Scottish Football and the case for a Bismarck!

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Good Evening.

When considering any type of protracted negotiation or discussion that seems to be going on too long, there is a story that is always worth remembering– whether it is actually a true story or not as the case may be.

It is said, that heads of state all met at a congress in what is now modern Germany sometime after the Franco Prussian war of 1870-1871.The entire congress was being run almost singlehandedly by the then Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismark and he was keen to get all the necessary signatures on paper to seal some deal or other.

However, others at the congress were not too keen to sign up to certain elements of the proposed deal and so they hithered and dithered and in the eyes of Bismark they simply waisted time by concentrating on the minutiae- the little matters, with a view to ensuring their own interests were best served in these small areas– and did not focus on the big issue.

Having tried to talk these others round and educate them in his own beliefs and point of view on the bigger picture without any success, Bismark grew weary of the continuing delay and the posturing of his colleagues. All attempts at reason and diplomacy had failed in his eyes and so he decided to take a different tack.

Accordingly, it is said that whilst others were still inside debating endlessly on this matter or that, Bismark left the building and began simply shooting the windows in with the aid of a riffle which he just happened to have handy.

Those inside were naturally alarmed at this turn of events. They soon forgot about the minutiae under debate, they abandoned the previously expressed self interest and simply signed up so that they could get away from the mad chancellor and his house.

Job done so to speak.

Whilst I do not in anyway condone the behaviour of Otto von Bismark in this instance, and have no doubt that he was an autocrat, what I will say is that he believed that there was too much time being spent on the unimportant stuff and not enough time recognising what really needed doing– from his point of view of course.

Today– and it seems every day for months— we have endless debate about the future of Scottish Football. League reconstruction and the redistribution of footballing wealth has become a marathon– even before it has started.

Yet I believe that at the moment all parties concerned are not focusing on the radical reform that is fundamentally needed which is the creation of one, strong, properly structured and constituted body which is capable of the proper and ethical governance of Scottish Football and the business that surrounds football.

No matter what system you try, or distribution you agree, without proper sensible strong governance you are wasting your time.

Further, whatever body is set up, and whoever is chosen to be its CEO (or whatever the head honcho is going to be called), they must tackle the issue of corporate and fiscal compliance and the proper administration of any body corporate which actively takes part in Scottish Football– and that includes any such body or person who is involved in the running of a member club.

In addition, in so dealing with any corporate malfeasance or chicanery or whatever, the rules have to be applied with a rod of iron by an iron body.

As we can now clearly see, Football clubs and football in general is not, and never will be, immune from the effects of bad corporate governance and on occasion downright manipulation of facts, figures and contracts.

Whilst great play has been made of the fact that Gavin Masterton has handed over his shares in Dunfermline FC ( or its holding company ) the fact of the matter is that this in no way solves the problem faced by the football club. Whoever gains control of that club will still have to rent the ground from Mr Masterton’s company– and it is a rent that the club may just not be able to afford.

Ever!

It is only my opinion of course, but I am of the view that Mr Masterton has sealed a loan deal with his bankers which is of a type and duration which could not normally be achieved by other borrowers. The Loan has a lengthy period during which no repayments are necessary and interest can continue to accrue.

All very good you may say, but the level of debt concerned is not one that appears to be sustainable by Dunfermline FC and so whoever buys the club as a going concern ( if anyone buys it at all ) will have to pay an agreed rental to Gavin Masterton– and if the rental is not sufficient to repay Mr Masterton’s lenders, then I suspect that the end game here will be a search to find a buyer for the ground at some point over the next twenty years or so, with the hope that as part of the deal a space will be found somewhere for a new ground like New St Mirren park– the difference being that in that instance St Mirren were in charge of their future whereas Dunfermline are not.

The Governance of that club and the financial arrangements behind the club should have been looked at and examined by the SFA long before now– and the Dunfermline fans warned about the dangers of any such arrangements. Effectively those finance arrangements, should they continue, will probably mean that the club will have no option but to move from its established home!

All to suit one man!

Thankfully Dundee were spared a full takeover by Giovanni Di Stefano, however is it not a bit worrying that this man who has been jailed for over 14 years for various fraudulent acts, was allowed to roam around Scottish Football for a prolonged period?

Not so long ago Di Stefano did play a part at Dens, was in line to buy almost 30% of the shareholding, and was oft quoted in the papers and so on. The thing is that there were those who were prepared to give him a place at the Dundee table and in so doing invited him into Scottish Football.

Surely the SFA, had they been inclined to, could quite easily have pointed out that many of the claims of Mr Di Stefano were at least dubious if not completely incorrect? Yet nothing was being said at the time and silence prevailed.

Whilst not in the same calibre as Di Dtefano, Vladimir Romanov has now been at Hearts for a prolonged period. While I have no quibbles about the legality of Romanov’s takeover of Hearts, any money of a sizeable size which is transferred into Scotland from a foreign country will be subject to scrutiny by the Crown office to ensure that it is clean. Lithuania in particular is said to have a banking system which is governed loosely and sometimes does not meet the compliance standards expected in this country.

With his bank having gone bust, Romanov still retains the majority shareholding at Tynecastle, but there are questions still to be answered about what has happened at Hearts but life will be very different for the Edinburgh club going forward.

