The scandal in which Scottish football has become embroiled is neither equivocal nor complicated. It happened. It is easily seen to have happened. It is certainly not a degree course in nuclear physics. Why then, are simple facts ignored day after day, week after week, by not just the so called purveyors of truth in the media, but the body of the SFA itself, the clubs?
Five years or so ago, systematic cheating by a club involved in Scottish football was uncovered as a consequence of the club slipping into liquidation. This is easily established as fact.
It soon became clear that the authorities had been aware of the situation for as long as it had been going on, but instead of applying their own rules, which would have saved that club from it’s ultimate demise, they chose to enable it and cover it up. Also, backed up by documentary evidence.
As a consequence of the slide towards liquidation, the authorities went into cover-up overdrive to protect their own position. Inquiries based on rhetorical “you’ll have had your tea!” questions were set up to arrive at predetermined conclusions. The post-truth era in Scottish football had begun in earnest.
The claims of corruption which subsequently emerged were dismissed out of hand by the authorities and the press; first by accusations that it was only Paranoid Celtic fans looking to put the boot into Rangers who were behind the claims, then, when it became clear that it was not only Celtic fans who were angered by the way the integrity of the sport had been shattered, the “mad Celtic fans” epithet was amended to “mad online conspiracy theorists”.
The tactic was clear. NEVER address the issue. Attack the messengers. Ridicule them, mock them, demonise them. Despite that, the message of SFM and others was gaining traction and dangerously for the authorities, becoming difficult to ignore.
Last Autumn SFM was approached in confidence by senior figures in two print media outlets. The request was for us to provide them with the facts we had in bullet points – to make it easier for them to reach their audience, an audience they claimed was not sophisticated enough to absorb the detail and minutiae of the story.
The role of journalists is to do exactly that of course. They had access to the same documentary evidence we had (we know this because we gave it to them), but they wanted us to do their job for them? Leaving aside the scant regard I have for football journalists in this country, I don’t believe they are incapable of carrying out that simple task – but we humoured them anyway and provided them with the “SFA Corruption for Dummies” guide that they asked for.
But what were they really up to?
Remembering the RTC thread where he pointed out that genuine whistle-blowers in this saga were reluctant to come forward because of trust issues – they feared any contact with the MSM would result in their details being provided to those they were exposing – we proceeded with some caution. Amusingly, the same three questions was asked at each meeting; “You must know who Rangers Tax Case is?”, “any idea who John James is?” and, “what team do you support?”. (FYI, my answers were, “No”, “No”, and “Celtic” respectively).
Interestingly, for people who needed clarification by bullet-point, they were well enough versed in the minutiae to attempt to argue the flat-earth case and try to sell us the “it has been established legally that <insert something that hasn’t been established legally here>”
Our only conjecture was that they were trying to convince us we were wrong, or ascertain how firm a grasp we actually had on the facts to better see who and what they were dealing with, or (most probably) they were reacting aimlessly to online pressure and not really following any plan at all. Perhaps they were seeking to reassure themselves that it was just Celtic fans who were angry – although I fail to see how Celtic or their fans have less credibility when asking legitimate questions about the running of the game just because Rangers were involved.
Subsequently, despite the platitudes of “print and social media should work together” and the like, and despite being furnished with the aforementioned bullet points, no further contact was made with SFM other than a couple of childish comments about SFM on Twitter.
Facts might be facts to us all, but in the case of the print media, they can be ignored on the basis that mad internet bampots are not a credible source, although metaphysical hypotheses are clearly thought to be a far more sensible line of inquiry!
However, facts ARE indeed facts, and in the hands of real journalists like Alec Thomson and those in The Offshore Game (TOG), they are given the credence they merit. Since TOG published the report on the SFA (see below), the facts have emerged from not just the so-called internet bampots. Those facts have survived the scrutiny of several reputable journalists involved in TOG – and their legal advisers.
Accusations more blunt and unequivocal than we have ever made have been published. The genie is most definitely out of the bottle, but the prodigious MSM Twitterati, so meticulous in their investigations into the occupation of Craig Whyte’s female companions, appear to have run out of batteries on their keyboards. “No answer” is the loud reply, since TOG cannot be ridiculed quite so easily without exposing themselves to the same scrutiny they have failed to apply to the SFA.
If I can be as unequivocal about this as possible. Senior journalists in at least two MSM print outlets KNOW there has been a cover up, and that systematic cheating took place. They knew that before the TOG report, long before it, but still they did nothing. Even now they do nothing. They are now playing a reactionary role – as counterpoint to the accessible online truth – involved in actively concealing that truth from the offline public. An Offline Game if you like.
Of course we are not surprised by that, and as the falling-off-a-cliff circulation figures show, fewer and fewer people are playing their game. Even those who still purchase newspapers believe little of what they read.
The clubs are a different matter. Fans of every single club in this country – and that includes TRFC – will benefit from an inquiry into the handling of this matter. In the light of the TOG report, there is no excuse for the clubs to ignore calls for an inquiry to be set up. In fact by doing so, they are actively embracing corruption.
As we have said time and time again, this is no longer about Rangers. It is about institutionalised mal-governance at Hampden. By assisting the cover-up, the clubs are ensuring that the same corrupt practices are in place, ready to go again when necessary. Those practices which saw journalists and SFA officials cede editorial control (both statements backed up by documentary evidence) of their output to one club, and allow damaging conflicts of interest to circumvent rules.
The Offshore Game has thrown a media spotlight onto a cover-up. The MSM have attempted to bury it in the offline domain, but corruption, however well established,is not unbeatable. We can beat it if we work together – and here is how.
Season ticket renewals are dropping through letterboxes as I write this. If we do nothing other than protest, the clubs will do – just like Stewart Regan says he will – NOTHING!
There is only one way to establish the Independent Inquiry that is demanded in the wake of TOG report. Ask your club if they will vote for an Independent Inquiry to be set up.
If they agree, there is no problem. They are doing the right thing and will be deserving of our support.
Otherwise, send their renewal forms back to them unsigned.
It really is that simple.
http://www.theoffshoregame.net/475-2/
RYANGOSLINGMAY 23, 2016 at 22:36
You make some valid points Ryan, and I think you are beginning to understand how Celtic supporters feel about being associated with an O** F***. No matter the severity, or the few who retaliate, them’s the breaks. A pitch invasion is a pitch invasion. I don’t buy the defenders of the players stuff. and if your honest….?
