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.
Partizani
Congrats on your full house,it is realy now beyond belief what these papers keep feeding to the wounded pack and they seem to swallow every time,totally no respect for the present incumbent who took the poison chalice to get them to the end of the season,McCall ,if he has any self respect should walk now as it is obvious ,according to the smsm that he is not on the favoured list,it is beggining to look like there are stalling tactics being deployed here before the curtain comes down for the last time,the Fat Lady is warming up.
Partizani Tirana says:
Member: (12 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 8:38 am
Freudian psychologists would have a field day with Chris Jack & his mates, it’s like a never ending, masturbatory loop of past regression, where there is no escape, just a bleak existential repetition of mistakes made & hopes crushed.
Who, in their right mind, would honestly conceive that bringing Sir Walter back, makes any sense whatsoever, not least for the poor man himself, a couple of years off his 70th birthday….leave the man alone.
Of course, what’s conveniently forgotten is it was Wattie himself who appointed & anointed the most famous & richest gardener this side of Samwise Gamgee…..it was Sir Walter of Myth, who’s never managed a club without substantial revenues at his disposal and a man NOT known for bringing through young players & preferring to place his trust in a core of older, senior players…..and haven’t they just failed spectacularly with this approach already??
William Gibson in his book Zero History(geddit) says “When you want to know how things really work, study them when they’re coming apart.”
When one looks at the RFC saga,never has a quote been more accurate or prescient. And guys like Chris Jack & his like continually amplify the pain & torment of the recent past.
God bless them, I actually feel a wee bit sorry for the Bearmacht, if they’re pinning all their future hopes on King & Smith two figures who represent nothing other than past failure on an enormous scale that they seem doomed to repeat endlessly?
King set to return for Rangers rebuilding job amid Ibrox manager hunt
DAVE KING will return to Glasgow early next week to kick-start the Rangers rebuilding job – with the appointment of a manager top of his Light Blue to-do list.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/king-set-to-return-for-rangers-rebuilding-job-amid-ibrox-manager-hunt-209405n.128190043 … via @TheEveningTimes
And i had the notion he was jetting in for the EGM.With only a couple of days to be able to stay in scotland he is going to be busy 😯
BREAKING NEWS!!!
Chairman of company attends EGM of company of which he is Chairman.
The Champions League music will play in a few hours. Some of the very best youth footballers are playing in New Zealand – already Argentina and Mexico are out. Scottish football seems to be stagnating. One of the perennial big teams is on the verge of a second liquidation next week or next month. Celtic will play 2, 4 or 6 qualification games. The music will play.
Over the river , half the squad gone, no manager, two gardeners, owing 8,000,000 pounds to lenders, and trying to sell 40,000 season tickets at increased prices (stop laughing) to watch Alloa, Dumbarton Livingston as well as the two top teams of Hibs and St Mirren.
Next week Ashley gets to ask some pesky questions. Some Bears think he will be humiliated and told to “go away” with his tail between his legs. (stop laughing)
The PR campaign to sell season tickets will be amazing.
yourhavingalaugh says:
Member: (283 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 9:23 am
How satisfying would it be if, after ‘Level5 Recruitment Specialists’ complete their extensive international interview process, that Stuart McColl is announced as far and away the best man for the job?
Just a thought, and I’ve maybe missed it in the surfeit of minced lamb, but have TRFC actually advertised the position, and has there been a direct quote from the boardroom that they are actually carrying out interviews? It’s hard to imagine that, if they do intend announcing the appointment within, say, the next week, that no interviews have yet taken place.
Another thing, if McColl is eventually announced as the permanent manager, the only reason it wasn’t done immediately could only be to fill a big empty hole in TRFC’s perpetual ‘journey PR’ with some sort of positivity! If McColl had been appointed manager already, what else could possibly have been used to fill the great spinning void? The truth? Surely not!
Another little thought. King’s in SA and Murray(P) is in the USA. Many of the thinking bears are asking why are they not at their desks sorting out the many problem their club faces. Could it be that they are actually chasing money, having failed in the City, they must look elsewhere for some gullible rich?
In the meantime, with only disastrous accounts to show potential ‘investors’, they must fill the internet with stories that, on a quick search, suggest all that’s required for the return to the fabulous wealth of the Scottish Premiership is a new manager, and the few pounds/dollars that a man with a bouffant is asking for.
Cygnus X-1 says:
Member: (51 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 9:51 am
Partizani Tirana says:
Member: (12 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 8:38 am
_______________________________________________________
Don’t forget he was chairman of the board at a time when unbelievably huge losses were being racked up. And drawing a not inconsiderable salary at the time.