Again– could the SFA have done more to monitor the situation and could they have demanded clarity and detail from the Hearts owner as to his business dealings and the detailed arrangements with his bank?

At Ibrox, well things just go from the weird and inexplicable to downright astonishing– and all through a tremendous amount of smoke and mirrors.

It is clear that the SFA have no idea what to believe from Charles Green or for that matter Craig Whyte. On the face of it, there are clear links between Whyte and Green with the former paying over a six figure sum in return for absolutely nothing it would appear– with similar transactions going between Whyte’s colleague, Aiden Early, and Charles Green.

What is clear is that Green gave a clear undertaking to the SFA that he had nothing whatsoever to do with Whyte and would have nothing to do with Whyte going forward. Now, at the very least he is admitting that he met Whyte on several occasions, and whilst he may have made representations to Craig Whyte— these were all lies designed only to get Whyte to where Green wanted him.

This is hardly the act of someone who has been bona fides in his business dealings either with Whyte or with the SFA as the licensing body.

It is against this background that the Scottish Football Agencies need to wake up before they find the fans of the game ( at least those who want to stay interested in the game ) doing a Bismarck and panning in the windows of this whole house of cards.

Football Clubs, football fans, and indeed football itself needs protected from the financial and corporate shenanigans, and the governing body must be much more active and permanently vigilant in watching out for and if necessary anticipating the people and the transactions which have and will jeopardise clubs and the game in general going forward.

It is clearly no longer acceptable to rely on self regulation or mere declarations and undertakings from the clubs themselves. The Administrators must be much more active and employ far greater professional expertise in carrying out an almost constant analytical and reporting function in relation to club finance and corporate regulation.

All and any changes in funding, boardroom changes, investor changes and anything else major should be the subject of immediate and proper scrutiny by the SFA and there should be fair, immediate and stiff sanctions for non compliance, and any type of dilatory behaviour on the part of club officials who would seek to conceal the truth or who fail to properly disclose vital matters which should be out in the open.

Further, the funding detail– such as the never ending loan re Dunfermline should be a matter of public record in all its detail so that fans and investors can make information based value judgements when dealing with any club.

Such stiffer regulation should not develop into anything like a corporate witch hunt or any kind of draconian big brother syndrome, however the need for change given all of the current troubles is obvious to one and all.

Further, the attempted fudge surrounding Rangers league status last summer and the ongoing disquiet surrounding the position of Campbell Ogilvie does nothing to boost faith in and the reputation of Football Administration in Scotland.

Things are far from clear and there appears to be continual dithering and fudging. No one has any idea where the Nimmo Smith Report has gone nor what import it is to have— if any. Why is that?

Dithering and bumbling over detail is no longer an option. Strong clear governance is required to protect the game from being hijacked by those who have their own corporate and financial agendas.

Such people cannot be allowed to determine the way Scottish Football runs  or to conduct themselves in a fashion that leaves football and everyone involved in limbo.

It is time for Scottish Football to find its own Iron Chancellor!  There is a need for someone who will, if necessary, come along and shoot the lights out of any club or Company Director who wishes to play fast and loose with the game of football.

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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.

5,402 thoughts on “Scottish Football and the case for a Bismarck!”


  1. StevieBC says:

    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 21:49

    I did mention in a conversation with someone high up in the game that I could do a better job. But I’m retired and not keen on a blazer. 🙂


  2. Marty Strong✌ ‏@MartyStrong88 7h
    “Charles Green can be to Rangers what Fergus McCann was to Celtic” – Mark Hateley. 26.10.2012

    19.4.13 – Charles Green to step down as CEO.
    ……………………………………..

    Mark Hateley…what a card!


  3. Marty Strong✌ ‏@MartyStrong88 7h
    “Charles Green can be to Rangers what Fergus McCann was to Celtic” – Mark Hateley. 26.10.2012

    19.4.13 – Charles Green to step down as CEO.
    ………………………………..

    Mark Hateley…what a card!


  5. Re any floating charges or securities, or the title deeds.

    I know many have posted what there is to be found at the land registry etc, but given that the last bits of news kicked off with forms submitted late to Cos Hse, what other facts might come to light once further forms are submitted?


  6. Carl31 (@C4rl31) says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 22:00
    ——————–
    The land registry only guarantees the information it is given, and that to the date to which is it is given.

    If there is something out there that can impede title to a heritable property (FC, reduction of a Deed), then that is for a Court to decide.

    CW has previous with Courts.


  7. I am hearing The SFA has sent a letter to Craig Whyte, apparently states that now he owns Rangers once more and they have millions in the bank, could he pay his bloody fine!


  8. Thinking about the Sports Journo awards and the Ignobel Prizes.

    We could have the Thommo Award for Excellence and the Tommy Awards (for deaf dumb and blind journos)

    Needs finessing perhaps, but I fear that we would be more effective in ridiculing the, er, ridiculous situation where (and I am striving to stay away from the pejorative here) Jackson is even considered for an award by so-called professionals.

    Fair enough, he did go for Green recently, but President Kennedy is dead Keith. Timing is usually the key ingredient of a scoop.

    It does indicate just how hated Spiers and English must be though 🙂 Have they no pals anywhere?


  9. theglen2012 says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 21:45

    after a year of saying everything that came out of his mouth was a total fabrication, if he said something indicating the impending doom of Sevco, would he now be considered a man who speaks no lies?

