Big Rangers Administration/Liquidation Thread - All chat here!

[HibeeJibee]

Unfortunatelty the majority of Dumbarton fans fell for this scare-mongering at their meeting.

As I said yesterday - I don't think it's a case of clubs fearing SPL2 is formed in 3 weeks. It's a case of fearing that if they do send Rangers to SFL3 then SPL will wreak a terrible revenge, by abandoning plans for merger and going ahead with SPL2 instead.

[PeeTeeJag]

I would let them back in if the club and it's orcs publicly apologised to Rod MacDonald for the utterly gut wrenching vile racist abuse he took against them at Firhill in '96.

For that alone I will forever hate them.

[beermonkey]

This farce is now becoming ridiculous, and it's all for one cheating club. Scottish football stands on the verge of extinction, not because Sevco will be voted into the first contrary to all reasonable and fair actions but as soon as that happens ALL power in the game will lie in the hands of an organisation hell bent in obliterating the Diddy clubs and consigning them to the annuls of history.

The proposals for the SPFL just add insult to injury, there should be one club, one vote not the convoluted A shares and B Shares nonsense.

This is the beginning of the end for all Diddy clubs, they must act now or they won't have a future.

Can nobody see exactly what's going on here ?

Erm..everyone can apart from the 3 cockmunchers in charge !!!

[pozbaird]

I asked our chairman this question last Tuesday - we are told that commercial sponsors are supposedly wanting 'Rangers' in the top flight again ASAP. Hence the desperate attempts by the suits in charge of our game to gerrymander as swift a return to the top flight as possible for their newco guise..... Which leads to my point. This won't be 'Rangers' as we knew them. They had 50,000 home gates, big travelling support, internationalists throughout the squad. They are dead. They aren't coming back. The 'Rangers' that are seemingly so vital to have, are currently in a state that is a million miles removed from what we knew them to be.

I can see Doncaster, Regan, Longmuir & Co engineering a situation to assist a seriously wounded and weakened 'Rangers' into Div 1, then at the very least, both Doncaster & Regan are relieved of their duties. What follows then is this new Rangers swiftly entering administration and we are back up to our necks in shite and disarray again.

Meanwhile, Doncaster & Regan have retreated to new psycho-babble executive jobs South of Hadrian's wall, and couldn't give a fcuk.

At the outset, my view was that I didn't want anyone to do a 'Third Lanark'. I have changed my opinion. I wish 'Rangers' to emulate them. The fact that so many of the grey suits are determined to bend over for a shambolic newco, that comes from the ashes of a deeply corrupt and cheating former institution is shameful, absolutely shameful.

Edited July 8, 2012 by pozbaird

[~~~]

Minutes from the RFFF meeting the other days, it's rather long so i've stuck it in some spoilers

Rangers Fans Fighting Fund

Notes of a meeting with representatives of Supporters’ Clubs held in the Ibrox Suite, Wednesday 4 July, 2012 at 7pm

The ‘top table’ comprised Andrew McCormick (Chair of the RFFF), Sandy Jardine, Ally McCoist, Jim Hannah and Billy Montgomery. The other members of the RFFF committee were also present at the meeting.

1. Introduction

Sandy Jardine chaired proceedings for the evening and advised that the meeting was going to be split into 3 sessions, namely an update from RFFF re accounts and the opportunity to take any questions on those - to 7.15pm; the new Board attending the meeting to participate in a Q&A session to 8pm and the opportunity thereafter to have a Q&A session in which the manager would participate for at least the first 30 minutes - with an anticipated close of business at 9pm. John Brown later arrived and it was proposed that he be given a slot at the later session to advise the fans representatives of any issues he wished to share.

(For ease of reference, the various questions which were raised on the evening have been grouped against the respective section and ‘bundled’ against the topics covered.)

