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. Will even pulling a Walter on Friday be enough- I can see him being unmasked like a Glaswegian Kendo Nagasaki or will he be carried on inside the war chest of salvation to spring up on cue with the creak of elderly joints resounding throughout the stadium in a battle cry. I hear reports that the portly Mr Boyd may even now be hollowing out a 3rd birthday cake from which the anointed one will emerge covered in real Rangersness…something will need to be done if the manager is to be one of the many usual suspects.


  2. Sometimes the stars just seem align and everything falls into place.

    Rangers set to announce their new manager at Fridays EGM ❗

    Luis Enrique states that he might not be manager of Barcelona next season ❓

    Chris Jack. C’mon, you know you want to. Put two and two together in one little tweet and you could win the internet forever :slamb:


  3. Jingso.Jimsie says:
    Member: (52 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 11:27 am

    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?
    ___________________________

    I’ll make a stab in the dark at that one, while making the assumption that there is merit to the presumption that there is a problem with TRFC’s ability to get DC/CC merchant’s facilities.

    a) By dint of his massive wealth, MA holds enough influence and status to snap his fingers and such facilities are provided.

    b) Last year TRFC had enough unencumbered assets to encourage MA to proceed, as administration would provide enough funds to clear all debts.

    c) MA can live with any loss that might be incurred through his limited dealings with TRFC.

    d) …a) Park doesn’t hold enough wealth and status to provide that influence. b) The unencumbered assets don’t exist any longer (perhaps Ibrox, but…). c) Park is very wealthy, but not that wealthy.

    e) Park is wise enough to know he would be letting his heart rule his head, and isn’t going to get in too deep because one day his head will get in gear, by which time he could end up being the fall guy, or one of them!

    f) Maybe he has provided the facility and the STs will go on sale tomorrow.

    Regardless of what happens tomorrow, there can be little doubt that some problem in proceeding with ST sales has been encountered. Sometimes a problem solved remains an indicator of even larger problems yet to be solved! That is usually found in businesses (or people) with a history of similar problems.


  4. weeman says:
    Member: (57 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 10:39 am
    SFA AGM on Tuesday; any news on whether Ogilvie will seek and be granted a remarkable third term in office?
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    The silence of the lambs- or their consumers- hangs heavily over Hampden. The suckers who fund the whole show will be told what they are deemed to need to know, precisely when they are deemed to need to know it. At this point, I should really link to some 2011 quote by Reagan about transparency, but I might have to poison my delicate little mind by actually reading such nauseating guff, so really best not.

    Ogilvie will be well looked after by the Scottish “establishment”- nobody need have any fears whatsoever on that score.


  5. Apparently rumours going around that at a NARSA meeting (Murray?) put out that:

    Sarver is still interested
    ST price out next week
    Manager in place by next Wednesday or Thursday

    I’m sure I also read somewhere this morning in similar revelations from this NARSA meeting that STs go on sale tomorrow, so…if we take them as true, and add it to the DR’s assertion that the new manager will be announced on Friday, then even more questions arise.

    Best/most likely scenario from these conflicting claims:

    STs launched tomorrow
    New manager announced Friday
    Forget Sarver nonsense

    Questions:

    If manager known, why not announce his name to boost ST sales from the off?

    Is he so low key he won’t cause a ticket rush, so leave bears thinking the best?

    Alternatively:

    Does the board need some ‘good news’ on Friday, need it, that is, even more than they need a sales boost?

    There was also talk, somewhere, that there will be a share issue at the end of this month, seems very quick to me!

    Of course, if the rumours/DR claim do emanate from some NARSA meeting with Murray, they could have started with him saying something along the lines of, ‘we hope to announce…’


  6. So there I was out in the car about to take the mutts for their Sunday walk and had the misfortune of tuning in to radio Sevco whilst en route.

    In a word, desperate.
    Our supposed national broadcaster is now completely beyond parody. Grudging respect to Michael Grant though. Having to choose his words so carefully for the sake of his career. Fair play to him, I couldn’t do it!

    As per The Clumpany’s blog, the panel must have talked for 20 minutes on the runners and riders for the Sevco management position whilst not a mention of the fact the house of cards could come crumbling down at any moment at the slightest whim of big Mike.

    Chick made his usual plea for Sevco to be in the top league and the entire panel agreed this made financial sense, purely from the two games where clubs would get the travelling support. Now, speaking purely from my clubs position (Aberdeen), Sevco would take maybe 4000 fans to each game, although that may be reduced as it was for Celtic this season to circa 2000. In the scheme of annual turnover, the blue pound is surely a drop in the ocean when it comes to clubs such as AFC? The average gate is up circa 4000 since Rangers were liquidated. If I were Michael Grant, I know what points I’d have been raising ….


  7. An article from Martin Flanagan in ‘The Scotsman’ about FIFA.
    If you replace ‘FIFA’ with ‘SFA’ it generally also applies, and finishes with this paragraph which could be relevant for Ogilvie, Regan & co ;

    “…For one, bring in some completely independent and respected names to forensically examine the organisation from top to bottom. That way solid, verifiable solutions – and the transparency of their enactment, enforcement and monitoring – might help rebuild the vast credibility that has been lost in the trough of financial self-interest and unchecked hubris.”

    http://www.scotsman.com/business/economy/martin-flanagan-fifa-must-run-like-proper-business-1-3794796
    ===========================
    However, the article might have carried more weight if Flanagan had chosen to write a similar critique of the SFA – at any time over the last 3 years… :slamb:


  8. rougvielovesthejungle says:
    Member: (54 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    So there I was out in the car about to take the mutts for their Sunday walk and had the misfortune of tuning in to radio Sevco whilst en route.
    EDIT
    ——————————–
    I caught a lot of the anguished TRFC debate..but there was also the gem of the Hugh Mcilvaney interview discussing great players and Scottish managers.Now that man IS a sports journalist.


