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?
jimlarkin says:
July 12, 2013 at 4:04 pm
“why are ardrie utd allowed to change their name to airdieonians? [didn’t they go bust]”
———————–
I believe that the liquidation of the old Aidrieonians is now complete and the trademark became vacant. I’m not aware of the mechanism by which Airdrie United retrieved it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22762457
The article states “With all the recent changes, however, and subsequent rulings, it paved the way for us to make the move and therefore we set the wheels in motion. ”
Not sure what the recent changes are that have smoothed this transition.
justshatered says:
July 12, 2013 at 5:21 pm
jimlarkin says:
July 12, 2013 at 4:04 pm
Justshatered I think that is correct now the liqquidation process is finished the name and indeed the old badge is up for grabs.
With regards to how T’Rangers managed to continue with the same name and badge etc was it not the case that thier Direrctor of Communications James Traynor once tried to buy the Airdrie badge but was told to get losty by the liquidators??
🙂
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?page=2551
Scottish FA
The Scottish FA exists to promote, foster and develop the game at all levels in this country.
Founded in 1873, Scottish football’s governing body has recently undergone the most radical changes in its history, enabling us to lead the game into a new era. The launch of our strategic plan Scotland United: A 2020 Vision outlines the vision, values and goals that underpin the organisation and its many facets.
The plan encompasses four strategic pillars:
• Perform and Win
• Strong Quality Growth
• Better financial returns
• Respected and Trusted to Lead
_
.
Seems they have a `vision` – and `four strategic pillars` no less
[What is a strategic pillar? – does that come with low hanging fruit?]
Win / growth / more + more money / lots of `facets` – and trusted to lead stuff? + perform!
Blimey
.
Pity about football scandal and such / interpol / millions ripped off – stuff – not a lot on that
Total disgrace they are.
One week till let loose on board and executive resignations if no positive action on this mess
Sam says:
July 12, 2013 at 3:57 pm
——————————–
Disclosures
Mr. Rizvi has a beneficial interest in 250,000 Circle Oil ordinary shares.
From ….
http://www.zoominfo.com/#!search/profile/person?personId=447298697&targetid=profile
Thanks to the regular posters for their continuing efforts to shine a light into the world of spivery and the Scottish football authorities, and of course the MSM.
A couple of points.
1. Thanks to Hirsuit Pursuit for the link to the SFL’s Rangers web page. After reading this, my hopes were raised that the SFL’s website would also contain irrefutable evidence that the moon is indeed made of cheese, the earth is flat, and that Elvis is alive and well, but after a scout around their pages my hopes were sadly dashed.
2. Ally’s comments about people “at” the club having to pull together are strictly speaking incorrect. It’s now been made abundantly clear to anyone who gives a toss about fair play that Rangers hold the world record for being the only club that is simply an ethereal concept with no legal capacity or requirements to meet its obligations in the real world. Basic logic would tell you that it’s not possible to be “at” an ethereal concept.
Newtz
Wrt RR and Circle Oil
What is the relevance of this disclosure ?
I ask out of curiosity rather than a challange.
greenockjack says:
July 12, 2013 at 8:42 pm
———————————
Fair question …. and honest answer is that (… at the mo ) for most it ihas no revelence.
However, a few of us are building up a more complete picture, and from that we begin to see associations with others.That’s when it may become relevant.
How else would we have discovered the Stockbridge Link, the Imran Link, the Morgan Link, the Green Link …… all to our Mr Rizvi
For some of us the quest continues.
For some of us it is all about … #Justice … #Accountability … #Transparency … #Goverance
For some of us it is for different reasons than others
Sam says:
July 12, 2013 at 3:57 pm
————————————
Another judgement regarding Rizvi monies locked up in Hong Kong
http://legalref.judiciary.gov.hk/lrs/common/ju/ju_frame.jsp?DIS=67400&currpage=T
He still has monies in his Family Trust fund in the BVI … The Bunny Foundation
This trust set up around the same time the BIG monies went missing.His children are the benificiaries.
http://offshoreleaks.icij.org/nodes/172905
#Justice #InterpolAlerted
Newtz
Thank´s for the reply.
I read an interesting post from yourself (yesterday @ 09:34) and so have an idea of what you are working towards. I would indeed welcome revelations that helped to expose the spiv´s that currently control Rangers, for what they are.
I would suggest that it needs a wider audience but has to be edited so as to come accross as more objective.
Do you also write political speeches in your spare time 🙂
greenockjack says:
July 12, 2013 at 9:44 pm
——————————-
Have a look also my occassional tweets, and let me remind that for corrution to flourish it needs facilitators.
