A recent autumn storm caused the destruction of the metal goal fame in our garden. The small goal with the weather-beaten net had fallen into disuse. But I liked it seeing it there on the grass. I suppose I half-expected, half-hoped, it would be used again. Once, it was a father and son thing and had been constructed carefully from a nice set of plans. At the time, it impressed both son and daughter no end. But that was then, this was now.
One of our trees, blown over by the recent high winds, caused the goal frame’s final demise. As I unscrewed the twisted metal I thought of the hours of innocent fun it had given us. It had been the scene of many goals and not a few great saves. My son, who is soon off to uni, smiled thoughtfully as I mentioned that this was the end of the ‘goalposts of childhood’. Perhaps he knew what I meant.
My own childhood goalposts had been ‘doon the back’. Drawn with chalk on the red brick of the ‘sausage wall’ at one end, and on part of the ‘wash hoose’ at the other. Many a league, Cup and international match was played out between those goals on the Dennistoun dirt. We once put on a parallel version of a historic England v Scotland match while the real match was being played at Wembley. Jim Mone sitting on one of the dykes had a transister radio to his ear. As we played our match he chalked up live score updates on the wall — our Twitter and FaceBook anno 1967. What a day.
We did use a pile of jackets up on the old Dennistoun cricket pitch, but only rarely. Mostly, we played on the red gravel surface at the Finlay Drive entrance. That pitch was fitted with real goalposts — like the ones they had at Hampden. Or so we imagined.
These sentimental memories of receding years accompanied my removal of the ruined metal goal frame. But, as you can imagine, it seemed an almost symbolic act. For fans of Scottish football the ‘goalposts’ that once defined the game of our football childhoods — have not only been moved, they’ve been been twisted and mis-shapen out of all recognition.
The past decades have seen a fundamental change in the way our game is run and governed, at home and abroad. Money is now king and sporting consideration is a luxury we sometimes have to put to one side — or at least, so we’re told.
At the risk of stating the obvious, sport, if it is to mean anything at all, has to be based on clearly defined rules and principles. These rules must be applied equally to all the participants, they are certainly not optional extras. However, to misquote and paraphrase George Orwell, ‘all teams are equal, but some teams are more equal than others’ — at least, when it comes to Scottish football.
The efforts by the SFA to re-interpret rules to fit the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the demise of Rangers FC in 2012 have left most of us scratching our heads. Much of the Scottish media has backed up the SFA’s efforts, something which has added to the general confusion and chaos. In fact, it’s become clear that the death of Rangers, as we knew them, has been such a traumatic event that it must be denied. The authorities and media seem to have been so besotted with one club that its loss is out of the question. And so, it’s been gifted a bizarre kind of immunity from liquidation and death that implies its on-going existence, long after it drew it’s final breath.
This situation has opened the door to a legion of businessmen on the make. They have been allowed to perpetuate the myth, with SFA blessing, that they ‘saved’ Rangers. And their unwavering message is, that they can only succeed if fans keep giving them their hard-earned cash. To those outside the blue bubble it looks like a huge con trick. If the only source of real money in football is the fans, then the Ibrox faithful have been royally fleeced.
How different it could have been if the former club had been allowed a dignified end. A year out of the game would probably have allowed fans to restart a newco of their own. They could have applied for entry into the professional leagues along with the other clubs waiting in line. Chances are they would have been given special dispensation, and walked straight into the bottom tier. Of course, they would have claimed to be the continuation of the spirit of the previous entity — but would anyone have argued against that? How different it could have been if the rules governing the game had been respected. The SFA may even have kept their dignity intact and the press not felt obliged to print half-truths, falsehoods and lies.
You’ve got to wonder why Dunfermline and Hearts fought so desperately to avoid liquidation. After all, the Scottish football authorities now seem intent on convincing us that liquidation has little or no effect on a football club. Even past sins, such as wrongly-registered players are as naught — if, at the time, they were thought to have been registered correctly. By this logic, we have to ask: if a ‘company’ running a ‘club’ bribes a referee, will retrospective action will be taken against the ‘club’. The players and the club, after all, will have done nothing wrong. And since the referee was not known to have been bribed, and not struck off, he was qualified to referee the match in question, at the time. Using the SFA thought process, the result would probably be allowed to stand. Personally, I’m not sure I follow SFA logic. They’ve ‘moved the goalposts’, and (you saw it coming) bent them into an unrecognisable shape.
Which brings me back to our garden. The old metal goal frame is waiting to be driven down to the local re-cycling centre. The twisted metal and worn-out net are useless. Ruined by forces beyond our control. There is no interest in a replacement at present. Perhaps, if we have grandchildren, they will show an interest in football. If they do, I’ll build a new set of goalposts. They’ll be straight and true, the way the goalposts of childhood should be. The way goalposts should always be.
PhilMacGiollaBhain says: (204)
December 30, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Afternoon folks…
I understand that Super Ally may well have to adapt to having a much reduced backroom team in January. The Austerity Axe is about to fall. This is from an excellent source with a good track record.
=====================================================
Well as there will be a lot less players then a thinning of the backroon boys won’t be missed 😉
jimlarkin says: (731)
December 30, 2013 at 2:29 pm
Maybe they could try the “bryson interpretation” …see how real judges -judge that particular “interpretation”
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No doubt his suitcase is already packed – after all Scottish Justice and Football History are lauded throughout the world and it is our duty to spread light and sanity to the benighted. Pity the cure is almost certain to kill the patient right enough 😆
ecobhoy says: (2121)
December 30, 2013 at 2:32 pm
I think that moving on players will prove difficult because off their contracts etc.
They high earners are-from their perspective-best where they are.
Apart from Lee Wallace I don’t see many high value assets in the squad.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/ex-official-dougie-mcdonald-back-2969113
On the day he stood down, McDonald claimed Category One refs had been treated in an “outrageous way” and blasted the SFA for a “lack of support”.
Such an attack would normally lead to someone being banished from Hampden but McDonald is back on board.
*******************************************************************
The 48-year-old is highly rated and referee chiefs feel his input and advice to young officials will be invaluable.
*********************************************************************
Not even close to April 1st ,is it ?
Starting by making unnecessary backroom staff redundant does sound like a likely scenario but will it be enough. The current wage bill is around £18m, on a turnover of £19m, that is simply madness.
I think that finances may be so bad that they have to just let players go to get them off the wage bill. I know that would normally involve a pay-off, but if the players are available for free some may be able to get contracts elsewhere.
Even if that is only on the same or similar terms it could be a higher level of football, with a decent prospect of the club they go to surviving.
Basically they may have to do what a proper administrator would have done. Only without the power to do it.