  9. Sad to hear of the passing away of ex-Rangers defender Colin Jackson at the age of 68. In the 70’s I can remember him scoring for and against Celtic, having had the misfortune to score an own goal twice. He was also capped for Scotland in an era when there was really good competition for his position.

    May he rest in peace.


  10. The Big Girvan Lighthouse
    Also a good golfer
    RIP


  11. weeman says:
    Member: (57 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 10:39 am
    SFA AGM on Tuesday; any news on whether Ogilvie will seek and be granted a remarkable third term in office?

    26 0 Rate This

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

    Given how quiet and low profile this seems to be I suspect he is a shoe in again and the clubs do not want the attention of the fans focused on this matter until it is too late. Rather like last time.


  12. Matty Roth on June 7, 2015 at 6:05 pm on RC Ogilvie

    Given how quiet and low profile this seems to be I suspect he is a shoe in again and the clubs do not want the attention of the fans focused on this matter until it is too late. Rather like last time.
    ============================

    I’m nearly sure it was Neepheid last time who warned of the upcoming disaster with around four weeks to go, two weeks, and again one week in advance.The response on here was nil.

    It looks like we’re a wee bit late again in telling the clubs under no circumstances to let that guy back in. But what are the options? We could end up with Longmuir or even worse.


  13. For what its worth, this post appeared on a Celtic supporters message-board today and it is allegedly from a concerned bear. I don’t know whether it is someone speaking from a position of knowledge or merely a Level 5 type ruse to make the Rangers haters feel good.

    “Thank you for an excellent post. I’m not surprised that there will be no investment in our club. I have recently been informed that King’s tax evasion cost him £40M in legal fees. His payment to SARS, including his 41 fines amount to £45M. His investment in Rangers £20M. Of the £15M or so left from his equity heist at Specialist Outsourcing, he only has one home, in his wife’s name, left after all his assets were sequestered and sold at auction.

    When he initially approached Somers, just dropping in unannounced with George Letham, Somers asked him to name his consortium. King provided the names of George Taylor and Douglas Park, and stated to Somers that he did not wish to name his other four investors. King stated that each member of his consortium was prepared to invest £2M, providing £16M.

    They wanted control and the opportunity to underwrite a share issue that would provide his consortium with a minimum of 51% in RIFC. King wanted Somers to gain the required 75% approval for his special resolution proposal. Somers asked to see the colour of King’s money. King stalled.

    When you start from a position that King was lying, it’s clear that King wanted 75% approval of his proposal to take to market.He would then sell this acceptance to Park, Taylor, Letham and anyone else who wanted a slice of Rangers. King was not putting up any money of his own. He was merely the deal maker.

    When this strategy failed, Taylor, Park and Letham bought shares, and loaned King money to buy shares. King promised to pay back his loan from the £4.8M he expects to receive from the liquidation of Rangers 2012.

    For King, it’s all about perception. He must convince everyone that he’s back and in control of a thriving holdings group. The shares in MicroMega have risen from 50c to almost 20 rand using the ‘pump and dump’ methodology that is a feature of every venture King touches.

    King was lucky to escape prison, on fraud, falsified accounts, money laundering, share manipulation and racketeering charged. He paid off an underworld figure to ensure that no-one testified against him.

    These are the facts. King does not have £5M to pay Ashley. He does not have money to invest in the club. Taylor and Park spent almost £3M on additional shares but this was a private transaction that did not benefit the club. They loaned King the funds to buy his shares, taking their total spend to £5M. Letham spent £1M on his holding.

    Mike Ashley, who has followed this paper trail with intent, and who owns a security on all the assets and a negative equity option on Ibrox, wants to know the terms and conditions of the Taylor & Park loans. These loans are unsecured. They now total £4.5M. King did not loan the club a single pound, and any suggestion that he did was yet another lie

    King, Park, Taylor & Letham gambled on promotion, crowds of 35,000 and season tickets at circa £700.

    This gamble failed. Park & Taylor are now significantly out of pocket. If we accept their counter proposal to the Ashley facility as wholly funded, they only have £2M at their disposal to loan to the club.

    So let’s stop kidding ourselves here. King does not have the £5M to repay Ashley, can only draw another £2M in loans to keep the lights on and if no investor comes forward from the U.S. with £5M to pay off Ashley, what he does next will, at best, ring fence the ST income, at worse wind up RIFC.

    Of course as Gordo points out, King knows where this is going. He is soliciting shareholder supporter so that when all hell breaks loose, he can say that his board respected the shareholders wishes to face up to Ashley to demand a better deal.

    I have looked at the current situation from several perspectives. With the former board we got by. We had to sell McLeod but we were in good shape and had a billionaire backer who wanted to do business with us. We vilified Ashley and forced him to withdraw from the club. There will be no more soft interest free loans.

    No manager, 10 players, no money, and vigorous legal action after June 12. Next season, if we can afford to participate, will be the worst in our history. Promotion will be a distant dream. A top four finish will not be guaranteed.

