SFM – The Next Steps

As we all know, this site emerged from the ashes of RTC. The wish of the original administrator of the site, one which I wholeheartedly share, was to keep together the wonderful community RTC had built, in terms of both personnel and spirit. There are still many individuals around who were also part of RTC, and regrettably many who are no longer with us. The RTC spirit however, that of a cross-party football site where issues can be discussed in a respectful and insightful manner remains. The “wisdom of the crowd” phenomenon is also with us to perhaps an even greater extent than before, and consequently SFM’s credentials as a formidable alternative to the print media have grown.

In recent times, many contributors have expressed frustration that we are pretty much a talking shop and little else; characterised as “a lot of gum bashing and no teeth”. I think that is fair comment up to a point, but then again our aim – up to now – has been to simply present an alternative view – a view that has increasingly become the fan view as opposed to the industry view (the industry being made up of club officials, players, and press).

In fact the way I see it personally, SFM has evolved to a point where it has become the watchdog (monitor if you will) of an industry which is subject to very little oversight. The Rangers situation will eventually be done with (no laughing at the back please), and like everything else will be consigned to history (albeit more than one). The same self-interest and lack of regard for sporting integrity though will still remain, and the need for oversight will remain also.

Having arrived at those conclusions,  we have two alternatives; the first is to remain as we are (which is not a bad place to be), and the second is that SFM has to expand its role.

In recent weeks, the mods have met to discuss this, and we think that we ought to give the latter option a try. As to how we want to achieve that, and we have come up with a skeleton plan as follows;

1. We need to move into the area of gathering news content as well as commenting on what appears elsewhere;

2. We should act as a cross-club portal to get good fan site content from all clubs to a wider audience;

3. We need to highlight the positives in the game as well as the negatives;

4. We should become an actively campaigning body, aligning with fan groups to lobby for the changes we think important.

 In order to achieve these objectives, more time will need to be spent on communication like podcasts, adding news content, expanding membership and building links with other fan groups. Time will also need to be spent  setting up features, attending press conferences etc. Later in the year, one of the mods will have much more time on his hands to help achieve this.

Podcasts, premium content, labour, organisation and all of the above costs money, and ultimately a subscription based model backed by sponsorship seems to be our best way of achieving that. In order to give us a head start, we will in the next few months be putting together a business-plan and a pitch for Crowd Funding investment.

This is not to say that our existing model has been a failure. We have successfully managed to keep ourselves afloat through the ad-hoc generosity of people in our community, although the inability to keep the podcasts going has been a bit frustrating. Finding income streams which are more solid will allow us to respond to events more quickly (for example mounting an ad campaign to respond to some event or other, or buying new equipment), and hopefully achieve all of our objectives – and build a bigger audience base for our message.

Of course a move of this nature will require that, in the interests of transparency, anonymity of SFM will have to be set aside. That will not affect any of our contributors, and our practice of using (sometimes) imaginative names on the blog will remain. However, for crowd funding to be successful, we will require to have a board in place, and there is no hiding place from Companies House. The make up of the board is also crucial, and in addition to consideration of blog members for that role, we will be looking to have respected people from without.

I imagine there may be a consequent subtle effect on moderation policy to take into account.

The reason I have made this post is to keep the community up to speed with events. Although we have decided to move forward to see if we can get support for our business plan, that plan is by no means finished. As I said earlier, the “wisdom of crowds” has made our community unique and given it its credibility. There’s a lot more wisdom out there we hope to tap into before we go ahead with our initiative.

We already had someone in mind for chairman of the new board, but events have conspired tragically to rob us of that – and had the effect of postponing this announcement. However we would like to hear suggestions for suitable outside candidates for board and committee places.

We also want to hear from you if you have a suggestion to be added to our wish list of SFM function above – or even if you think it is a mistake to embark on this course.

This is a very big move for SFM, so we don’t want to rush into anything. We need to listen to what you folks have to say, because if the merging SFM is not considered a better SFM by our community there is very little point in looking to fund it.

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Tom Byrne

About Trisidium

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

3,023 thoughts on “SFM – The Next Steps


  1. As a long time lurker but very infrequent poster may I wish you every success in your new venture.
    As far as funding is concerned I would willingly subscribe to a monthly standing order arrangement, obviously as long as levels of payment are not too high. Best wishes.


  2. SFM – that is a big one – and one that deserves careful thought. Don’t be put off by any prolonged silence and tongue chewing as we think it over.


