Over the past couple of years, we have built a healthy, vibrant and influential community which recognises the need to counter the corporate propaganda spouted by the mainstream media on behalf of the football authorities.
The media have, not entirely but in the main, been hostage to the patronage of those in charge of the club/media links, and to the narrow demographic of their readership. Despite a continuing rejection of the media’s position by that readership (in terms of year on year slump in sales) there is an obstinate refusal to see what is by now inevitable – the death of the print media. The lamb metaphor in fact ironically moving to the slaughter.
The football authorities in Scotland, once the country that gave the world the beautiful game, are rigid with fear that their own world will fall apart – because they are wedded to the idea that only one football match actually matters. To that end they will do whatever it takes to ensure that it continues. They have long since dispensed with the notion that football is an interdependent industry, and incredibly, even those who are not participants in that match follow like sheep towards the abattoir.
The argument is no longer that one club cheated and got away with it. The debate that we need to have is one about what is paramount in the eyes of the clubs and the media . Is it the inegrity of sporting endeavour, or box-office?
For out part, independent sites like this have accelerated the print media’s demise, and there have been temporary successes in persuading the clubs to uphold the spirit of sport. However our role has up to now been to cast a spotlight on the inaccuracies, inconsistencies and downright lies that routinely pass for news. News that is imagined up by PR agencies and dutifully copied by the lazy pretend-journalists who betray no thought whatsoever during the process.
Despite our successes, it really is not enough. We have the means at our disposal to do more, but do more we need to change ourselves, because the authorities sure as hell aren’t gonna.
We need to provide meaningful insight into the game that removes the Old Firm prism from the light path. We need to provide news that has covered all of the angles. We need to entertain, inform and energise fans of sport and all clubs.
We need to do that from a wholly independent perspective. None of this refusing to tell the truth about club allegiances. There is no reason why intelligent men and women can’t be objective in spite of their own allegiances (although the corollary absolutely holds true). Our experience of the MSM in this country is that the lack of arms-length principles in the media has corrupted it to such an extent that they barely recognise truth and objectivity. We need to be firm on those arms-length principles.
In order to do that we have put together a plan (with enough room to manoeuvre if required) as follows;
We will rebrand and re-launch as the Independent Sports Monitor. We have acquired the domains isMonitor.co.uk and IndependentSportsMonitor.co.uk, and those will be the main urls after the re-launch, hopefully later in the summer.
The change in name reflects the reality of our current debate which is not always confined to Scotland or football. It will also give us the option in future of applying the success of our model to other sports and jurisdictions through partner sites and blogs. This should also help in our efforts to raise funds in the future. However any expansion outwith the domain of Scottish football is some time away, and will depend on the success we have with the core model.
Our mission statement will be;
- ISM will seek to build a community of sports fans whose overarching aim is the integrity of competition in the sport.
- ISM will, without favour, seek to find objective truths on the conduct and administration of sport. We will avoid building relationships with individuals or organisations which would bring us into conflict with that.
- ISM will provide a platform for the views of ALL fans, and guarantee that those views will be heard in a mutually respectful environment.
- ISM will also endeavour to inform and entertain members on a wide range of topics related to our shared love of sport.
- ISM will seek to represent the views of sports fans to sporting authorities and hold the authorities to account.
We have estimated our (modest) costs to expand our role as per recent discussions. The expanded role will take the form of a new Internet Radio Channel where we hope to provide 24/7 content by the end of the year. It will also see a greater news role where we will engage directly with clubs and authorities to seek answers to our questions directly. And we will seek to contact the best fan sites across Scotland with a view to showcasing their content.
We have identified individuals who we want to work (initially on a part time basis) towards our objectives, we have identified premises where we want to conduct our business, and we hope to move into those premises during this summer.
To finance these plans there are a couple of stages;
- Initially (as soon as possible) we need to pay accommodation and hosting costs for the first year. To do so, we hope to appeal to the community itself. Our aim is to raise around £5000 by the end of August.
- There are salary costs (around £15,000) attached to our first year plan, but these have been underwritten by Big Pink, and equipment costs (est. £3000). These will be reimbursed if the advertising campaign we recently started bears any fruit (we will not know about that for a few months).
- It will not be too discouraging if we make losses in the first couple of years, so if necessary we will seek crowd-funding to finance our plans if the resources of the community itself prove inadequate to smooth a path to break-even point.
Our first year may be a perilous hand-to-mouth existence, but I am certain the journey will be an exciting and enjoyable one. We will also need to search our community resources for contacts at clubs; players, officials, ex-players, local journalists etc. Please get in touch if you have any in at your club.
We also hope to tap into the expertise of our community for advice, comment and analysis of developments, and we will be looking for any aspiring presenters, journalists, sound and video editors, graphic designers (and lots of others) to help us find our feet. Any offers of assistance would be gratefully accepted.
We mustn’t lose sight of why we are doing this. It is because we love our sport, because we want to be able to continue to call it that, and because the disconnect we find in Scottish football, that of the conflicting interests of the fans and the money men, will never be addressed as long as the fans are hopelessly split.