    This is how King does business. He avoids debts/Taxes in the hope that his creditors back down, be they the Crown Prosecution Service, South African Revenue Service, HMRC, The Scorpions, The Uk Serious Fraud Office, Four of the six major banks in South Africa that he allegedly defrauded, countless investors who lost their shirts, and finally Mike Ashley.

    This guy is stupid. He thinks he’s fly. Ashley will not back down. If we still have a club to follow next season, we will be doing well.”


  14. Tartanwulver says:
    Member: (190 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 8:52 am
    ————

    The financial rewards and prestige are just so huge that some teams and individuals obviously feel it’s worth the risk. No doubt partly the motivations behind David Murray’s reign of financial doping.

    At another level, if a national association like the SFA can actively facilitate what is basically cheating the financial rules, then it’s not unthinkable that dope testing at a local level in other countries could also be at least less than satisfactory — if it’s in their ‘national’ interest. Btw, the doctor/nutritionist/chiropracter Messi visits has a bit of history with cyclists and one of his former clients was done for doping, banned and subsequently lost his Olympic medal. Might all be a harmless coincidence but you’d think Messi would have been better advised to seek the advice of a local ‘dietician’ instead of using his day off to jet in to a remote Italian clinic.


  15. Billy Boyce says:
    Member: (53 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 6:56 pm
    For what its worth, this post appeared on a Celtic supporters message-board today and it is allegedly from a concerned bear. I don’t know whether it is someone speaking from a position of knowledge or merely a Level 5 type ruse to make the Rangers haters feel good…
    ———-

    That’s a very well-written piece. Fascinating. You got a link to the original post?


  16. Danish Pastry says:
    Blog Writer: (1221 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    Billy Boyce says:
    Member: (53 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 6:56 pm
    For what its worth, this post appeared on a Celtic supporters message-board today and it is allegedly from a concerned bear. I don’t know whether it is someone speaking from a position of knowledge or merely a Level 5 type ruse to make the Rangers haters feel good…
    ———-

    That’s a very well-written piece. Fascinating. You got a link to the original post?
    ==================================================
    Agreed D P.
    It certainly reads as though it comes from the perspective of a genuine bear, rather than a hater on the wind-up.

    It has that sad too litle too late aura about it though.


  17. Excellent post boycie. Intriguing.

    Either a ‘placed piece’ by the Ashley camp (presumably to further discredit king- and a damn good job he’s made too), or maybe one of the many blue subdivisions who, whilst not pro Ashley at least recognise his current importance and status.

    Alternatively it could be a king double bluff preparing the ground for him pulling the proverbial rabbit on Friday. This is less likely simply because ‘the rabbit’ is to say here’s a damn big hole and I’m going to fill it, with no hope of a return. Hardly kings style. Good god he even arrived late at the creditors ball! As an aside how much do you wish BDOs fees to wind up oldco come to £4.8m!

    The other option if course is this is a thinking bear rudely awoken after a three year hibernation. More power to his furry elbow if that’s the case.

    One query btw. What’s the negative equity pledge on Ibrox all about?


  18. castaway says:
    Member: (68 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 6:24 pm
    Matty Roth on June 7, 2015 at 6:05 pm on RC Ogilvie

    Given how quiet and low profile this seems to be I suspect he is a shoe in again and the clubs do not want the attention of the fans focused on this matter until it is too late. Rather like last time.
    ============================

    I’m nearly sure it was Neepheid last time who warned of the upcoming disaster with around four weeks to go, two weeks, and again one week in advance.The response on here was nil.

    It looks like we’re a wee bit late again in telling the clubs under no circumstances to let that guy back in. But what are the options? We could end up with Longmuir or even worse.

    10 0 Rate This

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

    I think we get the options we deserve, or perhaps demand.

    Having said that, if CO was voted back in last year doesn’t he have a further year to run yet?


  19. Billy Boyce says:
    Member: (53 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 6:56 pm
    For what its worth, this post appeared on a Celtic supporters message-board today and it is allegedly from a concerned bear.
    ================
    Which immediately begs the question, how many bears would post anything (abuse aside) on a Celtic supporters message board ❓ ❓

    Then there’s the following…

    “we were in good shape and had a billionaire backer who wanted to do business with us.”

    “Good shape” 🙄 good god, and frankly the only business the billionaire backer wanted to do was to continue shafting them through the RR deal.

    It also appears to contain an actionable assertion.

    Hard to say whether it’s wishful thinking or designed to promote some wishful thinking but if pushed I’d have to say that it smells of Jack.


  20. The posting Billy Boyce included above is linked to in Clumpany’s posting at 2.21 p.m. today – on the Ibrox Noise site.


  21. easyJambo says:
    Member: (637 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 8:37 pm
    The speculation about King’s finances was sourced from RSL (which has included McMurdo (Merlin) and Ninjaman)
    ====================================================
    Jack it is then…


  22. Matty Roth says:
    Member: (171 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    Last time was two years ago I think. Lord save us from more of RCO. Where are the nominations? Who’s running? If we don’t get it right it’ll be the fans – out the gate. Are we too late?


  23. Whilst we all seem agree that Robert Campbell Ogilvie is hopelessly conflicted and totally unsuitable for office, that fact that he was able to stand for re-election for office let alone be re-elected and serve a further term shows that not just is he totally lacking in ethics and moral compass, but that there is a serious top to bottom governance problem in the SFA.

    Ok, I know. I can hear the shouts of “Oi Cat, tell us something we don’t know”.