  3. As a long time lurker and a very occasional poster I also would like to wish SFM every success if it decides to proceed with this new venture.


  4. I am a long term lurker and not someone who posts frequently but loves the site i would be happy to pay for a monthly subscription. 😀 😀 😀 😀


  5. I support the principle of an enhanced SFM; the failure of the mainstream media to address, inter alia, significant failures in governance and regulation has opened up a gap in reporting and analysis that SFM could very easily grow to fill.

    I would certainly step up my own commitment to an enhanced offer; currently an ad hoc contributor (usually when the traffic lights turn amber) I’d happily take out a subscription for SFM mk II as long as the price was kept at a realistic level, which I’m sure it will be.

    Finally, as a London and Essex-based Celtic fan, I rely on SFM to keep me apprised of what actually goes on in the darker recesses of the Scottish game. I wish you every success in your endeavours and offer you my continued support. Thank you.

    THC


  6. SFM. I disagree with any toothless comments. It is an education coming to this site, and education is never toothless. Results of direct action probably fall into irrelevance when balanced against the effect this site has had on public information and opinion. However I do understand the frustrations of banging a head against a brick wall at times, and the desire to become more toothy.
    It is not the Chris Boydness of the head-butt that counts, but the accuracy and power behind it’s connection that should be the focus.
    I say go for it.


  7. I will support this move and look forward to the forthcoming discussions surrounding the make up of the Newco SFM . ? .

    On the subject of my long ago posts regarding the asking of questions of the SFA through the Scottish Premiership team that I sponsor , I Intend to post something in the next couple of weeks or so in way of an update to all .


  8. What are these good things in Scottish Football of which you speak? :mrgreen:

    Seriously. it looks an interesting project, though, from speaking to people who try and provide a similar service in other community/political spheres, it is a hell of a lot of work, full-time level of commitment territory.


  9. I am already a subscriber, and infrequent but avid reader of the blogs, podcasts and comments.
    If it points the compass north for what we all want in regards to Scottish Football then I am all in.
    Great work so far and best of luck in the future.


  10. @ Eddiegoldtop

    You have been missed. I look forward with some interest to your update.

    Yours in sporting integrity

    THC


  11. I agree that you (we) need to move forward- staying still isn’t really an option. The current problem as I see it is that the level of activity on the forum depends far too much on what the Ibrox pantomime is providing at any given time in terms of interest.

    We really need to have a wider range than that. Your suggested way forward seems to take us toward a more comprehensive oversight of Scottish football, and that must surely be the right direction. Of course the details will need to be worked on, but whatever the detail, I can see that any new model will require more secure funding.

    It seems you envisage a corporate structure, but I would urge you to avoid a company limited by shares, and go for a non-profit model, perhaps limited by guarantee? I would hate to see the Murdoch Empire buying up SFM! However I’m probably preaching to the converted on that front.

    I would also suggest that you look again at additional funding via advertising. I don’t want the site made unusable via embedded video, pop-up ads, and stuff like that, but I’m sure that some relatively unobtrusive and inoffensive advertising could be hosted without any detriment to the ethos of the site.

    Finally, I would like to record my appreciation for the efforts of all those who have worked tirelessly over the last few years to keep this forum alive. I’m sure it must have seemed like a thankless task at times, and maybe many of us who enjoy the forum don’t think often enough about the time put in by those in the background who do all the “heavy lifting”, and take their efforts too much for granted. A belated thanks from me to all involved.


  12. As one of those who has bemoaned the lack of opportunity to press our case, I fully support this more proactive approach and would be happy to subscribe to help obtain more public awareness of the issues. On that tack, SFM, is there any way we could involve someone who would be able to ask the questions we want asked of the SFA/SPFL/Clubs etc? I think that is my biggest frustration, just the way they can choose to ignore us when they want (i.e. most of the time).


  13. Thanks for updating us TSFM.

    My only input on the above is;

    – IMO, to maintain and develop the quality of this site, the only option which should
    NOT be acceptable is standing still. Change is good and all that… 🙄
    However, it looks like mods etc would be required to add to their TSFM time
    significantly.
    If that is OK / manageable for them, then let’s try the above.

    – Due to the success of this site, I already have faith in the mods’ opinions, and
    above suggestions look perfectly reasonable.

    – I do like the reinforcement that covering positive stories could be addressed.

    Keep up the good work ! Thanks.


