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?
upthehoops says:
March 2, 2015 at 7:19 pm
Brenda says:
Early caller on SSB ‘so happy’ to see the back of Mr Somers and everything’s going to be fine!!!!! £50million should sort this problem and as soon as the sfa give mr king the nod there will be a board meeting ………… Give me a pint of his tipple 😆
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A couple of months back the same caller was on forecasting Ashley would spend £40-50M and the club would go from strength to strength. He is a fantasist. No serious person would go live on Radio and spout such nonsense on a regular basis.
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However, the pundits on BBC Radio Scotland seem to do just that.
And they get paid for doing it too. 🙄
When they say…..no decision yet and …..update tomorrow. ….do they really mean….We are checking with our lawyers.
scapaflow says:
March 2, 2015 at 6:48 pm
wottpi says:
March 2, 2015 at 6:35 pm
That’s my reading of it too. Given Ashley’s thrawn nature, I would not be the least surprised to see him re-appoint both Llambias & Leach, 5 minutes after King sacks them assuming King does, of course.
At some point the farce has to end, and rational management begin, though, there is no sign of Carry on Up The Broomloan ending its run any time soon.
Question for HP
Hypothetically, what would be the status of any decisions taken, or contracts entered into, by Directors, who had not sought and received permission to serve in the circumstances you outlined? I am sensing the possibility of messy and protracted legal cases arising 🙄
22 0 Rate This
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Although s.216 says that a director may have committed an offence and s.217 explains the consequences of such a breach, there is nothing (I am aware of) that would automatically annul his/her appointment as a director nor void any decision that the company subsequently makes.
As a slight aside, it would be an interesting situation if the chairman of the EGM ruled the resolution to appoint Mr King is out of order – on the basis that to allow that vote would be assisting a criminal act.
As another aside, Paul Murray is not prohibited from joining the board of RIFC as he was removed from RFC(IL) in May 2011 – more than a year before it entered liquidation.
Sad news this evening as former Hearts, Spurs and Derby legend Dave Mackay has passed away, aged 80.
Dave was a true gent and one of the few true legends of Scottish and English game.
RIP
easyJambo says:
March 2, 2015 at 10:24 pm
Andy Newport @AndyNewportPA 8m8 minutes ago Glasgow, Scotland
SFA say Mike Ashley duel ownership hearing has finished for the night. No decision to report yet
Andy Newport @AndyNewportPA 2m2 minutes ago Glasgow, Scotland
Update to come tomorrow
==========================
Did they give up waiting for MA to turn up?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31703549
Latest moonbeams instalment from the TRFC online fanzine.
Do we really pay our license fee to subsidise this continuing stream of non-story claptrap?
I’ve read a few times on here that Sarver is an Ashley front, and it is never questioned. Usually alternative scenarios are posited. Maybe I missed the post where the dots were joined,but can someone please explain it to me.
“…But [Andy Goram] believes Hampden chiefs could put the entire Scottish game at risk if they ban Johannesburg-based King from taking up the reins at the Glasgow giants…”
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andy-goram-tells-sfa-dave-5260226
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Ergo, we should be grateful that King has deigned to ‘save’ not just TRFC, but all of Scottish football…
At least nobody at the DR wanted to put their name to this p!sh article, and accredited it to “Record Sports Online” instead.
Shirley, even the most optimistic/thick bear must be having a slight inkling that the SMSM is simply cheerleading for a questionable character, who doesn’t seem to have a plan – or the cash ?!
StevieBC says:
March 2, 2015 at 11:42 pm
“…But [Andy Goram] believes Hampden chiefs could put the entire Scottish game at risk if they ban Johannesburg-based King from taking up the reins at the Glasgow giants…”
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andy-goram-tells-sfa-dave-5260226
======================================
Ergo, we should be grateful that King has deigned to ‘save’ not just TRFC, but all of Scottish football…
At least nobody at the DR wanted to put their name to this p!sh article, and accredited it to “Record Sports Online” instead.
Shirley, even the most optimistic/thick bear must be having a slight inkling that the SMSM is simply cheerleading for a questionable character, who doesn’t seem to have a plan – or the cash ?
_______________________________________________
STOP… PRESS …. STOP …. PRESS …. STOP …. PRESS
Sources in Inverness can reveal that, in the event that David Cunningham King is prevented from taking over at Ibrox for whatever reason … Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. … repeat Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. will be absolutely fine.
Yes. Caley can survive if the SFA or LSE/ Nomad block the appointment of David King to the Ibrox board.
Now I know that ‘the fate of the whole of Scottish Football’ cannot be equated to the fortunes of a single club among 42.
But the question is…. Does Andy Goram, the SFA and the whole of the SMSM know that????
The whole of Scottish football will NOT be jeopardised if the regulators do the correct thing and prevent Kings appointment.