    If Ogilvie is the Blatter of the SFA, don’t we need a bottom up US style investigation, rather than just a change of face at the top?

    I would far rather see Ogilvie be re-elected and then publicly humiliated as the shit well and truly hits the fan as the whole house of cards collapses in disgrace after the full extent of the corruption is exposed, rather than slips away into the background with his off the radar pension after a good night out paid for by each and every Scottish football stakeholder.

    Having said that, I remember the shit hitting the fan at a former football club in the west of Scotland a few years back and the prime suspect in the club’s collapse, a man known as Teflon Dave, escaped without so much as a Simonsen.

    I fear that whatever happens at the SFA, Mr RCO will prove to be equally as teflon coated, although there may be a sub-atomic particle sized chance that the whole cabal get sent down for a wee bit of HM’s pleasure.


  24. Billy Boyce says:
    June 7, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    I personally think that there has been a lot of number crunching going on since last Sunday.

    This explains why there has been no announcement concerning season tickets. They are trying to work out how high they can price the tickets where the core 18k-20k will still pay however this is fraught with danger. If the fans do not pony up then the club will be lucky to see September!

    Administration will result in a points deduction which, depending on player recruitment, may jeopardise the opportunity for the play offs. Automatic promotion as things currently stand would be a miracle. However considering this will result in the loss of the training ground, Edmiston House and Albion car park, which in turn will close the upper tier of the Club deck of the main stand, then this scenario, is not tempting.

    I’m also getting a bit confused as to what will actually go into administration; it won’t be the mythical holding company as this only owns the football club and has no out goings BUT is owed north of £16M by the club. If it is the club then surely it won’t be Administration because there will actually be no more money to run the club never mind pay Administrators. Remember Administrators have to be paid.

    Will the club simply cease trading?

    How will the SPFL/SFA tart this up?

    Into the above mix looms Mike Ashley. He is owed £5M, possibly more if the club has defaulted and he is now charging interest, he owns the merchandising, the intellectual property rights, has security over the three properties above, and generally has a garrotte around the throat of the club which is slowly being tightened. The cost of the EGM is being borne by the club/company and, if he does not get the answers he wants, he could simply call another one. These costs mount up.

    Even with the raft of players that have gone then there is still a monthly shortfall. There is only a matter of time until the well runs dry. This, unless there is a huge influx of cash, now only ends one of two ways and none of them are palatable.

    The first is that they simply cease trading. The end full stop!

    The second is some form of contrived player and, if possible, Ibrox sale and attempt to pretend AGAIN that they are the same club. This will have to be timed perfectly to force acceptance by the other clubs but will mean the loss of the above three properties and possibly more players. It may be the final straw for a lot of the fans and the costs may still be to high.
    If there is ANY agent trying to get a player to join ‘The Rangers’ then they should be sacked immediately.

    Having said all that Mr Murray may come back from America with his pockets bulging with cash and everything will work out well but somehow I don’t think so.


  25. The solution to avoid problems is, as you say, simply pump in a lot of cash. The question is why would you?

    The opportunity to break even after losing 7m (assuming mike plays ball) just to get that opportunity? Well hoop de hoop! Show me where the queue starts for that one!


  26. Was standing in WH Smiths today looking at the front pages of the Sunday papers and saw one had a headline about the SFA severing all ties with Qatar after the hassle they had received about arranging the midweek match. Not wanting to pay for a paper and for fear of being chucked out, I couldn’t read the actual article inside. Did anyone see this? If so, could you give a short précis of it and – no doubt – how ridiculous it makes the SFA look (again!) Thanks.


  27. When you are trying to get people to invest in Sevco what exactly are you selling them. I mean where do you start on that presentation, you would be totally lost if you were not up to speed as potential investor on what’s gone on the past few years. Can you imagine it, it would be comedy gold ole quiff heid doing the power point. Get them on Dragon’s Den that would be priceless. Lol
    “Hello I’m here today looking for £20m for a share in a company which owns a company which owes the company. For this investment you have absolutely no chance of any return…….. gentleman any questions lol


  28. briggsbhoy says:
    Member: (61 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 10:47 pm

    ____________________________________________________

    So:
    RIFC is just the type of company that would be ripe for a pump and dump.
    They now have a chairman with a colourful past, who made a fortune running pump and dump scams, and lost a large portion of it by believing he could cheat the revenue as well.

    What is missing from this scenario?
    (a) A shred of credibility in the city! – and anyone other than the terminally lame brained who would buy any share in any company that DCK was associated with.

    The SFA passed DCK as fit and proper.
    Last nail in his coffin imo. And theirs.

    Mutually assured destruction.

    Mike Ashley is shaking the tree and waiting for the fruit to fall into his lap now.


  29. nawlite says:
    Member: (147 comments)

    June 7, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    Was standing in WH Smiths today looking at the front pages of the Sunday papers and saw one had a headline about the SFA severing all ties with Qatar after the hassle they had received about arranging the midweek match. Not wanting to pay for a paper and for fear of being chucked out, I couldn’t read the actual article inside. Did anyone see this? If so, could you give a short précis of it and – no doubt – how ridiculous it makes the SFA look (again!) Thanks.

    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/sfa-axe-ties-qatar-rush-5838754


  30. justshatered says:
    Member: (132 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 9:08 pm
    Billy Boyce says:
    June 7, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    I personally think that there has been a lot of number crunching going on since last Sunday.