The ultimate goal is to allow sport – not our individual clubs – to triumph over the greed and corporate troglodyte-ism of those people who run it. I am confident that we as a community desperately want to be able to make a difference. That is why I am confident we can achieve our aim of becoming a significant player in the game.
Football Fan @ 3.35pm
Sorry, what creditors? Do you mean merchandise production costs?
Had an idea, which might just not work. 😉
We apparently have a new SFA President, who is not conflicted, is able to do his job and – publicly at least – has not been tarred by the TRFC shambles like Ogilvie and Regan.
So, at a stretch he could be regarded as a ‘new broom’. [I know, I know, he was also a VP but stick with me on this one.]
I had not heard of Alan McRae before, but some Bampots here have mentioned him in a positive light.
Anyways, we are soon to start another season with TRFC staring into the financial abyss. OK, we certainly don’t know all the details but there is plenty of discussion in the SMSM and amongst football fans about TRFC’s finances – and the inherent risk that the club could go bust during the season. This is a serious issue that could affect all the other Championship teams.
So, you would think that the SFA would be closely monitoring the TRFC situation by now – and especially after making the decision to declare King ‘Fit & Proper’ !
Would it be a worthwhile exercise for the SFM site – on behalf of x thousands of interested Scottish football fans – to send a letter raising these doubts about TRFC, and asking what the SFA is doing about it ?
The letter would be addressed to Alan McRae – by registered post.
The expectation is no response.
But, the letter content could also be copied to SMSM contacts :slamb: and Championship clubs.
It just ‘might’ make McRae consider the TRFC shambles again – if only to cover his own backside ?
And if/when it all goes pear-shaped, the SFA President cannot claim ignorance.
I know it’s a longshot, but for the price of a registered letter it could be relevant in future ?
Mibbees aye / mibbees naw ?
Sorry, what creditors? Do you mean merchandise production costs?
===============================================================
Yes,the oversees creditor could be part of the SD network and it could be a tax saving scheme or a method of clawing back unsold stock from the previous year.The point is if over 3 million a year is leaving on a monthly basis and is not a recorded item in the TRFC accounts,it can only be from Retail.
Either Ogilvie has pulled a Blatter, and his going translates as not really going at all or Stevie the IT guy is also maintaing the SFA site. Either way, Ogilvie is still listed as a member of the Professional Game Board:
Professional Game Board:
Chairman: Rod Petrie (Scottish FA)
Members: Jim Ballantyne (SFL), Neil Doncaster (SPL), Peter Lawwell (SPL), David Longmuir (SFL), Alan McRae (Scottish FA), Campbell Ogilvie (Scottish FA), Stewart Regan (Scottish FA), Sandy Stables (SHFL) and Ralph Topping (SPL).
Plus ca change
Edit
FF, the annual accounts wouldn’t necessarily get down to that level of detail. Now, if you are implying you have seen the internal management accounts, then, do tell!
Football Fan
More extraordinary claims from PMG. So how is sports direct losing from the deal?
On second thoughts, don’t look. Too painful.
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/the-brag-trade/#more-6533
capaflow says:
Member: (1248 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 2:13 pm
Football Fan says:
Member: (25 comments)
The only viable option that I can see is to switch off the life support and start again.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Have to disagree
The only viable option that I can see is to switch off the life support
scapaflow says:
Member: (1248 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 3:59 pm
…
if you are implying you have seen the internal management accounts, then, do tell!
======================================
Absolutely sf !
I would love it, just love it…to see the ‘real’ numbers.
Could make the eyes water though. 🙄
More extraordinary claims from PMG. So how is sports direct losing from the deal?
====================================================================
Because sales have dropped by 90% and he only gets the money for unsold stock once,not every year,next years stock will be reduced to match the 10% sales.
SD are losing big time after the first year of any boycott.
FF, its a really old story, that doesn’t seem to be going out of fashion
“Plutarch relates in a report by Dionysius:
The armies separated; and, it is said, Pyrrhus replied to one that gave him joy of his victory that one other such victory would utterly undo him. For he had lost a great part of the forces he brought with him, and almost all his particular friends and principal commanders; there were no others there to make recruits, and he found the confederates in Italy backward. On the other hand, as from a fountain continually flowing out of the city, the Roman camp was quickly and plentifully filled up with fresh men, not at all abating in courage for the loss they sustained, but even from their very anger gaining new force and resolution to go on with the war.
—Plutarch “
FF, the annual accounts wouldn’t necessarily get down to that level of detail. Now, if you are implying you have seen the internal management accounts, then, do tell!
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It is not about the level of detail,it is about the size of the expenditure,the only expenditure big enough to accommodate this amount is retail,and it is just lumped all together.It is simply ludicrous to suggest there is an unrecorded expenditure of this magnitude,it will simply be hidden in amongst retail expenditure.
Since TRFC and SD share profits and we know the profits are a fraction of RR turnover,then it is safe to assume there is a heavy expenditure within RR.I am suggesting the amount Phil heard about is part of the retail expenditure and not some crazy rent nonsense which some people are claiming.
FF, its a really old story, that doesn’t seem to be going out of fashion
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I agree,common sense dictates MA will do some deal to get sales back to their historical levels.
Ah, FF, you appear to have not yet gained the wisdom of Pyrrhus!