2. RFFF Update

a) RFFF Income and Expenditure

Jim Hannah confirmed that he had e-mailed regular income and expenditure updates to Supporters’ Clubs secretaries. He subsequently updated the current position as showing a balance of £524,068.92. Full income and expenditure details were available on the RFFF website - http://www.rangers.co.uk/FightingFund

b) RFFF Poll

Jim Hannah confirmed that under the auspices of the RFFF, a poll had been conducted seeking views of fans as to whether their preference was to go into SFL1, SFL1 with sanctions or SFL3. The results of that poll showed 80% in favour of SFL3.

A show of hands was also taken on the evening and this overwhelmingly showed a similar response.

c) Current and Future Use of RFFF

Sandy Jardine confirmed that no money from the RFFF has gone to Charles Green or the Rangers ‘newco’ in relation to running costs. He went on to thank the fans for the funds that had been raised and reiterated that the money in effect belonged to the fans and the RFFF committee would be seeking fans views as to how the monies should be used in future. A subsequent meeting, potentially immediately prior to the new season, would be held to discuss future use of the funds.

A number of suggestions were made from the floor and the committee as to how these maybe used, including, inter alia, a Rangers Museum; purchase of ‘fans shares’; youth development; a player; or transfer to the Rangers Supporters’ Assembly.

3. The New Board

a) Introduction

Sandy Jardine introduced Malcolm Murray, new Board Chairman and thereafter the RFFF vacated the top table.

Malcolm Murray introduced himself to the meeting and outlined his vision for the future - namely to rebuild the Club to its rightful status; to ensure a balanced budget; to secure a balanced Board; and to do this against the highest standards of corporate governance which would ensure the Club would never again find itself in this position.

For sake of clarity, he stressed that Craig Whyte was not involved in any of the new arrangements and there was no ‘selling of the assets’ in relation to Ibrox Park, Auchenhowie or the Albion as had been reported recently.

Thereafter, he invited the other members of the Board - Charles Green, CE; Brian Stockbridge (finance); and Imran Ahmed (capital raising) to introduce themselves to the meeting.

Charles Green reiterated his intentions as set out originally in his business plan of 13 May 2012. These were to get to a position where the Club had no debt; a balanced book of shareholders - ideally where no single shareholder had more than 10 -15% of the shares; the Club listed on the stock-market such that fans had the opportunity to invest in shares in the Club and thereafter to leave when ’the job was done’. His ‘payment’ for rebuilding the Club would come when the Club was floated on the stock market and he would receive 10% of the flotation price. Again, this was as outlined in the original business plan.

He stressed that he was not ‘a Rangers man’ and he had no previous allegiance to the Club - albeit he had attended a few games. He was however someone who had worked in the ‘football business’ and recognised the potential for Rangers to once again be successful. He recognised the importance of the role of the fans in the future of the Club and was endeavouring to create a structure which would allow the fans to contribute accordingly.

Brian Stockbridge and Imran Ahmad similarly provided a brief resume of their backgrounds in finance in the City and of attracting significant income for companies respectively.

b) Questions re Current Financial Position

C Green advised that his initial prediction had been that by the middle of July, he would have built up a balance of approximately £30m. This had been on the basis of a CVA being successful and the Club remaining in the SPL. In the event, neither of these eventualities had been realised and accordingly the current capital raised stood at circa £11m. In addition, there had been very little season ticket income realised to date - this is expanded upon below.

From the £11m, £5.5 had been paid to Duff & Phelps for the acquisition of the Club, all wages had been paid in full and other running costs met.

Additional investment has been promised and ‘placing letters’ received which guarantee a further tranche of capital, with ongoing discussions with a range of other potential investors.

In relation to the value of the Club, I Ahmed indicated that he valued Rangers at £50m ‘all day long’ given the stature of the Club and potential future success and associated business opportunities.

B Stockbridge confirmed that a series of different financial models had been prepared to take account of the various scenarios which may be played out. Each of these would allow the Club to survive and succeed, albeit there were different recovery periods depending on each scenario.

c) Current Investors

C Green read out the list of existing shareholders, the bulk of these being in the form of ‘trust funds’. It was out with the law and FSA rules for the individuals involved in these trusts to be made public. However, in satisfying the SFA, representatives of the SAF had signed a confidentiality agreement and subsequently been given sight of the respective individuals. A similar arrangement was made available to 2 representatives of the RFFF committee and they, in turn, confirmed they had seen the list and were satisfied with the detail contained therein.

