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?
Danish Pastry says:
February 25, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Dunno, I have noticed a hardening in attitudes towards the repealing/watering down of the OFBA over the last few months. The attitude of the SPFL has not gone un-noticed, by both politicians and Police Scotland. Further, Jim Murphy’s chasing of the Glasgow Man football vote has not, so far, yielded results. The ground may be shifting, straws in the wind and all that, but the Football Authorities may be heading towards a “Levinson Moment”, there may be a critical mass building, events may well create a situation, where almost without warning, the SFA/SPFL find that matters have been taken out of their hands.
Events, Dear Boy, Events
List of World Cup Winners
Uruguay
Italy
Germany
Brazil
England
Argentina
France
Spain
Biggest leagues in the world
England
Germany
Spain
Italy
France
Holland
Argentina
Brazil
Mexico
USA
What chances by 2022 these guys just club together and tell FIFA to GTF and sort out a wee high class alternative world cup.
One of them (bar England 🙂 ) are going to win it anyway.
wottpi says:
February 25, 2015 at 5:40 pm
Biggest leagues in the world
England
Germany
Spain
Italy
France
Holland
Argentina
Brazil
Mexico
USA
========================================================================
Would make so much sense. I think if Platini does not get the top job at FIFA he will try to float UEFA off from FIFA and invite selected others to join to create UMFA (U Monde FA)
Big Mike and the switcheroo Of
Switcheroo’s,class pure class
@ An Fear and BFB: The game at Bayview on Saturday was marred (in my opinion) by the “young team” spending the first 20-25 minutes doing nothing but hurling abuse at players both Clyde and East Fife. It was punctuated at one point by a shout of B***k b*****d. At that point, a Clyde fan got up and reported this to the stewards. Another three or four fans stood up and told them to quit the abuse and the foul language and actually support the team. A clyde director, in with his pals to enjoy the game had to go and speak with them too. After that, the shouts changed to encouragement and songs of support started.
It was the typical away-day youngsters (and one or two older ones) getting drunk and opening their mouths before engaging their brains. Happily, they were self-policed and it was turned around, but for that to happen you need to have people find that behaviour unacceptable and to have others back them up when they speak out. Otherwise it is seen as being ignored at best and condoned at worst.
Wrt the resignation of James Easdale – RST buying shares from Beaufort quite interesting – IIRC Beaufort act on behalf of BPH and Margarita.
Sandy Easdale defended them at the last AGM…
“they have nothing to do with Charles Green, Imran Ahmad or any other former directors. They are wealthy foreign entities. They have never been a problem or caused a problem.”
.. and the Easdales clout at Ibrox rested on their proxy shares.
Now they sell to a group implacable opposed to the existing board…beginning of exit strategy for BPH/Margarita ❓
parttimearab says:
February 25, 2015 at 6:47 pm
Now they sell to a group implacable opposed to the existing board…beginning of exit strategy for BPH/Margarita ❓
==============================
It’s hard to read it any other way. I think BHP/Margarita got their shares for a penny- if I’m right about that, then getting out at over 30p is a nice bit of business. Yet another cash extraction from the bears, though. Soon to be followed by another share issue if King wins at the EGM. This is all costing the bears a lot, and so far, most of their money has ended up in the Spivs’ pockets.
I hear lots of comment on SSB tonight re the SFA Compliance officer seeking a review of the penalty given to Steve Simonsen for betting. Fraser Wishart in particular was very animated in his protests.
Only thing he didn’t say was don’t you not think Rangers have been punished enough? Still a few minutes to go though.
As for Guidi and how the Premiership was hurting without them? What is this guy on and where do you begin?
easyJambo says:
February 25, 2015 at 3:43 pm
Celtic statement re today’s fine.
Does it go far enough given previous UEFA sanctions against the club?
———————————
Very weak, it’s time to call out these morons for what they are…. This is not the blog for me to vent my feelings on this matter but your point resonates with many Celtic fans I have spoken with.
As a Club, we are not (IMO) doing enough to deal with these idiots!
Craig Houston not enamouring himself to me on Sportsound.
I think he was the only person in the ground who didn’t hear the sectarian chanting 🙄
(To be fair, he didn’t deny it happened, just tried to imply that it can’t have been that extensive because he didn’t notice it 😯 !!!!)
Obviously he was in a part of the away support at the other end of the ground to the TV cameras, The referee etc.
Hmmm… Maybe he was in the BT TV commentary box with the rest of their pundits, then?
Or maybe he just thinks we button up at the back!
StevieBC says:
February 25, 2015 at 4:49 pm
I think the burning issue with this is is not just the annoyance, but the way player contracts are constructed. Does anyone know what these look like?
If players have a basic weekly wage (I know that’s what’s often reported but I can’t assume it works that way) then how are the clubs, any clubs, going to pay this if the seasons are shortened to accommodate the WC?
Maybe I’m not grasping the scale of what money could be pushed back to the national associations but With gate receipts being so important to the finances of all clubs, this has the makings of a true financial disaster.
As an aside, how ironic would it have been if this was the case some years ago when the SFA would have only distributed the monies shown on the contracts registered with them …
Can anyone shed any light on this? In other sports you will know what base salary players are on and how their bonuses are constructed, even if some incentives are not full public knowledge.
Perhaps I’m concerned over nothing and everyone (except SFA officials) is paid on an appearance basis?
Guidi ?????? Just why????
jimmci says:
February 25, 2015 at 7:27 pm
I hear lots of comment on SSB tonight re the SFA Compliance officer seeking a review of the penalty given to Steve Simonsen for betting. Fraser Wishart in particular was very animated in his protests.
Only thing he didn’t say was don’t you not think Rangers have been punished enough? Still a few minutes to go though.
As for Guidi and how the Premiership was hurting without them? What is this guy on and where do you begin?
_________________________________________________
Craig Houston’s logic on this:
Black’s offence was more serious and he got a 3 match ban.
So Simondson’s 2 match ban was fair enough! 😯
He said this without apparent irony!
erm… Craig: the whole reason for the change in the rules that made it possible for the compliance officer to appeal the judicial process – of which Simonson is the first example – was that Black’s punishment was self evidently so unduly lenient that the system actually had to be changed to limit any chance of an embarassing recurrence!
I mean … on what planet???
I now begin to understand how these people can entertain the notion that DCK is a FPP, though.
They are quite simply afflicted by a mushyness of the brain, which unfortunately seems to have spread to the entire regulatory system of scottish football!
If this guy purports to represent the decent moderate TRFC support, I really see no hope for them!
Saw an image of some of the stuff that is being sold off at Parma. They don’t have Duff & Phelps in Italy, apparently.
The Italian club’s fate got me thinking of toppings for an Ibrox-themed Pizza. Lots of dough, obviously, and today, a plain Margarita with extra Parma ham, Green peppers and King Prawns done in a red brick govan (oven, surely?) with fresh Whyte mozzarella on top until an Ashley brown.
I’ll get ma coat.
futbol says:
February 25, 2015 at 7:42 pm
StevieBC says:
February 25, 2015 at 4:49 pm
Rather than repeat some of the above content, what caught my attention this morning was FIFA’s apparently belligerent refusal to offer compensation to the c.50 leagues affected by the proposed change of dates of the Qatar WC.
I think the burning issue with this is is not just the annoyance, but the way player contracts are constructed. Does anyone know what these look like?
