Tuesday’s Telegraph suggested Mike Ashley is about to increase his shareholding in newco to 29.9% via a share issue, in contravention of his agreement with the SFA on multiple ownership. This morning the club informed the stock market the Ashely’s appointee, Derek Llambias, is now chief executive.
The key passage in the Telegraph article is:
“There is no certainty of anything like unanimous approval, but many in the higher reaches of the Scottish game acknowledge that a revived Rangers, capable of resuming the Old Firm rivalry and renewing the club’s presence in Europe would make Scotland more attractive to broadcasters and league sponsors, with general benefits.”
This has almost certainly come from the same kind of club source which in another lifetime were assuring journalists that HMRC would agree to a CVA; I know for sure the SFA are far from ready to rubber-stamp an Ashley land grab.
There are a few points which, despite blanket coverage of this issue, are not getting a proper hearing:
At current trading levels, Ashley is earning around £4m p.a. from newco as their retail ‘partner’. He is also their exclusive wholesaler, so the club is worth even more to him, let’s say £5m p.a. in total.
Anyone who tells you his financial pay-off is through having newco wear his branding on a European stage is either wholly compliant in an attempt to mislead newco fans, or is simply regurgitating information handed to them by PR agents, without the wherewithal to digest the information correctly.
He’s making £5m per year and he therefore has an interest in ensuring the club continues in its current condition.
The second issue is around the legality of multiple-ownership. It is not against Uefa rules (you can simply comply by one club not competing) but does breach rules in Scotland and England. I recommend not getting too hung-up on this point. In the event he was asked to disinvest from one of his clubs, Ashley could with pull a Blue Pitch Holdings/Margarita stroke.
For all you know about those two newco investors, I could own them. It’s a paper exercise for Ashley to move his ownership beyond the reaches of oversight, and there is nothing in the rules to prevent this.
The question for the SFA, and eventually the FA, is what level of Ashley’s influence, not ownership, they are comfortable with. There are no guidelines on this point.
A further consideration is that whoever briefed the Telegraph at the start of the week is likely to have painted a scenario that without Ashley’s next bung, newco is likely to go the way of oldco. This is far from certain.
If all newco need to survive another season is circa £8m it’s not a figure beyond the realms of possibility for some of the blowhards who have been trying to disrupt Ashley’s strategy in recent months.
My hunch is that the SFA and newco’s fans will be presented with a fait accomply – it’s Ashley or bust. What is certain is that the club will be vastly more inhibited by Ashley milking it dry than with a unifying figure. He has the makings of a memorable Ibrox owner, a true heir to Sir David Murray.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Magners ticket competition yesterday – and who donated to Mary’s Meals. The answer to the question, who do we play on 27 December, is Ross County, which proved to be trickier than I thought. Draw will be made this afternoon and winner informed thereafter.
2,054 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- ...
- 55
- »
The Bhoy from the Village
01:16 on
20 December, 2014
Nice one. Commerce Creek, I hear you! Louisville has changed a lot and is getting better. Good major and a river city just like Glasgow. There’s a really neat hotel opening next year. Called Aloft. If you get a chance stay there. Cool bar, good pool table and games, boutique hotel and it’s coming downtown. I used them in Colorado and love them!
I work in Indiana right now, but i’m pretty close to downtown and the bridges. Have seen the Wolfetones here a few times. Not a bad wee city.
Anyway, Email me at my handle at gmail dot com.
Led Zeppelin rock and roll
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GonQSHxzb1k
HH
An Tearmann……God bless and take care my comrade,away
tae bed before I post something that will get me barred.
nevereverreadadrunkmanspostingsCSC.
The Bhoy from the Village:
Cheers mate, that means a lot to me, I know it was not much but for the little it was it meant a lot to me and I took a lot of pleasure going to get it.
When I get back to London I’m going to take my brother to Westminster Cathedral, for lots of reasons.
BTW… I know it doesn’t mean much now but I honestly thought JK looked like he could’ve been the best we’d ever known, better than Paul Elliot and Billy both.
ps. The other one I gave you, the one I took from my wallet, how is that guy doing?
Bobby for me was the greatest Celt ever.
*mayor
kitalba
17:44 on 19 December, 2014
Auldheid :
I’d still be interested in your thoughts on unadulterated integrity.
Put into English with no spin (and bear in mind you’ve alluded to it, in public before,) do you place any value whatsoever on individual integrity?
Do you agree values are created at home and do you not think at times you portray yourself and nothing more than a board apologist.
I could use stronger language but I’d rather look you in the eye before I did even if it means me coming to Spain.