PhilMacGiollaBhain says: (205)
December 30, 2013 at 2:46 pm
5 0 Rate This
ecobhoy says: (2121)
December 30, 2013 at 2:32 pm
I think that moving on players will prove difficult because off their contracts etc.
They high earners are-from their perspective-best where they are.
Apart from Lee Wallace I don’t see many high value assets in the squad.
========================================================
I thought that Peralta, Mohsni and Shiels and “Temps” were world beaters ?
The January transfer window is usually very dull in Scotland. I laugh at STV’s online live feed on the last day when with nothing happening they are reduced to posting “[insert club name] say there will be no business done tonight”
This year does hold the promise of Celtic splashing some cash, can Dundee Utd hang on to their talented, if inconsistent, youngsters and just how many will be leaving Ibrox.
If the predictions of more than a few departures on & off the park at Ibrox are true just how will MSM report it? Austerity to avoid admin2, Ally’s furious & going to resign or Celtic have signed a dud?
The STV boys may have something to post about after all.
In the interest of sporting integrity
Some free advice for SSB
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
When talking about your favourite club
Stop using the phrase “Investing ”
We all know you want us to believe this means
“Donating money for a warchest”
When it really means
“Buying shares”
Sugar Daddy says: (163)
December 30, 2013 at 3:36 pm
I think there will be more off field austerity at Stadio Sevco than player movement.
That is simply because it is achievable.
Murray Park is a huge drain on resources.
Tif Finn says: (1132)
December 30, 2013 at 3:03 pm
1 0 Rate This
Starting by making unnecessary backroom staff redundant does sound like a likely scenario but will it be enough. The current wage bill is around £18m, on a turnover of £19m, that is simply madness.
I think that finances may be so bad that they have to just let players go to get them off the wage bill. I know that would normally involve a pay-off, but if the players are available for free some may be able to get contracts elsewhere.
Even if that is only on the same or similar terms it could be a higher level of football, with a decent prospect of the club they go to surviving.
Basically they may have to do what a proper administrator would have done. Only without the power to do it.
——————–
We will all know that the Bat Signal has gone out when we see in the written press , what I term the “Nuno Capacho” treatment is dished-out to the Ibrox squad members deemed hopeless and expensive , possibly Shields and Templeton. If you cast your mind back to the treatment dished out to Capacho egged on by McLeish it was disgraceful , so I am expecting players to exit, whilst bring shamefully treated.
No requirement for Administrators , just boardroom thuggery and a compliant Players Union.
Phil, thanks for the update re the austerity measures that are about to kick in at Rangers.
It will be interesting to see if Murray Park is put up for sale. If not, this may suggest that that asset does not belong to the club. Or would an asset sale see Whyte et al move more rapidly to content that they are the rightful owners of the assets?
Even if Murray Park is sold – what then. The cash realized will not go far. It will more likely than not keep the club afloat a little longer.
I cannot see the fans on mass stumping up for a massive increase in ST.
If Murray Park is sold – how do you begin to attract “big” players to the club?
I am beginning to think that with the IPO money gone – along with x2 years of ST monies and the fact that the club did not make any move to become more sustainable that the club is now in terminal financial decline.
Re RCF and free tickets- my reply from RCF today….
The Rangers Charity Foundation distributed 650 tickets for the match at Ibrox on Boxing Day to charities and organisations in Glasgow working with people affected by homelessness and those living in isolated circumstances. All of these tickets were donated free of charge by the Club.
PhilMacGiollaBhain
December 30, 2013 at 3:43 pm
I don’t see how just cutting a few coaches, groundsmen or the tea lady from the payroll is going to make a big enough dent in the catastrophic losses to be effective.
The only way for GW to make large enough cuts is to sell as many players as he can and accept that he will lose a % of the transfer income in pay offs to ensure players leave. That way he reduces the wage bill and gains some income. Not easy, granted but they have to at least try. They have the ST money in & this window represents their best chance to offload without affecting future ST income.
An early bird discount, vague promises of player recruitment & a “one last push to the top” message will be enough to seduce the bears in the spring.
bad capt madman says: (305)
December 30, 2013 at 3:56 pm
0 0 Rate This
Re RCF and free tickets- my reply from RCF today….
The Rangers Charity Foundation distributed 650 tickets for the match at Ibrox on Boxing Day to charities and organisations in Glasgow working with people affected by homelessness and those living in isolated circumstances. All of these tickets were donated free of charge by the Club.
================================
” All of these tickets were donated free of charge by the Club”
Could this be a cleverly worded response?
By that i mean, was the cost of the tickets reimbursed, but the booking “fees” were waived,
so as to be free of charge?
Call me cynical – Shirley
bad capt madman says: (305)
December 30, 2013 at 3:56 pm
Re RCF and free tickets- my reply from RCF today….
The Rangers Charity Foundation distributed 650 tickets for the match at Ibrox on Boxing Day to charities and organisations in Glasgow working with people affected by homelessness and those living in isolated circumstances. All of these tickets were donated free of charge by the Club.
==================================================================
Well that’s certainly reassuring. I wonder, just for the record in case there are any doubting Thomases, whether a jpeg of the RCF response could be posted – obviously with your own personal ID removed.
Cheers
Am I not right in saying that a private school, possibly Kelviside Academy has some form of security over the land at Murray Park, or possibly a sell on clause from selling the land in the first place.
Long Time Lurker says: (674)
December 30, 2013 at 3:55 pm
In the here and now ( let’s park the potential Sevco 5088 litigation threat) Murray Park is a huge drain on TRFC finances.
Sacking most of the staff there and closing the gates (not selling it) would be a major saving pretty much immediately.
MP really should be called Advocaat Park as it was his vanity project.
TRFC could be adequately trained and prepared at-say Bellahouston Park a la Barrowfield in the old days for Celtic.
If Graham Wallace is serious-and I believe he is-then keep an eye on Murray Park.
PhilMacGiollaBhain says:
December 30, 2013 at 4:18 pm
As its a mile away at most from Castle Sugar, I’ll keep an eye out for the padlocks on the gates. At least the ‘leccy bill will be much reduced if the floodlights aren’t on till gone 11pm most nights.
Sugar Daddy says: (165)
December 30, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Point taken.
However it is about what is achievable rather than desirable for GW.
If he could sell ALL of his high earners then he would.
Cash in and wages slashed.
Unlikely to happen though.
MURRAY PARK
http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/the-sfa-and-its-role-in-any-future-sale-of-rangers-murray-park-by-ecojon/
I wrote the above post back in July 2012 and it’s still of some value but so are many of the posts about my article including an informative one from a regular on here: Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan
July 25, 2012 at 5:31 pm
PhilMacGiollaBhain says: (208)
December 30, 2013 at 4:33 pm
Putting a padlock on the gates of Murray Park – it will be interesting to see what of any impact that may have on ST sales.