===========================
…
Can anyone shed any light on this? In other sports you will know what base salary players are on and how their bonuses are constructed, even if some incentives are not full public knowledge…
===========================
I don’t know the ins and outs of player contracts, but I think it’s reasonable to assume that there are ‘probably’ no current professional players on a club contract that takes them through to the end of 2022.
Certainly not in Euro top leagues, but there could be some in other leagues ?
I think even top players are typically limited to a 5 year contract, so up to 2020.
So, there should be time to adapt contracts to accommodate the WC in Qatar and to deal with any ramifications to the domestic league players’ remuneration.
But are we missing something here ?
You would think FIFA would try to at least ‘consider’ leagues’ arguments, [and then dismiss them further down the line of course.]
But FIFA seems to be deliberately antagonistic, [and running out of time].
Does FIFA want to create so much fuss that Qatar loses the WC ?
i.e. FIFA did everything it could, but some of the top national leagues simply refused to comply ?
i.e. it wisnae oor fault ?!
There must some logic behind this latest Blatter PR mess…?
John Clark says:
February 25, 2015 at 2:44 am
essexb, whatever about Tom English…”and sacrifice that enabled him to graduate from Glasgow University to the institute of Chartered Accountants.”
Not quite sure what that actually means. Does one graduate to the Institute from Uni,or graduate from the Institute? Or is it the case that King dropped out of Uni, and then later dropped out of studying accountancy,without graduating as a qualified CA?
In other words, is the writer deliberatdly fudging in order to deceive people into believing that King is a qjualified accountant?
=====================================================================================
JC(e)…some probing questions in your own inimitable style… 🙂
ICAS membership requires a qualifying or relevant degree, followed by an “apprenticeship” (sic), now known as a training contract.
I have no particular interest in Mr King’s earlier career, but I can vouch for the fact that the ICAS membership register contains no entry for a “David Cunningham King”, based in Castlemilk, South Africa or any known location otherwise!
Message to any of the SMSM looking in
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-31624118
Figures falling rapidly year after year.
Not helped by your incompetence
Leeds United are making a decent fist this week of trying to be more barking mad than Rangers
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/feb/25/russell-crowe-leeds-united-supporters-group-llp
Not too long before the Ibroxians raise their game on that front though, I suspect
In the past week, three British football clubs found themselves down 0-2 at home against European opponents.
Two of those British teams would go on to lose their games. One British team fought back successfully to earn a draw.
Well done the representative from Scottish football.
re the chanting, while not absolving the SFA/SPFL/ScGov/Police or even our own clubs from their responsibilities,
for the avoidance of doubt it is intolerable that a club so fond of sometimes lengthy rambling statements of no import have chosen to remain silent. Compare and contrast with Chelsea
http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/02/club-statement-.html
and even Mourinho also commented on his own behalf.
So Messrs LLambias & McDowall why the silence? I’m sure you could have a PR company whip something up – try these local guys :
http://level5pr.co.uk/
Bill1903 says:
February 25, 2015 at 8:44 pm
Message to any of the SMSM looking in
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-31624118
Figures falling rapidly year after year.
Not helped by your incompetence.
=========================================
And the third highest selling Sunday paper is ‘The Sunday Post’ at 144K !
Even as a kid, apart from Oor Willie and The Broons, I couldn’t be bothered reading the ‘stories’.
They usually started with; “Wee Jeanie down the road…”, and invariably each article finished with an exclamation mark !
Has my memory been unkind to The Post: is it still mince ?
And who are these people buying it ? We should be told, etc. 😉
Is the breaking of the Simonsen story now a convenient squirrel to deflect attention away from the racism issue, and buy time ahead of the RIFC PLC EGM on March 6 when the MSM will be in full coronation reportage mode and the reporting vacuum will be filled?
The original decision was reported on 12 February, which was the day of the hearing, with the outcome being posted on the SFA website.
I was under the impression that an appeal had to be lodged with the SFA within five working days, so why the delay in reporting the appeal?
Superficially, it doesn’t seem fair on the player, even if the original sanction was farcical.
StevieBC says:
February 25, 2015 at 9:40 pm
You’re summary of the stories made me laugh.
Sadly (?) my parents still receive their weekly copy so I have had the misfortune of having had nothing else to read.
If anything it has got worse.
I am reminded of a sketch from Scotch and Wry where Rikki Fulton walks into the newsagents and asks for a variety of top shelf material, brazen as you like, then whispers in an embarrassed tone “and the Sunday Post”.
StevieBC says:
February 25, 2015 at 8:20 pm
Very good point, I hadn’t considered that. Let’s hope the parasites (agents) do not hinder that.
Perhaps they are going with the “you have (had) plenty of time” line. It’s easy to speculate on the prospect of the WC being moved and various backhanders being exposed as a threat but maybe it’s simply the complete lack of consideration of the implications on FIFA’s part (see original summer schedule).
Stevie BC at 9:40 pm
I seem to remember phrases in the Sunday Post like “makes you think,doesn’t it” and “overheard on a Fintry bus”. Or am I confabulating?
jambocol1874 says:
February 25, 2015 at 7:58 pm
Well Sportsound was …
———-
Was out driving late and had the podcast for company. It was interesting. What a list of embarrassing issues one club has to deal with. The SoS guy was a huge disappointment. As you say, not a lot of hope for any change if he gains any position of influence. On the up side, Tom English was quite forthright on the non-statement from Ibrox about the Raith singing, the betting stuff & King as non-FPP.
Hadn’t realised that these journos actually DO set their alarms for statement o’clock each day 😮
PS I always buy the Post when I’m over, but it’s only for the Oor Wullie nostalgia. Still buy the annuals annaw
Re Sunday Post
It’s a bit of an enigma.
When I was growing up in 70’s/80’s N Ireland everyone bought it.
I have lived in NW England for the past 25 years and am amazed at how easy it is to find the Sunday Post in most newsagents, and even in big supermarkets.
My mother in law, who has no Scottish connections whatsoever, continues to buy it every week. I have no idea how she ever got in the habit in the first place. It seems to have a big readership in Merseyside, which you can see in the letters pages.
My guess is that it holds a “People’s Friend” style look at the world, and appeals to a particular generation who like that traditional cosy (and often a bit backward) view.
It surely can’t be long for this world, than again it continues to buck all printed trends, so maybe they have inadvertently found a steady market niche
Danish Pastry says:
February 25, 2015 at 10:24 pm
…
PS I always buy the Post when I’m over, but it’s only for the Oor Wullie nostalgia…
=======
Aye, we believe you DP… 🙄
Tartanwulver says:
February 25, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Leeds United are making a decent fist this week of trying to be more barking mad than Rangers
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/feb/25/russell-crowe-leeds-united-supporters-group-llp
Not too long before the Ibroxians raise their game on that front though, I suspect
==================================
(OT) That brought back fond memories of this gem from back in 2011, which raised a few smiles here in NR1. These Australian billionaires are ten a penny.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15228212
resin-lab 7.45
“They are quite simply afflicted by a mushyness of the brain, which unfortunately seems to have spread to the entire regulatory system of scottish football!”
____________________________________________
At the risk of insulting cows, I’d say more like Mad Cows Disease.
As it does seem like a King victory is likely at the EGM for a bit of late night entertainment what chances that he will end up being saddled with
– £10m worth of loans (next tranche legitimately required to meet payroll and pay off fearful creditors) and the title deeds to Ibrox being used as security – could that be the reason Easdale junior jumped ship, not wanting to be seen as part of it??