That is all.
pau1mart1n says:
March 2, 2015 at 7:11 pm
“Carry on Up The Broomloan…..”
the naming rights could be handy for Sid James’ Park
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Shouldn’t that be Sid James’s Park? 🙂
I think Sid James Park was where Exeter City played when Uri Geller, David Blaine and Michael Jackson were involved with the club back in the early 2000s. Since then, the club has been a pioneer of the fan ownership model, so perhaps that could be a good omen.
HirsutePursuit says:
March 2, 2015 at 9:37 pm
nawlite says:
March 2, 2015 at 8:13 pm
HP,
I trust your knowledge when you say that DK has to seek the approval of ‘the court’ before he can take a director position at anything like Rangers. If they are unlikely to approve it for the rules you provided, how does ‘the court’ work? Do they proactively monitor for such instances and then take action, or could King avoid sanction by not seeking approval from them?
If the latter, can anyone (i.e. non-creditor, non-shareholder, non-whatever) report such a breach, if it comes to pass?
9 0 Rate This
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Details of how to alert the Insolvency Service can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/387143/Investigations-Hotline.pdf
The online form is here:
https://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/ExternalOnlineForms/BreachQuestionnaire.aspx
_________________________________________________
If only they’d listened to the prophet Python:
(Cut to shot of a Judean desert, with Terry Jones, in a burkah screeching falsetto:
“E’s not the Messiah! E’s a very naughty boy!”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plZRe1kPWZw
Easyjambo. Re Dave Mackay, A hard but fair player,though he took no prisoners, I remember him taking Billy Bremner by the throat after a tackle he thought was not within the rules. Thinking of it brings a smile to my face. One thing that might be an urban myth was I heard from a Spurs friend that when Dave suffered one of his broken legs, when in hospital he insisted that the bone be reset without anaesthetic so that he was assured that his career was not at risk. If true , a real hard man. RIP.
Partizani Tirana says:
March 2, 2015 at 11:10 pm
I’ve read a few times on here that Sarver is an Ashley front, and it is never questioned. Usually alternative scenarios are posited. Maybe I missed the post where the dots were joined,but can someone please explain it to me.
————
You’d have to go back a few months in TSFM archives, but if memory serves, there have been details posted about a specific business connection between Ashley and Sarver. Nothing of huge significance–but it does exist.
ekt1m says: March 3, 2015 at 12:31 am
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Here’s the iconic image of Mackay and Bremner.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_IHK5iWkAErEpo.jpg
I guess that it’s very poignant that the last time I saw him was three years ago at White Hart Lane when Hearts played Spurs in the Europa League. He was introduced at half time to great acclaim by both sets of supporters.
Ok, Let’s take stock. We now know that without the glib and shameless chappy, Scottish football is doomed. If he can turn a loss making business around I can see why the SFA think he’s a fit and proper person. Over to you, the next “Sir Dave”.
Don’t know if I’m missing some aim rule here,but could the board that are still in place not fill the spaces that have just been made vacant meaning that once they vote to get rid of the other two directors only two seats on the board are available? Or an extra seat or two is made available in the boardroom. All MA has to do is put his two extra places on the board giving him a majority of one or a tied board.
HirsutePursuit says:
March 2, 2015 at 10:35 pm
As another aside, Paul Murray is not prohibited from joining the board of RIFC as he was removed from RFC(IL) in May 2011 – more than a year before it entered liquidation.
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HP…thank you for the clarification… 😳
Almost statement o’clock. Wonder if this odd ritual will continue much longer?
The fact that the SFA/SFPL and SMSM all try to foggy over the differences between RIFC (which has shareholders) and TRFC (which does not) makes me wonder if this is the trick that is about to played.
MASH will keep control of RIFC and the onerous contracts due to the loans/security he is owed and DK is unable (or even unwilling he stated) to repay – so will the RRM/3 Bears all get the seats on the TRFC board – thus making it seem as if a victory has won – thus boosting sales/tickets with everyone coming back on board.
Everyone wins here down Govan way – DK and his mates get to wear brogues/ties and appear as the new order of the Club – while the Company is ran from SD folks. Could this also be DK’s way of being F&P – only needing SFA approval?
There has to be a reason why this was set up this way and muddied so much that the shareholders of RIFC think they have shares in a football club….
Very sad news that Dave MacKay has passed away at the age of 80. I met Dave once, sadly that was at a funeral. Lovely man, a true gent, warm, kind and very caring. I don’t know if all the players who went up against Dave would have seen that side right enough!
My thoughts are with his family. The world is a poorer place today.