    ______________________________________

    Its a reasonable point to make glen, but to be fair to the detractors, its CGs public pronouncements that have been ridiculed (& justifiably so I think) on this blog by and large. The statement being ascribed to him here is not in that category (at least as yet) so doesn’t really come into that grouping.
    I might dare to suggest that those with reason to be genuinely sceptical of CGs ‘public’ statements could well include CG himself!

    This statement I would file under ‘plausible’, but ‘dubious’ at present.
    As it is not one of his public utterances, it could – if genuine – reflect a private opinion. I think that it is fair enough to postulate that what he actually believes himself, and (possibly) states in private, might well be at odds with whatever nonsense he spouts externally for consumption of e.g. TRFC fans/ football “regulatory authorities” / scottish “media” etc.
    Ergo, different criteria could legitimately be applied in assessing the veracity of the 2 types of statement by a reasonable person… as well as someone with a particular axe to grind!

    (inverted commas intentional!)


  10. theglen2012 says:

    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 21:45

    ………Although I would be interested in the reaction here if he did – after a year of saying everything that came out of his mouth was a total fabrication, if he said something indicating the impending doom of Sevco, would he now be considered a man who speaks no lies?

    ========================================================================

    The reaction would be the same as happened with Craig Whyte.
    People on RTC thought he was at it,
    That proved correct.
    Having that confirmed means that most people on RTC /TSFM are not surprised of the further twists and turns the story has taken.
    Some of Whyte’s claims will be nonsense and some will have a grounding in the way Spivs try to run circles around the authorities and the likes.
    We also know that Spivs like Whyte and Green do not like to be shown up and will not go down alone.
    Like Whyte, Green he could end up being a hero to those on here who are happy to see the Ibrox club go to the wall once again.

    We knew what Green was from day one, our views on him will not change much.
    The more interesting reaction will be the one from the Rangers fans who had him down for their hero.
    For them Green could end up being the new Whyte.


  11. resin_lab_dog says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 22:13

    wottpi says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 22:15
    ———————————————-
    Don’t mean to paraphrase you guys – but that just read like “we all knew he was telling lies until he stopped telling lies, then we knew that was the truth”.


  12. TSFM says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 22:13

    As suggested last night here, any thoughts on a TSFM award?


  13. Just working through some of the interesting implications if Green’s departure signals a recognition that CW/Sevco 5088 does indeed have a valid claim on the assets…..

    Does that mean he also owns everything else that was bought too? Does Craigie Boy actually own ‘the history’?

    I think we should be told! Where’s Sally when you need him? 🙂


  14. theglen2012 says:

    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 22:22

    No it reads like

    We knew he was always looking out for himself and the folks he is working for, therefore he would tell whatever story and take whatever action was needed to fulfill that objective. Now on the other side of the fence he will do the same but his tune will change from ‘talking up’ The Rangers to bringing down anyone he needs to or feels has betrayed him.

    I suspect some home truths will be told about Whyte, D&P, SFA, SPL,SFL,SFA, McCoist, Murray et al.
    Some will no doubt be lies but, like Whytes tapes, some will be true and show up a few people in a poor light.

    Green does not care what others think of him so he has nothing to loose by turning to the truth to bring down people he now sees as enemies.

    When the revelations start to surface people here will call it how they see it.
    Yes some of us will hope what he comes out with has more than a grain of truth to it even when it smells of the crap he has been selling for the last 11 months. However we are not the ones being fooled time and time again.


  15. Has Charles sold his shares ?
    well thats unlikely if not actually impossible
    Would Charles publicly state that administration is possible before having done so ?
    thats unlikely if not actually incredibly foolish .
    Would Charles open his big mouth privately and blurt out his biggest worry ?
    that is a viable possibility .
    If it was a viable possibility would he want to be as far away from the action when the SHTF ?
    Has he just put his plimsoles on ?


  16. “As a result, Mr Green has informed the board that he will leave his post with immediate effect and leave the company, following an orderly handover, by the end of May.
    ………………………….

    Taken from the BBC website…..so he is stepping down by the end of May….what year?


  17. Auldheid (@Auldheid) says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 21:50

    “The universe is all unfolding as it should, I just put up markers to help keep track.”

    And, Auldheid as your posts show, you are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars.
    Be cheerful, strive to be happy, keep going.


  18. Long Time Lurker says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 21:06
    18 2 Rate This
    Posted on KDS about 5 mins ago:

    I know there are some who don’t like cryptic messages, so for their benefit….
    Sevco are heading for administration. I can’t name names but this came straight from Charles Green
    ———————————————————————————————————-

    Lifted from KDS courtesy of wee Shughie:

    Well you said “Sevco are heading for administration”, what can we infer from that? If you take some of the letters from “sevco are” you get “car” and some letters left over, so maybe you’ve won a car…..

    ….but then you said “Straight from Charles Green”, well another word for Greens is vegetables and a derivative of Charles is “Chuck”, now where do Rangers fans chuck their vegetables? That’s right, straight into the bin….YOU’VE WON DUSTY BIN!!!

    *wah wah wah wah waaaaaaah*

    Deserves a far wider audience 😀


  19. theglen2012 says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 22:22

    You just did.


  20. I doubt very much Charles is talking to anyone at this time, so claims of administration will not be coming from him.

