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.
Jim Spence @bbcjimspence 48s
ten SFL clubs say they want a 42 club solution but if can’t get that, they want to join new Scottish Professional Football League.
Sevco invite?
Jim Spence @bbcjimspence 29s
Rangers are not among the ten clubs involved in signing the letter to the SPL and threatening to leave the SFL.
Jim Spence @bbcjimspence 3m
The Ten clubs have taken independent legal advice over the two year notice period required to leave the SFL.
neepheid says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 14:20
2 0 Rate This
Not The Huddle Malcontent says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 14:13
0 0 Rate This
yeah, i’d agree nowoldandgrumpy
++++++
Me too, but isn’t it a criminal offence to publish false information which is designed to affect the share price of a traded company?
This joker needs to watch his step.
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chico verde got awy with it for long enough.
infact, even last week, sevco were announcing things on their “rangers-franchise website, which should have been reported to the AIM first., but your point is very much valid.
So is that 12 + 10 and then 10 + 6 + 6 after the split – or what? Even if Rangers are invited, it makes an odd number.
And yet another game of Bingo to settle the fixtures?
#couldnymakeitup
I could see the sense if the independent advice they all took was of the Psychiatric variety.
http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/neil-lennon-sent-twitter-bullet-taunt-1-2919282#.UYOxScZyJp8.twitter
Published on 03/05/2013 14:05
Celtic manager Neil Lennon was again at the centre of an abuse investigation by Police after being sent a threatening tweet.
Police were alerted after Lennon was sent a tweet that read: “I’ve got a bullet with your name on it.” The tweet was sent from the Twitter account of 17-year-old Ryan Cameron of East Lothian.
Police Scotland said that inquiries were ongoing.
In 2012, Trevor Muirhead, 44, of Kilwinning, and Neil McKenzie, 43, were each given five-year jail sentences after being found guilty of conspiring to assault Mr Lennon, after they sent package bombs to the Celtic manager’s home.
And last year David Craig, of Paisley, was jailed for 14 months for posting a mocked-up photograph of Lennon covered in bullet wounds on the internet.
http://sport.stv.tv/football/223972-ten-clubs-poised-to-resign-from-the-scottish-football-league/
surely the simplest solution would be a SPFL of 22 teams.. 12 SPL teams plus the 10 SFL teams.. play each other twice a season.. 2up + 2down at the end. just like the EPL
Alison Robbie @AlisonRobbie 1m
#SFL Chief Exec David Longmuir tells me he wasn’t aware of the plans by several clubs to quit the league. Says only looking at play offs.
Retweeted by Scotzine
Expand Reply Retweet Favorite More
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That just mean’s they sussed you out pal,nae luck 🙂
Fascinating how things can be portrayed by the media:
“STV has learned that Rangers place in any proposed restructure was mentioned but was considered irrelevant to the discussion facing the clubs on Thursday evening. However this was not to suggest that the Ibrox club was not to be part of any considerations.”
It’s blindingly obvious that the editor of this piece simply added the last line in this paragraph
“mmm…The ten clubs do not include Rangers but I’m going to make damn sure that the get a mention one way or another..”
Footsie 1000 is shorting these shares, hence the rumours.
Rangers and tiki-taka? Now you know it’s a slow news day…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22400088
This reads as if it was written by a 13 year old….but the warning signs are there for the current coach – read the penultimate paragraph
Haven’t laughed so loud and so long in years
therampantbaron says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:14
Who authorised the publication of that piece of ‘head-in-the-clouds’ propaganda?
Neil Lennon sent Twitter bullet taunt
The Scotsman headline is a bit naughty as it could be read both ways and I would think that many, of a certain persuasion, will immediately assume that Lennon sent the Twitter message.
Clearer alternatives would have been:
Neil Lennon gets Twitter bullet taunt
Neil Lennon receives Twitter bullet taunt
Twitter bullet taunt for Lennon
Lennon Twitter bullet target
Twitter bullet taunt targets Lennon
Probably easier to make it clear than to create ambiguity.
therampantbaron says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:14
Rangers and tiki-taka? Now you know it’s a slow news day…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22400088
This reads as if it was written by a 13 year old….but the warning signs are there for the current coach – read the penultimate paragraph
Haven’t laughed so loud and so long in years
___________________________________________________
What is the context behind this tripe and, more importantly, why is it on the BBC website!
therampantbaron says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:14
‘Interesting’ article TRB. I felt closer to crying than laughing. Couldn’t see who the article was attributed to; no quote marks round any of the statements I read. I gave up half way through as this looks like wishful thinking of the highest minty moonbeams order.
It appears to be a staement issued by the BBC then, in their roke as ambassadors for the current incarnation of RFC. Desperate.
When I was 13 years old, a pal ridiculed some guys across the street concerning their musical aspirations. Despite being unable to play an instrument they were planning their world tour. That’s acceptable at that age but for the pre-eminent news provider on these island to be peddling such nonsense concerning a previously higly regarded institution is frankly worrying.