=========
I don’t portray myself as anything. My background is management, so I naturally apply that experience which is wide and varied to the business of football.
If that makes me a Board apologist in your eyes that’s not my problem. Should I deny my experience to give a different impression?
We are all true to our experiences, consciously or unconsciously. It provides the lens through which we perceive life.
Kit the other one is with my mate he has surgery planned for Dec 29th. Thoughts and prayers are welcomed because he is a top class guy and tim. You know his credentials. JKs injury was devastating for him but hopefully one day I hope to see him manage our great club, its his destiny
Picked up £50 win tonight thanks to Lenny’s organisational and galvanizing skills. Thanks Lenny, more power to you.
Wanderers for the premiership; sicken those Hun vermin who crucified you to the core.
Auldheid :
Not a problem but I’d still like to hear your definition of integrity and what it means to you.
Definitely last post,the hun will be back next season, man
the barricades or get tae …………………
Cream I feel free
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VhmxMC-vFcI
HH
Aipple email sent
The Bhoy from the Village
01:38 on
20 December, 2014
I’ll have my people check my email!
My wee prayers are a given but I never know whether I’m in the big mans good books or not.
Good luck and best wishes to your mate I hope he’s back at Parkhead and in the pub soon.
Regards JK being a future Celtic manager…. I’d like to see him ascend to that, he’s got soul.
Remember the Admiral and those weeblie, wobblie, glasses that weeble and wobble but never fall down… I got them home safe. Meant a lot to me that did.
The Bhoy from the Village
01:38 on
20 December, 2014
Went to a college ‘merican football game here in town a few weeks ago. 50,000k people. Stupid. That said, they don’t have a pro team so college is even bigger. Have tried to take in a few major grounds. None of it’s like fitba though. Not close.
Kit i forgot about them next time your up i will have a bottle for you to enjoy those glasses
Your in the big mans good book. Would be impossible not to be with your integrity and generosity of spirit and deed
Aipple i went last year to see the ville, star qb was playing. Good enough day out but lacking passion for me. Also went to churchill downs a few months ago couldn’t believe how cheap admission was
The Bhoy from the Village
01:53 on
20 December, 2014
No passion or heart. Good ol Churchill downs, couple of bucks to get in. Took my folks there last year the day before Derby. Good horses here in KY!
How about some Christmas songs lhads tis the season of goodwill to all men lest we forget
Great collection of yer festive favourites with no ads
http://yuleplay.com/artist/?a=Emmylou Harris
Away in a manger by Emmylou brings a tear to even the driest eye
Thindimebhoy dont know if this will work m.youtube.com/watch?v=Syf_TZI7s9o
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Syf_TZI7s9o
Christmas songs….. yeah…..
Silent Tim, Holy Tim
Sally’s a bam, and so dim
Roon and roon ye ya bastards of bile
Holy Infant, tender and mild
Sheep being heavenly fleeced
Sheep being heavenly fleeced.
Kitalba
I think integrity means being true to your values in terms of reflecting them in your life.
So if you value honesty you try to be honest. If you value forgiveness you become forgiving.
The world always carries a positive meaning.
If for example someone valued cheating and so was a cheat they would not have the term integrity applied to them.
I’d lift my head with each sunrise
If I had a simple soul
When I was weary I’d close my eyes
If I had a simple soul
Not too complicated to shiver when I’m cold
I’d make my home where I am bound
If I had a simple soul, simple soul
I say my prayers and hope to God
And I know he will know
I will break my daily bread
When hunger starts to grow
It doesn’t have to be that hard
If it hurts you let it go
What you see is what you are
If you’ve got a simple soul, simple soul
It might take an alchemist
To turn your dust to gold
But it only takes a child to see
The diamonds in the coal
It’s not so easy when a habit takes a hold
I never knew it would be so hard
To keep my simple soul, simple soul
Eddi Reader – Simple Soul
Auldheid;
thank you. Integrity means to me – do unto others….
Bless all Tims
HAIL HAIL
AND THANKS FOR THE BANTER
.
low case well Scars follow me home
with you to the grave
One
If I Should Fall Behind
Right.
Night all. Enjoyed reading back.
To
The Capitan of the big boat/TITANIC EL CORDIA
Q
Q
U
Jump
CALEDONIA
Over 300 Africans were feared drowned when 2 boats capsized off the Italian coast yesterday.
Apparently the captain of the Costa Concordia has completed his first week of community service.
Redemption Song
Per Vivere
Io sogno d’anime che sono sempre libere,
Nella Fantasia
Paradise
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
White with phosphorescent glow,
Burning children down below
Song for Palestine
“Deep in my heart I do believe
And we’ll break down those prison walls… one day”