Never condone violence but never forget it either? Players attacked?
http://www.scotsman.com/news/rangers-fans-attack-villarreal-bus-on-way-to-match-1-485165
P.s. Been a while, but always lurking…
INCREDIBLEADAMSPARKMAY 23, 2016 at 16:43
WEE_ALPHA, there was way more than 20 Motherwell fans that made their way over to the Rangers support and there is plenty of photographs and video footage, mostly taken from Well fans, that confirm this.
It had the potential to turn ugly but, as you say, no Rangers fan entered the pitch that day. Similar restraint would have been helpful at Hampden but unfortunately some fans decided to embarrass themselves.
——————————————————————————————————————–
I was at the game and from where I was sitting (I didn’t go on the park, but was in same stand as those that did), it looked like a small number of fans, however I am happy to be corrected. I do remember thinking at the time what a bunch of idiots they were. As the saying goes if their brains were made of chocolate they wouldn’t have enough to make a Smartie!
RYANGOSLINGMAY 23, 2016 at 22:36
Why should both clubs be punished equally? How much damage was done by Rangers fans? How many Hibs players were attacked? How many back room staff? How many were spat on? How many had to be escorted from the pitch surrounded by officials for their own safety? How many Rangers fans ran to the Hibs end?
By all means punish Rangers for fans invading the pitch and singing prohibited songs, but to make out that they were, to coin a very popular phrase “as bad as each other”, is extremely disingenuous.
———————
Good questions, Ryan, but ones you’ll never hear asked in our media. The agenda is set. Hibs fans were appalling. Some Rangers supporters braved the green tide and couldn’t walk away, and still not a quote from a single soul from anyone on the field about the trauma the endured on the pitch. Were any Hibs players traumatised by Rangers fans? I suspect not but it’s a closed question to our media. Not a word on David Weir’s fly kick from the touch line as the melees developed.
Thank heavens for a classy display from Kenny Miller congratulating Hibs – and his missus with heir tweets saying Kenny had not been attacked.
Level5 and the SMSM at their horrible worst. Rangers, as ever the victim.
what a tasteless lot they are.
btw, the Hibs fans were out of order but the media rewriting of events is every bit as bad.
Ryan
Thanks for your posting.
IMHO, the major responsibility lies with a significant number of Hibs fans who crossed the half way line to confront Rangers fans. In addition I think the Rangers players like Foderingham show remarkable restraint and some courage faced with antagonistic Hibs fans. Full credit to him.
Majority of Hibs fans on the pitch were over-exuberant but shouldn’t have been there. Rangers fans on the pitch were there to confront and contrasts with Motherwell game when Rangers supporters didn’t encroach.
No player or member of staff should be going to their work and being verbally abused or spat on or assaulted. Of course that applies to vile sectarian songs about Alan Stubbs too. From some video coverage it does look like a Rangers official kicks a Hibs player right in the technical area.
We all seem to agree that the Rangers have not served themselves well with their PR releases which do read very similar to the tone of Jim Traynor’s farewell piece about internet bampots.
Some information on UEFA licensing with regard to SC winners.
Article 15 allows clubs who are not subject to club licensing to UEFA standards (clubs not in the top tier in Scotland) who qualify on sporting merit to make an application to the SFA for an exceptional licence to minimum criteria laid done by UEFA notified to SFA by 31 Aug 2015.
The key phrase is on sporting merit which means the winners, unless they are subsequently barred for anything that might question they won on sporting merit, like evidence of performance enhancing drugs. So unless SFA are going to withhold the SC from Hibs on grounds like that then Hibs won on sporting merit.
Both Hibs and TRFC will already had applications for exceptional entry assessed by SFA and passed to UEFA in April who then make the final decision once winner is known.
So the only decision for UEFA to make will be do Hibs as SC winners on sporting merit meet the minimum criteria UEFA set and SFA have checked.
In terms of the money clubs earn the only certainty is the fee paid for each qualifying round hurdles.
In CL qualifying that is euro 300k for EL I think it’s lower.
Do not forget that in 2011 a much stronger RFC squad exited the EL qualifier to Maribor so it’s no certainty the qualifying club will actually hurdle the qualifying rounds and banking on anything other than what the qualified round rewards provide would be imprudent, although TRFC seem as willing to gamble with possible future earnings as RFC were in 2011 and look how that turned out.
JIMMCIMAY 23, 2016 at 23:48
Jim, I have seen a few comments on other sites alleging it was Weir who kicked out, but I am pretty sure he was wearing a trackie on the day.
RYANGOSLINGMAY 23, 2016 at 21:54
………… However I also think it is high time for people to stop going out of their way to make Hibs fans out to be as blameless as possible while making every effort to condemn the Rangers fans. As a case in point, you began by saying that the Bears that entered the field had “more malice…than ANY of the Hibs fans”. (My emphasis). The same Hibs fans who attacked the Rangers players and ran to the Rangers end of the stadium. Presumably also with no malice?
We bang on and on about the need for even handed media reporting in the MSM, I think it’s time we practised what we preached.
And since you mentioned it, I think it was a stupid statement for Rangers to make yesterday. …….
______________________
Ryan, for myself, I have never attempted to make out the Hibs fans to be at all blameless and, to be honest I can’t think of any other contributors here who have been guilty of doing so. What I have seen, is an attempt to give balanced opinion. While I have strenuously tried to avoid comparing the behaviour of both sets of fans, others have done so – and legitimately so. This forum is open to fans from all clubs and each contributor has given their take on the shameful events that took place on Saturday. Overwhelmingly, these contributions severely criticise the pitch invasion and those fans whose behaviour went beyond good natured celebration.
I totally disapprove of the pitch invasion and offensive behaviour towards Rangers players and staff but there is a difference between going on to the pitch to celebrate and going on to offend, abuse and assault. The vast majority of Hibs fans on the pitch did not belong in this latter category but they were wrong to be there. The presence of young children on the pitch is, to me, evidence of innocent intent, despite being ill advised, as the Parents/carers clearly did not expect their children to be put at risk.
Surely we can at least agree that neither set of supporters were completely innocent while agreeing that the vast majority on both sides behaved in a proper and commendable way!
I wonder what Rangers fans are thinking now about Dave King and Paul Murray. King effectively crashed the share price allowing him and his sidekicks to buy enough equity to remove the old board. The backing of Rangers fans it seems to me was gained by the promise of £50 Million investment. That investment doesn’t look like materialising any time soon.