‘Desperate’ doesn’t quite capture it.
therampantbaron says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:14
Rangers and tiki-taka? Now you know it’s a slow news day…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22400088
This reads as if it was written by a 13 year old….but the warning signs are there for the current coach – read the penultimate paragraph. Haven’t laughed so loud and so long in years
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This sounds like Craig Mather’s blueprint to marginalise McCoist and make him walk at least upstairs as chief meeter and greeter. There certainly seem to be a lot of Bears really not happy with him continuing as manager.
Mather can’t give him any warchest but he can offer a vision that a lot of Bears have called for since they arrived in SFL3 about building the club from the ground-up using the youngsters and moulding them into a system which would eventually produce attractive football and create players who could be developed and sold for a profit.
That might be enough to keep Bears on-board for ST sales whereas leaving McCoist following the same ‘plan’ as last year IMO could hit ST sales probably more than anything else including the recession.
Posted on the LSE: http://www.lse.co.uk/SharePrice.asp?shareprice=RFC
A Huddleborad world exclusive… A Huddleborader had a conversation with Paul 67 of CQN last night. He’s been copied in on emails between Craig Whyte and the top man in The Worthington Group. In short- Craigie Whyte owns the newhXXs. [my redaction] Charles Green lied through his teeth to the newhXn [my redaction] board. The IPO was illegal and fraudulent. The Ibrox board accept Whytes claims. The newhXn [my redaction] board will make a statement to the stock market on Tuesday when it opens after the Mayday holiday. Get some lube on yer mitts for May 7th.
Meanwhile in other news, The Martians have landed on Glasgow Green. A spokesman said “We come in peace as we understand their is a vendor of tasty ice cream in the vicinity”.
We are currently unable to verify that tasty ice cream can indeed be found in the environs surrounding the Green.
Rangers: the way forward – in full
Rangers’ football philosophy
Rangers are in a unique position in British football in that we have a company that is debt free, and a very large faithful following even in the lowest league.
Continue reading the main story
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Rangers would adapt the ‘Total Football’ philosophy across every team. This would require some major changes to current attitudes within the club.
”
Being in the lowest league also provides the opportunity to create a new structure with less pressure to make mistakes, and give ourselves time to ‘test/try’ new systems.
If we were in the top league there would be a huge pressure to succeed, but with Division Two and Division One over the next couple of years we can afford to learn from mistakes, so that in three years time we have a successful system on and off the park.
Rangers would adapt the ‘total football’ philosophy (or ‘tiki-taka’ by Barcelona) across every team, from the youths up to the first team.
All players would be coached on this pro-active style of football, and we would only recruit players who are prepared to work hard at their game and play as part of the team.
This would require some major changes to current attitudes within the club, and would no doubt result in some casualties.
The current staff costs are high for the level of football we currently play, so if these were cut then there would not be a large financial investment required to invest in a new system.
Some success stories across Europe are Ajax, Dortmund, Porto and Swansea. There are many articles available on these clubs, and it would be useful to visit these clubs to study how they developed their strategy and made it happen.
Our Vision…..
…is to win a major European trophy by 2020. Every decision made by each person connected with Rangers would be made with our vision in mind.
Continue reading the main story
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If we played in the English Premiership and earned large payouts then our policy could change regarding selling on players
”
Whether you are the CEO, or the person taking calls from fans, you have your part to play in making Rangers one of the most successful clubs in European football.
We would all embrace this vision and have total belief that we will get there.
If anyone is not prepared to believe this then they will be helped to find an alternative company to work for. We will only accept a positive ‘can-do’ attitude and welcome suggestions on how we can continuously improve.
The objective of the club would be to develop young talent and provide them opportunities in the first team. Another objective is to develop players with a view to selling them on to the rich clubs across Europe.
This money would then be reinvested into youth development, and be used to pay incentive bonuses to the coaching staff.
If we played in the English Premiership and earned large payouts then our policy could change regarding selling on players, however we would always stick to budgets and not overspend.
Structure
We would have a director of football who would be responsible for the overall ‘total football’ development and delivery. This person would recruit the coaches at all levels, and lead them in the philosophy that we have.
All coaches would be trained on the exact same methodology and ensure that their teams play this style.
Choosing the director of football would be a key decision. We would want to attract a top European ex-player with great pedigree and reputation.
They would of course need to share the philosophy of ‘total football’ and have experience in developing this. They would be a natural leader with clear objectives on what they want to achieve.
Ajax manager Frank De Boer was named as a possible director of football
Ideal candidates. Unlikely to attract them but it gives an idea of the people who would be suitable:
• Frank de Boer – (current manager at Ajax and has won Dutch title in each of his two years). Ex-Rangers player for one season. Great reputation having had an excellent career and a big part of the Ajax family. Unsure if we would we be able to tempt him away. Marc Overmars is current Ajax Director of Football since 2012.
