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.
jonnyod says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 19:43
What do they know that we and the authorities don’t?
____________________________________________________________
There’s no evidence of anything being known by lots of people about lots of things.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport-environment/watchdog-hits-out-at-police-gangster-gossip-1.1038986
From one wheeler dealer to a dealer with wheels.
madbhoy24941 says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 18:55
Rate This
Chris Martin says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 18:30
My posts never make this through, so I’ll try again … see if this is a pro-football site or actually a pro celtic site?
—————————————-
I doubt there are many on here who would deny that Celtic wield some power and have been guilty of looking after number 1 in the past, as a mad Celtic fan who follows them at immense cost (most of which does not go to the club) I can agree with some of what you say and I am also concerned about the lack of competition and would like Celtic to play a more active part in making the top league more attractive.
In saying that, as long as you and others continue to place Celtic in the same bracket as Rangers then the defence of those claims will make this site look Pro-Celtic.
Of course continued attacks on Celtic even when they do something good could also make this look like an Anti-Celtic site. I always try to remain on the positive side of the fence, and just now, I cannot see you…
______________________________________________________________________
Madbhoy I was about to post on a similar theme excellently put!
The Easdale’s? Seriously? Fit and Proper for what exactly? Bloody hell…….
I can almost hear the echos of Spiny Norman in the distance … Easdale! EASDALE!!
I wonder what the impact of a sudden ‘mystery blaze’ might be on an asbestos problem? Asking for a friend.
Chris Martin says:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris makes some well thought out points. He is an intelligent guy not known for spouting off without thinking first (I used to work in the same place as him). Yes, statistics can show pretty much whatever you want and yes, Celtic are spending more so as to challenge in Europe as well but the basic point of the statistic is a valid one. It would be interesting to see how the same thing applies to other leagues. Then we might be able to get some sort of ‘weighting’ for the European part of the spend.
From the Daily Record a few days ago.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-chief-charles-green-quits-1842777
“Ahmad has also raised suspicions by closely courting controversial bus tycoon Sandy Easdale, a convicted criminal who has served time for VAT fraud.”
http://notonewco13.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/the-five-way-agreement-petition/
The wheels on the bus may go round and round on but fancy they will shortly be coming off this Ibrox charabanc.
Lord Wobbly says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 19:39
paulmac2 says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 19:13
This has passed the point of being funny….when do we find out
that Kim Jong il…is a secret investor?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That’s a new one. A dead dictator investing in a zombie club. But given Sevco’s record of dodgy dealings, I’m not going to rule it out entirely.
However…
You picked the wrong ‘un.
It should have been Jong Un
…………………………………
Nope I stand by my choice….If Southampton can have a deceased nominee investor for 3 years…then Jong il could still be on that list..
Pitiful extract from Chris McLaughlin piece.
“However, Sandy Easdale was jailed for VAT fraud in 1997, a matter thought to concern current Ibrox board members.”
No quotes from any Board members of course – or even from any imaginary “sources close to”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22270973
lol scottc…
Chris makes some well thought out points. He is an intelligent guy not known for spouting off without thinking first (I used to work……
>>>>
I dunno about that, i’m as capable of spouting off as the next man, and to be honest, like everybody else, mostly, I use debate to form my position and thinking on stuff…
None the less, its time for change. There has been a duopoly within a cartel in Scottish football for 70 years.
Peter Lawell reckons he could challenge anti-competitive behaviour in a court of law …….. And so could everybody else Peter.
Rangers and Celtic between them have tipped Scottish Football up until all the balls on the table run towards them (in normal operation, not exceptional recent events).
Take referees for example … Having played football myself, I’m no fan. But they’re human beings, and the human brain is designed to work on a safety first principle. And this circuit fires way faster than any rational decision making process. So, Ibrox, 50k Rangers fans and 200 Dundee United fans, united player falls in the box … What do you think the really fast circuits of the brain are saying …. no penalty because I’ll get hassle. This then informs the neocortex/rational decision making process. This forms a major part of why Rangers & Celtic get more refereeing decisions and itself a further symptom of the heavily polarised nature of Scottish Football.
I could go on and on, about how the market has become so inefficient … but it has, and I’m in severe danger of not renewing my Dundee United season ticket – a team I’ve followed for 35 years (when not playing football).