    The balance sheet will be taking care of itself and the accountants followed by the new CEO will tell us soon enough where The Rangers are at financially.

    As implied above, the fun from Green will be that even if he does sink back into the murky waters of Spivdom, he won’t do it without a few parting shots.


  21. wottpi says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 22:39
    ——————-
    Thanks for clarifying wottpi – I understand your points.

    My point was that many people will only believe what he’s saying once he (although, I would actually say “once he is quoted as saying..”) stuff that is to to detriment of Rangers.

    Much like many people on other football sites have thought he told no lies and now believe (if he has been quoted as saying) that he is lying because it is detrimental to Rangers.

    As a matter of interest, I have never believed anything he said. And would caution anyone thinking he has now turned queens evidence and is telling the whole truth and nothing but.


  22. So ,who next for CEO at TRFC?

    1. A Rangers-minded thinking person?
    2. A Rangers -minded person ?
    3. A person?
    4. Someone from the SFA?


  23. I think this blog and the contributors are excellent. The problem we have is that a Rangers is going to be foisted upon the top division of Scottish football whether we like it or not.The people in charge will not be swayed. There will be fall guys, people who make money, people who lose money (whether innocent or guilty) along the way, but a Rangers team wwill be playing in the top league, probably by 2015. I don’t think there is anything any of the followers and supporters of the aims of this excellent blog can do about it. I for one don’t have a problem with that, as there are thousands of people throughout this country who have a strong affinity with this institution. However, the handling of the whole saga by the authorities and the reporting in the media seems to me to be a gross insult to the intelligence of supporters of any other Scottish team. Unfortunately the only option for anyone who cares about fair play will be to (1) turn their back completely on Scottish football, (2) accept the whole set up for the fix that it is, or (3) find a middle ground, namely never attending a game home or away involving Rangers


  24. theglen2012 says:

    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 22:22

    Don’t mean to paraphrase you guys – but that just read like “we all knew he was telling lies until he stopped telling lies, then we knew that was the truth”.
    ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    Kindava agree with you glen
    When someone has a track record of being a Spiv
    His public pronouncements are always always never the whole truth
    and
    His private pronouncments are always private
    So the simple test is not whether it is true or not
    but whether it is public or not
    ,,,,,,,
    So if Green is alleged to say anything in private it is nonsense to speculate on whether it is true or untrue
    in other words

    forget it


  25. theoldshed says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 23:13

    Excellent and to the point. I go with option 3.


  26. rantinrobin says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 23:13

    A pro who doesn’t know where Ibrox is, and could care less. Someone brought in to turn the company around , who doesn’t care about history or tradition, but who does care about turning red ink into black ink.


  27. goosygoosy says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 23:15
    ————————
    Exactly Goosy – this is now his get out stage. He’ll say whatever it takes.


  28. theoldshed says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 23:13
    I’ll try again. Great points. I know which one I would choose!


  29. theglen2012 says:

    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 23:13

    You are correct. There will be a desire from some to buy into anything Green says now that paints The Rangers in a bad light.

    (If you saw one of my posts the other day you will have noticed I pointed out how some on here were possibly confused on how to deal with Peter Lawwell praising Neil Doncaster while Stewart Gilmour was calling him out)

    However as you know, if people get carried away on here, there are plenty posters who will advise ‘proceed with caution’. Unlike the blue tinted forums where very few spoke up against what was the Green party line.


  30. Tsfm awards.
    How about the nae baws award.
    Few candidates from msm.


  31. rcp231 says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 16:59

    Directorate Change

    The Company announces that Charles Green has notified the Board that he wishes to step down as Chief Executive with immediate effect.

    Whilst Mr Green strenuously denies any wrongdoing, he has recognised that this negative publicity is a distraction… and is detracting from the achievements and reputation of The Club.
    =========================================================================

    Eh?…What reputation?

    Pamplona?

    Barcelona?

    Seville?

    Manchester?


  32. theoldshed says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 23:13

    You might be right, but unless the financial fundamentals are changed it doesn’t really matter a good god damn which league they are playing in, the soap opera will continue. The Rompin, Stompin Mighty Morphin Glasgow Rangers are gone, probably forever. Whatever team in blue which goes on playing at Ibrox will be

    “…but a walking shadow, a poor player who struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. A tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing”


  33. valentinesclown says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 23:31

    No, many candidates from MSM!!


  34. wottpi says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 23:27
    ———————-
    I read all your posts wottpi – and they are always fair (and hopefully mine are considered that way too) – but there are many who will only ever view this entire debacle through whatever colour of specs they happen to be wearing.

    What is important is how Scottish Football moves on – but the Rangers situation has a long, long, way to go, I fear.


  35. Phil MacGiollaBhain ‏@Pmacgiollabhain 5h

    @Mac9974 This saga has a while to run yet.

    However the #Sevco insolvency will be a watershed moment for the Scottish game IMO
    ====================================================================

    Hopefully flushed away for good this time.

    Not long now!


  36. What’s the chances of a southern hemisphere tax dodger waiting in the wings?


  37. chipsandblog says:
    Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 00:08

    when sevco go Scottish football will emerge stronger and all inclusive.
    ———————————–
    I’m not for a minute suggesting that Scottish Football needs a Rangers, but do you really believe that all the issues in Scottish Football will disappear when Rangers disappear?