I am assuming that everything is being cut to the bone. It must be expensive keeping a 5 star stadium up to scratch. If money is not being put into care and maintenance then the problems begin to mount big time.
They could not really have squirreled money away, they weren’t earning enough for that. Possibly they could have reduced their trading losses though.
I see Rangers fans talking about some sort of cash surplus which they could then have used to buy players for the SPL. How does that reconcile with a £14m trading loss though. They have to increase their incomings and decrease their outgoings by an aggregate £14m just to break even, then they can start talking about a surplus / cash reserve.
Bearing in mind that is purely from trading and does not include the ridiculous one off costs, for example the £5.5m costs for the IPO.
To put that in perspective, the equivalent of every penny the fans put into the club simply went back out on expenses.
Long Time Lurker says: (675)
December 30, 2013 at 4:40 pm
Since Donald Muir came on the board of Rangers in October 2009 maintenance of Ibrox and MP has been kept to a minimum.
Tif Finn says: (1133)
December 30, 2013 at 4:18 pm
Am I not right in saying that a private school, possibly Kelviside Academy has some form of security over the land at Murray Park, or possibly a sell on clause from selling the land in the first place.
============================================================================
In a Murray Park post in July 2012 – different from the later one I mentioned above – I dealt with the issues you mentioned.
link is: http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/smoke-mirrors-and-sevco-rangers-assets-guest-post-by-ecojon/
I had a wry smile when I read one of my old comments about Auchenhowie: ‘Murray Park! It really is at risk being a good long-term investment but in the short-term a money-burning furnace for transient shareholders.’
Never a truer word spoken I’m afraid ❗
ecobhoy says:
December 30, 2013 at 4:39 pm
“Planning is not really a problem” I think Cala may disagree. A decade on from their initial proposals they were finally granted permission for less than 25% of the original house build with the mix of “executive” houses lower again.
From my post yesterday, as to why planning takes so long in G61 & G62.
There is strong opposition to large housing projects in the area usually on infrastructure grounds as anyone who travels south on the Switchback or Balmore Road from 7.30 am will testify. The fact that it could reduce house prices in the area by increasing supply is more likely the real reason.
Vocal protestor groups and a supportive Westminster MP, a Lib Dem, who needs possible Tory voters to keep Labour from taking her seat, means developers get a hard time, from the local Lib Dem council planning department.
If TRFC were to sell, it would be most likely a sale and leaseback to allow a developer years to get planning permission. TRFC could simply take a secured loan on the land if they could find a bank daft enough to lend them money. MP will either be a football club’s training ground or lie empty for a long time.
MP is not a get rich quick asset for the spivs or anyone who wishes to buy it.
Unfortunately.
ecobhoy says: (2124)
December 30, 2013 at 4:54 pm
Very prescient sir.
Chapeau
Ecobhoy raised a point about the RCF email I received, its provence and / or for the record purposes. I’m happy to forward the original email to anyone who wants a copy as I dont think I could manage to post a picture. Please PM me if you want a copy. It”s maybe worth TSFM keeping a bank of such evidence.
ecobhoy says: (2121)
December 30, 2013 at 2:27 pm
—————————————————————
‘This leads to a further question. If they really believe that circumstances cannot be taken into account, how do they profess to administer justice? Surely the principle of proportionality should apply – that the punishment should be proportional to the severity of the offence.
Is it not the case that fielding an ineligible player has to result in a forfeit so as to protect the integrity of the sport? It acts as a deterrent in order to prevent teams systematically abusing the registration process.
Having seen what the SFA have done to Spartans and Dunfermline God help any team that would try and improperly register players on purpose.
Thanks for your detailed reply to my post last night (and the Latin lesson).
I think what may happen over the course of the next few years is that Celtic strolling to the title will produce increasingly more empty seats at CP. The subsequent loss of revenue will draw Celtic nearer to the other teams, for the good of Scottish football maybe a team will have a miracle season and actually win the League. I don’t believe in miracles however.
If a team does seriously challenge for the title, that particular season will see increased attendances at CP, it’s a funny ole game.
As for Scotland’s newest team, rebus sic stantibus, the Status Quo should see them going down, down, deeper and down. 😉
Perhaps Celtic should make a bid for Murray Park, £2,000,0000 ?
So again financial difficulties looming at Sevco. SFA looking away as usual. Jan may be a telling time as mentioned above. Mr Wallace has at this moment a business plan that may work long term (should have taken place when D & P walked into Ibrox). It is common sense to cut costs and basically rebuild. We know that but WATP do not want that, they want to challenge Celtic in 2 years. The SMSM want the same thing Sevco back at the top ASAP, even although they are aware of the facts.
Cannot see any input of money unless another share issue for the fans takes place (the Golden goose).
In the past Ally one year and Walter next year took their 30 pieces of silver and help sell ST and kept Sevco alive a wee bit longer.
What is going to sell ST’s now, what is the carrot? I cannot see the long term plan going down well with the fans. It is ok for us to sit back and watch but our governing football body should make some sort of stand. Maybe the SFA new year resolution should be “treat sevco like every other club/team in Scotland”
Some twitter chat that Dean Shiels has been told to find a new club in the Jan transfer window with a wee payoff to encourage him to do so………
Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland 4h
Dean Sheils has been told he’s free to leave The Rangers if he can find a new club, they’re willing to pay a small pay-off to compensate him
And in other Twitterings………seems good news on the New Firm New year Derby……….am sure Davie Provan will acknowledge this is his next column………….
GiorgioVasari @TheRedPriest1 2h
So our match against Dundee Utd is sold out.
Ain’t all of this Armageddon just great.
Broadswordcallingdannybhoy says: (127)
December 30, 2013 at 5:02 pm
ecobhoy says: (2121)
December 30, 2013 at 2:27 pm
—————————————————————
Thanks for your detailed reply to my post last night (and the Latin lesson).
I think what may happen over the course of the next few years is that Celtic strolling to the title will produce increasingly more empty seats at CP. The subsequent loss of revenue will draw Celtic nearer to the other teams, for the good of Scottish football maybe a team will have a miracle season and actually win the League. I don’t believe in miracles however.
If a team does seriously challenge for the title, that particular season will see increased attendances at CP, it’s a funny ole game.
==========================================
It most certainly is a funny old game and as a Celtic supporter for almost 60 years I have seen a lot of funny peculiar and some funny ha ha moments.
I agree there is a possibility of a slow drop in revenue for a number of reasons and you have identified some. But this requires high-calibre executives particularly adept at marketing the club and I am a great believer in creating a much wider sporting base with other sports – which draw good spectator levels – being introduced and using the facilities as Celtic teams. Works well in a lot of places abroad and could here as well IMO and is a big draw for families and kids. Obviously the refurbishment at Parkhead will help create an all-day experience for a wider and diverse audience.
