Podcast Episode 3 – David Low

davidLowDavid Low

represents a highly significant component of the history of Celtic FC and consequently a highly significant component of how Scottish Football has panned out in the last 20 years.

As Fergus McCann’s Aide-de-Camp, Low was instrumental in helping him formulate and implement the plans which ultimately allowed control of the club to be wrested from the Kelly and White families. Low also helped McCann to rebuild and regenerate Celtic as a modern football club.

His views are unsurprisingly Celtic-centred, and this interview reveals his ambition for the club to ultimately leave Scottish Football behind. That may or may not be at odds with many of our readers, but the stark analysis of the realities facing football in this country may resonate.

Podcast LogoHe provides a window on the pragmatism of the likes of McCann, Celtic and many other clubs in respect of the demise of Rangers. He pours scorn on Dave King’s vision of a cash-rich Rangers future, and provides little comfort for those who seek succour for our failing national sport, believing that Scotland will find it impossible to emerge from the football backwater in an increasingly global industry.

Agree or not with Low’s prognosis, it is difficult to deny his compelling analysis of our place in the football world.

rss podcast feed   Subscribe to RSS Feed

iTunes podcast Feed  Subscribe to iTunes Feed

This entry was posted in General by Trisidium. Bookmark the permalink.
Tom Byrne

About Trisidium

Trisidium is a Dunblane businessman with a keen interest in Scottish Football. He is a Celtic fan, although the demands of modern-day parenting have seen him less at games and more as a taxi service for his kids.

3,066 thoughts on “Podcast Episode 3 – David Low


  1. Have now had chance to listen to podcast properly, and stick with my earlier thoughts that it was a worthwhile addition to this blog, so well done to TSFM and Big Pink. When talking about Fergus McCann and the problems previous to his involvement, he maybe didn’t provide much new information to most people but it’s always good to hear someone who was actually ‘there’ and involved give their views on what happened and the causes, as well as the difficulties faced. The same with what he had to say about David Murray, Craig Whyte and Charles Green, though he was very reserved in the way he spoke, not making direct criticism of the people, merely letting the facts speak for themselves, which was clever. I doubt there was much that he said that hadn’t been said here before but he did confirm many people’s informed opinions that have been posted here over the past few years (RTC included). The one thing that maybe came as a surprise was his support for the latest TRFC NOMAD, Daniel Stewart, as many have written them off as small-fry in the business and some even as of dubious standing. He was also, reassuringly, quite definite in his ‘new club’ opinion!

    It seemed to me he carried out this part of the discussion in a very matter of fact way, happy to get his opinion across, that it was either water under the bridge, or consigned to the past. His tone, I felt, changed a bit whenever he spoke of Celtic leaving the Scottish League and lost Celtic revenue without a Rangers, as though it was all that really mattered in the (his) real world. When he spoke of the Celtic he grew up supporting, and being a leading team in Europe, and how that was where they should be (can’t remember the exact words) I was reminded of some people who are apt to talk of being ‘back where we belong’ as though Celtic had some right to be there, at the top table in Europe, by some historical right of passage.

    I presume he’s a ‘money man’ and views being big and powerful as justification to ignore what’s best for everyone else, whether in football or business, as, to him, they are just one and the same thing and only his business/club matters. I doubt words like ‘sporting integrity’ or ‘dignity’ mean any more to him than they do to the Murrays, Whytes and Greens of this world; words to use when it suits just because it’s convenient to make it sound like it matters to them. This was also apparent when discussing TRFC’s failure to bounce straight into the top league, as far as I can recollect he ignored any sporting considerations for wanting TRFC in the top flight, and Celtic’s lost revenue was paramount in his opinion. Sadly, on both these matters, Celtic joining another league and TRFC missed by Celtic, he inferred that the Celtic board agreed with him.

    If the Celtic board does hold his views I suppose we now have the answer to Celtic’s reluctance to comment over anything that has happened at Ibrox in recent years. Yes, they held their own counsel, but perhaps not for the reasons that many suggested, instead they didn’t want to see anything change because, despite being cheated out of titles by Rangers, the current, and future, growth of Celtic was all that mattered, regardless of what the fans might want. More than that, they have no interest in improving Scottish football, as the poor state of our game is their main argument for leaving for richer pastures. Why bother seeking improvements when the lack of improvement will hasten (in their view) the circumstances that will allow their departure? Even if we saw changes in our game that leads to radical improvements, with genuine challenges from a number of teams who themselves perform well in Europe, Celtic would not see anywhere near the benefit they would from joining any of the set ups so far suggested. In the same way Doncaster and Regan have talked down Scottish football in an attempt to ease TRFC into the SPL/Premiership, Celtic, and Rangers (IL)/TRFC, have talked it down whenever the subject of leaving came up for years and David Low showed no desire to do anything different in his interview.

    Of course, it may well be that David Low was wrong to say the Celtic board agreed with him in these two matters, in which case what I have gleaned from his words relates only to him, and my apologies to all for what is not, I suspect, a universally approved post. To be honest, I hope I am wrong, for Celtic are an important part of our game, and they, I think, have the power to sort our game out, as they are bigger and more capable than any of the guys at Hampden, or at least put it on a road to recovery.


  2. ptd1978 says:
    April 8, 2014 at 10:47 pm

    If Celtic want to go…
    The issues I can think of are as follows. I’m sure there are more.

    3. …No competing in cups…
    ================================
    I have purposely not commented previously on possible moves to England or another league, as it always seemed a bit unlikely.
    However, in saying that the points you raised are interesting and number 3. above jumped out at me.

    It would make sense – to hedge their bets – for any club wanting to move to another league to maintain some competitive presence in their home location.
    The stadiums are physically locked into the country, and it could be beneficial for both the club and the SFA to allow / invite the club to enter the Scottish cup each year.
    The club may not field its entire first team and instead utilise its younger players in the cup.