It was noted that one such trust, Blue Pitch Holdings, currently owned 23% of the shares. As the other investors increased, this percentage would reduce in line with the overall aspiration to have no single shareholder with an excess of more than 15%.

When pressed on why the individuals did not want their names known, the example of Glenmuir was cited. Glenmuir had invested in excess of £1m and subsequently received hate mail and threats of business being withdrawn.

It was confirmed that despite a public declaration that Iain Harte was not going to be part of the new shares issue, he did in fact have shares. The Board was happy to have his investment; however he had been advised that if he should at some stage in the future wish to have this investment returned/given to another purpose, it would be so done.

M Murray also confirmed that there had been a proposed investment which had not been accepted on the basis that the offer had come with the proviso that the donor received 50% of the shares and got 2 seats on the Board. A compromise had been offered - partly in recognition of the overall aspiration to have no single person with more than 15%, however this had not been accepted to date.

d) Season Tickets

B Stockbridge confirmed that approximately £100k had been lodged in the form of cheques or cash payments in the account of the ‘oldco’. Duff & Phelps had been advised of this and were currently transferring the monies to the account of the ‘newco’. It would be unlawful for them to keep money which was associated with income for season tickets for the new season.

In relation to Direct Debits, no income would be taken until there was clarity re which league the Club would be playing in and the appropriate costs agreed.

The Club was in possession of many expressions of intent to renew season tickets, albeit this income had not been included in the financial position highlighted at b) above. This would be additional income in due course.

e) What Had Transpired re SPL Meeting and Subsequent Consequences

C Green opened the response to these questions by indicating that he had come into the process of rebuilding the Club without appreciating the level of hatred that was being directed at the Club from all directions. This was not however going to cause him to deviate, rather, it strengthened his resolve.

This had been exemplified by a phone call on Friday last to indicate that not was all that it seemed re the public declarations by a number of the Chairmen and as such, he should contact SPL Chairmen to outline the regret of the new board to the actions of the old board. At this point, he ceased the work on the application to the SFL to concentrate all efforts in seeking to secure SPL status. This he duly did; the Chairman had made the public apology and the meeting subsequently demonstrated that this had all been a sham and it appeared like there was no SPL Club that wanted Rangers to survive - and certainly none prepared to publicly state they did.

Despite this outcome, it didn’t affect the investments already made or those already promised.

C Green indicated that both the manager and himself had attended the SPL meeting and had advised those present of the hypocrisy being shown by all concerned in their assertion that as a ‘newco‘, Rangers should not be admitted to the SPL. Yet despite being a ‘newco‘, there was an expectation that they should still be subject to penalties and other sanctions for the actions of the ‘oldco’.

Notwithstanding this, C Green was in the process of formally submitting application to join the SFL. Despite any aspiration to join SFL 3 in keeping with the fans wishes, in reality, we would need to play in whichever league the slot was made available us to play in. However, he indicated that he would not be prepared to accept some of the wild proposals and suggested clauses which were being mooted to get into the SFL, e.g. halving all the home gate receipts with the opposition.

He went on to advise that the transfer bans issue had still to be resolved and if we weren’t registered as a member of the SFA, we couldn’t play in Scotland.

He advised that whilst acquisition of Bury and subsequent use of their place in the English League had been a consideration, this was not now possible since a rules change following the Wimbledon/MK Dons scenario. However, if the SFA refused to register the Club to play in the SFL in Scotland, then application to the English League - at any level, was a possibility.

f) EBTs

C Green advised that he was looking for an early statement from HMRC to the effect that since the ‘oldco’ no longer existed, there would be no further action taken against the ‘newco’. Indeed, given that criminal proceedings had commenced re the actions of the previous Chairmen and associated takeover arrangements, he was hopeful that such a statement would be forthcoming imminently. This would assist greatly in removing some of the uncertainty still hanging over the Club.

g) Other Issues

A series of other ‘ single issue’ points were raised which the Board were asked to consider.