I had to check then double check that Friday 6th March 2015 is not a public holiday. Today’s media seem to be preparing for an event that day akin to the coronation of a new monarch. Is it a throwback to centuries ago when the monarch was as big a crook as many of those he ruled over? I suppose it can’t be mind you, as the King in waiting has already decreed the peasants can enjoy some success, up to an absolute maximum of 45% of the time. It also appears like centuries ago when the monarch did not agree with a particular law he would ignore it and smash any opponents into oblivion while being held shoulder high by his triumphant army. Just replace that army with a cheering pack of Scottish sportswriters.
Yes folks, the red carpet is being rolled out for a recently convicted large scale tax evader to take control of one of the nation’s largest football clubs. It wouldn’t happen anywhere else, and that’s just in Scotland! It is utterly shameful and shows the desperation to be top of the pile by any means possible.
If this ‘coronation’ is permitted, it is surely the official end of any notion that Scottish football is still a sport.
Upthehoops
Yes,Friday will see the succession to the throne with trumpets blaring,MSM sycophants bowing and scraping,6 page pull outs,and hand shakes all round. Disgusting.
On the humour side it’s even rarer now to see some interaction, of the type that puts a smile on your face, between the crowd and the player. We’ve become far too serious about the game. The last one I saw was a couple of seasons ago when Boyd had just returned to Killie, at an early season game at Pittodrie a section of the crowd were giving him pelters with chants of “Sumo, sumo”. The ball broke in the box and Boyd did what he used to do, back o’ the net in a flash. Off Boyd waddled toward said section, in a pretty good impression of a Sumo, much to the amusement of the crowd and deserved applause. The ref booked him. This is Scottish fitba, ye’re nae here to enjoy yersel!
The Cat NR1 says:
March 2, 2015 at 10:59 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31703549
Latest moonbeams instalment from the TRFC online fanzine.
Do we really pay our license fee to subsidise this continuing stream of non-story claptrap?
—————————
Saw the headline, couldn’t bear reading the content. Desperate, desperate stuff.
It would be the best laugh I have had in years if the man who would be king failed in his bid on Friday
I wouldn’t be laughing at him but the SMSM
The back tracking,disbelief and I told you so’s would be historical 😆
rabtdog says:
March 2, 2015 at 9:15 pm
Superscoreboard on Clyde. No one here has a good word to say about it; the pundits are mince; the callers are deluded. As a non-listener, that’s the impression I get. So – genuine question – why give it the time of day?
—————————-
Not everything in the media is rubbish, there are some great, entertaining and informative parts of the BBC, The Scottish Redtops and even Clyde1 SSB.
The subject matters being raised are often topical and very relevant and sometimes the debate is useful to gauge how the pundits, journalists and the paying public see it from their eyes. It is also useful to get a handle on what agendas are being played out at any given time.
Unfortunately, like these many reality shows on the box just now, a very large percentage of viewers actually believe that is how people act and talk. We are by nature, gullible and susceptible to persuasion.
My point? We have to speak out when what is being fed to us, is clearly not healthy. To do that effectively, we need to monitor what is being said or printed on a daily basis.
TSFM = Like Ronseal, we do exactly what it says on the tin!
If you were going to plan a way to jettison your clubs debt, a good plan to have followed would have been to :-
1. Bring in rookies to run Scottish football
2. Go into administration but keep your football squad
3. Go straight back into SPL
4. Job done
What would cause this plan to fail :-
1. An inept manager that failed in every competition, racking up more debt
2. Liquidation rather than administration ( unless planned to remove tax liability )
3. Clubs not allowing the new version of the liquidated club straight into top league
4. Someone else getting control of the club
5. Income streams being tied up.
6. An inept manager who may fail to gain promotion to the top league with the second most expensive squad.
In order to ensure your team went up you could
1. bring in play-offs
Reason why this could still fail :-
1. An inept manager
2. A full squad of aging expensive players who will have no club at the end of the season
3. Hibs and Hearts joining that division.
Why this team could still struggle going forward :-
1. Need new squad
2. Income streams tied up no matter who is in charge
3. Stadium requiring money to bring it up to date
4. An inept manager
wottpi says:
March 2, 2015 at 6:35 pm
Cheers HP, I do seem to have lost a year somewhere!
Edit
Sad to see the passing of Dave MacKay, but, what a career to celebrate
helpmaboab says:
March 3, 2015 at 8:16 am
Upthehoops
Yes,Friday will see the succession to the throne with trumpets blaring,MSM sycophants bowing and scraping,6 page pull outs,and hand shakes all round. Disgusting.
==========================
Or hilarious?
Neither DK nor any of his entourage nor the sycophants acclaiming his possible election to the board of RIFC PLC have produced the slightest evidence to suggest that they can turn the group losses into group profit or even group break even.
Until that tiny insignificant problem is overcome, no manner of deckchair rearranging or Goebbelsesque propaganda broadcasting will make any difference.
Show us the business plan Dave.