    But my point is, it would make sense for a club – IMO – to keep a foot in the door with Scottish football, just in case.
    But, whether a club which has chosen to leave the domestic league should actually be allowed to have this ‘favour’ in the cup is another debate… 😉


  3. No1 Bob says:
    April 9, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    Sevco season ticket announcement
    ———————————————-

    It will be interesting to see whether STV and / or BBC Scotland promote TRFC season ticket news on their sports slot(s) this evening. If I recall correctly, the last two years have seen the TV and press unashamedly giving their advertising of the Ibrox season tickets for free.

    I understand Celtic FC announced the other day that it is freezing season ticket prices. This must be tremendous news for so many fans, but the announcement did not hit the headlines on our beloved MSM – I wonder why?


  4. StevieBC says:
    April 9, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    The stadiums are physically locked into the country, and it could be beneficial for both the club and the SFA to allow / invite the club to enter the Scottish cup each year.
    ——

    I’m sure fans of all diddy clubs would unite in welcoming this.


  5. Angus,

    Whilst I suspect there was a missing ‘S’ I still laughed aloud at the statement that there could be a benefit to the now non scottish club, as well as to the SFA lackeys we all despise, with absolutely no mention of the remaining Scottish clubs they purportedly represent, and on this basis they could, on all our behalfs you understand despite our non-mention, invite (at least he didn’t say beg) them to enter our competition!

    Sorry SteveBC, I know what you meant, but it still made me laugh all the same. The bit that isn’t mirthful at all is that I agree with Angus, that all the zero ambition, old firm crowd addicted diddy clubs actually would unite in welcoming this as a positive step for our game.


  6. StevieBC
    I’m sure it would be a great idea for the departing teams. Do they get to compete in the cup con


  7. so the absence of reporting on Celtic’s season ticket price freeze, but the as yet unreported hike in The Rangers’ season tickets, is cited as (non-existent) evidence to buttress the implication that Dark Forces™ are at work in the Scottish media?
    well that’s astonishingly rational…
    next week: absence of BoS loans in Far East aviation industry blamed for disappearance of Flight
    MH370…
    /not angry
    //disappointed


  8. I note that ‘The Gers’ will be taking the first instalment for next seasons season ticket from bank accounts on 30th April.

    I wonder how that will go down with those fans who did not untick the automatic renewal box when they bought their last season ticket?


  9. Sorry. The baby yelped and startled me into pushing send…
    Do they get to play in the cup competitions run by their new FA too? It would be great for them but terrible for everyone else. If they ever do breakaway they’ll already be getting 90% of everything they ever wanted. I’m sure they can live with not letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.


  10. There is no such thing as a Diddy Club ……

    There are clubs of different sizes and ambitions , that is all . Nothing more

    Where do you start and stop with that type of description. Is Celtic a Diddy Club, because we can’t compete successfully with the top 12 European Clubs !!

    On Colts teams…. I maybe raised this subject 10 days ago when I wrote on how the Spanish system works (pretty successfully)

    For the avoidance of doubt 9 La Liga teams play a Colts ( B) team in the pro leagues . This is absolutely not just for the benefit of 2 clubs. It should be open to any club who sees benefit for themselves


  11. Regarding Colt teams n lower leagues: I reckon many folk support smaller clubs as they don’t have to face the special atmosphere that reserve sides of certain big teams would bring with them.

    In fact, I’ve yet to hear from a single fan from the fourth or third tiers who have stated that they’ve enjoyed having the side from Ibrox in their leagues over the past two years.


  12. Barcabhoy

    There is no such thing as a Diddy Club ……

    Tell that to Mr Low.


  13. Barcabhoy says:
    April 9, 2014 at 4:28 pm
    5 2 Rate This

    There is no such thing as a Diddy Club ……

    There are clubs of different sizes and ambitions , that is all . Nothing more

    Where do you start and stop with that type of description. Is Celtic a Diddy Club, because we can’t compete successfully with the top 12 European Clubs !!
    ===============================================
    Well yes they are, that’s the whole joke behind the self deprecating “diddy” claim. Outside a top dozen or so teams in Europe everyone is a diddy, mere cannon fodder and revenue generation. In Premiership terms, Aberdeen are. In SPFL terms, East Stirlingshire (e.g.) etc etc.


  14. There’s a difference between colt teams for existing top league teams and colt teams designed to allow departing teams to maintain influence and continue to enjoy the benefits of the association they’ve moved away from.
    The system in Spain has relevance only in the first instance and then it’s worth comparing the queue of teams wanting into national league football in Scotland with the situation in Spain.


  15. Night Terror says:
    April 9, 2014 at 4:56 pm
    3 0 Rate This

    Barcabhoy

    There is no such thing as a Diddy Club ……

    Tell that to Mr Low.
    —-/——–

    I thought the podcast overall was excellent. I doubt David Low meant to insult any club , but I can see why some took offence


  16. Night Terror says:
    April 9, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    I might have missed another ‘Diddy’ reference but my understanding of what Mr Low meant was that Celtic were playing in a ‘Diddy’ league; ‘Diddy’ league as opposed to La Liga or the English Premiership. Still not a good description of our league though, unless used as a way of talking it down 😐

    Why do so many people, in a position of some influence, continually talk our league down? Why, even if they don’t believe it, doesn’t everyone connected with the game do their best to create, at least, the perception that our game is on the up? Is their watchword, ‘we are all Gerald Ratner?’

    If ever there was a lesson from history to be learned by those with the responsibility for our game, it was provided by Mr Ratner!


