Big Rangers Administration/Liquidation Thread - All chat here!

[~~~]

Are we seriously discussing the ground Juventus trained on in the BRALT thread? What next, the customs official that stamped their baggage has a cousin with an ST at Ayebrokes?

Sadly so, it's another deflection tactic from our Sevco friends

[flyingrodent]

http://blogs.channel4.com/alex-thomsons-view/succulent-lamb-rack/4144

Channel 4 News understands very well that sportswriters need close relations with the football clubs they report on. But what follows stands out because of the culture peculiar to Rangers FC and the media during the reign of Sir David Murray and Craig Whyte.

It also stands out because it concerns a former reporter in that culture, who now runs the Rangers media operation.

In response to last week’s media coverage of Rangers’ disputed bills for £400,000 Rangers FC did not answer any of Channel 4 News’ questions directly.

Instead the club website – now controlled by Ibrox press boss James Traynor, attacked the media en masse, accusing them of being “at such a damning low”: “…it has become clear Rangers cannot rely on basic honesty, decency or integrity from enough of the country’s media…”

It struck many appropriate that Mr Traynor should issue such a rallying cry in defence of Rangers. For he stands as one example of the curious Glasgow concept of “succulent lamb” journalism:

SECRET FEAR THAT DRIVES ME TO WIN; 10 IN A ROW

(Daily Record – November 19, 1998)

Exclusive James Traynor

Rangers chairman David Murray opens up on the highs and lows of his decade in charge of Rangers and promises that the best is still to come…”

So ran Mr Traynor’s now infamously sycophantic article on how Sir David Murray would conquer the world with Rangers, building to those fateful lines:

“He was about to take in another mouthful of the most succulent lamb – anyone who knows Murray shouldn’t be surprised to learn he is a full-blooded, unashamed red meat eater – when he put down his knife and fork.

It was like a statement of intent and looking directly across the table to make sure I hadn’t yet succumbed to the wine, he said:

“Bring on the next 10 years, there’s more to come for Rangers.”

There certainly was more to come from Rangers: sold for a quid, put into administration, liquidated and lucky to be playing fourth-tier football.

And that “succulent lamb”? Well it’s so engrained as a concept in Glasgow’s media culture that these days it even has its own Wikipedia entry.

In the light of this, Channel 4 News can now reveal exactly what “succulent lamb” journalism means, from the hand of the RFC press supremo James Traynor.

Let’s go back just a short time to when the current Ibrox director of communications was football writer at The Daily Record and its sister paper the Sunday Mail.

Back in July 2011, there were searching questions to be asked of Rangers. Like just who was Craig Whyte? What was his business record and just what was really happening inside Ibrox?

But far from it.

In fact, at times, so unquestioning of Mr Whyte was Mr Traynor that we know of at least one occasion when he actually sent an article to Craig Whyte for prior editorial approval before it went into the newspaper.

July 14th is the day the French celebrate the overthrow of deference. But not in Glasgow where, on that day in 2011, James Traynor submitted an article due for the Sunday Mail, to Craig Whyte, with the following message:

14 July 2011 14:49

(Hi Craig, as agreed the following is what I think would cover the Sunday Mail piece. You’ll notice I start with the £15m but also that I haven’t quoted you on that amount. There might be one or two minor alterations between now and the deadline but these would only be cosmetic and grammatical once I’ve had a final look.Thanks, JT.)

He then submits his Sunday Mail article to Craig Whyte in full, for Mr Whyte’s approval, quoting the Rangers boss on grand plans in the transfer market and writing about the £15m to be spent buying the best.

Much of the article in fact is simply a string of quotes from Mr Whyte on his vision for Rangers after just a few weeks in the job.

The next day, Craig Whyte replies to Mr Traynor saying he’s satisfied the article can go in the paper, subject to a change:

Date: 15 July 2011 10:47
Subject: Re: Sunday piece.
To: jxxxxxx@xxxxxX
Hi Jim,

Only one thing – I’d rather not be quoted being critical of a particular player, ie. Danns. Other than that it’s fine.

Best,

Craig

Just four minutes later Jim Traynor is emailing Craig Whyte straight back to assure him the offending quote will not appear in the Sunday Mail:

From:
Date: 15 July 2011 10:51
Subject: Sunday piece.
To: cxxxxxx@xxxxxxx

No problem Craig. It’s out. Thanks. JT.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what’s known as the “succulent lamb” in the world of Glasgow journalism.

