A Guest Blog for TSFM by beatipacificiscotia
As a child I read a poem by John Godfrey Saxe, “The Blind Men and the Elephant”, and stumbled upon it again recently. It is a simple tale of how six blind men encounter an Elephant and attempt to describe the animal:
It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
The First approached the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
“God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a WALL!”
You get the idea. The other blind men did little better. The second grabbed the tusk and thought the elephant like a spear. Others thought the elephant like a snake (the trunk), a tree (the leg), a fan (the ear), and finally a rope (the tail). What does this have to do with this blog? Let me explain.
There is a danger of all of us, whether consciously or unconsciously, making the same mistake as these blind gentleman. It is too easy to use the parts of the argument that fit our values and belief system, at the expense of the whole truth. The 13th century Jaina scholar, Mallisena, described a much earlier version of the same tale as a parable to argue that people deny various aspects of truth; deluded by the aspects they do understand, they deny the aspects they don’t understand. He said:
“Due to extreme delusion produced on account of a partial viewpoint, the immature deny one aspect and try to establish another. This is the maxim of the blind (men) and the elephant.”
I am incapable of putting it any better than that, though I would go further. I argue that people are deluded by the aspects that they choose to understand, and deny the aspects that they refuse to understand. Which leads me to my tale …..
I have recently read a news report about a decision taken by the Advertising Standards Authority on advertising activities of The Rangers Football Club Ltd and their claims to history and honours. It includes the following quote referring to advice from the SFA:
“We also consulted with the SFA, which confirmed that its definition of a football ‘club’ varied depending on context, and could sometimes refer to an entity separate from the club’s corporate owner.”
I was most unhappy to read this part of the statement. I am yet to see the definition or statement of when you could “sometimes refer to an entity separate from the club’s corporate owner”. This is a contradiction to the definition of a football club given by FIFA; a definition which is handed down to the Confederations, and from Confederations to Associations.
You may or may not be aware, the application of good governance in football is administered through club licensing. This annual process ensures that minimum standards are maintained, to promote growth and development, and ultimately protects all of football – every club, every player and staff member, the integrity of every competition, suppliers of goods and services, the reputation of sponsors, and most of all the fans. FIFA Club Licensing Regulations state that a license applicant must be a football club, defined as:
“Legal entity fully and solely responsible for the football team participating in national and international club competitions that applies for a licence.”
This is a clear and unambiguous definition, which is being ignored by the SFA. Why is this issue so important? Simply, a football club must be held responsible for its commercial activities. For example, an over-ambitious and over-spending Rangers changed the Scottish football landscape forever. Other clubs tried to compete in an unsustainable “Cold War”-like football arms race. I believe Scottish football was damaged. Many clubs have been taken to the brink of death. This could happen in any country, in any league, anywhere in the world. For that reason, a football club and its corporate body must be one and the same, living or dying, inseparably intertwined. The separation of club and company is a myth, a myth dangerous to good governance. Rangers (1872-2012) should be a cautionary tale told to every club owner.
There are many benefits to club licensing. These including minimum standards for stadia and infrastructure, youth development programs, and much more. I would heartily recommend that you read the FIFA document if you have the time. It gave birth to the word and spirit of Financial Fair Play. Look at some of the financial benefits detailed:
10.3 Benefits
Implementation of the financial criteria will help deliver both short and long-term improvements for clubs, the licensors and the football family in general. For the football family in general, the financial criteria should help to:
• safeguard the continuity and integrity of competitions;
• increase the transparency and credibility of clubs’ financial operations;
• improve confidence in the probity of the football industry;
• create a more attractive market for the game’s commercial partners and investors; and
• provide the basis for fair competition, because competition is not just about the teams on the pitch.
For the licensors, the financial criteria should help to:
• improve their understanding of the financial position and prospects of their member clubs;
• encourage clubs to settle liabilities to creditors on a timely basis;
• enhance transparency in the money flow of clubs;
• enhance their ability to be proactive in assisting clubs with financial issues; and
• provide a starting point for club benchmarking at a national level for those licensors and clubs who want to develop this aspect.
For the clubs, the financial criteria should help to:
• improve the standards and quality of financial management and planning activities;
• enable better management decision-making;
• enhance clubs’ financial and business credibility with stakeholders;
• improve financial stability; and
• enhance revenue-generating ability and cost management.
Important words, and I trust the value and opportunity these regulations offer are now clear. Note bullet points 3 and 4, and that our top league currently does not have a sponsor. The SFA must ensure the integrity of competitions, discourage financial recklessness, and protect football for everyone. This is only possible with a clear, unambiguous statement that confirms club / company are one and the same thing.
To suggest a football club can in some way survive liquidation is to undermine the definition of what is a football club, one of the cornerstones of FIFA Club Licensing Regulations. For the SFA to suggest a football club can in some way survive liquidation, or allow this belief to go unchallenged, is a shameful dereliction of duty. It puts all of football in danger. We cannot allow this. There is too much at stake.
The poem ends thus:
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!
The blind men were each partially right, though in their vanity / stubbornness / ignorance they failed to find the truth. There is a lesson for us all in this story. This may appear to be an attempt to renew the old club / new club debate. It is not. To see this as an opportunity to score points against Rangers fans is to completely miss the point – you have failed to find the truth.
This is global issue affecting one of the fundamentals of good governance. Good governance must be the beating heart of our game – ensuring good health and long life. I am looking at the here and now, and ahead into the future.
We must protect and promote ALL of the FIFA Club Licensing Regulations. To deny any part is to refuse to see the whole elephant, like the foolish blind men.
I realise the entertainment we have had in the playing out of the farce down Govan way. But I always like a little reminder on the reason this has all happened, and continues to happen.
In 18 days time, the reason for everything else, since the fateful moment Rangers got caught cheating, will become our centre of attention.
Sure Charlie Bhoy was the chairman and has a Chateau in France, but the tax case won’t be referring to him or his hoose.
Craigy Bhoy never paid the tax and N.I. but that wont be getting a mention either.