  17. Barcabhoy says:
    April 9, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    For the avoidance of doubt 9 La Liga teams play a Colts ( B) team in the pro leagues . This is absolutely not just for the benefit of 2 clubs. It should be open to any club who sees benefit for themselves……………….
    —————
    as long as they are permitted in (see PTD’s post above) with the approval of the remaining in situ incumbents who would surely only sanction such a move if either a benefit TO THEM was perceived, or that no detrimental effect TO THEM was perceived. Whether it is to the benefit of the club(s) requesting access frankly is neither here nor there. They wouldn’t be requesting access otherwise, would they?

    Shirley?


  18. AJ

    I stress again – which is why I gave David Low the benefit of the doubt. He didn’t say this is Scottish fitba whether you (diddies) like it or not. He said this is my opinion – to which TSFM openly invited a debate to occur.

    Compare this strategy to the doom laden armageddon mongers and you get a pretty accurate summation of how we got to where we are today.


  19. It will be interesting to see how many fans take up T’ Rangers season books in the next 3 weeks. Didn’t the Union of Fans still vote on retaining the monies themselves and drip feed it when needed? Or did they change their minds again?
    Loosing track 🙄


  20. Palacio67 says:
    April 9, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    Quite a few ranger’s fans more than a bit unhappy, that their season tickets were automatically renewed. Seems Mr McCoist is not the only one who doesn’t read the small print on Ranger’s contracts :mrgreen:


  21. No1 Bob says:
    April 9, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    5

    0

    Rate This

    I note that ‘The Gers’ will be taking the first instalment for next seasons season ticket from bank accounts on 30th April.

    I wonder how that will go down with those fans who did not untick the automatic renewal box when they bought their last season ticket?
    ————————————
    it is very easy to cancel direct debit by phone or letter or online and INSTRUCT your bank to reject ANY mandate previously set up, they surely aren’t that dumb?


  22. What’s the odds of an extension of the 120 day report until Wednesday 7th of May


  23. I note there’s a bit of a slide on in RIFC Plc shares.

    They were down to 25p on 2 February and climbed to 32p by 28 March and closed today at 27p.

    The Board must have its fingers crossed that the Bears don’t cancel the automatic ST renewal option as any drop in take-up could have an adverse affect of the share price.


  24. I want to comment on the recent podcast and some of the points that are being debated at the moment. Scottish football from the late sixties till the early 80’s was IMO a golden period. Many club teams had great success and the national team qualified for many major tournaments and where unlucky to not make the latter stages of these competitions. Many Scottish players graced the top teams in the English league. As a fan of Celtic and Scotland this was the greatest and exiting period in my life watching football. I relate these times to my sons who cannot imagine times like that returning to my club or country which is one of the points Mr Low was making. Competition was fierce and it was not down to only 2 clubs and leagues were not won by 20 points or more (ok it was 2 points for a win back in the day) but no one team would run away with the league like the present.
    IMO things changed around the period when Mr Murray came to Rangers and started to spend out with what was sustainable and other clubs followed suit (not spending on the same level but still spending more that they should have). I am not saying this was the cause of the demise of the golden period but IMO it played a significant role and had a major negative effect on Scottish football.
    TV revenue has not been great in Scotland ever and as a result of this clubs rely on fans entering the ground and selling merchandise etc…Basically financial fair play.
    Mangers and players want to play at the highest level that they can and move to other clubs and other leagues to achieve their ambitions. I want to see my club play at the highest level it can and sadly at this moment IMO this is not happening. How can Scotland produce football that can aid clubs to play and compete in Europe like we did do in the past? All clubs lose players to other clubs (who may not be a bigger club but have in the instance of English teams have the backing of SKY money) and Celtic are included in this. SKY money is what it is and I would not want to support a team playing under the power of SKY as in life things change and if SKY pulled the plug all hell would break out. Speaking for my club if finances were based on fan support and merchandise alone, then Celtic IMO would certainly play at a higher level. Every fan wants to see their team play at the highest level that it can.
    The spending from Mr Murray when he arrived in Govan IMO gave the Ibrox club an unfair financial gain (which hopefully the UTTT verdict will prove, although it has already been proven with the DOS scheme). All clubs in Scotland have suffered as a result of this. The Govan club have only one team that they want to put in their place and the term every £5 pound they spend, blah blah sums this up. Mr Hugh Adams insinuated that this team from Govan have used underhand methods to give the Ibrox team an unfair advantage going before Mr Murray arrived. The amount of ex Rangers directors who have held high positions in the SFA and still do beggars belief. I admit I felt paranoid as a fan with the power that the Govan club seemed to have then and IMO still have to this day in the corridors of Hampden. Not to be challenged on their past signing policy speaks volumes. Celtic have not only been their rivals, it is more than this to the Govan club and its fans. I do not want my club to play in a country that’s main sporting authority seems to defend and help maintain an establishment team (who were liquidated, yes it really did happen) above ALL other teams. This is one of the main reasons I would want my club to play in another league, this does not need to be in England. I would love my club to play in Scotland but not under these conditions. If we could find a way to go back to the golden times with financial fair play and the term sporting integrity really adhered and the paranoia honestly removed there is nothing more that I would want, but can we?


  25. indy14 says:
    April 9, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    From memory, as TRFC had no banking facilities/overdraft facilities they couldn’t set up Direct Debit facilities to accept the instalments. Instead they took credit/bank card details and passed the payments (legitimately) as card payments, which are much harder to stop, requiring the agreement of the payee (TRFC) who then take the necessary steps to cancel. I once fell into that trap, thinking it would be simple to cancel (nothing to do with football), and had a few days of concern until the company agreed to cancel the payments.


  26. RE season tickets?

    or rather

    Unsecured Creditors

    Brave punter renewing prior to publication of 120 day review or the release of the clubs accounts at companies house

    Zebra finance – I take it they will not be passing on the full cost straight away?


  27. Yes sure Celtic have become what they are whilst playing in (in spite of the authorities) Scottish football, but the game has been loaded in favour of one, to the detriment of all.

