Good Evening.
As we ponder the historic vote to create a new Governing body to oversee Scottish League football, I cannot help but wonder what brilliant minds will be employed in the drawing up of its constitution, rules, memorandum and articles of association?
Clearly, Messrs Doncaster, Longmuir and even Mr Regan as the CEO of the SFA will be spending many hours with those dreaded folk known simply as “ The Lawyers” in an attempt to get the whole thing up and running and written down in the course of a few short weeks.
In truth, that scares me.
It scares me because legal documentation written up in a hurry or in a rush is seldom perfect and often needs amendment—especially when the errors start to show! The old adage of beware of the busy fool sadly applies.
It also scares me because the existing rules under which the game is governed are not, in my humble opinion, particularly well written and seem to differ in certain material respects from those of UEFA. Even then, adopting the wording and the approach of other bodies is not necessarily the way to go.
I am all in favour of some original thought– and that most precious and unusual of commodities known as common sense and plain English.
Further, the various licensing and compliance rules are clearly in need of an overhaul as they have of late produced what can only be best described as a lack of clarity when studied for the purposes of interpretation. Either that or those doing the studying and interpreting are afflicted with what might be described as tortuous or even tortured legal and administrative minds.
If it is not by now clear that the notion of self-certification on financial and other essential disclosure criteria necessary to obtain a footballing licence (whether European or domestic) is a total non-starter — then those in charge of the game are truly bonkers.
Whilst no governing body can wholly control the actions of a member club, or those who run a club, surely provisions can be inserted into any constitution or set of rules that allows and brings about greater vigilance and scrutiny than we have at present—all of course designed to do nothing other than alert the authorities as early as possible if matters are not being conducted properly or fairly.
However, the main change that would make a difference to most of the folk involved in the Scottish game – namely the fans— would be to have the new rules incorporate a measure which allowed football fans themselves to be represented on any executive or committee.
Clearly, this would be a somewhat revolutionary step and would be fought against tooth and nail by some for no reason other than that it has simply not been done before—especially as the league body is there to regulate the affairs of a number of limited companies all of whom have shareholders to account to and the clubs themselves would presumably be the shareholders in the new SPFL Ltd.
Then again to my knowledge Neil Doncaster is not a shareholder in The SPL ltd– is he?
I can hear the argument that a fan representative on a league body might not be impartial, might be unprofessional, might be biased, might lack knowledge or experience, and have their own agenda and so on—just like many chairmen and chief executive officers who already sit on the committees of the existing league bodies.
Remember too that the SFA until relatively recently had disciplinary committees made up almost exclusively of referees. I don’t think anyone would argue that the widening of the make up of that committee has been a backward step.
However, we already have fan representation at clubs like St Mirren and Motherwell, and of course there has been an established Tartan Army body for some time now. Clubs other than the two mentioned above have mechanisms whereby they communicate and consult with fans, although they stop short of full fan participation– very often for supposedly insurmountable legal reasons.
As often as not, the fans want a say in the running of their club, but also want to be able to make representations to the governing bodies via their club.
So why not include the fans directly in the new set up for governing the league?
Any fan representative could be someone proposed by a properly registered fan body such as through official supporters clubs, or could be seconded by the clubs acting in concert with their supporters clubs.
Perhaps a committee of fan representatives could be created, with such a committee having a representative on the various committees of the new league body.
In this way, there would be a fan who could report back to the fan committee and who could represent the interests of the ordinary fan in the street in any of the committees. Equally such a committee of fans could ensure that any behind the scenes discussions on any issue were properly reported, openly discussed, and made public with no fear of hidden agendas, secret meetings, and secret collusive agreements and so forth.
Is any of that unreasonable? Surely many companies consider the views of their biggest customer? This idea is no different.
Surely such a situation would go some way towards establishing some badly needed trust between the governing bodies and the fans themselves?
If necessary, I would not even object to the fan representatives being excluded from having a right to vote on certain matters—as long as they had a full right of audience and a full right of access to all discussions and relative papers which affect the running of the game.
In this way at least there would be openness and transparency.
In short, it would be a move towards what is quaintly referred to as Democracy.
Perhaps, those who run the game at present should consider the life and times of the late great Alexander Hamilton- one of the founding fathers of the United States of America and who played a significant role in helping write the constitution of that country.
Hamilton was a decent and brilliant man in many ways—but he was dead set against Democracy and the liberation of rights for the masses. In fact, he stated that the best that can be hoped for the mass populace is that they be properly armed with a gun and so able to protect themselves against injustice!
Sadly, Hamilton became embroiled in a bitter dispute with the then Vice President of the nation Aaron Burr in July 1804. Hamilton had used his influence and ensured that Burr lost the election to become Governor of New York and had made some withering attacks on the Vice President’s character.
When he refused to apologise, the Vice President took a whacky notion and challenged him to a duel! Even more whacky is the fact that Hamilton accepted the challenge and so the contest took place at Weehawken New Jersey on the morning of 11th July 1804.
The night before, Hamilton wrote a letter which heavily suggested that he would contrive to miss Burr with his shot, and indeed when the pistols fired Hamilton’s bullet struck a branch immediately above Burr’s head.
However, he did not follow the proper procedure for duelling which required a warning from the duellist that they are going to throw their shot away. Hamilton gave no such indication despite the terms of his letter and despite his shot clearly missing his opponent.
Burr however fired and hit Hamilton in the lower abdomen with the result that the former secretary to the treasury and founding father of the constitution died at 2pm on the twelfth of July.
The incident ruined Burr’s career (whilst duelling was still technically legal in New jersey, it had already been outlawed in various other states).
In any event, in Hamilton’s time full and open democracy in the United States of America would have met with many cries of outrage and bitter opposition. Yet, today, the descendants of slaves and everyone from all social standings, all ethnic minorities and every social background has the constitutional right to vote and seek entry to corridors of power.
In that light, is it really asking too much to allow football fans to have a say and a presence in the running of a game they pay so much to support?
It wouldn’t need to be Celtic led.
Eg ‘The Daily Record understands that’s 5 SPL are seeking a vote of no confidence in SFA Chairman Ogalvie.The clubs who are believed to include Celtic,Aberdeen and Hibs think he’s a clueless muppet’
There we go 5 scapegoats.
So very easily done behind closed doors if there was a will to do so.
Sadly there is no will 🙁
martybhoy says:
June 14, 2013 at 12:37 am
When I used to live in Scotland in the dark days of autumn / winter 2003 / 2004…..I was one of the 8000 or so terracing Bampots who used to turn up to watch my club and sing Sack The Board at the top of my voice.
————-
Great season 2003/04 – Bayern, Anderlecht, Lyon, Barcelona and a terrific Villareal side all visited CP that season. Goals galore and a stroll to the SPL title – only dark part was Hedman versus Bayern and Larsson fnally leaving.
“If they went into administration and a CVA (company voluntary arrangement) was agreed they could still be playing in the SPL next season but with a 15-point deduction.
“[With a CVA] there’s an agreement settled by the administrator and the creditors will get paid a certain amount in the pound.
“The new entity will come out of that debt free. That really is the route of it for Hearts.
“The bank [Ukio Bankas] will get a fraction of what it’s due.