In goes the article to the Sunday Mail, all about Mr Whyte’s £15m transfer treasure chest and all the rest of it.

Crucially, the glowing piece came after several months of doubt about Mr Whyte’s financial clout and willingness to invest his own money into the club.

The big spending promised in the article, approved by Mr Whyte, never did materialise.

One small episode in a greater scheme of things where – across all sections of the mainstream media – too few searching questions were asked about Sir David Murray and then Craig Whyte – successive owners who ultimately brought the club to its knees.

But there’s more.

Far from probing the probity of Craig Whyte, James Traynor was actually going on to probe him for a job at Rangers.

And here, for the first time, is your proof.

It comes in a series of text messages exchanged between James Traynor and Craig Whyte just a few months later in January 2012.

By now of course, the mounting problems at Rangers would have been more apparent and fans needed to know the full scale. But Mr Traynor had other things on his mind – a job under Craig Whyte. Here’s the text exchange:

6 JAN 2012 11.43
Hi Craig, haven’t been sacked, haven’t resigned despite all the rumours. However, I’m almost certain I can get out within weeks if I insist. Do you want to talk? JT

6 JAN 2012 16.07

Hi Jim, I’m back in Glasgow next Friday. Let’s meet up then and discuss. C.

6 JAN 2012 16.32

Okay, see you then.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong in looking for a new job – we all do it all the time. And of course we don’t know the preamble to these texts, but the curio here is merely the context that an experienced journalist should apparently be seeking a job from Mr Whyte, should want to be part of his Rangers operation. Channel 4 News understands they did indeed meet and discuss a job at the club. One month after that text exchange – one year ago this week - Rangers filed legal papers at the Court of Sessions to appoint administrators.

Did James Traynor simply not know things were amiss?

Craig Whyte was banned by the Scottish football authorities from the game for bringing it into disrepute after Rangers ended up liquidated. They fined him £200,000.

So there you have it. What so many fans long suspected is laid bare. James Traynor has since made it to Rangers under the new Charles Green regime on a reported six figure salary.

Today Mr Traynor, through channels at Ibrox, issued this statement to Channel 4 News: “These suggestions are malicious and misleading. Anyone who knows anything about events at Rangers knows that James Traynor, in his capacity as a journalist, was instrumental in exposing the activities of the Craig Whyte regime which are currently subject to criminal investigation.”

-----------------------------------------

[captain kirk]

http://blogs.channel4.com/alex-thomsons-view/succulent-lamb-rack/4144

Channel 4 News understands very well that sportswriters need close relations with the football clubs they report on. But what follows stands out because of the culture peculiar to Rangers FC and the media during the reign of Sir David Murray and Craig Whyte.

It also stands out because it concerns a former reporter in that culture, who now runs the Rangers media operation.

In response to last weeks media coverage of Rangers disputed bills for £400,000 Rangers FC did not answer any of Channel 4 News questions directly.

Instead the club website now controlled by Ibrox press boss James Traynor, attacked the media en masse, accusing them of being at such a damning low: it has become clear Rangers cannot rely on basic honesty, decency or integrity from enough of the countrys media

It struck many appropriate that Mr Traynor should issue such a rallying cry in defence of Rangers. For he stands as one example of the curious Glasgow concept of succulent lamb journalism:

SECRET FEAR THAT DRIVES ME TO WIN; 10 IN A ROW

(Daily Record November 19, 1998)

Exclusive James Traynor

Rangers chairman David Murray opens up on the highs and lows of his decade in charge of Rangers and promises that the best is still to come

So ran Mr Traynors now infamously sycophantic article on how Sir David Murray would conquer the world with Rangers, building to those fateful lines:

He was about to take in another mouthful of the most succulent lamb anyone who knows Murray shouldnt be surprised to learn he is a full-blooded, unashamed red meat eater when he put down his knife and fork.

It was like a statement of intent and looking directly across the table to make sure I hadnt yet succumbed to the wine, he said:

Bring on the next 10 years, theres more to come for Rangers.

There certainly was more to come from Rangers: sold for a quid, put into administration, liquidated and lucky to be playing fourth-tier football.

And that succulent lamb? Well its so engrained as a concept in Glasgows media culture that these days it even has its own Wikipedia entry.

In the light of this, Channel 4 News can now reveal exactly what succulent lamb journalism means, from the hand of the RFC press supremo James Traynor.

Lets go back just a short time to when the current Ibrox director of communications was football writer at The Daily Record and its sister paper the Sunday Mail.