    Will we see no more segregation at games, all fans hugging each other and wearing each others teams scarves? Sharing ends? No more bigotry at games (it wouldn’t take a particularly indepth search on youtube to find reprehensible behaviour from other teams fans). All pals together? Have you ever been to a Scottish football game?

    If people think getting rid of Rangers will cure ALL the problems, then I fear they might be mistaken.


  38. theglen2012 says:

    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 23:38

    Thank you for your kind words. For what it is worth I think your contributions are more than fair and are always welcomed as posters need to be questioned from time to tiime to avoid a feeding frenzy.

    As for where Scottish Football goes now I am not sure. The 12-12-18 never floated my boat but if it got some of the other things moving then I was for it.

    How the reconstruction gets resolved now, I am not sure.

    However in relation to The Rangers they, arguably like Gilmour, need to look beyond the club to what is the best for Scottish Football.

    Whoever takes over the reigns there be it temporarily or permanently, needs to be open and transparent and start telling it like it is within the next few weeks.

    The game cannot afford to go into another summer break with one of our largest supported clubs being on the verge of failing once again.

    The Whyte situation needs to be closed out ASAP and the financial position needs to be clear.

    Most of all the Rangers fans need to be told the truth so they can perhaps grasp the reality of where they are and what the future actually holds.

    I swing from still feeling sorry for them and wanting to give them yet another chance to saying hell mend them and lets just continue on without the club.


  39. wottpi says:
    Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 00:28

    Most of all the Rangers fans need to be told the truth so they can perhaps grasp the reality of where they are and what the future actually holds.
    ———————
    I agree 100% with everything you said – I’ve copied above the thing that I think is most important to Rangers fans, like me, – not only do they deserve to know the truth from the custodians of of their club, they need to ACCEPT the truth. Rangers fans are not the Peepil, regardless of whatever they might think, they are simply another club within Scottish Football, they have no inalienable to clam supremacy over any other team. They should have to fight, on the park, to be the best.

    Rangers, at this point in time, have a large fan base, that should be used to benefit of Rangers and Scottish football, not some ill advised and, quite frankly, ridiculous campaign to get it right up everyone that they perceive as being against them.


  40. chipsandblog says:
    Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 00:41
    ———————-
    I thought we’d done with schools thing.

    [We have. The posts and the “author” are removed – TSFM]


  41. theglen2012 says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 22:22

    Paraphrase away mate, you are raising legitimate arguments in a thoughtful and studied manner: that is to be welcomed, – if not celebrated.
    I think what I am saying is that context is important in assessing ‘the truth’, that is all.
    In the same way as the context of the KDS statement is important in assessing its veracity, so context is important in assessing the veracity of Charles Green’s statements.

    If I may ‘paraphrase’ back, you seem to be suggesting – on one level – that if, for the sake of argument, Charles Green is a liar, he lies all of the time therefore what he says should be dismissed ubiquitously. Now clearly, the word of a proven liar does and should carry less weight ‘in the balance’ than that of a citizen of good standing (e.g an officer of the law) , when all else is equal, but the ‘equality’ of ‘all else’ – or to put it another way, the ‘context’ is still a very pertinent element in assessing the veracity of what is being said at any point, and should not be neglected. Ironically, this goes to the heart of the whole RFC mess… if my mate in the pub who supports the other team says something I don’t like but the Daily record prints something that flatly contradicts it – on time and on message -, I’m going to believe the Daily record and diss my pub mate to hell, yes?… well you would! (if you wind the clock back 2 years or so at any rate.) I really don’t blame you. Doesn’t make the guy in the pub wrong. The context (David Murray turning journalism into churnalism and effectively extending his PR department into the Record by means of a sinecure for the ‘hard working’ staff employed there) changes things somewhat.

    Taking the specific example of the KDS Green quote.
    KDS = no love of Rangers. On one level, harming Rangers may be their aim. Making up a scurrilous rumour might achieve this. ‘CG says we’re bust’ when he said no such thing might come into that category: Conclusion – could just be some trouble making by naught boys. Valid argument. Supported with evidence. Could be true. Might well be.

    Against that… why make it up? There seems to be enough excrement impacting that specific extractor at the moment that a ‘sit back and watch the show’ mentality might be just as likely from those who would see harm done to you and your interests. Maybe the whole friend/enemy situation has become a wee bit confused and there is a touch of the Stockholm syndrome going on here? Anyhow, in my experience people who look to do you harm out of maliciousness tend to come out of the woodwork when things are going well for you, not when things are going badly, anyway. Thatcher excepted, trouble tends to break out at family weddings, whereas at funerals, people watch their Ps and Qs. (Maybe the absence of rioting at Maggie’s inhumation is actually proving this point) No smoke without fire etc…

    Now this is hardly a compelling case for the counter argument – i.e. that Charles Green believes and said that RIFC are to enter admin and has said so to someone, but perhaps a reason to not dismiss the possibility out of hand.

    Now insert it all into the wider context.

    Who CG has ‘lied’ to and ‘how’? (CW?Bears?D&P?SFA? Ally? none/all of the above. Publicly/privately?)
    Known financials of RIFC.
    Known boardroom situation of RIFC
    CW situation and revelations therein.

    It certainly enters the realms of plausibility. Whilst still being highly dubious for the reasons stated earlier.