Questions are building that some will find it very hard to shirk responsibility and accountability
Two common questions are often …. what did you know … & … when did you know it
I might add to that a reminder to those in authority ……
YOU CANNOT INTERPRETE THE LAW ….. that is for the courts
many have been fallen foul for assuming they can ….
Are you listening @ScottishFA
Newtz
If you look beyond Scottish football towards the political, corporate, mediatic etc., what do you see when it comes to #Justice … #Accountability … #Transparency … #Goverance ?
I recall a poster on here with the initials of HP write how some of the issues concerning the Rangers saga were just a mirror of UKPLC of the 21st century, I couldn´t help but agree.
Accountability isn´t in fashion, people tend to spin their way around it and get away with it.
It works from the top downwards and until it is stopped at the top then the culture will not only continue but develop.
Don´t let me keep you from your research as it is in all our interests that the spiv´s are exposed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-23288931
Decline in sales of newspapers in Scotland continues
Almost all titles report lost sales Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
Scots newspapers see sales slump
Papers ‘facing terminal decline’
Newspaper sales in Scotland continued to fall in June.
Figures released by the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) revealed that almost every national daily and Sunday title recorded declining numbers.
The only exception was the ‘i’ which reported an increase of almost 12% while all the major titles reported year-on-year decreases between June 2012 and last month.
The falling circulations have hit tabloid, broadsheet and the mid-market.
Some have reported large double digit percentage falls in average sales.
The Herald and Sunday Herald as well as the Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday have removed themselves from the national figures and are now included in the ABC regional newspapers report.
The figures published by ABC were:
Daily Mirror: -8.4% from 21,572 to 19,767 last month
Daily Record: -9.7% from 253,047 to 228,515 last month
Daily Star of Scotland: -14.6% from 58,814 to 50,226
The Scottish Sun: -14.1% from 306,930 to 263,512
Scottish Daily Express: -11.6% from 61,616 to 54,492
Scottish Daily Mail: -0.6% from 103,590 to 102,927
Daily Telegraph: -4.7% from 19,580 to 18,650
Financial Times: -13.3% from 2,990 to 2,591
The Guardian: -10.7% from 11,901 to 10,623
i: +11.9% from 16,968 to 18,985;
Independent: -30.2% from 4,382 to 3,058;
The Times: -1.8% from 19,004 to 18,668
.
The figures for the sales of Sunday newspaper titles in Scotland were:
Daily Star of Scotland Sunday: -31.6% from 40,665 to 27,814;
The Scottish Sun Sunday: -12.2% from 217,948 to 191,364;
Sunday Mail: -9.7% from 285,519 to 257,796;
Sunday Mirror: -9% from 22,340 to 20,331;
The People: -7.9% from 11,395 to 10,499;
Scottish Sunday Express: -7.9% from 34,577 to 31,856;
The Sunday Post: -12.2% from 188,131 to 165,130;
Scottish Mail on Sunday: -7.8% from 92,237 to 85,008;
Independent on Sunday: -20% from 6,647 to 5,315;
The Observer: -12.4% from 15,837 to 13,875;
Sunday Telegraph: -3.7% from 17,033 to 16,399
Sunday Times: -9.5% from 50,243 to 45,450.
I wonder why eh? Just shows how good the MSM really are.
greenockjack says:
July 12, 2013 at 10:25 pm
———————————-
Richard Murphy at Tax research
http://taxjustice.blogspot.co.uk/
This piece is most relevant to your question
http://newtz.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/tax-justice-network-meet-global-corruptions-hidden-players/
newtz says:
July 12, 2013 at 10:53 pm
———————————
Before anyone asks …. as many have …. but newtz … what’s the relevance to Climate Change …
Well read through my blog ….. the answer is there ….. I’m not gonna spoil it (and miss the opp for more to read more) …. LOL
@iamacant
Print sales are falling in many countries.
It would be a crass mistake to think that these circulation figures proved that these titles were full of mediocre journalists-as that simply isn’t the case.
The Guardian and Observer for example are excellent newspapers.
Alan Rusbridger of the Guardian is a pioneer of ‘digital first’.
His newspaper continues to lose money and no one sees a way out of this spiral.
The succulent lamb boys are a local problem in Scotland (sports desks).
However, there are some very fine news and current affairs journalists working in Scotland.
I know them.
Newtz
Thank´s !
There are so many different angles to the challanges that face modern (but a regressive) society.
I believe that one of the most important is how the powerful and often corrupt ‘machinary’, manipulate not only the media but indeed encourage the formation of essentially guliable generations.
It is so much easier to laugh in the face of ‘accountability’ these days.