I don’t actually recall whether any of the more pecunious playing flops were given contracts on his watch, but it would not surprise me in the least.
At the very least, by his inaction he helped power the bus towards the cliff edge.
Sounds like he’s just what they need right now, eh!?
I’ve followed the conversations here with interest but I’m hoping the community may be able to shine a light elsewhere temporarily, in this case on Livingston.
I know to many they are a diddy team, plastic team, whatever. But they are part of a community and they are being used and abused right now by another in a long line of charlatans.
We’re talking:
– A convicted drug dealer paying a five-figure sum to get himself in. He’s now running the club day-to-day
– A majority shareholder charged by the Scottish FA with dual interest who has moved a portion of his shares to an invisible man
– A whole host of unpaid bills
– A registration embargo with no sign of being lifted, meaning just three players are registered for next season
– And that’s just the very tip of the iceberg
Your average fan is powerless. How on earth does this club get itself rid of such a situation?
With the RIFC financial year drawing to a close has there been a resolution of the position of Deloitte with respect to the auditors? As recently pointed out by mcfc (iirc) they are still listed as auditors on the RIFC website together with WH Ireland as NOMAD.
I can’t imagine Deloitte, if they are still the auditors, being too pleased with the lack of a CEO and FD. Although it could be argued that P Murray, as a qualified accountant (stop laughing at the back there), is able to act as FD.
Much debate about the current PR drive surrounding the club from Ibrox.
I am baffled at the increasing media hype surrounding Mark Warburton as the next manager. Apparently he ‘ticks all the boxes’. Although I am biased. I am entitled to say such talk is wishful thinking at best, and utter bullsh*t at worst. The Celtic fan in me asks why so many of the same writers were dismissive of Ronny Deila, with many still remaining so. I don’t buy a newspaper every day and the days I do is normally because my wife wants one. I can choose whether or not to read online content or whether to listen to commercial radio. Unfortunately I have no option but to fund the BBC which is also acting like an Ibrox PR outlet most of the time these days. It may be 2015 but the wildly held notion that everything Rangers HAS to be good news in some way shows no sign of letting up. It really hacks me off big style.
Rant over.
If anybody is wondering what DCK’s plan going forward is, they could do worse than listen to Bomber Brown’s public address from the steps at Ibrokes. Bomber may be the archetypal wee angry snarling Scotsman, but I have no doubt he loves his grand-weans dearly, and would not swear on their lives if he was not speaking what he believed to be the truth.
Starve them out has always been the plan. It got me thinking as to why he is being so confrontational re the EGM when Uncle Mike has the tanks at his command. It did cross my mind he was trying to bury something, but is it not more likely he is trying to expose something?
It may seem strange that King might be attempting to do the right thing, but strange is the order of the day down the Drive. Is he after Minty in some way?
There is more to this EGM than meets the eye. Knowledge is power.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aFC8Qw7lVU
Fisiani says:
Member: (29 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 10:26 am
…Next week Ashley gets to ask some pesky questions. Some Bears think he will be humiliated and told to “go away” with his tail between his legs. (stop laughing)
The PR campaign to sell season tickets will be amazing.
______________________________
I will not be surprised if (in fact, I will be surprised if not), the MSM portray Ashley as being ‘humiliated’, regardless of how things pan out at the AGM. I’m sure there will be a lot of rhetoric spouted, before, during and after, the EGM by the RRMs in line with what we heard at the last one, and we all know the real result of that!
I’m sure ‘defeat’ is factored into Ashley’s plans, perhaps even hoped for, but ‘victory’ will have a viable alternative plan, too. The thunderous applause that greets the anticipated King triumph will not phase Ashley one bit and may well hide his next move.
Something that the MSM miss, though in their ignorance they try to promote it as such, is that this is not a popularity contest. King wants, perhaps needs, to be popular with the bears, but Ashley only sees pound signs. King must win every point in every battle, for his standing will go down with every loss, while he won’t necessarily get stronger (or TRFC won’t) with each, or any, victory.
In fact, while Ashley’s security and contracts make him immovable, a major defeat at the EGM (and anytime afterwards) could end King’s involvement in the Blue Room at Ibrox!
Level42 are certainly working overtime judging by the laughable mince in just the DR today. :slamb:
Gary Ralston has a breathless piece about how ‘pure dead brilliant’ it would be if TRFC do successfully appoint the Brentford manager.
Now I’m sure this manager is decent, but it just reinforces how the ‘mighty’ have fallen: what sort of response would (S)DM have received from the bears if he had mentioned bringing in the Brentford manager…? 🙄
But there is an even more impressive / ridiculous story, as sensibly attributed to the nameless ‘Record Sport Online’. Did you know that the Olympiakos boss had visited Ibrox for ‘secret talks’, but has been found out and will be sacked now by his own club ?! So secret that nobody at Ibrox ever saw this guy…and the succulent lamb brigade also missed him ?