Community involvement is also vital on many fronts especially the social one so we can help regenerate the East End through giving the youth direction and goals to pursue. This can be achieved and there is government cash available for social programmes. This would truly be a magnificent return to Celtic’s orignal roots. We have the vision and what we need is the drive and commitment which will secure Celtic for at least another century – not of dominance but entertainment and building an enlightened support and inclusive community.
I have spent a lot of time recently – as I’ve been stuck at home with a lousy cold – reading what the Bears are saying and there is a possibly PR driven theme starting to show quite strongly. Basically the line is that OK it might take Rangers a bit longer to get back to their rightful place and whup Celtic but the process will be shortened because Celtic will financially decline year on year and therefore the gap can be closed even with a poor R angers squad.
For this theme to work the Bears think Celtic will regularly fail to qualify for Euro Group stages and have to sell the best and most expensive players and not be able to replace them allowing Rangers to become Euro contenders. Of course this is possible but what no Bear seems to have figured out is that if Celtic can’t get through the qualifiers to reach at least the group stage and the real dosh then how is Rangers going to do it and, as we know, they have had problems in this department previously.
But what’s missing from the financial masterplan for Euro if not World Domination is how they are going to survive financially and be able to reach the SPFL and then be able to buy the players necessary to compete in it never mind Europe.
There really seems little discussion of what happens over the coming weeks or months. Oh the old pash is trotted out like DK, the worldwide fanbase coming to the rescue, more mystery investment. But again a theme is surfacing of more financial fan sacrifice being required beyond STs and kit sales although the mention of share purchases is avoided which makes me suspicious this is another PR driven squirrel.
In any case Rangers can’t actually afford to be an AIM member and I can see RIFC becoming a private limited company or it might be possible to reverse back into TRFCL – although it would need an accountant to pronounce on this. I just keep wondering why 120 days is required to come up with a plan.
I think a lot of Bears are now much more financially attuned and recognise the black hole they are being sucked into but I don’t think they have a clue how to prevent it and I feel sorry for those who are still awaiting for the Real Rangers Cavalry to ride to the rescue of a very Blue Calvary at Ibrox.
However I could be very wrong in my guesses and be yet again surprised with more twists and turns from the spivs but one thing I am confident of is at some stage the game will no longer be worth the candle to them and Ibrox risks being snuffed-out when the last spiv down the marble staircase switched the lights off.
Exciled Celt
And in other Twitterings………seems good news on the New Firm New year Derby……….am sure Davie Provan will acknowledge this is his next column………….
GiorgioVasari @TheRedPriest1 2h
So our match against Dundee Utd is sold out.
Ain’t all of this Armageddon just great.
——————————————–
Regarding matters financial I think ‘The Red Priest’ would be better looking at his clubs accounts and the rather woolly reasons to be cheerful that Mr.Milne aluded to recently. To quote an attendence for a New Years fixture isn’t in any way representative.
They do have a decent manager for a change though and in hardnosed, realistic, Bookmakers parlance have a chance of winning the ‘SPFL title’ (without Celtic). Has Davie Provan not got a general point even if you disagree with some of the details ?
Davie Provan does not have a point unless you choose to ignore any notion of integrity.
To say that a team must be in the league because of financial considerations rather than winning the right to be there through their endeavors on the field is a disgusting position to take.
That it is a former professional sportsman saying it makes it all the worse. He should be ashamed of himself.
If gates and finances are down this season, and I don’t know whether they are or not, then so be it. Scottish football trading at it’s proper size with it’s proper turnover (like it did pre David Murray) then so be it. If my own club has less income and has to cut it’s cloth to suit then so be it.
I would rather have honest competition every time.
Exiled Celt says: (883)
December 30, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Some twitter chat that Dean Shiels has been told to find a new club in the Jan transfer window with a wee payoff to encourage him to do so………
————————————————————————
Anyone know how long his contract is and what his wage is? Seems to me that will determine what sweetener would be required to get him to walk away.
Greenock Jack
To quote an attendance for a New Years fixture isn’t in any way representative.
You do have a point – after all – there’s a club with allegedly “World record” attendances for a lower tier club that appears to be in dire straits. But surely even you must admit the Armageddon envisioned by Neil, SFA and of course Charles Green has never come to pass – on the rest of us anyway!
Even the Inventor of Club Shedding Debt fantasy sounds positive one year on….
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25549119
SPFL chief Neil Doncaster hopes for a ‘more settled’ 2014
By John Barnes
BBC Scotland The Scottish Professional Football League’s chief executive hopes for “a more settled landscape than recent years” as he looks ahead to 2014.
Neil Doncaster told BBC Scotland that having all 42 clubs under the one SPFL banner and “pointing in the same direction” gave grounds for optimism.
“That is enormously positive and gives us a real platform going into 2014 to enjoy events on the field,” he said.
“The merger I hope will enable us to move forward with confidence.”
The SPFL was created in the summer by the merger of the Scottish Premier League and the 123-year-old Scottish Football League, with Doncaster named as its chief executive, a role he had performed at the SPL.
He continued: “We’ve been talking about matters off the field for the last few years. We all want to be talking about the great drama, the great passion, the excitement on the pitch.
My hope for 2014 is that we can move forward and focus far more on exciting events on the pitch rather than events off it.”
One such off-field event has been the growing use of flares at grounds, with some fans throwing them on to the pitch.
Doncaster warned: “The re-emergence of flares across Europe is a concern; it is not a problem that is confined to Scotland. It’s a problem that we are determined to work with the Scottish FA to tackle.
“It’s important that we do because flares burn at an incredibly high temperature and are very dangerous.
“We all want to see a very safe environment at Scottish games.”
The creation of the SPFL was a tortuous affair, with seemingly interminable wrangling over league structure, cash distribution and voting rights.
Doncaster admits 2013 was difficult, with the football bodies’ headquarters at Hampden attracting a media scrum while deals were agreed to reshape the game in Scotland.
He said: “I think it’s been a very challenging year, particularly with the strenuous efforts that were made by everyone in the game to agree the merger between the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League.
“To achieve something that, so many people have worked so hard for so long. It is enormously satisfying to have got it over the line, finally.
“Clearly it has been very challenging for everyone involved in the administration of the game.
“We have waited so long to achieve all the things that everyone wanted to see, like the re-emergence of play-offs between the Premiership and the Championship, the creation of a pyramid for the entire game and redistribution, particularly towards the Championship.
“There needs to be enormous credit given to the 12 Premiership clubs who have given up so much financially towards the Championship to make the merger happen but also to the 30 other clubs who took the leap of faith that enabled the merger to take place.”