Charlottes leaked emails won’t be of any importance, although some other emails will.
All the shite about who signed what for the current deeds, will matter not a jot. Who signed the EBTs will be more interesting.
The current tainted title obtained by spending money they can’t afford apparently, or the administration that looms as a result. Is similar but not the issue.
All of that, and so much more, no matter how similar a story line, how confusing you try to make it, how often you wrongfully point the finger elsewhere.
We all know you cheated and stole to an extent some consider only surpassed by match fixing. Personally I’ve never heard of anyone managing match fixing for two decades, so I disagree on how serious it is.
Sorry, carry on.
@ecobhoy
I posted today about the land bear expert trying to recruit a legal correspondent to add credibility to his ludicrous claims. It didn’t take long for the journo to see through the bears desperate attempts to find corruption between Celtic and GCC.
So the hand of friendship which had been tentatively extended was very quickly replaced by abuse ,it seems a common trait by the supremacist Neanderthal world the bears inhabit.
I know this subject is not favoured by many posters on here ,but I find it fascinating watching the state aid claims and the work you have done to dismiss them out of hand is to be commended.
davythelotion says:
February 6, 2014 at 7:42 pm
4 0 Rate This
Ally believes that they are entitled to the LC final
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Ally believes he is ‘king of Ra peepul’
Ally believes he is ‘Alex Ferguson’
Ally believes he is the manager of a 141yr old club
Ally believes a lot of things , however his behaviour leads lots of us to believe he is a petulant , dog-whistling buffoon whose has an ego that expands as fast as his waistline . 😉
scottc says:
February 6, 2014 at 8:19 pm
…
Sorry guys.
June 9th 2005
http://2deepthoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2005/06/walter-nomics.html
==================
OK, scottc will give you that – but my suggestion from October below doesn’t have a hyphen ! 🙄
[Will split the ‘f*** off fee’ from DP with you then… 😉 ]
++++++++++++
StevieBC says:
October 9, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Danish Pastry says:
October 9, 2013 at 2:07 pm
…
If the Walter Smith economic doctrine is followed (“You can’t just sit on the board and say, ‘We can’t afford that.’”)…
=========
[For the economics nerds out there].
We have had, to name but a couple;
Freakonomics
Reaganomics
…and now we can add
‘Walteromics’
An economic policy which defies the very basis of economic theory, and all known graphs…
The bears have unlimited wants and desires for success, but the club has limited resources – but this does not constrain spending.
Any ‘freeloaders’ can quote the above for nothing. 🙂
Someone tell me I’m wrong [again]
If they go bust on liquidity – there’s no cash to pay admins
So straight to liquidation of sevco`s companies – spivs burned – fine
Don’t understand the asset value thing of 20m+ / lease back rent etc
One Customer Market is that – they can pay as little – or – nothing – as they like
Depends on how hard ball a new group / owner / operator plays
Alternatively;
Le vert had to rustle up 5.5m – but that was only to pay for duffers / lawyers fees
No admin – no admin fees
Fresh Start could be bought up for a song
Trouble with that is the spivs lose out – so;
They’ll have to try to keep it going – by dipping into their now well-lined pockets
But how would each shareholder contribute? By percentage? – Difficult as supporters hold a chunk – and some percentages are proxies – some anonymous – or some don’t want to contribute a full share of the top-up – or it may take too long to organise, or they can`t agree on the top-up needed
They’ll really want to avoid liquidations – pesky enquiries on Directors conduct leading to insolvency thing stuff – and such and such plus the black spot thing on their record – so what to do?
Well – they could chop back with austerity – ok – if all are in agreement – and none are seeking corporation tax write-offs through linked co vehicles – but with such a diverse group of shareholders – that’s difficult to assess – plus – guess what – the spivs will want a percentage interest for lending themselves money [ strange convoluted world]
Last option – try to stay afloat till new ST Cash – and a share offer dilution – but 30mill shares at 25p brings in say 8 mill – nada – and the smart money is really waiting for the above scenario where a fresh start can be bought for a song and a hard ball rent deal
– And a new owner /operator will need a fresh start for a song – and a peppercorn rent – because they’ll need every cent to get years of maintenance neglect sorted.
That’s were they are I think
If the spivs had any sense – the lot of them should start on their book and film scripts pdq – for two reasons;
1 – First spiv book / film out will make all the bucks
2 – The losing spivs may not get past a jury
All hypothetical speculation but of course [allegedly] 😉
Does anyone have a link to ally’s latest tantrum 😆 missed it 😥
scottc on February 6, 2014 at 8:19 pm
1 0 Rate This
——–
Bravo. Kudos indeed.
It rolled too easily off my digital quill to be original.
Great word indeed. As Barca said it sums up the bonkersness of ‘We’re Rangers, we have to spend.’
Funny if we wake up tomorrow to find they’ve discovered £2.5m in an old suit they had in an offshore wardrobe 🙂
Some of it is here Brenda:
http://m.stv.tv/sport/263136-ally-mccoist-id-have-bet-on-ibrox-not-being-picked-for-league-cup-final/
A few observations this Thursday evening.
“Value of assets £36m” – they are worth nothing unless they contain a top flight team playing in Europe each season, i.e. currently they are worth nothing
“Ibrox as venue for cup final” – the only chance of serious silverware coming down Edmiston Drive way anytime soon
“I’d bet we never got the Cup Final” – did Ian Black place a bet on this too and what were the odds?
“fans want a shiny bus, Wallace wants a burnt out clapper” – what’s wrong with the halfway house of a McGills luxury mini-bus?
Overarching everything though is that people are too worked up about factions, backers, funders and personalities. “Laxey this…”, “Blue Pitch that”, “Ritzvi the next thing…”
It boils down to the numbers, pure and simple – if they don’t add up, even having Warren Buffet and George Soros on the board couldn’t save TRFC.