But if you’re going to issue PR whoppers wouldn’t it be better to use more impressive managerial targets ?
Like Klopp has assured the Ibrox board that he will be jetting in for talks just as soon as he has taken his holidays – before making the Ibrox club a formidable force in the Champions League ? Mibbees.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-managerial-target-vitor-pereira-5833374
It occurs to me observing the unfolding saga of events at Ibrox, the reporting of them and attempts by football at managing them, that we might be nearing the “flip point.”
The flip point (my term as I’m sure grief counselling has a proper one) happens when the pain of holding on exceeds the pain of letting go.
It’s that awakening moment when you accept the past is the past and it is up to you to build a new future.
That new future is built on new thinking and recognising what works and what does not.
A physical sign would be giving up the attachment to Ibrox. It is simply unaffordable. Tough love.
That physical sign would be an indication of acceptance that RFC as was, no matter how much formaldehyde it is currently embalmed in, has gone forever and it would be a mistake to try and rebuild Scottish football on what no longer is.
Still a bit to go as much of the self chosen pain continues its healing job through the coming seasons.
fishnish says:
Member: (37 comments)
June 5, 2015 at 5:13 pm
=====================================================
So what are the “true” and/or “official” numbers ?
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/qatar-admits-deaths-in-migrant-workers
http://uk.businessinsider.com/qatar-world-cup-2022-government-claim-no-migrant-workers-have-died-constructing-football-stadiums-washington-post-death-toll-1200-2015-6
Try to post this link re Spanish tax again (failed 3 times):
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/how-tax-break-gives-real-madrid-and-barcelona-an-unfair-edge-8749146.html
StevieBC says:
Member: (706 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 11:34 am
Gary Ralston…
===============
…is running on fumes. The story is out there, they (the MSSM) just don’t want to publish it.
The ex-Brentford goalkeeper’s hagiographic comments re Warburton couldn’t have been elicited without mentioning Lee’s two companies, I suppose?
Anyhoo, if Warburton’s so good, why aren’t clubs queuing up to make him as rich & famous as Owen Coyle, Malky McKay or Billy Davis?
Thanks to those who enlightened me about the Qatar / coefficient situation.
yourhavingalaugh says:
June 6, 2015 at 9:23 am
Partizani
…no respect for the present incumbent who took the poison chalice to get them to the end of the season…McCall
———————————————-
McCall is one of the very few characters in all of this to show actual dignity. He’s gone up in my estimation over the last couple of months.
Cygnus X-1 says:
June 6, 2015 at 9:51 am
…it was Sir Walter of Myth, who’s never managed a club without substantial revenues at his disposal…
————————————————-
To be fair to Sir W, he managed Everton without any great amounts of money to spend. Then again, David Moyes came in after him and made a much better fist of things with essentially the same players.
Don’t have the nerves to watch Andy Murray after last night ? Off the Ball includes Tony Higgins & Alex Rae among others. How long before Alex mentions managerial prospects at Ibrox? Or will he skip the subject?
upthehoops says:
June 6, 2015 at 11:22 am
UTH can’t see what your problem is. The SMSM have it spot on re Warburton. He is relatively new to management, has some fresh ideas and has had a degree of success in the lower leagues in England. Where better to develop his talent and try out his ideas than with a recently formed Scottish Championship side looking to take fresh approach to their football. Unlike Celtic and Deila there is no gamble in taking a step into the unknown given the clubs lowly position in world football.
A perfect match IMHO. That is unless you believe T’Rangers are a big club that deserve a big name experienced manager!!??
wottpi says:
Member: (633 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 1:02 pm
UTH can’t see what your problem is. The SMSM have it spot on re Warburton. He is relatively new to management, has some fresh ideas and has had a degree of success in the lower leagues in England. Where better to develop his talent and try out his ideas than with a recently formed Scottish Championship side looking to take fresh approach to their football. Unlike Celtic and Deila there is no gamble in taking a step into the unknown given the clubs lowly position in world football.
A perfect match IMHO. That is unless you believe T’Rangers are a big club that deserve a big name experienced manager!!??
==========================
Except of course the SMSM are almost certainly not looking at it from the angle you describe! To them the Rangers job is one of the most sought after in football, and Warburton is a top quality (unemployed) candidate.
Wottpi -is there the money to pay Mr Warburton or any manager with a good track record and which of these will work in the face of the existential threats beyond the formidable sporting challenges ahead. Not only that there is a fractured support which is united only in a belief of theirs being a huge club and having the droit de seigneur as well as the divine right of Kings.