Forgetting party politics, the first few months of the RTC blog is a good template for energetically and collectively working with leaked raw material. It´s a pity there weren´t so many passionately interested in what´s all around us, the world our children will inherit.
greenockjack says:
July 13, 2013 at 12:07 am
———————————-
Is’nt that something ….. the world our children will inherit.
We are simply the custodians …..
I have so much more to say …. another day !
Newtz
The priorities of many don´t always make much sense when you stop to think.
If you want change, aim high and watch it trickle down.
For the time being though, go after the spiv´s.
john clarke says:
July 11, 2013 at 11:20 pm
Boy, are we not the happiest of bunnies living in the best possible bunnyland!
———————————————-
We most certainly are! At least I am. 😀
Phil MacGiollaBhain (@Pmacgiollabhain) says:
July 13, 2013 at 12:02 am
‘….His newspaper continues to lose money and no one sees a way out of this spiral…’
——
And, really, the printed newspaper industry is done for.
Just as the ‘spinning jenny’ did for weavers, and the steam engine did for transport by land and sea, and the Massey-ferguson tractor did for farming , and .. and..and.. and..so the worldwide web has done for ‘news’papers.
By the time a newspaper gets printed, the news is stale.
It is a matter of some astonishment that they really seem not to have copped on to that fact.
Forget the newsprint technology, forget paper, and get right into hi-tech electronic mode.
You got something to say? Design a way of making money by saying it electronically.
You’ll still need people to find the info.
And there will still be a honourable place for the men and women who do that.
monsieurbunny says:
July 13, 2013 at 12:45 am
.We most certainly are! At least I am. :grin:’
—-
The Bunny Foundation!( newtz says:
July 12, 2013 at 9:44 pm )
——
monsieur, surely you’re no that big black rabbit that frightened my weans in Watership Down? 🙂
Here’s one for you that I’m sure will come as no surprise to many . A friend who I met tonight for a pint in the town who just turned 60 yrs old tells me about the delights of reduced or was it free travel. He mentions that McGill’s are ripping off the Scottish Tax payer ! it would appear that they are issuing return tickets beyond your destination in order that they can claim a larger sum off the Government, says it all really
john clarke says:
July 13, 2013 at 1:19 am
And, really, the printed newspaper industry is done for.
Just as the ‘spinning jenny’ did for weavers, and the steam engine did for transport by land and sea, and the Massey-ferguson tractor did for farming ,
————————————
They are done for in their current form, but it is worth noting that there is still a market for hand crafted clothing and enthusiasts are maintaining and running steam trains across the UK. The internet itself has spawned a new kind of cottage industry that has given people access to markets that simply were not there before. They survive and thrive by adding value and giving people something unique that they want. If the printed press want to survive in the internet age they, too, must find some way to add value beyond their traditional staples of exclusivity and authority.
briggsbhoy says:
July 13, 2013 at 1:53 am
5 0 Rate This
Here’s one for you that I’m sure will come as no surprise to many . A friend who I met tonight for a pint in the town who just turned 60 yrs old tells me about the delights of reduced or was it free travel. He mentions that McGill’s are ripping off the Scottish Tax payer ! it would appear that they are issuing return tickets beyond your destination in order that they can claim a larger sum off the Government, says it all really.
—————
Very naughty of them briggs. Looks like it’s a bumpy ride with the busmen. Not all passengers have been impressed: https://www.facebook.com/badbuses. There’s a parody twitter account too: https://mobile.twitter.com/McGills_Buses (I’m sure some bright park has posted these links already, nevertheless)
Still puzzled by their aggressive muscling-in over at Ibrox. Don’t see what’s in it. Of course, the rather opaque nature of the financial goings-on could be an attraction in itself. Nice in-house laundry?
Sunday Post down to 165,130!!! Wow, just wow!
Me and my cousins delivered Sunday papers in a huge, box shaped barra in the 70’s. It was at least 2 thirds
full of Sunday Posts! We could hardly push it uphill there was so many ‘posts.’ How the mighty have fallen in recent years.
The money we earned was mostly needed to get on the Celtic bus the next Saturday. That was a mighty struggle in those days to keep the cash for 6 long, long days!
I also had Saturday night work at the local billiard hall, brushing and ironing the tables when I got home from the game. Thankfully I was too young to drink (much) then. lol. All to get to the game the next week.
twopanda says:
July 12, 2013 at 7:47 pm
The plan encompasses four strategic pillars:
• Perform and Win
• Strong Quality Growth
• Better financial returns
• Respected and Trusted to Lead
================================================
I for one have no respect or trust for an organisation that operates to one principle rule over all others. That rule of course is that a club playing at Ibrox must survive no matter what. Respect and trust is gained over time by making what sometimes are difficult and not always universally popular decisions, but on reflection are the right decisions to make. Sadly though they are accountable to no-one. People say they are accountable to the clubs – why then did it take the fans of those clubs to stick a spanner in the works of their grubby little plan to simply slap the club from Ibrox on the list and ride roughshod over all accepted principles of sporting fairness?