“If they can’t get a CVA, it will be a liquidation, a bit like Rangers, and there will be a new entity having to reapply for membership which would in all likelihood mean Third Division entry.”
==================================================
“If they can’t get a CVA, it will be a liquidation, a bit like Rangers, and there will be a new entity having to reapply for membership which would in all likelihood mean Third Division entry.”
oh dear…neil patey will be on the banned list now as well…
Oops, Tim Mystic investors? 😀
Interesting post on the London South East share-watch site. A very optimistic investor, or mere spin?
“Today 03:31
Beardedsporran
Investment in Rangers
Regardless of the article I see before me Bluey9 I have no worries that Rangers are on the up. Rangers are a huge market worth millions and our investments are secure. It will be a bumpy ride for years to come but believe me these shares are unpredictable in some eyes, predictable in others. This sleeping Giant is ready to explode, mark my words.Even the most strict Celtic fans will, in their minds, know Rangers are on a massive up. Some I suspect have invested!!!They just hate the thought of it. Sabotage seems to be the word of the year for some Celtic fans on this shares issue and we welcome it . I’m super confident Rangers will steam roller the leagues and take Celtic out.My shares are sound.”
http://www.lse.co.uk/shareprice.asp?shareprice=RFC&sharename=rangers_international_football_club
jimlarkin says:
“If they can’t get a CVA, it will be a liquidation, a bit like Rangers, and there will be a new entity having to reapply for membership which would in all likelihood mean Third Division entry.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I hope Hearts, and Dunfermline survive, I really do.
TWo fine clubs with good support.
But if either or both cannot agree a CVA then I wonder if they will be invited to join the “secret” 5 way agreement club.
The same 5 way agreement that will prove to be the Achilles Heel of all who signed it.
And a 5 way deal that still asks a lot of unanswered but relevant questions.
Who had the authority to sanction it and why?
Who crafted it and honed it when the game moved on beyond the original promise of an SPL berth ?
What regulations did it ride roughshod over?
Who signed it and gave it status?
Who did it help and what was it worth to them?
Who did it damage and what was their loss?
Has 5 way agreements for non CVA clubs become policy?
Etc?
3 quarters of million shares sold at 50p. Who is getting their money out?
Had some time today to finally try and fix the audio from the CF tape of Charles Green on 2012-05-09.
Apart from trying to clean up the audio to make it a bit clearer and splicing all the tapes together I did not make any other edits…therefore there is some repetition where the different segments are joined.
Hopefully for anyone interested this will sound a bit better. I do wish Craigy bhoy would sit still though…
https://soundcloud.com/#peterjung1
The, seemingly unopposed, Campbell Ogilvie reelection has been the final straw for me.
I have written to Aberdeen FC and indicated to them that they will not see another penny of my money whilst this man remains in post or, at least, my Club fails to make any effort to have him removed.
The argument I’ve given them is that events over the last few years, and last 12 months in particular, have demonstrated a deep rooted corruption within the Scottish game and whilst my Club continues to give its tacit support for this state of affairs I will not be part of it. There was a window of opporunity 12 months ago after belatedly (almost) doing the right thing in relation to TRFC. Howevber, actions since have shown that to be a mere blip before reverting to type.
AS a result I will not pay gate money to watch my club, I will not buy merchandise, I will not even watch them on TV. For a Club that I have followed through thick and thin since the 70s this is not an easy decision, yet it has now been made and I feel liberated by it.
I have also written to the SFA indicating a similar stance in relation to the national team.
Failure to act and my financial input to the game (and most likely as habits are formed) and that of my children may be lost forever.
A few typos in the above, sorry.
The point about money being lost forever being that the “leisure” spend will be diverted to other sports and activities and those habits will be formed in both myself and my children.
In the last few months I have thoroughly enjoyed attending professional Rugby matches. My regular trips back to Scotland, which in the past would have revolved around AFC’s fixture list, have instead been used to watch Glasgow Warriors (even though I’m not a Weegie). They have been an exciting team to watch and there is a great family atmosphere, I have not regretted this choice. They are a team on the up and I recommend them to this forum.
Danish Pastry says:
June 14, 2013 at 8:49 am
“Oops, Tim Mystic investors? 😀 ”
——————
Grossly over optimystic. Desperately clinging to any shred of debris to keep them afloat.
Finloch says:
June 14, 2013 at 9:05 am
————-
I can’t resist having a go at your quiz. Warning, some of my responses will be a bit trite 🙂 .
Q1 : Who had the authority to sanction it and why?
A1 : SFA. They after all have the overarching authority in the game supposedly. Why?; because they didn’t want to see a Scottish footballing giant consigned to oblivion.
Q2 : Who crafted it and honed it when the game moved on beyond the original promise of an SPL berth ?
A2 : Its architects and drafters would have been the SFA and Rangers primarily. Their original plan would have been modified in the face of events. It is likely there were some dissenting voices from the SPL and SFL but events were moving so quickly that good judgement calls would have been hard come by.
Q3 : What regulations did it ride roughshod over?
A3 : You could have made it multiple choice to aid my memory. Let me see; the SFA rules of association, the SFL rules, SPL rules, laws of natural justice. This is really one for timtim, his earlier post seemed to summarise this.
Q4 : Who signed it and gave it status?
A4 : SFA, SPL, SFL, Sevco 5088/Scotland, RFC (IA).
Q5 : Who did it damage and what was their loss?
A5 : The main victim was sporting integrity. As it ignored previous rule bending many teams in the SPL would have been financially disadvantaged. Other teams that would have liked to have entered division 3 in Rangers place would also have been disadvantaged. Difficult to assess a quantum for this combined loss. Perhaps equal to the taxpayers loss of revenue from EBT use.
Q6 : Has 5 way agreements for non CVA clubs become policy?
A6 : Probably not. This was an extreme case of a massive football club committing financial suicide. There was no precedent and the rules never envisaged such a possibility. So many other laws had to be broken or bent to get to this point that to expect the SFA to cover for HMRC, the Serious Fraud Office and the Administrators professional body is stretching credulity. The SFA were dealt a bad hand and they made a pigs ear of it.
Q7 : Etc?
A7 : There are only so many hours in the day. I think Etc is a rhetorical question.
Though the 5 way agreement has never been published, a draft is available. Thanks to neepheid and borrusiabeefburger.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8029/8017271667_d0ccc1340f_o.jpg
http://borussiabeefburg.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/scotland-vague-and-obscure/
Let me know my score Finloch 🙂 .
It would appear it was Kieron Prior who bought the shares yesterday. It seems he runs his own private equity firm now, a company called Pri Arc, with the registered / trading address
Flat A1
Kings Wardrobe Apartments
6 Wardrobe Place
London
EC4V 5AF
The company was incorporated in May last year (OC374924) as a limited liability partnership. The directors are Kieron Terence Prior and Steven Wallace Cracknell. Cracknell is also a director of Priarc Cars.
test
ps. How much circumstancial does it take to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that MCR/D&P were conflicted up to their necks ?