Doncaster claims that top-tier teams who are relegated to the Championship no longer face “the very bleak financial future” that they would otherwise have been contemplating.
However, he admits that more must be done to boost the SPFL coffers, with securing a title sponsor for the league the priority.
“We have had a number of commercial deals that we have been able to announce in recent months, such as the official soft drink partnership with Barr’s and the overseas TV deal,” said the chief executive.
“On the commercial side we are very pleased with the deals that we have done but of course our focus remains that we do have a title sponsor going forward.”
Ecobhoy – these guys were on Twitter…..may be accurate………..
Mr White @geedublu 4h
@AgentScotland @MTHForum @ciardom Signed 31/7/12 for 4 years, so still has 2.5 yrs left at 5k = 500k+ , so pay off shouldn’t be too small?
ciardom @ciardom 4h
@geedublu @AgentScotland @MTHForum so if on 5k & gets 25% it is 162.5k or 227.5k if 7k. Do they have funds for that. 120 day review is fun
Two teams playing tonight, Dunfermline and Rangers.
Dunfermline are a club which went into administration and came out of it to continue as the same club, their fans fought to save them and managed to do it. Rangers are a new club after their predecessor could not come out of administration and is being liquidated.
The differences – A group of fans who cared enough to fight to save their club and of vital importance Bryan Jackson of BDO, a proper administrator carrying out a proper administration process.
Greenock Jack says: (251)
December 30, 2013 at 6:57 pm
Has Davie Provan not got a general point even if you disagree with some of the details ?
===========================================
For me and I’m sure most football fans, any general point is lost when someone advocates rule breaking for a club who had already cheated all others. Do you HONESTLY think the right thing was to catapult the club from Ibrox straight into the top league?
I don’t believe Provan actually wrote the article, but he is happy to take the shilling of a gutter rag and put his name to it. It still makes me sick that I went to his testimonial. Had I known he would have slated Celtic so much in future years and got involved in gutter rag nonsense like what appeared on Sunday, I would not have given him a brown penny.
I wonder what goes on in Mr McCoist’s head sometimes. If he believes that the best of the RFC(IL) squad was worth £50M, is he not a little curious as to why those assets weren’t realised to avoid administration then the liquidation of his club? He must be absolutely furious with the former board of directors. Isn’t he?
Tif
If you are telling me that integrity trumps finance in professional football then I think you are detached from reality. From FIFA downwards money rules most of the professional game.
Another picture is painted via the administrations, clubs and the media to ensure the supporter perception is geared more towards a football that champions integrity and associates other such good things with the game.
It mirrors society in many respects. eg. the general perception of the moral reputation of ‘aggressive’ Western countries and how they go about their business isn’t close to the truth. However there is a large machinary in place to ensure most citizens stay with the more comfortable message, it’s a more pleasent place than reallity.
So when Mr.Provan opines what he does, the general message is simply hitting somewhere close to reallity even if many don’t like it.
Jim bhoy 12:33. Yes Jim I’m one such coach from the grassroots. Not the most regular poster since rtc days. Happy to add slant to any discussion. One thing I will say is that even atboys club level the amount of paperwork is vast and must be complied with to suit the blazers. And the rules and regs are enforced. There is no Bryson rule and woe beside any player and “club (administrator) Secretary” who knowingly plays anyone not signed properly.
Greenock Jack says: (252)
December 30, 2013 at 7:27 pm
‘So when Mr.Provan opines what he does, the general message is simply hitting somewhere close to reallity even if many don’t like it’
His message is nowhere near reality. This is just regurgitated nonsense. A nonsense that the SMSM and TRFC fans thought would come to pass. It did’nt.
Greenock Jack
I’m sure we are all well versed in how capitalism works, doesn’t mean we stand aside and accept that’s how it is.
If you want to stand by the harbour and salute the good ship corporate soccer on it’s merry way, then be my guest. The problem is that it’s a sinking ship.
I chose not to use Starbucks or Amazon because to me “integrity trumps finance”, and I certainlt don’t believe that makes me “detached from reality”
Don’t give up pthe ghost Jack
I am pleased to see that bad capt madman has been favoured by a response from the Foundation as this is more than Alzipratu and others got when previous questions were asked. As I’ve said before given the history of the Foundation’s actings and statements I’m reserving my position as to whether I believe it or not.
However the response does not cover the matter raised by CorsicaCharity concerning the 2000 tickets at the start of the month when it was categorically stated that these were charged to the Foundation. This may or may not be correct but we don’t know. I note scapaflow has posted recently and it would be helpful if he, or she, could confirm the source of the post on 4th December 2013 at 8:37pm which referred to CorsicaCharity.
I asked why the Foundation was involved at all and, if so, whether any cost was incurred by the Foundation. I still don’t know. I don’t know what the question posed was so I don’t know whether this is, as jimlarkin puts it, “a cleverly worded response” but jimlarkin is right to refer to Booking Fees. We now know the Foundation were involved, at least to the extent of 650 tickets, so costs were incurred. Did The Rangers Etc. pay these costs or were they borne by the Foundation? I don’t know what The Rangers Etc. charge as a Booking Fee to cover their ticket issuing overheads but 650 x £? was incurred by someone. If it’s the Foundation that’s 650 x £? that’s not going to any charitable cause such as the homeless.
I appreciate that there is a fine line between asking questions which should be asked and being obsessed but some things, e.g. A.C. Milan, Manchester United Legends, Idaho Challenges, Arctic Circle Challenges, are so wrong as to be rong.
I’m a Doubting Thomas because I’ve been given compelling reasons that to be otherwise is to show the sort of spirit that is to be admired only in sheep.
Guidi, reckons Celtic should……..wait for it, sign Kris Boyd. Foaming about his ability which was rendered not good enough at the top level by the same folk, so I assume his point is, that he sees Celtic at a level his team were at 3yrs ago, when they were at deaths door because they could no longer keep up…..with Celtic. I therefore conclude he should take a leaf out of Davie Provans book, and go for a long kip, like he obviously has, since he’s using an 18mnth old script.
And another thing, no harm to Boyd, but he’s the record holder in the SPL, which no longer exists, just like the club he was too slow for, and if he was better than HL (as the constant reference to his record by the likes of Guidi and Co suggests) he would be back here at 30 with a CL medal and a list of top teams on his CV, unlike his CV.
To sum up the debate on radio tonight by the obsessed with Celtic panel. Doing what they are best at……..spending other folks money.
By the way, for all we know about RIFC shareholders, theoretically Chals could have sold the lot of the tupers (bar Davis, how that one worked mind you is another story) for a stake in the club. How that situation is allowed to continue, is beyond me. And if reports are true about Jelavic heading for the door, was he ever fully paid for, and is there a sell on.