• Johan Cruyff – (currently manager of Catalonia football team [unofficial friendly team]). This will not be a full time role, and right now Cruyff is an influential advisor to Barcelona and Ajax.
• Frank Rijkaard – Left Saudi Arabia as coach on 16 Jan 2013 after they failed to reach the World Cup 2014 qualifiers. Successful player and comes from the coaching traditions of Rijkaard’s countrymen and forebears, Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff.
• Someone close to Michel Platini, and other influential leaders of European football.
Continue reading the main story
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Choosing the director of football would be a key decision. We would want to attract a top European ex-player with great pedigree and reputation.
”
We would then have a head coach (manager) who would be responsible for the first team only, but with a very keen interest and involvement within all Rangers teams.
Ideally a young manager with good leadership qualities and who would demand respect. Preferably a Scottish manager who knows the challenges of the Scottish game.
He should have had coaching experience and have a ‘big picture’ attitude. He would of course need to believe in the philosophy of ‘total football’, and have an optimistic view on taking Rangers to the top of Europe.
He would encourage and develop his players, show clear tactical awareness, and be willing to try new methods of training and coaching.
Mental attitude and confidence is a key component of all successful sportsmen, and Rangers will adapt this positive approach.
We will recruit the very best in sports psychologists and ensure that all our players and staff embrace the power of positivity.
Practices such as NLP have proven to be majorly successful in sport – just look at the success of the British cycling team, or the World Cup-winning English rugby team.
From the playing staff, we will see:
• A consistent style of football that attacks the ball and every player will give 100% for the full game, even if we are 4-0 up.
• The team will work for each other and press the opponents when not in possession.
Continue reading the main story
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We will be ‘smart’ by challenging refereeing decisions, and be vocal in a respectable way.
”
• Players will be disciplined and act mature on and off the park.
• We will be ‘smart’ by challenging refereeing decisions, and be vocal in a respectable way.
• All players will display confidence and also show respect to opposing teams.
Rangers captain Lee McCulloch perhaps epitomises the whole-hearted approach of the plan
• Most of all, players will come off the park knowing that they have done their best.
• Players will know that if they have not shown the dedication, commitment and attitude that is required of a Rangers player, then they will not be here. They will be motivated at all times.
• Players will happily commit time to charity events, fans events, media, and most importantly the youth development. They will be role models.
• Rangers will look after their players by providing life coaching, financial advice and other support that will help them in their personal life.
The director of football would have the final decision on which players we sign, and would need to work within the budgets and policy set by the CEO/Board. The first team coach would of course have a lot of involvement in who we wish to buy or sell, however the director of football would have ultimate control.
Some policies on signing:
• In most cases, only sign players aged 25 or under.
• Do not sign ‘troublesome stars’. Stick to team players who are level-headed.
• Bring in players with the potential to grow.
Continue reading the main story
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We need to lose the reputation that we are an institution that can afford high wages.
”
• Recruit players with the right attitude and hunger (you can give them the skills, but it’s difficult to change attitude).
• Strict wage structure with a basic salary and attractive bonuses.
• Bonuses could be based on number of performances, disciplinary, results, greater than three-goal victories.
• Tiered wage structure based on which league we play in.
• All players need to be incentivised to play well, behave themselves, and only be rewarded for their efforts (not by a large basic salary just for turning up).
• If players do not accept the policy then they are not fit to play for Rangers. It may mean we lose out on players, but we would benefit more by having a ‘fair’ system for all players.
• Stick to our policy on agency fees, and give the message that we are not prepared to pay over the odds. We need to lose the reputation that we are an institution that can afford high wages. Look what happened to the old regime who thought it was good to speculate on big transfers.
How we reward our people
Rather than pay high salaries to people, we will incentivise our people. If the club does well, our people will do well.
Players will be rewarded for winning trophies and maintaining the consistent style of football.
Continue reading the main story
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Coaches would be rewarded by winning trophies, but the largest reward would come in the form of a percentage of the profit made by selling star players.
”
We could set targets in terms of the number of goals scored in a season, minimal goals conceded, and also the number of ‘assists’ or possession. The players should be incentivised to work as a team rather than try to make a name individually.
Coaches would be rewarded by winning trophies, but the largest reward would come in the form of a percentage of the profit made by selling star players.
This would then give the coaches a clear objective of player development knowing that they can benefit from a player who ‘makes it’.
It would also soften the blow of losing star players from the squad, but ultimately our system would allow for someone else to step into the team and take their place.
A comprehensive financial model shall be produced that shows the connection between the selling of players, and the bonuses available to staff.
This approach should also be introduced to all employees of Rangers.
If the club has a successful period and has the funds available, then bonuses would be paid to all staff.