    ………………

    Personally you may find there is another 5 way conversation taking place…to discuss how the tribute act can fold…but continue to pretend to be the same club it was and used to be previous to that without risking their promotion chances for next season…

    So could there be discussions with the usual suspects on…reconstruction?…could there be discussions on how they can avoid a points deduction?…could there be a discussion on how they avoid having to apply for membership under another switcheroony?…

    Who knows…but for sure the silence, lack of activity and the complete avoidance by the SMSM to chase down the situation in any meanningful way supports the theory…it is serious down Govan way!


  31. I wonder if any National Associations are considering legal action against FIFA based on lost revenue for the vote fixing that caused them the loss of being awarded the World Cup…


  32. The Cat NR1 says:
    Member: (431 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 11:49 pm
    ‘…..Unfortunately hover pitches, casinos, Dallas Cowboys, Adidas sponsorship, Champions League glory etc etc..’
    ———–
    Not to forget Mr Ng!
    The bus I took out from Brisbane city centre passed a building with the name ‘Ng’ in biggish letters on its facade.Not that it would relate to the supposed Ng interest in the old RFC, of course ( but who knows?),but I had a wee smile to myself every time we passed it.
    What a whole pile of sh.te was dumped on the unsuspecting supporters of the dead club.
    Whether or not it was a pity that they swallowed it is a value judgement.
    That they did swallow it is a fact.
    But, and more importantly, they were encouraged to swallow it by the determination of the football authorities to accommodate whatever kind of snake-oil salesman promised to keep some kind of football team playing at Ibrox.
    Supporters of a football club may be allowed their fantasies.
    The supposed governors and guardians of Sporting Integrity in Football are not allowed to let these fantasies be accepted as reality and truth.
    Nor are they allowed to permit an individual, personally in financial loan hock to a dead club with which he was intimately connected, to remain as president of the body responsible for the governance of our game.
    The President of FIFA, blameless though he may be, has stood down because he realises that he is perceived to be conflicted.
    It is high time that the president of the SFA stood down in the face of his conflicted position.
    In my opinion.


  33. John Clark says:
    Member: (888 comments)
    June 8, 2015 at 12:50 am

    The President of FIFA, blameless though he may be, has stood down because he realises that he is perceived to be conflicted.
    It is high time that the president of the SFA stood down in the face of his conflicted position.
    In my opinion.
    ————————

    This is where it all becomes so messy in Scotland. There has been a widespread notion of pro Rangers bias within the SFA for as long as I can remember, especially among Celtic fans. Whether or not that notion is true, it has in my view meant the SFA’s position on certain matters becomes entrenched, because such is the denial of bias, they simply can’t be seen to concede an inch. The media are willing to accept this for the same reasons. In most other football associations in the developed world, I believe Campbell Ogilvie would have been gone long ago. He has such a conflict of interest in the Rangers saga, especially with regard to EBT’s. Instead he remains in post, backed to the hilt, and has been the subject of many sycophantic media articles. These attitudes are such a huge part of the problem. Unless we get a complete routing of the SFA nothing will change, and the suspicions of bias will remain. The very fact Dave King currently holds the position of Rangers Chairman pretty much sums it up. Here we had a case where he failed the SFA’s own guidelines with a gold star, yet still he was accepted. The absence of any detailed explanation only fuels the fire of suspicion. The SFA in its current state is broken beyond repair in my view.

    Edit: I see today’s Daily Record is carrying a story that ex-SFA Chief Executive Gordon Smith is at the North American Rangers fans convention.


  34. Paulmac2 says: June 8, 2015 at 12:23 am

    “I wonder if any National Associations are considering legal action against FIFA based on lost revenue for the vote fixing that caused them the loss of being awarded the World Cup…”

    I doubt it, remember when England were kicking up a stink about only gettin 2 vote versus Russia as well as the Qatar result, didn’t FIFA counter-accuse them of bribing and gifts etc? Didn’t they agree to play Jack Warner’s Trinidad & Tobago team were his son/s in control of ticket sales? They seems as much involved as Jack. Ditto Beckham running coaching clinics. Sapin/Portugal said England colluded with the USA, Germany had a gentleman’s agreemwent with England that England reneged on etc etc.

    I personally don’t think there’s been a “straight” vote for a World Cup in decades.


  35. I have been doing my homework on this site from the start. As a result of this effort if I am asked ‘how Rangers are doing’ my brain freezes. There is hardly a fact that stands without qualification, elementary matters such as who owns Ibrox turn into PhD defences. Simple matters like ‘who are players contracted with?’ becomes metaphysical. I consider the matter of unknown unknowns for light relief.I have even lost track of the names – and whether the names refer to one thing or two. Who will get the season ticket money? If they spend more than that is it another entity who carries the can?

    I am beginning to get a bit of sympathy for a journalist starting on this topic. How is this to be communicated?

    Contributor above asks,

    ‘I’m also getting a bit confused as to what will actually go into administration; it won’t be the mythical holding company as this only owns the football club and has no out goings BUT is owed north of £16M by the club. If it is the club then surely it won’t be Administration because there will actually be no more money to run the club never mind pay Administrators. Remember Administrators have to be paid.’

    WE are the ones paying attention and we are floundering!


  36. Chris Jack saying DCK presser this afternoon to outline his vision. For a club that taps more than a blind man’s stick, that will be some feat.


  37. Matty Roth says:
    Member: (171 comments)
    June 7, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    I think we get the options we deserve, or perhaps demand.