    It is for that reason only, since there has been no change or challenge to the way it is, that I would like to see any club who fancies it, to move on/away. And for me has nothing to do with money or success, I’d rather watch my team with neither privilege, and a fair game than return to the norm. A club like no other would have mounted an indisputable challenge by now if money wasn’t the only motive like with so many other clubs.


  28. Allyjambo says:
    April 9, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Good deed for the day. Up until November 2009 you are quite correct. However, a customer can now instruct their bank to cancel a recurring debit card payment, trouble is a lot of bank staff are unaware of this, and banks have been remarkably slow in updating their education & training. So slow, that the FCA reminded them of this “new” duty in 2013, and told them to sort it out.

    If you instruct your bank to cancel a payment, and they keep on processing it, you are entitled to the money back and compensation. As always these days, banks are singularly reluctant to fork it over, so complain, complain and if that doesn’t work go to the ombudsman. You will win, eventually 😆


  29. indy14 says:

    April 9, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    28

    10

    Rate This

    Has anyone considered voting yes on 18 September if for no other reason, to end the speculative debate of Scottish clubs being admitted into another association? I presume teams from an independent country could never be admitted to another country’s association leagues?
    ================
    Funnily enough I would vote YES in September even if the government guaranteed 100% Celtic would be admitted to the EPL if I voted NO.

    I have seen a few commnets re independence on this site and tied into football arguments, Scotland’s independence should not be glibly tied to a game of football, it means way too much for that.
    I vote YES for fottball integrity
    I vote YES for Football transparency
    I vote YES to get rid of Campbell Ogilvie
    I vote YES to get rid of Stewart Regan
    I vote YES to get rid of Neil Doncaster
    I vote YES to this website
    And I would be voting YES in September if I was allowed. (I live in Ireland and can’t but I cross everything for a YES because controlling your own countries destiny and the confidence a people gets from its own identity is only enhanced by Independence)
    The independent nature of a country would not limit access to other associations, it wouldn’t be any harder, because as a UNITED KINGDOM we can’t see it happening so how would being independent make it any harder??
    ———————————————————

    Maybe I am misunderstanding your post Indy, but ‘glibly’ does not begin to describe the linkage you make between the referendum and football!

    As goes CFC and any possible move to the EPL, I believe this boil needs lanced. CFC should make a formal request to move…if it is rejected, then any future reference to such a move should result in a points deduction, each and every time it occurs. The ‘diddy’ clubs have made great strides since the collapse of Setanta and the extinction of RFC, for CFC to constantly talk of exit badly affects the rest from planning and seeking substantive investment. As for ‘colt’ teams 👿 …………………………………………………………I’ll stop now, before I end up on the naughty step!


  30. blockquote>
    valentinesclown says:
    April 9, 2014 at 7:01 pm
    14 0 Rate This

    I want to comment on the recent podcast and some of the points that are being debated at the moment. Scottish football from the late sixties till the early 80’s was IMO a golden period. Many club teams had great success and the national team qualified for many major tournaments and where unlucky to not make the latter stages of these competitions.

    If we could find a way to go back to the golden times with financial fair play and the term sporting integrity really adhered and the paranoia honestly removed there is nothing more that I would want, but can we?

    It was a great time to be a Scottish football fan. I believe the rot started with the formation of the SPL though and the stopping of shared gates. That cut off the money supply to the smaller teams and focussed it almost entirely on the ‘big’ two with the SPL 11-1 voting setting the changes in stone. The SPL very nearly destroyed Scottish football


  31. indy14 says:
    April 9, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    No1 Bob says:
    April 9, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    I note that ‘The Gers’ will be taking the first instalment for next seasons season ticket from bank accounts on 30th April.

    I wonder how that will go down with those fans who did not untick the automatic renewal box when they bought their last season ticket?
    ————————————
    it is very easy to cancel direct debit by phone or letter or online and INSTRUCT your bank to reject ANY mandate previously set up, they surely aren’t that dumb?

    A lot of them, I understand, signed Continuous Credit Authorities. Much harder to ‘cancel’


  32. the taxman cometh says:
    April 9, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    I wonder who will bare the cost of any refunds, it certainly won’t be the finance company! And will the finance company be prepared to hand over the full amount of each tranch of monies as per the agreement with TRFC, in light of the possibility of mass requests for refunds with TRFC’s precarious financial position? This, I suspect, is new ground for the finance company, with payments coming from a source the company must realise are not fully aware of the automatic renewal at a time when there is much upheaval at the club with plans afoot to withhold season ticket payments. All this with no accounts in the public domain (though the finance co might have had sight) and the public knowledge that the well has run dry and the ST monies are desperately needed just to keep the lights on. The fans might not be the only unsecured creditors in this scenario.


  33. Re this debate on the term ‘diddy clubs’.

    I posted a couple of weeks back that the term originated from ‘Only an Excuse’, when Rangers were riding high on the BOS’s money. It was believed to be a term for all clubs other than the O*d F*rm, but at the time Celtic did not always even finish second. It was an extension of Rangers arrogance, nothing else. It is a term I dislike.

    Many on here a couple of weeks back said they didn’t really care about its use and I respect those views. Personally I believe all clubs add value to the game, simply because they provide a lifeblood to those who support them. Some are big, others not so big, but none are diddies.


  34. scapaflow says:
    April 9, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    Cheers, scapa, for the update. I worked in banking for 30 years and never came across this until after retirement (early I might add 😉 ). It doesn’t surprise me in the least that staff are not fully trained in this, it’s par for the course now. Still, those not wishing to renew are first going to look to cancel a DD, find, after much head scratching and delay, that they don’t have one but the money’s still come out of their account, then be confronted by someone who genuinely believes, ‘naw, ye cannae dae that!’ is the correct answer, go home, and after much more head scratching, find someone on the internet telling them what you’ve just told me. By this time they may well give up and just renew; or be even more scunnered by the men running their club, take steps to ensure they get their refund, and never go back!