The letter copied below will be on its way to Hampden tomorrow.
“The President,
Scottish Football Association,
6th Floor, Hampden Park,
Glasgow, G42 9A
Dear President,
The re- employment of Mr Dougie McDonald by the SFA
As I have previously written, your perceived ‘conflicted’ position has already been a cause of the contempt and suspicion with which the Scottish Football Association is now generally viewed by a wide spectrum of the football paying public.
The recently reported appointment, under your general oversight as President, of a man who disgracefully abused his office as a football referee, as an ‘instructor’ working for the SFA is further evidence of the deep-rooted propensity of the SFA to make disregard of truth, and defence of football wrong-doers, almost its hall-mark!
By so clearly signalling that those who would work for the SFA need not be persons of basic honesty and integrity, the SFA board under your leadership has brought Scottish Football administration to a new low.
Mr McDonald will no doubt feel quite at home-again.
I told you before that I think you ought to resign.
I do so again.
Yours sincerely,
( real name and address supplied) “
LUGOS199, I too was surprised that my email to RCF got an actual reply, and on the same day!
bad capt madman says: (307)
December 30, 2013 at 9:46 pm
0 0 Rate This
LUGOS199, I too was surprised that my email to RCF got an actual reply, and on the same day!
=========================================================================
Maybe the RCF lawyers were in at that point and were able to provide your answer.
You get “nothing for nothing” and there’s no such thing as a free lunch (well, pie and bovril)
John Clarke @ 9:26. I don’t have to tell you how magnificent your proposed letter is, but equally I don’t have to tell you that the utterly shameless and conflicted Campbell will not grace you with a reply.
Bryce Curdy says: (16)
December 30, 2013 at 10:11 pm
‘……Campbell will not grace you with a reply..’
————
Thank you for your kind words, Bryce Curdy.
And the problem there is that there does not seem to be a way, in spite of the fact that the SFA is/has been in receipt of public monies, to make them publicly accountable even to the limited extent that a plc is!
So they need only measure what they do by its effects on their ‘profitability’ – will lies and deceit bring in the revenue? If so, lie.
Will lies and deceit lose revenue as decent folk turn away in disgust? If so, lie! and chance it! 🙂
New Poster but lurker since RTC…boy have I learned a lot reading these blogs.My thanks to all those with professional insight into all the legal & accounting shenanigans involved in this sorry affair. As a lifelong Dunfermline fan , we did not get, nor did I expect , the same level of help from our game’s governing bodies as Sevco got. I fully appreciate why my club got into the situation we ended up in..and it should serve as a warning to all other clubs…we finished 4th in the SPL, got to several cup finals (losing them all to Celtic !!) all financed by Gavin Masterton’s “dealings” which have brought us to where we are today.
My reason for posting was watching tonight’s Pars v Sevco game tonight on Sky..(by other means – I cancelled my Sky subscription a couple of months ago) – the triumphalism of Sevco’s record this season…and impressive it is,,until you take account of
they’re losing £1m a month
their opposition is teams made up of Kids, part timers or a combination of both,
Their Opposition is facing a club with the 2nd biggest wage bill in Scotland, yet playing in the 3rd tier of Scottish football
Their Opposition is filled with players who were in the SPL last year or/are current full internationalists & are playing in Scotland’s 3rd tier
Why no explanation of the context in which this unbeaten run, huge goals scored etc is being achieved ?…Plus the £1m a month deficit,,,I know the answers,,I’ve read the blog for long enough. 🙂
I did email Sky asking why the triumphalism about Sevco’s record this season, citing the facts above & liking it to Chelsea playing in the English League 1 but I don’t expect a reply.
It was men against boys tonight at East End Park but Dunfermline are now in a position where we can pay our boys what we can afford & the playoffs are a real possibility,.
I look forward to the Sevco crash in the next few weeks
Hat off to DAFC fans, I really enjoyed the rendition of “your not Rangers anymore”, which was greeted with the usual hating of Celtic, FB’s song, tut tut.
Since “no-one likes them” and “they don’t care”, would they have a problem with top tier sides loaning players down to a couple of championship sides next year, for what is set to be a very good league, if they live that long.
Can someone correct me here if I’m wrong, not sure which pundit said it, but apparently he was under the impression that immediate survival is a bigger issue for Sevco, than comparing them to anyone else. And that “if money matters are not resolved, then it’s back where they started”. Now as much as the back where they started is a partial admission to being a new club, the pyramid system prevents them returning to that point, or has that been canned, just as a precaution?
Murray Park is Intergalactic Sevco FCs most valuable asset and a huge monthly cost, they better hope the Lottery don’t ask for their cash back!
The site is in a residential type area surrounded by The Greenbelt, notably not outlined as Greenbelt, worth selling an option to buy on planning approval, or other variations, I’d buy it!
jwd1103 says: (1)
December 30, 2013 at 11:34 pm
‘…It was men against boys tonight at East End Park but Dunfermline are now in a position where we can pay our boys what we can afford & the playoffs are a real possibility,. ‘
———-
jwd1103,
These were deeply compromised apologies for ‘men’, working for a deeply compromised ,illegitimate, new club founded by a conman barra boy and assorted del-boy chancers.
Dunfermline FC and its honest players shame them, and set their hubris at nil.
The Dunfermline team know what sporting integrity is about.
The other lot work to a self-deluding perverted idea.
Aquinas says: (6)
December 31, 2013 at 12:28 am
You are correct to point out that MP is a cash burner.
However, the view that MP is real estate gold is off the mark.
Planning permission would not be a given.
Moreover the property market isn’t exactly booming.
PhilMacGiollaBhain says: (211)
December 31, 2013 at 12:39 am
Being I had my butt kicked earlier this evening by the kids while playing their xmas Monopoly present then I know that sometimes you have to do a deal on property even though it may not be the best time or price
🙂
The problem Sevco have is to get the finances under control they probably need to make cost saving across all business centres.
Stockbridge has the spreadsheets all set up. Didn’t he? 🙂
Its just a matter someone having the courage to weld the axe.
The problem for CEO Wallace is can he make the required cuts without inflicting too much damage on the main 1st team squad, still push forward a commitment to developing young talent from within and ensure that the rise to the premiership goes as planned.
As many have pointed out the championship next year could be very tasty.
wottpi says: (1361)
December 31, 2013 at 1:05 am
Quite simply for Sevco cash is king.
GW has to reduce the cash burn to make what they have go further so they make Season Ticket time.
Then he has to bring in a substantial price hike and hope that they sell in significant numbers.
It won’t be easy-or painless-however it is possible,
If GW is the competent CEO I think he is then we should see discernible signs of austerity by the end of February.