– £10m worth of stadium repair contracts. Well the old girl is needing a face lift and the company/club is after all ‘eternal’ so its time someone bit the bullet and got on with it.
– Dodgy sqaud needing replaced and a company still loosing £8m per annum
– Various onerous contracts in favour of Uncle Mike squeezing the pips out any potential income stream.
As I say just a bit of late night fun, but who knows?
Let’s assume King has enough shares to win the EGM vote if it actually takes place next week
The Easedale bloc represents Spivs who own penny shares and Spivs who own both penny shares and onerous contracts
Beaufort Nominees have just sold 450k shares to the RST ahead of the EGM
Superficially
This suggests they are in the Spiv group who only own penny shares.
Since
If Beaufort also controlled onerous contracts they would have held out until they could get a payoff for giving up them up. that would bring in more money than selling the shares
However
The Easedale bloc will be up to speed with the intentions of Ashley and co since they had two people on the board all along
So it’s reasonable to assume that the Beaufort sale reflects some insider knowledge about an imminent event that makes it more attractive to sell now rather than wait until some post EGM date
Which begs the question?
What inside information has prompted this sale?
Options
Beaufort represented Ashley all along and he is clearing the decks for a cover up that prevents King and co discovering his role in the acquisition of the assets by Green
Or
Beaufort represent some non-onerous Spivs who have been tipped off about an insolvency event before 6 March. If so we can expect James Easdale to exercise any outstanding share options and sell out his shares now that he has left the RIFC. We may also see some selling of shares by other significant holders who have inside knowledge
My money is on Ashley and/or the Onerous Spivs calling in their debts in order to force a Prepack Liquidation of RIFC before 6 March
This would be immediately followed by the re-emergence of the Ashley (Sarver) saviour who would use Ashley’s money to compete with King for the purchase of the assets. The friendly Prepack Liquidator would favour the Ashley(Sarver) bid and the rest of the shareholders would lose the bulk of their investment
It’s all speculation of course
But we won`t have long to wait
Ashley loses the ability to pull the plug if he loses control of the Board So he has to act before 6 March
parttimearab says:
February 24, 2015 at 7:56 pm
Looks like the SPFL have decided that the best way to stave off Armageddon is to dig up the corpse of the Texaco cup….
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31611760
RIP I say.
========================================
Good grief.
English Championship clubs play 46 league games, of which ten are scheduled midweek. Add in the League Cup and FA Cup with possible midweek replays, and where are these added games supposed to be fitted in?
The phrase dead in the water springs to mind. I assume Doomcaster is involved in this, utilising his extensive experience of how not to run an English Championship football club.
However, there may well be a free month in late 2022 that could prove suitable for the occasion.
Just listened to tonight’s Sportsound podcast where Kenny McIntyre described tomorrow’s inter-Celtic match as a “massive ” match, I agree with him that it is a big game, bigger probably for Celtic than Inter would be my view, but it’s a big tie for both.
Then noticed that this massive game mention came in the 41st minute of a 49 minute podcast.
Amazing therefore that the travails of a Championship side took up the first 40 minutes.
Ah, good old BBC Scotland Sport.
jimmci says:
February 26, 2015 at 12:07 am
Just listened to tonight’s Sportsound podcast where Kenny McIntyre described tomorrow’s inter-Celtic match as a “massive ” match, I agree with him that it is a big game, bigger probably for Celtic than Inter would be my view, but it’s a big tie for both.
Then noticed that this massive game mention came in the 41st minute of a 49 minute podcast.
Amazing therefore that the travails of a Championship side took up the first 40 minutes.
Ah, good old BBC Scotland Sport.
___________________________________________________
Come now you are being churlish: This was a Sports ‘News’ broadcast, after all.
Celtic have been around since 1888 and Inter since 1908, so its all a bit old hat… old ground really.
Whereas the travails and tantrums of the 2 year old club, as it breaks its way from the obscurity of oblivion onto the business pages of the worlds media, embroiled in financial shananigans and sectarian controversy before its out of nappies?
Well, if that isn’t ‘news’, I don’t know what is!
‘coochy woochy …. did some bigger boys do it and runaway?…… Yezzz dey did!! ‘
Movement in the bunker.
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/311722-spfl-board-to-review-rule-book-after-recent-supporter-misconduct/
Extract from above
“The strong view of the SPFL board is that such behaviour has no place in Scottish football*. These events and the current regulations in this area will be reviewed and discussed in detail when the board meets in person at Hampden in March.” (*or in society as a whole, please)
Why wait until March?
Doesn’t this demand immediate action, Mr Nero (sorry, Regan)?
Oh sorry, I forgot that something more important is happening on March 6, by which time the new higher capacity carpets will have been fitted on the sixth floor.
EDIT. This story was not on the fanzine site
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers
Instead, I had to track it down via a link from newsnow.
Resin_lab_dog says:
February 26, 2015 at 12:16 am
jimmci says:
February 26, 2015 at 12:07 am
Just listened to tonight’s Sportsound podcast where Kenny McIntyre described tomorrow’s inter-Celtic match as a “massive ” match, I agree with him that it is a big game, bigger probably for Celtic than Inter would be my view, but it’s a big tie for both.
Then noticed that this massive game mention came in the 41st minute of a 49 minute podcast.
Amazing therefore that the travails of a Championship side took up the first 40 minutes.
Ah, good old BBC Scotland Sport.
___________________________________________________
Come now you are being churlish: This was a Sports ‘News’ broadcast, after all.
Celtic have been around since 1888 and Inter since 1908, so its all a bit old hat… old ground really.
Whereas the travails and tantrums of the 2 year old club, as it breaks its way from the obscurity of oblivion onto the business pages of the worlds media, embroiled in financial shananigans and sectarian controversy before its out of nappies?
Well, if that isn’t ‘news’, I don’t know what is!
‘coochy woochy …. did some bigger boys do it and runaway?…… Yezzz dey did!! ‘
=========================================
You forgot the sarcasm emoticon. 😆
Imagine if Celtic were playing Barcelona yet again?
It wouldn’t have even got that much of a mention, although the score in the dead rubber at the Camp Nou last season would have been mentioned more than once as a morale booster. :slamb: :irony:
The Cat NR1 says:
February 25, 2015 at 11:34 pm
parttimearab says:
February 24, 2015 at 7:56 pm
Looks like the SPFL have decided that the best way to stave off Armageddon is to dig up the corpse of the Texaco cup….
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31611760
RIP I say.
========================================
Good grief.
English Championship clubs play 46 league games, of which ten are scheduled midweek. Add in the League Cup and FA Cup with possible midweek replays, and where are these added games supposed to be fitted in?
The phrase dead in the water springs to mind. I assume Doomcaster is involved in this, utilising his extensive experience of how not to run an English Championship football club.
However, there may well be a free month in late 2022 that could prove suitable for the occasion.
__________________________________________
Ramsdens, Scottish Cup… Texaco…
Is Doncaster methodically working his way through the alphabet until he comes up with one that the ‘chosen club’ can win?
(I’ll put a tenner** on Sevco to win the Zanzibar*, while the odds are still good!)
*A cup competition the SPFL will be launching in 2018. Entry open to all senior clubs playing in Blue within a 10 mile radius of Glasgow.