The Board should consider methods to maximise transparency that would allow the fans to be re-assured that investments were real.

The Board should expedite the process of having the facility at Auchenhowie re-named.

The Board should consider seeking the resignation of Neil Doncaster and Stuart Regan given their complicity in the situation that the Club - and Scottish football in general now found itself.

The Board should consider some form of recompense for the ‘small businesses’ out of pocket from the liquidation of the ‘oldco’ e.g. local newsagent.

At this point, the Board vacated the top table, Messrs Green and Ahmed going to work on other Club business. M Murray and B Stockbridge agreed to sit in the body of the meeting to hear the other session and of the response of the fans representatives to the points raised and any other issues.

3. Q & A Session with the Manager/RFFF Committee

(Again, for ease of reference, the various questions which were raised in this session have been grouped around the topics covered.)

Sandy Jardine opened the meeting again to take questions from the floor.

a) Should we go to SFL1 or SFL3?

The manager indicated that whilst the opinions of the fans of every Club had been getting publicised over recent weeks, he felt it only right that the voice of our fans should similarly be recognised. As such, if the overwhelming majority of our fans believed we should go to SFL3, he was 100% behind such a proposal. In many respects, this would allow us to live up to the ’sporting hypocrisy’ concept that appeared to be such a major issue in the decision not to allow us to remain in the SPL. If the same ’sporting hypocrisy’ aspiration was to be believed, then it was only just and proper that we should start in SFL3.

He went on to say that a 10 point deduction, loss of European football and the loss of virtually the entire first team - with no transfer income, felt like punishment enough and a new start in SFL3 should satisfy most reasonable men.

Ally then indicated that he felt for David Longmuir, SFL, as he had been put in a position not of his making. Moreover, whilst he was aware of the suggested creation of a scenario where Rangers were placed in SFL1 with a view to the creation of an SPL2, he felt this was similarly in diametric opposition to the stated need for ’sporting hypocrisy’.

Whilst the decision to reject the application for Rangers to remain in the SPL had been disappointing, the manager had requested that a decision be made such that the Club had some clarity and opportunity to plan accordingly. The feeling was that it would have been further delayed pending the outcome of the SFL vote had such a request not been made.

It was also noted that whilst C Green had originally offered to pay off footballing debts pre CVA refusal, this would now appear to be at odds with the stance taken by the SPL whereby we were a ‘newco’ and therefore had no rights.

b) Would Ally McCoist Issue a Statement requesting all Season Ticket Holders to renew their Tickets?

The manager indicated that he would not issue a formal statement asking all season ticket holders to renew. He felt this was a matter for individuals to make up their own minds. He didn’t know what league we would be playing in, which players would be staying, the size and extent of the playing squad, whether we would be allowed to sign anyone, let alone whether the money would be there to do so, or indeed a whole range of other factors that remained unclear. As such, how could he ask fans to commit to renewing season tickets.

He did however state that a key concern for him was that the existing infrastructure at the Club remained such that the opportunity to get promoted year on year and regain our previous position as quickly as possible was maximised. Key to that would be the regular income associated with season ticket sales. A number of fundraising suggestions were also made to assist ensure the Club was in a healthy financial state and able to compete at the time of returning to the SPL.

In recognising that it would be unfair to ask the manager to put out such an announcement, fans representatives on the RFFF committee were requested if they had seen enough as to support the proposal that fans renew their season tickets. This was duly affirmed. Representatives with access to fans websites were therefore asked to ensure this position was made clear to the wider fan base. In this respect, a spokesman for RTID - NI said that to a man, all their members would be renewing their season tickets.

Andrew McCormick also reiterated that any money for season tickets would go to the ‘newco’ and could not be accessed by anyone associated with the ’oldco’.

Finally, in response to a direct request to the manager asking if he were sitting in the audience, would he personally renew his ticket, he said he would.

c) Did Ally McCoist Think we Should/Did he Trust C Green and the New Board?