On mod duty this morning and noticed a few posts in the spam folder (inexplicably).
Posts with regard to the Spanish tax regime and the Qatari health and safety issues.
I have reset the date and posted them.
Danish Pastry says:
Blog Writer: (1215 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Don’t have the nerves to watch Andy Murray after last night ? Off the Ball includes Tony Higgins & Alex Rae among others. How long before Alex mentions managerial prospects at Ibrox? Or will he skip the subject?
————————–
Alex Rae backtracked on the topic of Mr McCleish being offered Ibrox job. Then lo and behold we had all pundits defending Super Ally’s managerial skills during his time in Govan. Despair does not cover it. Maybe Ally has earned his garden leave pay and we are all wrong on his managerial skills and maybe FIFA are an honest organisation unfairly accused at present.
Yep, Alex Rae got his wee CV promotional in on Off the Ball 🙂
Interesting the sense of urgency from pundits & potential managerial candidates, yet not a peep from Ibrox. It’s as though there’s no plan for next season. Still, the RRM won and the war is over, so they say.
Bad luck for Andy. Poor start cost him him, but a great achievement pushing it to a 5th against the Serb machine. Sporting excellence at its best.
You can imagine any candidates interview ,excuse me,you are offering how much as an annual salary,no thanks,but are you looking for any gardeners per chance.
yourhavingalaugh says:
Member: (285 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 2:36 pm
You can imagine any candidates interview ,excuse me,you are offering how much as an annual salary,no thanks,but are you looking for any gardeners per chance
————————————–
Mohsni: “McCoist isn’t on Gardening Leave – he was fired”
Surely not! as Ally is a RRM. Transparency was the cry.
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/776774747?-11344:801:0
I am more than a little puzzled by the non-sale of TRFC’s season tickets, and just as puzzled by the lack of interest from the MSM. It’s almost as though they’ve been instructed to go easy on the subject, and to stick to the hunt for next season’s manager of the year!
I can think of a few reasons why this situation might arise, at any club, but none of them are good. Can anyone think of at least one good business reason for a club to delay the sale of STs, even if, unlike TRFC, the need for income is not pressing?
Fat Yaks acquired from the Fine Wine Co in Porty – which appears to be run by an Aussie from Brisbane.
http://thefinewinecompany.co.uk
119 Porty High St 0131-669-7716
Also mentions on the business card a Musselburgh branch 0131-665-0088 (no address though)
valentinesclownvalentinesclown says:
Member: (163 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 3:27 pm
yourhavingalaugh says:
Member: (285 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 2:36 pm
Mohsni: “McCoist isn’t on Gardening Leave – he was fired”
Surely not! as Ally is a RRM. Transparency was the cry.
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/776774747?-11344:801:0
————-
That’s an interesting one. But would Mohsni have that info?
Since Fat Yaks are topical can I go a wee bit OT and mention one of the reasons I like Off the Ball is Stuart C’s many Dennistoun references. I believe he has a bolthole there somewhere. Today there was Oakley Terrace, Craigpark, Westercraigs and ‘Wild Bill Hickok’, although Wild Bill got mixed up with Buffalo Bill. Annie McGuire once again a brilliant co-host; very professional and not lacking in humour. Think, after all those years of Your Call it turns out Annie should have hosted the show and Traynor manned the phone-lines
Allyjambo says:
Member: (995 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 3:29 pm
I am more than a little puzzled by the non-sale of TRFC’s season tickets, and just as puzzled by the lack of interest from the MSM. It’s almost as though they’ve been instructed to go easy on the subject, and to stick to the hunt for next season’s manager of the year!
I can think of a few reasons why this situation might arise, at any club, but none of them are good. Can anyone think of at least one good business reason for a club to delay the sale of STs, even if, unlike TRFC, the need for income is not pressing?
________________________________________________________
It’s a good question.
Best outcome I can come up with is they are awaiting some justification or pretence to hike the prices.
Worst is they haven’t even got the money to pay the printers to knock the things up.
Either seems possible to me.
Resin_lab_dog says:
Member: (441 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Allyjambo says:
Member: (995 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 3:29 pm
Worst is they haven’t even got the money to pay the printers to knock the things up.
===================================================
I realise such matters appear unimportant to the SFA, hence no demands for a going concern notice, but wouldn’t Global Renegers have to be pretty certain in themselves, that they could actually produce the product they were attempting to sell
Well done Aulheid. Caught your LNS email on Sportsound extra time. Much merriment in the studio from all.
Well done Auldheid. I should have said.
Obviously our studio guests well aware of where were at.