I doubt if there is a football association anywhere in the democratic world which is as despised within its own country as the SFA.
john clarke says:
July 13, 2013 at 1:19 am
6 0 Rate This
Phil MacGiollaBhain (@Pmacgiollabhain) says:
July 13, 2013 at 12:02 am
‘….His newspaper continues to lose money and no one sees a way out of this spiral…’
——
And, really, the printed newspaper industry is done for.
Just as the ‘spinning jenny’ did for weavers, and the steam engine did for transport by land and sea, and the Massey-ferguson tractor did for farming , and .. and..and.. and..so the worldwide web has done for ‘news’papers.
By the time a newspaper gets printed, the news is stale.
It is a matter of some astonishment that they really seem not to have copped on to that fact.
Forget the newsprint technology, forget paper, and get right into hi-tech electronic mode.
You got something to say? Design a way of making money by saying it electronically …
————
It’s a generational thing too. There is still a substantial market for print media among an older group. The habit of a lifetime, and so on. I’ve worked with an educational publication for the past two decades and by the first few years of this century it was obvious that I had to either shut down or go 100% online. I made a gradual shift over a few years, but nevertheless, I lost about a third of our subscribers. Many have since returned though, or should I say, a younger type of reader has returned, more internet savvy. Content is still key though, and I believe there will always be a market for publications that do not just print the feed from Reuters or some other news bureau – those that offer more than infotainment. That’s why this site and others are so appealing: asking the right questions, seeking truth (to paraphrase CF).
briggsbhoy says:
July 13, 2013 at 1:53 am
===============================
If that story is true, and I guess we have to accept it as an ‘if’ at the moment, there is even less chance of any scrutiny now they are involved at Board level at Ibrox. The rule is that Rangers Directors must be treated as men of dignity and the utmost integrity. Even Craig Whyte was treated as such at one time. Until that attitude changes we can never move on. I’m not saying a Rangers Director can’t be a man of dignity and the utmost integrity, but to pin them all with that badge simply because they ARE Rangers Directors is ridiculous, but sadly it happens.
Phil MacGiollaBhain (@Pmacgiollabhain) says:
July 13, 2013 at 12:02 am
Print sales are falling in many countries – not disputing that
It would be a crass mistake to think that these circulation figures proved that these titles were full of mediocre journalists-as that simply isn’t the case – the vast majority of journalists are poor, the minority are excellent investigative writers across all fields/topics. If all journalists were of a high standard then newspaper sales would not be in the state that they are
The succulent lamb boys are a local problem in Scotland (sports desks) – its not just Scotland that suffers from this syndrome
However, there are some very fine news and current affairs journalists working in Scotland – I don’t disagree with that
The world is round ,if the world was not round [marching] people would fall off,
My son has just completed one year of a four year course in journalism. He doesn’t see himself in the print media (if there’s one left)on completion of that course. The way ahead for him is the electronic route.In between his studies he writes for gaming websites and recently represented a site at the E3 world exhibition in LA. It’s a generational thing.What puzzles me though is how do the likes of Traynor,Keevins etc survive in this day and age.Bad journalists are bad journalists,and no amount of succulent lamb will change that.
Sam says:
July 12, 2013 at 4:16 pm
I got those details from Reuters
Also
Mr. Frederick Bryan Smart is Non-Executive Director of Greka Drilling Ltd. Mr. Smart has over 35 years of experience in finance both in professional and commercial roles. Until recently he was Chairman of The Supervisory Board of CarboTech AG and is currently a non-executive director of SCOTTY Group PLC, executive director of Tradelinens Ltd, executive director of Brooklands Museum Trust and a trustee director of DaimlerChrysler Pension Fund since 2006. From 1981 to 2006, Mr. Smart held positions at DaimlerChrysler (UK) Ltd, from internal auditor in 1981, to finance controller in 1985, and was appointed as CFO in the year of 1996. During this period, Mr. Smart completed the acquisition and assimilation of Chrysler Jeep in the UK, Lex Autosales and all Mercedes Benz dealers in metropolitan areas and also served on the board of Brunel University. From 1975 to 1981, Mr. Smart worked in Deloitte Touche as a chartered accountant in both external auditor and management consultancy roles.