Not a retail person, so I can’t tell if the RR profit ratio is out of kilter with the rest of the sector. Though I would have thought it a good argument for Kingco to deploy, if it is?
Though I would have thought it a good argument for Kingco to deploy, if it is?
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GW considered it onerous,but DK has a bigger problem if season ticket sales bomb,then you are seriously talking administration,if i was him i would get the share issue moving to show the fans he is not another CW.
Football Fan says:
Member: (34 comments)
Your right, GW did. In a way your argument is not that much different from Phil’s. The difference is in who the beneficiaries are. You’re putting it all down to MA, whilst Phil splits between MA and other entities.
Saying Kingco should get the share issue moving is one thing, actually doing it is another. the EGM vote was less than resounding, it is by no means a given that a disappllication of rights motion would pass, but that’s only the first issue.
Personally,I think, without a resolution to the Rangers/SD conflict, any share issue, or genuine cash injection, as opposed to pay day loans, is a dead duck.
Rangers are lost in “a maze of twisty passages, all alike”, with no map, compass or even paddle
Football Fan says:
Directors tend to avoid giving unsecured loans to insolvent companies, some would see the loans as a sign of confidence in DK.
—————————————-
That’s hilarious FF. 😀
From the evidence so far it appears DK doesn’t have confidence in DK!
Where’s the promised investment? Where’s even enough to pay off MA?
Scottish Football needs real Football Fans…
it is by no means a given that a disappllication of rights motion would pass, but that’s only the first issue.
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No need if DK is putting up most of the money,and as hilarious as some people think logic is,it is illogical to suggest there are no minutes of a meeting between DK and the 3b’s confirming DK’s investment,without this recorded commitment i doubt they would have put an unsecured 3 million in personally.
It all comes down to DK and his deep pockets.
So, FF, you claim there is a written commitment from DK to put money in? How much and when?
Football Fan says:
Member: (34 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 4:32 pm
More extraordinary claims from PMG. So how is sports direct losing from the deal?
====================================================================
Because sales have dropped by 90% and he only gets the money for unsold stock once,not every year,next years stock will be reduced to match the 10% sales.
SD are losing big time after the first year of any boycott.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I’ll put money on it that the SD contract has T’Rangers having to place an order for a minimum number of shirts per annum. Hell I’d even put a further tenner on that minimum order size increasing if Premiership status and Euro qualification is achieved.
Ashley will have all bases covered to ensure he gets something regardless of which way they turn.
That is what happens when you let unscrupulous folk like Charles Green take the helm or you are desperate for operating cash. Someone will always be there to exploit your weaknesses and Ashley has made millions doing just that.
May not be morally correct but hey – this is just business – right?
So, FF, you claim there is a written commitment from DK to put money in? How much and when?
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I made no such claim,i have no sources,i am simply applying logic,or do you think sharp businessmen are just going to blow 3 million in the hope DK invests?
Football Fan says:
June 26, 2015 at 5:43 pm
I made no such claim,i have no sources,i am simply applying logic,or do you think sharp businessmen are just going to blow 3 million in the hope DK invests?
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Applying logic any sharp businessmen would be walking a million miles in the other direction to save their kid’s inheritance cash.
But this is football and fans, including sharp businessmen, often do the most illogical things.
As I have discussed many times King’s out is that he continues to spout that he will invest 50% of what others are willing to put in. If others can only afford £20.00 then that’s all he will put in and therefore none of it is his fault in the club is under funded.
He has never said I will put in X and I expect others to do the same with Y to match fund the other 50%.
Everyone is making cagey moves and that just leads to uncertainty a lack of openness and transparency with the fans, who are being asked to stump up as usual.
Football Fan says:
Member: (36 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 5:43 pm
So, FF, you claim there is a written commitment from DK to put money in? How much and when?
===================================================================
I made no such claim,i have no sources,i am simply applying logic,or do you think sharp businessmen are just going to blow 3 million in the hope DK invests?
—————————-
So you were just speculating.
Is that not what you just disparaged PM for?
Scottish Football needs a strong Arbroath.
But FF, surely that’s an extraordinary claim (given no sign of ANY funding) requiring extraordinary evidence? As you’ve said all along, it depends whether the claim/supposition fits through your belief filters and it’s quite obvious your filter is DCK-open.
….and FF, PM as far as I understand it has at least one source. Possibly more…
I’ll put money on it that the SD contract has T’Rangers having to place an order for a minimum number of shirts per annum
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I agree,it depends what the minimum is,the higher it is the more onerous it becomes,the more likely it will be contested in court,shareholders do have some legal protection against vested interests and unreasonable contracts.
So you were just speculating.
============================
We are all just speculating.
Is that not what you just disparaged PM for?
===========================================
Nope,and I am not an objective journalist,Phil is.
Football needs strong logic.
Football Fan……
Whilst PMGB may not be correct all the time, and may also at times commentate and speculate, he has broken stories that were true, and delivered numerous times over the years.
DCK on the other hand? Almost everything he has said has had little or no substance. Failed to deliver on a NOMAD. Failed to deliver on ISDX. Failed to deliver on renegotiation of contracts. Failed to deliver any sort of substantial invest,net at all, let alone “whatever it takes”.
