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.
tartanwulver @ 8.27am
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theres only one daniel prodan springs to mind….. the jokes just keep on coming at The Govan Apollo from fran sandazas I’m a The Rangers player get me out of here to The Constant Gardeners Arnold Peralta’s world class finishing and macdowellys…. did u see boydys goal at brora……
WATL…… Fork Handles
I think the ridicule of Rob Kiernan is misplaced and very un-sfmlike.
Rangers have just lost three central defenders and are not in a position to splash out for replacements.
I also recall that John Hartson failed a medical at Ibrox AND at Parkhead. Rangers passed, but Celtic took a chance on him and he became a significant player for the club.
The fact that the MSM are spinning the story in a certain way is no reflection on Kiernan himself. Like most footballers he will be judged by his performances.
Big Pink says:
Moderator: (295 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 12:41 am
Zilch,
I don’t agree completely with your analysis on the attitude to David Murray. I think Rangers fans are on the whole hostile to him, but it goes largely unreported and unsupported in the press. Murray has an unbelievable hold over tabloid hacks. One man who never seems to attract any opprobrium though is the one guy who has been there all along – Andrew Dickson. Thirty-four years and counting, still in a job, untarnished, un-noticed and anonymous.
I am sure that if the truth ever surfaces over the goings-on over the last couple of decades at Ibrox and Hampden , his name will be mentioned more than most.
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Hi BP
The SMSM – SDM relationship is bizarre. Our rags are not usually shy about going after high progfile figures when their fortunes fail. SDM gets off unbelievably easy. Answers on a postcard for why that should be…
I tried to balance my previous post because I accept that there are plenty of bears that realise SDM was a disaster. However the public silence on the subject also has to be explained. The Mafia would be delighted with omerta on this scale.
I have to confess to not knowing anything about Andrew Dickson – what do you think his role is? You have me thinking Dr Evil in his lair, cat in hand… 👿
Big Pink says:
Moderator: (295 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 9:17 am
I don’t think anyone is ridiculing the young Mr Kiernan. If the lad puts in a good shift and gets his career back on track then good luck to him.
However as a bargain basement player with a patchy playing and injury record we are ridiculing the previous statements from DCK with regard to all that cash that would be made available and spent on the type of ‘quality player’ needed to match Celtic and gain Euro glory.
The signing may in fact be a signal that finally some realism has arrived at Edmiston Drive and that they need to take the odd gamble in the same way the likes of other Scottish clubs are scouring the lower divisions for potential talent that others may not be willing to take on board.
Long may it continue.
tcup 2012 on June 18, 2015 at 7:44 am
Resin_lab_dog on June 18, 2015 at 1:14 am
essexbeancounter says:
Member: (210 comments)
June 17, 2015 at 10:05 pm
StevieBC says:
Member: (732 comments)
June 17, 2015 at 8:44 pm
//////////////////
A small add and a large reprimand to myself 😕
For all the talk about King/Ashley
The main point/ trap that I even fell into
Is that there is no Europa League for a minimum of 1 season
And no CL for a minimum of 2 seasons
Also and the main thing we are all forgetting
There is no guarantee they will get to the premiership at the end of this season
As it stands
New Manger/backroom saff
No new players
No team or should I say big names are off only untested players available
So we’re is the guaranteed promorion?
The great investment?
The question that really needs asked
Is not has Mr King gone begging to Mr Ashley or anyone else for that matter
The big question is do they have the funds to finish the up and coming season
And if they don’t gain promotion do they have the funds to continue?
You’re back to the old chestnut though re Ashley shadow funding DCK. Personally I don’t think that’s a curve ball at all, I think that’s the only play left even with massive ST sales.
But, from Ashleys perspective, why would he? Fundamentally the beast eats cash. Yes he gets some back through retail. Yes he would get more back through retail if they went on a big push/promotion splurge. But more than it cost to keep it afloat? I just can’t see it.
Zilch says:
Member: (36 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 9:27 am
=================
I wouldn’t call the relationship between SMSM and SDM as bizarre; I’d say it’s typical of what we have as a free press in the uk. Owen Wilson describes it well in his tome “The Establishment” with, IIRC, chapter 3 being “mediaocracy”. We have a press in the uk free from governmental interference but completely under the control (including editorial( of a minority political and socio economic group, very rich people. Of course they don’t necessarily give a phuck about football but deciding what is newsworthy regardless of what the public think is their modus operandi. This does not ostracise enough of the public to stop buying their papers, just look at their views on the front page. It’s this wider PR exercise of getting one political message accepted as the main stream and how it has crossed over into fitba reporting that I find the most compelling aspect of the sevco con. If we can see the mince on the back pages why bother even glancing at the front page; and the same goes for the rest of the media of course.
Sorry to be a bit melodramatic but I see the connection nae bother which leads me to query my own judgement now and then, that’s healthy so, long may SFM (including the excellent podcast) continue to table an alternative, independent look at the shenanigans. When it comes to funding support for the plan going forward, count me in.
Big Pink says:
Moderator: (295 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 9:17 am
I think the ridicule of Rob Kiernan is misplaced and very un-sfmlike.
Rangers have just lost three central defenders and are not in a position to splash out for replacements.
I also recall that John Hartson failed a medical at Ibrox AND at Parkhead. Rangers passed, but Celtic took a chance on him and he became a significant player for the club.
The fact that the MSM are spinning the story in a certain way is no reflection on Kiernan himself. Like most footballers he will be judged by his performances.
13 1 Rate This
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I think you are quite right to point this out BP.
There was a similar reaction to the appointment of Warburton.
I think both appointments are quite sensible actually and are about the best level Rangers can hope to compete for at the moment.
There shouldn’t be any ridiculing of this. If the new Rangers club can start to match these more modest ambitions with some equally modest straight talking in the press then we might see them return from the fantasy land they currently reside in.
