Good Afternoon.
Announcing outstanding financial successes for Rangers PLC the then Chairman of the club opened his Chairman’s report in the annual financial statements with the following words:
“Last summer I explained that the Club, after many years of significant investment in our playing squad
and more recently in our state of the art facility at Murray Park, had embarked on a three year business
plan to stabilise and improve the Club’s finances. The plan also recognised the need to react to the
challenging economic conditions facing football clubs around the world.
Following a trend over a number of years of increasing year on year losses, I am pleased to report that
in the first year of this plan we have made important progress by reversing this trend. Our trading loss
for last year of £11.2m reflects a £7.9m improvement versus the £19.1m loss for the previous year and
although it will take more time to completely reach our goals, this is a key milestone. We also intend to
make significant further progress by the end of the current financial year. This improvement is the
consequence of having a solid strategy and the commitment and energy to implement the changes it requires”
Later on in the same statement the chairman would add:
“Another key part of our plan is associated with the Rangers brand and our Retail Division goes from strength to strength. Our financial results this year have been significantly enhanced by an outstanding performance in merchandising Rangers products, in particular replica kit, which makes our Retail Division one of the most successful in Europe.”
In the same set of financial reports, the CEO would report:
“To further strengthen Rangers hospitality portfolio, a new dedicated sponsor’s lounge was unveiled this season. The Carling Lounge is a first for the Club and was developed in conjunction with our new sponsor, Carling. ”
and
“Our innovative events programme continues to grow and this year saw a record number of official events including the highly successful annual Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony, Player of the Year and 50 Championships Gala Dinner, all of which catered for up to 1000 guests.
At Rangers, we continually develop our portfolio of products and as a key area of income for the Club, we evaluate the market for new revenue opportunities on an ongoing basis in order to exceed our existing and potential customer expectations and needs.
Demand for season tickets reached an all time high last season with a record 42,508 season ticket holders in comparison with the previous season`s figure of 40,320. Over 36,000 of these season ticket holders renewed for this season – a record number.
For the new season, we are delighted to welcome brewing giant, Carling on board as our Official Club sponsor. Carling is one of the UK’s leading consumer brands with a proven track record in football sponsorship.
The Club also continues to work with a number of multinational blue chip brands such as National Car Rental, Sony Playstation 2, Bank of Scotland and Coca-Cola. This year, we will also experience the evolution of the Honda deal via Hyndland Honda and welcome the mobile communications giant T-Mobile to our ranks.”.
The year was 2003 and in the previous 24 months Rangers Football Club, owned and operated as a private fiefdom by Sir David Murray, had made operational losses of some £30 million.
Yes – 30 MILLION POUNDS.
Of course the chairman’s report for 2003 was written by John F Mclelland CBE and the CEO was one Martin Bain Esq.
As Mr Mclelland clearly stated, by 2003 the club already had a trend of increasing year on year losses covering a number of years and was losing annual sums which stretched into millions, if not tens of millions, of pounds.
However, the acquisition of Rangers Football Club was absolutely vital to David Murray’s personal business growth, and his complete control of the club as his own private business key was more important than any other business decision he had made before buying Rangers or since.
When he persuaded Gavin Masterton to finance 100% of the purchase price of the club, Murray had his finest business moment.
By getting control of Rangers, Murray was able to offer entertainment, hospitality, seeming privilege and bestow favour on others in a way that was hitherto undreamed of, and he bestowed that largesse on any number of “existing and potential clients” and contacts – be they the clients and contacts related to Rangers Football Club or the existing and potential clients of David Murray, his businesses, his banks, or anyone in any field that he chose to court for the purposes of potential business.
His business.
It wasn’t only journalists who benefited from the succulent lamb treatment.
Accountants,lawyers, surveyors, broadcasters, football officials, people in industry and construction, utilities, financiers and other areas of business were all invited inside the sacred House of Murray and given access to the great man of business “and owner of Rangers” while attending the “record number of official (hospitality) events”.
Twelve months on from when John McLelland made those statements in the 2003 accounts, David Murray was back in the chair at Ibrox and he presented the 2004 financials.
In the intervening 12 months Rangers had gained an additional £10 million from Champions League income and had received £8.6 million in transfer fees from the sale of Messrs Ferguson, Amoruso and McCann. Not only that, the Rangers board had managed to reduce the club’s wage bill by £5 million. Taking all three figures together comes to some £23.6 million in extra income or savings.
Yet, the accounts for 2004 showed that the club made an operational loss of almost £6 million and overall debt had risen by an additional £7 million to £97.4 million.
However, the 2004 accounts were also interesting for another reason.
Rangers PLC had introduced payments “to employees trusts” into their accounts for the first time in 2001 and in that year they had paid £1million into those trusts. Just three years later, the trust payments recorded in the accounts had risen to £7.3 million per annum — or to put it another way to 25% of the annual wage bill though no one in Scottish Football asked any questions about that!
By the following year, the chairman announced that the 2004 operational loss had in fact been £10.4million but that the good news was that the 2005 operational loss was only £7.8 million. However Rangers were able to post a profit before taxation if they included the money obtained from transfers (£8.4 million) and the inclusion of an extraordinary profit of £14,999,999 made on buying back the shares of a subsidiary company for £1 which they had previously sold for £15 million.
All of which added up to a whopping great profit of ……… £12.4 million!
I will leave you to do the maths on 2005.
Oh and of course these accounts included the detail that 3000 Rangers fans had joined David Murray in participating in the November ’94 share issue where the club managed to raise £51,430,995 in fresh capital most of which was provided by Mr Murray… sorry I mean MIH ….. sorry that should read Bank of Scotland …… or their shareholders……. or should that be the public purse?
The notable items in the 2006 accounts included the announcement of a ten year deal with JJB Sports to take over the merchandising operation of the club and increased revenue from an extended run in the Champion’s League. However, the profit before tax was declared at only£0.1 million in comparison to the £12.4 million of the year before but then again that £12.4 million had included player sales of £8.4 million and the £15 million sweety bonus from the repurchase of ones own former subsidiary shares for £1.
Jumping to 2008 Rangers saw a record year in terms of turnover which had risen to £64.5 million which enabled the company to record a profit on ordinary activities before taxation of £6.57 million although it should be pointed out that wages and bonuses were up at 77% of turnover and that a big factor in the Rangers income stream was corporate hospitality and the top line of income was shown as “gate receipts and hospitality”.
However, 2009 saw a calamitous set of figures. Whilst Alastair Johnston tried to put a brave chairman’s face on it, the year saw an operating loss of £17.325 million which was softened only by player disposals leading to a loss before taxation of a mere £14.085 million.
Fortunately Sir David did not have to report these figures as he chose to stand down as chairman in August and so Johnston stepped in and announced that he was deeply honoured to do so.
In 2010, the income stream jumped from £39.7 million to over £56 million with the result that the club showed a profit before taxation of £4.209 million.
However, by that time the corporate hospitality ticket that was Rangers Football Club was done for as a result of matters that had nothing to do with events on the football field in the main.