The manager indicated that it would be premature to say he trusted anyone after such a short time. This was not in any way a slight on anyone associated with the new Board, it was just that trust is something that isn’t pinned on someone. Rather, it has to be earned - a mutual arrangement. That said, he had always found C Green to be very honest in any dealings he had with him thus far and for him to be working in the best interests of the Club. He agreed that no matter who followed C Whyte, they would have a huge challenge in gaining the trust of the support and the staff. However, C Green and the new board were the people in charge and you have to give them a chance.

It was suggested that if the fans could see additional investment being made in the Club and the subsequent release of finance to sign new players and increase the playing staff, this would be the type of evidence that would engender trust.

d) What was the position re players who have left/stayed and state of squad for next season?

The manager confirmed that thus far, of the recognised first team senior players, only Lee McCulloch, Kirk Broadfoot, Lee Wallace, Neil Alexander, and Bedoya had returned. Hegarty had renewed his contract, Andy Little and Salim Kerkar had been offered renewed contracts but had yet to confirm acceptance or otherwise. Goian, Bocanegra, and Edu all had extended return dates due to international/personal commitments and as such, it would be later in the month before it was clear as to whether they would return or not.

In relation to the players who had left, the manager confirmed that Alan McGregor and Steve Davies had discussed their positions with him and he could understand their predicament recognising they did not know what league they would be playing in, absence of European football etc.

The manager refused to be drawn on whether any players had discussed the impact of their actions with him, however Sandy Jardine interjected at this stage and said of the players who hadn’t returned, the only one to have had any real consideration for/discussion with the Club had been Alan McGregor. For the others who had put out press statements which were inaccurate, they had taken relatively little sacrifice and their actions had cost the Club at least £10m of income they would have received had they allowed other clubs to have come in and bought them. This had been as a direct result of a clause they had inserted in their contracts in the administration process which Duff & Phelps had agreed to and could have been predicted to have cost the Club so much at the expense of the personal gain of these individuals. This was particularly galling recognising the significant medical costs the Club had incurred for some at a time they weren’t playing. The role of the agents was such that they had been touting these players since the ‘clause’ had been included and there was nothing realistically that the new Board could have done to resolve this position.

The manager did reaffirm the view from some of those present that we did have a good pool of under 17s and that whilst we could expect to see an increased number of young players getting a chance, being able to sign some experienced players would be absolutely crucial - regardless of which league we were in.

e) What has Happened to the Title Deeds and Could they be Viewed by Others?

Andrew McCormick confirmed that the title deeds now sat with the ‘newco’ and formal application had been made to HMRC in relation to stamp duty and application made to have these transferred formally into the name of Sevco Scotland Limited. He held up a copy of the respective documentation and invited anyone to look at the same.

B Stockbridge confirmed that Servco had purchased all the assets. He would also be happy to facilitate others looking at these and, indeed, once the formalities had been completed, these would be available to the public via the land register in the same way as the deeds on a house will show the respective change a few months following the actual exchange of paperwork.

A McCormick confirmed that the properties are ‘unencumbered’ and that there was no assignation over the deeds.

f) Did the Manager Offer to Resign/or was Asked to by C Green?

The manager absolutely refuted the suggestion that this had taken place. Rather, there had been a meeting where there was a difference of views - which he said was actually healthy in some instances, however that was as far as it went and anything else was merely media speculation.

g) Would Former Rangers Players Ask to Get Their Names Taken from the SFA Hall of Fame Given the Treatment of the Club by the SFA?

Sandy Jardine confirmed that would be his position but it would be up to others what their personal stance was. The manager hadn’t been made aware of this suggestion but would consider it.

h) Was There Still a Potential for League Titles/Other Honours to be Removed?

Sandy Jardine confirmed that as far as he was concerned, it didn’t matter what transpired, as far as the Club is concerned, all the trophies were won on the field and the league flags would continue to adorn the walls of the trophy room - as would the Honours Boards remain proudly displayed.