Warburton is a fairly inexperienced manager and certainly not a “star name” in any sense. He isn’t a former Rangers player either. He is a potentially up and coming manager with good contacts south of the border and hopefully an ability to find players and mould a team. Time will tell and it could go either way just as most clubs managerial appointments can.
IMO Warburton is the level and type of manager a club like Hibernian, Hearts, Inverness or Motherwell, Dundee Utd or Aberdeen might consider if they were currently looking.
This is the most the new Rangers club can hope for just at the moment and its to their credit they have acknowledged this by their actions.
I’m actually quite surprised Rangers have finally got real and appointed this type of manager instead of all the usual tripe they cry out for as Rangers manager.
Keirnan is similar really, a youngish player who Warburton presumably sees something in and thinks can be developed. Again not a big name and I seriously doubt any meaningful fee was involved in his “purchase” from Wigan.
Again this is a fairly modest move by Rangers for once and Keirnan might very well be the sort of player that Premiership clubs have done so well in recent years in identifying and polishing. In the end he may flop, but all clubs in this position have a limited success rate and you have to be looking and signing players in the correct “market” to hopefully have some success stories. (Inverness and Motherwell have been great at this in recent years).
So again I welcome a modest, sensible move by Rangers and it will be interesting if Warburton continues to identify his own men like this or if he is encourage to make some “marque” singings as McCoist did last year with Miller and Boyd.
What is still disappointing and also the source of much hilarity for most of us is the clearly paid for PR being used pump our press full of the usual effluent bubbles with each move Rangers make being hailed as more incredible than the last.
They would do well to start having their PR company push out some more sensible realistic messages and carefully deflate the effluent bubbles before they bursts again leaving a lot of mess and some very angry fans.
Quick query chaps and I knew this was the quickest place to get the answer. Did the original Lloyds debt have a security over Ibrox, either fixed or within a floating charge?
I only ask to see if Lloyds debt would have ranked ahead of HMRC’s actual debt (WTC + CW) and proposed claim (BTC) in the liquidation.
I understood Lloyds released all security when Whyte’s vehicle (I forget the name – witherspoons or something?) took on the debt (funded by Ticketus) and presumably took over a floating charge themselves?
Just thinking of the perspective of oldco RRM thinking “Right what do we need to do to get from 2012 to 2015 and still have our ‘facilities’ (specifically avoiding using the word club!) intact.”
Its not a million miles away from what has actually happened is it?
The biggest mistake is continuing to run at a loss. That is what is tripping them up, time and time again, with onerous contracts only making it worse.
Smugas says:
Member: (841 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 10:03 am
//!/////////////
Smugas I agree
Also why would Mr Ashley ditch NUFC?
He can certainly make more money from the EPL
than he can winning the Scots perm and Scots payment for CL combined
How much do teams get off the EPL for finishing middle to bottom?
How much do teams get for winning Scots Prem/group stage of CL?
As for advertising you can goto Outer Mongolia and watch ever game live from the EPL
He gets so much coverage that SD is not even the sponsor on NUFC tops
He even makes more from that selling the rights
IMHO I actually think he was halfway duped into investing by CG
I think CG sold him on the idea of the RR deal by convincing him that TRFC support was as loyal as NUFC supporter’s
tcup,
Purely from a merchandising point of view I can see it as a short term plaything since clothing the glorious journey will be in growth phase. His problem would be stagnation (in whichever division) as the growth would then falter. It should go without saying, and indeed does in the scottish press, that this assumes the journey does not involve a net -£7m spend every year. At least not your £7m!
Stagnation for NUFC isn’t a problem because, as you say, of the distorted financial world in which they find themselves where I see perfectly why stagnating bottom 6 (but not 3!) would make more money than chasing a dream.
Smugas at 10:19 am
this may assist …… “This details that it relates to a floating charge granted on 24th February 1999 by Rangers Football Club PLC to the Bank of Scotland and the rights of the Bank thereunder have been transferred by way of an assignation dated 5th May 2011 to Rangers FC Group Ltd.”
https://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/02/05/floating-charges-and-rangers/
The company was Wavetower, which became Rangers FC Group Ltd after PURCHASING the Club from SDM.
So the short answer is yes, IF they had NOT been paid by Whyte (via Ticketus via Octopus Investments) they would have had a greater sum than HMRC (sans BTC) and the floating charge they held (transferred from BoS) would have been in force.
Duff & Phelps then go on to sue Collier Bristow, Whyte was also successfully sued by Ticketus. And the merry-go-round continues…….. deliberately so IMO.
Zilch
June 17 2015 at :1153pm.
It is time, past time, for the Rangers fans as a body, to see past those lies and to re-engage with the reality of the situation.
…………..
I agree Zilch.Unfortunately the ones I know are swallowing it all over again.It must be hard wired into their psyche.
roddybhoy on June 17, 2015 at 11:07 pm
Clumps @ 9.27
Fantastic piece concise and to the point , wish i was capable of writing an article like that 🙁 I mean this in the nicest possible way….I wish they would do as you say and I never heard from you again ?
______________________________
Thanks rhoddybhoy!
I take your comment in the intended spirit!
That taxi is still waiting outside Clumpany Towers. I just hope that the meter isn’t running….
Big Pink says:
Moderator: (295 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 9:17 am
I think the ridicule of Rob Kiernan is misplaced and very un-sfmlike.
Rangers have just lost three central defenders and are not in a position to splash out for replacements.
I also recall that John Hartson failed a medical at Ibrox AND at Parkhead. Rangers passed, but Celtic took a chance on him and he became a significant player for the club.
The fact that the MSM are spinning the story in a certain way is no reflection on Kiernan himself. Like most footballers he will be judged by his performances.
=======================
You beat me to it BP.
I was going to mention the John Hartson situation.