And believe me, Rangers and Celtic are as much victims of this as anybody. Its a complete failure of regulation. The SFA/SPL have failed to foster competition and we, the consumers are all being harmed now. I’d say its time for the government to step in, like they do in other failed markets.
Sugar Daddy says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 20:41
Dunno, but they may have had their “chips”, allegedly……
It will be interesting to see how Malcolm Murray reacts to this if it happens.
We are told he is a proper businessman who is well thought of in financial circles. He surely must have his reputation to consider.
It’s not just the issues of the VAT fraud for one of the Easdales, there are also several stories on how they became the dominant force for buses and taxis in the Inverclyde area. Those stories are not very savoury. I have been told about them from someone who I would consider reliable and would be in a position to make a reasonable judgement on how accurate they are.
The reality is that through the years Rangers has had shareholders who were “prominent local businessmen”, however Malcolm Murray wasn’t there at the time.
There were also stories of Andrew Ellis being linked to various people (including a different taxi operator) when he was showing interest in a buy out. However again Malcom Murray wasn’t there at the time.
I think how he reacts to this, if it happens, will be quite telling.
Re the brotherly investors
‘If it makes them less likely to be involved in Morton, good. The further they are from Cappielow the better.’
http://www.greenockmorton.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=40654
It seems this was a freedom of information request submitted with regard McGill’s Buses in 2009. You can see from the link that it would seem it was never really answered.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/mcgills_bus_services_limited_2
From: Lord McDowall
13 October 2009
Dear Sir or Madam
Please provide the following information relating to
the above bus operator:
(1) Please provide confirmation of the number of complaints and the
nature of complaints made to SPT regarding the above operator,
(2) Please provide details of any fraudulent activity/concerns
regarding the above operator and the abuse of the concessionary
travel scheme in Scotland,
(3) Please confirm if the above operator receives a subsidy for
driving vehicles from Glasgow/Greenock and Greenock/Glasgow and if
payment is made to cover driving the vehicles on a non-standard
road surface just outside Bishopton,
(4) Please confirm if the operator is subject to any/or has been
subject to any sanction, chargeback or fine in relation to
providing its service.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours Aye
Lord McDowall
Could it be a case of CG getting Easdale in just to pi55 off Murray and the cardigan so they resign in disgust due to the lunatics taking over the asylum? Feasible?
“If it makes them less likely to be involved in Morton, good. The further they are from Cappielow the better.”
http://www.greenockmorton.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=40654
iamacant says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 21:23
——————————
If he can sell his shares I doubt very much he will care any more.
I suspect he won’t even look back from his new French Chateau. Probably won’t even look at the Scottish football scores, I doubt he did before he caught “Rangersitis”.
He came in, has probably made a decent pension for himself and is walking away. It wouldn’t surprise me if finalising the deal to sell the shares is what really prompted the resignation from the CEO post.
It seems his colleague Mr Ahmed has been “courting” the Easdales. Mayhap they are buying his shares as well.
chipm0nk says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 21:37
So what chance is there that it wont be a new Tesco store but Ibrox Central Bus station?
iamacant says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 21:23
Could it be a case of CG getting Easdale in just to pi55 off Murray and the cardigan so they resign in disgust due to the lunatics taking over the asylum? Feasible?
—————-
Most definately if the end game is not to rebuild the club but to close it down so the
real estate can be sold for 15-20m
It would make sense of the aquisition of Murray Hse and the car park as they add to the overall package that say Tesco would be looking for.
The aim of the game for goosys “spivs” is to maximise their profit in as short a time as possible.
Rfc* as a football club is not a profit making enterprise .
Rfc* as a brownfield building site is the only thing that can bring in quick bucks.
sell off the seats, the floodlights, the big screens ,pieces of pitch ,the loving cup,the history,
the St Ettienne bike, all the silverware and recycle all that steel that the fans bought off Murray.
Anyone know a metal recycling businessman ?
Add it all up and theres a tidy profit to be made
If someone wants to match that to save the club (again) they’ll do a deal
but it won’t be for £1
Easdale. No-one from Greenock brave enough yet – bad, bad news. Bad news. Not your run of the mill spiv associate. Bad news.
Do we know any taxi drivers who could give us the word on the street regarding the brothers grim…… 🙂
chipm0nk says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 20:58
It will be interesting to see how Malcolm Murray reacts to this if it happens.