If the relevant info/leaks are genuine (including previous MD/BBC & CW tape/DG) then can we take the IPA judgement (or process to reach judgement) seriously ?
zerotolerance1903 says:
June 14, 2013 at 9:37 am
1 0 Rate This
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You know zero, I’ve been reading posts like yours for a while, and in the past 24 hours it’s been a bit discouraging also reading posts from Celtic fans intent on beating themselves up because of the perceived action/inaction of their chairman. Seems to me that the anger is being vented towards the wrong people. The only thing that authorities or chairmen listen to is the collective voice of the fans, especially if they hold back on season tickets and also explain why (as you have done). Doesn’t each club have a supporters group? There must be a way to mobilse them in a just cause. If Mr Irvine can organise lobbyng of journalists and administrators for all the wrong reasons, surely a unified fan’ voice can lobby more powerfully for the right reasons?
Perhaps chairmen are not aware of the depth of feeling among fans regarding the current rulers of the game? And expecting the Celtic chairman to carry the major burden of reform seems unrealistic, not to mention unfair. The word revolution is in the title of the latest blog. It really is what is needed – via the collective voice of football fans agitating for an end to the reign of the current set of Hampden suits. The challenge is how to get those voices heard.
In the past few days quite a few important events have taken second place to a kind of angry introspection on here. But Miss C is still tweeting, dedicated bloggers are still digging, the BIGGEST story hasn’t gone away. Btw, speaking of supporting other sports, I noticed that Andy Murray re-tweeted this rather relevant quote the other day:
@andy_murray
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth will become a revolutionary act. -George Orwell
3:40am – 10 Jun 13
PS @castofthousands, I thought that post from from beardedsporran on the lse thread was actually pretty amusing
http://www.priarc.com/
– Are you sitting on a great idea, but need structure, direction and capital?
– Is your business expanding, but constrained by infrastructure, staff and cash-flow?
– Do you have a solid business, good turnover yet struggling to make a profit?
We want to hear from you.
PriArc is an entrepreneurial partnership that aims to invest in great ideas, expanding businesses and innovative concepts. We combine a unique set of investment analysis, risk management and money generation skills that will help create solid businesses with profitability at their core.
http://www.priarc.com/about-us/
Kieran Prior
Challenging convention and changing the game is the personification of Kieran. Born and bred into Proprietary Trading at Goldman Sachs, Kieran has a highly developed sense of risk management and investment skills. Making fast and accurate decisions, has enabled Kieran to thrive in a highly competitive industry and has provided him with an artillery of talents to identify opportunities and make money.
Steven Cracknell
An ideas man and entrepreneur at heart, Steven has an extraordinary set of business skills which range from sales and marketing to product development and project execution. From running large scale tech projects at Goldman Sachs, to mentoring start up entrepreneurs, building businesses is an addiction as much as it is a passion for Steven.
It seems they also provide luxury chauffeur driven cars with a close personal protection service thrown in
http://www.priarc.com/exec/
Luxury Transportation
A chauffeur driven Rolls Royce Phantom is the epitome of style and luxury. To provide the best, we only use the best.
Close Protection
Protection is tailored to meet each of our clients specific needs, to guarantee their safety and peace of mind. All of our Close Protection Officers are all licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and are military trained.
VIP Access
We arrange and provide discerning clients unrivaled access to Europe’s most exclusive clubs, restaurants and
=================
Note, that’s not how you spell unrivalled but they are at least trying.
This made me LOL, can you work out why
“PriArc Executive Services
PriArc Executive Services is the quintessential provider of luxury transportation, close protection and VIP access throughout Europe. We provide an exclusive, bespoke and understated service to each of our clients, ensuring their safety, comfort and privacy.”
Danish Pastry says:
June 14, 2013 at 10:27 am
Danish
I am not angry with Celtic per se, but I am very angry with some individuals who hold positions in the SFA and SPL of great responsibility, who failed miserably to exercise that responsibility, and, who happen to also hold positions of responsibility within Celtic. Having said that, silence is a form of collusion.
It is clear to me at least, that if the new league is to have any chance of succeeding, where its predecessors failed, then ALL the current board members of the SPL & SFA, must not hold any positions going forward. I see one of the Aunt Sally’s is refusing to confirm that he will be applying for the new CEO role. No doubt he will shuffle off the stage pockets bulging, as, human shields don’t come cheap. However, if the same wee cosy cabal is left running the new org, we should all take up tiddlywinks.
Doncaster, Regan, Longmuir and Ogilvy were just the monkeys. I really hope Miss C has the goods on the bloody organ grinders…..
Whilst not underestimating the power or more importantly the perceived power that Celtic and their CEO wield; I believe that perception is a little flawed. For some time now the people who think they are, encouraged by their favourite bloggers, leggo and mcmurdo, have convinced themselves that Peter Lawell is responsible for everything that happens in Scotland and that his agenda is simply to ensure that Celtic remain the top club in the country in perpetuity.
Peter Lawell and Celtic obviously have a vested interest in doing what is best for Celtic. However, it is also important to them that Scottish football is as healthy as possible, or else Celtic’s strength would be diminished and what they dominate would become totally unsustainable in any shape or form. Celtic or any other club in Scotland can only be successful if there is a competition to take part in.
I am hopeful that under the proposed changes in Scottish football, especially coming under one umbrella or governing body, then some of the past anomalies and disjointed decision making can be avoided. It probably would have been advantageous to have had CO removed from office as he will never be a uniting force in our game, but the fault lies with all member clubs not just with the one at the top of the pile.
Gaz says:
June 14, 2013 at 10:39 am
Its quintessentially funny, that’s why 🙂
peterjung says:
June 14, 2013 at 9:18 am
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Had some time today to finally try and fix the audio from the CF tape of Charles Green on 2012-05-09.
Apart from trying to clean up the audio to make it a bit clearer and splicing all the tapes together I did not make any other edits…therefore there is some repetition where the different segments are joined.
Hopefully for anyone interested this will sound a bit better. I do wish Craigy bhoy would sit still though…
https://soundcloud.com/#peterjung1
===================================
The link doesn’t take me to the file, but seeks for me to login. Is there a setting on your account that makes your files private?
I can understand certain fans frustration at what is seen as a lack of action, but I’m not sure what they can do without being brought into a nasty conflict. They are being virtually goaded at the moment and it would unite the various factions across the divide into action and give them an enemy (their term not mine) to concentrate on.
Now despite all our collective knowledge, I’ve yet to see a solid piece of evidence that can nail them all once and for all. That is our biggest problem, even with what we know, we are lacking that final piece of audio that places them in the room and having full knowledge and/or control of various activities.
Even the UEFA licence stuff can still be pushed towards being in the favour of rfc*/SFA interpretation.
Finally, I’m starting to realise that this blog while busy and has great contributors is still a small fraction of the greater football support, a greater support that is willing to just let things lie and watch their team on the pitch.
Unfortunately, media engagement is required for a larger audience to gain momentum. Regrettably, the media seems to be complicit in the fraud that is being committed.
easyJambo says:
June 14, 2013 at 11:10 am
The link doesn’t take me to the file, but seeks for me to login. Is there a setting on your account that makes your files private?
=======================
Or it’s a phishing exercise 😉
easyJambo says:
June 14, 2013 at 11:10 am
The link doesn’t take me to the file, but seeks for me to login. Is there a setting on your account that makes your files private?