Rangers Media don’t do irony very well ….
“Of course no one wants to mention the £134K tax bill they walked away from do they!
Never mind the £12 Million in debts to organisations such as the Red Cross/NHS Fife (£2 Million +) or even the £1200+ currently owed to Rangers OldCo’s creditors after all they got their ZERO pence CVA, so that makes it okay doesn’t it!”
(Talking about Dunfermline)
PhilMacGiollaBhain says: (212)
December 31, 2013 at 1:13 am
‘…If GW is the competent CEO I think he is then we should see discernible signs of austerity by the end of February..’
———
Is it your view, then, that they intend to make a go at achieving football success-eventually- and are in there for the longer term CL possibilities, as opposed to very short term asset stripping immediate profit?
john clarke says: (1476)
December 31, 2013 at 1:21 am
I DO think that the current board want to keep the show on the road.
If they get to a break even point (possible) then there is a good executive living to be extracted from being at the top table at the AGM.
Charlie-to be frank-was rather generous to himself.
A more conservative level of remuneration will still be a nice earner.
I think CL scenarios for Sevco are still a long way off TBH.
However sustainability is possible.
It will take austerity though-which won’t be pretty.
wottpi says: (1361)
December 31, 2013 at 1:05 am
“Its just a matter someone having the courage to weld the axe.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That’s the problem – the axe has been welded inside the toolbox so nobody can wield the blimmin’ thing…
😯
A’l get ma jaiket…!
“Fools act on imagination without knowledge, pedants act on knowledge without imagination” – Alfred North Whitehead
PhilMacGiollaBhain says: (213)
December 31, 2013 at 1:13 am
Agreed. Have always said it was a tightrope and if, with the right financial management, they can get close to a hurdle that keeps them on the road to the Premiership don’t be surprised if someone with a full dose of Rangersness comes along to help them over.
Is there anything to stop the likes of Dave King doing a ‘Ticketus’ type deal to inject the money they need at the right time? If someone is willing to put money in for little or no return there will be a way.
The other question is will people like Laxeys put up with the long game or will they try and force the issue to get some shareholder returns and to hell with the football side of things? They appear to have form on this.
I agree with those who say Ibrokes and MP may not look like great development opportunities just now, but who knows, one day!!
wottpi says: (1362)
December 31, 2013 at 2:14 am
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Has it not been claimed that the return of the King would be the final feather on the pheonix…?
Looking forward to the rocky road ahead for sevco ,but listening to sevconians most of them really believe rangers will get to the spfl and all will be well and good ,season ticket sales will be as good as celtics, a sponsor will be found better than magners , a shirt sponsor will be found as good as Nike so no problem triumphalism restored. No mention of ibrox less capacity than Celtic park,no mention of a lifeline line of credit needed , no mention of a 10 million pound black hole to be filled.apparently celtics business model being a plc is the same as sevcos, I did try to point out if the Celtic shares are made up of Dermot Desmond an array of Celtic minded businessmen and lifeblood Celtic supporters surely this is a better foundation than large array of spivs various institutional investors looking for a return and a small amount of delusional permaraging knuckledraggers, admittedly that last bit didnt go down to well but if ever a bunch deserve what’s coming to them once again.this is it.
Please rest assured that Colin Kingsnorth of Laxey Partners is not in the least interested in football nor any long term investment. He’s as asset stripper, that’s what he does and he’s very good at it. Mr Wallace can get on with his austerity plan that is of no consequence, other that acting as a squirrel, to the operations of Colin Kingsnorth. Mr Wallace can close Murray Park to save costs but no money raised from the sale of Murray Park, or any of the rest of the RIFC/TRFC property portfolio, will be used to finance a football team. No, that money belongs to the shareholders and Colin Kingsnorth will make sure they get it. If previous form is anything to go by then Colin Kingsnorth will have had buyers lined up for the RIFC/TRFC property assets before he bought a single share in RIFC.
Although I’ve called him an asset stripper and a shark he is no crook. He’s a UK citizen and pays UK taxes. He’s well respected, if feared by some, in the City of London. He uses the law and shareholder voting power to force company directors to do his bidding. When he invests in a company he regards it as his duty to force the maximum return to the shareholders. If the Easdale brothers really are “rangers men” then they’ll quickly find that the majority of support they had at the AGM, from Blue Pitch/Margarita/Artemis/Hargreaves etc etc, will desert them and quickly fall in behind Colin Kingsnorth.
If Mr King wants to be involved then he’d better quickly start buying shares from the current holders as there is not going to be a further share issue. Nor will Colin Kingsnorth et al allow their assets to be used as security against any loans.
In some respects I feel sorry for the bears, and their friends at the SFA/SMSM, as they appear to have no idea about what is going to happen to their beloved clumpany in the coming months. Also, unfortunately for any gloaters reading this, it will almost certainly be done quietly behind closed boardroom doors.
Mr McCoist should do very well out of Colin Kingsnorth’s activities.
Re austerity at Ibrox , the bat signals will need to be much earlier than the end of February 2014. The largest single item of expenditure , the manager’s salary needs to be addressed now, and the January transfer window will need to be used to both offload high earners and get some young boys game time on loan.
A lot of their friends are out of football, Souness, Sir Walter, and McLeish, so a silly bid for a star player is unlikely. More worryingly on the football front , a lot of their big lumps Daly, McCollough, and Black will be the wrong side of 30 before / if SPL football arrives. So just when Ally needs more bodies in, he is being asked to cut back ……………. it is this visible sign on the pitch that will be the tell-tale sign that Rangers are serious about downsizing.
There is the option of Rangers applying to join the SPL next season, against the backdrop of another threatened liquidation. However, the only logical step when threatened with this is to contain the damage to the lowest level of senior football, so another demotion to Div 3 should not be ruled-out, with the SFA using their rule “we can do anything we want for the good of the game.”
Whilst, the above is a bit of a long shot , administration 2 is possible.
I believe a simpler ‘footballing’ approach to dealing with financial cheating is the withdrawal of sporting benefits achieved in the season where the Administration took place. Therefore, a 25 point penalty should be supplemented with no promotion and withdrawal of titles, the current rules are insufficient.
The SPFL and SFA rules need to be re-drafted to accommodate 1 clubs continued unacceptable behaviour.
I am expecting the downsizing to fail, none of the participants has experience in this area, unless you include the involuntary downsizing at Marconi due to a strikingly poor business strategy. So every department will be asked to shave off a few quid, new contracts will be drawn up , so you will get a sort of Rangers-lite , with the opportunity to re-shape the business with new investment gone for another decade.
Must be getting close to suppliers requesting cash up front ,
Happy New Year when it comes.