** at the second attempt, obv
Resin_lab_dog says:
February 26, 2015 at 12:33 am
The Cat NR1 says:
February 25, 2015 at 11:34 pm
parttimearab says:
February 24, 2015 at 7:56 pm
Looks like the SPFL have decided that the best way to stave off Armageddon is to dig up the corpse of the Texaco cup….
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31611760
RIP I say.
========================================
Good grief.
English Championship clubs play 46 league games, of which ten are scheduled midweek. Add in the League Cup and FA Cup with possible midweek replays, and where are these added games supposed to be fitted in?
The phrase dead in the water springs to mind. I assume Doomcaster is involved in this, utilising his extensive experience of how not to run an English Championship football club.
However, there may well be a free month in late 2022 that could prove suitable for the occasion.
__________________________________________
Ramsdens, Scottish Cup… Texaco…
Is Doncaster methodically working his way through the alphabet until he comes up with one that the ‘chosen club’ can win?
(I’ll put a tenner** on Sevco to win the Zanzibar*, while the odds are still good!)
*A cup competition the SPFL will be launching in 2018. Entry open to all senior clubs playing in Blue within a 10 mile radius of Glasgow.
** at the second attempt, obv
===================================================
Given that DK will be jetting in from SA, wouldn’t the Zulu Kingdom Cup be more apt?
Although with the imminent arrival of the King, surely a resurrection of the Coronation Cup is called for?
Now that cup specialist Alistair has left the building to spend more time in the Capability Brown designed gardens, they couldn’t mess it up a second time, could they?
GoosyGoosy says:
February 25, 2015 at 11:21 pm
Let’s assume King has enough shares to win the EGM vote if it actually takes place next week
____________________________________________________
Serious question:
Is there any way Mash could accomplish the insolvency and asset transfer ahead of 6 march, leaving DCK and the bears holding and EGM on ownership of the indebted shell come 6th of March.
As biggest creditor he could appoint the administrator.
If the administrator was friendly, the pre pack could be in the bag.
Since – unlike Whytey- Mash will probably not have done anything illegal (on the basis that unlike Whyte, he played the game with his own poker chips)
In other words, could Mash be about to issue an object lesson to ‘TGEF/CW’ in ‘How to Do it properly’?
Look at what you could have won?
Ooh! Part of me wants to see this I don’t mind admitting.*
Its part of me I am not proud of, I’ll have you know.
But its part of me neverheless!
(* being beaten 4-1 in 2012 by a (now defunct) team that was insolvent but still managing to pay its players 10x what ours earned, and at taxpayers expense…. weelll … it hurts on many levels , and its wrong on a fair few more…. so a wee sly kick is something I’ll allow myself from time to time – especially given the (non existent) level of contrition that has been displayed! Sorry)
The Cat NR1 says:
February 26, 2015 at 12:31 am
Resin_lab_dog says:
February 26, 2015 at 12:16 am
jimmci says:
February 26, 2015 at 12:07 am
Just listened to tonight’s Sportsound podcast where Kenny McIntyre described tomorrow’s inter-Celtic match as a “massive ” match, I agree with him that it is a big game, bigger probably for Celtic than Inter would be my view, but it’s a big tie for both.
Then noticed that this massive game mention came in the 41st minute of a 49 minute podcast.
Amazing therefore that the travails of a Championship side took up the first 40 minutes.
Ah, good old BBC Scotland Sport.
___________________________________________________
Come now you are being churlish: This was a Sports ‘News’ broadcast, after all.
Celtic have been around since 1888 and Inter since 1908, so its all a bit old hat… old ground really.
Whereas the travails and tantrums of the 2 year old club, as it breaks its way from the obscurity of oblivion onto the business pages of the worlds media, embroiled in financial shananigans and sectarian controversy before its out of nappies?
Well, if that isn’t ‘news’, I don’t know what is!
‘coochy woochy …. did some bigger boys do it and runaway?…… Yezzz dey did!! ‘
=========================================
You forgot the sarcasm emoticon. 😆
Imagine if Celtic were playing Barcelona yet again?
It wouldn’t have even got that much of a mention, although the score in the dead rubber at the Camp Nou last season would have been mentioned more than once as a morale booster. :slamb: :irony:
_________________________________________________________________
Tx for the heads up.
Always been a bit hamsfisted with my emoticons.
Someone posted this new one through my letter box recently.
Apparently its the universal emoticon for ‘egregiousness’, whatever the heck that is!
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1242158080/SPROTSOUND_400x400.jpg
Just checking this weeks fixtures in my copy of sundays herald . . some results from the weekend caught my eye . .
Dalbeattie Star 2 – Gretna 2008 5
AFC Wimbledon 3 Luton 2 🙄 :slamb:
Raith Rovers 1 Rangers 2
The nomenclature used in 2 out of 3 cases is careful to distinguish between present day clubs and previous versions. .It holds in the published tables also . . BUT in the other case . . . WELL . . SPOT THE DIFFERENCE right enough ! !
Following the debacle surrounding the Lee McCulloch incidents earlier this month, there was some discussion on here concerning the role of the Compliance Officer and how/when/who could contact him.
I therefore had a look at the SFA website for some guidance and unable to find any, sent off an email to them politely seeking some clarification. Other than an automated response, I hadn’t received any response a week later.
I then sent the following:-
“Dear Sir/Madam,
1 week has now elapsed since I e-mailed you with a query regardiang the Compliance Officer and to which I have yet to receive a reply.
I am merely trying to establish the correct procedure and/or process involved in contacting the CO in the event I may wish to bring something to his attention.
My original e-mail (sent 10 February @ 15.20) was, I believe, succinct and polite and I can see no reason why I cannot have been afforded the courtesy of a response by now.
I would be grateful if you would look into this for me and look forward to hearing from you.”
Surprisingly, within a few hours I received the following response from a Mark Snell:-
“Apologies for the delay in responding to your email.
Matters can be referred to the compliance officer by any means. You can refer matters via email to: info@scottishfa.co.uk
Regards,
Mark”
Being a natural cynic I don’t believe I’d have got any reply unless I’d sent the second email, but it does go to show that if you persevere with them then there’s a fair chance you’ll get a response.
Furthermore, anyone wishing to make a complaint to the Compliance Officer now knows how straightforward it is.
Resin_lab_dog says:
February 25, 2015 at 7:57 pm
==================================
I have to say I am very concerned at how often the BBC are having members of Rangers fans groups on Sportsound. There is generally no real challenge to anything they say and in my opinion it is compromising the BBC who have a duty to represent all our interests, not just those of one group.
Up the hoops . .
Its like traynor never left . still there in spirit running the free rangers PR dept.. ?
certainly his proxy mcintyre is on message . . when Tom English did what pundits are there for and pitched a topic (the lack of response from rangers re sectarian songbook at raith) for further discussion and
Up the hoops . .
Its like traynor never left . still there in spirit running the free rangers PR dept.. ?
certainly his proxy mcintyre is on message . . when Tom English did what pundits are there for and pitched a topic (the lack of response from rangers re sectarian songbook at raith) for further discussion and response . . TUMBLEWEED blowing through the studio AGAIN . . :slamb:
BBC Sportsound 25/2/2014.