The Board of Greka is
Randeep Grewal Executive Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
Dongju He Chief Financial Officer, Executive Director
Stewart John Non-Executive Director
Frederick Smart Non-Executive Director
David Turnbull Non-Executive Director
http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyOfficers?symbol=GDL.L
wottpi says:
July 12, 2013 at 5:38 pm
I think Sevco bought the trademarks, crests etc as part of the package.
john clarke says:
July 13, 2013 at 1:32 am
monsieurbunny says:
July 13, 2013 at 12:45 am
.We most certainly are! At least I am. 😀 ’
——
monsieur, surely you’re no that big black rabbit that frightened my weans in Watership Down? 🙂
=================================
No, I’m more a Roger Rabbit type (nice but dim) but without his luck with the ladies. (She’s not really bad she’s just drawn that way!) (Although I do look a bit chewed up mind you).
Re the comments on print- web. There has been a dumbing down in the press (and reduction in sales) even before the rise of the web due to television. This had been very much accelerated by the web of course. The thing is – with occasional exceptions – TV news and reporting has very much been dumbed down too and the excuse has always been – “things are too fast these days, folk just want short sharp messages, they’ve no time for in depth stuff”. However what we see on blogs like this is that
1) it is possible to provide more depth to a story
2) there is a real demand for it
3) there is a real need for it.
All the above are contradicted by the powers that be whether politicos or pundits working for the big media owners but that is because they have a vested interest in contradicting it. That is why the politicians of all main parties have been undermining the BBC for years – it is the one organisation that is capable of providing all the above because it has the funding. But it has been so battered (and corrupted by) politicians down the years that it only rarely produces news/documentary reporting that challenges. (Just look at any program where politicians are “interviewed”.)
I’ll stop my rant now, I have a pre-season friendly to go to this afternoon.
Upthehoops at 8:59 13 JuL
That story is genuine, he lives in Paisley and it has been his experience each time he has been on a McGill coach. He always gets a ticket beyond the destination he requests. This of course may not be an uncommon practice with coach companies generally. Auldheid or JC !! Do you fancy putting this to the test and jumping on a local bus with your pass 🙂
Mr.Bunny
Post 2001 the BBC (UK & Worldservice) have surrendered a further degree of independence/editorial control. The soft power battle between the main powers (agencies of) has made a real difference to output on certain issues or anything connected to them.
The general trend that shys away from real independent investigation is disturbing but will only get worse as generations come and go. The internet is now in the sights of those who would like to limit meaningful investigation or dissenting opinion.
McGills bus garage Edmiston Drive ???
Loamfeet says:
July 13, 2013 at 7:28 am
If the printed press want to survive in the internet age they, too, must find some way to add value beyond their traditional staples of exclusivity and authority.
==================================================================
To survive in the internet age it is essential that the ‘traditional staples of exclusivity and authority’ are not only retained but actually returned to as they have all but gone in so many publications. Only those qualities which I would expand to ‘objective fact-based exclusives told truthfully without fear or favour’ have any hope of retaining ‘good’ journalism because it will retain and actually increase readership especially on the internet IMO.
Interactivity between readers and stories are vital and set-up whole new dynamics. And I don’t mean the rabid comments section tagged on to the bottom of ‘stories’ which are allowed to run wild just for ad click revenue. They have to be moderated to build an interested readership – lurkers are fine as well – with active and knowledgeable posters to keeps the writers on their toes.
A big problem for the print media is declining ad revenues which is also coupled to circulation to an extent as paper ads are just BORING!
Another huge problem is papers tend to be run by old people who are set in their ways and the higher up the tree the less likely they are to understand the opportunities presented by new media – they are still stuck in the morass of print journalism and trying to adapt that to work in the new era and failing badly.
They just don’t get how visual the web is and the short attention spans involved unless it is a subject that really interests viewers.
I see Charlotte has posted an email allegedly from an alias email account used by DM – with more promised ‘soon’.
The email is dated 17 May 2011 and I hope the writer wasn’t looking ahead to the next 20 years 😥
http://i.imgur.com/KyUgIdE.jpg
Just three days after his marriage DM allegedly emailed CW using an alias email account to say: ‘Hope all is going well and to plan’.
But as befits a newly married couple there was a bit of romance in the air as well as business with DM inviting CW to a meet near Monaco to have dinner with his brand new bride.
http://i.imgur.com/gqwRXE0.jpg
Eco (@ 2.20) or anyone,
How come Charlotte has an e-mail apparently sent by David Fraser ((MIH) to David Fraser (MIH) ?
While some people say “Memo to self” it seems that DM actually does send memos to himself
briggsbhoy says:
July 13, 2013 at 10:57 am
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About 10 years ago the local authority in my area (Ayrshire) disciplined the bus operator after numerous complains from bus-pass passengers. The drivers had been regularly issuing tickets far beyond the cost of the requested destinations. I notice that, for example, Stagecoach will not now issue return tickets for bus-pass passengers. I presume this rule was put into effect after the previous fraud came to light.