The plan ruled out a return of the high wages of the Dick Advocaat era
All employees would be performance-managed and be set clear objectives. They would be made accountable for their respective roles, and be expected to work efficiently. We cannot carry people.
Again, we will not pay over-inflated salaries, but will offer rewards based on good performance. This keeps people incentivised and only rewards those who deserve it.
There will be an optimistic ‘buzz’ around the place, with people having clear objectives and knowing exactly what their role is, and how they are helping Rangers to achieve the goal. People will be rewarded.
New people will come in and some will move on, and we will have a pro-active team of people providing a cost effective solution in all areas. We will be good to our people.
Our fans
With the events of 2012, the Rangers family are more bonded than ever. They have displayed overwhelming support and confidence in the club during the most difficult circumstances.
They are passionate in the redevelopment of their club, and they want nothing more than to see Rangers back at the very top and be able to look down with a wry smile at the people who tried so hard to hurt our club.
Continue reading the main story
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Fans will only pay if they are happy with the on-field activities, and right now the majority of fans are not happy.
”
The Rangers fans will stick by the club and support us in their thousands, but only if they can see that there is progression.
Right now, many questions are being asked about what is really happening at the club, and the biggest concern seems to be the style of football and coaching theory.
With the fans on board, and a transparent policy of how their cash is being re-invested into player development, they will continue to pay.
Rangers have an amazing opportunity to use the huge fan base and ask them to spend on products and services that will ultimately benefit Rangers.
However, fans will only pay if they are happy with the on-field activities, and right now the majority of fans are not happy.
There is a big risk that if the current coaching regime remains, then fans will stop coming and we will see half of the season ticket sales we had this season.
Change is required………….and this starts with a big decision.
“Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” Peter F. Drucker
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22400088
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has rip van winkle just woke up and ssumed it was april the 1st ?
mullach says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:33
Quantcast
therampantbaron says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:14
‘Interesting’ article TRB. I felt closer to crying than laughing. Couldn’t see who the article was attributed to; no quote marks round any of the statements I read. I gave up half way through as this looks like wishful thinking of the highest minty moonbeams order.
=======================================
It was Yorkie and his wee mate’s blueprint for the future,just how far in the future I’m not sure.
Maybe they found H G Wells machine .
It’s another Chris McLaughlin special….swallowed it whole and then regurgitated it.
here’s his own link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22402871
Were this an article about Celtic’s coaching staff, it would be headed “Lennon must go” says internal report”
why was this released now? more smoke and mirrors? what they covering?
ecobhoy says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:35
Although the piece is not attributed to anyone I have to agree it sounds like the type of thing a sportsfan who is a ‘wanna be but never has been’ would come up with if they were an aspirational young CEO of a football club.
All it does it lead to a new question.
Is Mather genuine or is it just a new strain of the Rangersitis virus caught from Green as he left the boardroom?
The issues raised are not that daft and I’m guessing that someone like Steven Pressley, when at Falkirk, was working to a similar model.
The guys from the USA were looking at all this ‘Moneyball’ type of stuff had they taken over.
If genuine it reads like.
We are skint and going down the dumper if someone doesn’t take control of this.
Smith McCoist, McCulloch, Alexander possibly guts like Black, bye bye and thank you very much.
Fans, face up to the reality of where we are and lets remould the club.
If Rangersitis it reads
I’m cutting costs to make sure me and my mates can still get out with some cash while there is some.
ecobhoy says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:35
-herampantbaron says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:14-(http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22400088)
——
‘This sounds like Craig Mather’s blueprint to marginalise McCoist ..’
=====
ecobhoy, di thought I heard some minutes ago on BBC radio Scotland news that this paper was about 2 months old, and attributed to CG?
I was only half-listening so I may have misheard.
If it was Green’s, it might be difficult for any successor to follow up wholeheartedly and implement it.
That BBC piece would make pravda blush!
The end is surely in sight, maybe those LSE posts weren’t so fa off the mark after all!
Moonbeams are on FULL!!
Has somebody spiked the tea in the BBC canteen today?
The context is here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22402871
NLP? Why not get some crystals too and harness that mystical energy.
Disgraceful show of favouritism and free national advertising from a public broadcaster. All that for a six month old plc desperate to sell season tickets? In my humble opinion, Pravda would never have been so blatant.
Oops, the shares have dived another 2p in the last hour of trading, on the back of the “blueprint for European success” exclusive
54.5p now and it seems likely they will slip below the psychological 50p mark sometime soon..CG’s pension grows smaller by the day
y4rmy says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 17:13
The context is here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22402871
NLP? Why not get some crystals too and harness that mystical energy.
_________________________________________________________________
Whilst still not great that does make a little more sense.
The “read the report in full page” should still have some context at the top of it though.
Chris McLaughlin might have exercised his critical faculties just a little more as well!
So McLaughlin is saying the ‘Way Forward’ was Green and Ahmad’s
Now that is interesting!
I wonder who passed the document onto the BBC? Eh let me guess.
