan. The hardest thing in football is to reinvent a new team every 3/4 years. Thats why Fergie is recognised as being a genius. What Fergie did, that nobody else ever did though, was to replace his assistant managers regularly. New perspective, new connections, new ideas.
Genius needs inspiration as well.
Araminta Moonbeam QC says:
August 7, 2013 at 9:29 pm
from PhilMacG on Twitter…
RIFC: Jim McColl FOUR shares. Paul Murray no shares Frank Blin no shares. A total investment in the club of less than FOUR POUNDS.
======================
That’s the thing about being a billionaire, you can throw away £4 and not even worry about it.
AMQC
I would advise any potential buyer of CG and chums shares to check the spelling and abbreviations on all paperwork .
Sevco 5088 /SCO anyone
Fergus – this is why I subscribe to the theory that CG is a front for Ticketus – assets are in a different company than that which holds the football club share. Therefore, they can hold the assets to ransom and hope that someone is emotional/stupid/desperate enough to pay up.
CG isn’t in it for any longer than the lock-in period.
If the fans were motivated/clued up enough, they would see that their best bet is to start again in an FC United style and climb slowly back up the leagues. Ten or more years of bad news and court cases is all that awaits them under the present model.
AMQC
I am also in the CG is in to get TU money .
Do you think two ST funds and a chunk of the IPO money has covered it
Araminta Moonbeam QC says:
August 7, 2013 at 9:53 pm
“RIFC was the subject of the share offer and the entity currently listed on the LSE AIM. It isn’t, AFAIK, the entity which ‘owns’ any of the assets e.g..g Ibrox/Murray Park. ”
————————–
The asset sale was agreed between the administrators of Rangers(IL) and Sevco 5088.
Sevco Scotland ultimately laid claim to the assets (exactly who paid for them may be the subject of future litigation I understand).
Sevco Scotland was then renamed The Rangers Football Club. Rangers International Football Club was established as a method to float on AIM. I don’t have a copy of RIFC prospectus to determine what RIFC actually owns but in there will be TRFC and I presume a claim to Ibrox and Murray Park.
The true ownership of Ibrox and Murray Park may not yet be clearly established. John Brown for one has some concerns over this matter.
You can’y spend money you haven’t got. The Celtic board weren’t prepared to gamble on a big striker until assured of the group stage. Now this may seem like a Celtic post, but it applies to all Scottish football fan’s, calculated risk’s will not be accepted. And if it keep’s club’s history’s intact so be it I say. Our country has fell so far so quick, we better adjust quick to being to being a small nation in Europe, but it need not be a bad thing. The current board are doing a good job with a very difficult card hand.
Cast of thousands – Thanks for clarity. I could remember as far as the Sevco hokey-cokey.
Fergus – I doubt 2 x ST money and the IPO would cover Ticketus’ losses, given the running costs of the club – hence CG’s unhappiness at taking on more players. However, at some point, people will want to bail out with all the cash they can carry in their big Yorkshire hands.
Tic 6709 says:
August 7, 2013 at 8:42 pm
I have always thought that Dave King put up the money to Octopus.It was his way of getting back in.
Remember the meeting in Switzerland.
****************
You and me both! Money laundering – glib liar – those were the opinions of a South African judge – seems like a perfect fit for the spivs. The meeting in Zurich as recounted by our late friend Corsica that Ellis, Whyte, Green and King were there for a meeting was hopefully recorded by our tape recording friend and sitting on CF’s hard drive………….
As I have posted before, King was the first back after admin to Ibrox and hung around meeting everyone including D&P…..
Like athlete’s foot, he will resurface at some point….
upthehoops says:
August 7, 2013 at 10:04 pm
0 0 Rate This
RIFC: Jim McColl FOUR shares. Paul Murray no shares Frank Blin no shares. A total investment in the club of less than FOUR POUNDS.— Phil MacGiollaBhain (@Pmacgiollabhain) August 7, 2013
. . . . .
Investment in the club !!??
Don’t think so. The money went to the company that owns the company that runs the club
– NAW !?
AMQC
Would a lease back deal on Ibrokes and Murky park cover any shortfall ,was just wondering as I thought last weeks gossip on Celtic FC morgages was a softening up story for the sevco fans about renting the big hoose and MP when the accounts are exposed
To various
I don’t think there is any doubt that this was a pre pack predominantly by CW (although I too yearn for firm evidence of the SDM patsy theory). CG then switched the switcher by taking the assets of the club into sevco scotland, not 5088 as laid out in the highly irregular CVA agreement (and, as above, a move that will feature in court shortly). My take on that was, and remains, that the rangersness BKs et al would then buy back the ‘club’ for a pre-arranged sum after CG and his investors had had their fun, drawn their salaries, provided their consultancy services and so on.
Two things then seem to have happened. There is no question that Div3 was not in the plan. This had the effect of extending the contract period leaving ‘the club’ exposed financially especially if TU were also still trying to extract their initial investment which is understandable.
I now believe that Charlie has used the ensuing carnage to switcheroo yet again. There has clearly been a concerted campaign re the history, the club’s assets etc etc. Hidden within that campaign however CG appears to have suitably buried the principle assets namely Ibrox and MP. Only CG has the map that shows where they are buried. CG knows this. Over the weekend the Board learned this.
Agent Green. You’re playing a blinder!