    I have no idea whether it is true or not. I have no axe to grind. But you and your fellow fans might be counselled to accept the possibility and make moves to head it off, or whatever, or else at least seek the necessary assurances from those that are really equipt to give them that there is no basis in it as a possibility. What have you got to lose by doing a bit of digging and making sure either way?

    Because, when it comes to it, a hard truth is still easier than an easy lie.

    TBH I would put money on the KDS statement being a load of made up foetid dingoes kidneys, but its a good example of the kind of vigilence (or should that be ‘paranoia’) that I reckon could be needed to survive the times ahead!

    Anyhow… Hail fellow, well met!


  42. Tony Cosgrove says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 22:42

    The guy who posted the info on KDS tonight re administration part two is the same guy who had destroyed Craig Whyte’s billionaire status within an hour of it being mentioned in the press.
    ——————————————————————————————————————————

    He was certainly leading the charge. He also knows more about Murray’s tenure than
    most of the Rangers directors of the past ten years. If that’s the source then you can be assured it’s more than just idle speculation.

    Watch out for Chris Graham’s propaganda in the coming days…Traynor’s poodle and mouthpiece…when it’s not full of Traynor, that is…but it should be an indication of how they are going to sell it to the proles. However, I think ‘events’ will overtake them quick enough.


  43. carntyne says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 23:34

    rcp231 says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 16:59

    Directorate Change

    The Company announces that Charles Green has notified the Board that he wishes to step down as Chief Executive with immediate effect.

    Whilst Mr Green strenuously denies any wrongdoing, he has recognised that this negative publicity is a distraction… and is detracting from the achievements and reputation of The Club.
    =========================================================================

    Eh?…What reputation?

    Pamplona?

    Barcelona?

    Seville?

    Manchester?
    ………………………………………………………

    You appear to be confused!….SEVCO have never been in any of the above cities let alone played a football game their…

    They are a new club with no European history…

    One of the things we are waiting on…which was reported by every man and his dog (including the sports broadcaster)…was their supports singing at Berwick….which strangely enough Mr. Lunney has….as yet said and done nothing….but as soon as he gets a midnight call from a public phone box from an un-named source regarding a match at St. Mirren Park…he is all over it like a rash!

    Really…in all honesty joking aside…could not make up the bahaviour and actions or lack of from the SFA with regards their protection of one particular club!


  44. Police could get a bus, collect the felons, drive them to Court, be found guilty – and locked up.
    After they`ve dealt with the lawyers, they can go back and deal with the PR media & MSM leeches.
    As for the rest of the miscreants – they can sit stew and sweat till LH is good and ready to deal with them.


  45. Good morning from Barcelona where the Med is flat calm and the sun is just starting to appear over the palm trees. All appears well with the world , and yet back in the ancestral homeland things are not so tranquil

    Green has gone , that’s a good thing for the game. He was and is a Bufoon , a divisive figure who played to the mob. He insulted every club in Scotland with his mawkish claims of comparing balance sheets and being debt free

    He of course was only a front man, not just for Whyte in the Sevco 5088 attempted con job. He was also a front man for Imran Ahmad and his Zeus pals. Lets not forget Ahmad was on the scene long before Green and may prove a bit tougher to shift. He had support from the Zeus crew, and between them they own a lot more than Green did. Green may even throw his voting power behind Ahmad to ensure the original plan is kept on track

    Ahmad is claimed to be connected to Whyte, however it will take further revelations from Whyte to make his position untenable. Ahmad was never a shareholder in 5088 nor a director. It seems likely he was deeply involved with Whyte, however proving that will be more difficult than it was with Green.

    Ahmad has sensibly kept his head down and said virtually nothing. Green made discrediting him as easy as shooting fish in a barrel . However whoever takes the CEO position, and surely this time Rangers will get a credible professional on board , will operate in a political climate where Zeus and Ahmad may not have their thinking aligned to the non execs.

    The SFA will now be able to judge Green and deliver a suitable punishment, knowing that this will have no effect on Rangers. They must be hugely relieved about that. They now have no authority over Green to explain the links to Whyte. However it would be a fudge of extraordinary proportions ( even by their standards) if they do not continue to investigate the circumstances in which they handed Rangers a licence.

    I’m sure everyone has different motivations for participating in this farce. Many have devoted long hours to attempt to ensure this wasn’t dealt with in a back room at Hampden and covered up by the likes of Peat and Ogilvie. I can’t speak for anyone else, however I have not personally spoken to anyone who wants to see Rangers ( in whatever guise) out of Football altogether. However they really are getting close to the last chance saloon. They can’t afford anyone else with the personality and business morals of Murray , Whyte or Green

    They need to appoint a credible and capable CEO. A diplomat with the strength of character to avoid the demands of the mob. The ridiculous notion that insulting all Scottish clubs was good for Rangers and showed strength in standing up for the club needs to be consigned to the shredder.

    They need to stop demanding . They need to realize they are not a special case. No club is. Each club should reach its own level based on its own merits, and it should do so without demanding special treatment at every turn.

    Scottish Football did not bring Rangers problems down on their own head . They did that themselves and they are responsible , not Scottish Football, for getting themselves out of the mess they are in.