Thats the thing with these Spivs boot them up the bum on the way out and they comes back to haunt you.
So does Mather side with the chums who brought him in an get rid of McCoist etc or does he stick with McCoist and miss the opportunity to develop a Glasgow version of Barca?
Was Mather not supposed to be involved in youth development. Surley he must have contributed to Green’s plans.
Much more fun and games still to be had down Govan way.
Like Whyte, what other tasty morsels does Charles have for a hungry media pack over the summer months.
After reading that BBC “Fairytale”(nicest word I could think of)
I got to thinking, that some people in the world actually still think the BBC is something to copy and admire,
DEARY DEARY ME
If that had been released by North Korean media it would have been national news here highlighting how ludicrous their reporting is to their citizens.
AND WE PAY THEM TO WRITE IT .
And the boot gets put into Lennon again!! I really think the SFA have more to worry them
Brenda says: Friday, May 3, 2013 at 17:52
And the boot gets put into Lennon again!! I really think the SFA have more to worry them
===============================
While the original “swearing” charge was bizarre to say the least, it would be really stupid of NL to have entered any area when/if he was not permitted to do so, i.e. don’t give the beaks anything to hit you with, because as sure as fate they will be watching.
Brenda says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 17:52
And the boot gets put into Lennon again!! I really think the SFA have more to worry them
===========================
Even as a Dundee fan, I’m beginning to see Lennon used as a scapegoat whenever bad news happens to Sevco. That match was five days ago, why is the notice only being issued today?
Chris McLaughlin is beginning to sound like a worthy successor to Jim Traynor.
It’ll be a while though before he looks like him. That’s a bonus
I noticed in one of Richard Gough’s many media interviews today he said ‘If what he (Dave King) has done is that serious, he would be locked up by now’.
Forres Dee (@ForresDee) says: Friday, May 3, 2013 at 18:04
——————————-
I think you could add Kenny Shiels to that list as he has also been charged again.
That latest piece of bilge… simply yet another tawdry attempt to get the Season Ticket money maximised before the off… writing it is one thing…. just another series of wild speculation and downright fantasy…. the BBC printing it ? Now ? Scottish MSM… no need to add anything else
Today’s news that 10 SFL clubs are contemplating forming , in essence, a SPL2 and breaking away from the SFL, must as a minimum herald a vote of no confidence in Longmuir. Such a move may trigger a rash of similar motions by the same disaffected at the SFA and the SPL.( Regan, Ogilvie, Bryson et al )
Is this finally when Scottish clubs seize the initiative back from their own governing bodies and start proper governance?
easyJambo says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 18:17
Forres Dee (@ForresDee) says: Friday, May 3, 2013 at 18:04
——————————-
I think you could add Kenny Shiels to that list as he has also been charged again.
…………………………………………
Maybe it’s a Norn Irish thing?
I wonder why anyone bothered reproducing that Rangers document?
It’s a lot of nonsense, such as could be penned by any halfwit who has to do a futures presentation to a Board of other halfwits.
Mr McCoist will be checking the bolts on his peg when he turns up for work in the morning, though. He may be well advised to jack it in after tomorrow’s game now that he’s been scapegoated in a leaked document.
In fact, I can’t see any reason for letting the media get hold of this other than to undermine Mr McCoist.
The document is structured so that it reads as inoffensive “blue sky thinking” whilst reiterating the sort of behaviours one would expect as a normal basis for employment.
Then it ends by saying “I’m mentioning no names, but Mr McCoist is useless”, and that’s the message that subliminally sticks. Softening the bears up for Ally’s exit, methinks.
Canny work, Mr Traynor.
therampantbaron says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:55
It’s another Chris McLaughlin special….swallowed it whole and then regurgitated it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yes, Chris swallows the bs on a regular basis; I suppose in the distorted world of the BBC (North British Branch), this bunkum “brings clarity”, as Chris said about the new chief executive.
therampantbaron says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:55
It’s another Chris McLaughlin special….swallowed it whole and then regurgitated it.
======================================
Chris McLaughlin just said on Sportsound it is a ‘fascinating’ view as to where Charles Green wanted to take Rangers. Doddsy seems very happy that Coisty is safe for now. So am I.
I’m off to the pub – it’s been a crap week.
smartie1947 says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 18:24
—
‘…..Is this finally when Scottish clubs seize the initiative back from their own governing bodies and start proper governance?..’
———
I for one certainly hope it may herald the start of a move by the clubs to exercise some muscle over their ‘bureaucrats’ and perhaps demand a few resignations by the Longmuirs ,Doncasters and Regans and Ogilvies as having been unhelpful,deceitful, and obstructive right from the outset as they focussed only on the ‘need’ to save a now dead club.
I can’t help wondering where the new “gang of 10” might find another 2 clubs to make up the numbers. Does that make me paranoid and cynical? Or am I just a battle-scarred realist?