An “inside source” informed me many years ago that John Hartson deliberately failed his medical at Rangers FC as he had been told by a soothsayer the previous evening that he may at some point in the future have the chance to sign for Celtic. :irony:
The silence surrounding Minty is no great mystery if you consider that the billion he borrowed may not be in his own bank account, but it is distributed through his associates accounts. It may appeared to have vanished, but a lot of folk know they have a bit of it in their account.
Rangers and Sevco may be a huge dirty stain on the face of Scottish fitba’, but for the silks of our society, it is just a wee squirrel.
An unruly poltergeist squirrel detracting from calls for a public inquiry into where the bank robbing gang’s hide-out is.
A billion quid, of what in the end up was public money, has been distributed amongst a select few, and Minty knows where it is.
Zilch says:
Member: (36 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 9:27 am
… Our rags are not usually shy about going after high progfile figures when their fortunes fail.
_____________________
How would we know this?
We can only know the answer if the MSM tell us, so if there are any failures similar to Murray out there, and the MSM choose not to write about them, there is very little chance we would ever know about it. Remember, too, Murray is still a wealthy man – probably, in reality, as rich as he’s ever been. He is not ruined and so capable of hurting those who should be disclosing his unreported past.
I’ve found this ‘Rangers’ saga eye opening to much more than just the poor reporting of the RFC/TRFC scandal, it has become obvious that ‘the rich’ can get away with much more than even this old cynic ever imagined. I’m sure David Murray wouldn’t come close to the top of the ‘unreported bad boys league’ amongst the failed (but somehow survive as wealthy people) entrepreneurs who cost other people millions/billions!
upthehoops 07.05
Thanks for the early morning post regarding Rangers latest signing. He certainly has experience in English football, albeit at lower levels which I trust will stand him in good stead for next year’s battle against Hibernian and others.
If this is the level of marque signings to be expected, heaven help them. If I was a true blue, I would be getting a little concerned regarding DCK’s input both in words and hard cash. Without being a biased Celtic season tickets holder, I am truly of the opinion that King will prove to be a bigger changer than either Green or White, all considerations and caution should be taken before parting with a penny.
These other guys are supposed to be millionaires, in short, lets see the colour of these pound notes, or even rand, just a few more to be counted. I’ll be honest, I couldn’t care if they use Ibrox for football or luxury flats. However I know more than a few friends and colleagues to whom it would it would make a great difference.
I suggest Rangers fans should stop reading the Scottish newspaper’s and stop listening to the puerile Scottish media and start forming their own opinions about their Club, these people DO only tell you what you want to be told.
In short it’s up to yourselves, it will NOT fix in one or two years.
Trust me.
TBK,
Thanks for the update. It was as I understood. The reason for my query was for a bear pal who espoused to me that without Whyte liquidation doesn’t happen. I know where he’s coming from (he’s coming from the world where RFC in whatever guise magically don’t lose £8m per annum) but the key element is that if any event, even CVA, does happen in 2012 the secured creditor comes first, so Lloyds presumably act on their charge to sell Ibrox/MP to repay their debt.
Without Whyte, oldco either lose Ibrox or are forced to pay £18m for it.
Another brick in Kings wall just got pushed out in this guy’s eyes.
Thanks all
Imagine that for a relatively modest investment, you could obtain sufficient control over the intangible (and possibly tangible) assets of a popular football club that you were able to operate it as a de facto franchise. You receive income from the guaranteed retail streams and pass a percentage onto the franchisee.
The franchisee runs the traditionally less profitable side of the business, i.e. the footballing one, where their success depends mainly on how much money they are prepared to throw at it, and how many tickets they can sell. If they need some players, maybe you can make some available from elsewhere in your empire, at very reasonable rates.
Your control over the intangible assets is such that the franchisee can’t so much as have a ball kicked under the club’s name without your agreement. If they want to buy out the franchise, that’s going to cost a lot of money which they will be subsequently unable to invest in football operations. If they won’t play nicely, you can crash their bus and find somebody who will. As long as the authorities are determined that the club should continue to exist, you can hardly fail.
Repeat the process with any other popular club you can get your hands on. With any luck, and enough patience, you’ll build up a large WWE-style footballing empire where the cash keeps on rolling in and you don’t have to worry about actually running a football club at all.
My only question is: Why hasn’t this been tried before?
Smugas at 11:40 am
in-deed!
The issue at that time was, despite protestations to say otherwise, Lloyds called in their debt. This was a loss making business that had come to the end of its credit line. Had it not been for the dismal results in Europe by a certain ‘horticultural’ management team, they may have delayed liquidation but the prospect of the BTC was too much. The recent BDO report states that (sans BTC outcome) the CLUB died owing almost £90m to creditors.
I hope Whyte still has his taped conversations with those involved, including the Scottish Football Authority representatives…… Imagine if there was coersion or agreement on the way forward with a Football Authority by shedding debt?
stevo at 11:43 am
Great points! The question would be answered if you had a non-compliant governing body shirley?
You really have to hand it to our SMSM hacks.
Hopeless at investigating a real news story and reporting truthfully and without prejudice.
However in lexicographry they are becoming masters.
How many new phrases can they invent to avoid the truth about Rangers? All the operating company behind the club nonsense, etc.etc
Now along comes the breathless Chris McLaughlin assuring us a what a “real get” their new MD is.
He’s a previously unknown and unreported guy when at Motherwell but now that he’s dropping down a league Chris has spoken to “people of note” ( what the hell does that mean and who are they?)
Embarrassing enough stuff from a revenue and ad-based tabloid. From the license funded BBC an absolute disgrace.
Could be a lot of fun to gather all these previously unused hoop-jumping phrases used to avoid telling the public the real story.
jimmci at 12:37 pm
I haven’t read a single article regarding Stewart Robertsons appointment as company Secretary to Motherwell FC in August 2002 – June 2015.