Back in July 2011, there were searching questions to be asked of Rangers. Like just who was Craig Whyte? What was his business record and just what was really happening inside Ibrox?

But far from it.

In fact, at times, so unquestioning of Mr Whyte was Mr Traynor that we know of at least one occasion when he actually sent an article to Craig Whyte for prior editorial approval before it went into the newspaper.

July 14th is the day the French celebrate the overthrow of deference. But not in Glasgow where, on that day in 2011, James Traynor submitted an article due for the Sunday Mail, to Craig Whyte, with the following message:

14 July 2011 14:49

(Hi Craig, as agreed the following is what I think would cover the Sunday Mail piece. Youll notice I start with the £15m but also that I havent quoted you on that amount. There might be one or two minor alterations between now and the deadline but these would only be cosmetic and grammatical once Ive had a final look.Thanks, JT.)

He then submits his Sunday Mail article to Craig Whyte in full, for Mr Whytes approval, quoting the Rangers boss on grand plans in the transfer market and writing about the £15m to be spent buying the best.

Much of the article in fact is simply a string of quotes from Mr Whyte on his vision for Rangers after just a few weeks in the job.

The next day, Craig Whyte replies to Mr Traynor saying hes satisfied the article can go in the paper, subject to a change:

Date: 15 July 2011 10:47Subject: Re: Sunday piece.To: jxxxxxx@xxxxxXHi Jim,

Only one thing Id rather not be quoted being critical of a particular player, ie. Danns. Other than that its fine.

Best,

Craig

Just four minutes later Jim Traynor is emailing Craig Whyte straight back to assure him the offending quote will not appear in the Sunday Mail:

From:Date: 15 July 2011 10:51Subject: Sunday piece.To: cxxxxxx@xxxxxxx

No problem Craig. Its out. Thanks. JT.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is whats known as the succulent lamb in the world of Glasgow journalism.

In goes the article to the Sunday Mail, all about Mr Whytes £15m transfer treasure chest and all the rest of it.

Crucially, the glowing piece came after several months of doubt about Mr Whytes financial clout and willingness to invest his own money into the club.

The big spending promised in the article, approved by Mr Whyte, never did materialise.

One small episode in a greater scheme of things where across all sections of the mainstream media too few searching questions were asked about Sir David Murray and then Craig Whyte successive owners who ultimately brought the club to its knees.

But theres more.

Far from probing the probity of Craig Whyte, James Traynor was actually going on to probe him for a job at Rangers.

And here, for the first time, is your proof.

It comes in a series of text messages exchanged between James Traynor and Craig Whyte just a few months later in January 2012.

By now of course, the mounting problems at Rangers would have been more apparent and fans needed to know the full scale. But Mr Traynor had other things on his mind a job under Craig Whyte. Heres the text exchange:

6 JAN 2012 11.43Hi Craig, havent been sacked, havent resigned despite all the rumours. However, Im almost certain I can get out within weeks if I insist. Do you want to talk? JT

6 JAN 2012 16.07

Hi Jim, Im back in Glasgow next Friday. Lets meet up then and discuss. C.

6 JAN 2012 16.32

Okay, see you then.

Of course, theres nothing wrong in looking for a new job we all do it all the time. And of course we dont know the preamble to these texts, but the curio here is merely the context that an experienced journalist should apparently be seeking a job from Mr Whyte, should want to be part of his Rangers operation. Channel 4 News understands they did indeed meet and discuss a job at the club. One month after that text exchange one year ago this week - Rangers filed legal papers at the Court of Sessions to appoint administrators.

Did James Traynor simply not know things were amiss?

Craig Whyte was banned by the Scottish football authorities from the game for bringing it into disrepute after Rangers ended up liquidated. They fined him £200,000.

So there you have it. What so many fans long suspected is laid bare. James Traynor has since made it to Rangers under the new Charles Green regime on a reported six figure salary.

Today Mr Traynor, through channels at Ibrox, issued this statement to Channel 4 News: These suggestions are malicious and misleading. Anyone who knows anything about events at Rangers knows that James Traynor, in his capacity as a journalist, was instrumental in exposing the activities of the Craig Whyte regime which are currently subject to criminal investigation.

-----------------------------------------

Just read that on twitter poor jabba exposed as a fat gutless mouthpiece can't waith for his reply....popcorn.

Looks like graigy boy has kept all his emails as well and is ready to let rip.