Just driving home from work to hear this BBC ‘Rangers leaked report’. Has someone reported a massive batch of squirrels running up Edmiston Drive?
Moonbeam-tastic.
Jack Jarvis
wonder no more it was always on the cards and IMO all reconstruction plans had one thing and one thing only in mind how to get a club barely one year into existence into the SPL ASAP .
For me the corruption in this whole debacle has left me disgusted with the game I loved and I am left wondering when it will stop .
When will sevco be put into the games final position will …..
spl 2 be enough
spl 1
spl 1 bottom 6
spl 1 top 6
challenging for the spl1 title
or winning spl1 title
If the SFA/SPL would be kind enough to let all the honest mug punters who spend their hard earned cash what level they think sevco need to be ,then we could all make a measured decision on whether to throw our money away on the Scottish WWF
therampantbaron says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:55
=======================
That’s not an article, it a free advertising puff paid for by BBC license payers. Actually I wonder if there is legal recourse about this as it surely goes against the BBC regulations?
Humble Pie says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 17:17
Disgraceful show of favouritism and free national advertising from a public broadcaster. All that for a six month old plc desperate to sell season tickets? In my humble opinion, Pravda would never have been so blatant.
===================================================================
Only because it was in Russian 🙂
http://www.soccernomics-agency.com/?p=448
Stability and insolvency in European football
03, 05, 13 by Stefan Szymanski
This is the reason Richard Wilson of the Herald says Sevco are the same club.
EasyJambo
“While the original “swearing” charge was bizarre to say the least, it would be really stupid of NL to have entered any area when/if he was not permitted to do so, i.e. don’t give the beaks anything to hit you with, because as sure as fate they will be watching.”
very good point – stupidity if Lennon has indeed done this of his own volition but this is what is in dispute. It’s worth noting that the SFA/Refereeing service has ‘previous’ with this approach with the long kafka-esque victimisation of Derek Adams i.e. during his ban he was invited into the referees room during his initial 8-game ban for swearing (itself a trumped-up lie) then slapped with the same charge as Lennon is facing now. Don’t worry it all came out in the wash in the end and the SFA learned the error of its ways and apologized for it’s behaviour. PS – the previous sentence might be untrue.
“The Rangers Standard @RangersStandard 26m
Delighted to announce that TRS have a book coming out charting the trials and tribulations of the club over the past 18 months.”
Fantasy section?
john clarke says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 17:01
ecobhoy says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:35
-herampantbaron says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 16:14-(http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22400088)
——
‘This sounds like Craig Mather’s blueprint to marginalise McCoist ..’
=====
ecobhoy, di thought I heard some minutes ago on BBC radio Scotland news that this paper was about 2 months old, and attributed to CG?
I was only half-listening so I may have misheard.
If it was Green’s, it might be difficult for any successor to follow up wholeheartedly and implement it.
==============================================================
I’m afraid I don’t see Mather as a successor but more a continuation 🙂
I think it’s more important to look at the release timing – personally I don’t think Green was stupid enough to release it when it was prepared but equally I don’t think he was the author as he most certainly was never a blue sky thinking kind of Yorkshireman IMO.
It looks as through the honourable tradition of Ibrox moles has continued as befits the history.
Don’t understand all the criticism on here of the plan detailed in the BBC story. Fair enough have a go on the grounds of fantasy if that’s what you think it is, but there’s a lot of sensible ideas in there that should be praised. Talk about Rijkaard etc is just nonsense everyone would agree but the idea of having a football philosophy across all levels of youth teams etc., developing players and selling them on and never breaking your budget are sound principles that all teams should be adopting.
Just to cut-back as it were to something I realised I didn’t understand this morning re. Ticketus. If it was not a loan, but a purchase of a certain number of goods (tickets) with a merchantable value over a certain period; and if they are still in the mix, will the terms of their deal be diluted plus refund or, quantity increased or, term increased – 10 lambswool cardigans and a box of establishment brogues/ year= 40 ‘peepil’ polyester oneseys and matching slippers/ year. Do Ticketus need to be sure that they can shift lots of tat, or lots more tickets or both!
Well I don`t often listen to SSB
but I did listen to some of it tonight
Interestingly several Bears phoned in declaring they did not want a parachute into SPL2 Some fans wanted to take their medicine by working their way up the leagues
Others preferred to punish all clubs by withholding their economic contribution to SPL1 and Div1
For once I was in complete agreement
The SPL doesnt need the instability of a member club run by Spivs in the middle of a deep recession. These clubs are getting time right now to adjust to business reality
In any event it is much better all round if the Spivs do their dirty work in the lower leagues where an RIFC liquidation is easier to assimilate
Hopefully the decent Bears then gain control of TRFC and straighten themselves out before they join the SPL
GoosyGoosy,
Have we imagined that, outwith all talk of integrity, rules, cowardice, brogues and rule bending, that somewhere deep amongst all of this are some honestly employed advisors who have looked at all scenarios, probably using spreadsheets and such high science, for we know that these skills rarely yield untruths, and who have concluded that if you don’t get Celtic and those of many many names in a league together, we, as a country have nothing to sell and that it will be a diminishing pot for any who drink from it until, it is empty.