Without the promise of warchests is it likely King would have got any backing at all. He was part of David Murray’s discredited regime and most Rangers fans nowadays and for some time have blamed Murray for their ills. King promised to quadruple the Rangers budget , if Celtic upped their game. Celtic have significantly upped their game , yet does anyone believe Warburton’s budget will be £24 Million this season ?
The early promise shown by Warburton’s team has fizzled out , with a clear need now for at least 7 or 8 new first choice players required to compete with Aberdeen and Hearts. Warburton himself has had a lot of the shine taken off of his reputation as he was outcoached by Stubbs and Houston in recent months.
If this was any other blustering owner of any other club , the media would be ridiculing him. The fans would be demanding he keep his promises. Yet none of that is happening to any significant extent . You have to wonder why. King conned the fans and media with his false promises .
The team clearly are no great shakes and certainly a mile off of being a realistic challenger. The vocal and in some cases violent fan group leaders who have been behind King have intimidated other fans into silence by ridicule and aggression . So whilst I know guys like Chris Graham is a moron and the Sons of Struth guys are a mixture of naivety and violence ,their presence is a factor in Rangers being consigned to a further period of turmoil.
I can’t add a lot to what’s already been said on here about the final.
The rush by the Rangers PR team to hijack and set the agenda would be wasted in a country where the press were prepared to ridicule when it’s necessary. However there are too few journalists and publications who are prepared to confront the lies and propaganda churned out by Traynor and sanctioned by King and Murray
Rangers players did nothing to merit being confronted and in at least 2 cases attempted assaults were carried out. They equally did nothing to provoke anyone and were generally quite restrained even as they celebrated their goals. They were wholly innocent from what I can see. Warburton and Weir also have done or said nothing to inflame the situation and they also deserve sympathy .
Rangers fans don’t deserve much sympathy though. The ones who didn’t engage in illegal sectarian singing all through and after the match were only doing what any decent human being ( of whom there are many in the Rangers support) would have done.
Equally those who stayed in the stands as they were being taunted by Hibs supporters were only behaving the way decent people do. You shouldn’t be praised for behaving like the vast majority of the population. The thousands though who engaged in disgusting sectarian singing , which happens regularly at high profile Rangers games, and the hundreds who spilled onto the pitch looking to fight are every bit as moronic and thuggish as those Hibs supporters who confronted Rangers players and attempted to assault them .
I have no idea what punishment the SFA will hand out for the after match trouble, but i think it’s difficult to punish either club given neither of them would appear to have contributed to the behaviour of their fans. There may however be action taken over the statements from Rangers which appear to me to bring the game into disrepute.
Me ? I’d ban the fitba;, same as Jamie the Saxth did . As I see it, and I may be wrong, there is no benefit in allowing this farrago to continue .Them that are , reckon that the supporters of football are still in stasis, with the fans in the last millennia, in that we have nothing else to do or spend our money on than the myth they wish to create, are palpably wrong . CFC appear to have realised that it is time to jettison their “rivals” and move on . The Mighty Jags welcome the challenge .
So how many TRFC players were rescued by the fans ? None on social media that I’ve seen so far , though I did hear about a TRFC official who was advised by Police Scotland to congregate his colleagues in the centre circle and decided to ignore this and did something other than Police Scotland advised . Having been a miscreant, let the fans on the pitch after the players are off, but violence is part of human nature Drink and emotion. . Oh Maryhill is wonderful. Same as ” Sunshine on Leith ” and other fans’ ditties , but this Norn Ireland sh*te is getting beyond a joke, ‘cos thet’s what it is . A small amount of alcohol has been imbibed in this production . Why the f*ck do you all want the best for Scottish football ? Attack the corrupt, even if they favour your viewpoint .
Your challenge is to make this post coherent . (pished!).
Very interesting last night on Sportsound. Paid employees of the BBC were publicly backing a subjective statement from Rangers which lampoons the BBC and two of their colleagues among others. The tentacles of Rangers cultural power within the establishment should never be underestimated.
UTH @ 7.05 24 May 2016
Agree with your concerns re the BBC – watching the BBC TV coverage of the Cup final with Ronad de Boer representing The Rangers angle of the “experts” team – I take it he was paid for the gig (out of tax payers’ licence fees) yet he was a recipient of a large EBT of £1m + if memory serves me well which if HMRC prevail in the BTC means the British Tax payers are providing further income to a tax evader of British taxes !
Maybe its difficult for the BBC to come up with someone to represent The Rangers’ side of things who hasn’t received an EBT for “services” rendered .
Re BBC
I must admit I am dumbfounded by their editing of the Sunshine on Leith video, in that they superimpose pictures of fans invading the pitch. The S on L celebration was AFTER all fans were returned to the stands. OK, so no clips of the violence were included but the overall impression that would gained by anyone not familiar with the actual occassion viewing this would be that the singing was part of the invasion or the fans left on the terracing were singing their encouragement for the invaders. See for yourself.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36361133
Actually I just clicked the link to check it and while the page is still there, for me, the video doesn’t play. Have complaints been made?
Ryangosling – I have a lot of sympathy for your arguments. I’m not sure if folks are actively understating the behaviour of the Hibs fans, or simply taking it pretty much as read that it was bad/they deserve all that comes their way and as such generating comments that sound less than condemning.
I think, although reading between lines is always a risky undertaking, that folks are more anxious that the bluster coming out of TRFC doesn’t deflect the point that TRFC fans have some major questions to answer. The danger is that the Level5/SMSM smokescreen is being set up to allow the SFA to wriggle away from any punishment of TRFC for the song book, the flares and the violent behaviour of some of their fans.
Yes, Hibs fans provoked, and provoked like hell. But don’t underestimate the potential ramp up of the situation when that first TRFC fan vaulted over the fence. At that point it could have become a whole lot worse. I have to say that the restraint of the vast majority of the TRFC fans at that point (singing aside) saved an unsavoury incident becoming something much, much nastier.
Hibs most certainly have issues to answer, but TRFC have others, others that start from well before the pitch invasion. For TRFC to release the statements they have suggest that yet again they are going to refuse to acknowledge their own fans part in the situation. Why for TRFC/RFC does it always have to be somebody else fault?