——————————————————————————————————-
We mustn’t lose sight of the earlier test of strength between Green and Murray which Murray appeared to have won. It obviously, at that point, didn’t suit the spivs to go nuclear and the Easdales may just be a smoke and mirrors diversion.
Might be a ploy to ease in Mather as CEO and Green promises not to sell to Easdale. Who knows because I think Murray will crack first because he appears to be a decent guy. Cardigan I wouldn’t trust an inch so I have to say a lot of weight is being carried by Murray.
He seems to be a genuine Rangers supporter so he might walk away quietly. But then he has his City reputation so he might decide to throw a farewell grenade himself as I would think he knows exactly who he’s ended up in bed with.
But can AIM let a CEO and Chair walk in short order and can they actually approve Mather who has so little experience to be a CEO of an AIM public company IMO?
What an utter shambles it looks but the key players and the mystery owners – who are closely linked – know exactly what the gameplan is and when the different bits are to be activated.
iamacant says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 21:41
===========================
LOL Harsh.
It seems the Easdale’s already have 6%, if they buy Mr Green’s 8% and Mr Ahmed’s 3% (from memory) that would give them 17% of the business, that we know about.
I think if they get a certain amount (about 24% I think) then they can basically demand a seat on the board. One of the people in the know about these things can maybe confirm that.
It does beg the question, why do it now, when the assets and the footballing licence are at risk. Surely a serious businessman would not be anywhere near it in these circumstances. So it’s easy to suspect there are other reasons.
achillesacronym says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 21:48
What was it Mr brown said about being warned off?
chipm0nk says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 21:37
It seems his colleague Mr Ahmed has been “courting” the Easdales. Mayhap they are buying his shares as well.
—————————————————————————————————————-
Darkside being swept by rumours that Easdales buying most of the shareholdings belonging to the mystery trusts offshore. Could be naughty Tims having a laugh but some of the posters have high post counts so who knows.
It might seem a strange way to sell STs but I do have difficulty following Bear logic at the best of times so I don’t know. I just have the feeling that we are not seeing and not being allowed to see what is actually happening at the moment.
Why make it all public? What does Green and his mates gain from that? I keep returning to them wanting to get rid of Murray to control the board to carry out the end-game for which they need a little darkness.
chipm0nk says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 21:51
I am perplexed?
… Didn’t Charles Green promise the bears that no individual would own more than 10% of the shares?
But… seriously, though
…wondering if the SFA are having second thoughts about that old ‘not proven’ verdict?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19826914
Not sure if there is fixed shareholding percentage which guarantees a board seat but doubt it.
However there is a percentage that when a shareholder reaches it, from memory, they have to make an offer to remaining shareholders for their shares which may or may not be accepted.
The figure I think might be 30% but I wouldn’t swear to it – perhaps someone else knows.
arabest1 says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 21:50
2 0 i Rate This
Do we know any taxi drivers who could give us the word on the street regarding the brothers grim……
I mostly lurk, comment when I feel motivated.
None will comment about the brothers, it is that serious. Not too much spare info will come forward at all. That is the level they have descended too. Bad. Serious. Please take note and tread a lot more carefuly guys.
Easdale? FFS Mr Grimsdale,Mr Grimsdale!(another one for the oldies)
Has Murray been “thrown under a bus”…metaphorically speaking, of course ? 🙂
ecobhoy says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 22:04
0 0 Rate This
Not sure if there is fixed shareholding percentage which guarantees a board seat but doubt it.
However there is a percentage that when a shareholder reaches it, from memory, they have to make an offer to remaining shareholders for their shares which may or may not be accepted.
The figure I think might be 30% but I wouldn’t swear to it – perhaps someone else knows.
=======================
Yes, for a public company, (that’s RIFC), if you go over 30% of the shares, you have to make an offer to all other shareholders. I think that currently at Arsenal, the major shareholder is stuck at 29.9% for that reason.
madbhoy24941 Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 18:39
w r t willmacufree Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 17:39
says, “Was that a serious post?…..”
——–
Afraid so. If you’re going to sit in judgement on the quality of somebody else’s post, you should first understand what it says. I’m aware of the the discussions taking place. I agree that £100 is a huge saving on the SB.