  14. Absolutely wonderful news mate. I wholeheartedly support this venture and would be interested in getting involved.

    I wrote quite a lengthy piece on this subject earlier in the year;

    http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/the-need-for-leadership/

    If any of that is useful feel free to use it. I have another piece being prepared right now, on an issue that doesn’t get much attention, and I’ll post that later on.

    For now, let me just congratulate you on this endevour and I hope it’s leading to where it needs to go.

    Well done all of you.


  15. The deafening silence emanating from Ibrox recently was baffling me somewhat. Not the silence from the boardroom. That was to be expected as soon as the Paul Murray and Dave King promised transparency. No my concern was regarding the silence from Fans Groups such as Sons of Struth or Vanguard Bears. These groups and others have been very vociferous over the last 3 years so why the silence now? Well, I asked a few guys from the pub who bought into the ‘journey’ back at the start. All are now in a state of fear and terror. This board signifies, in their opinion the last chance to save their team/club. The last throw of the dice. If there is failure at boardroom level this time then the end is nigh as far as they are concerned. Finito. So the silence of the fans is down to the fact that it has only just dawned on many of them that they are in real, real danger of disappearing forever. They are not enamoured by the fact that their clubs very existence lies in the hands of P Murray and D C King. Neither would I be if it was my club.


  16. SFM

    I’m in and although silent recently I’m not done yet.

    There are some very interesting lessons to be learned from the pursuit of Res12 not least of which is to have a law firm to fall back on to add an edge to any stated objective.

    That means regular funding and of course management of said funds.

    The capacity to challenge our game in a proper and professional manner does not exist and we need to build it.

    There is no denying the wisdom of the crowd but perhaps a real life meeting of interested individuals might be one way to take matters forward?


  17. I think you demean what you have achieved and that this site is more than a talking shop.
    It is more a dissemination service for some pro active fans (as well as a source of news for some of the hacks).
    And yes we’re dropping people because I think we have put our campaigning on to the back boiler and don’t have enough informed posts about stuff we want to know about.

    I’m also not sure how much fans of clubs care about bothering reading about the goings on at other smaller clubs however and that is why we get 4 pages every day for the big boys for the biggest audiences as well as similar more local coverage in their respected local titles for the regional clubs from our cities.

    I think this site works best when it is campaigning on our behalf.

    I’d say that should remain a big part of what we become because that is what unites us.


  18. Re: the commissioned paintings.
    ===============================
    The DR seems to have clarified that is was Charles Green who commissioned them. Fair enough, and it would also probably explain the lack of awareness when deciding to have ‘current playing legends’ drawn – like McCulloch !

    Mibbees, like some of the onerous contracts, the TRFC board just didn’t know anything until the paintings were delivered to Ibrox, and Charlie had ‘forgotten’ to provide for the cost in the accounts ?

    But you would still think that the sensible option would have been to pay for them, [assuming COD], and then quietly store them until some point in a more stable future at Ibrox?

    And these paintings do lead us to consider what other commissions could Charlie have left for Ibrox ?

    I have a mental picture of the TRFC board going apoplectic when a flatbed lorry arrives outside the Ibrox main entrance with a larger than life bronze statue of Charles Green – and with oversized hands !
    [And with an invoice for many thousands.]

    Like the Michael Jackson statue which was outside Craven Cottage, but much funnier ! 😉


  19. These “next steps” aren’t made of marble are they? :mrgreen:


  20. Interesting proposals for developing SFM, which I think is the stage we are at.

    My own thoughts, which I have often mentioned on CQN is that until we engage with influential,representative bodies of other clubs, there will be no dynamic for achieving the blogs aims.

    Football supporters are,by nature, partisan and every other clubs’ fans are viewed as rivals, at best, or enemies, at worst.

    Until there is a united force against the Games’ common enemy,i.e.the governing bodies, no progress can be made.


  21. OK this is wishful thinking, but…

    It would be great if at some point in the future the SFM site had its own phone-in.

    Maybe timed to coincide with the start of the Radio Clyde phone-in show(s).

    Then fans will have a choice to hear some decent callers, managed by mods without agendas. Maybe the ‘programme’ would only last half an hour, but it would hit RC’s potential listening figures, IMO.

    I would listen to that, and I’m guessing many more Bampots would do the same.

    I know that would be a long way off, but the SMSM would be petrified, IMO, if the SFM had a significant listening/phone-in audience as well, [& with subsequent advertisers].