First, the emergence of the Fergus McCann run Celtic had brought a real business and sporting challenge. This was something that Murray had not previously faced in the football business.
Second,the Bank of Scotland had gone bust and Lloyds could not and would not allow Murray to continually borrow vast sums of money on the basis of revalued assets and outrageous hospitality.
Third, the UEFA fair play rules came into being and demanded that clubs at least act on a semblance of proper corporate governance and fiscal propriety.
Lastly,Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs tightened up the law on the use of EBT’s which meant that Rangers could no longer afford to buy in the players that brought almost guaranteed success against domestic opposition.
On average, since 2002 Rangers PLC had lost between £7 million – £8 million per year – or roughly £650,000 per month if you like – yet for the better part of a decade David Murray had been able to persuade the Bank of Scotland that this was a business that was worthy of ever greater financial support or that he himself and his MIH business was of such value that the Banks should support him in supporting the Ibrox club whilst operating in this fashion.
Of course, had Murray’s Rangers paid tax on all player remunerations then the losses would have been far larger.
Meanwhile, all the other clubs in Scottish football who banked with the Bank of Scotland faced funding cuts and demands for repayment with the bank publicly proclaiming that it was overexposed to the football market in Scotland.
But no one asked any questions about why the bank should act one way with Murray’s club but another way with all others. No one in football, no one in the media and no one from the world of business.
Looking back,it is hard to imagine a business which has been run on such a consistent loss making basis being allowed to continue by either its owners or by its bankers. However, a successful and funded Rangers was so important to the Murray group that David Murray was clearly willing to lose millions year after year to keep the Gala dinners and corporate hospitality going.
Rangers were Murray’s big PR vehicle and the club was essentially used by him to open the doors which would allow him to make more money elsewhere on a personal basis and if it meant Rangers cutting every corner and accumulating massive losses, unsustainable losses, then so be it.
Today, the new regime at Ibrox run the current business in a way which clocks up the same colossal annual losses whilst the club competes outwith Scotland’s top division. Each day we hear that the wage bill is unsustainable, that the playing staff are overpaid, that the stadium needs massive investment and that the fans are opposed to the stadium itself being mortgaged and the club being in hawk to lenders.
Yet, in the Murray era the Stadium was revalued time and time again and its revaluation was used as the justification for ever greater borrowing on the Rangers accounts. The playing staff were massively overpaid and financially assisted by the EBT’s and most years the Chairman’s annual statement announced huge losses despite regular claims of record season ticket sales, record hospitality income, European income, shirt sponsorship and the outsourcing of all merchandising to JJB sports instead of Sports Direct.
The comparison between the old business and the current one is clear for all to see.
It should be noted, that since the days of Murray, no major banking institution has agreed to provide the Ibrox business with any banking facilities. Not under Whyte, not under Green, not under anyone.
Yet few ask why that should be.
The destruction of the old Rangers business led those in charge of Scottish football to announce that Armageddon was on the horizon if it had not actually arrived, yet today virtually all Scottish clubs are in a better financial and business state than back in the bad old days of the Bank of Scotland financed SPL. Some have succumbed to insolvency, and others have simply cut their cloth, changed their structure, sought, and in some cases attracted, new owners and moved on in terms of business.
In general, Scottish Football has cleaned house at club level.
Now, David Murray has “cleaned house” in that MIH has bitten the dust and walked down insolvency road.
What is interesting is that the Murray brand still has that capacity to get out a good PR message when it needs to. Despite the MIH pension fund being short of money for some inexplicable reason, last week it was announced that the family controlled Murray Estates had approached those in charge of MIH and had agreed to buy some key MIH assets for something in the region of £13.9 million.
The assets concerned are land banks which at some point will be zoned for planning and which will undoubtedly bring the Murray family considerable profit in the future, with some of those assets already looking as if they will produce a return sooner rather than later.
However, what is not commented upon in the mainstream press is the fact that Murray Estates had the ability to pay £13.9 Million for anything at all and that having that amount of money to spend the Murray camp has chosen not to buy any football club down Govan way.
Perhaps, it has been realised that a football club which loses millions of pounds each year is not such a shrewd investment and that the Murray family money would be better spent elsewhere?
Perhaps, it has been realised that the culture of wining, dining, partying and entertaining to the most lavish and extravagant extent will not result in the banks opening their vaults any more?
Perhaps, it has been realised that the Rangers brand has been so badly damaged over the years that it is no longer the key to the golden door in terms of business, finance and banking and that running a football club in 2015 involves a discipline and a set of skills that David Murray and his team do not have experience of?
What is clear, is that the Murray years at Ibrox were not good for the average Rangers fan in the long term and that when you have a football club – any football club – being run for the private benefit of one rich individual, or group of individuals, then the feelings and passions of the ordinary fan will as often as not be forgotten when that individual or his group choose to move on once they have decided that they no longer wish to play with their toy football club.
David Murray did not make money directly out of Rangers Football Club. He used it as a key to open other doors for him and to get him a seat at other tables and into a different type of “club” altogether. He did not run the club in a day to day fashion that was designed to bring stability and prolonged financial, or playing, success to the club. its investors and its fans. He did not preside over Ibrox during a period of sustained financial gain.
Mike Ashley will not subsidise 2015 version of Rangers to anything like the same extent that the Bank of Scotland did in the 90’s and naughties.
However, Ashley, like Murray, will use his control of the Rangers brand to open doors for him elsewhere in the sports retail market, and he will use the Rangers contract with Sports Direct to make a handsome profit. He will also control all the advertising revenue just as he does at Newcastle. In short, Mr Ashley is only interested in The Rangers with a view to using it as a stepping stone to achieve other things elsewhere.
However, don’t take my word for any of this, take the opinion of someone who knows.
Mr Dave King is quoted today as saying the following about the current board of Directors who are in charge of the current Ibrox holding company.
“History will judge this board as one of the worst the club has ever had. There is not one individual who puts the club above personal interest.”
That is an interesting observation from a man who became a non executive director of the old Rangers holding company in 2000 and who had a front row pew for every set of accounts and all the financial statements referred to above.
Whether or not Mr King is a glib and shameless liar is a matter of South African judicial opinion. Whether or not he can spot someone who puts their own self interest ahead of the interests of Rangers Football Club and the supporters of the club is a matter that should be discussed over some fine wine, some succulent lamb and whatever postprandial entertainment you care to imagine.
I wonder if he has ever read the accounts of Rangers PLC and compared them to the corresponding accounts of MIH for the same period?
The situation at Watford a couple of seasons back – ten, yes ten players on loan from Udinese
“Udinese have become a source of players for Watford as both clubs are owned by the Pozzo family, with 10 players making a loan switch between Stadio Friuli and Vicarage Road last season.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23374082
STV News 10 year old boy (Rangers fan) suffers cuts to face and broken teeth after being struck by a bottle thrown within his bus.