  35. Allyjambo says:
    April 9, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    My chums in card services will be delighted at my publicising this,:mrgreen:

    The original card payments spec was deficient in my view, which is the root cause of this and other issues.


  36. This portion interested me in the TRFC ST blurb.

    “In addition, a limited number of value season tickets will be introduced, seeing the lowest adult price at Ibrox in more than 10 years.”

    Having worked for ticketing pricing/accounting in a major US airline – I think they are using interesting similar tactics.

    In order to get advertising going you designate the minimum no of seats as Consumer Watchdog will allow at a low price – say out of 350 seats you have 10 seats available for 200 while the rest are 300 – 500. You can now advertise the famous = prices start at only 200 – when in fact there is zero chance anyone outside of the 10 (which are sold via favoured outlets for commercial gain) will have a chance to get the for sale ones – they are then hooked into buying the other ones. This is favoured heavily by low cost carriers. And now seemingly football clubs!


  37. Smugas says:
    April 9, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    … that all the zero ambition, old firm crowd addicted diddy clubs actually would unite in welcoming this as a positive step for our game.
    ——

    My post was intended as dry humour – not always effective on the tinternet, I know. However, on reflection, you’re right. The rest of “us” probably would go for it!

    But why stop there? We could invite Barcelona to play in the Scottish Cup too. 🙂

    As for the term “diddy”, fans of diddy clubs use it in an ironic way – a tool for having a wee laugh at the perceived arrogance of the “big” clubs, while being aware of its comedic origins. That Celtic fans should take offence at its use is akin to white persons being amazed at black persons referring to themselves by the N word.

    Recently, you’ll have noticed, Aberdeen fans have also taken back references to ovine activities as our own – I’m sure there was a time when the use of such terminology made the “big” teams’ fans feel a bit superior somehow.


  38. scapaflow says:
    April 9, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    “My chums in card services will be delighted at my publicising this,”

    I can imagine 😉 . My call to card services, of my bank (I think it’s a bank), informed me of what I said previously. As I also said, the company involved were helpful, and honest, so it all ended OK 🙂


  39. upthehoops says:
    April 9, 2014 at 7:10 am

    I could be wrong, but if the Rangers sections for Saturday’s game were heading for a sell out it would already be getting trumpeted from the rooftops of their many media friends. After all that’s been said, how will it be reported if the Dundee Utd sections are packed, and the Rangers sections have noticeable gaps? My view is it simply wont be reported, which is an often used media tool regarding a negative issue about Rangers – simply ignore the issue and any comments people make on it. If it’s not written or spoken about then it just didn’t happen.
    —————————————
    I believe they are expecting a crowd of over 40 thousand on Saturday and 20 thousand on the Sunday.
    Not bad considering the kick off times


  40. Regarding diddies (ooerr missus)

    I had always assumed that we were all diddies except C and R. I support a team that is probably in the top ten historically (although I can think of about 8 teams (including Dunfermline currently two divisions lower than us) that I think are much of a much with my team).

    I happen to think that the diddy term is a bit of an ironic badge of honour for us all. Considering Aberdeen in particular as a diddy club is ridiculous but I wouldn’t be surprised if some think of them as such and equally I wouldn’t be surprised if Dons would rather be diddies (given the alternative).


  41. Bill1903 says:
    April 9, 2014 at 8:31 pm

    I believe they are expecting a crowd of over 40 thousand on Saturday and 20 thousand on the Sunday.
    Not bad considering the kick off times
    =================================
    I don’t necessarily disagree they would be decent crowds Bill, but say 42,000 at Ibrox on Saturday is hardly an indication that Dundee Utd daring to want more than 8,000 tickets is preventing Rangers fans getting to the game. Remember that is what we were being told a couple of weeks back. It appears even with 12,000 Utd fans there is still plenty to go round for Rangers fans who want to attend.


  42. upthehoops says:
    April 9, 2014 at 9:02 pm
    0 0 Rate This
    I don’t necessarily disagree they would be decent crowds Bill, but say 42,000 at Ibrox on Saturday is hardly an indication that Dundee Utd daring to want more than 8,000 tickets is preventing Rangers fans getting to the game. Remember that is what we were being told a couple of weeks back. It appears even with 12,000 Utd fans there is still plenty to go round for Rangers fans who want to attend.
    ————–
    Celtic v Dundee United Semi last year had a crowd of 24,800
    The Hibs v Falkirk semi had 22k

    The above games were at neutral Hampden though 😳


  43. “Diddy teams” is not a phrase I particularly like and the reason is simple.
    Whether the so called big teams like it or not all clubs are inter dependent because they trade with each other. Whether it is players, coaching staff, and sometimes Directors. Managers have to learn their trade somewhere, try new formations, training regimes, or tactics. These are not exclusive to teams in the top divisions. Local businesses sometimes sponsor more than one club in a particular geographic area.
    For our game to at least stand still players being transferred from smaller clubs to the medium clubs to the larger clubs to the foreign clubs is a must. It is this movement in players which generates important income for all concerned. While not all players make it to the first team for the larger teams these players are usually picked up and given a second chance by the medium or smaller clubs. This hopefully ensures that late developers are given the opportunity to improve in another environment. While the money generated from the sale of a smaller club to a larger club is invaluable.

    The second reason is the moral compass that the so called smaller clubs will hopefully now bring to the equation. No one should forget the part the first, second, and third division clubs played in ensuring ‘The Rangers’ began life in the proper league. Clubs that were run, correctly, on a shoestring were under enormous pressure to vote a new club directly into the first division. The top brass (neck) from the SFA, SPL, and SFL all wanted them to jettison the new boys up the ladder. At least one SPL chairman, after his own club had voted to deny the new club a place in the top league, could not believe what the ‘diddy teams’ were going to do. These clubs stood tall and are probably the only people to come out of that whole sorry business with any dignity, there’s that word again, or pride.