Nice one.
Is there any possibility that the SPFL and/or the SFA might have warned RIFC NOT to try to take in season book monies unless and until they can show that they will last until end of next season?
There are clear indications that the club is struggling , without anything other than vague promises that all will be well, and it could be argued that the Football authorities have some responsibility to protect both the public and the SPFL clubs from reckless, possibly criminal trading
while as near as dammit insolvent.
ianagain says:
Member: (528 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 5:37 pm
Well done Auldheid. I should have said.
Obviously our studio guests well aware of where were at.
Nice one.
==========================================
ianagain, for those of us who didn’t hear the show, could you expand on this please ? Sounds encouraging.
John Clark: I would be surprised if the dimwits at the SFA/SPFL would get that involved – but maybe the TRFC auditors advised the non-sale of ST’s, or they will resign ?
[I am assuming that TRFC does have new auditors in place now, can’t remember who though.]
Ianagain
It was my way of reminding them that FIFA skullduggery should not blind us to SFA/SPFL attempts to convince us the football earth is flat.
There is still a bit of mileage left in the old LNS saga that makes it impossible to believe that it was not all about immediate damage limitation.
However it’s a bit like chemo therapy, if you don’t change the treatment you can kill the patient.
Interestingly the OTB discussion ended on support was about having a club to be proud of and that is what TRFC fans needed.
That is absolutely true and I refer back to my flip point post today but to hasten that flip point the game should come clean before slow glass beats it to the punch.
StevieBC
OTB spoke about possibly 25 years of FIFA corruption so I tweeted.
@offtheballbbc To minimise consequences of FIFA corruption in last 25 years why not commission Lord Nimmo Smith to investigate & decide?
Good Evening
If there is interest… Here is a piece on Chris Jack’s hilarious Sevco “Crisis? What crisis?” pieces in the Evening Times today.
The kind of journalism that does no one any favours.
I have even included an affectionate nod towards TSFM!
“The King-dom of the Wilfully Blind” http://t.co/cpCZZrPgIT
Enjoy the rest of the evening!
Auldheid, you are awful…! 😛
Good prog on Shortbread Tom English and Ken Buchanan. Replay I think? Great insights from Ken.
Resin_lab_dog says:
Member: (441 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Allyjambo says:
Member: (995 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 3:29 pm
I am more than a little puzzled by the non-sale of TRFC’s season tickets, and just as puzzled by the lack of interest from the MSM. It’s almost as though they’ve been instructed to go easy on the subject, and to stick to the hunt for next season’s manager of the year!
I can think of a few reasons why this situation might arise, at any club, but none of them are good. Can anyone think of at least one good business reason for a club to delay the sale of STs, even if, unlike TRFC, the need for income is not pressing?
________________________________________________________
It’s a good question.
Best outcome I can come up with is they are awaiting some justification or pretence to hike the prices.
Worst is they haven’t even got the money to pay the printers to knock the things up.
Either seems possible to me.
————
Your printer possibility was one that entered my thoughts,too, that and any other raw materials used to produce STs, along with the need for extra staff to deal with the workload. Unnecessary delay won’t only delay much needed income, it will almost certainly cause more expense as more staff will be needed to deal with any initial surge – even if it doesn’t happen. There may also be a problem getting credit facilities for monthly payments, I don’t think that was all plain sailing last time, was it?
I just can’t understand it if there is nothing wrong, and if there is nothing wrong, why not let their customers know why there is a delay? Jings, they could even tell a wee porky…
Re the non-sale of TRFC’s season books.
MA can’t ring fence what isn’t there.
just a thought.
😆 😆 😆
Auldheid says:
Blog Writer: (450 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 6:33 pm
That must be right up there amongst the greatest tweets of all time 😀
Allyjambo says:
June 6, 2015 at 7:29 pm
There may also be a problem getting credit facilities for monthly payments, I don’t think that was all plain sailing last time, was it?
———————————————–
AJ,
If I recall correctly they lost their Merchant Acquirer and couldn’t find a replacement. They were unable to take card payments and it looked like cash and cheque only.
My grey cells have a vague recollection the MA stepped in and agreed to take the card payment via the merchant acquirer of one of his subsidiaries. Does anyone recall the same?
If I am right about this then is MA playing hardball this time around. After all DCK and the 3B’s have been so nice to him since the EGM.
Has the Ranger’s Merchant Acquirer situation been resolved or are they still without? Are we back to cash and cheque only?
ianagainianagain says:
Member: (529 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 5:37 pm
Well done Aulheid. Caught your LNS email on Sportsound extra time. Much merriment in the studio from all.