You know the ones…. that as company secretary in 2002 when the Motherwell Football Club (not its holding or operating company thing) went into administration.
Or when the Club was relegated in 2003.
Since then, some prudent work has helped rebuild the Club to a more stable footing.
Perhaps he really is that good at his job! One wonders if he was appointed because of /or in spite of that particular time and if he needs to use those particular skills again…..Only time will tell…
MSM. if you have shares in RIFC or plan to buy some and wanted to ask if King really did meet Ashley in London on EGM day, you could use this email: investorrelations@rangers.co.uk
from http://www.rangersinternationalfootballclub.com/investor-contacts
Surely W H Ireland and Deloitte need to get this sorted out:
Nominated Adviser – WH Ireland Limited, 24 Martin Lane, London EC4R 0DR
Broker – WH Ireland Limited, 24 Martin Lane, London EC4R 0DR
Auditors and reporting accountants – Deloitte LLP, 2 Hardman Street, Manchester M60 2AT
http://www.rangersinternationalfootballclub.com/shareholder-centre/advisers
As the media has done such a sterling job of looking into the career of Mark Warburton (aye, okay) this might be somewhat redundant … but here it is anyway!
http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/the-ones-that-you-love-lead-you-nowhere/
I note, but respectfully disagree with, the opinions of those on here who think that Kiernan or Warburton have been unfairly criticised on this forum. I think there is a clear difference between the way in which they have been talked about in personal terms and the criticism (and poking fun) of how their situations have been (mis)represented in order to drive newspaper / ST sales. There has certainly also been positive feeling expressed towards those such as Warburton and McCall who have come into the situation and acted professionally. I say we have very definitely been playing the ball, not the man.
B_Celt 2.52
“Well done, too, in having a broad perspective of clubs represented both via the participants and those who made comments on Twitter. I was looking forward to hearing Auldheid though I found him less forthcoming than I’d expected (in the nicest possible way, of course). I look forward to hearing more from him in future editions, especially around Res. 12 and SFA reconstruction.”
There was a timing factor that meant I would have little to add to the line it is an ongoing process on Res12.
However that factor will disappear in the next couple of weeks when the problem will be (as in the Regan interview with Alex Thomson) condensing the narrative into digestible chunks.
It will be worth the wait.
Tartanwulver says:
Member: (220 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 1:31 pm
I note, but respectfully disagree with, the opinions of those on here who think that Kiernan or Warburton have been unfairly criticised on this forum. I think there is a clear difference between the way in which they have been talked about in personal terms and the criticism (and poking fun) of how their situations have been (mis)represented in order to drive newspaper / ST sales. There has certainly also been positive feeling expressed towards those such as Warburton and McCall who have come into the situation and acted professionally. I say we have very definitely been playing the ball, not the man.
=====================
I agree entirely.
I like Mark Warburton, and having seen his team totally play my local side off the park in one of Alex Neil’s very early games as manager, I can vouch that he can put a decent side on the park and get them playing decent stuff.
Having said that, it doesn’t stop me from criticising the totally OTT red carpet sh*te that the SMSM have come out with since his appointment at Ibrox. Anyone would think that Brentford had actually beaten Middlesbrough and Norwich in the play-offs, such is the hyperbole.
As the for new signing, I’d never heard of him before, which is hardly surprising given his limited CV. However, I was shocked when I read that a bid had been accepted and that Birmingham City had withdrawn their interest in signing the player. He looks like a free transfer with possible sell-on clause, so any fee would be nominal. I would expect that the player’s agent had received an off the radar (to his player, anyway) wages offer from Ibrox and the negotiations were terminated by the agent rather than by Birmingham City.
Just some words in my experience on the first SFM radio broadcast, ‘Blether’.
I’m sure you can all imagine that my first reaction on receiving an email from Big pink asking if I would be prepared to contribute was to think of finding some excuse for being ‘unavailable’, or, more honestly, to chicken out.
I’m glad to say I didn’t, and after chatting (blethering) to BP on the phone I knew I wanted to take part, even at the risk of making a complete idiot of myself (and I knew that was a distinct possibility). He’s a very engaging guy, and I spent quite a while listening to his football tales in two separate phone-calls of over an hour each. He has a pretty encyclopaedic knowledge of the game and it’s personalities.
Those who have heard the live broadcast and the subsequent podcast will know how high the quality was of the sound and nature of the discussion. I know BP put a lot of time and effort into this, and not a few worrying moments, as Tuesday night was mainly by way of a test run. But didn’t it turn out great!
From my point of view I didn’t sound as bad as I imagined I would do, but I did have a low expectation, so, should anyone be requested to participate, rest assured, that you will come across/sound much better than you might fear.
I was particularly concerned that I might have difficulty with my cues, and either talk too long or over others, or miss any questions put to me. If there was a problem, I was unaware of it, and BP did a great job (though I don’t know how he did it) of making me feel a part of the discussion and not just a ‘caller’. I was able to follow what Auldheid and Campbellsmoney were saying and, again, felt at ease with both of these guys who didn’t throw me any ‘curve balls’ and both made a great contribution to ‘my segment’ of the show. Thanks to them both.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and I am extremely grateful to BP for giving me the opportunity to take part in the first SFM radio show.
The SMSM takes such a (deserved) pounding on here, I’m surprised folk still buy it. It’s very easy to break the habit and once you do, you feel a helluva lot better and there is no question of ever going back. The fawning over Warburton has completely passed me by, I’m glad to say.
TBK, Motherwell finished bottom but were not relegated. They have not been in the second tier since 1984/85.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33186503
Ashley loses dual interest appeal, but has fine reduced.
bobferris at 2:39 pm…. Ah! good point! Despite being relegated, Motherwell FC “Technically avoided” relegation with Falkirk failing to make promotion due to Falkirk Stadium being unsuitable
I see the SFA Appellate tribunal has decided that Moshni’s assault, shown live across the UK, was worthy of a three match supplementary ban given its particularly aggressive nature.