  22. James Forrest says:
    Member: (85 comments)
    May 12, 2015 at 4:39 pm
    ThomTheThim says:

    That is, and remains, a large problem mate.

    I am still optimistic though.

    3 1 Rate This

    *****
    I agree, it is THE large problem and until it is solved, the Divided House syndrome will prevail.


  23. I’m disappointed we (as a body) have not been able to chip away enough at the SFA. It’s not as if there isn’t ammunition, I will be gutted, for example, if Ogilvie completes his tenture and strolls into the sunset with a further golden handshake and pension we will be funding till he curls his toes up.

    I am forever a patient soul but sorely tested with the length of time RES 12 has taken to come to fruition for example.
    Whoever we get as a figure head I would hope she has balls, cause none of the men in the Scottish football circles and / or media appear to have (Jim Spence excepted).

    Although frustrated at our inability to effect change, I don’t do the walking bit and would chip in.


  24. I am delighted at the proposals to extend and consolidate SFM. I will happily contribute.


  25. Allyjambo says:
    Member: (880 comments)

    May 12, 2015 at 9:21 am

    May 11, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    mcfc says:
    Member: (1177 comments)
    May 11, 2015 at 7:13 pm

    New Paintings For Ibrox
    “The new framed painting titled the New Pioneers depicts Ally McCoist, Lee McCulloch, Lee Wallace, and Neil Alexander in a mirror image of the Gallant Pioneers, Moses McNeil, Peter McNeil, William McBeath and Peter Campbell.”

    New Pioneers ?
    —————————
    Did they start something?
    ———–
    just seen this. So i am not alone in the same thinking


  26. I’m more than happy for SFM to procede as it sees fit. It is vital that those who currently govern our football are hounded until someone is actually fit to do so.


  27. Love the idea of extending the remit of the site. While I rarely read any decent mainstream articles these days, there are several outstanding writers on this site from different fan bases. That said, the power still lies (excuse the pun) with the mainstream and needs to be usurped.


  28. James Forrest says:
    Member: (86 comments)
    May 12, 2015 at 7:47 pm
    As I was saying earlier guys, there’s an issue that doesn’t get much press publicity (none, actually) which bothers me somewhat. This is something for your steering committee to chew over.

    http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/around-a-crooked-table/
    =================================================================
    I do think that the SFA should be more selective and responsible about who it chooses as a sponsor.

    In this day and age, nobody can plead ignorance of the long term problems associated with e.g. fast-food, sweets, fizzy drinks and betting.

    There is an obvious potential conflict of interest having William Hill involved.
    And why did Ralph Topping get anywhere near a post in the governing bodies ?

    Pre-RTC days, I admit that I subscribed to the view that match-fixing and betting scams were alien to Scottish football.

    Now ? If a major betting scandal was discovered at Hampden or amongst players I wouldn’t be surprised – at all.

    If you regard Westminster as a den of corruption, then Hampden is not such a big leap.


  29. The new one On Fields of Green is brilliant and a credit to James Forrest.


  30. OMG how come I get thumbs down for supporting SFM changes and no one else does? Yes I’m paranoid 😀


  31. Bawsman

    I know you were not having a dig re Res12 so this is not a response to your post per se, but just to reinforce your point that I share the frustration about how long it is taking.

    Let’s just say the last rear guard action that could compare resulted in the British Expeditionary Force being rescued by a fleet of small boats off Dunkerque.

    Meanwhile I think we have the SFA surrounded and are probing for weaknesses in their defenses.


  32. I am looking forward to a bright future on the SFM. Since RTC and now SFM the site(s) have been a mine of information. Yes we occasionally go OT, but why not, the humour is great and yet the investigative work, the memories, historical information is far better than any media source. Everyone who contributes is appreciated even if we might not always agree with what is said.

    I believe getting the club’s and their fans on board will be the first requirement so that what follows is seen as SFM representing all, or majority of, clubs and not run by one or two which seems to be an impression some have taken. It may be the chance to see some of the quiet club’s grow a pair and maybe the fans can, with a little pressure get some of the doubters to forget self interest and politics and get involved because it will benefit them in the long run.

    Once that is achieved get to the administrators at Hampden – like many of us the hope we can effect change is what drives us forward.

    Every sport has its problems even if some did.not believe it could happen in their country – from the early scandal of Peter Swann and co (Sheff Wed) throwing games, to snooker, spot fixing in cricket, blood gate in rugby, and far east syndicates, everyone is a risk. We all know it but accepting it and doing something about it, even if it is just exposing it, is what is needed. The SMSM have let everyone down on this and from.RTC until today so I hope the new SFM will be the flag bearer for the positives (only 3 clubs in trouble and no armageddon) and the bad news that needs highlighted.