I got the distinct feeling that Tom English was terrified in the presence of the guy from the sons of struth TRFC fan group. He seemed to be walking on eggshells right up until they ditched the guy as they were going on to talk about Celtic. Why are the BBC so afraid of these guys? Why do the BBC pander to them? Also for the sos guy to say he never heard any sectarian singing at Raith game even though he was sat at the front is beyond belief. He admitted to hearing a few Stan Collymore songs but said they may have been different to what Mr Collymore himself had heard. This beggars belief but I am sure the BBC will no doubt wheel this guy out on a regular basis because he only has one viewpoint and it seems to be a perfect fit for the BBC in Scotland.
Here’s my thoughts on the power struggle at Ibrox – none of it comes from anything other than a gut instinct of how Mike Ashley works.
1. Ashley (or his proxy) will advance the additional £5m taking the debt to him to £10m at least partially repayable on (instant) demand.
2. King wins the EGM vote and takes his “rightful” (in his brain at least) place.
3. King’s Rangers then refuses to pay a bean towards the £10m
4. Ashley recalls his loans – with the threat of a winding up order.
5. King then has to crash the bus because he has no alternative.
Net result:
1. Ashley gets pretty much all of his dosh back
2. Rangers is banjaxed (again)
3. It was King that was at the wheel when it happened. (Good for Ashley’s PR where it matters – in the City, bad in Glasgow because it’s all his fault obviously)
Wonder how the fans would react in that scenario?
Lose-Lose Situation
Aren’t the RIFC board leaving it rather late to announce they have called down the second £5mil tranche of Mr Ashley’s loan facility. Could it be that the wages will be a bit late this month – and that when Mr King “wins” at the EGM his first job will be to reach his short arms to the bottom of his long pockets to pay the Ibrox workforce or face SFA sanctions – or of course he could agree terms with Mr Ashley over his “due diligence” clause which might undermine Mr King’s “win” somewhat.
“One more victory over the Romans and we will be ruined”, Pyrrhus of Epirus, 280 BC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhic_victory
Yerevan says:
February 26, 2015 at 2:48 am
——————————
While there is zero prospect that the Compliance Officer monitors this inbox himself I’m confident that whoever manages the info@scottishfa.co.uk will actually pass all complaints onto the compliance officer in a timely manner, without fear or favour.
I’m very confident of this.
It not like some office lackey could apply his own personal filter on what complaints are passed on and which are accidentally and mysteriously lost in the mail system.
In short I can’t take that response seriously, there should be a mailbox dedicated specifically to contacting the Compliance Officer.
upthehoops says:
February 26, 2015 at 7:11 am
———————————-
I gave up on Radio Scotland towards the end of last year, nearly every show seemed dedicated to pushing some Rangers agenda or another and at times they have a appear to have a studio full of Rangers fans discussing their hopes and dreams rather than anything else.
Journalistically speaking its extremely poor fare and as an entertainment show only really caters for fans of 1 club.
I wouldn’t mind if they’d have the decency to correctly name these shows as rangersound or whatever and save the rest of us the insult of purporting to cover Scottish Football.
On the odd occassion thoughts drift beyond Ibrox they don’t tend to get much further than a grudging discussion of another glasgow club.
It really is a terribly parochial show these days.
The last few times I tuned in I was treated to a full show discussing the old days with the likes of Charlie Miller. Charlie may be able to offer some valuable life lessons to listeners but IMO little or nothing of value to a football discussion – this is NOT the sort of thing Scottish football should be focused on. And of course the poor guy didn’t get a chance anyway with McIntyre stumbled over himself to get through the list of silly questions about the “golden age” of Scottish (Rangers) Football.
Well done one and all for keeping the site going. As a long time lurker I finally felt this month that I would join your merry band and subsequently signed up for a monthly subscription. Keep fighting the good fight and holding a bright light to the charlatans and snake oil salesmen who are running/ruining our game.
upthehoops says:
February 26, 2015 at 7:11 am
Resin_lab_dog says:
February 25, 2015 at 7:57 pm
==================================
I have to say I am very concerned at how often the BBC are having members of Rangers fans groups on Sportsound. There is generally no real challenge to anything they say and in my opinion it is compromising the BBC who have a duty to represent all our interests, not just those of one group.
—————
Another example of the BBC’s largesse. There is no need for a Rangers spokesman, Sportsound is full of them already….
MacIntyre, Chick, Richard Wilson, Craig Paterson, Billy Dodds when wheeled out now plus, of course that man of many mangled words, Derek Ferguson. Tom English, if he could grow a set could be excellent but I suppose he has to look out for his job. Dearie me……
Richard Gordon is excused from all of this as he is a genuinely fine- and dare I say, balanced broadcaster – and a real pleasure to listen to – a true football enthusiast. ( his Gothenburg book is a really enjoyable read.)
And to think on the Bears Den they believe that BBC Scotland sport are rabid Rangers haters!
Hasn’t King already said that once he is in the Blue Room after his coronation at the EGM (I believe Keith Jackson fancies the role of Archbishop of Canterbury), Ashley won’t be getting his £5m back any time soon? And that sums due under onerous contracts won’t be paid either?
If Ashley let’s it get that far, he will surely push the big red button. He can’t be seen to be made a fool of publicly by the likes of King, simply as a reputational matter.
I still think that he’ll pack the Board before the EGM, to ensure that King isn’t in a position to damage his interests. That would buy Ashley another couple of months until a second EGM which King would no doubt call to clear out the new Ashley men from the Board.
To go for Admin before the EGM, I have seen speculation that Ashley would need to get his second £5m in place and then call it in, all before 6 March. I think that would be a stretch, but with Ashley, who knows? But maybe he can call in the existing £5m- the company announcement said “There is no specified repayment period for the first tranche of the Facility.” That could still mean that it’s repayable on demand. In which case Ashley can just call it in, triggering an immediate insolvency- because that £5m has definitely been spent.
Sub-Total Tolerance
When Mr Regan opined that you can’t arrest thousands to stop racist chanting be missed the oppotunity to declare the SFA’s policy of Total Tolerance to Racism.
Now Rangers are declaring Zero Tolerance to Racism and so will no doubt be demanding that Police Scotland arrest thousands at Falkirk and deploy resources accordingly.
The SPFL also seem to have a tolerance level much closer to Total Tolerance than Zero Tolerance – althought their can-kicking statement suggests they would like people to think they have interest in shifting the needle from Total Tolerance of Racism to something that could be described as Sub-Total Tolerance to Racism. Perhaps they could initiate a campaign such as Show Racism the Yellow Card or Give Racism a Stern Talking To.
Maybe there are some Rosa Parks minded fans at Falkirk who are prepared to chant about wading in Jewish / Muslim / Sikh / Black / Asian / Belgian blood to test the exact position of the needle on the SPFL Sub Total Tolerance-o-Meter.
And maybe the PA man at Falkirk could risk his job by playing this for the decent The Rangers fans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqH_0LPVoho
Do I sense another world record on the horizon,the club/company that has held the most EGM’s in a single year.
jimmci says:
February 26, 2015 at 9:21 am
We have had this debate endlessly.
Celtic Fans don’t like the BBC and red tops like the Daily Record because they are seen to favour T’Rangers
Rangers fans don’t like the BBC and the red tops like the Daily Record because they are seen to favor Celtic
Everyone else doesn’t like the BBC and the red tops because they spend too much time talking p!sh about Celtic and T’Rangers.
As I have said before while the BBC have their issues it was that same organisation that gave us Mark Daly, Cosgrove, Cowan Spence. Guys like Willie Miller don’t hold back either and Chick gets endlessly ribbed as being seen as his Only An Excuse persona so while it can have its moments the Radio shows aren’t that bad IMHO.