How does the SFA even begin to square this circle with Tonev being given a seven match ban for an offence nobody saw or heard save Shay Logan and which was ruled on as a matter of probability.
The Tonev decision – and it’s respective merits or otherwise – has been done to death here but once again there seems to be a glaring anomaly as punishments are being handed down and many will look on and wonder but sadly will not be too surprised.
Once again the SFA appearing unfit for purpose.
I note also Ashley’s fine has been reduced from £7500 to £1000. He must be laughing up his sleeve.
neepheid says:
Member: (630 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 2:47 pm
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33186503
Ashley loses dual interest appeal, but has fine reduced.
====================================================================
“…The appellate tribunal issued notes of reasons for rejecting the appeal, and for reducing the penalty…
“Although the funding provided was needed by Rangers…”
==========================================================
This is where it gets confusing for me.
The CEO of the SFA via the SMSM declared that ‘Rangers’ had to be saved, or there would be social unrest, Armageddon and Scottish football would be ‘like the Irish league’, IIRC.
The independent tribunal above conceded that TRFC needed Ashley’s funds – presumably to survive, and by inference, ‘to save Scottish football’.
So Ashley did the SFA a favour by bailing out TRFC – it’s just that the SFA didn’t like the manner in which he funded TRFC ?
And what now for Ashley ?
IMO, the reduction is irrelevant. Is he maybe trying to set a footballing precedent ?
Appeal to the Court of Session ?
Can’t imagine he will simply accept the decision – especially after spending x thousands on legal fees.
Interesting to see what happens next.
StevieBC says:
Member: (734 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 3:31 pm
neepheid says:
Member: (630 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 2:47 pm
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33186503
______________________________________
Maybe he could ask them to set it off the £5.02*m DCK Owes him, by withholding prizemoney owed to RIFC?
(*£5m load agreement + £20K legal costs from last weeks injunction)
jimmci says:
Member: (82 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Be interesting to see how Nadir Ciftci is dealt with on the balance of probabilities .
neepheid says:
Member: (630 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 2:47 pm
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33186503
Ashley loses dual interest appeal, but has fine reduced.
====================================================================
Dear SFA
I’m having some trouble understanding logic on your planet. I believe flummoxed is the word.
Ashley lending money to a football club as the lender of last resort days before an insolvency event is GOOD. Appointing a trusted, high value employee as CEO with extensive football experience to help that football club avoid similar circumstances is BAD. Naturally, the SFA Compliance Officer lodged a complaint. But the complaint was not BAD enough to act quickly – the tribunal was delayed twice (by the SFA) and happened months after the complaint (15-Dec – 03-Mar). Once judged upon, the offence was not BAD enough to require a cease and desist order – and the offence continued. The offence was mitigated because the loan was repaid in Jan 2015 – using a much bigger loan from the offender with provision to appoint two people to the board – once again days before an insolvency event. This bigger loan with board positions is tacitly GOOD because the SFA Compliance Officer has not lodged a complaint.
That the offender exerts almost complete control over the football club by controlling the majority of its retail revenue (76%), plus most of its physical assets and almost all of its intellectual property is tacitly GOOD because the SFA Compliance Officer has not lodged a complaint.
Yes flummoxed is the word.
yours
mcfc
‘the interests of Rangers were not directly adversely affected’ says the appellate panel. What about the interests of othe clubs generally and Hibs in particular ( QOTS too). Ultimately the ability to loan a barrow load of players from his big club might have deprived other clubs of the play off places and promotion. That only one of them made a difference does not affect the principle the attempt would not have been possible without the dual interest. Perhaps that wider influence should have been referred to in the decision!
Note of reasons from the appeal tribunal
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/resources/documents/Disciplinary/DisciplinaryTribunalOutcomes/Michael%20Ashley%20-%20Appellate%20Tribunal.pdf
I wonder why the SFA are not as forthcoming with a Note of Reasons for Dave King’s FPP decision.
I’ve lost count: how many times has the Compliance Officer been found lacking in the technical/legal framing of the charges in his Notices of Complaint?
Once is too many, but Mr. McGlennan has had several in high profile cases.
mcfc says:
Member: (1408 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 3:50 pm
……………
I believe questions were sent to a Mr Broadfoot at the SFA regarding the precarious state of said club and the continuous life support required to keep it breathing…he bounced back with the suggestion the SFA do not get involved in corporate financial matters…or words to that effect…which was followed soon after by the SFA making a decision on corporate financial matters…by instructing an individual to sell/dispose of his shares in 2 clubs/Companies…
Flummoxed doesn’t even begin to describe the utter nonsense that is pushed by those that represent the SFA.
Ah, the SFA – consistent only in their inconsistencies in applying their own rules (subject to discretion of course)
Ah, but! You see the NEW loan is from Sports Direct, not MASH, so MA has an argument to get round the dual interest question
Allyjambo says:
Member: (1035 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 2:32 pm
‘…I was particularly concerned that I might have difficulty with my cues, and either talk too long or over others, or miss any questions put to me…’
________
Allyjambo, you spoke as well, and as clearly and as to the point as a practiced broadcaster, and far far more coherently and intelligently than some football pundits on BBC Radio Scotland.
Very well done.
Big Pink says:
Moderator: (295 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 9:17 am
I think the ridicule of Rob Kiernan is misplaced and very un-sfmlike.