Whilst I would question the decision of any parent to take their child to such a game with all the hype behind it I find it utterly disgusting that supporters would attack a bus and throw a bottle inside injuring this child. I think it is the duty of any Celtic Supporter who witnessed this to report it to the police and the culprits caught. I also appreciate that there may have been provocation by others on the bus but it does not justify such atrocious behavior in response. I wish the young man a speedy recovery from his injuries.
tcup 2012 says:
February 2, 2015 at 5:52 pm
Rate This
I’m sure I read on here that part of the SD contract Was that any unsold merchandize had to be bought back at Full retail price
Could be wrong but if I’m correct that’s about 300k for the tops alone if its £40 a top
==================================================
How many “Getting to a Semi-Final” celebration t-shirts are left unsold? They are still on sale, possibly on offer to other clubs’ fans on the p*sstake. 😳
http://www.sportsdirect.com/rangers-league-cup-2015-t-shirt-mens-375155
I’m sure a slightly adulterated version will be on sale at the Barras next weekend, if it hasn’t already been done.
tcup 2012 says: February 2, 2015 at 5:52 pm
I’m sure I read on here that part of the SD contract Was that any unsold merchandize had to be bought back at Full retail price
Could be wrong but if I’m correct that’s about 300k for the tops alone if its £40 a top
=============================
You are out by a factor of 10. 75,000 shirts at £40 would be £3M.
According to the accounts the provision for unsold stock was £411,000 or approximately £5.50 a shirt.
Just catching up on the day’s transfer news. Good to see Aberdeen spending money in the market again and keeping what looks like a really good talent in Scotland. Kenny McLean looks a smashing player and Aberdeen seems an ideal place for him to go.
Not so good is to hear that 4 Newcastle players could be on their way to Ibrox on loan. Where does this dual influence end? Rangers can’t afford anyone and clearly these moves will be freebies. Is it to be allowed to escalate to players worth millions next season if Rangers get promoted? That simply wouldn’t be right.
Surely NUFC loaning Sevco four players proves beyond reasonable doubt that Mike Ashley has ‘any influence whatsoever’ at another club.
Hearts’ fans may or may not be losing any sleep given their advantage, but the clubs likely to be involved in the play offs should be disgusted at this latest bout of cheating and the ridiculous procrastination by the authorities in terms of addressing this problem. By the time they finally do pontificate, Sevco may already be several points better off as a direct consequence of these loans. Hibs et al should be shouting out.
upthehoops says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:34 pm
3 0 Rate This
Just catching up on the day’s transfer news. Good to see Aberdeen spending money in the market again and keeping what looks like a really good talent in Scotland. Kenny McLean looks a smashing player and Aberdeen seems an ideal place for him to go.
Not so good is to hear that 4 Newcastle players could be on their way to Ibrox on loan. Where does this dual influence end? Rangers can’t afford anyone and clearly these moves will be freebies. Is it to be allowed to escalate to players worth millions next season if Rangers get promoted? That simply wouldn’t be right.
————-
The SFA rules suddenly seem remarkably sensible — had it not been for the omnipresent ‘discretion’. Rivers will be diverted and mountains moved to accommodate the progress of Sevco Scotland’s renamed club. Can’t believe 4-5 (according to Sky) will come in without a proper manager in their wake.
Lovely to see Dorrans off to Norwich and Bannon to Bolton. The more match experience the better in a really important year for the national team.
Bryce Curdy says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:42 pm
————————————–
I’ve seen it suggested in Scotland you are not allowed to have more than two loan signings from one club. Surely the SFA won’t register all four if that’s the case?
upthehoops says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:47 pm
1 0 Rate This
Bryce Curdy says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:42 pm
————————————–
I’ve seen it suggested in Scotland you are not allowed to have more than two loan signings from one club. Surely the SFA won’t register all four if that’s the case?
================================================
There are limits on loans between Scottish clubs but no limits on international loans and Englandshire comes under the latter.
easyJambo says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:32 pm
2 0 Rate This
////////////////
Lol forgot a decimal place
Thank goodness I’m not a bean counter 😳
Danish Pastry says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:47 pm
==
upthehoops says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:34 pm
Lovely to see Dorrans off to Norwich and Bannon to Bolton. The more match experience the better in a really important year for the national team.
=============================
Looking forward to seeing Dorrans in action in NR1 next weekend, assuming he’s fit enough.
Looks like Stuart Armstrong and Gary MacKay Steven will both be Celtic players tonight. There will be arguments about weakening the opposition, but at least the money stays in Scotland.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31099950
“Newcastle’s Gael Bigirimana on Rangers’ loan radar”
Has the radar surrounding Ibrox been recalibrated since KJ used it to detect the wealth of a previous incumbant of the Blue Room?
If not, it could register highly on the moonbeams detector instead. :slamb:
upthehoops says
And in direct contrast to the MO of Sevco’s predecessor both of them are likely to get a game from time to time so what’s not to like
On a separate point Twitter is full of posts asking fans to shop the moron that hit the wee boy with a bottle -scumbag
OK
What was the total cost of that operation at the weekend?
I’m guessing somewhere north of the income.
So who pays?
The other clubs by reduced SPL moneys?
upthehoops says:
February 2, 2015 at 7:59 pm
Looks like Stuart Armstrong and Gary MacKay Steven will both be Celtic players tonight. There will be arguments about weakening the opposition, but at least the money stays in Scotland.
——————————–
Obviously the Parkhead bench must be getting cold again.
Meanwhile according to Auntie Beeb “Rangers are hopeful of concluding loan deals for four Newcastle players before the midnight transfer deadline in Scotland. Gael Bigirimana, Haris Vuckic, Kevin Mbabu and Remie Streete are the players involved. Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has recently agreed to lend Rangers £10m.
And half a team by the sound of it…”
If i remember right CG once said there would be loan players coming from Newcastle. Way back then how did he know?
I read this as the bottle being thrown from inside the bus (ie. by a passenger aboard the bus) otherwise it should be a bottle “thrown into the bus”
Edit: read the article. No place for that in a civilised country.
Stunning. Sat: Dundee Utd qualify for the League Cup final. Sun: Celtic qualify for the League Cup final. Mon: Celtic’s money deprives Utd of two key
players. That sucks.
The key questions on the loan players is who is paying their wages and how do we know?
If you cannot afford new signings clubs do without.
If they want to meet a players wage to reduce the cost of that player to another club that is the usual transaction, but if the contribution is nil or nominal then Newcastle are subsidising TRFC.
I think the clubs who might be disadvantaged by free or low cost loans might have a point to make.
Newcastle fans might also want assurances that any “subsidy” is not being paid by them and is coming from MA’S pocket.
Even if there is a reasonable contribution being paid by TRFC how do we know that some under the counter arrangement to reduce the contribution is not part of the arrangement?
It’s not as if you can trust the guys running TRFC or the SFA.
All of the foregoing is good reason why MA should not be allowed any influence on TRFC ‘ S Board in any shape or form.
Let his philanthropic side come out and let him give his wealth away. HIS wealth not other people’s money.