    Having said that, if CO was voted back in last year doesn’t he have a further year to run yet?
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++=

    The coronation of our “dear leader” Ogilvie took place at the 2013 AGM of the SFA- a black day of infamy for Scottish football. On the positive side, however, my one man boycott of Scottish fitba’ has saved me a tidy sum over the last two years.

    I await the outcome of this week’s AGM with detached interest- if, indeed, it is this week. I can’t find any reference to the AGM on the SFA website, or anywhere else apart from on here- so much for Reagan’s new era of transparency and fan engagement.

    I will be totally unsurprised if the clubs decide to change the rules, and make Ogilvie president for life. But this much is certain- no matter what is decided, there will be no explanations of any controversial decision, and the clubs will maintain a wall of total silence around the proceedings.

    This is what you, the fans of Scottish football, are paying for, to be treated like mugs by the very people who take your money. It’s an absolute scandal, but the press are totally on board and on message.

    http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=sco/news/newsid=1962877.html


  38. “Mike Ashley humiliated in Glasgow” Does anyone expect this headline soon in the Scottish media? “Mike Ashley loses” -anyone expect that headline?
    Due to the transparency at Ibrox we are led to believe that MA is owed 5,000,000. T3B are owed 3,000,000 and apparently DK is owed 1,500,000 (this is in dispute). Ashley owns several thousand near worthless shares. Watch for a swift legal move from Ashley to ring fence (what is the Scottish legal term) his owed money from ST sales 15,000 x $400 = $5,000,000.
    Who issues ST? Company or club? Which directors are financially liable for failure to complete fixtures and trading whilst insolvent?
    The next few days will see a few new developments , none good.
    I see a parcel being passed. When the music stops the person holding the parcel gets the blame. Watch for the parcel being tossed to Ashley at the EGM and swiftly batted away.
    The situation is worse than Feb 2012.


  39. Looking at the BBC News Glasgow and the West page today . The first story under the Most Popular tag (bottom right) states “Judge approves Gers liquidation”, a story from 2012 . The article contains the lines “At the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Lord Hodge approved a Duff and Phelps motion to hand over what remains of the old club to liquidators BDO.” . Why today ? Relevant or random ?


  40. Can or will Mr Ashley be the worst nightmare not only for Mr King and the Ibrox club but for the SFA. Basically he will IMO get what is right for him and his colleagues like Mr Llambias and Leach. The smsm have backed Mr (fit for purpose King) and basically ridiculed Mr Ashley and colleagues on a regular basis (as they are the baddies). If I was Mr Ashley I know exactly what I would do and it would involve a new, new club (I know, eventually the 5 stars on Ibrox top may mean 5 teams) having to apply for a special conditional, conditional licence to play football. Alas I do not know how these people work and do not know like most people the total ins and outs in the Govan tale. I am sure though that Mr Ashley will do what is best for him and I hope it is the best thing for our game, irrelevant if it is the best thing for the Govan clubs, sfa or the smsm.


  41. Blimey, just when you think it’s another quiet Monday in June…

    @Chris_Jack89: Dave King will outline his vision for the future of #Rangers and launch season tickets at a press conference this afternoon


  42. Danish Pastry says:
    June 8, 2015 at 9:32 am

    A very decent read in The Herald about Steven Naismith.
    ————————————-
    From all I’ve read about him over the years, Naismith is shrewd, intelligent, and his heart is in the right place. He was one of the very few people who were directly involved at administration / liquidation time for Rangers to be able to see through Green and his pie in the sky, and he had the guts to distance himself from it. The careers of Naismith (and Steven Davis) have matured greatly as a result, something that can’t be said of those who stayed and were damaged by the inadequate coaching, management fiascos, and general paranoia.


  43. Fans of the Govan club getting very excited about Mark Warburton possibly being appointed their new manager this week

    Fans of Rangers getting irate and arranging demonstrations regarding Mark Warburton possibly being appointed their new manager this week

    How each story would pan out five years apart.


  44. paddy malarkey says:
    Member: (13 comments)
    June 8, 2015 at 10:33 am

    Looking at the BBC News Glasgow and the West page today . The first story under the Most Popular tag (bottom right) states “Judge approves Gers liquidation”, a story from 2012 . The article contains the lines “At the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Lord Hodge approved a Duff and Phelps motion to hand over what remains of the old club to liquidators BDO.” . Why today ? Relevant or random ?

    ________________________________________________

    There is a childish spoof newsfeed doing the rounds on Facebook over the past couple of days, which purports to show a BBC news headline and link to some very good news story for TRFC (I forget the exact headline – there may be several) – as tantalising click-bait for desperate bears (e.g. new manager appointed/ King buys out Ashley etc.) but which when clicked, it actually links straight to this story instead, reminding them that their club was, in fact, liquidated in 2012, and no doubt causing steam to emanate from their ears.

    As a result of this, that news story will have been getting alot of hits over the past couple of days.


  45. Good Morning

    Re Mark Warburton.

    He may or may not be any good, but

    a) If he is good, then other ‘clubs’ will be in for him. What have Sevco got to compete against them in terms of being an ‘attractive proposition’?
    [NB tub-thumping ‘Rangersness’ and ‘glorious history’ isn’t a satisfactory answer].

    b) if he does end up in the role, any managerial genius he possesses will have to be deployed to rebuild the team in a matter of weeks with very limited resources.