___________________________________________________________________________________
oh arse….messed that up…..
try the following and let me know…if none work I need a wiser person to teach me how to link from Souncloud!
http://snd.sc/1205esS
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/users/47432660″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Danish Pastry says:
June 14, 2013 at 8:49 am
Oops, Tim Mystic investors? 😀
Interesting post on the London South East share-watch site. A very optimistic investor, or mere spin?
“Today 03:31
Beardedsporran
Investment in Rangers
Regardless of the article I see before me Bluey9 I have no worries that Rangers are on the up. Rangers are a huge market worth millions and our investments are secure. It will be a bumpy ride for years to come but believe me these shares are unpredictable in some eyes, predictable in others. This sleeping Giant is ready to explode, mark my words.Even the most strict Celtic fans will, in their minds, know Rangers are on a massive up. Some I suspect have invested!!!They just hate the thought of it. Sabotage seems to be the word of the year for some Celtic fans on this shares issue and we welcome it . I’m super confident Rangers will steam roller the leagues and take Celtic out.My shares are sound.”
————————————————————————————————–
Always worth looking at a poster’s record on a share site which are usually infested with operators talking prices up and talking them down on certain shares depending on what their agenda is. ‘Beardedsporran’ joined the LSE site on 13/03/13 and has only made 5 posts all on Rangers – not a single post on another share. I have undernoted his earlier posts. He certainly doesn’t sound like a football fan to me but one of the small team of punters on the LSE site who apparently are intent on trying to stabilise or talk the share price up.
I mean what Rangers fan would refer to a Celtic supporter as ‘strict’ and believe that they have invested in Rangers. Sounds more like a ramping boiler room operation at work desperately trying to keep prices up before the lock-ins come off.
UNDERNOTE
Tuesday 11/06
It beggars belief that a child can enter this site in an attempt to devalue this shares issue at such an early stage. This is a site for investors, not a football banter forum. Please take your little plastic footballs and hit them against someone else’s wall and allow the adults of this world the opportunity to make their own decisions be they right or wrong. I know your Mummy and Daddy’s love you so much they bought you all little PCs to play with but I would suggest the CBBC channel to be a more appropriate place to play. Now run along Bhoys!!
14/05
Rangers will return to the big time soon enough. Rangers need to make a few cuts regarding wages and focus on players who want to play for the shirt and not the money. A million lost a month? I don’t believe a word of it. These shares will rise eventually but without clarity for the future of the club negativity is dragging the price down. Keep holding on tight, the bumpy ride will soon be over.
13/05
These shares will begin to rise again when the board is sorted out and clarity is made regarding who owns the keys to Ibrox. I am confident Blue skies will return and the investors will be smiling at the end of it.
5/04
Ive never seen so many childish football fans as those posting on a site that has nothing to do with them. Celtic fans sure are a sorry lot.
Danish Pastry says: June 14, 2013 at 5:56 am
Despeate times easyJambo. Hasn’t the club posted a financial plan with the SPL / SFA for the coming year?
I can understand the fans not wanting post another penny in the current situation. Waiting for any potential buyer though opens up the possibility of more vultures setting up shop in a Scottish club. So no fans consortium?
==============================
It’s my understanding that the club have kept the SPL informed of the impending problems for a few months and I’m sure that their cashflow forecasts would have been part of that. I’m led to believe that Hearts asked for an advance on their TV money (due in August) but were turned down. (I don’t think that the SPL has free cash at the moment anyway).
Administration seems inevitable and I’d expect to see a winding up order from HMRC appearing in the Edinburgh Gazette today or in the next couple of editions.
The fans group is the Foundation of Hearts which is planned to be funded by fans pledges of monthly contributions. However the current timetable is for those pledges only to start being collected from 4th July. I don’t think they have enough on their own to buy the club without capitalising the monthly contributions, so I believe that it would be better to work with another investor who has funds available up front and use the fans contributions to help with working capital.
A Scandinavian bid/partnership has been rumoured, but the consultant who was advising them, Kai Isaksen, has a bit of a chequered past. The FoH has a meeting at Tynecastle tonight which I will be attending, so hopefully I will find out a bit more about their plans and financial clout.
Very good piece by Corsica Charity
http://alzipratu.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/conflicting-interests/
@allyJambo
“A Scandinavian bid/partnership has been rumoured, but the consultant who was advising them, Kai Isaksen, has a bit of a chequered past. The FoH has a meeting at Tynecastle tonight which I will be attending, so hopefully I will find out a bit more about their plans and financial clout.”
I located some articles in Norwegian newspapers about him. If he’s the main man you’d better check the fine print of any deals/investments. Companies within companies. Just because he’s Scandinavian doesn’t mean a clean bill of health. There’s been some real rogues involved in clubs over here.
Good luck.
Easyjambo
4 Hearts v Rangers league games in 2014/15 ?
Eco
Newgate Threadneedle ?
Scapa
The other night, Slim was at pains to tell me that you can´t seperate the individual from the entity he represents. He was wrong wrt the subject matter I referred to, however would be correct in the case of Celtic representitives on SPL and SFA boards. They are there to help manage the respective goverening body taking into consideration the interests of the club they are employed by. You cannot call their actions or lack of them individualistic.
ecobhoy on June 14, 2013 at 11:22 am
4 0 Rate This
———–
Say no more 😉
TommyB says:
June 14, 2013 at 11:02 am
Tommy I needed a good giggle this morning and your excellent piece of Sir Humphrey supplied it. Paraphrasing – “We totally fecked it up and we are sorry”?
ForresDee says:
June 14, 2013 at 11:19 am
I can understand certain fans frustration at what is seen as a lack of action, but I’m not sure what they can do without being brought into a nasty conflict. They are being virtually goaded at the moment and it would unite the various factions across the divide into action and give them an enemy (their term not mine) to concentrate on.
Now despite all our collective knowledge, I’ve yet to see a solid piece of evidence that can nail them all once and for all. That is our biggest problem, even with what we know, we are lacking that final piece of audio that places them in the room and having full knowledge and/or control of various activities.
Even the UEFA licence stuff can still be pushed towards being in the favour of rfc*/SFA interpretation.
Finally, I’m starting to realise that this blog while busy and has great contributors is still a small fraction of the greater football support, a greater support that is willing to just let things lie and watch their team on the pitch.
Unfortunately, media engagement is required for a larger audience to gain momentum. Regrettably, the media seems to be complicit in the fraud that is being committed.
===============================================================
Every bone in my body and all the experience I have tells me that it would be disastrous for Celtic to become directlyu involved in this and you have pointed to one of the obvious consequences which could end-up with people getting hurt. I remain confident that because no signals are appearing from Parkhead that that doesn’t mean that appropriate discussions and decsions are being made.
As to the media, whether people like it or not, you are correct that unless we get a courageous editor or journo then nothing will appear and it won’t get to a critical tipping-point in the short-term. I still believe that the bulk of fans can be shown what is going on and can also be mobilised to do something about it but that will take years. The sad thing about that is it might well be too late for Scottish football.
As a Celtic supporter I believe there will be a get-out for us because somewhere in the not very distant future I believe we will be playing in another League and will leave a reserve team behind playing in Scotland. As to those who attack my view on the importance on the business side of football all I can say is wake up and smell the coffee.
Our game is on a low path to oblivion unless radical change and innovation is introduced throughout Scotland. I am an optimist and believe that can come and the professionals required to financially save football in Scotland are the people who will sweep aside the dross whose useless dead hands are throttling our game.