Here is what we are up against when it comes to out petition.
https://www.change.org/p/scottish-football-association-ban-hibernian-fc-from-european-competition-and-scottish-competition-season-2016-2017
over 14,000 signatures since Sunday.
The petition for change at the SFA sits at less than 3,000 having been in existence for six months.
I must repeat.
WE ARE FAILING TO GET OUR MESSAGE OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Daily Record headline –
“Rangers fans launch petition to get Hibs kicked out of Europe following Scottish Cup violence”
Can you remember our petition getting ANY mention.
I can’t.
UTH, the beauty of that was that it gave Chick Young the opportunity to rebut and criticise the nonsense parts of The Rangers statements, specifically the attack on Rod Petrie as he spoke in the immediate aftermath of the game without knowing what was going on behind him. Richard Wilson’s acceptance, in full, of both Rangers statements is just plain odd. The spiteful attack on his employers and colleagues must surely have given him cause for deeper reflection. Tom English was also provided with a platform to challenge the statement that he said Jim Traynor stands by and takes full responsibility for. Mr English called it lies – I doubt we’ll see him challenged in court for that. I referenced yesterday a match report on the rangers website, which was professional, objective and dealt with the after-match incidents in passing, appropriately in my view.
A professional PR company shouldn’t be firing off press statements in anger, and I don’t think that they did. It’s a crude and obvious attempt to set the agenda for the SFA , the media and play to fans’ gallery. Again in my view, Rangers best option would have been to show the same professionalism, and dare I say dignity, as was shown in the match report of Saturday’s game. They have every right, a duty even, to try to protect their staff and are understandably upset by what happened but if Traynor’s version of events becomes the story, he’s no good to anyone.
Hello all, Long time lurker but finally decided to take the plunge and post a comment. After Saturday and the subsequent fall out I just couldn’t bite my tongue any longer.
I think we can all agree that no fans of any team had any business being on the pitch. I think the initial invasion of Hibs fans can somewhat be put down to an outpouring of emotion. I mean 15 minutes earlier they were 2-1 down and facing 115 years without winning the cup.
That being said, once the fans crossed the halfway line (a handful even reaching the opposite penalty box) and began visibly goading rangers fans then I think the “over exuberance” excuse goes out the window.
They were clearly baiting the rangers support and sadly a sizeable minority of rangers fans took the bait and entered the field. From that point on the footage and the pictures speak for themselves. An absolute disgrace for what I am sure both clubs will face punishment. Hibs will probably get a bigger punishment because “they started it” so to speak.
But my real issue is with sections of the Scottish press. As I said the footage and pictures speak for themselves. So why do the press feel the urge to lay it on with a trowel? “11 rangers players assaulted”. Well that is demosntrably not true from all the footage. That’s not to say that their safety wasn’t in doubt had they not got off the pitch pretty sharpish. Hibs fans coming on the pitch pushing, shoving, swinging punches (wether they connected or not) at some rangers players, is already shocking and disgraceful so why on earth do the SMSM feel the need to exaggerate it ? It was already disgraceful enough without the need to embellish the story.
Then we had the statements from RFC. I mean what do you say to that? Two words in that statement stick out like a sore thumb and sum up everything that is wrong down govan way just now. The two words “Rangers demand”. It just rubs everyone up the wrong way and also do they think the SFA, the police, Hibs etc… were just going to let all blow over? Honestly is that what they thought? The police are gathering all the CCTV and mobile phone footage they can find and the SFA will launch an inquiry. This will take weeks or even months. Were RFC expecting action to be taken on Saturday night?
What was wrong with issuing a bland holding statement along the lines of “disappointing scenes at the end” etc… and waiting until Monday to see what was going to be done. Thats what Hibs have done. They have let the dust settle and have come out saying they will cooperate with all concerned and ban any fans proven to have committed criminal acts. Rangers on the other hand have defended the section of their fans who engaged in criminal behaviour!
Anyone with any brains at ibrox must be kicking themselves because prior to rangers fans taking the bait and prior to those two statements on Sat/Sun it was all 100% Hibs that the focus would be on.
Anyway that’s my tuppence worth on the situation.
upthehoopsMay 24, 2016 at 07:05
‘…Very interesting last night on Sportsound..Paid employees of the BBC were publicly backing a subjective statement from Rangers which lampoons the BBC and two of their colleagues among others. ..’
_______
Interesting indeed, but not at all surprising: The rottenness at BBC Radio Scotland has its roots at a much higher level than the remuneratio-grade of the likes of mere fans with microphones such as Richard Wilson ( whose pretendy, patronising arty-farty West End objectivity almost slipped into petulant hysteria ! Did you hear the rising pitch and excitement in his voice?) and Kenny Mac.
Re The BBC – something really needs to be done with their pi** poor coverage of Scottish football , particularly TV . Sportscene is an embarassment & a new , completely different format/personnel required . I like the two STV guys , Grant Russell & Peter (show me the Dallas Cowboys email) Lewis – given the BBC Scotland budget for football has increased , as I understand, now is the time for a complete revamp & hire some new blood .
Radio coverage also needs reworked – I would like a larger role given to Richard Gordon for the weekday programmes & again a new format – there must be some young ,talented , thrusting guys/girls out there looking to make a name for themselves but then again , who is doing the hiring/directing the format & content of the BBC Scotland football coverage ?
Wes Fotheringham on Twitter
Definite mention of being attacked or feeling he was under attack, no mention of contact being made.
Measured statement from the young lad who didn’t deserve anything other than praise for a decent performance on the day.
https://www.change.org/p/nicola-sturgeon-resignation-of-nicola-sturgeon-from-the-role-as-msp-of-govan-and-as-the-first-minister?recruiter=464024634&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=mob-xs-share_petition-no_msg&recuruit_context=fb_share_mention_variant
A follow-on to the “kick Hibs out of Europe” petition, this one seeks the resignation of Scotland’s First Minister. Over 700 “peepul” have already signed this.
Those of a robust mentality should read through the comments. I have, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
neepheidMay 24, 2016 at 11:01
https://www.change.org/p/nicola-sturgeon-resignation-of-nicola-sturgeon-from-the-role-as-msp-of-govan-and-as-the-first-minister?recruiter=464024634&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=mob-xs-share_petition-no_msg&recuruit_context=fb_share_mention_variant A follow-on to the “kick Hibs out of Europe” petition, this one seeks the resignation of Scotland’s First Minister. Over 700 “peepul” have already signed this. Those of a robust mentality should read through the comments. I have, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
__________________________
Nicola Sturgeon should be straight on the phone to Alex Salmond, saying, ‘see what you started, you gutless toady!’