Urges fans to “co-invest” by means of season tickets, with the aim of funding the club with season ticket monies, despite being very vocal in the criticism of others for doing exactly the same (Whyte & Green)
Almost everything he has said in reports or press conferences have proved to be empty gestures, contradictions of previous statements, or just downright glib and shameless lies.
Being pragmatic, and judging on the past, I think it is fair to say the only thing extraordinary is not your skepticism of PMGB’s claims about DCK’s motives for meeting MA, but that the skepticism seems to be founded upon your belief in DCK. Believing much in someone who has delivered absolutely nothing.
I can’t help but feel the judge in South Africa is an extremely good judge of character…..
FF says “I agree,it depends what the minimum is,the higher it is the more onerous it becomes,the more likely it will be contested in court,shareholders do have some legal protection against vested interests and unreasonable contracts.”
I still can’t get over how TRFC* fans can’t see that when desperate for money, people will do whatever they need to do so as to obtain that money. At the time CG agreed this deal in his capacity as CEO of TRFC*, I believe he was desperate for funding so took the short term view that signing the contract was the only way to get the money he needed at that time. All this talk of holding onto the £5m so as to force MA to alter the terms of the contract is merely to fool the fans again. The reality is more likely to be that DCK etc can’t afford to pay it back until the fans shell out their season ticket money, but that doesn’t get through the belief filters of those who want DCK to be the real deal.
But FF, surely that’s an extraordinary claim (given no sign of ANY funding) requiring extraordinary evidence? As you’ve said all along, it depends whether the claim/supposition fits through your belief filters and it’s quite obvious your filter is DCK-open.
====================================================================
Your definition of extraordinary differs from mine,the fact DK has not yet invested is not evidence he wont,especially since he is not even late.
Football Fan….
“GW considered it onerous,but DK has a bigger problem if season ticket sales bomb,then you are seriously talking administration,if i was him i would get the share issue moving to show the fans he is not another CW.”
*************************************************************************
Maybe an insolvency is DCK’s only real option, and either he does not love T’Rangers enough to part with enough cash that would secure the future without onerous contracts, and provide enough investment in the squad and infrastructure to get T’Rangers “back where they belong”.
Or maybe after paying his way out of South African prison he simply no longer has that kind of money to burn.
Maybe an insolvency event is key, and what he needs is a villain (MA) as he does not have the luxury SDM was afforded, in having a happy idiot lined up (CW) to carry out the switchers ok and also be pantomime villain to the fans and sycophantic media, and carry the can, saving he blushes of the “real Rangers men” who took the club to the precipice in the 1st place.
Karma really is a b1tch
“No need if DK is putting up most of the money,and as hilarious as some people think logic is,it is illogical to suggest there are no minutes of a meeting between DK and the 3b’s confirming DK’s investment,without this recorded commitment i doubt they would have put an unsecured 3 million in personally.
It all comes down to DK and his deep pockets.”
Oh boy, I will simply refer you to the judgement of a South African Judge, and wish them luck on enforcing such an undertaking
still can’t get over how TRFC* fans can’t see that when desperate for money, people will do whatever they need to do so as to obtain that money.
========================================================================
I can only speak for myself,i am not a Rangers fan and i repeat there are legal limits involving vested interested shareholders.However i am a huge fan of freedom of expression and you are perfectly entitled to your view and i respect your right to disagree with mine.
I had an interesting debate on twitter @Barcabhoy1 with Grant Russell from STV and others on the need for the SPFL to prioritise boosting the public profiles of clubs outside of Celtic and Rangers.
My thinking is that not enough is done by Sky / BT / or the SPFL in this regard. Commercial priorities ensure that ink / pixels are devoted to coverage of Celtic or Rangers with other clubs having to make do with any space thats left. In fairness to Grant , he agrees that it would be the right thing to do and beneficial to boost profiles of other clubs.
Take the last 24 hours as an example of what happens in our media. Scott Allen has been interviewed and has received some decent coverage as well as there being a showreel of his best stuff from 2014 /15 now available on the BBC. All well and good , but it wouldn’t take much of a cynics viewpoint to suspect that this wouldn’t have happened without the rumoured interest of Celtic and Rangers in signing him.
However what it does do is highlight that good quality content is available from Scotland. There are plenty of players who could feature in a similar manner. I am only speaking for myself , however i am inclined to believe my view is the majority one. Fans in Scotland want to see features on players like Allen or Ryan Christie or Peter Pawlett. They want this much more than a showreel of the latest mercenary to turn up at West Ham or Palace or QPR.
We need to promote our game. We need to talk up the qualities we have. As a suggestion why can’t we have weekly reports from behind the scenes at Hibs or Aberdeen or Hearts or United. The visual backdrop at many training facilities is excellent. It makes for attractive TV. Clubs need to be proactive in this regard. The reticence to work positively has damaged our product.
Rivalries and expectations are created and enhanced the more you know about an opponent. There is good talent in Scotland, however outside of Celtic ( and Rangers when they are not in freefall) it is ignored by the media. The EPL had a consistent mantra which was repeated ad nauseum . They claimed their league as the best in the world. Any objective analysis would disprove that, however it did its job. The product was terrifically marketed , with the result that it might not be the best , but it attracts the best funding.