================================
Just catching up with this BP. I posted at the back of 7 this morning but I challenge you to point out where I ridiculed the guy. My main point was the media reporting of his signing is way out of perspective with what he has achieved in his career. That is not his fault of course but had he been signing for any other Scottish club there would hardly have been a ripple among the media.
easyJambo says:
Member: (660 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 4:01 pm
Note of reasons from the appeal tribunal
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/resources/documents/Disciplinary/DisciplinaryTribunalOutcomes/Michael%20Ashley%20-%20Appellate%20Tribunal.pdf
I wonder why the SFA are not as forthcoming with a Note of Reasons for Dave King’s FPP decision.
========================================
In my opinion, it is because King was NEVER going to be turned down no matter what. To try and justify something that is an absolute slam dunker against their own guidelines would just be digging an even deeper hole for themselves.
If Uncle Mike executes part 2 and 3 of Phil’s summation then King co may find themselves accused of share manipulation.
Not sure if one were found to have perpetrated such a thing whether one would find oneself in a commercial or criminal court. Maybe some advice needed here.
Then what price Fit and proper? SFA support then?
I can just see (unless of course King has totally absolved himself of all sins in the eyes of HBM), a long and arduous summer of court appearances.
Oh and has the Rolls court judge yet approved the 6 figure bill from Ashleys 6 strong army?
upthehoops says:
Member: (742 comments)
To try and justify something that is an absolute slam dunker against their own guidelines would just be digging an even deeper hole for themselves.
====================================
Sorry UTH but the SFA have no “guidelines” WRT F&PP.
They have a set of conditions which require notification…there is nothing stated in the rules that these conditions necessitate disqualification, only notification and subsequent consideration.
A useful comparator is the EFL.
UP to 2010 only one person was deemed not F&P in England…and (IIRC) that individual had been disqualified as a director so it was something of a no brainer.
Since then one further person has been deemed not F&P in England…and for a short period at that (pending some legal issues in his own country, they may need to revisit shortly).
In short the whole fit and proper “test” is, and always has been, an utter waste of time and effort….but it doubtless gives the blazers a warm glow of self importance.
Good Evening.
This is going to be a short post.
The Clumpany simply wants to say “Oh Martin…”.
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/06/18/definitively-pish-2/
Enjoy the rest of the evening
Since everyone with influence seems to think it’s essential that some football club recognisable as “Rangers” must be in the top division of Scottish football, maybe it’s me that’s wrong.
So let’s give the alternative view a fair hearing.
1. There will be financial Armageddon if they are not.
Seems to be based on Pritchard’s accounts for Miller and possibly others indicating that 90+% of the income to Scottish Football was generated by matches involving at least one half of the, “Old Firm” and that if RFC went out of business this would fall to less than half. Nope, it hasn’t happened and it never would. Think it through for goodness’ sake. RFC were one club from 42 or so senior clubs – their financial benefit to the others was modest at most. Did they think all fans of all clubs would stay at home because “Rangers” weren’t there? CFC are almost certainly the biggest losers, (which is why I suspect the drive is not really to return TRFC to the top division, but to re-unite the “Old Firm”), but even then I can’t see where PL’s £10M came from and in any case why should discretions be applied to benefit us as well as them?
2. Minty was serious Establishment, Minty turned out to be a “wrong un”, and Minty caused Ra Little Peepul’s Club to be expunged so the Establishment must make good the mess made by one of their own.
I could just about see this one except it requires the existence of an Establishment of medieval powers, of which I am not a member and which to date seems to have accessed the services of at least one very senior politician, HMRC and several Law Lords, not to mention the governing bodies of Scottish football. If this is it, welcome to the 14th century with broadband.
3. Forget the finance, it is for the good of Scottish football.
With the best will in the world I cannot grasp this one at all. It seems to rely on the notion that having two very large clubs improves performance, competitiveness in a league and cup structure, entertainment and everything else that is the essence of healthy sport. Admittedly, having only one very large club is not ideal either, but as the gardener kept on muttering enigmatically, “We are where we are”. Losing one is firstly irrelevant and secondly probably if anything a good thing.
So where does that leave me?
Not one of the above exhibits the remotest interest in the smaller clubs and only takes into consideration the larger ones in as much as someone is required to occupy the other half of the field when an “Old Firm” club is present. Not good for Scottish Football. The key word is “Scottish”.
Could it be the narrative is being generated entirely by the smsm who are all “Rangers” fans, employed as such by editors and owners? Fits the Establishment option. Fits reality to a very large extent.Means Scottish football does not really exist as sport. At least we don’t have cholera any more.
It’s all incompetence. Staggering, but possible. The drivers are the SFA and SP(F)L, who are no more than salary seekers who have been given a real job to do and have been trapped in the headlights for 3 years.
I don’t think it’s me that’s wrong. So be constructive. Offer a solution.
That’s where I get stuck. I’m only a fan. They have the power. I think this can only work if “Rangers” die for good. That removes the motive and the means become irrelevant. Maybe a hiatus or even another start would do, and that’s all that is at all likely, but the eternity thinking has to be broken. Genuine competition needs to be given a chance to develop. Perhaps with a 3 year cycle of contracts coming to an end, post 2012, we will see that soon as clubs restructure and develop youth, become less fearful of relegation and encourage innovative coaching.
I hope so anyway.
macfurgly says:
Member: (38 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 10:02 pm
It’s all incompetence. Staggering, but possible. The drivers are the SFA and SP(F)L, who are no more than salary seekers who have been given a real job to do and have been trapped in the headlights for 3 years.
__________________________________________________________________
Great post but this bit isn’t right. They haven’t been ‘trapped’ because that makes it sound like they were innocent 😈
Phil MacGiollaBhain @Pmacgiollabhain 5h5 hours ago
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dave-king-official-statement-rangers-3185424 …
“It is not in Rangers culture to have spin-doctors that feed information to the media…”
#TeaSpluttered
SFM
Any chance my comment of 7.10pm might be released from the purgatory of moderation ❓ 🙂
I note that there are now two independent non-exec directors on the SFA Board.