    Good luck to all who are going to take SFM forward and I am sure we will all contribute as and when we can both to the focal aims and financially.

    Orrabest for the future.


  33. I don’t know if it reflects some new arrangement with Sports Direct being put in place, but notification of Paul Murray’s appointment as a director of Rangers Retail Ltd has been lodged with Companies House.


  34. Coming back to the absent King…[or is it the abdicated King ?]

    He was shouting aloud what he was going to do before the EGM, and then went quiet.
    You would think that the 3 bears would be getting quite grizzly over King’s subsequent disappearance, and apparent lack of ‘investment’ in TRFC/RIFC.

    We are led to believe that both Gilligan and Park have put their hands in their pockets to provide unsecured loans [?} to keep the lights on. But King has not ?

    As alluded to by others, what if King cannot directly access his cash ?
    He took a major liquidity hit with the GBP42M fines, [which I assume he has paid/is paying ?]
    With the uncertainty involving his multitude of charges, one might expect that a wealthy individual would protect some wealth for a rainy day via, perhaps, a complex maze of offshore companies/blind trust/Dutch stichting/etc…

    So what if Gilligan and Park are OK with King, because he is providing the funds through them ?

    Purely speculation on my part, but we seem to be missing some info if the 3 bears are still there. Otherwise, you would think that they would have walked before now – and blamed King reneging on his promises ?


  35. I think what is being proposed is an excellent way forward for SFM and I for one will continue to support it. I have been a reader since RTC days, although I seldom post I find this blog a vital platform to hear what our journalists wont tell you.


  36. Interesting ideas floated. Happy to up my current subscription


  37. Agree with the proposed changes, especially the potential SFM active campaigning body. That would be a most welcome development….let’s get stuck right intae them!!


  38. I am willing to keep and possibly increase my subscription to what is the miners lamp in the pit of Scottish Football. Bring on the Revolution. Shine brightness into the dark corners until we have a game and governing body to be proud of.


  39. Very much in favour of the proposals for SFM.

    It must however be done properly and in a way that protects both those involved and the “SFM” celestial entity.

    Thoughts then turn to TUPE regulations – perhaps we could get an expert to provide some guidance? Charles, are you there?

    Scottish Football needs a strong SFM.


  40. I too am an avid reader rather than contributor, but am happy to maintain my subscription to this wonderful mine of information. It’s the first web page I read in the morning and the last one at night. I love the humour and all the hard work that our very knowledgeable contributors produce. Every day an education. Keep up the good work!


  41. Very happy with plan to expand the site’s reach into the dark corridors of Hampden especially 6th floor.We must encourage fans from all clubs so that smsm scribblers can’t say it is action by the blinkered few.
    Great to see Eddiegoldtop back but i’m worried about Eco?What’s happened to you?


  42. redlichtie says:
    Member: (214 comments)
    May 13, 2015 at 2:38 am

    …It must however be done properly and in a way that protects both those involved and the “SFM” celestial entity.
    ————-

    Guess that rules oot a painting of oor ain gallant pioneers striking a pose then? :mrgreen:


  43. From DR piece today

    Record Sport can also reveal that Ashley had a negative security clause written into the deal struck with the previous board, which means Rangers cannot use security of Ibrox stadium in order to raise funds with any third parties.
    ——————————–
    Really? Can Mr Jackson please ask what this means?
    Will sfa deem Mr King fit & and proper so he can put up the £5 million and be the saviour?


  44. This is my ‘go to’ site to gain a better understanding of what is happening in our game. The breadth of insight and quality of discourse always leaves me better informed. I don’t get that anywhere else. Any efforts to extend the reach of the Monitor will fall heavily on the unseen mods who will then need to become seen and be responsible for an often thankless burden. Whatever you choose to do I will support, but the best outcome for me will be the most sustainable. We can’t afford the light cast by the SFM to be dimmed.


  45. melbournedeemelbournedee says:
    Member: (37 comments)
    May 13, 2015 at 6:55 am
    Mike Ashley goes to WAR with the Rangers board and demands: Give me my £5m loan back NOW

    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mike-ashley-goes-war-rangers-5687137

    Oh dear!!
    —————-

    Since The Record is now spinmeister extraordinaire of all news you tend to look less at the story and more to it’s intended effect. Could it be to make MA look even more mean and conniving? Or to prime the punters for bad news? Could it even be an SOS to South Africa?