———-
I heard that too. Much tittering. I think it was Annie M. who read that out. Bravo Auldheid.
Tincks says:
Member: (120 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 7:49 pm
Allyjambo says:
June 6, 2015 at 7:29 pm
If I recall correctly they lost their Merchant Acquirer and couldn’t find a replacement
_____________________________________________
Bingo Tincks.
That would certainly make sense.
They don’t have normal credit facilities, so a deal with SD to process card payments (was it debit card only or am I mis-recalling?) would have been likely.
No credit card company would touch them I would imagine, as the in the event of an insolvency, the card company could be liable for the default under the CCA.
(The same guarantee does not apply to debit card transactions)
Wouldn’t be at all surprised if His Big Mikeness shut down whatever debit card line they had set up.
Also, aren’t the Metro banking facilities they have fairly limited? Would they struggle to process Direct Debits?
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/revealed-how-rangers-newco-was-shunned-by-major-banks.18023181
Watching yon cup final job. Is it just me Danny Alves seems the player who will win this simply because hes the only direct player in either team. Quite bored TBH compared to last Thu and Sun.
To explain missed the early goal. Retracted. It will still be Alves makes the difference.
I do however question amongst them how many buckets of drugs are in them or have we all forgotten the mid year allegations linking Italian and Spanish players to the doping allegations around the cycling “coaches and doctors” brought before an Italian court which quietly dropped the Fitba allegations.
Happy Euro cup everyone. I believe your watching a sham.
ianagain says:
June 6, 2015 at 8:59 pm
At least no one can accuse Rangers of being doped up this season. Unless you include Moshni……….
Well honestly. It was brought up on here many times. Many comments on the stushie. Court just “excludes fitba players from investigation despite them all being known” because this case is about cycling.
Give me a break, now the worlds sitting watching this wealth of undescribable talent giving its all?
Come on.
Lets just say weve seen 2 teams with an equal mount of dope in them and may the best cheat win.
Of no interest to me at all.
Well someone won yon cup.
Thing is are Celtic Aberdeen ST Johnston and ICT going to make any representations to EUFA about the doping allegations before the draw?
It kind of wont matter if they get a Kuban Krasnodar or suchlike as they cant afford the doctors.
But I truly though we on here were about doing something different.
Will fans of Scots clubs in Europe get into this problem?
Otherwise your not playing on a level field.
start from here its a joke you just watched:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/22578200
Ive mentioned this before on RTC I think but I stayed at the Melia Alicante when Scotland played Spain last in WC qualifier.
The Spanish team had 13 Doctors on there floor I know because I had dinner with them and had a few drinks after.
They also had 7 ambulance’s in the basement.
So are they just very careful. OR
Right away TD OK keep your Euro laurels Deluded 😐
I listened on and off to Sportsound extra but missed the reading out of Auldheid’s tweet! (Well and sharply done, Auldheid)
What I did hear was Richard Wilson blathering on about the need for the whole Blatter and Delaney business being thoroughly investigated and questions asked.
I wasn’t sharp enough ( or twitter-literate enough) to ask how much investigation HE had done into what the late Turnbull Hutton called ‘corruption’ in our own wee Football governance neck of the woods.
Resin_lab_dog says:
Member: (442 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 8:20 pm
Tincks says:
Member: (120 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 7:49 pm
Allyjambo says:
June 6, 2015 at 7:29 pm
If I recall correctly they lost their Merchant Acquirer and couldn’t find a replacement
_____________________________________________
Bingo Tincks.
That would certainly make sense.
They don’t have normal credit facilities, so a deal with SD to process card payments (was it debit card only or am I mis-recalling?) would have been likely.
No credit card company would touch them I would imagine, as the in the event of an insolvency, the card company could be liable for the default under the CCA.
(The same guarantee does not apply to debit card transactions)
Wouldn’t be at all surprised if His Big Mikeness shut down whatever debit card line they had set up.
Also, aren’t the Metro banking facilities they have fairly limited? Would they struggle to process Direct Debits?
===========================
Yes If Uncle Mike was underwriting this facility as you say it explains the whole delay.
Mind you DCK may turn up with untold (well about 20m Max) and sort of let it limp along for 6 months.
Auldheid says:
Blog Writer: (450 comments)
June 6, 2015 at 6:33 pm
StevieBC
OTB spoke about possibly 25 years of FIFA corruption so I tweeted.
@offtheballbbc To minimise consequences of FIFA corruption in last 25 years why not commission Lord Nimmo Smith to investigate & decide?