Great Expectations !
Is Kris Boyd correct.. would a second place finish be a failure for Rangers this season?
Yes; 90%
No: 7.5%
Oh dear – with judgement like that is it any wonder so many see no problem with a bit of harmless racism fun ?
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-finishing-second-failure-boardroom-5233988
And to think on the Bears Den they believe that BBC Scotland sport are rabid Rangers haters!
======================
And Jesus wept.
I suppose that the BBC can argue that if TRFC fans think that they are haters, then they must be getting the balance right. :irony:
As long as they have different TFRC or ex-RFC reps on, they will have an endless stream of differing viewpoints, although they will end up with egg on their faces (not really a radio idiom) if they hitch their editorial wagon to the DK horses without pointing out the obvious (to us anyway) issues that could arise if (when) SD demands immediate repayment of the secured short-term loan facility.
DK’s palms must be getting really sweaty now, as MA (despite not having control :irony: ) has already ditched the only director with any RRM credentials, leaving the hard-nosed businessmen alone in the blue room, which reduces the chances of MA folding to close to nil. DK must be looking at his stack of chips and thinking that his list of vague promises and IOUs may not quite add up to the required £10M.
What did SD’s due diligence report conclude? That’s the £10M question.
Looks like we are not the only ones unhappy with how our game is governed.
CHANGE OF WORLD CUP TIMING EMBLEMATIC OF FIFA DECISION-MAKING
The latest decision announced by FIFA in relation to Qatar 2022 strengthens the argument for change according to spokesman for the New FIFA Now campaign, Damian Collins MP.
“The decision to hold the World Cup in the middle of the European football season underscores the need for the sea change in governance that New FIFA Now is advocating,” Collins said.
“It’s past the time where we look at individual decisions made by FIFA, but the process by which these decisions are made.
“It started with the awarding of the World Cup tournaments four years ago and it keeps compounding every step of the way.
“The only way we will get change is not by shifting around deckchairs of the FIFA Presidency and on the Executive Committee but by the wholesale systemic and cultural change that the organisation needs.”
Collins said this is why New FIFA Now’s platform for an independent FIFA Reform Commission is the most effective means of achieving change.
Collins also said that he had written to the four Presidential candidates, including Sepp Blatter, outlining New FIFA Now’s aims and objectives.
“Regardless of who wins the election on May 29th, we intend pursuing a program of genuine reform through a Reform Commission,” Collins said.
New FIFA Now proposes that the FIFA Reform Commission be led by an eminent person reporting to an international entity such as UNESCO with a mandate to review and implement changes to FIFA’s Statutes, policies and committee membership. A Charter for FIFA Reform and 10 guiding principles are set out on the New FIFA Now website at http://www.newfifanow.org.
“We have to ensure that poor decisions are not made in the first place. They should not be made on the basis of deals, double-deals, counter-deals and subterranean behaviour, but on the basis of evidence and merit,” Collins said.
ENDS
Find out more about New FIFA Now at http://www.newfifanow.org. The letters to the four Presidential candidates are also available athttp://www.newfifanow.org/february-26-2015.html
mcfc says:
February 26, 2015 at 9:45 am
The SPFL also seem to have a tolerance level much closer to Total Tolerance than Zero Tolerance – althought their can-kicking statement suggests they would like people to think they have interest in shifting the needle from Total Tolerance of Racism to something that could be described as Sub-Total Tolerance to Racism. Perhaps they could initiate a campaign such as Show Racism the Yellow Card or Give Racism a Stern Talking To
.,,,,,,,,,
Actually
Thats not a bad idea
If the Referee is advised by the police that offensive singing has taken place he could give that section of the crowd a yellow card. If the offense is repeated anywhere in the ground he gives a red card and suspends the match for 10 mins
If a further offense occurs the game is abandoned and replayed with no spectators
mcfc says:
February 26, 2015 at 10:08 am
Great Expectations !
Is Kris Boyd correct.. would a second place finish be a failure for Rangers this season?
Yes; 90%
No: 7.5%
Oh dear – with judgement like that is it any wonder so many see no problem with a bit of harmless racism fun ?
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-finishing-second-failure-boardroom-5233988
============================================
I suppose that is a fairly reasonable response if you go back to the start of the season and look without the benefit of hindsight.
Checking on Betfair, they were odds on before a ball (or opposition player) was kicked (as low as 1/7). Hearts and Hibs were unknown quantities following relegation and the playing budget was way in excess of that required to ensure success in the second tier against the incumbents over a 36 game season.
However, most of us with the abilities of observation and independent thought were aware of the vast limitations of the management and coaching staff and playing squad that would be found out playing against full time opponents.
If Hearts, Hibs, Falkirk, QoS etc had been given that budget, then they would have walked the league. Hearts have walked it, and on a fraction of the budget and having changed the management structure and personnel.
If (as seems inevitable) TFRC do not win the league, how will they learn from the mistakes that led to that failure?
Perhaps the DR should run a poll on why they failed to live up to expectations? That we be more interesting than stating the bleedin’ obvious.
I would assume that Alistair or the players would take the brunt of the blame from the saner elements, although the top rated delusionists would opt for the Unseen Fenian Hand, Peter Lawwell or the haters at the SFA/SPFL.
Payroll tomorrow………….Have they enough in the kitty?
If not will bank of Big Mick be getting another tickle?
If he declines, the SFA and players union will be standing by with pre-prepared statements…….will they not?
I’d ask Daryll normally, but he’s stopped communicating recently 🙄 . Pretty shabby behaviour towards a paying customer from a communications Director.
EssexBC
Regarding your comment re:King of Castlemilk,
May I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the RIFC LSE Shareprice….comments……header titled surprisingly ‘Dave King Qualifications?
Unsure of accuracy, but there’s your starter for three….
Where in Essex do you reside…..I have a fair bit of knowledge of the area…..(work thing)
Paddy T
The Cat NR1 says:
February 26, 2015 at 10:58 am
========================================================================
I’m sure the bookies opened with TRFC at odds on for the reason you give – but 1/7 represents blind faith from an awful lot of unthinking fans. When you last saw a horse at 1/7, how many legs did the other horses have ?
But your key point is about learning – surely some of the bigger brained bears should now have hedged with a few quid on Hearts to cancel out their earlier exuberance. But it is not even mildly unkind to say that many bears have severe learning difficulties when it comes to football, football finance, football management and football as a level -playing field sport.
apologies if already posted. Interesting article re: Dave king and his fit and proper status…..”money laundering and racketeering”.
“Dave King’s Bermuda Triangle
30 MAY 2008 00:00NIC DAWES, LYNLEY DONNELLY
How do you hide a R1-billion fortune from the taxman? With bespoke help from offshore bankers desperate to get their hands on your portfolio, suggest documents emerging from the long-running battle between the South African Revenue Service (Sars) and its number-one target, Dave King.
A series of memos, emails and file notes from the Bank of Bermuda, which is now a subsidiary of global banking giant HSBC, show how the bank, eager to secure King as a client, helped him restructure his network of trusts and offshore companies to “present a blind alley to any revenue investigation”.
The documents are evidence in a Pretoria High Court trial, which will effectively determine whether Sars can seize assets held by King’s offshore structures.