With the news from Sky, still to be confirmed, that Newcastle are to loan five players to a club described by it’s Chairman as being in a “perilous” condition, a club struggling to pay existing wages, dependent on Wonga-style loans to remain in business and with a lender – owner of Newcastle – facing a hearing before the football authorities over dual ownership/undue influence over RIFC/TRFC, will the SFA refuse to accept these player registrations?
They certainly SHOULD refuse to accept these registrations until AFTER the upcoming hearing is concluded and results issued.
Otherwise RIFC/TRFC will gain demonstrable sporting advantage over clubs competing against them on what is clearly not a level playing field.
Scottish Football needs the footballing authorities to act without fear or favour to stop a scandalous distortion of competition.
Spot the Porky
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
23 January 2013 ·
Update from Charles Green meeting with fans today.
The Bluenose – Rangers Supporters Assembly
Details from tonights meeting with Charles Green, 23/01/2013.
Charles Green talks about all other big stadiums in Europe are already renamed or will be renamed, in his opinion.
Charles Green says he would take the cash for renaming Ibrox.
Charles Green says no deal has been done but Sports Direct are leading contenders
Charles Green praises fans for support so far.
Hampden reminds Charles Green of Broadmoor lol
Charles Green is happy to discuss 1, 2 , 5 year deals etc but isn’t going to accept any daft offers due to us being in SFL3.
West end true blues rep asks “can you give assurance that Ibrox will stay in name?”
Charles Green says that he agrees Ibrox should stay in the name.
Charles Green staying at Rangers until he retires at 70 unless he is removed from board by fans.
Charles Green says his wage is less than half of what Martin Bain got.
Charles Green has had phonecalls from investors wanting to buy 2-3million shares today.
Kinning Park Loyal ask “do we require the 1.5million investment for Ibrox renaming?”
Charles Green says ” all figures are nonsense, all paper talk. We are only going to do 1 year deals at a time”
Charles Green says we will not waste a penny on players like Flo which has happened in past.
Duff and Phelps have contacted Charles Green to move to 3 other clubs. He is willing to show a fan in audience the email on his phone.
Stoke on trent RSC “can we have planning restrictions to avoid seat colour change, billboards etc”
Charles Green says seat colours won’t change, along with the other inside fixings. The badges/logo’s are untouchable.
Charles Green says all history will be preserved.
Boness true blues ask “how much does Charles Green think 1 year deal is worth?”
Charles Green says it is only worth what someone is willing to pay
Charles Green says if someone offers 3 million without Ibrox in the name he would reject.
Charles Green says when we were in SPL he has parties interested in shirt and stadium sponsorship but not while we are in SFL3.
Charles Green says as we go up and up the offers will get much bigger.
Charles Green says 9000 Rangers fans didn’t renew and if they try to come back next season we will have to build extension lol
Charles Green says Ibrox might not end up renamed
Calderwood RSC ask” what do club think will happen with reconstruction?
Charles Green says fan chose to go to SFL3 and work our way up, so thats what plans still are.
Charles Green says however if the authorities alter the leagues we won’t get a vote to decide as he won’t be going as he is happy in SFL3
Charles Green believes we will win league by 1st weekend in March.
Charles Green says authorities are looking at 14 14 14 setup
Charles Green reckons SFA won’t make a decision until 4 days later when the football league have their meeting
Charles Green believes when he leaves Rangers we will NOT be playing in Scotland!!!
Charles Green invited Union Bears to come talk to him and nobody showed. He says his door is always open to fans and their questions.
Charles Green asked Mike Ashley if we can buy/loan Newcastle players in future. Talks still ongoing.
Calderwood RSC ask “are the club at present operating in profit?”
Charles Green says “no as we have very high running costs. Various staff etc that didn’t get paid off when we moved to SFL3″
Charles Green says he was willing to keep the core staff as we will need them by the time we are back at top.
Charles Green says he could make profit by Friday but it would be a blood bath.
Jim Trainor reckoned we would have only made £10mil on share plan.
Within 2 weeks we will know who shirt sponsor and makers are.
Charles Green says if fans can beat a stadium rename offer he will kick any other offer out.
Nothing about kit deals yet.
Charles Green says Rangers will never go bust unless supporters stop coming
Charles Green says next year Rangers will be running at a profit.
Charles Green says RangersTV could become very important in near future.
Charles Green only agreed fan boycott of Tannadump because he listens to the fans.
Charles Green says there is many points in place to check any board member is legit and not going to damage Rangers now and the future.
Charles Green is having a book wrote by Traynor and he will talk about EVERYTHING that has happened at Rangers since he has been here.
Charles Green spoke very well. He has left the building. Jim Traynor taking questions now.
JIM TRAYNOR
Jim Traynor reckons more has to be done in press to defend Rangers.
Jim Traynor reckons we are in a fantastic position to bounce back to the top with Charles Green in charge.
Kinning Park Loyal ask Jim Traynor ” what brings you to Ibrox? Salary?”
Jim Traynor says he is an Airdrie fan, 10 months ago he had no idea he would be here, he didn’t like how the Daily Record was going.
Jim Traynor says yes money is good but he thought he could improve media side of club.
Auldheid says:
February 2, 2015 at 8:29 pm
1 0 Rate This
The key questions on the loan players is who is paying their wages and how do we know?
If you cannot afford new signings clubs do without.
If they want to meet a players wage to reduce the cost of that player to another club that is the usual transaction, but if the contribution is nil or nominal then Newcastle are subsidising TRFC.
I think the clubs who might be disadvantaged by free or low cost loans might have a point to make.
===========================================
Auldheid – I doubt any Scottish club (including Celtic) pays the full wages of any player on loan from the EPL so Rangers won’t be alone in receiving this sort of ‘subsidy’.
Gym Trainer says:
February 2, 2015 at 8:21 pm
I did ponder on how best to describe the incident, but basically it is alleged a crowd broke onto the bus and hurled a bottle at those within the bus striking the boy.
The Cat NR1 says:
February 2, 2015 at 7:28 pm
1 0 Rate This
Looking forward to seeing Dorrans in action in NR1 next weekend, assuming he’s fit enough.
——–
Nice. Footballers should be playing football not sit around excess to requirements. Oops, Barry Bannan (not Bannon 😳 )
Hopefully, they’ll be playing every week.
So much for a competitive league as Celtic buy two of our best players mid season. Very disappointed. I know we are a selling club (aren’t we all) but we were still in with a shout in all three domestic competitions. I’m just one of many gutted United fans tonight.
rabtdog says:
February 2, 2015 at 8:21 pm
I’m all for 1 transfer window as it does seems unfair that the stronger club can easily weaken the smaller clubs in the run in. Old Rangers and Celtic always did it but the good players stay in Scotland.
Taysider, i do believe Dundee united buy players as well and weaken those clubs. Your board is at fault if they have not lined up replacements.