Still, she’s no need to worry about losing votes from amongst that shower!
In most civilised countries, a football club with a board and officials who publicly attack so many people, including the head of government and members of the press, would face the most severe censure from all quarters, especially when the quality of their statements lacked any sense of responsibility. In Scotland, though, there seems to be one football club that is immune from the appropriate fallout from all it’s actions!
As an aside, can anyone remember how much support Tom English gave to Angela Haggerty? I genuinely don’t recall. If he did show her support, then fair play to him and he, in turn, deserves all our, and his media colleagues’, support in return. If he didn’t, well I wonder if he’s given her any thought over the past few days!
I think when I posted it earlier it was held for moderation because of a naughty word. Apologies. I repost now without the offending expletive.
Paranoia – A Case Study
“In addition, the Scottish FA’s Compliance Officer has also started the process of investigating potential rule breaches from a football regulatory perspective.”
When I saw this I was at first confused as the trouble only started AFTER the match had finished without any issues other than bigoted singing and the lighting of flares. Then, in the evening, I had a brainwave. The type of brainwave that leaves you feeling “Oh god, surely the wouldn’t”. My thoughts were that they intended investigating player loans and registrations. Afterall what concern is it of the Compliance Officer if incidents occur where the rules of the game have no jurisdiction. Were they going to run a fine tooth comb over the loan agreements between Hibs and Celtic for Stokes and Henderson? Was the loan period over according to SFA over when the league season finished?
Basically were the b#!!$!#ds out to get us?
A night’s sleep heralded a new view on the situation. Were the post match comments and the behaviour of TRFC representatives putting our football administrators into self preservation mode? They did have concerns after the TOG report and I know they have had phone calls from the Sports Integrity Initiative questioning their malfeasance. Are they now looking to cover their own backs? The tone of the TRFC announcements does smack of a desperation. Is the reason the severe lack of funds and the loss of the tide over money that Euro games would bring(I take it that they would not be included with the STs) and were, as per the last time, the SFA made aware of it? So is the Compliance Officer going to be tasked with looking into the refusal of TRFC to return to the pitch to be presented with their medals and has he also been told to review the public communications from TRFC that blasted named people and groups with the efficacy of a scatter gun? Will Mr Regan be looking to a charge of bringing the game into disrepute against TRFC as a smoke screen to their blind eye work over the previous months and years?
So the sleep I had didn’t in fact dispel my paranoia. All it did was to give it another target. A target that takes me a step deeper.
If TRFC was relying on Euro money to survive at what stage did they see it as such? Was it before, during or after they managed to get seven consecutive home cup ties?
So there you have it. Like football, paranoia is a funny old game.
REIVERMAY 24, 2016 at 11:39
Paraphrasing Mr King – No title TRFC ever win will count because paranoia will dictate that we will never again believe a level playing field exists (Assuming we believed that in the first place).
AllyjamboMay 24, 2016 at 11:37
‘….As an aside, can anyone remember how much support Tom English gave to Angela Haggerty?;
______
I can’t, but I do remember how much support Traynor got for his radio platform maintaining and propagating the Big Lie, before(?) he took up paid employment with the phony club, and how little support Jim Spence got, from the BBC.
No cracks appearing yet, but is the MSM dam beginning to creek?
From Sky Sports:
…
“Crowds have fallen away at Celtic Park despite the Hoops stretching their sequence of Scottish Premiership titles to five-in-a-row, with some fans unhappy at the style of football on show and a group of shareholders unsatisfied with the lack of progress into Resolution 12, in which Celtic are seeking answers from the SFA over possible lost revenue from UEFA competition in 2011.”
…
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/10292744/brendan-rodgers-hopes-to-see-celtic-park-filled-once-again
Sorry, just realised the dam isn’t actually creeking yet! They’ve managed to make Resolution 12 out to be solely about money, with no mention of the fact it’s about the questionable issue of a European license to RFC, that may have cost Celtic, and other clubs, money! In Celtic’s case, at least, maybe millions of pounds!
This tweet is from someone who describes himself as a Manchester sports writer for the Forest Echo News. If it’s genuine, then it portrays quite a comparison between the big signings at either end of Glasgow, one uniting the whole support, the other, well, doing what we might expect under the circumstances. (for those unaware, Joey Barton has had some tweets re-tweeted showing him to be a Celtic supporting, IRA supporting…everything the bears hate, in fact!)
“Simon Rowntree @Simon_Rowntree 23m23 minutes ago Ibrox Stadium I am outside Ibrox Stadium and #Rangers fans are protesting against the signing of Joey Barton. Season tickets and scarves are being burned.”
I wonder what would have happened had FC Twente been deliberately mis-registering players for some 10 years, while carrying out illegal tax avoidance schemes? Imagine, too, if the possibility of a European licence being issued under false pretences had reared it’s head! Then take into consideration that this punishment was made after taking into account the club’s efforts to reduce spending. Apparently mistakes were made in the translation of the ‘Bryson technique’
http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2016/05/19/troubled-twente-hit-relegation-breaking-money-rules/
Some contributors have touched upon TRFC’s potential lost income from the Europa Cup. In the Europa Cup they would only be quaranteed one home match. Since some of the potential opposition would be the likes of Maribor, Austria Vienna, Partizan Belgrade, HJK Helsinki, Hadjuk Split [ see link at bottom] they would not necessarily be favourites to qualify for the next (3rd) qualifying round. Plus a trip to Finland or Croatia or even further afield is far from inexpensive.
However in the “new-format” League Cup they will be guaranteed 2 home games. So far no real idea how the Pools will look but for the sake of argument they could end up with Dundee and Dundee United at home on a Saturday, and 2 teams from the lower Divisions. I guess my point is that unlike the UEFA draw, it is not inconceivable that the SPFL could engineer things in favour of TRFC. Add to that much lower travel costs.
Call me paranoid, I know. My point is that while they will miss out on European “exposure” and perhaps the chance to have used playing in Europe as a carrot for potential signings, I don’t see that they are financially worse off. Unless of course they were banking on reaching the Europa Cup Final like they did 5 or 6 years ago?
https://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/seedel2016.html
“Simon Rowntree @Simon_Rowntree 27m27 minutes ago Ibrox Stadium And now Rangers fans are currently chanting “Joey Barton, we hope the UVF shoot you in the head and you drop dead”. This is disgusting.”