King made about R1,2-billion from the sale of shares in Specialised Outsourcing, the company he founded to handle treasury operations for parastatals and government bodies. The company’s share price crashed not long afterward, as news of the sales trickled out. It was pushed down further as concerns about the company’s accounting practices grew and King moved on to a new venture, Financial Insourcing Specialists.
Angry institutional shareholders racked up massive losses while revenue authorities tried to reconcile King’s apparent enjoyment of a wine farm, a Ferrari and a private jet with his modest reported income.
In late 2000 he was contacted by Sars, wondering where the government’s slice of the proceeds from the share sales were. He has since stood on the defence that the profits were a capital gain, not revenue, an incurred no-tax liability, but at the time he quickly set about making sure that the money, much of which was held through a company called Ben Nevis, stayed firmly out of reach of the fiscus.
On November 15 2000, Steve Bougourd, senior trust officer at the Bank of Bermuda, wrote to his colleague, Dave Hewitson, saying: “Apparently DK wishes to ‘dismantle’ current structure and transfer the assets of Ben Nevis into a new company, as the ‘tax authorities are chasing him’.”
This is important for two reasons. First, it helps bolster the case that King was the true owner of Ben Nevis. Second, it suggests he restructured his holdings solely to escape tax scrutiny, which is a crucial plank in the case against him. King’s role in managing his assets was also to be kept quiet, Bougourd made clear: “DK’s position as an adviser should be very much an ‘off the record relationship’.”
Less than a week later a summary of a meeting with King, circulated within the Bank of Bermuda, restates the case: “DK has no tax adviser but is happy there is no problem from his point of view in closing the Ben Nevis company. His intention is just to present a blind alley to any revenue investigation.”
By March 9 2001 there was a clear plan, Bougourd wrote in an email to the bank’s Adrian Fairbourn: “[W]e are restructuring Ben Nevis to stop the South African taxman in his tracks. To kill two birds with one stone we are also liquidating all investments, as he wishes to take stock, consolidate his position and think through his strategy going forward.”
Even at this stage, before the bank secured more of King’s business, the sums involved were substantial.
“What we are doing is selling all his investments in the name of Ben Nevis, that is, a £10-million portfolio with Barclays Private Bank, and two Royal Skandia portfolios (managed by [Cape Town hedge fund firm] Alpha) amounting to approx £3-million.
“There is already some £50-million on depo with Barclays Private Bank (he has a long-standing relationship with Sir Anthony Richardson),” Bougourd wrote.
As the assets were sold they were “transferred up” to King’s Glencoe Trust and then into a new holding company, Metlika, “thus making a clean break with Ben Nevis”.
“Other assets, namely a property and shares in Murray sports, are being reregistered in the name Metlika … Glencoe Trust is also selling its portfolios with Old Mutual and Capel Cure Sharp, which amounted to £2,5-million”, the email continues.
The net effect of this move was temporarily to obscure from Sars the more than R500-million in cash and other assets that had been inadequately concealed by Ben Nevis.
HSBC may have a difficult time proving that the Bank of Bermuda (which it bought three years later in 2004) wasn’t a wholehearted participant in a dubious arrangement.
“The timing of the visit creates a great opportunity. He is heavily encashed, he is taking time out to think his strategy through and hopefully the markets will have stabilised a little by then and therefore offer a calmer selling environment. The key, I think, is that we need to be creative … this could be significant business for the bank,” Bougourd wrote.
Sars’s efforts to recover R2,5-billion in taxes and penalties from King have been mired in a series of preliminary court battles over the seizure of assets and other technicalities—trial on the main tax charges is yet to begin.
The state is pressing a raft of criminal charges, including money laundering and racketeering, against him.
HSBC denied any knowledge of the type of services being provided to King through its subsidiary, Bank of Bermuda. Asked to comment on the evidence that its subsidiary had potentially been implicated in tax evasion and money laundering, HSBC said: “The incident would appear to relate to the period before HSBC acquired Bank of Bermuda. We do not believe, on the evidence presented, that HSBC is implicated.”
King claimed he had no idea which court case the documents related to, saying Sars constantly changed its version. The “bully tactic” of “seizing everything” and forcing “you to negotiate with them” has only made him more determined to fight the case, he said.
“We have fought for six years over the seizure of assets and still not gone to court,” he said. “After six years they have not won anything because their [case’s] merits are not good enough.” Despite the help of the South African Reserve Bank and the Financial Services Board “they still can’t beat me”, he said.
“I believe in the legitimacy of the trusts … I will do everything within my power to protect the legitimacy of my interests until I lose the tax case.”
Additional assets to seize
Last Wednesday, Sars won the first round in its latest bout with King.
The Pretoria High Court rejected with costs King’s application for the postponement of a trial to determine whether tax authorities can lay hands on assets held by Metlika, an offshore company allegedly used to hide hundreds of millions of rands in profit from the sale of King’s shares in Specialised Outsourcing.
Sars wants the court to reverse a series of transactions in which cash, shares, and property were shuffled from Ben Nevis, one of King’s main offshore vehicles, to Metlika.
Sars is leading evidence that suggests that this move was intended purely as a tax dodge.
Ben Nevis owes about R1,4-billion in taxes and penalties and if the transactions are reversed it will mean assets worth at least R500-million flow back into the company, where they can be seized by Sars and sold.
The trial, which is set down for six weeks, should help bring an end to six years of complex legal skirmishing over the recovery of money from King and set up the conditions for his trial on criminal charges arising from the affair.”
http://mg.co.za/article/2008-05-30-dave-kings-bermuda-triangle/
GoosyGoosy says:
February 26, 2015 at 10:52 am
…………”If the Referee is advised by the police that offensive singing has taken place ….”
Therein lays the problem! The Police are meant to act under constructs of the Law. They chose not to in the case of 10s of thousands or even hundreds (as observed recently).
IMO the issue must be dealt with by punitive measures. Any offending fans (home or away) would see their Clubs fined/ sanctioned by the relative body (SPFL/ SFA).
These fines/ sanctions must be clear and show no route of appeal.
A ‘CLEAR’ list of offensive material (song/ chants etc) must be produced rather than an all encompassing “I’m offended by that” attitude.
Racism and sectarianism are illegal. Political expression is not. However I say, neither are acceptable at a football match. Calling the opposition ‘bad’ names may be offensive, but its part of the game and should be treated as such. If that steps over to religious or racist diatribe whether in songs or in chants, no quarter should be given.
Time to rid the game of this vile behaviour!
highfibre says:
February 26, 2015 at 11:46 am
As far as I can see a win for King is also a win for Ashley. With the RRM in charge, they will sell a lot more shirts. Ashley has plenty of security for his loans, and is in control of the one part of the business that can be guaranteed to make a profit.
=================================================
Yes – but who pays the current £1mil/mth deficit and to revamp the squad and to revamp the stadium . . . .
Remeber that selling a zillion more shirts does King very little good.
I’ve been a little puzzled that Ashley’s men have apparently been planning long-term by getting in surveyor reports on Ibrox etc. I wonder if Llambias & Leach are busy drafting an onerous contract to be awarded to SD Stadium Refurbishment (Luxemburg) Ltd the day before the EGM.
Then Ashley can handover to King with a jolly – congratulation you win – no hard feelings – the best of luck to you – won’t be seeing you around – just keep sending the cheques!
mcfc says:
February 26, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Yes – but who pays the current £1mil/mth deficit and to revamp the squad and to revamp the stadium . . . .