As a few will know, Darryl Broadfoot, the SFA’s Communication Director occasionally responded to some of my e-mails to him. The questions got a bit awkward/difficult so he’s fobbed me off to :
Peter McLaughlin
Security & Integrity Officer
Scottish FA
Hampden Park
Glasgow
G42 9AY
I have posed the following, I wll let you know of any response, I suggest no one holds their breath:
Good morning Mr. McLaughlin,
A simple question for you if I may since Darryl has forwarded my mail to you?
I have no idea as to the outcome of the latest SFA discussion with Mr. Ashley and his total control over the Rangers club/company. I’m sure all of the Rangers competitors for promotion will be concerned at the complete lack of integrity in this (particularly the recruitment of 5 Newcastle players) manifestation, I’m sure a statement will be forthcoming in the immediate future.
Of more interest (to me) is all the media fanfare over the imminent crowning of Mr. King as the major force at Ibrox. Not only has this gentlemen bought off an 82 year prison term for tax evasion and fraud, he was on the board of the previous iteration of Rangers FC. As far as I am aware, Company Law will not allow this, am I correct?
I would be very interested on your take on these two points from an ‘integrity’ point of view?
Regards
easyJambo says:
March 3, 2015 at 12:59 am
ekt1m says: March 3, 2015 at 12:31 am
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Here’s the iconic image of Mackay and Bremner.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_IHK5iWkAErEpo.jpg
I guess that it’s very poignant that the last time I saw him was three years ago at White Hart Lane when Hearts played Spurs in the Europa League. He was introduced at half time to great acclaim by both sets of supporters.
***********************************************8
I had the pleasure of meeting him at social events over the years : it was like being in the presence of a loved & revered monarch. Even people who never saw him play (ie me) were in awe of him. And so modest.
I remember telling a friend I was going to get a print of THAT picture and get DM to sign it for my dad. but was told very clearly not to as DM really hated that picture as he thought it portrayed him as a thug , when he (rightly , I believe now) was anything but.
My dad loved him. He’s gone but is now hopefully enjoying a chat about the greatest days Gorgie ever enjoyed with his hero.
RIP.
MaBaw says:
March 3, 2015 at 8:49 am
If you were going to plan a way to jettison your clubs debt, a good plan to have followed would have been to :-
1. Bring in Bookies to run Scottish football.
…………………………………………………………….
For a brief, eye-watering moment, I misread your opening point… 😯
… and thought The Rangers players were ahead of the Bell Curve.
Ashley must be having a good laugh over the MSM’s triumphalism ahead of King “taking control” at Ibrox. He might even be saying to L&L “They are even too stupid to understand when they’ve been shafted.”
tcup 2012 says:
March 3, 2015 at 8:43 am
It would be the best laugh I have had in years if the man who would be king failed in his bid on Friday
I wouldn’t be laughing at him but the SMSM
The back tracking,disbelief and I told you so’s would be historical 😆
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The SMSM are most adept at rewriting history, so it wouldn’t prove much of a challenge. In contrast, telling the truth presents the one insurmountable challenge to the lamb addicts.
If it weren’t for those pesky bampots, KJ’s “off the radar” hagiography would be long forgotten, and consigned to the chip wrappers of history.
His neck of the most succulent brass allows him to continue to pretend to be a journalist, but that truly excellent article has achieved immortality and will live on as a symbol of the contribution that the SMSM has made to the debacle surrounding RFC/TRFC. We await further contenders for entry into the SMSM Hall of Fame (or should that be shame?). :slamb:
Castaway
The best Scottish chant I heard was after Andy Goram was reportedly diagnosed with schitzophrenia and, IIRC, it was the Motherwell supporters who started chanting “There’s only two Andy Goram’s”.
As for Red Litchie he has already shown a good sense of humour which he will need if Arbroath blow their promotion effort! One hopes not because Scottish Football needs a strong Arbroath 😆
mcfc says:
March 3, 2015 at 10:21 am
Ashley must be having a good laugh over the MSM’s triumphalism ahead of King “taking control” at Ibrox. He might even be saying to L&L “They are even too stupid to understand when they’ve been shafted.”
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Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Methilhill Stroller says:
March 3, 2015 at 10:35 am
Castaway
The best Scottish chant I heard was after Andy Goram was reportedly diagnosed with schitzophrenia and, IIRC, it was the Motherwell supporters who started chanting “There’s only two Andy Goram’s”.
As for Red Litchie he has already shown a good sense of humour which he will need if Arbroath blow their promotion effort! One hopes not because Scottish Football needs a strong Arbroath
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Thanks MS, I love that Goram one. Continuing the Marra theme he often talked in concert about going to see Forfar and the fans chanting :
“We can’t read and we can’t write,
But it doesn’t matter,
For we are Forfar Athletic fans,
And we can drive a tractor..”