What were the spivs `planning` for MP?
& where is Plod? – There`s a job to do by the custodians of justice – there is – get rolling Men!
We have gone from the hysteria of two weeks ago to outright silence – including the most revered bampots on high. Who managed that hysteria, who is now managing the silence apart from todays nonsense? They are so different as to be similar.
achillesacronym says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 20:30
Just to cut-back as it were to something I realised I didn’t understand this morning re. Ticketus. If it was not a loan, but a purchase of a certain number of goods (tickets) …
==================
That is correct, however as I understand the situation Rangers breached the contract (for advance sales of tickets) which then made Ticketus a creditor of the old company.
Ticketus felt that their purchase of tickets survived insolvency, but the Court of Session disagreed and basically stated that if the contract was breached then they were no more than an ordinary creditor.
Ticketus payments may not have been loans, however by the time of the liquidation then that really didn’t make a great deal of difference, under Scots law.
I’m sure a lawyer will correct that if necessary.
achillesacronym says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 20:51
“if you don’t get Celtic and those of many many names in a league together, we, as a country have nothing to sell ”
Sorry – I’m missing your point here, are you implying that without TRFC & TCFC 🙂 in a league together, then there is no likelihood of selling ad’s or TV rights?
I think that implies that the main audience for these things would be outwith Scotland, I believe that reasoning is flawed. I don’t see that there would be any higher or lower demand from Norway or France or USA etc if we had both, one or neither in the top division.
I am firmly of the opinion that the major commercial value of the SPL/SFL lies within Scotland, and I don’t see a large difference for having both large teams in the same league or not.
I think the overriding commercial driver would be the overall competitiveness of the top league, the attractiveness of the product on the park and a good level of Euro participation – regardless of the Scottish team.
goosygoosy says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 20:37
Well I don`t often listen to SSB
but I did listen to some of it tonight
Interestingly several Bears phoned in declaring they did not want a parachute into SPL2 Some fans wanted to take their medicine by working their way up the leagues
Others preferred to punish all clubs by withholding their economic contribution to SPL1 and Div1
For once I was in complete agreement
The SPL doesnt need the instability of a member club run by Spivs in the middle of a deep recession. These clubs are getting time right now to adjust to business reality
In any event it is much better all round if the Spivs do their dirty work in the lower leagues where an RIFC liquidation is easier to assimilate
Hopefully the decent Bears then gain control of TRFC and straighten themselves out before they join the SPL
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I don’t know anything about the “politics” of the Rangers Standard but I was encouraged by the article yesterday by the guy calling for fans to take control instead of kow towing to Sugar Daddies.
As for todays master plan release – oh look there’s someone towing away a Range Rover. But setting aside the garbage in it for a second there is a big coaching problem at The Rangers which stated with Walters bunker mentality football which he passed on to his boy Alistair. It has to go.
twopanda says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 20:56
What were the spivs `planning` for MP?
& where is Plod? – There`s a job to do by the custodians of justice – there is – get rolling Men!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Only Dr House could get to the bottom of that one. I suspect that Walter and Ally were planning to bury football in the foundations.
chipm0nk says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 21:02
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achillesacronym says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 20:30
Just to cut-back as it were to something I realised I didn’t understand this morning re. Ticketus. If it was not a loan, but a purchase of a certain number of goods (tickets) …
==================
That is correct, however as I understand the situation Rangers breached the contract (for advance sales of tickets) which then made Ticketus a creditor of the old company.
Ticketus felt that their purchase of tickets survived insolvency, but the Court of Session disagreed and basically stated that if the contract was breached then they were no more than an ordinary creditor.
Ticketus payments may not have been loans, however by the time of the liquidation then that really didn’t make a great deal of difference, under Scots law.
I’m sure a lawyer will correct that if necessary.
————————————————–
Maybe, but does the process you suggest not rely on Ticketus having pressed their case ‘only’ through the court as opposed to cutting a deal to get their money back in the longer term? What would have been the case had they elected not to become a creditor ( through administration) but played a longer game; the newco would be attracted and Ticketus keep their hook – but what does/ did the price become?
bayviewgold says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 21:03
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achillesacronym says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 20:51
“if you don’t get Celtic and those of many many names in a league together, we, as a country have nothing to sell ”
Sorry – I’m missing your point here, are you implying that without TRFC & TCFC 🙂 in a league together, then there is no likelihood of selling ad’s or TV rights?
I think that implies that the main audience for these things would be outwith Scotland, I believe that reasoning is flawed. I don’t see that there would be any higher or lower demand from Norway or France or USA etc if we had both, one or neither in the top division.