When reading that Ally has the gift of second sight (re cup final venue decision) I remembered an old friend who lived in a care home. He too reckoned he had the “gift”. There was one time that the fire alarm went off and he said he sensed it was going to happen. I pointed out that if he really did have second sight he would have kept his mouth shut when the alarm was about to go off which would have stopped his false teeth flying out and into the toilet with the fright he got. I can’t help but think that Ally should keep his mouth shut too!
jean7brodie says:
February 6, 2014 at 7:18 pm
It sounds like he is agitating to be sacked? Would he gain from this?
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….martyrdom….?
essexbeancounter says:
February 6, 2014 at 9:03 pm
——————————————–
12 months’ pay in lieu of notice
TSFM says:
February 6, 2014 at 7:05 pm
Jack,
I totally agree with your estimation of Ally by the way. But I think we have to be careful not to give him too much credit in the brain cell department. He isn’t clever but is quick with a phrase or a sound-bite but often he hasn’t thought it through. So he just keeps moving on spitting out the phrases to keep the journos happy and they never ever get back to questioning previous nonsense utterances. It’s the way he works because he knows how to play the game and keep lazy journos happy.
I’m also not sure just what percentage of the Bears he would carry with him but he does think like a Bear – or should I say some Bears and he will retain their loyalty for quite a bit. One thing I do know is that Wallace should tell him, in no uncertain terms, that if he opens his trap again on financial matters – like Ibrox not getting a cup game – he will be dismissed for gross misconduct without a penny pay-off.
He has to be told he can only talk on players and games and anything else asked by journos have to be raised by the PR department. That way will start to cut his media ‘power’ and return it to where it should be. If he is allowed to continue then he certainly could prove to be the death-knell of Rangers because the world has moved on and if he can’t hack the new reality then it has to be the door – there is no other option.
But finances are probably that rocky they can’t afford to pay him £800k to GTF. But Wallace has to show that he tells Ally what to do and the Board has to back that position. There’s a whole raft of punters at senior levels in Ibrox who will back Ally because they know a wind of change is threatening and if it happens they’ll be blown out the door.
That has to be the log-jam in decision-making and action on cuts because they just aren’t happening and it’s obvious it’s truly is urgent to get on with it.
I also think if DK has been whispering in Ally’s ear then Ally better be very clear about what he think’s he’s being told by King. I have said before that I can see King go for leasing or renting Ibrox but I can’t see him pouring tens of millions into the club.
An wrt Laxeys – you don’t need high-powered analysts to know that Rangers isn’t a global brand – a google search would reveal that. Surely they weren’t taken-in by Green although many others have been. He has been the go-to guy for selling AIM Flotations for a while and he’s good at getting the money in. He didn’t invest a penny in the purchase of Rangers and did very nicely out of it because that’s how he operates.
But why didn’t Laxeys know this especially, as someone else mentioned, he fleeced them to the tune of £1 a share when the IPO price was only 70p. Of course they had to paid back but it was in additional shares from the tranche of 1p shares given to Green which he didn’t actually pay for and the money had to be deducted from his leaving dosh.
slimshady61 says:
February 6, 2014 at 9:06 pm
essexbeancounter says:
February 6, 2014 at 9:03 pm
——————————————–
12 months’ pay in lieu of notice
==============================
Slim…you did indeed go for the “beancounter’s” answer….but I would love to advise him on how to invest the nest egg…! Should I be contacting Mr King…just in case he engages my services?
justshatered says:
February 6, 2014 at 9:06 pm
Carfins Finest says:
February 6, 2014 at 8:56 pm
I’m more concerned about her passing the blast zone at that cheap land Celtic bought!!!!! Over to you Ecobhoy.
===========================================
I’ll pass on that one 😎
@Chancer 67
You have PM
ecobhoy says:
February 6, 2014 at 9:29 pm
justshatered says:
February 6, 2014 at 9:06 pm
Carfins Finest says:
February 6, 2014 at 8:56 pm
I’m more concerned about her passing the blast zone at that cheap land Celtic bought!!!!! Over to you Ecobhoy.
===========================================
I’ll pass on that one 😎
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Eco…absolutely no need for diplomatic reticence now, after all the investigative work you have done on those crooked and corrupt land deals involving Celtic FC…!
So the club can’t find any credit. Is it unthinkable that the bus brothers could make a short-term extra ‘investment’?
Money back with interest when the ST money arrives?
On the other hand, as folks are saying, just letting it go bust will solve all those contract hesdaches. They’ll also have the properties and the ‘history’ that Charles bought. Would it not just be a waiting game until the fans organize a whip-round to re-start New Newco? This time, all financed by fans. It would have to be within budget as there would be rent to pay.
Maybe it’s not looking all that bad for the investors, taking the long view?
Danish Pastry says:
February 6, 2014 at 8:32 pm
‘….Funny if we wake up tomorrow to find they’ve discovered £2.5m in an old suit they had in an offshore wardrobe ..’
———–
Or possibly lying around in a bus garage.
john clarke on February 6, 2014 at 9:39 pm
1 0 Rate This
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Or possibly lying around in a bus garage.
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Aye John, that super-duper bus (looked a bit 1990s actually) must have been insured.
It is a right old Mystery Tour this. Have faint memories of walking towards those single-decker coaches wae ma auld maw somewhere north of Queen Street station.
We’re all still guessing where this one is heading 🙂
TSFM says: February 6, 2014 at 7:05 pm
ecobhoy says: February 6, 2014 at 9:21 pm
I agree that it’s imperative that the CEO is backed by the RIFC/ TRFC Boards (which company employs which staff?) to ensure that their Team (mis)Manger’s influence with playing and backroom staff is curtailed immediately. Without this there is no chance of staff agreeing to voluntarily reduce the wage bill by at least £1-1.5M per month (30-40% of the £3.5m reported in the IPO Prospectus) required to avoid oblivion. There is obviously little other alternative that I can see to resolve their short term cash crisis.
If their financials were sound surely Mike Ashley (or other “investors”) could afford to lend them the money to smoth their cash flow crisis?