What I questioned was the time spent in in-depth analysis of the Celtic motivation. I think you’ll agree there are multi-permutations. Meantime the apparently untouchable Hampden Empire continues its rule. None of the other things can be improved until Hampden is cleaned out. Maybe I shouldn’t judge either.
chipm0nk says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 20:58
18 0 i Rate This
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It will be interesting to see how Malcolm Murray reacts to this if it happens.
We are told he is a proper businessman who is well thought of in financial circles. He surely must have his reputation to consider.
It’s not just the issues of the VAT fraud for one of the Easdales, there are also several stories on how they became the dominant force for buses and taxis in the Inverclyde area. Those stories are not very savoury. I have been told about them from someone who I would consider reliable and would be in a position to make a reasonable judgement on how accurate they are.
The reality is that through the years Rangers has had shareholders who were “prominent local businessmen”, however Malcolm Murray wasn’t there at the time.
There were also stories of Andrew Ellis being linked to various people (including a different taxi operator) when he was showing interest in a buy out. However again Malcom Murray wasn’t there at the time.
I think how he reacts to this, if it happens, will be quite telling.
———————————————–
I’m reading back the way here from ‘overseas’. I am from the area and didn’t imagine they would end up so close to this – don’t dig, don’t speculate, stay away from it until it’s clear what they are doing, it can be bad to get so close to certain people at certain times, my last warning. Over and out guys, keep it down just now.
Seems an odd time to announce that you have or have promised to sell your shares, a lot can happen between now and december – anyone verified what shares?
Are we to believe that Mr Easdale or any other businessman is desperate to shell out 7 figures to obtain a larger piece of a holding company for a new football club that is losing 1M pcm?
As with all things sevco nothing is what it seems
Yes 30% shareholding triggers mandatory requirement to make an offer to all other shareholders for their shares, unless the Takeover panel gives RIFC a waiver conditional on the other shareholders approving that waiver.
resin_lab_dog says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 22:02
chipm0nk says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 21:51
I am perplexed?
… Didn’t Charles Green promise the bears that no individual would own more than 10% of the shares?
————————————————————————————————————-
Green said many things that were pure BS. In a public company if there are willing sellers and buyers then you can’t restrict the percentage held by any shareholder. The Bears just believed him and didn’t realise it was BS. I have actually never ceased to be amazed at the lack of the simplest grasp of shares and how the markets work shown by the vast majority of Bears.
Late today RM spent enormous energy attacking the Gibson Street Community Festival for refusing the Glorious Founders Charity a stall. They were truly impressive and within minutes mounted an all-out attack on the community festival by email and facebook and against all their sponsors – small local businesses – and also got the Evening Times involved. Truly awesome watching it unfold.
But when really serious things take place they go into lock-down and hibernation mode and do nothing – all they chant is the mantra that they will wait for an official announcement from the club. They have been totally brain-washed that everyone is against them including a media that normally bends over backwards to protect and advance their cause. And the net result is no action and little discussion but curiously all-out attack on anyone from any Rangers fans who raise their head above the parapet.
I wonder if they will ever learn – in view of their recent experiences why can’t they seem to read the signs?
So now its the ‘bus brothers’. Give me a break. Utter shambles.
scapaflow14 says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 21:56
Very salient point.
He definitely gave off dark hints that those doing the warning were gentlefolk of the ‘concrete overshoes’ persuasion. I do remember at the time assuming this must relate to persons of a Northern Irish ancestry. But maybe it was other – significant pause- businessmen having a word in his shell like?
dreddybhoy says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 22:14
Seems an odd time to announce that you have or have promised to sell your shares, a lot can happen between now and december – anyone verified what shares?
=================================================================
My understanding is that Green’s 12 month lock-in only applies to him as a director and that it flies-off as soon as he ceases to be a director. Even if there was some other kind of agreement in place it could be easily broken and the most often used excuse is ill-health. But it is quite surprising how often a period of rest in a warm climate can bring about a full recovery 🙂
That last link didn’t work, apologies. I don’t know how to fix it, however a google search of the words
easdale scrap yard greenock
will give people the hit if they are interested. Second on the list for me.
AchillesA
‘ None will comment about the brothers, it is that serious. Not too much spare info will come forward at all. That is the level they have descended too. Bad. Serious. Please take note and tread a lot more carefuly guys.’
///////////////////////////////////////
Come on, give them a break. This is the guy the Bears Really Really Want.