The first such director (Barrie Jackson) was appointed on 12/12/11 and would, presumably, have been aware of the dirty work that led up to the ‘Armageddon’ nonsense and the 5-Way Agreement and all of that.
Did he exercise his duty as an independent director to try to keep the board from its disgraceful abandonment of Sporting Integrity? Did he go along with the deceitful Big Lie that the new club was still the old club? Did he object when the nod was given to Dave King? Did he say or do anything to try to protect Scottish Football governance from selling its soul to accommodate the ‘owling mobs (dog-whistled by a ‘gardener’ and others)?
I suspect not.
Will the second non-exec director re-call the Board to paths of righteousness, and insist on the restoration of integrity, on the need to bite the bullet, to come clean, ‘fess up to their deceit, and publicly acknowledge that Sevco5088 etc etc (God,it gets tedious repeating all the charlatan’s names for the new club!) was never and is not now RFC(IL).
And that the Bryson nonsense was indeed nonsense, and that certain honours and titles should be stripped from RFC(IL)’s official reco rds, and that Sevco etc etc will not, in SFA publications of any kind, be referred to as if they were the pre-Liquidation RFC.
The second independent director, Gary Hughes, says ” I look forward to working with the Board,the management team and all the major stake-holders to help create a successful and a sustainable future for our national game”.
No doubt he does. But he must realise that an organisation with deceit and duplicity and cowardice at its heart can have no successful and sustainable future.
Just as the much-vaunted Independent Judicial Panel was no more than window-dressing (Bryson!), I very much think that the trumpeted news that there are now two ( not actually legally required) non-exec directors is no more than an empty gesture by a thoroughly discredited organisation.
neepheid says:
Member: (630 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 2:47 pm
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33186503
Ashley loses dual interest appeal, but has fine reduced.
========================================================
1 MA has his fine for dual interest reduced to a few bob but no cease and desist order imposed. So Mike Ashley loses the appeal but as TFRC needed the readies it’s ok, and MA is still holding the same shareholding and has the life and death of the RIFC PLC group in his hands.
2 DK agrees to pay enough money to feed the poor of Scotland for years to the South African tax authorities rather than face 82 years in the SA equivalent of Barlinnie. A favourable settlement apparently.
3 Rangers FC found guilty of an offence second only to match fixing. No sporting advantage gained according to m’lud. Some of the people responsible are still on the scene at the new Ibrox club or at Hampden Park.
Does anyone in the SMSM have any interest in any of the above?
(That was a rhetorical question, but I am still totally amazed and (somewhat) depressed at the answer).
Interesting side note on today’s announcement regarding Ashley and it looks as if Roddy F should consider checking his sources before venturing into print
From 27th May
“However, as disclosed by The Daily Telegraph last week, Ashley did not appeal the SFA’s finding that he had been in breach of their dual ownership regulations.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/11631951/Rangers-news-Dave-King-ready-to-ambush-Mike-Ashley-at-Ibrox-general-meeting.html
However…
“Disciplinary Rule 19: Except with the prior written consent of the Board: (a) no club or nominee of a club; and (b) no person, whether absolutely or as a trustee, either alone or in conjunction with one or more associates or solely through an associate or associates (even where such person has no formal interest), who: (i) is a member of a club; or (ii) is involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of a club, or (iii) has any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration or a club, may at the same time either directly or indirectly:- (a) be a member of another club; or (b) be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of another club; or (c) have any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration of another club.”
“Outcome – Mr Ashley was found in breach of Rule 19 and a fine of £7500 was imposed.”
“Appeal
The Appeal was rejected.”
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=2566&newsCategoryID=1&newsID=14949
In fairness journalists are only as good as their sources and can reasonably be expected to make mistakes.
The problem here can be seen when looking back to the original Telegraph headline…
“Dave King ready to ambush Mike Ashley at Ibrox general meeting”
…and in the article itself…
“Mike Ashley’s failure to contest a Scottish Football Association verdict on dual ownership rules has opened the door for Rangers chairman Dave King to ambush the Newcastle United owner over his demand for a general meeting of Ibrox shareholders, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.”
So 100% wrong and assuming someone from the SFA wasn’t winding him up it looks as though he’s swallowed a pile of level 5 bullsh*t whole.
Oddly I’d expected better of him but I shouldn’t really have been surprised…
paulsatim says:
Member: (87 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 10:54 pm
Phil MacGiollaBhain @Pmacgiollabhain 5h5 hours ago
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dave-king-official-statement-rangers-3185424 …
“It is not in Rangers culture to have spin-doctors that feed information to the media…”
#TeaSpluttered
===========================
I nearly choked on my most succulent lamb and finest red wine when I read that.
easyJambo says:
Member: (660 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 4:01 pm
Note of reasons from the appeal tribunal.
I wonder why the SFA are not as forthcoming with a Note of Reasons for Dave King’s FPP decision.
——————————–
No reasons needed AllyJ.
You’re forgetting the biggest get out of all in the SFA rule book.
Discretion, old chap, discretion.
Next, please.
The Cat NR1 says:
Member: (480 comments)
June 19, 2015 at 12:12 am
paulsatim says:
Member: (87 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 10:54 pm
Phil MacGiollaBhain @Pmacgiollabhain 5h5 hours ago
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dave-king-official-statement-rangers-3185424 …
“It is not in Rangers culture to have spin-doctors that feed information to the media…”
#TeaSpluttered
===========================
I nearly choked on my most succulent lamb and finest red wine when I read that.
For once I think he is being truthful . It is misinformation they feed to the media .
upthehoops says:
Member: (742 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 8:02 pm
Big Pink says:
Moderator: (295 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 9:17 am
I think the ridicule of Rob Kiernan is misplaced and very un-sfmlike.