Simon Rowntree continuing with his tweets, can anyone confirm they are accurate. They may well be as I can see no updates from the hacks that have been getting over-excited about Barton for a week or more!
Front page Daily Record today.
“ Hibs fan (named) invaded the pitch punched Gers captain before he was caught by police and cuffed on the pitch, so why was he then FREED TO HAVE A PARTY.”
Chris Clements
Chris, you can use the contact name and number below to ask.
Police Scotland
Update from Scottish Cup Final at Hampden
Published 22 May 2016
Chief Superintendent Kenny MacDonald said:
“An investigation team has now been established at Helen Street Police Office. So far there have been 11 arrests for minor offences.
“Officers are in the process of collecting CCTV footage and collating the information that has been gathered at this stage as they try to identify those responsible for the disorder and violence on the pitch.
“As our investigation progresses I have no doubt that additional arrests will be made and would appeal to anyone with information that may assist police enquiries to come forward.
If there are any images or video footage of incidents on the pitch involving violence or disorder, please contact officers at the enquiry team through the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”
cowanpeteMay 24, 2016 at 13:40
I think there’s a bit more to the value, for TRFC, of European participation, though! I suspect Hibs will get a nice wee bounce in their ST uptake, and TRFC would have been expecting similar. There’d quite likely be sponsorship advantages in European exposure, too, to consider, and, if they did get some improvement in their retail deal, a big push in Euro ‘taps’! Instead they seem to be facing some disquiet over their signing of that Celtic supporting, Barton(stard)!
Could a similar PR gift to Saturday’s be presenting itself to cover up another failure? ‘We delivered on our promise of a big name signing, but the supporters didn’t want him!’
paddy malarkeyMay 24, 2016 at 01:54
Humblest apologies for that post . I’ll make my own way to the step .
AllyjamboMay 24, 2016 at 13:23
This tweet is from someone who describes himself as a Manchester sports writer for the Forest Echo News. If it’s genuine, then it portrays quite a comparison between the big signings at either end of Glasgow, one uniting the whole support, the other, well, doing what we might expect under the circumstances. (for those unaware, Joey Barton has had some tweets re-tweeted showing him to be a Celtic supporting, IRA supporting…everything the bears hate, in fact!)
“Simon Rowntree @Simon_Rowntree 23m23 minutes ago Ibrox Stadium I am outside Ibrox Stadium and #Rangers fans are protesting against the signing of Joey Barton. Season tickets and scarves are being burned.”
………………………………………………………………..
This is the same guy who claimed there was a banner at an Ireland games saying IRA AND ISIS comrades in arm against Britain, which was later discovered to have been photo shopped
Guy is just an attention seeking Muppet, if you do a search on him you will find numerous stories and headlines that are pure nonsense.
Aw naw, Mr King will be gutted I tell you, gutted.
In three days he’s managed to turn getting cuffed in a cup (Ok Ryan it was actually a blumin close, most enjoyable game), his fans rioting, potentially awkward questions about euro entry looming not to mention the need to fund flights to arsendistan and massive fan expectations about opening the warchest to “do a Desmond.”
Now instead he’s got them eating off a ST plate with rumours of a big signing that almost was.
Wouldn’t surprise me if its him leading the chants!
Paddy,
I was struggling to make sense of it, then it all became clear at the end!
Allyjambo,
A bit surprised that you’re asking. Website link:http://forestechonews.weebly.com/
spanishceltMay 24, 2016 at 14:13
Thanks for the info, SpanishCelt. Appears Barton has signed now, so we should be seeing repeats of Saturday’s fisticuffs (with more actually landing) at a ground near…
The plot thickens!
According to SSN rangers will parade new signing Joey Barton today. He had been offered a new contact by Burnley but has signed for rangers.
Given Burnley’s new found EPL status you’d have to assume Barton would have been offered upwards of 15K per week with various add-ons for avoiding relegation and the like.
So are rangers going to be paying him 15-20K per week?
If not then it makes no sense to turn down EPL football in favour of SPFL football & less money.
I just cannot believe Barton would leave an EPL side to join rangers if he was going to be on less money.
OK so lets say he’s on 20K a week at rangers. Is this the start of the Dave King £30 million warchest getting flung open or will rangers be in the ludicrous situation of having one squad member being on treble/quadruple what everyone else at the club is on?
I’m sure our intrepid MSM will get to the bottom of all of these questions.
jimboMay 24, 2016 at 14:22
Could you explain it to me then ?
Charlie_KellyMay 24, 2016 at 14:31
The plot thickens! According to SSN rangers will parade new signing Joey Barton today. He had been offered a new contact by Burnley but has signed for rangers. Given Burnley’s new found EPL status you’d have to assume Barton would have been offered upwards of 15K per week with various add-ons for avoiding relegation and the like. So are rangers going to be paying him 15-20K per week? If not then it makes no sense to turn down EPL football in favour of SPFL football & less money. I just cannot believe Barton would leave an EPL side to join rangers if he was going to be on less money. OK so lets say he’s on 20K a week at rangers. Is this the start of the Dave King £30 million warchest getting flung open or will rangers be in the ludicrous situation of having one squad member being on treble/quadruple what everyone else at the club is on? I’m sure our intrepid MSM will get to the bottom of all of these questions.
___________________
Like you, and others I suspect, I find this is a surprising signing. He’s a good, but volatile, player, used to playing with players of as good, or higher, standard than himself. Unless TRFC are going to sign enough to produce a nucleus of players as good as Barton, then I expect he will be dragged down to the level of what’s there. One ‘star’ in a team usually doesn’t work.
To get value for money from Barton, TRFC are going to have to spend to provide him with the players he can play with, and I doubt even if they manage to quash the retail deal that they will be able to afford such excesses. Either King has found ‘investors’ somewhere, or he’s playing a similar game to Whyte!
Quite surprised by Barton apparently being ready to sign when another season in the EPL was available. My guess is he fancies a bit of a challenge and is doing it for the experience, so fair play to him. (I do believe he may find it is not the squoosh he perhaps thinks it is in the SPFL.)
However his salary for the two years will no doubt be paid by today’s easing of the wage bill from the release of Clark Law and Templeton.