    Btw, Motherwell’s chairman was interviewed on SSB yesterday. Spoke so well. Upbeat and community focused. Nice.


  46. I’ll get my tuppence worth in regarding the shape of SFM in the future before any big story breaks!!
    I’m all for it. I had to smile at the comment from Elsie Garcia, I too read SFM first thing in the morning and last at night. As long as we keep a base that enables that level of access i.e. don’t throw away the primacy of the comments.
    I’m up for more subs also. Great stuff TSM!


  47. jean7brodie says:
    Member: (290 comments)
    May 12, 2015 at 8:35 pm

    OMG how come I get thumbs down for supporting SFM changes and no one else does? Yes I’m paranoid ?
    ———————————–

    Noticed that too Jean – Nowt queerer than folk.


  48. According to the Beeb Mike want his £5m back and is looking for an EGM. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32717309 Does he have enough shares to requisition an EGM or does he have other support? He also want the delisting explained.

    Edit: Sorry I just noticed Melbourndee and the Daily Record beat me to it. I wonder if the beeb lifted the story directly from the record or indirectly via here?


  49. valentinesclown says:
    Member: (147 comments)
    May 13, 2015 at 7:46 am

    From DR piece today

    Record Sport can also reveal that Ashley had a negative security clause written into the deal struck with the previous board, which means Rangers cannot use security of Ibrox stadium in order to raise funds with any third parties.
    ——————————–
    Really? Can Mr Jackson please ask what this means?
    Will sfa deem Mr King fit & and proper so he can put up the £5 million and be the saviour?
    ============================
    You have picked out the most dishonest part of a thoroughly disgraceful piece of “journalism”.

    The block on using Ibrox for security was put in place at the insistence of various fan groups, with “Radar” Jackson acting as propagandist-in-chief. They demanded cast iron assurances that Ibrox would never, under any circumstances, be used as security. The then Board caved in and gave them what they wanted, which is essentially why Ashley has had to take security over everything and anything else but Ibrox for his £5m loan.In fact the RST actually went to court to try to stop Ibrox being used as security.

    Jackson now turns this act of compliance with the fans’ wishes into a stick to beat Ashley with. Jackson should be practising his brand of “journalism” on a Rangers fanzine and nowhere else, in my opinion. Outrageous hardly begins to describe it.

    Of course the block on Ibrox security made absolutely no commercial sense at the time, especially for a loss making company desperate to borrow money, as was pointed out on here at the time. Yet the Daily Record trawled every Tom, Dick and Brian Kennedy for statements to the effect that Ibrox should never, ever be mortgaged.

    Of course all this noise conceals the fact that the saintly Sir David Murray had Ibrox mortgaged up to and over the roof for many years, without a squeak from the Record. In fact the more SDM borrowed, the more praise he got from Jackson & Co.


  50. I thought there was nothing wrong with the painting of Her Maj and the Armed forces being commissioned and being put at the head of the marble staircase. I mean, having a reminder of some of the people who were affected by the previous club not paying their tax is a great idea. Lest We Forget !


  51. tykebhoy says:
    Member: (165 comments)
    May 13, 2015 at 8:44 am
    According to the Beeb Mike want his £5m back and is looking for an EGM. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32717309 Does he have enough shares to requisition an EGM or does he have other support? He also want the delisting explained.

    Edit: Sorry I just noticed Melbourndee and the Daily Record beat me to it. I wonder if the beeb lifted the story directly from the record or indirectly via here?
    ———–

    More likely both received the same press release from …

    Seem to remember the infamous winding up order from a few years back was based on an unpaid debt of far less than £5m. No mention of that kind if thing here though, no doubt since Dave King is jetting at this very moment. The Real Rangers Men won, after all.

    It’s at times like this you miss @TheClumpany 😆


  52. If you want a morning laugh head over to the Sons of Struth Facebook page.

    They don’t do irony!!


  53. All the best for the new venture SFM, I look forward to it.

    On the topic of Ashley / today’s Daily Record article, surely the questions put by MASH in the letter are the ones that Jackson and his ilk should have been demanding the answers to? I suspect that that Ashley does not only want to force King + 3B out of their cosy position of damning MASH while spending their money, but is also taking the opportunity to show up just how neutered our journalists are. If so, then that last bit has obviously sailed right over Keith Jackson’s head mind you.