Scottish Football everywhere needs a strong sense of humour. Unfortunately our footballing authorities are no laughing matter and most likely face yet another set of tests in the weeks ahead.
MaBaw says:
March 3, 2015 at 8:49 am
If you were going to plan a way to jettison your clubs debt, a good plan to have followed would have been to :-
1. Bring in rookies to run Scottish football
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That has an ironic twist to it.
When Neil Doncaster left NCFC under a cloud back in 2009, the club was on the brink of administration. Since then, his replacement has ensured that all debt has been repaid, with no need to stiff creditors or phoenix through separating the tangible NCFC PLC from the ethereal NCFC.
Appointing top quality Scottish managers helps things along nicely. 🙂
I’m sure that a significant number of hacks and pundits are genuinely salivating at the prospect of a King coronation as a result of their belief that it heralds the return of a ‘Real Rangers Man’.
For many more I suspect they want to see the story develop because Ashley is as far removed from media-friendly as it gets and therefore gives them nothing – even when they tried to suck up to him.
It’s also a bit boring to keep on reporting that the Govan team have got another tap from Ashley. A story that had probably just about run its course owing to there being nothing left to pawn.
The return of King will, of course, see a top table firmly re-established – it’s easy to imagine the ‘Dave will look after you when he’s back’ conversations that have accompanied the spoon-fed dross currently being cut and pasted and published in preparation for the seemingly inevitable (according to the spoon-lickers) outcome of the EGM.
As an aside it was interesting to note that the Board felt that they had to use the same strategy as those behind the Celtic fans advert to ensure that their alternative view of King got some air and print-space.
Anyway I won’t be holding my breath in anticipation of Keith or any other of his ilk writing a ‘from wealth off the radar to wealth off the books’ profile piece on the anticipated changing of the guard atop those marble steps.
Best bit of crowd banter I witnessed was while working in Dublin I went with colleagues to a friendly match, Ireland v Denmark.
IIRC midway through second half Danes make a sub and the tannoy man announces the man coming on is Peter Lovenkrands of the old Rangers. Boos from the crowd followed by subsequent boos every time the player touches the ball.
Embarrassed tannoy man then comes on a few minutes later to say he made a mistake and the sub was not in fact the man from Iborx. Huge cheers from the crowd and then again every time the sub touches the ball.
A few minutes later the real Lovenkrands comes on as a sub to a chorus of boos and again every time he touches the ball.
Frustrated tannoy man then tells the crowd this is not how the Irish treat their guests.
Crowd (buoyed by the home team winning with relative ease) then begin to boo their heroes for every pass they make for the next five minutes. Balance restored and everyone, with the possible exception of poor Lovenkrands, goes home happy.
Bawsman says:
March 3, 2015 at 9:45 am
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That is just the job Bawsman
Another bit of banter from Middlesborough fans. Back in the days of Tony Adam’s captaincy, Arsenal had the league in the bag and were in Middlesborough for an end of season fixture; they were winning 0 – 6 and the Middlesborough fans burst into, “Boring! Boring! Arsenal!!”
Best football chant ever ?
This may be another urban myth but I saw on a Hearts message board a story of Rafael coming on as a substitute (might have been his debut at Parkhead, I don’t recall exactly).
Introduced as “Rafael !!!!!!!!”
Cue Hearts fans singing “you’re shi*e , and you know you are , you’re shi*e and you know you are”.
True or not it makes me chuckle.
No offence intended , just laughing at the comedy value.
Ally McCoist was playing for Killie whilst also on Question of Sport at the time.
Celtic fans………. chanting, “There’s only one John Parrot”…..McCoist was creased up.
Methilhill Stroller says:
March 3, 2015 at 10:35 am
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Sunderland Vs Tottenham, 2009 – both sets of fans trying to out sing each other “There’s only one Keano” [Roy SFC, Robbie THFC]
My favourite football chant was one I read of a few years ago…
It was a foogy night game at Anfield where the fans couldn’t properly see the other end of the pitch from behind the goals at either end, anyway Liverpool score at the end opposite the Kop and the faithful behind the Kop goal start chanting…
“who scored the goal, who scored the goal ee-aye-adio who scord the goal…
Fans at the other end respond…
“St.John scored the goal,St.John scored the goal ee-aye-adio St.John scored the goal…
The Kop respond with the old Scaffold song…
“Thank you very much for the information, thank you very much, thank you very very very much…
Delightful…
PS…good to be back, been lurking for ages after losing the ability to log in, thanks TSFM for fixing it for me…
That’s all…
As you were…
A few months ago the SMSM gleefully pronounced that Ashley had been summoned to Hampden and that the beaks would throw the rulebook at him. I commented then that there was no way Big Mike would stand quaking in his boots outside the headmaster’s door. My view was that he would despatch a very astute legal team to wipe the floor with the SFA.