I am writing this based on your comment, i have not checked to see if the players have left yet.
parttimearab says:
February 2, 2015 at 8:40 pm
Auldheid – I doubt any Scottish club (including Celtic) pays the full wages of any player on loan from the EPL so Rangers won’t be alone in receiving this sort of ‘subsidy’.
——————————–
The EPL is awash with Murdoch’s and BT’s money. It’s not just the ridiculous transfer fees and wages, it’s the bloated squads. My own team Chelsea have 30 players out on loan right now. That’s just 😳
Clubs have scouting systems with huge budgets stockpiling young talent from the UK, Europe, Africa and even Asia. The whole thing is obscene.
If a Scottish club can strike an adventageous deal with an EPL club and add a useful player at the same time getting some or all of the wages played then that could be considered a mutually beneficial arrangement.
But it is why there should be rules. If NUFC stockpile young talent (cheaper than buying established players in the transfer window), loan them to a subsidiary team, (artificially boosting the subsidiary team) and take back the cream when proven…..
Well then that is riding a coaches and horses through any sense of sporting fairness. If NUFC/TRFC go through with this and get away with it then just what is the point?
Hopefully won’t happen but not holding my breath.
MaBaw says:
February 2, 2015 at 9:02 pm
We have brought in players mid season but none obviously weakening a rival, certainly not one we are playing in a cup final in a few weeks time! As I say, I know we are all selling clubs although I’m not sure United really wanted to do this (there are of course three elements in every deal). Really though Celtic’s money has given them a bigger advantage in the cup final as well as other domestic competitions. Wondering how I would feel about this if I was a Celtic fan.
Just to add if TRFC sprinted the Championship with 6 on loan Newcastle players and it WAS within the rules presumably that would also be OK. After all, where else do you draw the line?
Has Uncle Mike played a blinder with these player loans? I can see him going from zero to hero with the fans, this is something that King and the three bears can’t come close to matching. The small shareholders now have to think very carefully before backing King at any egm. Uncle Mike might take the hump, and take his shiny stars back to Newcastle.
As for the SFA, is this Mike giving the choke chain a good hard tug? If the SFA refuse to register these loans, cue social unrest, never mind legal action.
If they do register them, where does that leave them with Ashley’s hearing? Plus expect uproar from the rest of the championship clubs.
Ogilvie will be torn between looking after the playing side of his pet club, and looking after the interests of the Real Rangers Men.
Sadly, my gut feeling is that Hibs will soon very much regret acquiescing in Ogilvie’s re-election almost 2 years ago.
If Celtic sold Virgil Van Dijk now I would feel the same but I would blame the board because they would have known that they would sell during this window and should have ensured a replacement was lined up.
not quite the same as someone who should not influence a club, supplying half a team. I did wonder why the SFA postponed their meeting with MA until after the transfer window.
MaBaw says:
February 2, 2015 at 9:36 pm
No not quite the same but if both were within the rules under what rule do you decide one is right and one is not.
My judgement on Stephen Thompson is suspended until I hear why we have decided to sabotage our season (maybe he didn’t have much choice).
jambocol1874 says:
February 2, 2015 at 2:51 pm
71 1
Now while McCulloch may not be the player he was and slow to boot, he appears to be the one player apart from maybe Lee Wallace holding that team together.
But it was as sure as hell not fair on the Celtic supporters yesterday and Raith Rovers and Hibs in the next couple of weeks.
And I would have said the same if Scott Brown’s tackle on Black had been a bit worse, but it was a yellow card offence.
And Jim Goodwin and St. Mirren can feel aggrieved too.
This needing to officiate a Glasgow derby, or any derby game differently is cheating the other teams.
Mind you there is still 24 hours for the Compliance Officer to do the right thing.
——————————
I won’t hold my breath. I believe that if no one contacts the SFA with a direct complaint over the incident he will not take any action. I haven’t seen the match so can’t really comment.
Recently on two separate occasions players from my own club were offered and accepted 2 and 3 match bans respectively after their actions were highlighted by various pundits on sportscene. At the time I was unhappy at the way this came about but came to accept that increasingly this is the way things were going however, it has to be the same for all clubs.
In recent months a number of players from the Govan club have been caught on camera committing misdemeanors and yet none of them to my knowledge have been dealt with by the compliance officer. But then again I don’t suppose those would be discussed at any great length on the evening show…
If RFC can sign 5 players on loan now, whats to stop them replacing the 12 players out of contract with 12 loaned players in July ?
upthehoops says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:34 pm
29 4
Not so good is to hear that 4 Newcastle players could be on their way to Ibrox on loan. Where does this dual influence end? Rangers can’t afford anyone and clearly these moves will be freebies. Is it to be allowed to escalate to players worth millions next season if Rangers get promoted? That simply wouldn’t be right.
——————————
Yet another scheme which allows an Ibrox squad to be enhanced by the use channels that are unavailable to others. The SFA will do nothing but, there again, if the clubs themselves happily accept the undermining of their own promotion chances then what else is to be done.
I am still completely mystified by the apparent unwillingness of any club to challenge the underhanded dealing that is taking place in Scottish football.
rabtdog says:
February 2, 2015 at 8:21 pm
49
9
Rate This
Stunning. Sat: Dundee Utd qualify for the League Cup final. Sun: Celtic qualify for the League Cup final. Mon: Celtic’s money deprives Utd of two key
players. That sucks.
—————————————————————
It sucks alright Rab, but I can live with this it has never been different. Speaking of things not changing, what I find a little more disturbing is the fact that our key player, Nadir Ciftci will sit out the final for two fairly innocuous incidents over 2 different ties, yet a key player for Celtic, Scott Brown can leave the boot in all over the park for 90 mins and will still lead out his team in the cup final. But thats ok cos Elbows did worser? No Old Firm advantage…..aye right, in any other game red cards would be shown, but the bully boys in the stands must not be left suffering a sense of injustice…social disorder and all that…pathetic wee country sometimes it really is!
Partimearab
Indeed but my point is the loan is usually for the financial benefit of the lending club as the contribution lowers the wage bill.
That the player may benefit is also a consideration but freeing up or lowering the wage bill is what motivates the lending club.
If there is no or only a nominal contribution in the case of NU loaned players then that is for the benefit of the receiving club and that gives a club with an owner with a foot in two camps and advantage other clubs cannot enjoy.
If a loaned player is on say 5k a week and the borrowing club makes no contribution they get a financial advantage over their competitors. If it’s 4x£5k that is £20k a week which the other clubs cannot access.
It is to avoid this very situation that you have dual ownership rules.
I’d be amazed if TRFC ‘ S rivals accepted a wage free loan to TRFC. It is not what loans were meant to be for but it’s the unforeseen consequences of dual ownership.
Another big test ahead for our game as an honest sport.
This arrangement might be for that purpose
Jackson:
SFA unamused by tonight’s Sports Direct bulk Ibrox delivery. Suspect it will be considered as an ‘aggravating factor’ by judicial panel.