  54. Just to add my support for the new proposals to take SFM forward.

    It has been frustrating to read so many well researched blogs and posts but to see no, or very little, action or reaction from all those charged with oversight of our game. So many of these blogs and posts have been of a far higher quality than anything we see in the SMSM, with knowledge and research far outweighing that shown by the so called ‘professionals’, yet we continue to appear to have no effect, other than to inform those open minded enough to be informed.

    That being said, I am confident that there has been a huge difference made, by SFM and other like minded sites, in letting the football governors, club officials and SMSM know that we know what they are up to…and we don’t like it! And, though it should never have been necessary, we have also let them know that it is not just Celtic supporters that don’t like it!

    I will certainly be happy to make a regular contribution to enable the expansion of the blog in the hope we can become a greater influence on the football community.


  55. Good Morning

    Regarding MIKE’S BIG MOVE, and the excitable Daily Record coverage…

    The headline may be that Ashley ‘wants his money back’, but he doesn’t exactly need to call an EGM to make that demand, and I strongly suspect he will struggle to get the resolution passed.

    However, the Requisition is a good tactical move which serves a couple of useful purposes:

    * Making the new Sevco regime squirm about their apparent lack of finance to keep the show on the road and repay Ashley.

    * Shining an unwelcome spotlight on a number of other uncomfortable issues – such as the failure to secure a new Nomad (which we were given to believe could be managed smoothly), and the delisting of RIFC.

    If you have the stomach for it, I have jotted down some further thoughts on this issue, which you can find here https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/05/13/rendering-unto-caesar/

    Enjoy the rest of the day!


  56. “A source close to Ashley said last night………”
    Aye right!
    Throughout all of this pantomime, the one constant has been Uncle Mike not saying anything to anyone in the media.
    Unless of course it suddenly suits him to throw a wee bone to a slavering hack/award winning sports journalist.
    Either way, the date of the letter is interesting in that action by RIFC would have to take place within 28 days which puts the May wage bill (and bonuses?) plus any repayment of Mike’s £5mp to be due around about the same time scale.
    I can only imagine a lot of piggy bank shaking going on to see what might be still in there.
    Interesting times ahead but I think I’ll wait for what may be the real story to come from Phil rather than wee Keefie.
    In other news, I see that the Art World was shaken to its core twice yesterday.
    Not only was Ms Runciman’s masterpiece roundly panned (I’m no Brian Sewell but I thought it a fine example of the Belfast Gable End School) but, in addition, a Picasso sold for a world record of $160m.
    Maybe His Glibness found something better to do with his kid’s inheritance?


  57. SFM

    Change is good and “People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.” George Bernard Shaw

    The full gamut of new activities you describe strikes me as a colossal amount of work requiring a large pool of very committed talent and experience – not beyond SFM but a big commitment to step up to and maintain.

    I’m more of an evolutionist myself – believing that small successes breed progressively bigger successes towards very big successes, with inevitably some moderate, recoverable failures along the way.

    I enjoy this site because it analyses and dissects spin, deceit, incompetence, pomposity etc, drawing on the considerable skills, experience and knowledge of a wide range of contributors. It is a great resource for anyone actively SEEKING knowledge, fact, discussion, humour beyond the despicable MSM/PR machine.

    To me, the next obvious development would be for SFM to actively broadcast its collective analysis and opinion on key events in Scottish football to offer the alternative, objective, fact-based view to news outlets and social media outlets. It is always frustrating to see MSM nonsense reproduced across the globe, unchallenged by a sane, adult voice. This approach would ride the trend of the declining MSM being replaced by and out-classed by citizen journalism.

    The governance of Scottish football is the elephant in the room: quality, consistency, fairness, professionalism, fitness and commitment to the benefit of all clubs. Inevitably that focus would include many topics around The Rangers, but that should not be the primary goal.

    Almost immediately, I think SFM could start putting together concise briefing notes and commentary for other outlets on key issues to challenge the official position. Twitter is free and it would be staighforward to pull together email lists of potentially interested outlets.

    The objective would be to see SFA, SPFL and club PR/media output scrutinized by global commentators who have SFM as a trusted source for the alternative, objective view. The desired effect is to have SFA/SPFL/clubs/MSM change to operate with greater respect for the knowledge/intelligence of the fan in the street. Outlets can get this kind of information here at the moment by reading and thinking, but increasingly journalists are under severe time pressure so SFM packaging up opinion pieces, fact sheets, statistics, potted histories etc for them and pushing them out actively would make a big difference to the chance of them being read, absorbed, used.