Guaranteed to put the boot into Celtic and the rest of Scottish football – and I don’t mean metaphorically speaking!
Senior says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 22:31
—————————
This may be the guy that “the guy the Bears Really Really Want.” on the website you have just looked at Senior, but I doubt this is what the more informed Bears, really want.
chipm0nk says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 21:51
I am perplexed?
… Didn’t Charles Green promise the bears that no individual would own more than 10% of the shares?
————————————————————————————————————-
Green said many things that were pure BS. In a public company if there are willing sellers and buyers then you can’t restrict the percentage held by any shareholder. The Bears just believed him and didn’t realise it was BS. I have actually never ceased to be amazed at the lack of the simplest grasp of shares and how the markets work shown by the vast majority of Bears.
Late today RM spent enormous energy attacking the Gibson Street Community Festival for refusing the Glorious Founders Charity a stall. They were truly impressive and within minutes mounted an all-out attack on the community festival by email and facebook and against all their sponsors – small local businesses – and also got the Evening Times involved. Truly awesome watching it unfold.
But when really serious things take place they go into lock-down and hibernation mode and do nothing – all they chant is the mantra that they will wait for an official announcement from the club. They have been totally brain-washed that everyone is against them including a media that normally bends over backwards to protect and advance their cause. And the net result is no action and little discussion but curiously all-out attack on anyone from any Rangers fans who raise their head above the parapet.
I wonder if they will ever learn – in view of their recent experiences why can’t they seem to read the signs?
————————————–
Echoboy – very shortly all dissenting voices will shoosh. Believe me. Just one visit usually, but they come back regularly.
Strange blast from the past regarding Mr Easdale
From the Herald
Saturday 3 July 2010
“Scotland’s bus watchdog has lambasted law enforcement gossip-mongers as she claimed a Scottish transport tycoon was not a gangster.
Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken said there was no evidence to connect businessman and convicted fraudster Sandy Easdale to money laundering and drug dealing.
In an unprecedented finding published yesterday, Aitken decided to clear the air about Greenock-based Easdale, whose family controls most of the taxi trade in Inverclyde and at Glasgow Airport.
The watchdog, referring to “gossip-mongers and those who expect me to act on their chit-chat”, said there was “no evidence that any of the Easdales are engaged in any criminal activities; no evidence of money laundering; no evidence of drug dealing; or of harassment; or of threatening public officials”.
In an apparent sideswipe at police currently lobbying regulators and other public bodies to make life hard for suspected organised criminals, she added: “No officer of Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, or Strathclyde Police, or HM Revenue & Customs, or the Crown Office, or other public or private agency or corporate body or private citizen has brought me evidence (as distinct from supposition) of any wrongdoing.”
Easdale was jailed for 27 months in 1997 for a £1.5 million VAT fraud but, in remarks revealed in Aitken’s report yesterday, she insisted he had gone straight years ago. “There was the black spot of 12/13 years ago which never seems to wash away,” Aitken quotes him as saying in evidence at her public inquiry heard in March.
“His conviction should be regarded as spent. However, it follows him around and is used by others, for example, for newspaper reports.”
Aitken said Easdale took “advantage of arrangements which can be made to mitigate tax” but added that was not for her to criticise.
Aitken, meanwhile, fined McGill’s £60,200 for their failure to keep to timetables on newly acquired routes in 2008. The company yesterday declined to comment on personalities but said the problems for which it was punished had now been resolved.
Strathclyde Police said it had made no representation to Aitken about McGill’s. The Herald recently revealed that the force was investigating links between small bus firms and organised crime groups. There is no suggestion McGill’s is being probed.”
As a side show, of course ……
October 1999 October 1999 – Failed Labour candidate Joan Aitken appointed as the Prisons Complaints Commissioner and then became Traffic Commissioner for Scotland in 2003
(“Top 50 labour sleaze scandals” by Ian Dale)
Aitken said Easdale took “advantage of arrangements which can be made to mitigate tax” but added that was not for her to criticise.
Oh well that’s all right then….
Dearie me. where will it all end.
Senior.
Come on, give them a break. This is the guy the Bears Really Really Want.