With Shiels not being amongst them it looks he may be in with a chance of staying on.
Warbs has been keen to talk up he and his team’s ability to bring added value to the club. Struggling a wee bit to see where Barton. at 34 in September, fits into that equation. Similarly story if Kranjcar (32 in August) arrives.
So three out and three in if you add the Accrington lads.
Over on the Bears Den some would be happy for Wilson and Keirnan to take a hike as well given the showing at the weekend.
Given the aforementioned recollections that it was officially announced that millions were needed to to get to the end of this season, one has to wonder where the war chest funds will come from for the number of players required, given that few of us on here believe King has started releasing his over-investment cash.
Ragers don’t do irony, but if they did
following the Manchester Riot Rangers Chief executive Martin Bain described the scenes as “dreadful” but claimed that the violent scenes “were caused by supporters that don’t normally attach themselves to our support”. He also stated that the club was “in general, absolutely delighted with the behaviour of our supporters.”[29]
CHARLIE_KELLYMAY 24, 2016 at 14:31
…Given Burnley’s new found EPL status…
I just cannot believe Barton would leave an EPL side to join rangers if he was going to be on less money…
==================
By all accounts Barton had a good season, and when he keeps his cool he is a decent player.
So you would think he would be keen to have a swansong in ‘the best league in the world’
and show everyone he can still compete at that level ?
Burnley will now be awash with funds to buy better quality players, which should also appeal to any regular player in their team.
TRFC is also being promoted, but without the prospects of any more cash – or other significant, decent signings.
All the pressure could fall on Barton’s shoulders to shore up TRFC’s performances in the SPL ?
And if he doesn’t deliver: then you’ve got dressing room unrest with a relatively, very highly paid ‘star’.
At least Barton’s agent should know the financial restrictions on TRFC – and the risks involved.
So what has Barton been given, and/or promised to turn down the EPL?
TRFC player/manager, player/coach ? Manager next season ?
Absolutely confused.com !
ALLYJAMBOMAY 24, 2016 at 13:08 10 0 Rate This
No cracks appearing yet, but is the MSM dam beginning to creek?
From Sky Sports:
…“Crowds have fallen away at Celtic Park despite the Hoops stretching their sequence of Scottish Premiership titles to five-in-a-row, with some fans unhappy at the style of football on show and a group of shareholders unsatisfied with the lack of progress into Resolution 12, in which Celtic are seeking answers from the SFA over possible lost revenue from UEFA competition in 2011.”
…
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/10292744/brendan-rodgers-hopes-to-see-celtic-park-filled-once-again
View Comment
********
Ally,
I suspect that Sky are aware of the upcoming ad, which will appear in the Guardian and in a Swiss newspaper, for the attention of UEFA.
It will spell out what Res 12 is all about and,as you say, it is about more than lost revenue.
It is about the allegedly flawed and, perhaps dishonest process, that enable RFC to be granted a European licence, when they did not meet the criteria.
The only reason, I believe for Sky mentioning it at all, was to try and control and sideline the true narrative, by claiming that it was about Celtic looking for money.
It is about much more than that and it is truly nuclear, to quote an absent stalwart.
ThomTheThimMay 24, 2016 at 16:46
Ally, I suspect that Sky are aware of the upcoming ad, which will appear in the Guardian and in a Swiss newspaper, for the attention of UEFA.It will spell out what Res 12 is all about and,as you say, it is about more than lost revenue. It is about the allegedly flawed and, perhaps dishonest process, that enable RFC to be granted a European licence, when they did not meet the criteria. The only reason, I believe for Sky mentioning it at all, was to try and control and sideline the true narrative, by claiming that it was about Celtic looking for money. It is about much more than that and it is truly nuclear, to quote an absent stalwart.
__________________________________
I agree, absolutely (to quote an absent attack dog whistler). Now, whenever anyone currently unaware of the issues surrounding Resolution 12 hears it mentioned, they will merely think it’s about a money issue between Celtic and the SFA, perhaps even believe the SFA are helping sort something out between Celtic and UEFA! Too clever, that, for Level5, so are Sky taking a more proactive role on behalf of their favoured Scottish club?
A reverse squirrel, perhaps, that allows them to say, ‘what do you mean, we ignored Resolution 12? We mentioned it in our piece about Brendan Rodgers!’
‘To be a Ranger is to sense the sacred trust of upholding all that such a name means in this shrine of football.’
Joey Barton has tweeted the above as part of his initiation ceremony. It is, apparently, a famous (in their own livingroom) Ranger’s(IL) quote (Struth?). I’m sure it was composed at a time long before the type of trust upheld at Ibrox was the one with the initials EBT!
Is there a word that encompasses the meaning ‘hyper hypocrites?
ALLYJAMBO
Is there a word that encompasses the meaning ‘hyper hypocrites?
yes there is,the word is sevco
ALLYJAMBOMAY 24, 2016 at 17:16
Have said many times that as soon as you get up that marble staircase, like a spy movie, you get grabbed and injected in the neck with a mysterious blue serum that turns you into Bear Putty.
I’m guessing they only needed a small dose for Barton who seems to like playing up to the crowd and has a talent for fitting in with the locals when in a foreign land.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwkUMFk4yTo
It was the fighting on Saturday that clinched for Barton.
I just wish when the press announce something from Rangers they would make it clear which one is complaining 🙂
Has Barton been signed as player-manager? Where’s Warburton?
Good evening chaps how are things. I see nothing much has changed and I must say the propaganda in the papers has been tremendous to read just a pity they didn’t all get-together and at least make it seem like it was true or that they actually knew what they were talking about.At least one rag had all 11 players getting assaulted or spat on others went with some players others a few and I read one that said half a dozen.I did see the shove on the goalie and that was wrong someone said he got lamped where I grew up getting lamped meant a punch that didn’t happen and even the goalie hasn’t claimed he was punched however that makes no difference the offender was identified and has been to court. I read that lee wallace was punched and kicked until he was rescued if that’s true hopefully the guy is caught and punished unfortunately all I have seen up until now is a photo which appears inconclusive lee could have fallen over avoiding getting hit I am not saying he wasn’t hit just that I have not seen a photo of a punch landing.The stories about Kenny Miller were refuted by his wife more than once I may add. Now not to be pedantic but are these guys supermen or is it maybe a bit suspicious with all these assaults you would have at least expected a black eye a bruise or a fat lip even to have appeared in at least one paper or am I being silly and naive.