Danish Pastry says:
February 6, 2014 at 9:57 pm
‘…. those single-decker coaches wae ma auld maw somewhere north of Queen Street station. ‘
———
That may have been the old Alexanders ‘blue buses’ station on Parliamentary Road you were headed to.The buses went to really exotic places like Garthamlock and Moodiesburn ( and maybe the likes of Easterhouse) where, I think the Corporation buses did not go, in the early 1960s.
The McCoist interview………
Asked if he was surprised his club’s ground had been overlooked for the occasion, McCoist replied: “Not surprised at all.
“I did say to the chief executive that if we were allowed to bet, which of course we are not, get a few quid on the cup final not being at Ibrox.
In an interview with STV on Wednesday, SPFL chief executive Doncaster said Ibrox couldn’t be used because it was likely a live game would be played at the ground the day before, causing logistical problems for television companies.
“Come on. That doesn’t wash with me and I don’t think it washes with you either.”
………………………………………………………………………….
Now WHY would a journalist be asking Ally that question….did Jack stage it?…
A very weak attempt at playing the victim….
Not quite on the same intellectual level of…..Mr. Lawwell and his from another planet in another Galaxy….
Oh and Ally…your stadium is a dilapidated disgrace…
Long Time Lurker says:
February 6, 2014 at 10:00 pm
😆
chancer67 says:
February 6, 2014 at 8:26 pm
@ecobhoy
I posted today about the land bear expert trying to recruit a legal correspondent to add credibility to his ludicrous claims. It didn’t take long for the journo to see through the bears desperate attempts to find corruption between Celtic and GCC.
So the hand of friendship which had been tentatively extended was very quickly replaced by abuse ,it seems a common trait by the supremacist Neanderthal world the bears inhabit.
I know this subject is not favoured by many posters on here ,but I find it fascinating watching the state aid claims and the work you have done to dismiss them out of hand is to be commended.
===============================================================
I’m really not sure why you think the subject isn’t favoured by many posters as I have been amazed at the TU count they have received considering that the posts are quite long and a wee bit heavy going.
However although I think some Bears do have a supremacist mindset I try not to generalise and usually only use the term when there is clear evidence of an individual or group specifically adopting that attitude. Perhaps you see Neanderthal as a term of abuse but I don’t and see them as being remarkable and perfectly in tune with living in an extremely hostile ice-age environment.
I also hope I haven’t dismissed any argument out of hand as that’s not my usual style. If I think a debate is worth having then I put the effort in to investigate the claims being made and if IMO they are wrong then I will not only say so but produce the evidence to back-up my position.
I noticed another new FTH post tonight but it is actually quite pathetic and not worthy of a response because I feel the poster has totally lost the plot and his argument is no longer coherent.
I check this site every day for the latest developments. All the talk is about when in February the money runs out and The Rangers go into administration. I look at The Bear’s Den and all the talk is of possible signings and who they most want to beat when they reach the Premiership.
This is cognitive dissonance on a grand scale.
Surely there are some Bears who can smell the scent of napalm in the air.
Healthy clubs do not request a 15% wage cut from all staff.
Healthy clubs do not pass around the begging bowl in London and return empty handed.
Healthy clubs do not have a disputed assets case in the court system preventing loans being raised against presumed assets.
Healthy clubs pay their VAT bills.
Healthy clubs have a bank account and a line of credit.
Is Scotland so toxic that the financial train-wreck has to happen with relative silence?
Do dozens of players and backroom staff have to be made redundant next week?
Why is the Scottish media complicit in keeping the biggest story in Scottish football secret?
Why do the people who bought shares in Dec 2012 instead of Christmas presents for their children have to lose all their money?
Will the Scottish media have the effrontery on Feb 14th 2014 when Mr Wallace announces administration from the marble steps to claim that they knew all along?
Will there be social upheaval?
What will life be like without a Third Lanark or a Rangers?
Armageddon through to you?
7 days left. A mere 168 hours till extinction.
It will be messy. Tears will flow. Some sadly believing it to be far more than a game may even take their life if past precedent is anything to go by.
Life will go on.
It is not set in concrete that there will always be a Rangers, 20 years ago we were minutes away from there not being a Celtic.
History does repeat.
Get along to the next press conference at Ibrox if you can. Mr Wallace will have some very important news to impart.
Are our mods of a younger age bracket to be unaware of On The Buses and Inspector Blakey? Posted a pic of Super Salary this afternoon photoshopped to look like Blakey, but it has been removed?? I’ll admit the ‘tache was a bit hitleresque but, if you knew who Blakey was…………. http://www.friendsoforis.com/img/uploaded/image5548.jpg This is the “real” Blakey, you’ll notice the similarity to my image earlier. The purpose of the photoshopped image was to take advantage of Super’s expression and the analogy with bus company directors.
Can I repost it?
Danish Pastry says:
February 6, 2014 at 9:57 pm
john clarke on February 6, 2014 at 9:39 pm
———–
Or possibly lying around in a bus garage.
———-
Aye John, that super-duper bus (looked a bit 1990s actually) must have been insured. It is a right old Mystery Tour this. Have faint memories of walking towards those single-decker coaches wae ma auld maw somewhere north of Queen Street station.
We’re all still guessing where this one is heading 🙂
===========================================================
They had double-deckers as well and clippies anaw wae the platform at the back. Always remember that final winch wae a fish supper in one hand and the other wandering – one eye closed and the other watching that the last bus wasn’t leaving. But sometimes I shut both eyes and missed it leaving and had to run like hell to catch it as it slowed to turn left into Parly Road. Thank gawd for the open platform at the back and the fish supper to savour on the way home.
Simple pleasures and great times and a salary of £415 pa on which I lived like a King 😛 and 5 bob management LVs and not your standard 3 bob ones ❗
Carfins Finest says:
February 6, 2014 at 8:56 pm
You think Peter should ask to borrow “The Loving Cup” for the occasion?
sannoffymesssoitizzhizzemdyfonedrapolis says:
February 6, 2014 at 10:12 pm
‘..(which company employs which staff?) ‘
——–
Actually, I hadn’t really thought about the structure of TRFC. To whom does McCoist formally report? Surely to the TRFC Board?