Hadn’t seen Phil’s latest. Apologies if posted. Some mind-boggling figures if RRM want to prize the assets away from those who’ve currently got their paws on them:
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/the-cost-of-saving-sevco/#more-5815
On the Armstrong/McKay-Steven thing. I think the coincidence of Dundee Utd being in the final against Celtic compounds the matter somewhat.
I do think it is unfortunate because the move will potentially diminish the League Cup final as a competition and a spectacle, and I think both Celtic and United know this.
Still though, all parties agreed to the transfer. Celtic might have possibly, in the light of United’s qualification for the final, come over all Corinthian and postponed moves for the player. United might also have told them where to go. I don’t think the motivation for the transfers was the Cup Final either, but I can understand the frustration of Arab fans. I well remember how devastated when Macari, Dalglish and Hay went south.
how come they weren’t sent up in time for the greatest game ever ?
Taysider
I’m delighted Celtic got Armstrong and GMS in now as it means that if we qualify for CL qualifying rounds we will not be scrabbling about introducing new players to each two days before a game.
The signings which I like because I like the way both guys play the game also tells me Celtic are learning how to reduce the risk of CL qualification in the summer.
I know how I felt in 1977 when Liverpool signed Dalglish so have an inkling of how Dundee Utd fans feel.
It is also the bad luck of football fate that our two teams reached the final and the signings on paper weaken Utd.
But Celtic lost to a weaker Killie and Hearts in the LC and by the time the game comes supporters will remember games like that.
So pleased as a Celtic supporter to get two players I rate highly but sorry about the circumstances.
Just thinking aloud…
To expand on the loan players scenario, would there be a problem if ALL the players at TRFC were NUFC loan players ?
i.e. rather than being a feeder club, TRFC would be the de facto ‘NUFC Reserve Team’ getting match practise and experience ?
Even TRFC youth players could be developed at the NUFC academy: and no need for Murray Park.
Logistically, it wouldn’t be too difficult with Newcastle ‘just down the road’.
And to extend the ‘virtual merger’ further.
What if TRFC ‘outsources’ all its internal ticketing, marketing, back-office operations etc. to NUFC ?
Should save a chunk of costs for TRFC – and earn some more dosh for Ashley ?
upthehoops says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:47 pm
===
Bryce Curdy says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:42 pm
————————————–
I’ve seen it suggested in Scotland you are not allowed to have more than two loan signings from one club. Surely the SFA won’t register all four if that’s the case?
=====================================================
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/resources/documents/SFAPublications1/ScottishFAPublications2014-15/Handbook%202014-15.pdf
Section 62 on page 113 states
“Nothing in these Regulations shall have the effect of imposing any limit on the number of Players a Club shall be permitted to have Scottish FA Registered and/or League Registered with that Club at any time or over any period of time on the basis of a temporary transfer where such temporary transfer has required, in order for it to take place, the issue of an International Transfer Certificate in accordance with the FIFA Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players for the time being and all such Players for whom such certificate was so required shall not count towards any of the limits specified in these Regulations on the numbers of Players who may be Scottish FA Registered and/or Registered with a Club on the basis of a temporary transfer at any time or over any period of time.”
Ashley is simply taking advantage of the vacuum in governance at the core of the game in Scotland. Scottish football died when SEVCO played Brechin. Ashley is feeding on its remnants. The SFA cannot act. It has successfully emasculated itself, and has neither the capacity nor the will to grow a pair.
Huge sympathy for United losing two key players mid season.
For me, the interesting aspect in the bigger picture may be that it indicates a shift in Celtic signing policy, where the unknowns from European lesser leagues are proving more miss than hit of late, are losing favour and young Scottish talent is being preferred. If so, whilst this is a sore one for United, it may at least keep more money in the Scottish game.
Had Celtic not been interested, then it is likely that both players would have gone anyway, and have been lost to the Scottish domestic game.
Memo, in no particular order, to:-
(S)DM; RRM; SMSM; SFA; DK; The 3 Bears; What’s left of TRFC Board pre-Ashley
Game, set and match to Uncle Mike!
egm? What egm?
Petersen Leigh says:
February 2, 2015 at 10:51 pm
Rate This
Speaking as a Dundee United fan, this is the lowest I’ve felt with regards to an outbound transfer since Duncan Ferguson went to Rangers. At least when Gauld and Robertson left we didn’t have the prospect of facing them in a cup final (which is usually a heartbreaking experience for United fans anyway) a few weeks later. Wee bit gutted tonight 🙁
===================================
Both players are cup-tied and so will not be appearing against Dundee United in the final.
However, they both should be in action the following Saturday as the two sides are due an immediate rematch in an SPFL match at Celtic Park.
We have gone from a European final in Hampden in 2007 to fast forward a few years to the ‘leadership’ that is Regan Ogilvie and Doncaster.
A national stadium that was not capable of holding any game of football, no sponsorship and a group of leaders who remain silent as the farce that is our game continues. A disgrace.
According to the record:
“Gael Bigirimana, Melingo Kevin Mbabu, Shane Ferguson, Haris Vuckic and Remie Streete all confirmed on loan until the end of the season at Rangers from Newcastle United.”
The question is. Who’s paying the wages? Are TRFC getting subsidised players or is MA lending them money to help subsidise the NUFC wage bill?????
It looks like Tony Andreu may be joining Alex Neil and Frankie McAvoy in making the move from Hamilton Accies to NCFC.
If it happens, a fee of somewhere in the £1M region will be heading to New Douglas Park.
I am unsure if the player is jetting into Norwich International Airport for talks, but there isn’t much time to complete a deal and get the medical done.
For me this TRFC / NUFC thing is up there with EBTs in terms of gaining an unfair advantage. Here is a club – on emergency life support. Hanging on to the vast majority of it’s current squad (recently only being paid through 11th hour loans) while bringing in 5 additional fringe EPL players on loan. Utterly shocking stuff.
Sympathies to our Arab friends. It’s always a sore one losing your better players to rivals in the league. Been there done that etc. Absolutely gutting. I imagine there will be a bit of a minor backlash on this one if results go south.
Auldheid says:
February 2, 2015 at 8:29 pm
1 0 Rate This
The key questions on the loan players is who is paying their wages and how do we know?
If you cannot afford new signings clubs do without.
If they want to meet a players wage to reduce the cost of that player to another club that is the usual transaction, but if the contribution is nil or nominal then Newcastle are subsidising TRFC.
I think the clubs who might be disadvantaged by free or low cost loans might have a point to make.
===========================================
Auldheid – I doubt any Scottish club (including Celtic) pays the full wages of any player on loan from the EPL so Rangers won’t be alone in receiving this sort of ‘subsidy’.
_____________________________________________________
Join the dots guys… isn’t it obvious?
The players wages will be the market rate and it will be sizeable. And they will be paid by Sevco.
The Money to pay these wages will be loaned by Mash to TRFC. In exchange for securitisation of assets of TRFC.
And it will be paid to NUFC. Owned by Mash.