Celtic and (in normal circumstances ) Rangers do not need any extra promotion from broadcasters and publishers. The other clubs in Scotland do, and if a proper effort was undertaken to fully demonstrate that Aberdeen and Hearts Hibs and others are important clubs, even in UK terms, then we can start to improve the attractiveness of the offering.
My cynical view is that Sky have a vested interest in doing the opposite. They want the subscription revenues from Scottish viewers to significantly pay for the huge sums required for EPL rights. They therefore have no interest at all in improving the SPFL if the result of that is that they have to pay an increased price and a fair price relative to the number of viewers .
The game in Scotland has to market itself better and it has to do so with and through partners who are not motivated to keep the game here in the poor house.
Re. Phil McG,
I often read his posts, always enjoy them, at least they are not skewed against my team nor slavishly towards Sevco (I know, It’s a new concept!) But he is not always right. Hey ho! He couches his words in a typically journalstic way that stays on just the right side of the law. Using HINTS. Speculation based on inside information which cannot be published full bore. He got it right in the last couple of weeks, not for the first time, but I don’t hang on his every word. As I mentioned earlier, I wish we could bring back the RTC guy and sadly Paul McConville RIP they were the days, breath taking days when we had inside information denied to every single one of us and for generations before us. We are so lucky now! But this site will grow to replace everyone in terms of News, investigation, interpretation, Archives, Audio, who knows? Without prejudice. Hope Auldheid et. al. stay long enough to see it through to their aim, as well as their hope for the SFA, SPFL to be held to account. I think the two aims are closely connected. It’s very early days and the attempts to make it all encompassing in terms of Scottish Football is something I love. The other, wider sports stuff not too interested in at the moment for me. Maybe at the time of the Olympics!
Lets replace SMSM!
I often read his posts, always enjoy them,
===========================================
I have had many chats online with Phil over the last 3 years and even when we disagree i have always found him to be civil and respectful.I thought his work on CW was first class and his book should have been serialized by the Sun,the sectarian claims were way out of order in my opinion.
How you doin Niall?
… unless Charlie allowed a guaranteed minimum to be written into the contract.
Looking at the posts over the last 24 hours I am reminded of Fields of Dreams and “if you build it he will come” . Long time no see Steerpike.
Just catching up and I’m with Big Pink, let’s stop feeding FF FFS – he’s a wind up merchant with nothing interesting to say – just whataboutery
MCFC, yes but normally when one goes like this, it’s an effort to distract us from something else – is anything going on?
I may be alone on this 😉 but Football Fans recent posts are a pleasant and possibly necessary contrary view which is much needed on here IMO.
I suspect some will question his motivations but in the absence of contrary views on here I’ll take a questioning attitude over repition.
Sorry if I’ve damned you with faint praise there FF 😳
Good Evening.
The Clumpany has seen a bit of ‘Petrofac 1st Round Draw’ publicity cropping up on Twitter, and it got me thinking…
I always enjoy the competition, and it has certainly been witness to some crucial moments for one particular new club…
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/06/26/petrofac-ing-facts/
Enjoy the rest of the evening!
nawlite says:
Member: (156 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 7:50 pm
MCFC, yes but normally when one goes like this, it’s an effort to distract us from something else – is anything going on?
=========================================
Don’t know.
But apparently TRFC commence pre-season tomorrow/Saturday, if there is any relevance ?
And on the King front, IMO, I don’t think we’ll hear from him or see him jetting in again !
When is the next saviour going to ascend the marble staircase… 😐
nothing interesting to say –
===========================
Please refrain from making personal attacks on my good self,and the evidence suggests many posters have been interested in my whataboutery,that is the beauty and joy of all inclusiveness.
Peace be upon you.
Nawlite, Traynor is getting very worried that the sickening void of good news from Ibrox is beginning to register with the undecided ST buyers – and they might seek information from wider sources – so better get in there and create some FUD (fear, uncertainty & doubtt) aka familiar DeNiall and Steerpike whataboutery of olde. This may be what King meant by transparency – transparent PR tactics.
StevieBC says:
June 26, 2015 at 7:59 pm
—————————-
I was just conscious it was a Friday evening, so was worried about what announcement the SFA might be thinking of making!!
Nil by mouth
With Phil’s suggestion that Big Mike makes more money by not selling shirts than actually selling them. Does anybody think that Big Mike and DCK could have been in league all along and DCK’s boycott call was just a ploy to make Big Mike (and others) more money.
Some news of the live radio shows. The figures I had on Thursday were so poor, I was feart to tell Big Pink, lest he cast himself into the Black Cart, however, there was a glitch in the reporting system and better news has emerged.
The first live programme has has over 8000 downloads, and Wednesday’s show has had 3000.
Wednesday’s show (with Jim Craig and Ianagain) was really very good and worth a listen no matter what team you support. You can still get on
http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/blether-episode-2_51151
mcfc says:
Member: (1455 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 8:04 pm
All of the attention on Mike Ashley (the pantomime villain), Sports Direct and the retailing contract serves two obvious purposes.