Guaranteed to put the boot into Celtic and the rest of Scottish football – and I don’t mean metaphorically speaking
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Very few things in Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow are metaphorical. Inverclyde is a small place, and it is bitter. I reckon there are two or three on here from that part of the world. And they have been silent since last nights news – as am I about to be. This is bad news guys – please be careful,
(Just had a thought that made me laugh a lot – Sandy Easdale in a room with Mr Longmuir (ex. sir now fud of the brown pants – he better watch himself))
Maybe the TRFC defence will improve next season…for every game they could park a bus. 🙄
@Achilles
Not following you. At all.
Are you trying to say that no-one on TSFM should seek any info on the Easdales, as it is dangerous to do so.
Is that right? We all need to watch our backs, move along etc…?
theglen2012 says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 22:38
1 0 Rate This
Senior says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 22:31
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This may be the guy that “the guy the Bears Really Really Want.” on the website you have just looked at Senior, but I doubt this is what the more informed Bears, really want.
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FFS theglen Why are “the more informed bears” not out fighting for the very survival of Sevco.
Are they also intimidated by the uninformed bears? What a club – that will let a couple of thousands fanatics destroy their club. All forty five thousand of the so called informed bears are prepared to lie down and be cowed by these fanatics – perhaps ye don’t deserve a club if that’s what ye call support..
There is an overarching question which is why on earth would anyone pay a penny for shares in a listed company whose right to ownership of key assets has been questioned?
Senior says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:05
————————
Maybe so.
For some reason there never has been a cohesive movement in the Rangers support. Unlike the Celtic fans who did what was necessary when their club was in serious trouble. And Celtic found a man who was genuine. He did what he said.
I have no explanation for what is going on in the Rangers fans minds. Other than perhaps the “WATP” mantra is so deeply ingrained in the support, that they will just presume that all will be well at the end of the day.
That, clearly, is NOT the case.
therampantbaron says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:14
There is an overarching question which is why on earth would anyone pay a penny for shares in a listed company whose right to ownership of key assets has been questioned?
=====================
Yes trb, it is illogical.
Is it another part of the ‘game playing’, or just a diversion / distraction ?
On the face of it, it just doesn’t make sense…unless there is some sort of VAT refund involved ?
There seems to be an effort by some newcomers on various chat forums to intimidate (with “well-intentioned advice”) anyone who may have an opinion on the business practices of the Easdales and the criminal record of the more senior of the brothers.
Is this the best that MediaHouse can do?
Message to Jack & Co: This is one stinking big smelly turd that is impossible to polish.
Or ignore.
Huh..who would have thunk it!! You don’t see a local spiv for ages then 3 arrive at once !!
achillesacronym says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 22:50
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i left Greenock in 1976 mate, it is a poisonous (sorry) place indeed, to be on the outside looking in now is quite sad.
“… don’t dig, don’t speculate, stay away from it until it’s clear what they are doing, it can be bad to get so close to certain people at certain times, my last warning. Over and out guys, keep it down just now”
So there you are folks. Game over. Turn out the lights.
Now this is only gossip as far as I’m concerned and not confirmed and I don’t see any reference to it on here so I may have missed it but here goes and my apologise if previously mentioned, getting late and I’m to tired to trawl through things.
I just received a text to say that 3rd division clubs led by Peterhead are to take legal to block Sevco promotion on the basis that they were not transparent and broke SFA rules. Their application once all matters are cleared up, the SFL will consider their entry again.
Whilst it could be true I doubt it as the reaction of Rangers fans would be negative towards support for these clubs the following season if re-admitted.
Bullshit or what ?
So how long before any new major shareholder claims they’ve been duped by Mr Green and that they’re definitely, seriously thinking about maybe chatting to their lawyer first thing in the morning about possibly taking legal action at some undetermined future date?
Briggsbhoy,yes it is BS.Peterhead denied any such speculation in a statement from the club today.
briggsbhoy says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:45
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There were a few comments earlier today – I believe Peterhead had a statement on their official site that said they nothing about it.
Flocculent Apoidea says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:46
Why would CG sell his shares to people who may be more than slightly aggrieved with him if they turn out to be worthless?
Makes no sense, unless he has a taste for hospital food.
Firstly
Green is behaving like a Spiv
All that matters is money.He won`t have spent a millisecond worrying about Easdales jail pedigree.His priority is exploiting Easdale to make money
So forget about any other motive than money for Green claiming to be selling his shares to Easdale
Secondly
It is increasingly apparent that Spiv behavior at RIFC is becoming more and more public
Meaning
The Spivs have dropped any pretence of being honourable people
All that matters is maximising their money.They no longer care what anybody else thinks.