It would then be for that Board to discipline him for speaking against Board policy.
And then for the RIFC Board to discipline THEM, if they refused to act against McCoist.
Is that where Wallace’s problem lies- not so much with McCoist, but with the TRFC Board?
Intractable walternomics people unable and unwilling to see the writing on the wall, and relying on ‘rangersness’?
ecobhoy says:
February 6, 2014 at 10:34 pm
‘…on which I lived like a King ..’
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Except that , unlike the King in the Eastern Cape, you of course paid your tax when it was due 😀
essexbeancounter says:
February 6, 2014 at 9:33 pm
Eco…absolutely no need for diplomatic reticence now, after all the investigative work you have done on those crooked and corrupt land deals involving Celtic FC…!
====================== =========================
Maliciously alleged ‘crooked and corrupt land deals involving Celtic’ without a shred of factual evidence to back them up and dozens of complicit public organisations from the Scottish Government downwards plus hundreds of individual public servants apparently up to their necks in it.
Who the Hell do they think Celtic is ❓ Rangers ❓
And there’s no truth at all in the rumour that Big Peter has asked for a loan of the Loving Cup to toast HM. I hope the new expanded trophy room will be open in time for her visit 😆
http://www.thefootballlife.co.uk/post/75832447524/why-wont-fans-buy-rangers
On fan ownership and just why they can’t tell between good guys and bad guys any more
Why would McCoist fight against austerity?
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/ally-mccoist-has-high-hopes-of-a-rangers-treble-1-3297617
john clarke says:
February 6, 2014 at 10:49 pm
ecobhoy says:
February 6, 2014 at 10:34 pm
‘…on which I lived like a King ..’
———-
Except that , unlike the King in the Eastern Cape, you of course paid your tax when it was due 😀
=================================
And I never declared the LVs not even when the female in charge of them would slip me a few extra when I was entertaining a young lady to a meal. Funny how things like Alexanders buses take the mind back. After completing my professional training I went to Uni and one of the things I did to pay my way was get my PSV with Alexanders through in their Falkirk depot and then I got posted to Stepps Garage which had a club. What a place – Sodom and that other place that sounds like a disease didn’t have a look in 🙄
Luckily in those days there was none of this new-fangled equality and there was one female clippie for every male driver – aye equality has a lot to answer for 😆
Danish Pastry @ 8.46pm
Cheers 😉 can’t think why I’m getting TD’s
ecobhoy says:
February 6, 2014 at 10:20 pm
“I’m really not sure why you think the subject isn’t favoured by many posters…”
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My own personal feelings were that there was a hazard that your expose on the FTH land deals angle was in danger of dignifying the subject with a response. However it does appear that your efforts have acted to undermine (see what I did there) this particular squirrel and perhaps derail what appears to have been an ill thought out campaign to apparently unjustly tarnish a major Scottish Football Club. The blog in general and you in particular have a track record for engaging in detailed investigation and calling into question extraneous assertions.
We have received many educations and this is another facet that lurkers and contributors can avail themselves of.
It may be that such knowledge of planning permissions and land designation find further utility depending on how some potential property companies choose to play their hand in this saga.
paulsatim says:
February 6, 2014 at 10:36 pm
………………………………..
Borrow?…I don’t think that exists in their current predicament….and in any case there is already a big cup at the stadium she can have a wee dram from…
We are approaching the end game for TRFC
Ally must have been figuring how best to exit without upsetting the loonies
It cant be a simple resignation …unless he has some genuine health issues nobody knows about
It cant be a public fall out with the Spivs …they control his exit package
It cant be a public sacking for performances on the field
It`s not his fault the team is crap. Its really Lloyds Bank who are to blame
I reckon
Ally will leave by mutual consent as soon as the title is tied up
His next job?
It wont be in football management………..for obvious reasons
It wont be in Scotland ..he can do without the hassle
Probably some cheekie chappie job in the media down in London
And if he leaves feeling hard done by
He should think about this
Despite the enormous pressure he was under for the past 2yrs
Despite his inflammatory outbursts
He never got threatened or assaulted in the street He never gor spat upon at matches He never got pilloried in the MSM He never got bullets in the post He never needed police protection
And why should he?
All he did was act as cheerleader for an unpopular institution One that disgraced our little country for decades.An institution that deserved to die when it did
Goodbye Ally
..when it comes
You wont be missed
From the Times of Malta
“Thursday, February 6, 2014, 18:54
Former Hamrun Spartans officials banned for match fixing..”
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I was having a wee look to see if there has been any mention of McGills interest in the Maltese buses.
There isn’t.
But if you want to buy a clapped out , fire hazard of a bendy bus, there’s a whole fleet on sale right now-but you’ve got to get them off the island!
Sifting through the comments regarding Mccoist, the consensus suggests that he operates with a remarkable degree of leverage. When you consider that he cuts a rather ridiculous figure, even with a number of the Govan faithful, you can understand that Wallace must feel he’s at the Mad Hatters tea party.
There really can’t be any doubt McCoist is mimicking his mentor, in spite of Walters disregard for financial propriety.
The emphasis by the press that spivery is the main culprit for Sevco’s is reasonable, but where they embarrass themselves is their lack of probity regarding the the Manager who does not read “His Contract”.
He sells season tickets apparently, he’s the fans, & the Press’s cuddly toy, he stops the horses becoming too frightened, but the benefits of his charm seems to be in the process of being made pointless by his irresponsible demands on the now hollowed out funds.
It’s evident that Wallace now realizes he’s been asked to drive a bus with square wheels, & it looks like the gear stick has just come off in his hands.
Castofthousands says:
February 6, 2014 at 11:09 pm
ecobhoy says:
February 6, 2014 at 10:20 pm
“I’m really not sure why you think the subject isn’t favoured by many posters…”
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My own personal feelings were that there was a danger that your expose on the FTH land deals angle was in danger of dignifying the subject with a response. However it does appear that your efforts have acted to undermine (see what I did there) this particular squirrel and perhaps derail what appears to have been an ill thought out campaign to apparently unjustly tarnish a major Scottish Football Club.