    Doing it quietly would be a good start


  46. Just wondering did the Champions League music belt out over Ibrox then?


  47. theglen2012 says:

    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 21:45

    ………Although I would be interested in the reaction here if he did – after a year of saying everything that came out of his mouth was a total fabrication, if he said something indicating the impending doom of Sevco, would he now be considered a man who speaks no lies?
    ========================================================

    The frustrating thing for me is that the media have already lined up a situation where if a ‘real’ Rangers man is put in charge then every statement made will be infallible. We only have to take the fawning treatment of Walter Smith and McCoist as an example. Even worse look at the fawning, unquestioning treatment of Gordon Smith, even though he was a board member when Rangers withheld millions in taxes and other payments. If the Rangers board wish a ‘smokescreen’ period to allow them to progress with whatever they have to, they need to put in charge a man who will be believed even if he tells the media the world is flat. I suspect they will.


  48. Will all this nonsense mean that Charles Green and TRFC may not be around to save Scottish Football for us all now? Who should we turn to? The SFA?

    In their haste to ensure that there was ‘A Rangers’ playing football in The Scottish League not only did the SFA/SFL disregard their own rule book and indeed invent shiney new rules along the way they treated fans of the new club with complete disregard and contempt. At no time did anyone seem to take into account the cost both financially and emotionally to fans who had been kicked from pillar to post by their 2 previous owners. Failure to carry out proper due dilligance in order to facilitate the re incarnation means that the Governing Bodies let these fans and all the other fans of Scottish Football down and they should now be charged with bringing the game into disrepute. Saviours of the game? Don’t think so.


  49. barcabhoy says:
    Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 06:46
    ==========================

    Any sensible person without an agenda can see that the problems at Rangers were self inflicted. However, as long as we have a media willing to peddle ridiculous myths such as Dunfermline and Hearts financial issues somehow being related to no Rangers in the SPL we will get nowhere.


  50. The best exchange of last night was on SSB, always worth listening to when there’s a crisis down Ibrox way.

    DJ “I wouldn’t rule out Martin Bain coming back”
    HK “Well I would”

    The sooner people realise this is no longer cardigan city, but a publicly owned company the better. Whatever its financial health, the new CEO will be subject to the approval of the NOMADs and ultimately the investors.

    There will be no more jobs for the boys, probably what is needed is a good turnaround expert, if reports of financial difficulties are to be believed.

    But whatever else happens, the Rangers board owes it to the fans to have the “independent investigation” completed and made public.


  52. barcabhoy says:
    Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 06:46

    Good morning from the east coast of Scotland – where the wind is a refreshingly cool north easterly, and the temperature is currently peeking at 5.4 c. I bet the beach at Barcelona is lovely this morning 🙂

    I agree that a new CEO operating quietly, with contrition would be a good start. However, that is likely to have the same effect as the little Dutch boy putting his finger in the dyke.

    I have no inside knowledge of the finances and trials and tribulations of TRFC/Sevco. However, the growing internet chatter, the strong hints from Phil and Alex Tomo (among others) suggests that a bad storm is brewing.

    If or when the brown stuff hits the fan – I fear that a section of the fan base will continue to demand a strong CEO like Charles Green to stand up and face the media to stop all of the lies coming out about the Club (or so to speak). Many more fans may then demand the same if they feel that the Club is under threat.

    I also fear that sections of the media will perhaps with input from Media House etc. will push the line that the Club has been punished enough – further raising the belief of some fans that they should have a strong CEO who stands up for the Club.

    Sadly, cash is king. Many of the fans who will demand a strong CEO who speaks for them may walk away from SB sales if they perceive that the Club is not fighting back. What does the Club do then. Will we see AMc demanding to know the names of all those who are pulling the Club down on RangersTV?

    I disagree in part that Scottish football had nothing to do with the problems that the Club now faces. If the SFA played by the rules last summer, the Club would be on a stronger footing, playing in a lower league starting again and rebuilding without the toxic financial collateral that they continue to hold. The people behind the Club may not have went for an IPO, which I feel now complicates matters. If this all goes wrong, a future consortia will find it impossible to go to the markets for finance.

    If the Club goes into administration or indeed is liquidated or finds that it has no access to a stadium due to prolonged Court battles over Sevco 5088 / Sevco Scotland Ltd etc. what then for the licensing authority?

    I like you and many others here have no desire to see Rangers in whatever guise unable to play football in front of their fans. If the worst comes to the worst – then the SFA have to learn from past mistakes and act accordingly, otherwise more like Rangers will fail, where fans walk away.

    Oh, the temperature here is on the up – a balmy 6.4 degrees c.


  57. A new and (let’s assume for argument’s sake) fiscally responsible CEO is likely to have to do some of what was Duff & Phelps job, but without getting the 5 million quid they took for supposedly absorbing any flak going. But maybe after the third wreck in a row, someone can come in and not be universally derided by Rangers fans if they try to implement a proper 5- or even 10-year plan to prune the club and build back up. Might Bill Miller might have been the man to do the job? Would someone with his views be acceptable to the Rangers support now?


  58. theglen2012 says:
    Friday, April 19, 2013 at 21:45
    29 2 Rate This

    … after a year of saying everything that came out of his mouth was a total fabrication, if he said something indicating the impending doom of Sevco, would he now be considered a man who speaks no lies?
    ————–

    Good discussion you had with several posters @theglenn2012

    Mr Green came across to me as a mixture of TV Shop salesman and general fantasist (which may be one and the same). Sad thing is, he encouraged a lot of people into parting with their money, which they may or may not see again.