I doubt very much if the Easdale brothers are instructing their employees to operate this ticket scam. It would mean involving too many managers and too many drivers for the fraud to be perpetrated for any length of time and to any great degree. Disgruntled employees would soon blow the whistle – that is, if complaints from the public have not alerted the authorities first. The Easdale family made it money from scrap metal – a cash business where not too many questions were asked of their suppliers. I know that buses, taxi cabs and pubs are also cash businesses but for money laundering activities to succeed they would have to be done ‘at the top’ after the cash was safely gathered in and away from the prying eyes of underlings. Perhaps with the Easdales having bought into the Rangers dream, their business and investment portfolios will come under more public gaze than they had bargained for. Only time will tell.
Looks like the Genie is out the bottle with cold hard fact’s, Mr Murray & Mr Whyte were best of buddies in Monte Carlo. Various posters have already alluded to this, but CF e-mails prove beyond a doubt. Wonder how the lamb brigade will cover this.
Ecobhoy
I take it from Craigys reply he wanted to check the movements of his sound engineer first.
I’ve just seen Sky Sports report on ‘The Rangers’ game and Jon Daly was mentioned.
Would he have taken part in this game as a trialist?
He can’t be registered yet unless the rules have been scrapped altogether since I went on holiday.
Perhaps the Easdale’s, or others will be able to provide Rangers with loans, to be repaid later at favourable interest rates. That would explain why they would want someone on the board, in order to look after their interests.
It seems likely that Rangers or the Holding company will need to find credit facilities some time in the not too distant future. That money coming from Directors or shareholders, particularly invisible ones, might make sense.
Charlotte Fakeovers @CharlotteFakes 24m
Sir David Murray, spoilers, tip-offs, aggro and note comparing.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/153574875/Spoilers-and-Aggro …
Latest from Charlotte
http://es.scribd.com/doc/153574875/Spoilers-and-Aggro
Think about the the way SDM (allegedly) is communicating with CW, Jack Irvine having been ‘alerted’. Then think back to the LexisNexis e-mail betweem Irvine and CW from August 2009.
SDM stepped down as Chairman of Rangers in August 2009.
Apparently Fulham have been bought by a billionaire – a chap called Shahid Khan who I’ve never heard about.
Took me approximately 30 seconds – if that – to separately confirm that he is regarded as a billionaire – e.g. he appears on the Forbes ‘billionaires list’ and worth c.$3Billion.
Even Keevins could have managed to complete a similar ‘investigation’ wrt the Motherwell Born Billionaire.
StevieBC on July 13, 2013 at 4:28 pm
5 0 Rate This
Apparently Fulham have been bought by a billionaire – a chap called Shahid Khan who I’ve never heard about.
Took me approximately 30 seconds – if that – to separately confirm that he is regarded as a billionaire – e.g. he appears on the Forbes ‘billionaires list’ and worth c.$3Billion.
Even Keevins could have managed to complete a similar ‘investigation’ wrt the Motherwell Born Billionaire.
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Indeed but neither he or his colleague Jackson did which more or less tells you there is no point in reading any of their output.
I don’t know why this still happens to me because Jim Traynor no longer works there but every time I hear of the DR or Sunday Mail I get the image of Jim sitting in a corner with a big nappy on, drooling at the mouth and scribbling with jumbo crayons. If you remember Reginald Perrin and his mother in law you will know what I mean.
I would not be surprised if at least some of Jim Traynor’s scribblings are still appearing unchanged in the Daily Record.
fara1968 at 5:18pm; StevieBC at 4:28pm:
Don’t ever fall into the trap of thinking these guys see it as their responsibility to tell readers the truth.
Their first responsibility is to “look after” their favourite contacts, pals, players, agents, managers, directors and teams.
Succulent lamb, bevvy sessions, free holidays, being asked to go along to a big night out – those are the baubles these guys are fishing for; it’s certainly not the Pulitzer Prize.
At various times these hacks were given insights into how grim the situation was at Rangers. They shared that news with each other – and certainly not with the readers.
They are merely charlatans and churnalists. Ignore.
If David Fraser is proved, conclusively, to be SDM, then what? Doesn’t that collapse the carefully assembled house of cards? And where does it leave the creditors?
As a layman, I’m not quite sure what constitutes a conspiracy to defraud. Would this come close?
There can’t be that many blokes called David who married someone called Kae and went to Monaco.