As we know, the full hearing was strangely delayed until last month thus (unjustly?) giving Ashley two further months of alleged control of the Ibrox club. When eventually it did take place the great man was conspicuous by his absence. As we now know, his legal eagles turned up on his behalf. Instead of the football authorities announcing their verdict, we were informed that this was (yet) another preliminary hearing and that the matter was rearranged for 2nd March when it was hoped that Mr Ashley would attend.
Well, it looks as if a meeting of sorts was held yesterday evening. Did the SD lawyers manage to fit it in after their day jobs? If they were up to expectation, they would have put everything in writing from the outset and sought questions and explanations from the SFA all along the line before finally sitting round a table with them. The lawyers would no doubt string out the proceedings by stating that they would have to take further instructions from their client “who is a very busy man right now”. I suspect that Ogilvie and Regan are out of their depth here and I would not be surprised if the SFA lawyers have had to become actively involved in helping the SFA to save face.
It is ironic the same SFA demand that a player appears before them in person if he is to expect justice. Why then does the same condition not apply in such a significant matter? After all, we are not talking about a simple red card offence but the systematic manipulation of the whole league.
I will speculate and say that a statement will be released by the SFA today stating that the hearing is still ongoing and it is hoped to be resolved as soon as possible i.e. the can is being kicked down the road yet again.
When EasyJambo broke the news my immediate memory of the great and now sadly late Dave McKay was of him playing in a terrific Tottenham team in which he played with other Scottish greats, the maestro John White signed from Falkirk I think, sadly killed in a freak lightning strike on the golf course, and the Scottish ‘keeper Bill Brown, signed from Dundee.
I watched on tv during the routine that was warmup back then 1962/3 I think, a Euro tie at Ibrox, Spurs v then RFC. Dave was in a group knocking passes about in front of the covered enclosure opposite the main stand. The fans in the enclosure were giving him laldy, this going back to his HoM days.
The big chested one seemed to be ignoring it for a while. Then as he was facing the enclosure with ball at feet, he made as if to whack the ball straight at the fans in there, many of whom ducked. But the ball went forward, then up and spun back to him.
He got even more laldy, but the fans then saw the funny side. Great skill and a bit of fun. Must admit I often gave him grief too. RIP Dave.
Billy Boyce
Do I hear howls of laughter coming from this can with its SD label on it.
Billy Boyce says:
March 3, 2015 at 12:06 pm
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King “takes control” at the EGM – end of Ashley’s influence – the problem has gone away in SFA-land – hearing concluded / forgotten.
Never underestimate the brass neck of the self-serving, incompetent and corrupt.
Fit and Proper Test I hear you say – yes – we’ll be giving that full consideration in due course once we have collected all the necessary information from all the appropriate international agencies.
But when will we know the outcome you say – oh – we already know that – no conclusive evidence found of Unftness or Improperness within the rules so all are free co carry on runnig our favourite club (into the ground).
On the topic of football chants, there was a recent example down South that may bring a smile to anyone who’s tried to get their head round the Old Club New Club debate. AFC Wimbledon met MK Dons in the cup – the first time the two had met since the formation of AFC Wimbledon when the original Wimbledon FC were “relocated” to Milton Keynes. The fans of AFC Wimbledon sang to their counterparts “Where were you when you were us?”
toadinthehole says:
March 3, 2015 at 12:41 pm
“Where were you when you were us?”
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Reminiscent of Man City’s
We are not
We’re not really here,
We are not
We’re not really here,
Just like the fans of the invisible man,
We’re not really here
It originated on our own “journey(s)” in the lower leagues – and bizarrely someone decided to put it up as an official banner at the Etihad – never quite understood that.
Anyway – if the bears had a sense of humour and self-awareness they might have adopted it too. But then again ….
IIRC it is the “Club” (!) that has to vouch to the football authorities on the Fit & Proper status of those in charge. I also seem to recall some previous statement (Regan?) that the authorities had no means to really investigate or challenge this.
Does this then mean that DK will effectively be telling the authorities that he is indeed F&P?
If the above is in fact the case does this not make a complete mockery of the process?
Scottish Football needs a strong SFA.
redlichtie says:
March 3, 2015 at 1:10 pm
If the above is in fact the case does this not make a complete mockery of the process?
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Yes, do you have a problem with King filling in a self assessment
tax formfit and proper form?http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/keith-jackson-fight-rangers-over-5261987
Interesting article from Jingle-Jangle today. It does seem to have been cobbled together from a couple of Phil articles.