================================
Just catching up with this BP. I posted at the back of 7 this morning but I challenge you to point out where I ridiculed the guy.
____________________________________________________
Always up for a challenge, but this one will prove rather difficult. Perhaps I will endeavour to take it up – just as soon as you can show me where I alleged you did anything.
Strange though that you should think I did.
From memory, I am fairly sure I have never commented on ANY of your posts, but for certain, I didn’t today.
macfurgly says:
Member: (38 comments)
June 18, 2015 at 10:02 pm
‘.. in as much as someone is required to occupy the other half of the field .’
_______
I think you have indirectly resurrected the partial discussion that the blog had some good wee while ago on the peculiar nature of professional football business, where a club HAS to have competitors or else there is no business!
And the whole discussion of gate-sharing and whether the discontinuance of that entirely reasonable (in my view) arrangement was, in the event,a sound move.
For a game of football you need two teams.’Halfers each’ is the natural and obvious way to divide any monies generated, because without the participation of one team, there can be no match.
It may be that changes in that area of finance brought about the relative impoverishment of the clubs with smaller fan bases.
I can’t now remember when things changed.
But I think the change was deleterious to Scottish football.For, if the ‘smaller’ clubs were getting half the gate-money when they played the bigger boys,the competitive level would be raised.
I think this needs further exploration.
And I could do with a Fat Yak!
So the mosher is suspended? Seems to me there is no liability on clubs for thuggish behaviour by players circumstances like these, yet the authorities would like to punish clubs for supporter indiscretions. Seems imbalanced.
Big Pink says:
Moderator: (296 comments)
June 19, 2015 at 2:07 am
Always up for a challenge, but this one will prove rather difficult. Perhaps I will endeavour to take it up – just as soon as you can show me where I alleged you did anything.
Strange though that you should think I did.
From memory, I am fairly sure I have never commented on ANY of your posts, but for certain, I didn’t today.
==============================================
I posted on 18 June at 07:08 AM largely pointing out media coverage of Rob Keirnan which was IMO way out of perspective given his playing record so far. A couple of others posted similar prior to your assertion Rob Keirnan was being ridiculed. That is what led me to believe I was one of those you were referring to, but I’m more than happy to accept you had some wider context in mind, possibly due to comments made before mine. The only ridicule I read was for the media coverage.
As for you (from memory) not commenting on ANY of my posts, I contest that. However, I’m sure neither you or I have the time or energy to trawl through a labyrinth of previous blogs and comments to prove our case either way. I’m sure you didn’t mean the comment as some kind of put down, because to use your words, that would be very un-SFM like!
I see a pattern emerging. I just read this article over on 1broxnews;
http://www.ibroxnoise.co.uk/2015/06/wilson-has-chosen-rangers.html
and there is another article relating to Scott Allan;
http://www.ibroxnoise.co.uk/2015/06/reports-rangers-contact-hibs-over-scott.html
I think that these idiots are going to cheer and proclaim that these players opted for the bigger club …. blah blah blah.
How desperate.
I bet Celtic have never even expressed an official interest in either player and if they haven’t I would publicly hold a press conference to say exactly that !
bards says:
June 19, 2015 at 10:01 am
Regardless of the potential ‘size’ of T’Rangers at present they are a Championship club with a shed full of backroom problems.
Any player like Danny Wilson choosing to leave a team like Hearts and then take a backwards step into the Championship when there may be other offers around shows a lack of drive and ambition.
Plenty time to develop your career and go back to Ibrox later on if they get their act together.
Like Lee Wallace, opting for an easy life and a decent wage may suit some folks but managers and coaches of other teams and your country are looking for the best and people with a bit of drive, determination and ambition.
The life of a footballer is limited and in Wilson’s case if he heads to Govan he may well be taking one step forwards and two steps back. But hey, that is the lads choice and good luck to him.
As confidently forecast by yours truly, there is a new Barry Ferguson column in the Chip Wrapper today, in which Barry omits to mention the team who pay his wages, and who actually might currently appreciate a bit of help selling Season Tickets.
Instead it’s all about the wonderfulness of all things “Rangers”. If I was in charge at Clyde, I’d sack this disgraceful parasite, and get myself a real manager who has at least a minimal interest in the club that employs him.
No more links to the rag involved from me, sorry folks, but they don’t deseve any online traffic.
Neepheid -correct – it is puzzling Clyde have not only finished second in the championship but also won the Scottish cup, it is almost as if he believes that TRFC are more worthy. This demonstrates a lack of clarity of thought and judgement which is more dishonourable than his clear partisanship in favour of a direct competitor in three national competitions.
Clyde went through the CVA process but no further; the Club were never liquidised as Mr Ferguson might put it
Two years in a row now the Govan club start and finish against a direct rival for the title.
You know what, if your contingency plan involved creating a rang3rs it would be nice if there was a team of players available for free who had not yet found clubs….
Or maybe you have already “signed” them
andygraham.66 says:
Member: (266 comments)
June 19, 2015 at 12:08 pm
—————————
I’m pretty sure that every team in every division is starting against a direct rival for the title.
It’s also difficult before the season has even started to say who will be a direct rival by the time the last game comes around.
Good Afternoon.
Fixtures out! Hooray!
Here’s the inside story of Fixture-Release Day.
It’s a miracle!
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/06/19/the-miracle-of-fixture-release-day/
Enjoy the rest of the day!
Bit of a strange one on Saturday 26th September in the Championship – all fixtures kick off at 19.45 . Holiday weekend and probably some supporters having to travel into the Sunday .
So that’s potentially five Europa League qualifying games in July then six rounds of SPFL fixtures in August and maybe three more Europa League games (if successful). For Aberdeen, anything from eight to 14 games between 2 July and 29 Aug (less than nine weeks), at least one and perhaps up to four of those abroad. Nothing like hitting the ground running, eh?