That is the prize worth fighting for and tbh I don’t care whether the old guard are corrupt in their support for something beyond football; just lining their pockets; or like wearing a blazer. They will go and we have to work towards that day and if we don’t find the people who can turn the game round then we will be left with a wasteland.
I don’t miss the Old Firm and have more and more seen it to be a blot on the advance of Scotland into a modern all-inclusive society. I was happy when Green appeared to be serious about leading Rangers out of Scotland. Now I think Celtic can do Scotland a huge favour by forever walking away from the bile that a small but poisonous element of both supports will never give up. Oh they’ll eventually die out but I don’t think Scotland can afford the time for that to happen and football most certainly can’t either.
On the lack of evidence – I think you have also got that right. I have left the Uefa licence to others who are right IMO that we don’t actually have the ‘killer’ evidence to pin the SFA as yet and might not get it. I tried to do a similar job with LNS and feel that, at least to my satisfaction, I have done that. More recently I have been trying to look at the D&P situation and so far, despite all the CF material and other things, I am not sure that D&P are guilty of anything as a company. It might be that an employee is open to question on various issues but I have yet to find anything which I regard as conclusive evidence.
Of course I could be totally wrong and might well be. But sometimes what appears to be a conspiracy isn’t and even if it is then it can never be proven. If that point is reached then it might be much more productive to channel our energies towards the vision of trying to save Scottish Football in a format that it can survive financially.
I actually think the reconstruction is a step in the right direction for that – not necessarily for the right reasons – but I think right-thinking people can use it not only to save the game but make it more healthy and yea that means financially because that’s the key to putting better football on the park not just in a few clubs but throughout the game.
greenockjack says:
June 14, 2013 at 11:49 am
I’m not sure I agree. These guys, whatever club responsibilities they might have, must act solely in the best interests of the SFA or SPL when they are acting in that role, not steering decisions towards good outcomes for their particular club at the expense of the organisation as a whole.
I am increasingly convinced no club directors should be on the boards of either the SFA or the new org in an executive capacity. Its really the same problem that exists in the current PCC, where all the power lies with editors, who are then charged with disciplining their colleagues, with sadly predictable results…..
ecobhoy says:
June 14, 2013 at 11:58 am
Ecobhoy, I think you are correct, given the ever increasing gulf between the rich clubs across Europe, and the not so rich clubs, some form of cross border league is probably inevitable. Its not going to happen overnight though, and I am not sure we will really like the franchise format that will probably result.
I am less sanguine that any of the current crop of executives have the talent to ensure that any Scottish team plays a significant role in this development.
Scapa @ 12:02
What they should do isn´t what they necessarily do and your conviction that no club directors should be on the boards of the governing bodies tends to suggest that you agree with me.
I think it natural that club repesentatives will use any role of influence in the governing bodies to further the interests of their club at least in part.
You could say that it´s just how thing´s are in today´s world and to expect otherwise is to believe in Santa Claus. However, in this particular case we have many Celtic supporters who have been stood on the morale high ground for so long that for them to dismiss the fact their club is ‘complicit’ or ‘silent’ will surely make for an uncomfortable shuffling of thoughts. This is where many are at present and seems to be already producing 2 different sub-groups on TSFM.
Scapaflow’s link to Corsice Charity’s article is exactly the type of evidence and background information that should be sent to MPS, MSPs, & football chairmen. We need to get this type of information out there and build alliances and credibility.
Anyone else going to send it to theirs?
Financially, saving Scottish football is not that complicated.
Stop bringing in expensive foreign players, on wages the club can’t afford to sustain. Instead stick to bringing young players through the ranks, these can be foreign players, so long as they are brought to the club young enough. Realism is all that is required, from every club involved.
Bottom line, if you have 3,000 fans coming to your games then that is what size you are. You can try to bring in more people, more sponsorship etc, but until you do don’t spend money you don’t have. Oh and debt is not a bad thing, lot’s of businesses have debt, what’s important is whether you can service the debt or not.
I don’t have anything in the way of details but I think some clubs should look at Ross County and how they have gone about their business.
A Daily Record article from a wee while ago
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/ross-county-chief-george-adams-1165752
Castofthousands says: June 14, 2013 at 10:09
Finloch says: June 14, 2013 at 9:05
————-
I can’t resist having a go at your quiz.
Warning, some of my responses will be a bit trite .
Let me know my score Finloch .
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Some good answers Castofs
I’d say you have passed but what do I know?
Maybe Carucal will email your answers to Mr Regan and ask him to mark them.
He can do this in Tipton or in Glasgow or wherever.
Maybe Mr Transparency will even award you some tickets to be his guest at an upcoming international.
jimlarkin says:
June 14, 2013 at 8:45 am
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Do Hearts actually need a CVA. If they bought the shares from Ukio et al and as part of that deal the connected party debt was written off or part paid and the rest written off could they deal with their other creditors in the normal course of business after a substantial cash injection post acquisition?
I never used to talk like this until I joined this blog. Honest!
TommyB says:
June 14, 2013 at 11:02 am
Peter Lawell and Celtic obviously have a vested interest in doing what is best for Celtic. However, it is also important to them that Scottish football is as healthy as possible, or else Celtic’s strength would be diminished and what they dominate would become totally unsustainable in any shape or form. Celtic or any other club in Scotland can only be successful if there is a competition to take part in.
I am hopeful that under the proposed changes in Scottish football, especially coming under one umbrella or governing body, then some of the past anomalies and disjointed decision making can be avoided. It probably would have been advantageous to have had CO removed from office as he will never be a uniting force in our game, but the fault lies with all member clubs not just with the one at the top of the pile.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I agree with that last sentence. I see a lot of people beating themselves up on here because Celtic are not doing enough and that is fair enough. They may be the biggest club and in a position to lead but they need some followers and I’m not convinced the others have the bottle for it or if in fact they think it is right to continue the strife within the game. Mibees they think it’s time for some stability and a time to focus on improving the game in Scotland. They may want to play a longer game and with all the clubs under one umbrella next season the political dynamics for the clubs could change dramatically.
greenockjack says:
June 14, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Scapa @ 12:02
‘we have many Celtic supporters who have been stood on the morale high ground for so long that for them to dismiss the fact their club is ‘complicit’ or ‘silent’ will surely make for an uncomfortable shuffling of thoughts. This is where many are at present and seems to be already producing 2 different sub-groups on TSFM’.
———————————————————————————————————-
I doubt if any individual nor matter what club they support and who only views their position from the moral high ground will seldom achieve the results that are called for in the real world. However I would rather join with another group of morally-minded people than whom I may have some disagreements with than those who appear to have no morals at all.
However it would be a great pity if the strength which TSFM can achieved through a unity of a broad church approach was dissipated through fragmentation. For a number of years I have looked at the Rangers support and its bitter divisions and camps and I firmly believe the factionalism and fight to get their particuclar blazer wearer or even bearer on the Board has been the biggest roadblock to the decent fans of that club ever managing to gain control.
It has also allowed a series of flag wavers and drum beaters to inflame passions for their own ends which is usually to take money off the Bears by cleverly playing the factions off against each other. But these are matters for Rangers fans to firstly recognise and then decide whether they want to do something about it.