I am firmly of the opinion that the major commercial value of the SPL/SFL lies within Scotland, and I don’t see a large difference for having both large teams in the same league or not.
I think the overriding commercial driver would be the overall competitiveness of the top league, the attractiveness of the product on the park and a good level of Euro participation – regardless of the Scottish team
—————————
Bayviewgold,
This is not my point. Like many I can’t see why we are still contorting and bending to squeeze a fit with something no-one actually wants. I’m trying to understand why that is happening if its not through carpentry and cardigans. Is it possible that somewhere a reasonably sober analysis has been done of the business case for our game which says TRFZSC and TCFC must be together.
I don’t see the league budgeting on any overseas money, it would be alarming if they had, but, why are we being compelled to imagine that more money is available domestically if they are together; is this down to pub TV money ( if so we are goosed anyway), gates ( ditto), commercial activities( ditto), it goes on – why is this commercial argument being pushed so persistently when it is plainly not a commercial issue?
achillesacronym says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 20:57
==========================================
It may just be me but I’m sure that the spivs still call the shots.They have the shares,the power.
Unfortunately for the TRFC fans,not one of Murray.Smith,McCoist or whoever has the bottle to go public and say what’s going on.
McCoist.as an employee may have a get out but the other 2 have no excuses.They’re bound by law to act accordingly in the best interests of their shareholders.That includes the wee guys who rustled up £500 they couldn’t really afford,especially just before christmas,in the hope they’re helping their club when legally,all they were doing was pouring money into a spivs holding company.
Here’s an idea:
On Tuesday.announce an MVL,sell the assets and split the proceeds amongst all shareholders.That way,the wee guy may get his money back.the spivs,of course will be walking away with nearly everything but as they controlled the business they could actually claim that an MVL was in the best interests of the shareholders of RIFC.Can’t argue with that.
2 scenarios though:
1.someone,or group,consortium etc pay the spivs,sorry,RIFC, say £25-30m,that being the value of the assets including all properties,
or
2.If you don’t pay,The properties will be sold for whatever we can get(emotional blackmail I know).
Just my thoughts but may explain why New Corsicas tweets mentioned a desperate search to raise £30m cash,quickly.
bayviewgold says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 21:03
I think the overriding commercial driver would be the overall competitiveness of the top league, the attractiveness of the product on the park and a good level of Euro participation – regardless of the Scottish team.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Agreed. Competiveness has increased to some extent as witnessed by Cup wins by the Diddies.
As to product on the park I have seen some cracking attacking performances by my team this year and the quality of the football attempted by ICT, Rossco, DUFC, StJ, StM, Killie (at times) has been a joy to watch.
…Asked why the 10 clubs did not discuss their intentions with SFL chief executive David Longmuir, Gray added: “We’re very disappointed with our board.
“I’m worried that if we didn’t do something ourselves it couldn’t be fixed.”…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22404102
=====================================
Assuming the above quote is correct, then shirley, Longmuir has no other option but to resign from the SFL ?
In effect he – and the SFL Board – have lost the confidence of a third of the SFL member clubs.
achillesacronym says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 21:30
Ah I get your point now, I think we are saying the same thing, my strong opinion (and it has been since the days of “Armageddon”) is that the commercial justification is unfounded, all the proposers of accelerating/accommodating TRFC have shown no hard market or financial evidence and are simply going round shouting about the sky falling in. My interest in this is not anti-TRFC in as much as it is anti the blatant bending of rules to suit a club with no firm evidence to show it benefits scottish football at large. I can only imagine that if EFFC were in the same trouble that the SFA/SPL/SFL etc would be just as friendly.
I have not seen one firm piece of evidence from the SFA/SPL/SFL that shows a financial model with or without TRFC in the top league. On the other hand there have been many excellent posts on here with very good data showing that the only real effect is on TRFC themselves.
torrejohnbhoy says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 21:31
2 scenarios though:
1.someone,or group,consortium etc pay the spivs,sorry,RIFC, say £25-30m,that being the value of the assets including all properties,
or
2.If you don’t pay,The properties will be sold for whatever we can get(emotional blackmail I know).
Just my thoughts but may explain why New Corsicas tweets mentioned a desperate search to raise £30m cash,quickly.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sorry to drag everyone back to 2012 but they only reason there may be a need to raise £30M (if indeed that is true) is because only Sevco5088 was “allowed” to buy the assets. on the cheap There were higher bids at the time which if they had been accepted would have meant the assets of The Rangers would have been secure in the hands of the Rangers minded.
bayviewgold says:
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 21:39
And this is where I stall. They know, they are selling rope here. But they peddle harder every week – why is that. Forget the last 12 months, at the end of the day its all been money out of the game, forget DBO and their ilk, they are more of the same really. Wind them up properly, start again, its the same thing costing less. They must exist, what is the best way for everyone to make that happen?