4. John Brown Statement/Concerns

Throughout the evening, John Brown and Andy Goram posed a number of questions and the bulk of the answers to these are included in the responses/information provided above. There were however a few further points which were made and responded to where appropriate as below.

a) SFL1/SPL2

He advised that he had seen information that described the financial meltdown which would follow Rangers not being in the SPL and as such, we should refuse any sanctions to be admitted into SFL1.

b) Potential Investor

He indicated that he had someone who was willing to buy/make an investment in Rangers to the tune of £11m. He was unable to disclose this potential investor.

c) Potential Means to Minimise Expenditure on Assets

He suggested that the Club establish a separate trust for the physical assets to both safeguard against future sale as well as minimising expenditure.

d) Why was a Higher Bid than the one Made by Sevco not Accepted by Duff & Phelps?

Nobody present was able to confirm or deny whether this was the case, albeit there was a recognition that if this could be proven, Duff & Phelps would have been failing in their duties and this would likely come out in the investigation ongoing into their role in the process.

d) What Does C Green/the Board Stand to Gain from the Process

A McCormick referred to C Green’s earlier statement re 10% of the share flotation - 3a) above - however the extent of that wouldn’t be known until such time as the Club was floated on the stock market. B Stockbridge confirmed that ’placing letters’ had been received which confirmed additional investment was coming into the ‘newco’.

5. Vote of Thanks

Ally McCoist concluded that on behalf of all the staff at the Club, he wished to thank all the fans for the support that had been received since the administration announcement had been made. It had been hugely humbling for all concerned and he was confident with the type of support seen in the last few months continuing, the Club will continue for the next 140 years.

In response, one of the representatives from St Andrews Rangers Supporters’ Club spoke on behalf of all the Rangers support when she said that throughout the whole sorry episode, Ally McCoist had stood out as a shining example of what being a Ranger truly meant and had conducted himself with great dignity and honesty. For that, we were truly thankful.

She went on to say she would be renewing her season ticket!

Some things i've picked out the minuted

Jim Hannah confirmed that he had e-mailed regular income and expenditure updates to Supporters’ Clubs secretaries. He subsequently updated the current position as showing a balance of £524,068.92. Full income and expenditure details were available on the RFFF website - http://www.rangers.co.uk/FightingFund

Sandy Jardine confirmed that no money from the RFFF has gone to Charles Green or the Rangers ‘newco’ in relation to running costs. He went on to thank the fans for the funds that had been raised and reiterated that the money in effect belonged to the fans and the RFFF committee would be seeking fans views as to how the monies should be used in future. A subsequent meeting, potentially immediately prior to the new season, would be held to discuss future use of the funds.

A number of suggestions were made from the floor and the committee as to how these maybe used, including, inter alia, a Rangers Museum; purchase of ‘fans shares’; youth development; a player; or transfer to the Rangers Supporters’ Assembly.

Would Former Rangers Players Ask to Get Their Names Taken from the SFA Hall of Fame Given the Treatment of the Club by the SFA?

Sandy Jardine confirmed that would be his position but it would be up to others what their personal stance was. The manager hadn’t been made aware of this suggestion but would consider it.

h) Was There Still a Potential for League Titles/Other Honours to be Removed?

Sandy Jardine confirmed that as far as he was concerned, it didn’t matter what transpired, as far as the Club is concerned, all the trophies were won on the field and the league flags would continue to adorn the walls of the trophy room - as would the Honours Boards remain proudly displayed.

Sandy Jardine interjected at this stage and said of the players who hadn’t returned, the only one to have had any real consideration for/discussion with the Club had been Alan McGregor. For the others who had put out press statements which were inaccurate, they had taken relatively little sacrifice and their actions had cost the Club at least £10m of income they would have received had they allowed other clubs to have come in and bought them

[beermonkey]

Sandy jardine being a bawbag as usual then ?.....

[Sting777]

Can nobody see exactly what's going on here ?