However, it does seem to be shining a little light on some of the issues that have got a lot of coverage here. Now, whether this is because Keith’s finally, inexplicably, decided to do his job properly, or because he’s hedging his bets about what the next 12 months will bring and is determined not to get caught out by ‘wealth off the radar’ style pronouncements again, I’ll leave to you to decide, but it does at least give the issues a public airing.
He manages to describe King’s problems with the tax man as both ‘criminal convictions’ early doors, and ‘a settlement’ later on – I’m guessing he copied and pasted and missed the earlier description.
However, it’s the description of Scottish football fans, mostly Celtic’s, screaming about fit and proper and whipping up hysteria that’s the most eye-popping. That’s right, if the SFA actually apply their own rules, it’ll only be because of the hysteria generated by fans of other clubs, not because it was the correct thing to do. Sheesh.
Scathing comments aimed at David Somers from the RST, SOS and Houston on TV, without revealing any particular detail as to what their specific grievances with him are. A lot of fuzzy stuff about failing to engage with fans and making “ill-advised” comments with terms like inept, embarrassment, contempt, rampant self interest, disastrous dearth of understanding etc thrown around without any actual real world examples to back them up or explain exactly what they mean.
In the absence of this, can it really be as simple that his “crime” was to go down the path of sustainability over moonbeams and fantasy? I’m not saying he is whiter than white but his parting shot re managing to pay bills is resonant. It seems it’s these fans who have the disastrous dearth of understanding as to the basics principle of spending no more than you earn.
The reaction of these fan groups suggests an infantile view of RRM with moonbeans = Good guys / The Board with sustainability = bad guys, and that’s about it.
Not to mention the fact that when fans of other clubs questioned the credentials and motives of Whyte, Green etc. in the past, without resorting to such hyperbolic vitriol, we were all branded “Rangers-haters” etc. Still waiting on a group to represent this silent majority of reasonable Rangers supporters.
btw, imho Somers only resigned to protect his City reputation and preserve his non-exec earning power into his dotage.
I think Llambias and Leach are probably made of tougher stuff and will need to be levered out – maybe only to be parachuted back in by Ashley’s loan facility terms. L&L will then be able to sit in the board room – probably as non-execs – silently taking notes whilst watching and learning as the RRM run things properly. Priceless.
Apparently – the people “running” scottish football have sold the TV rights “short” by 90% !!
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/number-cruncher-tells-spfl-chiefs-5263979?
Do all fans of the Govan club support the thought of Mr King the tax felon and the man who by doing nothing (IMO) certainly aided the old club to go into liquidation? Will Mr King just say to the fans (through the SMSM feeders) that he did all he could and that will suffice? Is a convicted felon (funny enough of tax problems) really ok to run your club. Again when the SFA give the green light that he is fit & proper will that be enough for the fans. Needless to say all the above will be accepted by the smsm but they do not pay to see this club. Do you trust this RRM with all his baggage to run your club? If yes fair enough(you have been warned yet again) but me I would not want this man near my club in any shape or form.
Shame on our press and the SFA for doing nothing to maybe prevent this man taking over the Govan club. The facts are there it is not hidden. It all stinks of real desperation.
Ref chants. Arrived late for a Livi vs Alloa game at Almondvale (I live locally, I’m an expat). Located the away section, engaged security, a mate of mine, in conversation. Told him he wouldn’t get much trouble with our lot.
“Well, no. Cautioned them about a song with a swear word in it. They did it again verbatim, but with the offending word substituted by ”jobbie'”.
jimlarkin says:
March 3, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Apparently – the people “running” scottish football have sold the TV rights “short” by 90% !!
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/number-cruncher-tells-spfl-chiefs-5263979?
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The FA / SFA equivalence nonsense again. Is Charles Barnett a mate of Neil Patey ?
I sold a knackered old Vauxhall a couple of years ago and now someone has sold a nearly-new Bentley for much more so I’m going to go back and demand £1000s more from that guy who cheated me back then – ffs – who are these rent-a-gobs?
Good luck getting £30mil extra out of Sky – they might just tell you to stuff the two year option they have and find yourself another broadcaster – I would.
Famous song says:
March 3, 2015 at 1:40 pm
“Well, no. Cautioned them about a song with a swear word in it. They did it again verbatim, but with the offending word substituted by ”jobbie’”.
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If the bears had treated their situation with some humour and humility they would be much more popular. Changing a few words in offensive songs could easily be disarmingly funny – but you can’t be humourous and hateful at the same time.
Dear Charles Barnett,
I sell oranges which I grow here on my smallholding in Dunfermline. Because the climate isn’t right for growing oranges, they’re pretty scabby and I can only get 1p per orange! It’s ridiculous, as I know for a fact that there’s a guy in Seville who gets 15p for each orange he grows. You are obviously just the type of accountant I need to prove to potential buyers that I should get the same price for my oranges, no matter the quality.