In other news
It seems the Rangers fans are starting to get confident about their prospects for the coming season.
http://s14.postimg.org/49gq7sok1/Confident.jpg
It seems they could be competing for every competition in Scotland, by bringing in a couple of the trialists.
“In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
vive la revolution ,vive la vérité
DP
As a layman, I’m not quite sure what constitutes a conspiracy to defraud. Would this come close?
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As a layman, I´d say a long way from it.
But as already stated, the e-mails tweeted today when taken together with one of the first leaks (Jack Irvine to CW / Lexis Nexis personal search / August 2009) paint a circumstancial picture that could be interesting.
If CF had further correspondence (direct or indirect) that showed of any connection between CW and SDM in 2009 then why not release it ?
How does CF have e-mails of David Fraser sending an e-mail to himself ?
greenockjack says:
July 13, 2013 at 7:20 pm
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Your type of comment belongs on Follow Follow, Jack.
But Gaz’s comment is legitimate because this is a football club currently under a transfer ban but acting as if that is irrelevant and as if it is above the law, aided and abetted by a complicit press.
As for CF, I think you will find he is starting with the tame stuff to establish credibility. The better stuff will be served up last and I think we all know where this is headed.
No doubt there are several people hard at work in Charlotte Square even as we speak.
Even the tame stuff revealed by CF so far though is cringeworthy, symptomatic of someone whose connection with reality is a best fleeting.
greenockjack says:
July 13, 2013 at 7:18 pm
DP
As a layman, I’m not quite sure what constitutes a conspiracy to defraud. Would this come close?
—————————————————————–
As a layman, I´d say a long way from it.
But as already stated, the e-mails tweeted today when taken together with one of the first leaks (Jack Irvine to CW / Lexis Nexis personal search / August 2009) paint a circumstancial picture that could be interesting.
If CF had further correspondence (direct or indirect) that showed of any connection between CW and SDM in 2009 then why not release it ?
How does CF have e-mails of David Fraser sending an e-mail to himself ?
====================================
Forget that,
Ask everyone on this blog:
Who sends E-Mails to themselves?.
If you have to use an alias then you don’t need a copy 😥
greenockjack at 7:18pm,
Of course Charlotte has more correspondence from “David Fraser” and Jack Irvine to ctw@libertycapital.biz.
Or, at least, whoever is feeding Charlotte this stuff has plenty of access to it.
But they are dripping this out a little at a time to turn up the heat.
This is not for our benefit, or for the sake of “verité”, but for the ultimate benefit of “ctw” in his increasingly desperate attempts to persuade his fellow conspirators to bail him out.
The longer they dither and play dumb, the more Charlotte will reveal, or be allowed to reveal.
Make no mistake about it, we are now getting down to the real nub of the whole “fakeover”.
We’ve been fed plenty of disparate pieces of a very large jigsaw, with absolutely nothing so far that proves anything “beyond a reasonable doubt”.
Hopefully, though, Charlotte or her provider is getting impatient.
We may just be about to get some of the connecting string that will allow the full picture to be clearly seen.
Here’s hoping.
Come on, Charlotte . . . GET ANGRY!!
oldcobrokemyheartbycheating says:
July 13, 2013 at 3:46 pm
“Wonder how the lamb brigade will cover this.”
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It will be front page news in every Scottish paper. Banner headlines. Murray will emerge from his front door tomorrow into a maelstrom of photographers. 😕
Gaz says:
July 13, 2013 at 6:31 pm
“There can’t be that many blokes called David who married someone called Kae and went to Monaco.”
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Kae is such an unusual spelling that coupled with the marriage date this is nailed on. Wiki excerpt :
“In May 2011 Murray announced that he was going to marry former lawyer Kae Tinto.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Murray_%28Scottish_businessman%29
greenockjack says:
July 13, 2013 at 7:18 pm
“How does CF have e-mails of David Fraser sending an e-mail to himself ?”
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The ‘Me’ in the e:mail header is Craig Whyte.
greenockjack says:
July 13, 2013 at 7:18 pm
1 0 Rate This
How does CF have e-mails of David Fraser sending an e-mail to himself ?
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The header could have been edited to conceal other details. I think CF has mentioned this before. People do send email memos to their own inboxes in certain circumstances. If that memo email is then forwarded to someone else, who in turn removes part of the header, then it’s possible to come up with what appears to be someone else’s email memo to him or herself, if you see what I mean 🙂
Re email to yourself … Sent to yourself and add other recipients in BCC (blind carbon copy ) … Simples
People can only conspire to commit a crime if the thing they are conspiring to do is actually a crime.
So if it can be proven that two people (or more) conspired to commit fraud then that would be a conspiracy.