Thats the problem Magnethead, everyone CAN see whats going on. The Abomination are gonna get back into the 2nd tier thanks to the corrupt football organisations, the diddy clubs fans are gonna stay away in droves, loadsa diddy clubs will go part time or to the wall while the Abomination grows and get back to their rightful place in the rigged SPHell. Diddy club fans are left with no clubs or shells of their previous clubs were while the bigotted organisation that caused this will be back in their rightful place in the top tier. Makes you feckin sick!!

Edited July 8, 2012 by Sting777

[Guest Pampered Adolescent]

"Football is pish: all footballers are dicks"

Not sure if any of you will recognise the quote; it was actually aired in public at the Fruitmarket in Glasgow on 17th February 2001, a day of Fourth Round Scottish Cup action, where Dundee United winning 2-0 away to Motherwell was probably the performance of the day.

The phrase was spoken on stage by Alun Woodward of the Delgados, in response to some banter by Big Hendy that Matt Le Tissier was headed Fir Park way. [Which turned out to be bollox, of course.....]

Over the years I've used this quote many times, mainly to close football-supporting friends, Arabs, Barins, and other 'Well fans when something incredulous has occurred in the (mainly Scottish) football world..

Recently, I've been re-appraising the phrase and now, it's only partly true.

Football, is, of course, still well and truly pish.

But, the major problem, in my mind, isn't the footballers; it's the institutions and the media.

What has been going on in the recent past, and which appears to be going on into the coming weeks, seems to be unimaginable levels of threat, conspiracy, collusion and so on. The list of culprits is endless- Doncaster, Regan, Longmuir, Traynor, Young, Keevins, Hateley, Burley etc.

Even my Chinese colleagues joke about the 'propaganda' that appears in China Daily and on CCTV (Chinese state television), but such matters pale into insignificance when compared with some of the links posted earlier in the thread, especially The Rancid. The BBC, notwithstanding Chico, have been better, but not one of the terrestrial broadcasters appear to ask the simple questions many of us have, such as- 'If Rangers aren't in SPL this coming season, is it an 11 team league, do Dunfermline stay up, or Dundee come up?"

Like many, I live in a results-orientated world. We seem to hear this phrase in particular to football; paraphrasing: "It's not a surprise Kenny Dalglish lost his job; it's a results-orientated business, after all."

So, why the f**k aren't the Scottish media, the SPL, the SFA and the SFL in a results-orientated world then?

Rant over!

PA

[DuntoiRab]

But it's the Rangers.

If they are so feckin great why aren't Sky and sponsors tripping over themselves to get a deal.

What the feck diff does it make if they play SFL Div 3?

It's a global brand, so they tell us.

I deffo smell mucho shite!

[rustyarabnuts]

I am getting to the stage of saying , feck it , let them play in div1 then we can all laugh and have much merriment when they announce they can no longer fulfill their fixtures

Personally If this happens, I for one would love to see messrs dungcaster, Raygun and knobmuirs pusses as they realise for all their procrastination,manipulation and gerrymandering has been absolutely worthless.I say bring back the stocks ,parade them (shackled) through the streets of every SPL/SFL teams home towns and make them endure the wrath of us DIddy supporters!!

[Fife Saint]

Hopefully the Sfl chairmen get the opportunity to read Burley's column today. That should help focus their minds on how they are viewed by the OF apologists.

Edited July 8, 2012 by Fife Saint

[P45]

Hopefully the Sfl chairmen get the opportunity to read Burley's column today. That should help focus their minds on how they are viewed by the OF apologists.

The Stenhousemuir chairman probably agrees with him.