EKBhoy,
Given what happened with their spiritual predecessors, and what’s pretty much common knowledge about the way they’re run (even if it’s verboeten to say it out loud in public!), what sort of supplier would not ask for cash up front in the first place?
Having blown his whistle on those who ‘walked away’ I wonder how Ally will deal with the possibility of trying to persuade some players, including youngsters, that he gave long term contracts to that they would really be helping the club if they renegotiated or indeed ‘walked away’ from their contracts while he keeps his salary (which even if halved is still a nice little earner) and shares.
What chances he ‘walks away’ from that dirty little task and leaves it to Wallace or Stockbridge?
I hope I’m wrong, but the nuclear event we’ve been waiting for these past few years will in all likelihood be the arrival of a Rangers clumpany (54 league titles, support structure still in place in the SFA) in the SPFL. I feel my blood pressure rise every time I see them referred to in the media as “Rangers” and the 5 stars on the shirts. I may have to start ignoring scottish football for health reasons! Ian Black’s contorted expression of aggression in the picture in today’s Herald (copy not bought, but picked up in a coffee shop) was a low point for me. What on earth is he doing? A bunch of overpaid mercenaries putting 4 past some youngsters, and you’re celebrating like marco tardelli in the world cup final. Mr Black, your career didn’t need to stoop this low.
At the end of the year I’d like to say thanks to the likes of John Clarke and Phil Mac who have the courage to reveal their true identities in public, and also thanks to TSFM and all the other posters who spend a lot of their valuable time posting on the blog. John Clarke, you have a great ability to express in your posts the same degree of disgust that i feel at the way our national sport is being abused.
Going forward, I know I am very much a spectator compared to those who devote their time researching and passing on their knowledge of corporate affairs to anyone who cares to follow this blog, but I still wonder if there might be better ways of reaching a wider audience? Perhaps fanzines could contain a short piece about TSFM? I suggested some time ago posting on the site a style letter/flyer to hand out at football matches to raise awareness about what’s going on , and make it easy for supporters to send letters of complaint to their own clubs. The supporters have the power to force change, but, amazingly, not enough seem to know/care enough about what’s going on to do anything about it.
Like Phil, I see this phase as a two stage process.
The kingsnorths can smell blood and know they have the property assets (or at least a stadium shaped ransom strip) at their mercy. They will either convert this to an annual rental income and sell the investment on, or sell it outright, most likely to King or even McColl for a market premium, thus satisfying shareholder interest. King, being most desperate for the publicity of saviour, is the hot favourite and, as saviour in an otherwise doomsday scenario will be welcomed by media and authority alike as such.
Meanwhile the balancing act on the park will continue. Ally needs to continue to deliver SPL style performances (like last night – credit where its due) but do it with a restricted staff, facilities and budget. Somebody then needs to be sold a dummy and to invest in the dream – or more accurately – to fund a continuing loss to achieve some SPL respectability. No-one blessed with true rangersness, and hence an understanding of what is actually being achieved, will do this as they will recognise it for the black hole it is. My guess would be a Bill Ng type wannabe to fulfil this role hence Ally having to maintain the megabus pretence of their current temporary circumstances (even if inside the glossy exterior they’re all peddling like swans).
I genuinely don’t now see administration featuring (that’s Wallace’s role to avoid p!ssing off creditors and manage expectations ) other than the big stick being wielded by RIFC if any trouble makers come on the scene.
But they must make meagre cash resources absolutely work for them to the max which makes the profligacy of the last 18 months all the more ridiculous.
john clarke says: (1476)
December 31, 2013 at 1:21 am
I DO think that the current board want to keep the show on the road.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Nope
Cant agree John
This club is run by Spivs for the benefit of Spivs.
Nobody else
Cost cutting is only relevant if it helps the Spivs make more money
Right now the obvious game plan is to put RFC into Administration owng megabucks to the Spivs who then take the assets and offshore them leaving the rest of the shareholders with nothing. So maximising the debt is clearly the current strategy and all the puff is simply window dressing
The very idea that anyone of integrity would work for a bunch of Spivs is simply nonsense
The recent recruits are simply more Spivs jumping aboard to get a piece of the action
GG
Correct, only the spivs don’t need administration to effect the property transfer. They could do it tomorrow if they wished, window dressed as something else with no points deduction for the masses to sweat about.
EDIT : Its not like owning a stadium is more important than focussing on a world record unbeaten run now is it.
Giovanni says: (14)
December 31, 2013 at 6:48 am
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Please rest assured that Colin Kingsnorth of Laxey Partners is not in the least interested in football nor any long term investment. He’s as asset stripper, that’s what he does and he’s very good at it. Mr Wallace can get on with his austerity plan that is of no consequence, other that acting as a squirrel, to the operations of Colin Kingsnorth. Mr Wallace can close Murray Park to save costs but no money raised from the sale of Murray Park, or any of the rest of the RIFC/TRFC property portfolio, will be used to finance a football team. No, that money belongs to the shareholders and Colin Kingsnorth will make sure they get it. If previous form is anything to go by then Colin Kingsnorth will have had buyers lined up for the RIFC/TRFC property assets before he bought a single share in RIFC.
Although I’ve called him an asset stripper and a shark he is no crook. He’s a UK citizen and pays UK taxes. He’s well respected, if feared by some, in the City of London. He uses the law and shareholder voting power to force company directors to do his bidding. When he invests in a company he regards it as his duty to force the maximum return to the shareholders. If the Easdale brothers really are “rangers men” then they’ll quickly find that the majority of support they had at the AGM, from Blue Pitch/Margarita/Artemis/Hargreaves etc etc, will desert them and quickly fall in behind Colin Kingsnorth.
If Mr King wants to be involved then he’d better quickly start buying shares from the current holders as there is not going to be a further share issue. Nor will Colin Kingsnorth et al allow their assets to be used as security against any loans.
In some respects I feel sorry for the bears, and their friends at the SFA/SMSM, as they appear to have no idea about what is going to happen to their beloved clumpany in the coming months. Also, unfortunately for any gloaters reading this, it will almost certainly be done quietly behind closed boardroom doors.
Mr McCoist should do very well out of Colin Kingsnorth’s activities.
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
Gio for what it is worth I enrirely agree with your summation. In a similar scenario I think Chico had the players lined up for sale prior to purchase and that is why Mc Gregor is miffed. He knew he was going although on Chico’s terms. Chico has many agent contacts and I am betting the Mac Gregors et al were heading off to Chico negotiated deals which would have been nice earners for Chico and the agents. Under TUPE however the players had the right not to join the Newco and were free to negotiate their deals hence Chico being upset and the players annoyance at the traitor label. I am convinced also that Colin Kingsnorth is in here for a property deal..