1, It provides a handy distraction from what the club and it’s supporters should really be looking at. The fact that their accounts are likely to show substantial losses for the third year running. There is nothing so far to show that is changing.
2, Effectively circling the wagons and creating a siege mentality. One where it’s only the club and it’s support, everyone else is an “enemy”.
It really is all about keeping the fans onside and selling season tickets. To be fair no-one can blame the board for that.
part time pete says:
Member: (4 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 8:23 pm
A bit too Max Bialystock for my liking.
I posted a couple of nights ago re almost precisely what Phil has revealed today.
I believe there is a minimum order value in the contract and that it obviously benefits Ashley (and others who signed the deal on behalf of Rangers)
In essence a billionaire is robbing the ordinary man in the street (THE FANS) and it is a disgrace.
That this appears to be legal is also a disgrace
Anyone who admires “Big Mike” cannot claim integrity. The fact that he has a confidentiality clause around this and other “legal” deals tells everyone all they need to know.
This wasn’t a great negotiation by a master businessman it was a theft from innocent fans by a bunch of crooks
Homunculus – yes – desperate times demand desperate measures. If you torture accounts they will tell you anything you want to hear – but it won’t stop the cheques bouncing.
Finloch says:
Member: (56 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 3:00 pm
I’d like to go on record as being a fan of Phil’s.
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I agree with Finloch.
Scottish football needs a strong Irish journalist.
(shame on our smsm)
If i recall Charles Green blamed poor retail profits for the first disastrous year,what retail profits?
There is a lesson for us all,never believe a Prospectus,it seems the law does not protect you even from bold faced liars.
Corrupt official says:
Member: (88 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 7:12 pm
How you doin Niall?
Astonishingly good spot CO
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When you have blathered as much as I have with Niall it is not so astonishing. About 3 or 4 posts worth of astonishment in fact. We’re old pals. 😀
A wise judge once said never to believe the words of a glib and shameless liar who is also mendacious without separate objective evidence – that might make for a good adage as it is wholly logical. Also if a person makes a series of statements which not only contradict each other but are never the same twic it might be that they are not in full control of a situation or forget that in the Information Age once something has been said it is there forever.
…since Administration…[sic]
http://therangersreport.com/2015/06/26/a-statistical-breakdown-of-mark-warburtons-usage-of-younger-players/comment-page-1/
Football Fan says:
June 26, 2015 at 8:38 pm
Like others who have come here out of the blue and started posting away I will ask you the question.
How do you think things will pan out down Govan way?
Always easy to try an pick holes in arguments, offer an alternative viewpoint etc but genuinely interested to see what you have to say about the future as opposed to what has gone on in the past.
Trisidium,
One slight technical mention, which you are no doubt aware of, was the telephone link up with Ianagain. poor sound quality but it’s early days and money is tight to resolve. No worse than R Caroline in the 1960s 🙂
But on a difft. note, Although I have really like both ‘narrowcasts’? They sound professional al a BBC Big Pink & Jim Craig, but better in terms of no bias, a better spread of club coverage (within one hour). But, it does not sound like TSFM!
There is not yet, any coming near the controversial issues we read on here daily. Can I say Sanitised? I would suggest, what you have done so far, reporting on clubs throughout Scotland, guest interviews is very good but then a spot for issues, let me repeat, ISSUES is needed. That is what we are based on. To ask the questions no one else does and to get replies from the myriad of posters on here.
There has to be a bit of difference on your radio, something more honest, earthy, address the things others don’t! Without it going down into the gutter obviously! Keep going forward!
Football Fan, it seems to be your view that the Three Bears have put in £3m unsecured on the basis of a minuted conversation with King, who doubtless gave them assurances regarding his willingness to underwrite a share issue.
If that is all the assurance that the Three Bears have, then may I suggest that they will have a lot of trouble getting their unsecured £3m back. Statements of intent by King at a meeting, whether minuted or not, are simply not enforceable. What these bears really need is £3m from King sitting in an escrow account, to guarantee their loans. Anything less is basically nothing in terms of getting their money back.
No sensible businessmen would ever advance millions of their own money on an unsecured basis to a loss making company. But that is what the Three Bears appear to have done. That’s the lunacy that passes for football economics for you. I wonder whether they now regret what they have done?
jimbo says:
June 26, 2015 at 8:55 pm
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Jimbo, thank you, I didn’t want to be first to say it. You’ve summed up how I feel about the radio pieces. They’re interesting in a way, but if I heard they were on (an unbiased version of) BBC Radio the content isn’t something I would choose to listen to. By comparison, I spend all day on here as I work from home. That’s because the forum talks about the important things – fairness, integrity etc – rather than being just some blokes talking about football. I appreciate the mods are trying to attract sponsors so steer clear of the controversial issues and as we’re trying to appeal to all Scottish football fans, they don’t want to be saying anything negative about TRFC* even though that might mean disenfranchising those who want to see the nonsense outed. I liked someone’s suggestion that taking the rip out of SMSM articles or SFA/SPFL pronouncements could become a regular part of the show and I do believe that sort of satirical approach could work overall. At the moment, to me it feels like listening to Aff the bawl but without the humour. I genuinely fear that followers could be lost in the effort to attract a broader audience. Apols if too negative.