    Before this whole sad episode began to unravel I did not have a great understanding the importance of the smaller teams in the grand scheme of things.
    I have been educated and our game would be much poorer without them.


  44. @Galling fiver
    “Yes sure Celtic have become what they are whilst playing in (in spite of the authorities) Scottish football, but the game has been loaded in favour of one, to the detriment of all. ”

    No arguments from me on that one, and I agree, a level playing field for all,
    The thing is, the plough has been pulling the soil in one direction for so long, that it is quite a hill and heavy earthmoving equipment is now needed. Or lots of people with a wheel barra each.
    Some guys have got a mini digger, and I personally, only have a spoon, but it all helps


  45. I seem to have missed a paragraph or even a chapter somewhere regarding the term ‘diddy teams’.
    I personally find the term offensive.
    It reminds me of the old, derogatory educational system, of which I was a victim, where you were judged by the eleven plus exam. Nothing to do with worth, prospects and potential, merely performance on a particular day. 😥


  46. I hope Turnbull Hutton doesn’t mind me posting this email exchange, but it should be shared IMO.
    And the RR Chairman very generously replied within 2 hours, [take note SFA].
    ==========================================================
    “Dear Raith Rovers staff,
    just a wee note to say congratulations to Raith Rovers on your uplifting achievement of winning the Ramsdens Cup.

    And to win a final against full-time opposition – and especially after extra time – showed everyone that the players and the club have a great spirit !

    Although not a fan, I bought a RR top almost 2 years ago in support of Turnbull Hutton, and have been wearing it with pride in NYC.
    Please pass on my regards to your Chairman.

    All the best, [StevieBC] ”
    ——————————————–
    ” [StevieBC]
    Many thanks for your email.
    We are all on something of a high here this week – it was certainly a memorable and pleasing week-end.
    We’ve been somewhat inundated with congratulatory messages and texts from all over the world.
    Guess it’s a case of supporting David v Goliath!
    We got the result because our guys were prepared to die for the cause. They are all heroes.
    A massive result for the Club and the town.
    Wear your shirt with pride.
    Kind regards

    Turnbull “


  47. Ex Rangers owner Whyte hands Highland castle to bank

    The Bank of Scotland had pursued Craig Whyte and his wife for arrears
    Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte has signed over a castle he owned in the Highlands to the Bank of Scotland.

    The bank had taken Mr Whyte and his estranged wife to court over mortgage arrears on Castle Grant, near Grantown on Spey.

    The Bank of Scotland provided a loan to the Whytes for their purchase of the property in 2008.

    Mr Whyte had not been paying his monthly instalments and the bank launched a civil action in 2013.

    It emerged at Inverness Sheriff Court on Tuesday that Mr Whyte had now signed documentation to hand Castle Grant back to the bank.


  48. A lot of them, I understand, signed Continuous Credit Authorities. Much harder to ‘cancel’

    Well if a mortgage is a continuous credit authority then I can tell you WITH authority it’s damn easy! I had a month or two of outstanding levels of annoyance based on my very very poor attempt to cancel 1 DD !! 🙄 As owner of the account even TRFC fans! can cancel a no longer required payment, if they had an ounce of anything about them.

    Arabesque, you are entitled to your opinion even if it’s wrong 👿 I’ll come join you on the naughty step 😛


  49. StevieBC

    You should start a RR SC on the strength of that email.


  50. wildwood says:
    April 9, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    0

    0

    Rate This
    —————————
    I saw this too, I had a smirk, as this appeared to be represented and the sevco “good news” story for the day
    and if so things are really really bad


  51. “£2.2m crime cash funds SFA project

    Children will receive free football training thanks to £2.25 million seized from criminals and handed to the Scottish Football Association…”
    http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/22m-crime-cash-funds-sfa-project.1397059766
    =============================
    I’m sure there must be a bad joke in there somewhere…? 🙄

    Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill deems the SFA ‘trustworthy’ to receive further ‘public monies’ ?


  52. Plainly, were that Dundee Utd to win at the weekend, their fans could chant something along the lines of, ‘Who’s your diddy?’


  53. McCaigs Tower & Beano’s

    The information on the MIH pension problem is taken directly from the accounts just published.

    1 In his Chairman’s report, David Murray makes a specific statement that the activities of the group are coming to an end. Given the accounts were to June 2013, the end may already be nigh. In any event it is not speculative to assume that MIH are in no position to fund the pension scheme.

    2 The size of the fund and the element to which it is funded, and therefore underfunded is also noted in the accounts

    3 There is a specific statement which makes it abundantly clear that MIH will not be able to meet its obligations, and in fact is presently trying to get the Trustees to accept a reduced obligation for MIH and reduced benefits package for members

    So there is nothing speculative about the issues or the size of the problem. There is also nothing speculative about MIH’s imminent demise. There is also nothing speculative about there being no solution which will provide members with their contracted benefits

    A warning/note was put into the accounts this year, and it is obvious and admitted that MIH strategy for a number of years has been asset disposal and debt reduction. Under those circumstances the current position cannot be a surprise to Directors and has the appearance of going exactly to plan.