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I take your point which has validity. But these guys had been scratching about for a while and being ignored even by Bears and then the PR influence arrived and lit the blue touch paper.
At that stage it seemed to me that the virtual silence coming from the Celtic ranks was amost an admission of guilt as I actually don’t believe in Dignified Silence or turning the other cheek to get that smacked as well
That’s why I looked at their so-called evidence which amounted to zilch when examined and I think my posts have caused them difficulties and they’ve tried to change direction to get round the grenades I’ve thrown and ended-up in such a shambles that I think there are now only possibly 3/4 Bears who have the slightest clue what it’s all about.
Still when Rangers collapse it will give them something to occupy their time 😆
a sentence in the first version of my post at 11.24 edited out by me as possibly being in poor taste and totally irrelevant, though historically accurate!
The whole post is probably off topic, anyway, except that it touches on the fact that our brothers have wider horizons.
JC is this any use regards Malta http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140119/local/Scotland-s-biggest-bus-firm-eyes-Malta-bid.503134
Today I talked to a friend I haven’t seen for a while. Single mum with a kid, works hard, struggles to make ends meet. Tries to pay her bills, but has to juggle a bit to get by. Couple of unexpected knocks and she went to one of these Wonga-type firms for a loan to keep the wolf from the door.
She says she is being hit with 7000% interest.
There is a court date with an eviction order looming.
My heart broke for her.
Then I think about the spivs and sharks and so-called money men that have done so much to ruin our sport, and think to myself that these are the kinds of guys that sleep easy at night putting women and bairns out into the street.
I hope the UTT names and shames those that robbed the nation of massive amounts of taxes so that they could pursue vain dreams of ill-gotten glory. Remove the knighthood and the titles.
I hope the likes of McCoist and co that continue to do the dog whistle are exposed within their own community for the massive damage they have wrought on the club they profess to love so well.
I hope the likes of CO and co are eventually shown the door for bringing our game into massive disrepute for their role in covering up the EBT scandal and for their scandalous disregard for sporting integrity
And I hope that at least some of the spivs that have tried to bleed our sport dry financially lose a whole bunch of cash in a further collapse of the Govan madhouse.
I won’t hold my breathe on the last one though.
Sadly, it is usually the poor souls like my friend that have to face the hard realities of trying to keep afloat in a sea of sharks.
Zilch says:
February 7, 2014 at 12:29 am
Hi mate I get exactly what you mean and I couldn’t put it across better than you did take a bow sir.
A special mention to the succulent lamb types who aided the spivs and crooks with propaganda that’s helped put these people on a pedestal.
Zilch says:
February 7, 2014 at 12:29 am
15 0 Rate This
Today I talked to a friend I haven’t seen for a while. Single mum with a kid, works hard, struggles to make ends meet. Tries to pay her bills, but has to juggle a bit to get by. Couple of unexpected knocks and she went to one of these Wonga-type firms for a loan to keep the wolf from the door.
She says she is being hit with 7000% interest.
There is a court date with an eviction order looming.
My heart broke for her.
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Zilch , that is absolutelyshocking . Wonga-type companies should be ashamed of themselves . What kind of person would make a child homeless over a paltry sum of money ? Aren’t there any human beings on the board of directors of companies of this ilk ?
Makes you ashamed to be human 🙁
sannoffymesssoitizzhizzemdyfonedrapolis says: February 6, 2014 at 10:12 pm
‘..(which company employs which staff?) ‘
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john clarke says: February 6, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Actually, I hadn’t really thought about the structure of TRFC. To whom does McCoist formally report? Surely to the TRFC Board?
It would then be for that Board to discipline him for speaking against Board policy.
And then for the RIFC Board to discipline THEM, if they refused to act against McCoist.
Is that where Wallace’s problem lies- not so much with McCoist, but with the TRFC Board?
Intractable walternomics people unable and unwilling to see the writing on the wall, and relying on ‘rangersness’?
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Sadly we cannot rely on any of our SMSM reporters to ask:
Which company actually employs McCoist? RIFC plc or TRFC Ltd?
In view of the reported negative comments of Graham Wallace regarding McCoist’s handling of the proposal to reduce the wages of playing and coaching staff by 15%, has any disciplinary action been taken in respect of his blatant “insubordination” of his employer’s aim to cut costs and avoid redundancies?
I’ve no idea if Wallace has been prevented from taking such action or who stopped him but surely McCoist’s employer’s CEO and HR team are aware of the folowing ACAS Disciplinary Procedures Code of Practice guidance
http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/3/j/Getting-it-right-discipline-at-work-accessible-version-June-2011.pdf
Maybe they should ask Mike Ashley’s Newcastle for some HR advice!
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/06/newcastle-suspend-reserve-manager-willie-donachie-allegedly-striking-player
Goosy Goosy @ 1124
It would seem rabble rousing is acceptable to the MSM. However don’t ever kick a water bottle at the side of a pitch after watching your team throw away the league. Do that and they will justify why some would have a reason to hate you.
“McCoist unsurprised by cup final venue” shouts the headline in various MSM outlets, including the BBC news website. Is this drivel the best they can come up with? Who gives a shit what he thinks? Next they’ll be trying to keep us off his trail with “McCoist unsurprised that night follows day”
john clarke on February 6, 2014 at 10:13 pm
12 0 Rate This
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OT
Haha John, with age the mystery is now where the Mystery Tours began! I know the bus station you mentioned. Used that in the early ’70s. But Mystery Tours went to exotic places like Callandar 🙂
They left from what wasn’t so much a terminus as a street. May have my bearings wrong, though. Probably more top of Buchanan Street direction. All changed now, so a bit difficult to place.
@echobhoy: Great account. Happy days, eh? There was also the art of steppin aff movin buses!