,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Alternatively
FIFA could adopt the Bryson defence
“This organisation cannot be corrupt until it is discovered that it is corrupt”
Therefore
Allbribes made in the lead up to selecting Host countries were not corrupt at the time when they were given
Because
As Mr Bryson of the SFA put so eloquently to Nimmo Smith enquiry
that the prosecuting QC was unable to challenge it
“No offence can take place before the date on which the offence is proven to have been discovered by the party who has been offended”
Therefore
FIFa cannot be convicted of past corruption only future corruption. Such future corruption will date from when FBI present their evidence and the judge makes his ruling
As Mr Bryson of the SFA put so eloquently to Nimmo Smith enquiry
that the prosecuting QC was unable to challenge it
“No offence can take place before the date on which the offence is proven to have been discovered by the party who has been offended”
Therefore
FIFa cannot be convicted of past corruption only future corruption. Such future corruption will date from when FBI present their evidence and the judge makes his ruling
===================================
Which as we all know was a piece of ludicrousness beyond farce, get yon in the dock
What’s this? Changes afoot? Has my avatar moved on to pastures new? Better terms with another blog?
“Whar’s the diddy…?!”
The Cat NR1 says:
Member: (427 comments)
June 5, 2015 at 12:05 pm
‘..I feel sorry for fans of the Bully Wee however, knowing that their manager is involved in such a grubby little enterprise.’
_________
The wonder is that they allow a man, whose heart and mind and every yearning is so obviously directed elsewhere, to continue in his job as Clyde manager.
Good article
https://www.theoffshoregame.net/3-things-that-wont-solve-the-fifa-crisis-and-one-that-might/
So,according to Paul Murray,the new Manager is in place but won’t be paraded until Gazebo Friday where no doubt it will also be Good News Friday,treasure chest Friday,new signings,stadium repairs and so on and the icing on the cake ,a roll out of what the fans input will be to allow the vision to happen,Friday will be very interesting indeed.
ianagain on June 6, 2015 at 10:02 pm
Well someone won yon cup…
———-
There is some chatter about the lack of doping control in tennis annaw. Turns out the tennis authorities have the right to go back through 8 years of blood/urine samples to re-test. In spite of unnamed Spanish players being linked to the Dr Fuentes doping scandal there’s been no re-testing done. Subject actually came up yesterday as we watched Serena Willams muscle and scream her way through a 3rd set at Roland Garros. Serena was the centre of an incident in 2011 when an out of competition drug tester turned up at her home. She hid in her panic room and called the police. Thought it was an intruder, allegedly. Some dispute as to whether or not she dodged one there.
Spanish sport is tainted because of the non-investigation of many Fuentes samples. Even the Guardian podcast mentioned this werk, tongue in cheek, that Messi visits an ‘Italian doctor’. Italian specialists have been known to have helped a few cyclists peddle faster.
Regarding the CL final, I thought the Scottish Cup & play-offs were streets ahead on drama and excitment. The whole CL competition is so drawn out and convoluted that when the final eventually comes around you almost forget how the thing started. Was anyone really that interested? It was essentially match over after 3min. Is it morphing into Europe’s Superbowl?
ianagain says:
June 6, 2015 at 8:59 pm
…have we all forgotten the mid year allegations linking Italian and Spanish players to the doping allegations around the cycling “coaches and doctors” brought before an Italian court which quietly dropped the Fitba allegations…
———————————————————
The potential of the Fuentes case was immense, and it is one of the great sporting scandals that the evidence was destroyed, which means the truth is now very unlikely to come out, which is a great shame (in both meanings of the word) and strongly implies there was something to hide. [Edit: According to Wikipedia, WADA appealed, and the blood bags may not have been destroyed…anyone know? Last update I could find was from May 2014]
Any sport where big money is involved will attract those offering a vital edge, whether through drugs, influence over teams or in-play decisions. And where it succeeds, the chances are we’ll never know. There have certainly been unlikely turnarounds in big football and cricket matches in recent years, and I’ve had cause to wonder whether I’ve watched a piece of magic or of theatre.
Those of my age group will recall the Ben Johnson fiasco, sport has never been the same for me after that. But at least I understood something more realistic about the personal desire and external pressures on the people at the sharp end, and the scope for shady people in the background to make money from them.
There’s no easy answer, you can say a level playing field is either everyone being ‘clean’ or assuming everyone is equally ‘dirty’. The conclusion I’ve come to (your opinion may be different of course) is that I appreciate a great piece of team or individual skill, whatever the sport, but I don’t live for it, and I can keep at the back of my mind that the context for the actual sportsmen and women might be something different to what I experience.
Regarding the current Clyde manager, I’ll add some balance by saying we are told he spends a great deal of his time working hard for the club. The position is part time but he has spent what I’d expect to be his own time with community-related projects and seeking signings (not unique, I’m sure).