Gaz says:
June 14, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Financially, saving Scottish football is not that complicated.
Stop bringing in expensive foreign players, on wages the club can’t afford to sustain. Instead stick to bringing young players through the ranks, these can be foreign players, so long as they are brought to the club young enough. Realism is all that is required, from every club involved.
Bottom line, if you have 3,000 fans coming to your games then that is what size you are. You can try to bring in more people, more sponsorship etc, but until you do don’t spend money you don’t have. Oh and debt is not a bad thing, lot’s of businesses have debt, what’s important is whether you can service the debt or not.
I don’t have anything in the way of details but I think some clubs should look at Ross County and how they have gone about their business.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Can’t disagree with any of that. I would be interested to see the Ross County financials too my sense is that they are being financed to some extent by the owner judging by the size of their squad and January transfer window signings.
greenockjack says:
June 14, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Scapa @ 12:02
You could say that it´s just how thing´s are in today´s world and to expect otherwise is to believe in Santa Claus. However, in this particular case we have many Celtic supporters who have been stood on the morale high ground for so long that for them to dismiss the fact their club is ‘complicit’ or ‘silent’ will surely make for an uncomfortable shuffling of thoughts. This is where many are at present and seems to be already producing 2 different sub-groups on TSFM.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I think the group who are unhappy with the Celtic Board are frustrated that they are not using the full weight of the country’s biggest club to challenge the institutional corruption in Scottish football. I can understand that.
There may be other sub groups who want to see change too but see the dangers of it being Celtic led and it perhaps splitting the wider fan base (like on here) and it all becoming tribal.
One thing I can say though is that these two “sub groups” may have different tactics but their goal is to root out corruption in the Scottish game and preserve sporting integrity and trying to drive a wedge between the two groups on here seems to me like another guy named Jack’s MO.
However back Kieran Prior
I see he used to be a director of the now dissolved Perestroika Limited – formerly Buzz Productions Ltd – which was a Motion Picture And Video Production company. His fellow director and company secretary Andrew Cooper was for a time also a director of Aceact Limited another motion picture and video company which has had a Russian director Mr Anton Beline and whose company secretary and a director since May 2002 has been Ms Galina Slepneva.
scapaflow14 says:
June 14, 2013 at 11:35 am
15 1 Rate This
Very good piece by Corsica Charity
http://alzipratu.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/conflicting-interests/
———
Amazing piece. This might be causing a stir in high places. I posted a PR release from Ibrox yesterday from the Charity. It seemed an upbeat story, about the hospice donation,and it was maybe released at a time when positive PR was needed? I thought CF’s tweets about Bain were almost too incredible, but now …
@CharlotteFakes
Embezzling charity monies from club events, that’s one hell of an accusation to make against the former CEO. i.imgur.com/DO4CmLR.jpg
6:35am – 2 Jun 13
so, SPFL
when can we expect clarification on who holds what job? Surely we can’t have 2 Chairs, CEO’s etc? seems a lot of duplication can be wiped out overnight – when will it be clear
when will new rule book be published?
bogsdollox says:
June 14, 2013 at 1:11 pm
I am told by a friend, a big Ross County fan, that they are given a budget for the year and that is it, no more. That is split 3 ways a, first team, b, youth development c, stadium upkeep etc.
The budget is based on a reasonable expectation of earnings for the year. They also have a wage cap, and no player is paid above that, no matter what.
bogsdollox says: June 14, 2013 at 12:38 pm
Do Hearts actually need a CVA. If they bought the shares from Ukio et al and as part of that deal the connected party debt was written off or part paid and the rest written off could they deal with their other creditors in the normal course of business after a substantial cash injection post acquisition?
I never used to talk like this until I joined this blog. Honest!
=====================================
In an ideal world, yes it is possible, but I’m sure that prospective buyers will be looking at the bills due to the other creditors. HMRC would be the biggest of them with approx. £1.5M outstanding from Hearts “big” tax case, plus whatever has been accrued in arrears of VAT, PAYE and NIC in the last coupe of months.
easyJambo says:
June 14, 2013 at 1:40 pm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hmm – so their care free attitude to tax compliance could be their undoing.
shamelessly stolen from a poster on KDS….
That Corsica piece on the Rangers Charity Foundation is excellent. Well researched and brilliantly argued.
It prompted me (the original poster on KDS! not me!) to look it up on OCSR’s site and compare with the Celtic Charity Foundation. Two charities that should have pretty similar financial profiles, considering their relationships with the respective clubs.
These stats jumped out at me (the original poster on KDS! not me!) though:
Cost of charitable activites: Rangers – 65% Celtic – 0%
Grants and Donations: Rangers – 29% Celtic – 59%
https://www.oscr.org.uk/search-charity-register/charity-extract/?charitynumber=sc033287
https://www.oscr.org.uk/search-charity-register/charity-extract/?charitynumber=sc024648
Following on from excellent research of Corsica with a little help from CtH, ref to Rangers Charity Foundation & also Scapaflow14 link.
Folks, please read:-
http://alzipratu.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/conflicting-interests/
Also very recent statement from OSCR:-
Regulator reminds charities to be vigilant on fraud
OSCR, communications@oscr.org.uk, 06-06-2013
Scotland’s charity regulator issues a reminder to the sector to stay alert to the risk of fraud.
The call comes as the National Fraud Authority’s latest report finds that 1 in 10 UK charities with an income over £100,000 had detected fraud in the past year.
The Scottish Charity Regulator’s experience is wilful misconduct among charities is rare, but charity trustees should ensure that they have appropriate measures in place to reduce their exposure to fraud and financial crime.
The National Fraud Authority’s Annual Fraud Indicator found that:
9.1% of UK charities with an income over £100,000 reported that they had detected fraud in the last financial year
The most common fraud was payment and banking fraud (47%) followed by accounting fraud (14.8%) and identity fraud (14.1%)
Of those charities that were victims of fraud, 23.1% said this had been insider-enabled fraud.
OSCR’s Chief Executive David Robb urged charity trustees, who are responsible for financial controls and for preventing and reporting fraud to remain vigilant.
‘The NFA’s Annual Fraud Indicator surveyed charities across the UK, 19% of which were on the Scottish Charity Register,’ he said. ‘Only charities over £100,000 were surveyed, while the great majority of Scottish charities have incomes below that level. Nevertheless, the report is a salutary reminder to charities, large or small, to make sure they have proper measures in place to reduce the risk.
‘That’s why we’re urging Scotland’s charity trustees to regularly review their financial procedures and to carry out regular risk assessments and training to make sure that their charity is protect as far as is possible,’ he added.