How do you think things will pan out down Govan way?
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There are a lot of unknowable’s,maybe too many to make a prediction,i suppose if the fans stay loyal and DK delivers as promised they have a reasonable chance of surviving and getting back into the top tier.
However Rangers are in such a mess anything could happen and the key factor may be the standard of football they put out,another Ally fiasco and i think they would go bust and have to downsize(goodbye MP).
It really does depend on how much money DK is willing to burn to keep Rangers competitive against Celtic.
The jury is still out in my mind.
Jimbo says:
June 26, 2015 at 8:55 pm (Edit)
Trisidium,
One slight technical mention, which you are no doubt aware of, was the telephone link up with Ianagain. poor sound quality but it’s early days and money is tight to resolve. No worse than R Caroline in the 1960s 🙂
But on a difft. note, Although I have really like both ‘narrowcasts’? They sound professional al a BBC Big Pink & Jim Craig, but better in terms of no bias, a better spread of club coverage (within one hour). But, it does not sound like TSFM!
There is not yet, any coming near the controversial issues we read on here daily. Can I say Sanitised? I would suggest, what you have done so far, reporting on clubs throughout Scotland, guest interviews is very good but then a spot for issues, let me repeat, ISSUES is needed. That is what we are based on. To ask the questions no one else does and to get replies from the myriad of posters on here.
There has to be a bit of Difference on your radio, something more honest, earthy, address the things others don’t! Without it going down into the gutter obviously! Keep trying!
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Jimbo,
The technical problem with the phone is as you suggest down to what BigPink calls his “Heath Robinson” approach to connectivity. We have to prioritise with funds though, and right now we are concentrating on getting enough in to pay for our premises and hosting for the next year – and things are moving rather more slowly than we had hoped on that front.
As far as the content of the programme is concerned: Given the fact that the show was a weekly review and the fact that we had a Motherwell fan and a former Celtic player participating, I think the guys were on-message – and I don’t agree that there was any sanitising going on at all.
The opportunity was there for you or anyone else to bring their preferred topic for discussion to the show via the phone-in.
Sadly, no-one – not one single person – was motivated to do so. The only thing the programme was uncontaminated with therefore, was callers 🙂
No sensible businessmen would ever advance millions of their own money on an unsecured basis to a loss making company. But that is what the Three Bears appear to have done.
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Since we must assume they are not complete fools, we must also assume DK has somehow convinced them of his ability and intention to invest.
We will soon find out if their judgement was sound.
It really does depend on how much money DK is willing to burn to keep Rangers competitive against Celtic.
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how much money is DK willing to burn to keep Rangers competitive against Hibs never mind celtic as they are not in the same league as celtic.
Football Fan says:
Member: (45 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 9:22 pm
Cheers for that.
I guess the follow up is then how much do you think King and others need to stump up to be competitive with Celtic (and to secure Euro glory) and how likely do you think it is that T’Rangers will be able to raise such funds.
(Remembering King has given figures ranging from £30m downwards)
Trisidium, Thanks for the reply. I would never dare to join a phone in – I have a boring voice like a foghorn! I’m very surprised no one called, indeed very surprised because I thought Allyjambo, Auldhied and Ianagain came over every bit as good as any other caller on the radio I’ve heard. There must be many within our posters who could do likewise. Essexbeancounter! get on here fast! Your an accountant, I’ve never known one I could shut up!
Can’t begin to tell you how many posters I’d love to hear on our Radio. If they are as good in their speech as they are in their prose, it would be so good.
Does it work if I post on the forum during the radio? would you pick it up? (I have an half hour delay), maybe microphone shy guys like me could communicate that way.
Rangers chairman and major shareholder Dave King revealed he will meet with fellow investors in the Ibrox club in London this week to discuss a prospective share issue.
Mr King and the members of the Three Bears consortium, which comprises wealthy supporters George Letham, Douglas Park and George Taylor, have each loaned the Glasgow club £1.5 million for working capital in the last three months.
Football Fan says:
Member: (45 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 9:32 pm
No sensible businessmen would ever advance millions of their own money on an unsecured basis to a loss making company. But that is what the Three Bears appear to have done.
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The Johannesburg-based businessman, who, along with John Gilligan and Paul Murray, ousted the former board at an EGM on March 6, expects those loans to be converted into shares at an offering in future.
Did king not also say he hoped the £5 mill loan could be turned into shares?
Does anyone who gave them a loan know king does not want to pay back the loans but turn them into shares.
Maybe these sensible businessmen advance millions of their own money, knowing their loans would be converted into shares
Neepheid
I think we were all wondering what the 3B’s were doing but I always got the impression that they were with King and keeping the lights on until promotion was secured.
Since the 6-1 humping by Well I think we can agree that they have all gone quiet and left things to level5 to hand out Janet and John stories to the SMSM. It suggests that someone has been trying to keep things moving (Warburton and Weir plus a couple of cheap players) but nothing else.
There were questions as to why King et al said nothing after the 6-1 but perhaps it was as simple as them not having plan B for the Championship nor really wanting to pit money into the bottomless pit. The not having a plan might smack of arrogance and expecting promotion but should it be a
shock? I don’t think so given the nature of the club, their expectations, sense of entitlement etc. Logic often goes out the door when ownership of a football club is concerned.