Long Time Lurker says:
February 7, 2014 at 7:01 am
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IF (and it has to remain an IF for now), VAT is unpaid then surely the tax authorities should be down on them like a ton of bricks? I understand like everything else there will be a time period where the payment will simply be late, but given the history of what’s gone on at Ibrox there should be no leeway whatsover once that period expires. It will be a public disgrace if this is allowed to happen again.
GoosyGoosy says:
February 6, 2014 at 11:24 pm
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Many of McCoist’s comments and his attitude most of the time are reprehensible. Against that we have to weigh up the reality that this is likely to be his one and only shot at glory as a manager.
It is frankly impossible to see any other club hiring this man and he will doubtless surface on Kenny MacIntyre’s love-in on a Saturday evening shortly after being shown the door at Ibrox.
ecobhoy says:
February 6, 2014 at 10:34 pm
Simple pleasures and great times and a salary of £415 pa on which I lived like a King, and 5 bob management LVs and not your standard 3 bob ones ❗
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Eco…you will also recall that the first three Bob (15p) of LVs were tax free, any excess being taxable as a benefit in kind. I sincerely hope you contributed your fair share towards the national tax burden…or did you set the pattern for our heroes DM and CW…?
PS winching wi’ a fish supper in yer “free” hand…?….Respect man…respect!
Which King? we should be told. (copyright acknowledged)
Clearly he set the pattern for the Lion King… by his own admission
Have just read an in-depth interview with Pat Nevin in CQN magazine (online, via twitter link).
I’ve always liked Nevin as the bespectacled, thoughtful pundit and after reading this now admire him even more.
A key issue of concern to Celtic supporters is addressed (it is a Celtic mag after all) and the article is both eye-opening and disturbing on many levels.
Well worth a read with the football monitor specs on.
http://en.calameo.com/read/0003901710a55b5798f06
fara1968 says:
February 7, 2014 at 5:48 am
Goosy Goosy @ 1124
It would seem rabble rousing is acceptable to the MSM. However don’t ever kick a water bottle at the side of a pitch after watching your team throw away the league. Do that and they will justify why some would have a reason to hate you.
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If Goosy Goosy’s comment that “He never gor spat upon at matches” is in reference to the Lennon incident at Tynecastle, then this accusation was made by an absolute clown of a BBC Reporter and never backed up by Lennon himself.
This unfounded allegation has been propogated and embellished throughout the media during the past week and is a perfect example of the rabble rousing you mention. Many unsavoury comments have been made in Celtic forums about the need to get even, but if Aberdeen fans are hurt as an result of this on Saturday then I won’t be expecting the same level of media attention.
Danish Pastry
Pat Nevin was hijacked by a BBC producer with an agenda in May 2011 who continues to be protected by the national broadcaster. Even if Nevin didn’t have the opportunity to consider and respond at the time, he has had plenty of time to do so since and has singularly failed to do so.
That was one of the most shameful episodes of bias by the BBC. Sadly Pat is part of the problem in most Celtic fans’ eyes; he is erudite, well-spoken and telegenic and allowed that to be used to promote other people’s prejudices.
I turn the sound down or go and boil a kettle when I see him coming on; as hard hitting as a TV pundit he was from the spot against Man City in 1984 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0u4lTUl39I
briggsbhoy says:
February 7, 2014 at 12:19 am
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Yes,briggsbhoy. It was that article that intrigued me, and I emailed The Times of Malta at that time to mention my interest in public transport in Renfrewshire.
MSM In Full Denial Mode
Surprised to see not a word about rumours of financial difficulties at Ibrox in the press. Just rumours mind you – rumours that could be ridiculed, rumours that could easily be denied, rumours that could be described as malicious or agenda-driven – but not a word. – just a herd of squirrels about trebles and talk of beating Celtic. This is quite phenomenal even by MSM standards. I think it is fair to say that on the subject of a national institution and potential social unrest – SCOTLAND NO LONGER HAS A FREE PRESS. It is corrupted and pacified and subservient to the needs of commercial and political interests. NUJ – hang your head in shame.
Why isn’t McCoist being told to haul his sorry ass up to Hampden to explain his comments. If this had been any other manager, Lunny et al would have been all over it.How many chances does this joker get?
If this had been a certain OTHER manager,the media would be having a field day.
sannoffymesssoitizzhizzemdyfonedrapolis says:
February 7, 2014 at 2:46 am
‘……Maybe they should ask Mike Ashley’s Newcastle for some HR advice!’
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As a general observation,unrelated to any current report, I wonder just how much managerial thuggishness – assaulting players by throwing or kicking football boots at them, for instance, or by punching them, kicking or throwing football boots at them-actually goes on and is unreported?
There is a world of difference between motivational pep-talks, disciplinary dressings-down and such like, and criminal assault.
Player- on- player spats may be common enough-and are bad enough- but manager assaults on teenaged boys are surely beyond the pale, even in the bantering world of man’s game football!.
Pictish
If Goosy Goosy’s comment that “He never gor spat upon at matches” is in reference to the Lennon incident at Tynecastle, then this accusation was made by an absolute clown of a BBC Reporter and never backed up by Lennon himself.
This unfounded allegation has been propogated and embellished throughout the media during the past week and is a perfect example of the rabble rousing you mention. Many unsavoury comments have been made in Celtic forums about the need to get even, but if Aberdeen fans are hurt as an result of this on Saturday then I won’t be expecting the same level of media attention.
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Was it not the agent of NL who was the source of the initial reports? The following paragraph was in the BBC report.
“The 42-year-old was spat at, had coins thrown at him and was the subject of verbal abuse in the Tynecastle stand, according to his agent, Martin Reilly.”
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26002727
If the agents’ claims were “embellished” regarding the projected saliva, you have to ask why?
I hope the CCTV is clear enough to give us the indisputable truth.
m.c.f.c. says:
February 7, 2014 at 9:05 am
‘…….SCOTLAND NO LONGER HAS A FREE PRESS. It is corrupted and pacified and subservient to the needs of commercial and political interests. ‘
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You mean, like BBC Radio Scotland when it comes to the new club on their side of the river? 😉
ohn clarke says:
February 7, 2014 at 9:28 am
You mean, like BBC Radio Scotland when it comes to the new club on their side of the river? 😉
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you’ll have to explain that one for me
“I believe that if Graham Wallace does get behind his desk again then it will be to plan for administration.”