    Sevco fans can clutch at straws with enthusiasm if they like, but they are still straws!

    And on the point about resources, I see the media is getting in a lather about Dave King’s press conference this afternoon where he will talk season tickets and ‘vision’ for the future. I am hoping for lots of substance and detail. But I am expecting the reality to be somewhat different.

    As I say in my latest blog (and do feel free to look!), there is a golden opportunity for the media to do their job and pose difficult questions. I wonder if they will?

    https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/prisoners-of-obsequiousness/

    Enjoy the rest of the day


  46. TheClumpany says:
    Member: (51 comments)
    June 8, 2015 at 11:33 am
    ———-

    There must be a few journos willing to ask awkward questions rather than be made to look complete buffoons for the umteenth time. If for no other reason, then at least to protect themselves in case their whole ‘King the Messiah’ stuff turns out to be more blue bollocks.

    PS Nice one Clumps. It’s all far, far too sensible. You’ll never get a job as journo 🙂 Liked The Prisoner photos by the way. What a weird series. I was used to The Saint and Steed & Mrs Peel having proper ‘endings’. But The Prisoner was kind of odd as you got used to a non-ending ending. A bit bleak as I remember.


  47. What’s in it for Warburton? How many clubs can offer a combined post of football manager and finance director? He’s an obvious fit, no question. Although he might end up also having to double up as kit man and head groundsman, mind you.


  48. Mr Ogilvie has left the building and Mr McCrae of Cove Rangers has taken over


  49. I don’t know anything about Alan Macrae,apart from the wee bit on the SFA website.
    But correct me if I’m wrong, weren’t Cove Rangers somewhat on the side of Sporting Integrity at a material time in the saga?


  50. So Mr ogilvie has eventually departed
    Wonder if he is looking for a nice wee payday with FIFA (plenty of vacancies)

    Meen while the smsm are wetting themselves over Mr Kings promise of a blueprint for the future of the team from ibrox

    And why shouldn’t they?
    The last blueprint to come out of ibrox Laid the foundations for The super casino,hotels,retail development, hover pitches and pavements made of gold

    I myself am waiting with baited breath to see how they can improve on the original millionaires play ground :mrgreen:


  51. Tartanwulver says:
    Member: (192 comments)
    June 8, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    What’s in it for Warburton? How many clubs can offer a combined post of football manager and finance director? He’s an obvious fit, no question. Although he might end up also having to double up as kit man and head groundsman, mind you.

    _____________________________________________

    asbestos removal contractor, painter & decorator, Broxi bear suit wearer ( if MASH gives permission for use of the trademark )


  52. bfbpuzzled says:
    Member: (173 comments)
    June 8, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    Mr Ogilvie has left the building and Mr McCrae of Cove Rangers has taken over

    _____________________________________________________

    How apt. The SFA presidency has transitioned from a former Rangers cove, to a Cove Rangers former.


  53. neepheid says:
    June 8, 2015 at 10:26 am

    I await the outcome of this week’s AGM with detached interest- if, indeed, it is this week. I can’t find any reference to the AGM on the SFA website, or anywhere else apart from on here- so much for Reagan’s new era of transparency and fan engagement.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++=

    Neepheid – thanks for your reply yesterday to my initial query when I first floated the date. I sourced it from the following article (link below) from February with the relevant paragraph being:-

    In his letter to senior clubs and the SFA, Nil By Mouth campaign director Dave Scott said: “We are writing to all member clubs to ask you to place ‘Strict Liability’ on the official agenda for the next SFA AGM on the 9th June 2015.

    However, I was most taken by the following novel idea put forward by Mr. Scott:-

    “By placing this item on the agenda now, clubs will have a three month period to engage with fans, supporters’ trusts and key stakeholders to discuss these proposals in detail.”

    From your reply yesterday I presume there has been no engagement with fans on any subject. A great pity as I was particularly looking forward to placing on record my views on both of the following Agenda items.

    FFP – Does Scottish football really need it as we have no history of club financial mismanagement?

    F&P Criteria – Who would actually fail to meet it successfully?

    http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/sfa-president-we-will-assist-in-new-robust-regualtions-on-fab-behaviour.119503406


  54. tcup 2012 @ 12.56

    I admire your optimism that King will restrict his blueprint for the future to solely that of Rangers*.


  55. paddy malarkey says:
    Member: (13 comments)

    June 8, 2015 at 12:14 am

    nawlite says:
    Member: (147 comments)

    June 7, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    Was standing in WH Smiths today looking at the front pages of the Sunday papers and saw one had a headline about the SFA severing all ties with Qatar after the hassle they had received about arranging the midweek match. Not wanting to pay for a paper and for fear of being chucked out, I couldn’t read the actual article inside. Did anyone see this? If so, could you give a short précis of it and – no doubt – how ridiculous it makes the SFA look (again!) Thanks.

    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/sfa-axe-ties-qatar-rush-5838754
    _________________________________________________________

    Take the moral high ground after you’ve banked their cash. How noble.

    Reeks of the same honest mistakes/let’s all move on sewage we’ve been fed by the Scottish football establishment for years.

    They’re as corrupt as the Qataris with the added stench of hypocrisy.


  56. MCP, I know, but what annoys me more is that no one ever carries the can for these monumentally stupid decisions. When this one was announced, everyone knew it was the wrong thing to do – except for the SFA. Now they’ve realised it was the wrong thing to do, effectively admitted it, yet no one can be pinned down as being responsible for it, so no one pays with their job like they would in most other ‘businesses’.