AmFearLiathMòr
Had read Keith’s piece before I posted earlier, in fact I suppose it prompted my post.
He is all over the place in it as you say. He doesn’t go any way close to posing tough questions on future funding and underscoring the entire article is the inference that King is the best hope for Rangers.
He doesn’t even bother providing anything to back up why King should be the way ahead.
MoreCelticParanoia says:
March 3, 2015 at 1:20 pm
Still waiting on a group to represent this silent majority of reasonable Rangers supporters.
======================
Isn’t that what RTC and TSFM have been doing for years?
The message on here is generally that of constructive criticism of the behaviour of the incumbants and the wannabees, and trying to see a way to get a paddle on board as the journey up the creek continues.
The problem with the reporting of all things RFC/TRFC related, is that he who shouts loudest and most delusional gets quoted. There is no interest in the SMSM to report the interests of sensible Gers fans as it does fit the SMSM predefined agenda. Hence the continuing frustration of Ryan and his many unheard fellow fans.
The default mainstream reporting perspective has created a mindset similar to a siege mentality, where all contrary views, no matter how conciliatory or well articulated are seen as an attack.
Even if the cracked SFA crest and TSFM name were replaced by one of the many RFC/TRFC crests and the site renamed TRFM, it wouldn’t make any difference. However, it would create another target for the blowhards.
valentinesclown says:
March 3, 2015 at 1:35 pm
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The fans are completely blinded by big fat £ signs. That’s all that matters. It was the same with Mike Ashley to begin with. When the reality hits them that Mr King does not have the dough that they expect then he will be off the RRM list sharpish.
jimlarkin says: March 3, 2015 at 1:34 pm
“Apparently – the people “running” scottish football have sold the TV rights “short” by 90% !!”
And who might be on hand (on consultancy rates) to help them achieve this wondrous feat of Alchemy? Of turning the base metal of the SPFL into the lustrous gold of the EPL? Ah…..
But seriously if someone said this in a pub they’d be shredded in about 30 seconds flat yet the SMSM publish this drivel? 😳 😳 😳 😳 😳 😳
Regarding fit and proper, I thought Hirsute had nailed that. D. King needs permission of the court before he can take up any position at Ibrox.
I wonder if his request will be heard in open court.
StevieBC says: March 2, 2015 at 11:42 pm
“…But [Andy Goram] believes Hampden chiefs could put the entire Scottish game at risk if they ban Johannesburg-based King from taking up the reins at the Glasgow giants…”
The Hampden Chiefs? The Glasgow Giants? The Jo-Burg Kings? Has the much discussed American style franchise model kicked in already? 😈
King’s email to Llambias & Leach
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_LXwLTUoAA9g5R.png
The resolutions were only to remove them as directors, not as employees. If he is looking for them to resign as CEO and Financial Director, then he will have to come to some financial arrangement with them.
If he was consistent then he would be expecting McCoist and McDowall to walk away without a pay-off, (not to mention McCulloch, Black, Boyd, Miller etc)
Courtesy of a poster on Jambos Kickback
Dave King, The past year.
Feb 2014: King promises £30m
Nov 2014: King promises £16m
Dec 2014: King promises £8m
Mar 2015: King asks fans for money
jockybhoy says:
March 3, 2015 at 2:21 pm
StevieBC says: March 2, 2015 at 11:42 pm
“…But [Andy Goram] believes Hampden chiefs could put the entire Scottish game at risk if they ban Johannesburg-based King from taking up the reins at the Glasgow giants…”
The Hampden Chiefs? The Glasgow Giants? The Jo-Burg Kings? Has the much discussed American style franchise model kicked in already? 😈
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😛
That’s a typically Glasgow-centric list that Goram came out with.
No mention of the Granite City Oilers or Tayside Terrors. 😳
easyJambo says:
March 3, 2015 at 2:25 pm
King’s email to Llambias & Leach
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_LXwLTUoAA9g5R.png
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Good to see WATP thinking back at Ibrox where it belongs – it will be like Charles Green all over again – without the Sid James comedy charm.
My lovely wife was quite put out when her wickedly witty best friend described our courtship as “seen her, want her, got her”
Well they saw him, they wanted him and now they’ve got him – but I bet they won’t be happy together in 20 years time as we are 🙂
easyJambo says:
March 3, 2015 at 2:25 pm
Things look like heating up, therefore before we get to more meaty business I’ll put in a last post in relation to chants etc.
I am still tickled by the sheer poetry of ‘The Cowden Family’ song sung by fans of East Fife, while of course believing there is not a word of truth in it.
@easyjambo 2.25 surely Leach’s position would have to be re designated Chief Financial Officer 😉 However it begs the question how willfully mischievous L&L could be without risking instant dismissal in not following the new Monarch’s directions to the T and misinterpreting them.