    In this circumstance, where was the ability to make up the deficit going to come from. Assets were sold so the bank can get some of its money back. No assets, and virtually no trading business . There was no chance of the deficit being covered, and on that basis I would have expected a warning/note long before now


  54. Re: The two faces of the SFA that need a good skelp.
    Leigh Griffiths was wrong and he will know it, his club have and will deal with him, Vincent Lunny should consider his case and if guilty his ‘sentence’ in line with the following ,those betting against the team you are playing for (Sevco player), being found guilty of wrongly registering players by a QC (Rangers, S.Bryson SFA, absolves them by hokum). A match ban fro Ian Back should be challenged in a court of law.
    Hearts fans, I have doubts over the CVA being agreed. Should a liquidated Hearts be allowed to rejoin the top flight? in my opinion no but in order to expose the SFAs ‘Rangersness-ituss’ Hearts fans should rag-doll the SFA, either they apply all the bent Sevco rules to all clubs or they admit guilt, produce 5 way agreements and those involved resign.

    More teams than Celtic could leave this league when asked, matter of time.

    Thomas


  55. Even if all teams were sufficiently disgusted to walk away from the SPFL, is it an option to disown the SFA? How does that play with UEFA?


  56. StevieBC says:
    April 9, 2014 at 11:17 pm

    5

    0

    Rate This

    “£2.2m crime cash funds SFA project

    Children will receive free football training thanks to £2.25 million seized from criminals and handed to the Scottish Football Association…”
    http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/22m-crime-cash-funds-sfa-project.1397059766
    =============================
    I’m sure there must be a bad joke in there somewhere…? 🙄

    Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill deems the SFA ‘trustworthy’ to receive further ‘public monies’ ?

    ________________________________________

    Oh… You mean this doesn’t relate to the ‘footballing debts’ paid over by Sevco in exchange for a licence to play?
    Easy mistake!


  57. Angus1983 says:
    April 9, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    13

    11

    Rate This

    StevieBC says:
    April 9, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    The stadiums are physically locked into the country, and it could be beneficial for both the club and the SFA to allow / invite the club to enter the Scottish cup each year.
    ——

    I’m sure fans of all diddy clubs would unite in welcoming this.

    ______________________________

    yes indeed.
    I believe the affiliated clubs enter in round 1 now that qualifying rounds have been abolished. Some argument that Celtic could be leapfrogging smaller clubs who would lose out.
    But otherwise, I’m looking forward to Clachnacuddin hosting Celtic. And it will give Celtic something to do with the free time that results from not playing Champions league football.


  58. Re the continuous payment issue over Ibrox season tickets. Someone I know who has one has told me the renewal e-mail they were sent states unless they reply otherwise by 28th April 2014, the first installment for next season will be taken. That would suggest it is easy enough to cancel by that date.


  59. indy14 says:
    April 9, 2014 at 1:48 pm
    38 12 Rate This

    Has anyone considered voting yes on 18 September if for no other reason, to end the speculative debate of Scottish clubs being admitted into another association? I presume teams from an independent country could never be admitted to another country’s association leagues?
    ================
    Funnily enough I would vote YES in September even if the government guaranteed 100% Celtic would be admitted to the EPL if I voted NO.

    I have seen a few commnets re independence on this site and tied into football arguments, Scotland’s independence should not be glibly tied to a game of football, it means way too much for that.
    I vote YES for fottball integrity
    I vote YES for Football transparency
    I vote YES to get rid of Campbell Ogilvie
    I vote YES to get rid of Stewart Regan
    I vote YES to get rid of Neil Doncaster
    I vote YES to this website
    And I would be voting YES in September if I was allowed. (I live in Ireland and can’t but I cross everything for a YES because controlling your own countries destiny and the confidence a people gets from its own identity is only enhanced by Independence)
    The independent nature of a country would not limit access to other associations, it wouldn’t be any harder, because as a UNITED KINGDOM we can’t see it happening so how would being independent make it any harder??
    ——————————————————————————————————

    could we keep the independence debate off this blog please
    i thought TSFM was for football not a political platform 🙁


  60. Morning all.
    I see that TRFC accounts are now available.
    I’ll let our resident beancounters analyse them and let us all know how things were last June.
    I see though that wages of just over £17m were 99% of turnover(£17.9m).Total costs were over £35m.


  61. torrejohnbhoy(@johnbhoy1958) says:

    April 10, 2014 at 9:21 am
    Morning all.
    I see that TRFC accounts are now available.
    I’ll let our resident beancounters analyse them and let us all know how things were last June.
    I see though that wages of just over £17m were 99% of turnover(£17.9m).Total costs were over £35m.
    ============================================================================
    TJB…thanks for the “head-up”.
    However, at the distinct risk of appearing arrogant, I and many other beancounters, no longer use these “statutory” accounts for a number of good reasons, mainly that they are so far out of date and that they are essentially “sanitised”, in order to protect the commercial confidentiality of the entity.
    What is most poignant to me is just how overdue they were in being lodged at Companies House, which can probably be explained by the wording of several reports issued by TRFC as regards future funding and “going concern” issues, not to mention the audit report.
    Having said all that, I look forward to the excellent analytical comments from fellow bloggers, which will probably be more relevant that those produced by the so called professional commentators.


  62. On Page 2, it is noted that references to “TRFCL”, “The Company” and “The Club” are to be taken as references to “The Rangers Football Club Limited”.

    As usual, this is fine and should be understood as referring only to references within the current document.

    HOWEVER … a couple of paragraphs down, it says “… despite the Club’s admittance to SFL Division 3.”.

    As the words “the Club” are to be taken as referring to “The Rangers Football Club Limited”, we can see that that was the entity that was admitted to SFL3.

    The Limited company was admitted to SFL3, not some ethereal entity.

    In other words, the whole story about Club and Company being separate entities is a fabrication.

    As shown in TRFCL’s own accounts.


  63. StevieBC says:
    April 9, 2014 at 11:17 pm

    To be fair its easy to forget all the good work that gets down at the grass roots level. Even a broken clock is right twice a day


  64. RIFC accounts
    Ibrox value £65 million
    Murray Park ? £14 million. I would love to know who is sitting on this pile of cash.