This short term thinking suggests they are worried that the future may yield less money than the present
,,,,,,,,,
Implications?
The end game may well be over before the end of the season
And
Time is running out for the two decent Bears on the RIFC Board …….Murray and Cardigan
Not because the Spivs are trying to force them out
But because they are being overtaken by events
The Spivs now seem to be focussing on making as much money as possible before the whole house of cards collapses
Murray and Cardigan will be seen as collateral damage.The Spivs probably couldn`t care less whether they stay or go
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
If this pair don`t resign in the next week or so
Their reputations will be ruined
Bu the Spivs won`t care
They never did
All they care about is money
nickmcguinness says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:22
Message to Jack & Co: This is one stinking big smelly turd that is impossible to polish.
Or ignore.
…………………………………………….
No…but you can roll it in glitter dust…
Long Time Lurker says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:51
Why would CG sell his shares to people who may be more than slightly aggrieved with him if they turn out to be worthless?
Makes no sense, unless he has a taste for hospital food.
_____________________________
or he was fronting for them all along? (c.f. Bomber silence)?
goosygoosy says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:51
Murray and Cardigan will be seen as collateral damage.The Spivs probably couldn`t care less whether they stay or go
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
If this pair don`t resign in the next week or so
Their reputations will be ruined
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That’s a good point GG – despite what people are saying about Walter and Murray, these guys are Rangers fans, to be associated with yet another catastrophe for Rangers will not only see their standing in Rangers (and in Murray’s case, Business) circles, tattered, but I suspect they will be feeling rather foolish and extremely disappointed in their own actions as regards the team that they support.
Spivs could not care less about that.
resin_lab_dog says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:56
Long Time Lurker says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:51
Why would CG sell his shares to people who may be more than slightly aggrieved with him if they turn out to be worthless?
Makes no sense, unless he has a taste for hospital food.
_____________________________
or he was fronting for them all along? (c.f. Bomber silence)?
……………………………………………..
Makes sense…may also explain why Charlie decided to roll over whyte…and why Whyte is now pi**ed off and has now fired a few warning shots…or it is just big elaborate sting…Tarantino would struggle with this multitude of plots in the same movie..
Now that the big bad Wolf has been pushed onto the stage…lets see how the MSM go about reporting on these guys…or is this just another ploy to shut people up?
Who knows…NURSE!
rantinrobin says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:50
theglen2012 says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:51
Thanks guys I thought as much. I think the fact that I got the text so late on it must be news and then again I should have realised that due to the fact it wasn’t on here it was BS. It’s amazing how BS travels these days. I’ve been to busy to do much looking at the blog today.
therampantbaron says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:14
There is an overarching question which is why on earth would anyone pay a penny for shares in a listed company whose right to ownership of key assets has been questioned?
…………………
How about looking at it this way ?
A well known Spiv is promising to sell his shares to a convicted felon.The Spiv needs a certain Mr Whyte persuaded to drop his claim to Sevco 5088
Could it be that
The convicted felon knows how to persuade people to cooperate
Therefore it would be a good deal to buy out the Spiv at a low SP and sell at a higher sp after the “persuasion” exercise?
paulmac2 says:
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 00:16
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resin_lab_dog says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:56
Long Time Lurker says:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 23:51
________________
Step forward Mr Pink. Ear slicing has begun. Mexican stand off to follow!
(whistles ‘little green bag’ by George Baker)
Off Topic? http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/revealed-george-osbornes-secret-veto-on-fraud-inquiries-8585215.html
Oh My,….. Oh My….. Oh Lordy !
Stinkin fish are very inflammable you know—- they rot from the head down.
Just hopin that there’s enough asbestos left in the big hoose to prevent an insured, foreseeable fire related incident. resulting in squillions of insurance payouts
What a pity (and surprise) that would be
Where’s greenockjack – to give us his opinion on the latest ‘investor’ speculation down Govan way?
resin_lab_dog says:
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 00:29
________________
Step forward Mr Pink. Ear slicing has begun. Mexican stand off to follow!
(whistles ‘little green bag’ by George Baker)
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whistling Mr Rafferty at the moment 🙂