However you need to then look at what constitutes a fraud. In simple terms (as I understand it) there needs to be an intention to deceive, a deception, a victim and a tangible result.
Conspiracy is a tricky thing to prove. Fraud is a difficult thing to prove.
The publication of e:mails by Charlotte Fakeovers showing close links between (Sir) David Murray (under alias) and Craig Whyte is an utterly pivotal moment in this whole saga. Only in our wildest dreams could we have speculated such linkages. It is not very often that wildest dreams are played out in reality.
When the ‘Rangers Tax Case’ blog emerged two years ago the possibility of this type of watershed could not have been truly envisaged. Many posters contributed to that and this blog in order to maintain the inertia and I was not one of the stalwarts which makes my next task sit a little heavily on my shoulders.
Charlotte had been quiet for the last few days. I thought perhaps she was on holiday. We all need a holiday. It seems not. It seems she (He? They?) were busying themselves retrieving gems from a stockpile of excreta.
We have remained ever so slightly sceptical of Charlotte’s provenance whilst understanding that anonymity was a necessary part of the process. I think now most of us would credit Charlotte with being a crucial information source in recent discussions. How crucial perhaps time will tell.
Two posters rightly gained accolades recently for their diligence in pursuing a line of enquiry (ecobhoy & newtz) and others may do so in the near future. So it is with great honour I find myself liable to bestow the RTC/TSFM equivalent of the laurel wreath on a worthy brow.
Charlotte, we doff our collective hat. We must remain a little sceptical since the truth demands this. However the work you have done has been immense.
Grand Chapeaux
New line of enquiry folks.
Anyone finished their Candy Crush and looking for something to amuse themselves?
From a tweet in response to one of Charlotte’s latest :
“I now wonder if the name David Fraser will appear in any past doc during take over or fraud over!”
There’s a wee bell ringing in the back of my skull.
Castofthousands says:
July 13, 2013 at 8:42 pm
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Go for it Bud …. seem to recall you started an excel timeline some time back as @Mullach
Here is Tom English Article
http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/sport/football/tom-english-david-murray-wreaked-terrible-damage-1-2819017
Lord Nimmo / Lord Hodge and SFA Judicial findings will have relevant stuff
will post anything relevant if come across anything
Comparing notes in February 2012, shortly before A-Day …
@CharlotteFakes
Despite everything that has been aired, including Ticketus Funding, SDM still wants to compare notes.
i.imgur.com/h2ilSqA.jpg
#JustCantWin
newtz says:
July 13, 2013 at 9:06 pm
“will post anything relevant if come across anything”
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newtz, was just having a ferret around and came across this old document that includes reference to S.K. Ali. I think this name links to Rivzi in some way. You probably are aware of it but for the sake of completeness here’s the link :
http://www.scribd.com/doc/142201436/Imran-Rafat-Craig-Aidan-Chris-2
Castofthousands says:
July 13, 2013 at 8:42 pm
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@CoT
Also @Sam deserves a Big Accolade ……….. Wow he produced a minefield of info and continues to do so …………. Incredible !
Castofthousands says:
July 13, 2013 at 8:42 pm
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Not forgetting @Pmacgiollabhain with his Big Scoop regarding Cenkos ditched/walked . That was the trigger to get the story out while it was ‘hot’.
SMSM have Not followed Phil’s scoop up …… and the full story is yet to fully unwind
Clearly Phil’s sources are clearly Impeccable ….. and the last minute switcheroo from DS to SH is BIG
Phil appears adamant that PS were signed up on the Friday …. He was right on Cenkos …. He is undoubtably right on DS ……
My post fell right inbetween ………….. !
It’s all connected … !
The fact remains …… something is very very wrong !
Castofthousands says:
July 13, 2013 at 8:42 pm
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The publication of e:mails by Charlotte Fakeovers showing close links between (Sir) David Murray (under alias) and Craig Whyte is an utterly pivotal moment in this whole saga. Only in our wildest dreams could we have speculated such linkages.
—————————————–
Not so, several posters on RTC were fairly firm in their belief that Murray and Whyte were associates a long time ago, through Whyte’s father.
It was never credible to anyone other than an imbecile or a member of the MSM that David Murray, the captain of Scottish industry, advised by the very best Scotland has to offer, would not have known the cut of Whyte’s jib,
What is damning in tonight’s trail is the repeated references to “compare notes”. And any Rangers chairman would have to be delusional to say “with the Scottish media you can’t win..”
The question that needs answered is what was the first recorded communication between the two of them? Probably Whyte is the only one of the pair who really knows the answer to that….. unless of course Murray was making secret recordings too, but no-one would believe a knight of the realm would ever stoop to so low a tactic, surely?