  65. Regardless of the outcome of the Griffiths charge, Scottish Football has at least made progress in not tolerating any form of racism. That at least brings the level of acceptable behaviour up to civilised standards. Football players have historically been cut a huge amount of slack , with regards to their off field behaviour . That at least is now changing .

    This isn’t whataboutery , its about how progress has been made in not tolerating abusive behaviour.

    Background

    When the Captain of Rangers called a black opponent the N word , these were the reports of reactions from Rangers & the SFA.

    Essentially ,

    A ) None of your business if we take action

    B) Not our problem

    From the BBC

    “The SFA would only become involved if asked to by Uefa and spokesman Andy Mitchell said: “This was not our match. It was a Uefa Cup match and we have no jurisdiction over a Uefa Cup match.”

    From the Independent newspaper .

    “Amoruso met the Rangers manager, Dick Advocaat, and the club’s director- secretary, Campbell Ogilvie, yesterday but Rangers refused to say whether they would discipline their captain, although they may feel duty bound to take that course of action.

    “We discussed the incident at length and it is accepted that the player did not recollect having made these comments,” Ogilvie said. “However, on viewing the video recording of the match, the player admits the comments attributed to him were made.

    “Lorenzo is not a racist and obviously he very much regrets his actions which took place in the heat of the moment.”

    “Rangers do not condone his comments and as a club we are involved in several anti-racism initiatives.”

    Now that last paragraph of comment from the current SFA President is staggering. Rangers don’t condone the comment, but there is no condemnation of it, there is no apology for as abusive a comment as can be made in football.


  66. scapaflow says:

    April 10, 2014 at 10:33 am

    StevieBC says:
    April 9, 2014 at 11:17 pm

    To be fair its easy to forget all the good work that gets down at the grass roots level. Even a broken clock is right twice a day
    ________________________________________________________________________

    The party-piece quip of the wonderful – and now Emeritus – Prof Adam McBride of Strathclyde 🙂


  67. TSFM says:
    April 10, 2014 at 10:57 am

    Hey, I’ve stolen quotes from worse folk, doesn’t make it any less true! The SFA needs root and branch reform, but lets not forget the kids football, amateur leagues, youth diversion work etc etc which brings so much joy to so many.


  68. Thanks EasyJambo for saving me a pound. I can go and buy a football club now…

    Under Property Matters it is noted that DM Hall provided a Valuation Report that valued the company’s properties under “a depreciated replacement cost method” as being :

    Ibrox £65.2M
    Murray Park 14.0M

    A combined value of £79.2M

    The company (TRFC) include the properties at an existing use valuation of £42.5M at 30 June 2013.

    Earlier in the accounts under Business Review it is stated that “the total acquisition cost of the assets was recorded as £5.5M.”

    When is someone going to legally challenge the sale on behalf of the short-changed creditors who include all taxpayers?

    Scottish Football needs a strong BDO. These guys are taking the p*ss out of us all.


  69. valentinesclown says:
    April 10, 2014 at 10:53 am

    RIFC accounts

    Ibrox value £65 million

    Murray Park ? £14 million. I would love to know who is sitting on this pile of cash.
    _____________________________________

    I could have sworn that both assets were purchased by Charles Green for the sum of £5.5mill, which also included the playing staff.

    Either Chazza is a master of negotiating a bargain, or in some way value has been added since to Ibrox and Murray park that is not apparent to me.


  70. In the TRFC accounts it says “the Company purchased the trade and assets of RFC2012 plc which was in administration”

    Is this accurate? My understanding was that it was the RFC that I had watched from boyhood when they played Celtic that was in administration and was liquidated.

    So on the basis that RFC2012plc was in administration and RFC was in administration and not two separate businesses then RFC and RFC2012 plc are the same and RFC2012 plc was liquidated ( because something was).

    Thus statement should read ” the Company purchased the trade and assets of RFC2012plc that was liquidated following administration.”


  71. What is the ‘date of this report’? Is it 30 June 2013? Or is it 31 March 2014 when the accounts were lodged at Companies House? (I note that Deloittes only signed off on 31 March 2014)

    I ask because the ‘Going Concern’ statement notes : “The parent company’s intention not to recall intercompany balances that are repayable on demand.” and in ‘Liquidity and capital resources’ they state “The Company maintains cash to fund the daily cash requirements of its business. The Company does not have access to any further banking facilities. The parent company has also provided the directors with written representation confirming that the inter-company balances owed to The Rangers International Football Club plc will not be called in for at least 12 months from the date of this report.”

    So can the parent call in the money owed at 1 August 2014 or is it 1 April 2015?

    TRFC could obviously go for an early settlement of their own accord and pass over part or whole ownership of the properties in settlement – what will the debt be now?

    Scottish Football needs the SFA to have some balls and reject any licence application from such a financial basket case. Let them go away and get themselves sorted out rather than distorting competition in the lower leagues through their profligate spending and continually threatening to implode mid-season if the plug is pulled by the parent company which has no income of its’ own.


  72. Auldheid says:
    April 10, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Didn’t RFC simply change its name to RFC2012PLC after it was put into liquidation? Can’t find a link right now, that’s just from memory.


  73. Auldheid says:
    April 10, 2014 at 11:28 am
    0 0 Rate This

    In the TRFC accounts it says “the Company purchased the trade and assets of RFC2012 plc which was in administration”

    Is this accurate? My understanding was that it was the RFC that I had watched from boyhood when they played Celtic that was in administration and was liquidated.

    So on the basis that RFC2012plc was in administration and RFC was in administration and not two separate businesses then RFC and RFC2012 plc are the same and RFC2012 was liquidated ( because something was).

    Thus statement should read ” the Company purchased the trade and assets of RFC2012plc that was liquidated following administration.”

    But at the time of the purchase Rangers Football Club plc (as it still was) WAS only in administration. It only entered liquidation proceedings after it became RFC2012 plc

Comments are closed.