    After the debacle of the rescheduling of the ‘last day’ ties which clearly gave TRFC* an advantage, I wrote to Darryl Broadfoot asking who was responsible for such a stupid decision and if they would fall on their sword for it. Even after they had climbed down and rescheduled it again because of the ‘sporting integrity’ outcry, they issued some fudged statement about it only ever being a timing issue, which was clearly BS given that the original rescheduling was announced in isolation as if they were perfectly happy with what they were doing.

    It’s so frustrating – they really do think they’re above all that and can get away with making stupid, incompetent decisions. NB, see how I can tear them to shreds and want rid of them without even suggesting they might be corrupt? If they’re corrupt too, then why do we allow them to continue?!?


  57. Dave King press conference. The buzzword is “overinvestment”.

    So all is not only well, but massively well.


  58. “Now is the time to overinvest!”

    NURSE! Bring me the hypodermic, the large one, in the break glass cabinet! Quickly, he’s gibbering uncontrollably!

    Oh dear!


  59. King now saying from a business point of view they are better in the championship for another year

    did he not say last month they would be about £8m worse off if they did not get promoted ?


  60. Some jottings on King’s press chat:
    – He plans to ‘overinvest’ this season…BUT…the money that converts to depends on a lot of things, eg uptake of season tickets
    – Money put in will whatever it takes to comfortably win the league next season
    – Money needed now to beef up the squad, substantial investment needed in next couple of months
    – [How much and when?] We don’t know, depends on STs, SD deal
    – Have started a process of engagement with SD, not with Ashley directly
    – ST takeup will affect how mcu DK puts in, the more in STs, the less he will need to cover
    – There is a correlation between wages paid and success on the pitch [Note to DK – not this season there wasn’t]
    – Going to increase, not decrease, working costs over next 3 years
    – DK not looking to get his money back
    – Abrupt ‘Thank you’ and session over.


  61. Did I really just hear Dave King say that the new regime were planning to INCREASE running costs? NURSE!!!!


  62. Summary of the press conference from Richard Wilson’s twitter feed: (read from the bottom up)

    King: mandate is to get players who could perform in the Premiership, to greatly reduce risk for next season

    King: potential managers dropped out when club failed to get promotion

    King: who is Mark Wotte?

    King: we are going to increase running costs and investors will provide funding to cover that for three years.

    King: at end of three years club needs to be sustainable

    King: mandate is to get players whom could perform in the Premiership, to greatly reduce risk for next season

    King: we are not going to be irresponsible in terms of cost. Squad last year did not perform to level of Champ

    King: it’s overinvestment in terms of timing. We will accelerate investment, to bring players in earlier

    We are@comfortable with the deal, I don’t expect fans to buy merchandise in any greater numbers than they are

    King: arrangement cannot be working for Sports Direct with 50,000 shirts being sold. Until we are confident enough to come to fans tonsay

    King: we’re asking fans to support & trust us. It’s an awkward situation we find ourselves in, new exec team coming in, new management team

    King: we have threw transfer windows to prepare for the top-flight and improve the squad

    King: investors will fund shortfall in short-term but mobilisation of fans via season tickets and merchandise provides sustainability

    King: we have a board that fans can trust, investors have put money in and fans can be co-investors

    King: we have started process of engagement with Sports Direct

    King: funding plan is to spend what it takes to go up and be competitive in top-flight

    King: I will invest, but so will others

    King: we will need money now to beef up squad. Players to be competitive in Premiership, so substantial investment in next months

    King: here to rebuild club for a longer period of time, but business risk of staying in Champ is lower

    King: level of investment depends on other factors, retail, season tickets, etc. Hope to sell out season tickets to bring in 12m to 13m

    King: need to win the league, so right to over-invest to have strong squad, so investment process acceleratwd

    King: not looking for director of football. Don’t have squad situation that allows that. Need to get manager in who can coach

    King: 11 players have gone out, so substantial rebuilding required with level of player to compete in Champ and Prem

    King: no favoured managerial candidate just now. Can’t see process being completed by Fri. Five realistic candidates. Next week more likely

    King: we will honour or contractual obligations re McCoist

    King: relisting process could take three to four mobtbs

    King: I’ve not spoken to Warburton, but a committee bas

    King: Stuart McCall is still a candidate. Hope to make an announcement within a week

    King: club has made progress re manager. Frustrating it has taken longer than club would have liked, but play-offs has to be decided


  63. Jungle Jim says:
    Member: (16 comments)
    June 8, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Did I really just hear Dave King say that the new regime were planning to INCREASE running costs? NURSE!!!!

    _________________________________________________________

    I shouldn’t have thought that was even possible…?

    … unless of course … maybe he is planning on appointing Duff & Phelps as administrators?


  64. Even the most loyal of Ibrox devotees must have found that press conference, well, vacuous.


  65. Very pleased I chose not to endure the special (brew ) one live as it were thanks for the reportage- seems to be the usual vacuous and nebulous nonsense that is more than well past its sell buy and indeed use by date. Any person of normal means who risks ST money based on that is beyond salvation


  66. King: mandate is to get players who could perform in the Premiership, to greatly reduce risk for next season
    __________
    that worked out so well for them the last time 😛


  67. “overinvest” the true path to rangersness, I am sure potential investors of any future relisting will be encouraged by that statement from a near bankrupt clone of a former bankrupt company. Press will lap it up though. 😯

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