Edited February 13, 2013 by captain kirk

[flyingrodent]

Note about that statement by Rangers: "malicious and misleading" is a very different thing from "not true".

Edited February 13, 2013 by flyingrodent

[Swello]

What's amazing about this new stuff from Alex Thomson is that everything us diddies accused Traynor of over the years turns out to be completely true - allowing Whyte to edit his articles is an utter embarrassment and shows the depths that he latterly sunk to. The only legacy of his (initially decent) career is that he will for ever more be a by-word for crawling OF sycophancy....

[captain kirk]

Looks like fat jabba was being lined up for a job at rangers as early as Jan 2012 wit a fat fukin snake.

[Double Jack D]

Traynor and Rangers deserve each other. Not a shred of credibility between them.

Glad its not my ST money that's funding that fat wallopers lamb bill!

[Fasda]

This will probably come to nothing as Thommo is clearly a vatican plant however….. it's going to get really funny seeing Jabba squirm his way out of this one.

[flyingrodent]

Why would Rangers say "not true" in the same statement that they admit the asian investor had submitted disputed invoices?

You've lost me, there.

[captain kirk]

This will probably come to nothing as Thommo is clearly a vatican plant however….. it's going to get really funny seeing Jabba squirm his way out of this one.

Can't wait for his classy response,,,,,Kill him Kill him!

[hellbhoy]

Stars, Tedi, stars. When you make a statement like that, and then try to defend it, about your own team,* then your entitlement to call other posters out for their intelligence is fairly limited.

In fact, given that Bendarroch is your bosom Amigo, then your entitlement is non-existent.

*Before displaying your inability to add and subtract time, then claiming it was a wind-up( ).......

When I think of Tedi and the five stars I think of this

[stonedsailor]

Please, Rangers (or whatever you call yourselves) please just stop. My sides have been aching for months, I can't stop laughing, I've been giggling like I've had a dose of mushies.

Too fcuking funny.

[stonedsailor]

You've lost me, there.

Another comprehension failure by our tedster, just laugh and forget it.

Edited February 13, 2013 by stonedsailor

[beermonkey]

I think the word "discredited" can now be placed before the name "james traynor" for ever now.

cock sucking, boot & arse licking anyone who's in charge at ibrox is really shocking, considering he was supposed to be an impartial journalist.

[flyingrodent]

I think the word "discredited" can now be placed before the name "james traynor" for ever now.

cock sucking, boot & arse licking anyone who's in charge at ibrox is really shocking, considering he was supposed to be an impartial journalist.

The funniest part is, he used to go absolutely berserk and accuse his callers of paranoia when they had the temerity to suggest that he might be a bit overly fond of Rangers.

Funny, how things turn out.

[flyingrodent]

Given the Rangers statement above why would Rangers say "not true" you pointed out that this was different.

They admit the invoices from Orlit are real, nothing hidden or misleading here.

I was talking about the quote on the Jim Traynor story. I'm not really sure what you're on about.

[beermonkey]

Given the Rangers statement above why would Rangers say "not true" you pointed out that this was different.

They admit the invoices from Orlit are real, nothing hidden or misleading here.

Different story tedi...wake up !!

[stonedsailor]

Today Mr Traynor, through channels at Ibrox, issued this statement to Channel 4 News:

These suggestions are malicious and misleading. Anyone who knows

anything about events at Rangers knows that James Traynor, in his

capacity as a journalist, was instrumental in exposing the activities of

the Craig Whyte regime which are currently subject to criminal

investigation.

Thank fcuk for JT or we'd never have known about all the shennanigans at Ibrokes.

Does he honestly believe his own shite? Does he expect us to believe it just because he does?

I see he's reached M in the big journos book of buzz words now, twice this week he's used "malicious and misleading" in statements.

[stonedsailor]

Given the Rangers statement above why would Rangers say "not true" you pointed out that this was different.

They admit the invoices from Orlit are real, nothing hidden or misleading here.

He was talking about today's statement. You don't do the Rangers fan's stereotype of being hard of thinking much good now do you Tedio?

[Fasda]

It's nae even a surprise, Jabba was a fully fledged orc whilst he was still supposedly a journalist (and on the timmy beeb as well!)I'm laughing my socks aff here, sorry but it's like a really old python sketch or morecambe and wise joke, I know the punchline but it's still funny.

ETA: on a serious note. Rumour has it that Jabba has the dirt on many people in the media and others, I hope he has the balls to issue it out. We could do with a bit of a clean up of the whole scam.

Edited February 13, 2013 by Fasda