    On the point of him flip-flopping into a source of truth and fact, that would depend on the context. Unless Mr Green was working on his own he must have confided in someone, or various others. It’s not impossible that a source has heard from a source something about the true state of play. I would also imagine that people in the know, who perhaps have no interest in football at all, are willing to whistleblow on something fundamentally shady going on in their working environment.

    But that’s as maybe. I agree with your attitude of healthy scepticism. There’s already enough in the public domain to be going on with, oddly enough, much of it from Mr Whyte who was also once considered totally unreliable 🙂


  60. carlislecelt says:
    Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 06:54

    Just wondering did the Champions League music belt out over Ibrox then?
    =============================================================

    I feel sure Green heard a faint and ghostly echo as he walked away but perhaps it was only only Zadoc chuckling.


  61. Greens gone who on the board has the stomach to stand up to Ally and Walter and provide them with an entry level introduction to Financial Accounting?

    Their mindset is their problem , I suspect they cannot help but steer themselves onto the rocks once again.

    Media focus on Ally now to boost SB sales should be a laugh, a couple of well placed Celtic transfer rumours would be my guess over the next week or so


  62. I get the feeling that one of the biggest factor’s in Greens walking away was his cost cutting telling Mcoist to remove his staff and Mcoist rallies the MSM. I believe Green has manipulated Mcoist into action as a exit strategy knowing full well that ‘Real Rangers Men’ don’t do cost cutting


  63. ekbhoy says:
    Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 08:35
    1 0 Rate This

    … Their mindset is their problem , I suspect they cannot help but steer themselves onto the rocks once again.
    —————

    Indeed @ekbhoy, the mindset of the chequebook manager, an unsustainable luxury even for mega-rich Russian and Middle East businessmen in the EPL. Mr McCoist and Mr Smith are part of the problem, not the solution.

    @TW I had forgotten that article. Don’t think it was taken seriously at the time as Mr Charles had already captivated the masses with his Yorkshire charm.

    TSFM Weather: Sunny but with a distict chill in Northern Sjaelland. Local team playing on grass for the first time today. The dog and I will attempt to push the crowd into three figures 🙂


  65. Lord Wobbly says:
    Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 08:59
    0 0 Rate This
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Sorry but a wee edit to my previous post.

    ‘More fun ahead’ doesn’t require a question mark. It’s a given…and it keeps on giving


  66. Roddy doesn’t provide a shred of evidence for that story. Any legal impediment to Bain returning?


  67. Sevco have had so many ‘turning points’ they must be dizzy 🙂


  69. Maybe if the Rangers board were to expand their search beyond people whose name is either “Murray” or derived from a colour, they might allow themselves more choice for the next CEO?


  70. So has anyone asked what exactly it is that Green is leaving? RFC*? RFCL? TRFC? TRIFC?one or more or all of the Sevcos? The ethereal entity that is pretending to be the ‘club’?


  72. DP…..It’s obviously all that fresh air that keeps your mind so clear to dwell on these matters. I always find that Sjaelland air so reinvigorating when I visit my lifelong friends in Holbaek, Ugerlose and Tollose. Some of same air needed down Ibrox way!

    You are right, of course; it is their mindset that it is the problem. Having had two alcoholic parents to cope with when in my early teens, I always thought that only a completely different way of life and living would ever improve the dire misery for us all but, firstly, the family needed to be rid of the toxicity of the drink and denial. Must be the same for drug addicts, even when the addiction is power, triumphalism and supremacy.

    The future could be much brighter for the Ibrox outfit if all the toxic elements of its fabric were to be ditched and placed in the past and that might mean also ridding itself of some of the lionised figures….. all the legendary figures nonsense….. who are partly responsible for perpetuating the myths of that past…….. a completely new beginning.

    Who could not but embrace warmly any person or organisation that makes total amends for a sordid and debilitating past that offended or hurt so many? With the idiotic reign of Chares Green ended, the Rangers have a real opportunity to develop a new, more ethical approach to their existence.


  73. June 2012

    Acquisition of Rangers FC

    Zeus Capital, the Manchester and London based corporate advisory firm have worked in conjunction with Charles Green to complete the £5.5 million acquisition of the business and assets of Rangers Football Club out of liquidation.

    The transfer of the business and assets to a new company structure has taken effect immediately and the new company is The Rangers Football Club.

    As part of the deal Imran Ahmad and Brian Stockbridge from Zeus Capital have joined the Board of The Rangers Football Club. Zeus Capital and its associates are also investors in the newco.

    Zeus Capital is experienced in working with football clubs having advised Sunderland Football Club on 2 previous deals including the takeover by Niall Quinn and his consortium and advised on the Rule 9 offer for West Bromwich Albion.

    Members of the Zeus Capital team have also worked on deals for the following football clubs, Manchester United, Leicester City, Sheffield United and Millwall.

    Discuss!!!!


  74. wottpi says:
    Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 00:28

    Most of all the Rangers fans need to be told the truth so they can perhaps grasp the reality of where they are and what the future actually holds.
    ————————————————————————
    There is one fundamental problem that virtually demands a continuation of the murky activities in and around Ibrox by, and for, supporters, employees, the media poodles, conflicted board members and administrators et al.

    It was screamed by up by Col. Nathon Jessup in “A Few Good Men”.

    “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH”

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