I also think that if all the players were being spat on the police would have labelled their strips and sent them off for DNA testing. Would help to convict suspects. So much of it doesn’t add up. As mentioned above I would have expected to see photos of the walking wounded. Traynor would not have missed that trick.
REIVERMAY 24, 2016 at 18:13
It was the fighting on Saturday that clinched it for Barton.
===============
We have a winner !
Any truth in the rumour that Mr Warburton has left and that Mr Barton has been brought in as player-manager.I would have expected Mr Warburton to have been the one interviewed on the signing rather than Mr Weir maybe I’m just reading too much into things.
I see Lee Wallace has pulled out of the Scotland friendlies as he is nursing a slight injury he requires rest if he is to be ready for the 2016/17 campaign, which begins in July.
It is July the new league cup format starts is it not.
SHUG MAY 24, 2016 at 20:25 Any truth in the rumour that Mr Warburton has left and that Mr Barton has been brought in as player-manager. I would have expected Mr Warburton to have been the one interviewed on the signing rather than Mr Weir maybe I’m just reading too much into things.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
SHUG
IMO
I doubt whether Warburton is ready to quit at the minute
I would say this however
Mark Warburton comes across as a decent man who has the ideas and vision to make an average team perform above their expected level. He wouldn`t have found it easy living with the club culture of bigotry and sectarianism. Fan and management behaviour at the SC semis and the SC final will have given him a feel as to how awful it is. Perhaps he needs success on the field to give him a platform of legitimacy to start making waves about this cancer. He certainly seems the kind of guy who would want to make improvements in this area or give it up as a bad job.
IMO
If MW walks after the ST money is in it will not be down to some argument about bonuses or war chests
It will be disillusionment with the prospect of changing the culture of the management and fans
http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/wallace-pulls-scotland-squad/
SHUG
apparently he didn’t want to risk his whiplash claim
GOOSYGOOSY I agree with that 100% the Halliday goal was so good I was shocked to find myself applauding it thankfully nobody noticed.
https://www.change.org/p/change-org-stop-rangers-fans-starting-petitions
https://twitter.com/joey7barton/status/316654949650014208
I expect Joey to be kept well clear of next year’s Loving Cup ceremony.
‘Rangers FC @RangersFC 6h6 hours ago .@Joey7Barton wants to play his part in writing new history for the club: http://rng.rs/1UbqDgN #BartonIsBlue’
_______
It won’t take him long to write, I should imagine, and the back of a fag packet should give enough space to cove the 4 years of its existence!
John Clark.
I’d say that Keith Jackson’s got that gig pretty well sewn up already.
You know you’re reaching the point of farce when you have to ask – which club? and – which history?
I am becoming increasingly intrigued by Mark Warburton’s disappearance. Rangers fans on Twitter are not bes pleased by the question, but I think it is strange and as yet unexplained.
1. There has been no quotes anywhere in the press (as far as I can see) about the game on Saturday. There have been thoughts attributed to him in a third person manner regarding the safety of players after the match – but no quotes. There is I believe a contractual obligation placed on the manager of both teams to speak to the press. Also, is it not the manager’s usual instinct to rally the troops after a cup defeat – to prop up morale and enthuse people for the season and challenges ahead?
2. Rangers made a major new signing yesterday, and again as far as I can tell, Warburton’s name was not invoked in the lengthy press conference (could have missed it I suppose). The manager didn’t have any thoughts to share with the fans about the new acquisition either. David Weir certainly filled in for Warbs, but even a pre-prepared Statement (that word again) would have ticked a box.
3. Some Rangers fans have insisted that Warburton is on holiday – others that he is New York tryng to sign Niko Kranjcar (that was reported last week), but it certainly doesn’t stop him, given modern day communications, from making a comment for publication on the club website – and even there nothing is to be found.
There is speculation that he has been speaking to Derby about their manager’s job. I doubt that for subjective reasons of my own.
For years I have complained about the banality of the football press conference and the set piece quotes that say nothing very much at all, but that is the culture being followed by the press and by TRFC
And it curious, given the press position where everything the man says is regarded as the words of a prophet, that no-one is even asking him what he thinks about the cup final and a major new signing.
Why not?
Tris,
I think in all fairness at this point we should give him/them the benefit of the doubt. He would have been expecting a euro entry in early July (and I don’t say that sarcastically, as the manager he genuinely would have expected to win the cup, not the blowhard rhetoric from levels above) so it is not remiss to assume that he had agreed a holiday as soon as the cup final was over.
I would agree though that the Barton signing whilst not the exaggerated player-manager claims that abound, will bring a bit of been it/done it experience to the middle of the park which they will definitely need for the premiership challenge ahead.
Tris @ 09.27 25 May
Not “Where’s Wally” but “Where’s Warbo” !
I’m sure some smartass could do a photoshop (probably already done on KDS) .
I have to wonder whether Barton is a signing imposed on Warburton by the Board? So he has gone off in the huff? I accept that Warburton might have arranged a break just after the cup final, but as Tris points out, the manager is generally under an obligation to the sponsors to give some sort of post-match interview. Whatever Warburton’s domestic arrangements, I doubt they involved leaving Hampden at 16.50pm precisely.
Regardless of the reasons for his silence, it is beyond bizarre that the press have nothing whatsoever to say about it. Or would be, anywhere but Scotland.
It’s a strange one. It’s so out of character not just for Warbo but the SMSM. Since he arrived last summer every print outlet has reported on his every utterance about every subject on Scottish football. I go on to News Now each day, several times a day to see what news is breaking. I have never witnessed anything like this, the silence from him since Saturday evening. (And their players).
I joked yesterday afternoon on CQN that maybe he has took the huff because DK can’t afford his promotion bonus – £500k ?
Who knows, but if it is as innocent as being on holiday why didn’t Davie Weir mention that in the passing, ‘well seeing as Mark is on holiday it is my privilege to welcome Joey………’ so to speak.
Could be nothing but it is strange.
neepheid
May 24, 2016 at 19:01
Where’s Warburton?
Trisidium
May 25, 2016 at 09:27
Gregory (Scotland Yard detective): “Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?”
Holmes: “To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.”
Gregory: “The dog did nothing in the night-time.”
Holmes: “That was the curious incident.”
Nothing on twitter either. Mark Warburton (@MarkWarburton9)