    I’d be more than willing to help with this and other activities.

    hope this is helpful

    mcfc


  58. Cluster One says:
    Member: (152 comments)

    May 12, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    Allyjambo says:
    Member: (880 comments)

    May 12, 2015 at 9:21 am

    May 11, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    mcfc says:
    Member: (1177 comments)
    May 11, 2015 at 7:13 pm

    New Paintings For Ibrox
    “The new framed painting titled the New Pioneers depicts Ally McCoist, Lee McCulloch, Lee Wallace, and Neil Alexander in a mirror image of the Gallant Pioneers, Moses McNeil, Peter McNeil, William McBeath and Peter Campbell.”

    New Pioneers ?
    —————————
    Did they start something?
    ———–
    just seen this. So i am not alone in the same thinking
    _________________________

    I wonder if Charles Green has a sense of humour; a parting gift, at the club’s own expense, showing what he really thinks of his own ‘same club’ claims, and that he was well aware of where these ‘pioneers’ were taking the club!

    I can’t think of examples off the top of my head, but I’m sure there have been a few storylines in books and movies with endings where an irony laden parting gift is discovered!

    He’s a card, that Charlie!


  59. Allyjambo says:
    Member: (882 comments)
    May 13, 2015 at 10:19 am
    ===========================================
    The idea that Ashley’s demand to repay his £5mil and Ms Runciman’s paintings arrived at Ibrox in the same DHL van has reduced my irony meter to a molten lump that has burned a hole through my desk and is now working its way through the floorboards.


  60. Er..? That a link, isn’t it? Sorry about that. It’s obviously an age thing!


  61. Been lurking for ages now but definitely happy to contribute.


  62. The idea that Ashley’s demand to repay his £5mil and Ms Runciman’s paintings arrived at Ibrox in the same DHL van has reduced my irony meter to a molten lump that has burned a hole through my desk and is now working its way through the floorboards.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Rumour has it that they are offering the Runciman’s efforts to Ashley in lieu of the five million.
    This has to be a good deal for Ashley – if you consider the Picasso was valued at 150
    million – and it’s nothing to write home about – then this abstract of four males has got to be good value for money.


  63. Another long time follower,contribute now and again by posting and the occasional few quid here and there.
    I am happy to support any new direction/expansion proposed.
    I would however concur with Redlitchie,the whole operation may have to become more “open”as you may have a situation where there are a couple of hundred regular contributors financially generating substantial sums.To protect those running SFM,records,I suspect will require to be kept and produced at some point,as there are plenty out there who would need no excuse to critisise and srutinise,if they could.
    With regard to spreading influence and increasing support,can I ask if it is known how many followers we have at present,as this number may determine our credibility with regards approaches to other organisations.Maybe a recruitment drive could be a consideration,SFM may wish to do some publicity work explaining who we are and what our aims are AND what we are not,if this led to more followers,well,strength in numbers and all that.
    Sorry to rattle on.


  64. Re the new sponsorship for SPFL (now Ladbrokes SPFL):

    There’s an awful lot reported about how wonderful the deal is how they took so long to get the best deal etc. but not a whisper about how much actual money is involved. I may be cynical but if was a really significant amount I think that would have been part of the main headline.

    Of course with my luck they will now report it is worth many millions but still, why not say how much? Is the cheque still in the post?

    EDIT: the first two sources I saw didn’t give a figure but I see it is now being reported as £4 million over two years. I predicted I might be shown to be wrong so had an each-way as it were. Not bad I suppose though not as great as Doncaster is making out: but I don’t see how such a deal could have been made a couple of years back. After all there’s no guarantee a certain club will gain promotion.

    On the plus side one of my team’s players is getting done for betting on football. Does this mean he gets let off (or does he get done because he bet with William Hill?)


  65. I see from the latest offering from the BBC that Charles Green was involved in a Takeover of “Rangers” and not just buying the Assets of the Bankrupt Former Club.. Is this the New Lie to be peddled by the Media ?


  66. Pie has admirably beaten me to the punch here, but in addition to the CG takeover, there was apparently another one in March this year. All them shares changing hands, I obviously missed it, seeing only an EGM on the limited matter of change in directorships. This according to Chris McLaughlin of the BBC, who remembers only “insolvency” in 2012, maintaining his aversion to the dreaded L word.

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