———————————————————
King and his cohorts will have to presumably. If they don’t or won’t and it reaches crisis point then Ashley calls in the loans and triggers insolvency event and waves all his lovely paperwork relating to his securities at the administrators.
Ashley just needs to sit back and let everyone else pay to keep his little money-maker running. Genius really, if despicable to any right minded person.
Unlike Bawsman, I managed to get a reasonable exchange going with Darryl recently when I approached him on the subject of the SFA allowing the 5 NUFC loans when they previously had concerns about his (dual) influence at Ibrox. I’m respecting Darryl’s request not to share his emails verbatim as it was “a private communication”, but he is happy for me to “outline the points made”.
Ahead of the upcoming dual influence meetings, I thought some posters might find the exchange useful, although I don’t feel much has been clarified despite my efforts, as Darryl argues that he can’t go into detail because of those ongoing cases.
Darryl replied that the SFA’s position is that under FIFA rules there is no limit to the number of cross border loan deals. I replied that day.
Darryl’s reply was that because of the ongoing case against Mr Ashley it would not be appropriate to comment on the details of that case. I pressed him again.
Darryl replied same day, asking if I could prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that Mr Ashley initiated the loan players i.e. not just a hunch or joining dots. He reiterated that it would be imprudent to discuss the ongoing case with media or supporters and finished with “I’m sure you can understand this”.
I tried again
Darryl didn’t reply and I chased him twice over the next couple of days, asking if our discussion was now at an end. He replied, saying it wasn’t that he was unwilling to discuss but he felt there were clear legal differentials between FIFA regulation and the ongoing case. He again hoped that I would understand. I sort of did, but emailed again to see if he would clarify further.
Darryl replied, effectively closing the conversation off by saying he hoped he had outlined the FIFA rules; that regarding the other issues I had raised “we do have adequate legal provision at the Scottish FA to inform the decisions that are taken” and that he hoped I understood the position and accepted that he had tried to engage as much as he could on an ongoing matter.
Apologies for such a long post where I didn’t reach any real closure. Although I didn’t expect him to say ‘yeah, we got that wrong’ I guess I was hoping that he might at least acknowledge the concerns I raised around how these loans affected our perception of the SFA, but that self-awareness (or willingness to admit to any sort of misjudgement) doesn’t seem to be there.
mcfc says:
February 26, 2015 at 8:51 am
Agree! The perfect storm awaits. The 2nd trench being drawn down. Ashley’s option for due diligence could tighten the knot (or even see him walk away/ sink the ship).
This is not a sustainable business (Footballing Company/ Franchise) without massive injection of funds.
If the Requisitioners win, the ‘success’ of the fan takeover will be a pyrrhic one IMO.
……….Which is particularly sweet given those involved!
BBCSportssound (a licence paid outlet) is now really embarrassing, as on the same level as SSB. No sense of balance concerning the off the field antics of the Govan club. They by their openly biased coverage give the Govan club fans hope.
Basically here are some of the outlets that are biased in their coverage of all things concerning the Ibrox clubs.
BBCSportsound and most if not all of their pundits and guests.
SSB with all their pundits and most of their guests
The Daily Record [] and all their sports journalists.(I know journalists?)
Various other SMSM media outlets
SFA with CO at the head (with his history at the said club).
As a result of all the above this poisonous fiasco, circus continues. All the above have one aim and one aim only which is promote by any means available (as example Mr DK the RRM as key no matter how much of a felon he is) this clubs return (in their opinion back at the top where they belong ). They all to a man claim openly that Scottish football is suffering as a result of Govan club not at the top table. So basically they are all IMO deliberately and openly avoiding the truth of the matter, which is a real worry. They all IMO have to go and be replaced with honest journalism no matter what the cost or time scale. The SFA have all go to go (immediately) no matter what the cost as this is a sport, I repeat a sport. It is not a one club country and the culture /institutional history of this club has to be challenged. As fans we have done this and the the Govan club started in the 3 div. All the above outlets were against this course of action in many different levels but as fans we stood as one and got sporting justice (to an extent as conditional licence, really?). I am really ashamed how this club is treated completely different from all others. On a lighter note the fans of this club claim all the above outlets are rangers haters, ffs get a grip.
Bawsman says:
February 26, 2015 at 11:24 am
Payroll tomorrow………….Have they enough in the kitty?
If not will bank of Big Mick be getting another tickle?
If he declines, the SFA and players union will be standing by with pre-prepared statements…….will they not?
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
It depends on whether not paying the employees this month encourages the governing authorities to agree on Monday to Ashley raising his stake in TRFC.If so he is likely to buy out the Onerous Spivs shareholding and take over their onerous contracts.The EGM might still go ahead but more likely the Ashley Directors will resign before the EGM This will give King a massive problem funding TRFC with only ST money coming in
….
Alternatively
IMO the more likely
The payroll gets paid tomorrow
The governing authorities stick to their previous stance on 2 March. Ashley responds by calling in his loans He forces a Prepack liquidation on Tuesday. His representatives on the board resign and the EGM gets cancelled
The Requisitioners then have to arrange a new EGM date with the Liquidator (if this is allowed under company law)
The authorities are on a hiding to nothing If they refuse to approve an increase in Ashley`s holding he pulls the plug If they just slap his wrist he does it anyway
The Bears will blame the governing authorities just as much as Ashley for the insolvency event
Not long to wait now
Sevco 5088 – down but still not out
Sevco 5088 striking off has been suspended. An objection has been received by the registrar . http://i57.tinypic.com/1zf3l6t.jpg
— moo (@moo_ted) February 26, 2015
The BBC seem to getting it in the neck recently on here – and whilst I cant defend everything that they do, I will simply point out this as evidence of the change in Scottish football over the past 2 and half years :
On sunday (I think) they spent a good 10-15 minutes discussing Motherwell’s predicament this season.
Now, that probably doesn’t sound like anything out of the ordinary. To even the most casual of observers, Motherwell are, indeed, having a tough season. However, if we focus on the subject rather than the content, can you honestly imagine Motherwell getting that much attention 3 short years ago? It would have been 30 seconds of patronising ‘Well done you.’ plaudits/’must try harder’ consolations, at best, and then it would be back to Rangers and Celtic. The lack of Rangers has given the space for situations like this to develop. However, this is probably a symptom of Scottish football rather than the BBC per se.
I know this might hurt for United fans, but the GMS/Armstrong transfers – the story hasnt just been ‘Didn’t they do well against Inter Milan?’, but I would say the main part has been ‘Did United shoot themselves in the foot by selling them?’. When was the last time the selling Scottish club has been the focus of the story when Celtic have signed their players?
It’s even had knock on effects further down the leagues. I went to see Albion Rovers a couple of times last season, and was amazed at the number of youngsters in the crowd. In fact, not just that, but the number sporting Rovers gear. The lack of the all encompassing Old Firm has given the space for youngsters to actually take up with their local clubs without peer pressure bearing down on them.
The BBC aren’t perfect, but they are contributing in their own way to the post-Rangers Scottish football environment. If nothing else, it’s gives something other than SSB to listen to!
Is anybody aware of any surveys having been done at Ibrox, and any stated estimates for works required and costs involved.
The place looks fine to me, admittedly from a distance.
We repeatedly see sums of 5 to 25 million pounds being quoted, and I reckon for the higher sum, one could build a new smaller compact ground to reflect the current needs.