OSCR has developed its own Anti-Fraud Strategy, setting out how it works with charities and other authorities to reduce the risk of fraud in the sector. Guidance on how to lessen the risk of fraud and exposure to financial crime is available from the Charity Commission for England and Wales at http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/detailed-guidance/protecting-your-charity/protecting-charities-from-harm-compliance-toolkit/chapter-3-fraud-and-financial-crime/chapter-3-fraud-and-financial-crime/
How charities can reduce the risk of fraud
Make sure you have clear financial and reporting procedures in place and that these are fully understood throughout the charity
Make sure that your charity has clear lines of authority, so that those handling funds understand the limit of their responsibility, and that those in a supervision role properly monitor expenditure
Put in place a proper procedure on whistleblowing – so that if anyone uncovers apparent fraud, they know how to report it and can do so confidently
Draw up an Action Plan on Fraud setting out how your charity would respond – including HR procedures and how you would involve the authorities
Make sure that a regular risk assessment is carried out, identifying potential areas of risk and how these can be mitigated
Split up your funding, finance and accounting duties if possible, so that no one individual has control of the whole process
And remember – charity trustees have overall responsibility for the charity’s finances so clear direction has to come from the top.
You can read the full report from the National Fraud Authority here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-fraud-authority
Issued by The Scottish Charity Regulator, Quadrant House, 9 Riverside Drive, Dundee DD1 4NY. For further information, contact Mark Simpson or Morag Stewart at OSCR on 01382 220446 or email communications@oscr.org.uk
Background
The Scottish Charity Regulator is the independent regulator and registrar of Scotland’s 23,500 charities and publishes the Scottish Charity Register at http://www.oscr.org.uk
The Regulator’s vision is for charities in which the public has confidence and which provide public benefit.
The National Fraud Authority’s Annual Fraud Indicator surveyed charities in England, Wales and Scotland. Some 19% of the charities were Scottish charities. Only charities with an annual income over £100,000 were surveyed. In Scotland, 82% of charities have an income less than £100,000.
OSCR [Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator] on Twitter:-
@ScotCharityReg
NTHM, I think that the KDS poster has only provided part info there (possibly selective). The CCT’s costs for generating funds were higher than the RCF’s total income in 2012. The issue though, as Corsica Charity’s has been pursuing, is whether all monies raised are in fact being paid in to the RCF to help it meet its charitable aims. The OSCR site is quite user-friendly – https://www.oscr.org.uk/search-charity-register/charity-extract/?charitynumber=sc024648.
STV Sport @STVSport
The SPL have imposed a registration embargo on Hearts for failing to pay players’ wages on time. More: bit.ly/11U2UL1
In view of the interest in the possible new Rangers investor Kieran Prior I thought I would check-out the Pri Arc portfolio which I presume kists their clients:
Liked the look of the name yoohzoo.com and I find the company’s webservers are based in South Africa and their address is on a South African business park at Kyalami with the phone number 0114660962.
That address and phone number is also the address and number of Media Republic whose website is: http://www.mediarepublic.co.za
Another name on thePri Arc portfolio is Pixshare.co.uk whose head office is based at the same South African address as yoohzoo.com
Pixshare does show a Europe/UK address at 6 Wardrobe Place, Carter Lane, London, EC4V 5AF, which is the same address as Pri Arc. However as well as pixshare.co.uk there is pixshare.co.za but I can’t seem to get the ‘whois’ info for that site which appear to be identical to the pixshare.co.uk site which although live still comes up as an available website name for purchase. Perhaps the documentation hasn’t caught-up.
PriArx Executive services has the same directors as Pri Arc so not surprising it appears on the client portfolio.
Zenti I have been unable to trace as the link just takes you back to the Pri Arc site. I note there has been a zenti twitter feed and also a zenti.com but neither appear to be active. I have also been unable to get any ‘whois’ info on Zenti.com
Didn’t there use to be another South African connection with Rangers or am I just getting confused with Don Kitchenbrand 🙂
I trust the company doesn’t in fact ‘kist’ its clients but ‘lists’ them like everyone else!
blu says:
June 14, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Surely this is the important part
http://s7.postimg.org/k1bp75rwr/Celtic_Charity.jpg
http://s23.postimg.org/ehm6hbg9n/Rangers_Charity.jpg
Those are images taken directly from the website.
greenockjack says:
June 14, 2013 at 12:20 pm
In a sense the football orgs have simply been aping the behaviours which have become prevalent in UK PLC. There was always a seamy underbelly, but since the Big Bang, and the explosion of the Greed is Good culture of the 80s, these practices have become prevalent.
I don’t have, and never had, a wish to see rangers disappear. There are aspects of the “culture” on both sides of the divide that are slowly disappearing, that I will not miss. The harsh reality is that Rangers will find a new level, which is unlikely to be anything like their former standing for a great many years. As a result, their influence in the corridors of Hampden will decline.
However, I fear that if we are not careful, Orwell may be proved right again, “The pigs became men”
To Corsica
Twitter:-
@AlexSalmond
peterjung says:
June 14, 2013 at 11:22 am
“try the following and let me know…”
http://snd.sc/1205esS
————–
Coming through loud and clear Peter. Green’s voice is much more audible now.
peterjung says: June 14, 2013 at 11:22 am
try the following and let me know…if none work I need a wiser person to teach me how to link from Souncloud!
http://snd.sc/1205esS
========================
Thanks PJ. Can access it ok now. The first 3 or 4 minutes are still a bit dodgy but the rest seems much better. I’ll listen again to it later. Well done.
Gaz says:
June 14, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Surely this is the important part
http://s7.postimg.org/k1bp75rwr/Celtic_Charity.jpg
http://s23.postimg.org/ehm6hbg9n/Rangers_Charity.jpg
Those are images taken directly from the website.
===========================================================
Thanks Gaz, people have easy access to the info now and can make up their own minds on the relative costs of running the two trusts. It doesn’t show what hasn’t gone into the RCF though and that is, I think, the focus of Corsica Charity’s self-declared obsession. The non-response from the RCF to Corsica Charity’s questions can only end in tears for them – there’s even an outside chance, following the Al Capone principle, that it’s the relatively minor of the infringements that causes RFC the biggest problem.
However one wants to look at it the figures for the charities are there to see.
From the way I read it over the period shown Rangers Charity spent £312,503. Of that £89,369 is shown as Grants and donations The other £223,134 appears to have gone out as various costs.
So around 29% of the money which the charity disposed of was actually Grants and donations.
As a comparison, because as Corsica Charity said one would imaging them to be of a similar size. The Celtic charity shows Grants and donations as £570,127. Which represents around 59% of the money which they disposed of.
blu says:
June 14, 2013 at 3:51 pm
I imagine income from a couple of lucrative fund raising friendlies might have made the figures much healthier. Particularly as they would effectively be cost free as the money going to the trust is after expenses.
1. easyJambo says:
========================
Thanks PJ. Can access it ok now. The first 3 or 4 minutes are still a bit dodgy but the rest seems much better. I’ll listen again to it later. Well done.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Ok…glad to know it’s accessible at least. As I said, I never edited anything out…the first 3 or 4 mins sound like CW getting out a taxi and arriving at the meeting…..
Now here’s a surprise
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/229437-rangers-can-field-trialists-in-new-scottish-professional-football-league/
Extract
======
Current Scottish Football League clubs will be able to field trialists in the new Scottish Professional Football League.
The draft rulebook for the new body, which was voted through by lower league sides this week and which will officially come into being on June 27, stated unregistered players could not play in league games.
STV understands that regulation has been amended for the final copy of the rules, which will come into effect when all 42 clubs unite under one umbrella later this month.
The news will be of particular interest to Rangers who have agreed to sign a raft of new players when the club’s registration embargo ends on September 1.