If training starts tomorrow and they barely have a team or any committed Directors then it is almost as if they are waiting for the next billionaire to come to the rescue. On the one hand maybe King has told MA to go ahead and bring someone in, or maybe MA will just let the whole basket case collapse and hold onto the properties and continue to make his money until someone takes over and continues to pay him via the onerous contracts.
In the meantime MA makes money and embarrasses King and anyone associated with him.
Of course the SFA could do something to protect the other Championship sides and ask DCK for a financial plan and a fit and proper performance guarantee against impending failure – oh wait – what – no bank – oh dear then a letter will do – and so it goes on until someone gets embarrassed.
Good weekend everyone – Scottish Football needs a strong East Fife and Arbroath.
“The Johannesburg-based businessman, who, along with John Gilligan and Paul Murray, ousted the former board at an EGM on March 6, expects those loans to be converted into shares at an offering in future.”
All that really means is that if and when they have a rights issue then the people who supplied the loans will get their shares without actually putting all the money in. There will be a debt for equity swap.
Basically the money has already been paid and spent.
Dave King for example, if there is a share issue intended to raise £15m, then his shares would cost £2.4m. That would be made up of the £1.5m he is already owed plus a further £900k going to the club. The £900k is the only “new money” available
Personally I think £15m is a bit optimistic but as someone quoted the figure there’s no harm in using it just for illustrative purposes.
Methilhill Stroller says:
Member: (80 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 10:03 pm
What is this strategic planning concept of which you speak? There has been no evidence of a plan,beyond getting their bums on the Blue Room seats. If Kingco actually had a plan, they would have begun to execute it the second they won the vote.
In reality, they hummed, hawed & dithered, burning precious time and cash, with very little to show for it. Something went very badly wrong at the Kingco getgo, and they have never recovered. It would be interesting to know what it was, hard to believe they weren’t fed the full story before hand, but…
I guess the follow up is then how much do you think King and others need to stump up to be competitive with Celtic (and to secure Euro glory) and how likely do you think it is that T’Rangers will be able to raise such funds
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I don’t think Rangers will get near Celtic in this decade,and i don’t think 30 million will be invested,maybe half that amount.
I also do not believe DK when he states ” whatever it takes “,competing with Celtic is a sales pitch nothing else.
Cluster One says:
Member: (198 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 9:53
Does anyone who gave them a loan know king does not want to pay back the loans but turn them into shares.
Maybe these sensible businessmen advance millions of their own
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DK doesn’t strike me as the collegiate sort and any share issue would force others to dilute their own shareholding or help fund his own schemes…which IMO would suit him nicely either way…if he has the funds…which is the million (or should that be billion :twisted:) dollar question ❓
How aware of this the T3B were is yet another question…
My guess would be yes..with the caveat that they expected other investors to take up the slack and were happy to see their equity diluted….I doubt they expected to see their money back at any rate
The fly in the ointment was no promotion and possibly a more negative reaction from the markets (wrt DK) than they expected.
The question now is are they prepared to sink more money in…can they ❓
Only time will tell…
scapaflow says:
Member: (1253 comments)
June 26, 2015 at 10:11 pm
In reality, they hummed, hawed & dithered, burning precious time and cash, with very little to show for it. Something went very badly wrong at the Kingco getgo, and they have never recovered. It would be interesting to know what it was, hard to believe they weren’t fed the full story before hand, but…
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Could the explanation be that the Three Bears actually believed that King was turning up for his coronation with £30m of real money in his back pocket. Then when they found out that King had jetted in for the EGM with the wrong trousers on that morning, nerves (and tempers) became a wee bit frayed among the RRM?
Even if Ashley does nothing about recovering his £5m, then as I see it the ST money alone won’t keep this show going beyond September or December, depending on the level of sales. So that share issue is urgent, and needs to be underwritten. Will King step up to the plate? We will see soon enough.
If there has been a default on Ashley’s loan, and he enforces his floating charge to take his £5m out of the ST cash, then it’s surely curtains. I doubt if he will, though. Maybe just because King would like him to. Ashley calling in his loan would certainly get King off the hook.
Basically the money has already been paid and spent.
Dave King for example, if there is a share issue intended to raise £15m, then his shares would cost £2.4m. That would be made up of the £1.5m he is already owed plus a further £900k going to the club. The £900k is the only “new money” available.
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I may be picking you up wrong but DK can buy 15 million in shares if they are unsold and repay all loans( 8 million),and use the balance to finance this year in the Championship.Equity shares may not be possible and the 3Bs may or may not want their loans converted to ordinary shares,it is a tight squeeze in cash terms but they probably could manage on this amount.
I estimate two years losses at 15 million since the IPO dosh ran dry,a 5 million loss this year makes a total loss of 20 million,they could get by with 15 million,although stadium repairs would have to be delayed.Maybe DK will front the 15 million and the 3Bs leave their loans until equity shares are possible.
It is all ifs and buts but at best they could have 15 million with 5 to MA, the balance of 10 million would be sufficient as long as they get promoted.