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/big-day-at-ibrox/
(BTW, TSFM – re my post in moderation – I was referring Jack Irvine, not our Greenock Jack)
slimshady61 says:
February 7, 2014 at 8:57 am
8 1 Rate This
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I thought this CQN interview dealt with him in a fair way and gave him a chance to put his side of the story across — also regarding the personal issues that saw him spend more time at Easter Road than Celtic Park.
I was watching the BBC that day and remember the incident. Then, and now, the impression was that he made a more general statement condemning certain singing. He does seem to have been fed a line that day, though, and by someone who still remains nameless. Shame on them.
His stock has certainly risen with me on the back of this very candid interview. I had no idea how outspoken he had been on Glasgow’s religious apartheid, and on racism.
m.c.f.c. says:
February 7, 2014 at 9:05 am
MSM In Full Denial Mode
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I’m interested to know where the two TDs so far think I’m wrong on this.
I always take a perverse pleasure in the struggles of any club that wears the Wonga logo. Currently that means Hearts, Newcastle and Blackpool, the latter being my favourite English club. I would be quite happy to see them relegated this season and continue to struggle until they get that filth off their chest. Mind you, they were hard to support when Ince and Rae were in charge and now it’s Scottish media darling Bazza!
Well there is a real plus point for Scottish Police if Big Hauns turns up in a Scottish Court to give evidence on behalf of his erstwhile friend Imran.
Think back to November 2013 when Rangers claimed that an allegedly fraudulent signature of Green’s – on a Companies House document used to appoint CW as a director of Sevco 5088 – had been reported to the Police. More details at: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-claim-police-probing-disputed-2785488
Just when Wallace thought things couldn’t get any worse Sevco 5088 is likely to rear its head yet again and cause further mayhem. I would think that the cops haven’t partaken of Green’s French hospitality to push the investigation along. But can they really ignore the fact that he’s going to be in Scotland and not question him.
AIM should also have an interest as the news of the police investigation was reported to them as presumably some kind of explanation as to what Sevco 5088 actually is. I presume by reporting the matter to AIM that means the company remains a subsidiary of RIFC Plc. But perhaps not – especially with the recent flurry of yet more registered address changes and new directorship details then it’s obvious that Sevco 5088 remains the key battleground.
I wonder if any SMSM journo is going to ask the cops how the probe is getting on and asking whether there is any intention of questioning Green over the authenticity of his alleged signature. No matter what Green states it could have very interesting results.
I wonder if there is anyone left at Ibrox that can truthfully explain the role of Sevco 5088 to Wallace and the implications that the company has for the Rangers future?
Meanwhile on the east coast …
Jim Spence tweets:
Mair Jum:
Greenock Jack says:
February 7, 2014 at 9:27 am
If the agents’ claims were “embellished” regarding the projected saliva, you have to ask why?
I hope the CCTV is clear enough to give us the indisputable truth.
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Both Lennon and the RedTV commentators gave good explanations for the “flying-liquid” – the half-empty cup of tea was one of the many objects to be thrown in the air at the goal celebrations. I was in the Main Stand that day, big party atmosphere, not your usual main-stand sweetie-paper rustlers.
I doubt if we’ll see any CCTV footage, or for that matter eye-witness footage of any spitting incident. Not that there wasn’t any CCTV cameras but for the reason that it almost certainly never occurred. I know that TSFM said that discussion of this incident should be closed, but we have a chance to follow a real-live “rabble-rousing via the media” from the rousing throughout this week to the rabble tomorrow.
Phil MGB is today running a story with some quite specific information on what he reckons will be a huge day for RIFC. He also mentions that they could be late with their VAT and not for the first time. If correct, and let’s say he’s been on the ball a lot more than most on this, the end has begun.
The Daily Record is running with Ally “sets eyes on a treble”. I kid you not.
m.c.f.c. says:
February 7, 2014 at 10:06 am
m.c.f.c. says:
February 7, 2014 at 9:05 am
MSM In Full Denial Mode
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I’m interested to know where the two TDs so far think I’m wrong on this.
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They could be NUJ members or even journos who aren’t NUJ members. It’s worth remembering that since the days of the closed union-shops that the NUJ has steadily lost ground in terms of membership and power in most of the media possibly with the BBC one of the last strongholds but even there the union is under pressure.
I fully accept and agree that the NUJ should defend and encourage the highest journalistic standards in its members and also do what it can to see that proprietors do the same. However, at the coal face these days journos are by-and-large told what to write and how to write it whether they are an NUJ member or not.
If they don’t like it they know where the door is. That’s the harsh reality. I am almost bemused on occasion at posters who believe that journos have any real freedom in what they write about. They write to an agenda set by the editor and often it isn’t what the journo thinks or believes in but they have families, mortgages and all the rest and in a contracting industry nowhere else to go that would be any better. So they eat sh*t, write sh*t and a lot feel sh*tty about that and what they are doing.
The ones with ability look for ways to escape and have been doing so for quite some time and this has led to waves of young, inexperienced and very hopefull trainees manning the ramparts supposedly to bring the truth to the peoples of the world. Don’t make me laugh 🙂
I didn’t give you a TD btw even though the actual start of all the rot was down to accountants who knew nothing about the industry and cared only for the bottom line which decreed that an editor wasn’t judged on circulation but in cutting costs and increasing profits. And, believe it or not, that worked for quite some time although it no longer does.
Many wrongly blame new technology for the demise of the print media – in fact it helped it survive possibly for a decade longer than it would have through the cost-savings it introduced especially in dumping skilled subs and replacing them with little more than kids who could turn on a computer but who wouldn’t have lasted a day when ‘real’ subs were the power-house and often the keepers of integrity in every newspaper.