” Good evening Steerpike. You appear to be in a convivial mood. Courting acceptability perchance? ”
———————————————————————————————————————————————-
Good evening castofthousands, more accessibility than acceptability, and it appears to have worked a treat.
Well a few things came out of CG’s snake oil salesman speeches:
He obviously has not made any legal commitment to sell his shares to Easdale or the shares have fell far enough to render the deal null and void.
He considers the financial situation at Rangers to be stable, no imminent concerns about cash flow and no howling at the moon operating losses, now I do not accept CG tells the truth but he is not brain damaged, telling blatant financial untruths so close to the release of accounts would be perverse not to say damaging. He is going to have great difficulty selling his shares at 70p a go if the company is in financial meltdown, the buyer is allowed a peek at the books.
I would like to slip this comment in to support my contention that on the trading front Rangers is not a basket case. I believe some are underestimating the revenue from Puma, Blackthorn and Sports Direct next financial year, apart from the obvious availability of new strips to a starved and embittered fan base, the new deals were negotiated with an average attendance of 45,000 and agreed Sky coverage of lowest tier games. Without any of these incomes Rangers amassed a measly 3 million for 7 months( 5 million per annum) in commercial revenue, historically it is around 12 million. Now I know some revenue streams will be less than before but I cannot believe it will be less than 9 million total, an increase of 4 million on the previous year.
Things are not hunky dory at Rangers, but if they were still trading at a million per month operating losses with no signs of improvement, the share price would be 4p not 40p, the fall in share price reflects the reduced profit margin in the short term( 3 years) not its long term potential. Half of the share capital will be spent on non projected expenditure, this must have an affect in any short term calculation.
Ewan Murray speculated on Cosgrove & Cowan that TRFC had asked for a financial penalty via D&P. Turns out they did. Turns out Ewan Murray, journalist, knew about it but decided not to tell anyone.
Source at Ibrox tells me Walter Smith was “threatened” with legal action if he put out planned statement as written on Monday morning.
Claims former Gers boss forced to change planned statement by new ‘broker’ hired by Green. ‘Altered’ statement put out Monday evening.
Posted by
@_darrenhamilton – centre press news agency Glasgow
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/07/sports-direct-zero-hour-contracts?
Methinks Corsica 68 ain’t letting this go!
awayonholiday @corsica1968 39m
Interesting conversations with 4 media outlets today about #rangerscharitytheft. Is it about to warm up?
Robert Martin @AndyGraysdouble 30m
@corsica1968 @Pmacgiollabhain only if Scottish Gov are not happy with #OSCR inaction and bid to cover up names of those responsible .
awayonholiday @corsica1968 24m
@AndyGraysdouble @Pmacgiollabhain I’ll name them: Whyte (trustee A); Bain (trustee B); Gourlay (trustee C); Cochran (RCF CEO); Duff & Phelps
awayonholiday @corsica1968 19m
Wonder if @ScotCharityReg will produce evidence base for #rangerscharitytheft decision? Key question: did they ask D&P for meeting minutes?
awayonholiday @corsica1968 13m
For @ScotCharityReg, its ok to accept word of heavily-conflicted person backed up by word of another heavily-conflicted person. #goodfaith
awayonholiday @corsica1968 16m
According to @ScotCharityReg, insolvency practitioners & accountants didn’t understand insolvency law. Good faith?
awayonholiday @corsica1968 8m
Wonder if @ScotCharityReg asked to see evidence RCF had been consulting with lawyers to improve governance for 12 mths? #iknowbothanswers
awayonholiday @corsica1968 12m
According to @ScotCharityReg, its ok to organise charity event, keep 80% profit for yourself & only give charity 20%.
jimlarkin says:
August 7, 2013 at 10:52 pm
££££
A vile way to exploit the poorest in society. Zero hours is effectively slavery. You can’t do anything because you may get called into work, you have to try and find childcare, transport and keep an eye on your benefit claim, all so that some billionaire can make himself even richer.
Castofthousands says:
August 7, 2013 at 9:46 pm
———————————–
Brill ….. completely forgot that …
thks
Araminta Moonbeam QC says:
August 7, 2013 at 10:21 pm
“Thanks for clarity. I could remember as far as the Sevco hokey-cokey. ”
———————
I struggled to recall the details myself so I had a look at RIFC AIM prospectus for guidance. Two items jumped out at me:
1. “Rangers International Football Club plc (the “Company”)
We report on the financial information of The Rangers Football Club Limited and its subsidiaries”
The precise relationship between RIFC and TRFCL is defined in the share allocation but effectively TRFCL is a wholly owned subsidiary of RIFC as far as my inexpert analysis can garner.
2. “On 14 June 2012 RFCL purchased the trade and assets of RFC 2012 plc, which was in administration.
Under the sale and purchase agreement the total value of the assets was recorded as £5.5 million…The majority of the tangible fixed asset value relates to the Ibrox Stadium and training grounds.”
So RIFC listed Ibrox and Murray Park in their prospectus as assets.
Sorry about the tedious detail but I thought I’d share it whilst it was in full view.
TRFCL (Sevco ????) bought the assets. However since TRFCL are 100% owned by RIFC, I suppose RIFC could theoretically sell off any assets within its portfolio. Various posters have considered potential disposal of the properties and the ramifications of such.