In Summary, Mash is exploiting his own liabilities at NUFC to boost the value of TRFC to its investors, while funding the cost of this through additional loans that will net him a further claim on the few TRFCs assets that aren’t current mortgaged to him.
He is taking people who he would have to have paid wages to warm the bench, and using the money he pays them to grab a slice of Sevco.
He is turning a liability into an asset.
And if the new signings boost results and attendances and mean that TRFC have a greater chance of being promoted, he will have kicked their legs away with onerous contracts so he can acquire interests in them cheaply while they are distressed, then inflate the value subsequently – by adding genuine value that costs him nothing – thereby cleaning up.
And I can guarantee he will have done nothing illegal.
And the SFA are now in a bind.
They either man up (as if!) or bend over while Mash rams the barrel of his tanks up their Keith Jackson’s.
Expect them to adopt the narrative that this is ‘good for scottish football’ (on the basis that its good for the Ibrox club), and make do with the usual ‘gumming’ their regulatory panel reserves for the blue side of Glasgow.
The end game will be a d4e swap, with Mash owning a controlling stake in TRFC. This is inevitable. Because he has enough clout already to pull the plug at any time he likes. And – unlike the SFA – he has the cojones to do just that.
And everyone knows this.
Mash knows it.
SFA know it.
SPFL know it.
TRFC fans know it.
None of them want him to do this.
All of themn know he can.
All of them know he will.
All of them will lay down their weapons and kiss his ring.
Checkmate.
So expect the disciplinary conversation hearing to go along the lines of ‘You appear to have cocked a a blatant snook at our dual ownership rules, Mr Ashley…. or can I call you Mike, … what , no no… sorry sir, it won’t happen again. But Lord Nimmo Smith would like to know how much of a face saving slap on the wrist we are allowed to be seen to give you when he offers forth a verdict that entirely legitimises your rule breaking actions, but throws out a tiny crumb of finding you guilty of a minor technical infringement, rather than of riding roughshod over the letter of, , spirit of, and reason for the rules as constitued, sir?”
“Now, could we interest you in a secret agreement, in which you get to do whatever the hell you like, but we get to pretend that we stil have some authority over your actions?”
“Thankyou Sir.”
The Cat NR1 says:
February 2, 2015 at 7:28 pm
4
0
Rate This
Danish Pastry says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:47 pm
==
upthehoops says:
February 2, 2015 at 6:34 pm
Lovely to see Dorrans off to Norwich and Bannon to Bolton. The more match experience the better in a really important year for the national team.
=============================
Looking forward to seeing Dorrans in action in NR1 next weekend, assuming he’s fit enough.
====================================
Dorrans move may not have gone through, so looks to be staying at West Brom.
More positive news on the Tony Andreu deal though, as that seems to have gone through.
Danish Pastry says:
February 2, 2015 at 10:22 pm
===================================================
Nice round numbers.
I LOVE nice round numbers
We have been expecting an Ashley dividend for TRFC for some time. And yet it has still come as a surprise that they have cajones as big as meteors to transfer five players FOC from Newcastle.
Simple arithemtic dictates that these will be freebies. Common sense tells us that Ashley’s influence at both clubs is in play.
From a Premiership perspective this is a bit of a non-story, because these signings will have no bearing on the destination of the SPFL competitions (although the SC is another matter).
I wonder though what the Hibs (and maybe QoS) perspective is? Hearts are pretty much out of sight at the top, but if there is any quality in today’s Jamboree Bags, then the second promotion place race has just been doped up to Armstrong-esque levels.
It may be that the rules are such that any protest would be futile, but SFA are spectacularly falling down on the job if this gets the nod.
Every month something else happens when you think, “no, they wouldn’t would they?” But they keep on keeping on – and on.
MaBaw says:
February 2, 2015 at 9:58 pm
20
2
Rate This
If RFC can sign 5 players on loan now, whats to stop them replacing the 12 players out of contract with 12 loaned players in July ?
======================
Nothing it appears, as my extract from the SFA rulebook posted 10.34 states that there is no restriction on international clearance transfers.
So to get around financial fair play for European competitions, you could sign a team of players for one club and loan to another ? Does the club that loans players have to be a member of any league or football association ?
The timing of the arrival of the five freebies is interesting. Why not get them in a couple of weeks ago to bolster the squad for the LCSF?
Perhaps because that would have attracted “Ashley undue influence” headlines? Should we assume then that they thought it would be frowned upon if it was to influence a Celtic match, but that it didn’t matter so much if Hibs or QoS were the victims?
Of course that would imply that they felt at least some guilt about the practice.
Ball is in SFA’s court though. Mike can’t send the players back now – no matter what the SFA do to him 🙂
Are the five loanees to help ensure the play off spot or perhaps to enhance the likelihood of scottish cup success and the euro spot that would entail ?
Big Pink says:
February 3, 2015 at 12:16 am
3
0
Rate This
We have been expecting an Ashley dividend for TRFC for some time. And yet it has still come as a surprise that they have cajones as big as meteors to transfer five players FOC from Newcastle.
Simple arithemtic dictates that these will be freebies. Common sense tells us that Ashley’s influence at both clubs is in play.
From a Premiership perspective this is a bit of a non-story, because these signings will have no bearing on the destination of the SPFL competitions (although the SC is another matter).
I wonder though what the Hibs (and maybe QoS) perspective is? Hearts are pretty much out of sight at the top, but if there is any quality in today’s Jamboree Bags, then the second promotion place race has just been doped up to Armstrong-esque levels.
It may be that the rules are such that any protest would be futile, but SFA are spectacularly falling down on the job if this gets the nod.
Every month something else happens when you think, “no, they wouldn’t would they?” But they keep on keeping on – and on.
______________________________________________________
But who are they governing for BP, really?
That is the question.
Maybe Teflon Ogilvie IS the bestest football adminsitrator in the world?
“Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden Paw—
For he’s the master criminal who can defy the Law.
He’s the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad’s despair:
For when they reach the scene of crime—Macavity’s not there!
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,
He’s broken every human law, he breaks the law of gravity.
His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare,
And when you reach the scene of crime—Macavity’s not there!
You may seek him in the basement, you may look up in the air—
But I tell you once and once again, Macavity’s not there!
Macavity’s a ginger cat, he’s very tall and thin;
You would know him if you saw him, for his eyes are sunken in.
His brow is deeply lined with thought, his head is highly domed;
His coat is dusty from neglect, his whiskers are uncombed.
He sways his head from side to side, with movements like a snake;
And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake.
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,
For he’s a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity.
You may meet him in a by-street, you may see him in the square—
But when a crime’s discovered, then Macavity’s not there!
He’s outwardly respectable. (They say he cheats at cards.)
And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s
And when the larder’s looted, or the jewel-case is rifled,
Or when the milk is missing, or another Peke’s been stifled,
Or the greenhouse glass is broken, and the trellis past repair
Ay, there’s the wonder of the thing! Macavity’s not there!
And when the Foreign Office find a Treaty’s gone astray,
Or the Admiralty lose some plans and drawings by the way,
There may be a scrap of paper in the hall or on the stair—
But it’s useless to investigate—Macavity’s not there!