The recent clutch of signings from divisions above suggest a lot of work has been done to arrange deals throughout the previous months (and an improved budget). We have built a strong team, on paper. If we are not challenging for promotion next season, his managerial credentials will be in severe doubt.
That said, I am staggered that the club and SPFL allow any manager to write a newspaper article about a vacancy (is it actually a vacancy?) at another club and wish he’d stop going on about that club. Would he be allowed to do that if he was in charge of a Premiership team? Why not promote Clyde through the column, as well as pandering to the perceived readership?
He doesn’t wear brown brogues or blazers on the touchline, I’m glad to say. Luminous orange football boots, though…..?
There was a marvelous build up to the Champions League final yesterday on TalkSport, sadly I didn’t get the name of the presenter who put a series of preposterous statements to Stuart Pearce, who tried to say “No’ as diplomatically as he could. One example that stood out, ‘Do you think Xavi has been underestimated?’. (Today’s Telegraph online shows just how poorly he has been thought of under the headline ‘Xavi: The greatest midfielder of a generation’.) Or perhaps, in the words of George Bush, we just misunderestimated him.
Another week gone by with no season tickets sold- what’s that all about, then? I’ve just had a look back to last season’s carry on at Ibrox.
Season tickets went on sale at the usual time, 25 April, but on that day it was announced that card payments could no longer be taken, since the company involved wanted security over Ibrox. That hit sales badly.
The next event was on 12 November, the day on which Uncle Mike gave up his naming rights to Ibrox. and loaned them another £1m. Although it was never officially confirmed (at least so far as I can establish) it is assumed that as part of the deal, Sports Direct kindly allowed TRFC to use its card processing facility for the sale of half season tickets. Certainly the club was accepting card payments from that date, which I am sure is not a coincidence.
Is it possible that Ashley has now terminated that arrangement in the light of all the pleasantries hurled in his direction by the current Ibrox regime over recent months? And is it possible that King cannot persuade anyone else to process card payments, without providing decent security? Of course the only security left is the sacred stadium, and after all the undertakings given previously, using the stadium as security would be problematic, to say the least.
So what’s King’s plan? As an off the radar billionaire, he could have easily offered his personal security to cover the card company’s risk. But clearly, he has voted against that option (no surprise there!).
King could kiss and make up with Uncle Mike, of course, but I get the strong impression that humble pie isn’t on King’s diet sheet.
So if he won’t pony up himself, and won’t play nice with Mike, then that just leaves the Three Bears. The Three Bears surely must be regretting their involvement with King by now. These guys aren’t billionaires, and this has cost them a lot already. Maybe they could turn to Uncle Mike for help? I’m sure he would oblige, so long as King and Murray were thrown under the bus as part of any deal.
If there isn’t an announcement on ST sales before the General Meeting, then a genuine turning point will have been reached. And if it’s cash and cheques only again, then surely even the dimmest bears will see the writing on the wall, saying in big block capitals that Dave King is really not the answer to their club’s problems.
SFA AGM on Tuesday; any news on whether Ogilvie will seek and be granted a remarkable third term in office?
Neepheid
As someone brought up earlier Big Mike will still have a c/c facility in place,it looks like Rangers are stalling on the season ticket release as Big Mike will ring fence his loan against any monies that SD has to pay over,how they are going to get round this is the stumbling block,also most proxies are now counted and results will be available early this week,this done without any real canvassing from both sides,I don’t think Mikes side are bothered about this as the questions they will be asking will be nuclear to the future of the present board,if the result is leaked before Friday ,expect some heavy press support for the present board,but like I said earlier,the Gazebo will need to be steel plated.
A thought just occurred ,does anyone know if the gardener is going white water rafting this year,it’s usualy about this time.
Quiet morning so can’t resist pulling one of the petty and churlish drawer. Today’s article in the Scotland on sunday. Steven Fletcher hails Old Firm influence or words to that effect. This is based on his old gaffer O’Neil being ex old firm and his new gaffer Advocaat being ex old firm. There, the link seems to end.
Coming next week. Bryan Robson on how the Aberdeen Dundee Fixture shaped ManU CL glories with the arrival of Ferguson and Knox? Abramovich on how Chelsea owes everything to Hibs for some players a wee while back?
Of course not.
Re the season ticket DC/CC payments:
The business of one director/3B can certainly process DC/CC payments, without involving MA/SD. Why aren’t RIFC/TRFC using D. Park as a conduit to sell STs? Surely he hasn’t linked repayment of his loan/investment to ticket income?
==
Also interested to note that P. Murray has told NARSA that a manager will be announced on Friday. “So Bears, do you want the good news first, or the bad news?”