[greyman]

How many of the sevco orange order adhere to these rules:

Requirements for entry to Orange Order

"An Orangeman should have a sincere love and veneration for his Heavenly Father, a humble and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind, believing in Him as the only Mediator between God and man. He should cultivate truth and justice, brotherly kindness and charity, devotion and piety, concord and unity, and obedience to the laws; his deportment should be gentle and compassionate, kind and courteous; he should seek the society of the virtuous, and avoid that of the evil; he should honour and diligently study the Holy Scriptures, and make them the rule of his faith and practice; he should love, uphold, and defend the Protestant religion, and sincerely desire and endeavour to propagate its doctrines and precepts; he should strenuously oppose the fatal errors and doctrines of the Church of Rome and other Non-Reformed faiths, and scrupulously avoid countenancing (by his presence or otherwise) any act or ceremony of Roman Catholic or other non-Reformed Worship; he should, by all lawful means, resist the ascendancy, encroachments, and the extension of their power, ever abstaining from all uncharitable words, actions, or sentiments towards all those who do not practice the Reformed and Christian Faith; he should remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day, and attend the public worship of God, and diligently train up his offspring, and all under his control, in the fear of God, and in the Protestant faith; he should never take the name of God in vain, but abstain from all cursing and profane language, and use every opportunity of discouraging those, and all other sinful practices, in others; his conduct should be guided by wisdom and prudence, and marked by honesty, temperance, and sobriety, the glory of God and the welfare of man, the honour of his Sovereign, and the good of his country, should be the motives of his actions.". [120]

Made me chuckle.

[placidcasual]

This farce is now becoming ridiculous, and it's all for one cheating club. Scottish football stands on the verge of extinction, not because Sevco will be voted into the first contrary to all reasonable and fair actions but as soon as that happens ALL power in the game will lie in the hands of an organisation hell bent in obliterating the Diddy clubs and consigning them to the annuls of history.

The proposals for the SPFL just add insult to injury, there should be one club, one vote not the convoluted A shares and B Shares nonsense.

This is the beginning of the end for all Diddy clubs, they must act now or they won't have a future.

Can nobody see exactly what's going on here ?

It's been ridiculous from about a couple of days into the administration.

[Hipster Dufus]

SFL1 or SFL3. Where do TCFKAR actually fulfill their home games? Ibrox or ground share with someone?

Who the hell owns Ibrox? Is it still under Whyte's floating charge?

[thelegendthatis]

Can you who are more expert than me, let us know the key dates we have ahead of us?

13th July is the SFL meeting.

28th June is first games in Ramsden Cup.

What date do Sevco make applications to join SFA etc?

There seem to so many deadlines would be good to have them all in one place. Then we can work out which ones we need to have an input to.

Thanks all.

[P45]

SFL1 or SFL3. Where do TCFKAR actually fulfill their home games? Ibrox or ground share with someone?

Who the hell owns Ibrox? Is it still under Whyte's floating charge?

You would think the SFA would like to know but Regan doesn't care. He just wants his pal Green to be in the 1st division.

All that invested time has got to be repaid.

[wellwoodpar]

But there is no route for SFL Chairmen to do that. That option is not on the table to be voted upon.

They are being asked to accept Sevco into the fold, then remit it to the Board to decide if sufficient sweeteners have been offered to bump Sevco to Division 1. And the thing is, the package of sweeteners is being finalised as we speak. As soon as Friday's meeting closes with the remit to the Board, they can announce the bump from 3rd to 1st there and then.

There is only one answer to this stichup;

Vote 1 : NO!!!!!!

Vote 2 : irrelevant (see vote 1)

Vote 3 : irrelevant (see vote 1)

Back in the SPHell court.

They can reinstate Sevco8055 and have all the Armageddon they want , in their own little pile of rancid shit.

[Sam Leitch Loyal]

I'd let them in if they had to wear a green strip for the whole of their time in the SFL. No sanctions, no money, just wear green.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Rangers. Yeah, has a ring to it.

[Montague Withnail]

Dontcha just love Craig Burley...what an utter c**t.

"HAS it really come to this? The future of Scottish football placed in the hands of a few nonentities from the lower divisions.

Muppets in charge of clubs that draw embarrassing crowds of 200 people suddenly standing as judge and jury over a decision that could cost the country millions of pounds in lost revenue.

Chairmen of part-time teams who are nothing more than afterthoughts in the psyche of our national obsession, yet suddenly they have been handed the most important decision in the history of Scottish football."

Edited July 8, 2012 by Montague Withnail