And when the loss has been disclosed, the Secret Service say:
It must have been Macavity!’—but he’s a mile away.
You’ll be sure to find him resting, or a-licking of his thumb;
Or engaged in doing complicated long division sums.
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,
There never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity.
He always has an alibi, and one or two to spare:
At whatever time the deed took place—MACAVITY WASN’T THERE !
And they say that all the Cats whose wicked deeds are widely known
(I might mention Mungojerrie, I might mention Griddlebone)
Are nothing more than agents for the Cat who all the time
Just controls their operations: the Napoleon of Crime!
Thanks to The Cat NR1 and his posting of the rules, but the issue surely isnt the number of players loaned but the dual interest in the decision making – and the SFA have already started the process of investigating MA & his companies’ roles so they can’t now avoid a ruling. Bear in mind that was before his extra financial loans secured against main assets, option on extra board members and now player loans with whatever financial arrangements are in place to pay for these new temporary players.
Will any new Brysonian logic be unveiled to show that everything is in fact fair and above board?
Will Hibs and QoS have the cojones to complain? Is there a procedure for them to use? Can they cite a possible breach of the SFA rules to force a judgement? We know us fans can’t!
Any word from our new compliance officer yet about sectarian singing? the assault by Elbows? increasing influence of MA?
Thought not.
My last rant is one echoing a previous post about the SFA referring / blaming the Hampden Co for the state of the pitch probably hoping that noone remembered that Regan and Ogilvie are directors of the Hampden Co.
Unbelievable.
It will be interesting to see what excuse the SFA come up with for allowing the obvious influence of Mike Ashley at Ibrox to continue. I can’t help but think that if Ashley is allowed to continue, then a letter to a certain Mr Platini at EUFA may be in order.
I wonder how the SFA would deal with an enquiry from there.
berrty says:
February 3, 2015 at 12:53 am
0
0
Rate This
It will be interesting to see what excuse the SFA come up with for allowing the obvious influence of Mike Ashley at Ibrox to continue. I can’t help but think that if Ashley is allowed to continue, then a letter to a certain Mr Platini at EUFA may be in order.
I wonder how the SFA would deal with an enquiry from there.
___________________________________________________
By the time any protest was heard in UEFA, it would be being presided over by ‘Campbell Ogilvie’, no doubt.
He has form!
bad capt madman says:
February 3, 2015 at 12:43 am
1
0
Rate This
Thanks to The Cat NR1 and his posting of the rules, but the issue surely isnt the number of players loaned but the dual interest in the decision making – and the SFA have already started the process of investigating MA & his companies’ roles so they can’t now avoid a ruling. Bear in mind that was before his extra financial loans secured against main assets, option on extra board members and now player loans with whatever financial arrangements are in place to play for these new temporary players.
Will any new Brysonian logic be unveiled to show that everything is in fact fair and above board?
Will Hibs and QoS have the cojones to complain? Is there a procedure for them to use? Can they cite a possible breach of the SFA rules to force a judgement? We know us fans can’t!
Any word from our new compliance officer yet about sectarian singing? the assault by Elbows? increasing influence of MA?
Thought not.
My last rant is one echoing a previous post about the SFA referring / blaming the Hampden Co for the state of the pitch probably hoping that noone remembered that Regan and Ogilvie are directors of the Hampden Co.
Unbelievable.
===========================
The transfers will require international clearance, so it isn’t just an SFA matter.
However, it does appear to be a direct challenge from MA to the SFA and their dual control regulations.
I’ve only heard of one of the players involved (Shane Ferguson) and in total the five players have played 9 minutes in the EPL this season.
Whether the FA takes an interest remains to be seen, but it seems unlikely given the huge numbers of EPL players on loan all over Europe.
I think there is still a question over the Streete loan. He has already played for Newcastle U21s and Port Vale this season.
Ben Arfa’s transfer to Nice was kyboshed because he had played with Newcastle U21s and Hull City earlier in the season.
Sounds a very similar situation. Nice appealed to FIFA about the transfer, but FIFA ruled that the U21 game was an official match.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2936776/Hatem-Ben-Arfa-set-leave-Nice-without-playing-game-French-appeal-against-FIFA-ruling-rejected.html
The wages of …Gael Bigirimana 18k per week or approx 220k for his loan spell…this does not include employers NI…health cover..etc etc..
The other 4 not sure…
Not bad for a club that is dependant on loans to pay the existing wage bill each month for their current squad of players…
So is he now using the club to assist in paying Newcastles wage bill?…even if the other 4 are on a combined equivalent of this player that is close to half a million off the Newcastle wage bill over the period?
This is not only an abuse of Scottish football…but it also opens a door way to abuse English football..
He can now manipilate the game in a number of ways…as I said weeks ago to have control over 2 clubs allows manipulation of finances…players…or as some might say…structural and financial doping..
I wonder how many of those players will actually get played and who will fancy a game at Cowdenbeath on a cold Tuesday night
Loan players are always a sore subject…I think if memory serves…Chelsea had something in the region of around 20+ players out on loan…
The Cat NR1 says:
February 2, 2015 at 11:12 pm
11
0
Rate This
Petersen Leigh says:
February 2, 2015 at 10:51 pm
Rate This
Speaking as a Dundee United fan, this is the lowest I’ve felt with regards to an outbound transfer since Duncan Ferguson went to Rangers. At least when Gauld and Robertson left we didn’t have the prospect of facing them in a cup final (which is usually a heartbreaking experience for United fans anyway) a few weeks later. Wee bit gutted tonight 🙁
===================================
Both players are cup-tied and so will not be appearing against Dundee United in the final.
However, they both should be in action the following Saturday as the two sides are due an immediate rematch in an SPFL match at Celtic Park.
======================================================================
A long day and emotional day led to a Keevinesque brainmelt, hence the deletion 🙂
This is what Charles Green was saying before the SFA allowed Mike his 10% cap.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19225698
Paulmac2
I reckon NU fans will start asking who is paying for they guys. Them or TRFC.
There full wage will not be met by TRFC but unless there is a reasonable contribution that could be topped by other clubs then the money is coming from NU coffers indirectly.
A bit of transparency on the loan share and who is paying what is required.
This arrangement undermines the integrity of the SPFL Championship.
If it results in promotion will there be a repeat with better players of better quality.
It is why dual ownership is frowned on.
Corrupt official says:
February 3, 2015 at 1:42 am
Look what else Green was saying on the same page. The downfall of Scottish football? How come only one club is in bother then!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19029573
Good morning…
MaBaw says:
February 3, 2015 at 12:32 am
8 0 Rate This
So to get around financial fair play for European competitions, you could sign a team of players for one club and loan to another ? Does the club that loans players have to be a member of any league or football association ?
………………………….
Isn’t this what Mad Vlad got away with for years with Hertz, Kaunas and the Hungarian team he “owned” ??
Definitely not “cricket” !