Manager Ally McCoist had intended to field Nicky Law, Nicky Clark, Jon Daly, Cammy Bell and Arnold Peralta as trialists in league games before that date, only for that to be cast into doubt.
scapaflow14 says:
June 14, 2013 at 3:38 pm
The harsh reality is that Rangers will find a new level, which is unlikely to be anything like their former standing for a great many years. As a result, their influence in the corridors of Hampden will decline.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As demonstrated amply this week, their influence in the corridors of Hampden is as powerful as ever it was, and is totally independent of their financial or football position. The school bully never relies on being good at sport or having money. The bully relies on threats of violence and the fear of his victims. That is the harsh reality of football in Scotland, it appears. Nothing must be ever be done that might upset the bully, or his gang of thugs. Certainly his best friend must remain Head Prefect- what’s to think about? I’m just waiting for the now inevitable final humiliation, when the bully demands that all the other boys hand over their dinner money. No doubt the wise advice on here will be just to hand it over and say nothing. After all, by then there will be no point complaining to the prefect.
It is hard work having a discussion on this blog when you only have an hour to spare!
As regards Celtic’s inaction, I try to point out that at times, there seems to be double standards in this blog. We demand transparency and explanations from Stuart Regan & the SFA, from Neil Doncaster & the SPL … when they say nothing, we attack them for ignoring their stakeholders. When Celtic fans demand transparency and explanations from Peter Lawell & CFC, they say nothing, but are lauded by others for having a secret master plan that will ultimately save Scottish football. What is the difference between these situations? Despite many requests, they refuse to engage with their fans.
I am sure that there are other chairmen in Scottish football who would love to see changes in the authorities’ top positions but they will not act without the support of the “big boy.” Celtic have had personnel in executive positions on the SPL & SFA for over twenty years. The rule changes that other posters have ferretted out to ensure Ibrox FC’s survival were put in place with the assent of the Celtic placemen.
If fans had “waited and seen” (as the advice from several posters suggest) last season, Sevco FC would have been playing in the SPL, debt-free and with the same playing squad as though nothing had happened. I cannot see how Celtic FC tried to alter that situation. As it is, many SFL chairmen stood up for integrity. Their reward under the new reconstruction process has been financial penalties (c.f. the interview with Henry McLelland of Annan Athletic).
It is disappointing that I have to go after this post so can only catch up tomorrow. If only the blog was less popular and did not take so long to read through …
blu says:
June 14, 2013 at 3:51 pm
===========================================================
Thanks Gaz, people have easy access to the info now and can make up their own minds on the relative costs of running the two trusts. It doesn’t show what hasn’t gone into the RCF though and that is, I think, the focus of Corsica Charity’s self-declared obsession.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I think Corsica’s concerns include the use of money raised in the name of the charity and how that is then used by certain employees of The Rangers for personal and The Rangers business purposes.
The more I think about Jack’s Media House email exchange between Craig the angrier I get. In particular the bit about trying to deflect from Rangers problems by suggesting they dig up a Celtic scandal and feed it to the press. The sheer arrogance and manipulation involved with that suggestion is a real problem in a democratic society and lays bare the basic assumption that we are all stupid and can be fed shit to keep us occupied.
Let’s hope CF can show how far Jack has overstepped the mark. If there is any more sectarian stuff and suggestions of feeding stories to the press that may impact on public order I’m minded to complain to the Polis.
scapaflow14.
what will happen in the forthcoming season if a team, other than the rangers of course, plays someone who is incorrectly registered?
is scotland the only member country in fifa where player registration is considered unimportant?
the sfa exists to aid and abet the rangers.
period.
gerrylentils says:
June 14, 2013 at 4:29 pm
scapaflow14.
what will happen in the forthcoming season if a team, other than the rangers of course, plays someone who is incorrectly registered?
**********
“Hanged by the neck until you are dead”.
It’s in the new SPFL rulebook. Probably.
Corsica, if you’re looking for PR and Tax specialist advice with regard to Rangers Charity Foundation fraud, these 2 appear to be on the case:-
By Jack Irvine
Jun 07, 2010 at 13:46
Briefing note to media and interested parties
1. Media House International, a City-based Crisis Management and Political Affairs specialist led by a former News International editor and MD, Jack Irvine. Irvine worked on the Cash for Honours case involving biotech entrepreneur Sir Christopher Evans, the MG Rover Inquiry and most recently devised the successful media strategy for the team opposing the £400million Uralchem placement on the LSE. He is also political and media adviser to Cayman Finance.
2. Aegis Tax LLP, a City-based tax investigation specialist led by Chris Chipperton. Chipperton had a 22-year career with HMRC including 15 years with their investigation division. He has handled major cases including tax evasion, money laundering and drug trafficking. He was UK liaison officer in the Middle East from 1993-98. Chipperton also worked with KPMG and Ernst & Young.
Jack Irvine.
[No personal contact details allowed]
gerrylentils says: et al
June 14, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Agreed, that does seem to be the way of it for now. My point is that, it is the nature of orgs to reflect their makeup. We are seeing the beginning of the end of the “strong” Rangers with all that entails. However, whilst there will be a lag, the new reality will gradually be reflected, but, lets not continue with the old traditions……
Geordie Bhoy says:
June 14, 2013 at 4:19 pm
-‘..We demand transparency and explanations from Stuart Regan & the SFA, from Neil Doncaster & the SPL …
—-..
And of course it is right that we ask them to explain themselves-they are the responsible people and spokesmen for their organisations.
Celtic FC are ABSOLUTELY NOT spokemen for any of the organisations, OR for their fellow club chairmen.
To expect them to be so is entirely unreasonable and unjustifiable.
This desire to single Celtic out is, I fear, getting to be plain ridiculous.
What, I ask, would you want to hear or see? Banner headlines, soundbites such as “Lawwell accuses SFA chiefs of duplicity/conspiracy.!”
Or maybe ” R C Ogilvie branded a liar by Celtic”? ” or again
“Corrupt SFA bends rules to get Rangers into top division”
from the lips of an inebriated Peter Lawwell standing on the steps at Celtic Park?
Why not follow through and demand that every member of these organisations stand up in public and hurl accusations ( with as yet no confirmation that there is genuine evidence) at whom we, or at least I, believe to be guilty men?
The whole idea of expecting them to do so, whether as a body or individually, is absurd.
Gaz says:
June 14, 2013 at 10:16 am
It would appear it was Kieron Prior who bought the shares yesterday. It seems he runs his own private equity firm now, a company called Pri Arc, with the registered / trading address
Flat A1
Kings Wardrobe Apartments
6 Wardrobe Place
London
EC4V 5AF
…
==========
Good one, and this bought back memories from not so long ago…I think possibly the same address was used ? 😉
“…[Misha] Sher will work from the football club’s new London office as it looks [to] make the UK capital the hub of its commercial deals, according to Ali Russell, chief operations officer at Rangers Football Club.
“Rangers is an international brand and we are focused on maximising all opportunities to build our brand in overseas markets.
He adds: “As part of that strategy, we identified the benefits a London office would bring so we set out to find the right person for the job.”
[And to think that this article was published as late as January 18th 2012 – 4 weeks before Administration. ]
http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/rangers-fc-set-sights-on-sponsorship-deals-to-drive-global-expansion/3033398.article