CQN memorial, anti-Moneyball, FAC

573

CQNers are a new type of community.  We mostly, though not always, share interests but we are anchored in commons values.  The achievements of the community are incredible.  We’ve made friends, some of whom are no longer with us and who shared their darkest hours on these pages, while others were lost in an instant.

Those lost friends now have a memorial stone outside Celtic Park, a credit to their memory.  Thanks to all who contributed.

You and I have been talking Moneyball for six years.  We’ve been convinced of the merits since then, most of the world is now, so it’s gratifying to know a manager would rather lose his job than succumb to the new orthodoxy.  Very brave of Mark Warburton, he has the makings of an ideal Newco manager.

Last week I wrote that I expected Newco to appoint Stuart McCall as permanent manager.  He was a reliable choice, had taken Motherwell to two consecutive second place SPL finishes, knew the task, had spent years scrapping around for free transfers and, let’s face it, is a ‘Real Rangers Man’.  I would not have looked past him.

Warburton managed Brentford for two years, winning promotion in the first and taking them to the play-off semi-finals in April, but Brentford is the story of owner, Matthew Benham, who has invested close to £50m in the club.  Warburton is fortunate to find two consecutive owners intent on spending £50m living the dream…….  you do have the money for him, Dave, don’t you?

Fans Against Criminalisation issued this statement yesterday:

“Our view is that from the outset, despite the claims from the then First Minister, Alex Salmond, that he ‘wished to build consensus’ the only support that the government has managed to attract for the Act is that of the Police Service of Scotland and the only consensus that is being built is that of the opposition to this dreadful, unworkable and pernicious legislation.

Their claim of public support for the Act is based on figures which show that people want action on sectarianism and not specifically that they support this Act.  They also conveniently ignore the fact that the overwhelming majority of sectarian offences (ie those with religious aggravation) do not take place in football grounds [http://www.gov.scot/resource/0042/00424865.pdf].  In addition, many of the incidents for which people have been charged under the Act are unrelated to sectarianism.

We deplore:

•             The action of the Scottish Government in giving off-the-record press briefings alleging that the Act will stay in place. This undermines the integrity of the Review process and the role of Parliament and its members.

•             The use of the statistics from a highly skewed YouGov poll commissioned by the government to mislead the public.

•             The continued reference by the Government to the Stirling research as being the ‘Review’ which the legislation requires them to have is an attempt to prevent the full and transparent examination of the Act which the public in general, and football fans in particular, expect and are entitled to.  These claims are made despite a statement issued by the University of Stirling on Friday (12/6/15) afternoon that the work produced by their team is not ‘the review’ and their work cannot be interpreted as ‘an endorsement of the Act’.

We note:

•             The conviction rate for this Act over the whole period of its existence is standing at 22%. This compares with a conviction rate for rape (itself notoriously low)  in 2013-14 of 41%

•             The scale of the resource devoted to enforcing this Act (including a specialised unit of the police service) which necessarily diverts finances and manpower from the detection and prosecution of more serious offenders.

We pledge:

•             To continue to oppose this legislation by all peaceful means until it is repealed.

We call on the Government to listen to football fans; to listen to those whose lives have been drastically affected by a piece of legislation which is a stain on the justice system of Scotland.”

We have the most right-wing left-wing government in history.

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  1. Hamiltontim

     

    10:10 on

     

    15 June, 2015

     

    FAC response to Government statements on Friday (12/6/15)

     

     

    At a well-attended emergency meeting of Fans Against Criminalisation this afternoon (Sunday 14/6/15) the findings of the Evaluation Study [http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/7094/0] into the Offensive Behaviour Act carried out by a team at the University of Stirling and associated announcements by the Scottish Government on Friday 12/6/15 were discussed.

     

     

    Our view is that from the outset, despite the claims from the then First Minister, Alex Salmond, that he ‘wished to build consensus’ the only support that the government has managed to attract for the Act is that of the Police Service of Scotland and the only consensus that is being built is that of the opposition to this dreadful, unworkable and pernicious legislation.

     

     

    Their claim of public support for the Act is based on figures which show that people want action on sectarianism and not specifically that they support this Act. They also conveniently ignore the fact that the overwhelming majority of sectarian offences (ie those with religious aggravation) do not take place in football grounds [http://www.gov.scot/resource/0042/00424865.pdf]. In addition, many of the incidents for which people have been charged under the Act are unrelated to sectarianism.

     

     

    We deplore:

     

     

    The action of the Scottish Government in giving off-the-record press briefings alleging that the Act will stay in place. This undermines the integrity of the Review process and the role of Parliament and its members.

     

    The use of the statistics from a highly skewed YouGov poll commissioned by the government to mislead the public.

     

    The continued reference by the Government to the Stirling research as being the ‘Review’ which the legislation requires them to have in an attempt to prevent the full and transparent examination of the Act which the public in general, and football fans in particular, expect and are entitled to. These claims are made despite a statement issued by the University of Stirling on Friday (12/6/15) afternoon that the work produced by their team is not ‘the review’ and their work cannot be interpreted as ‘an endorsement of the Act’.

     

     

    We note:

     

     

    The conviction rate for this Act over the whole period of its existence is standing at 22%. This compares with a conviction rate for rape (itself notoriously low) in 2013-14 of 41%

     

    The scale of the resource devoted to enforcing this Act (including a specialised unit of the police service) which necessarily diverts finances and manpower from the detection and prosecution of more serious offenders.

     

     

    We welcome:

     

     

    The expansion of support for our campaign from other fan groups from Motherwell and from Hamilton Accies

     

    The public support of the Scottish Labour Party, the Scottish Greens, the Scottish Liberal Democrats the Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish Socialist Party.

     

    The expression of solidarity from the Scottish Young Green’s and the youth wing of the Trade Union movement.

     

     

    We pledge:

     

     

    To continue to oppose this legislation by all peaceful means until it is repealed.

     

    We call on the Government to listen to football fans; to listen to those whose lives have been drastically affected by a piece of legislation which is a stain on the justice system of Scotland.

  2. When we play our Champions League qualifying game we will be a seeded team.

     

    Does being seeded guarantee that the second leg is at home for us ?

     

     

    Ta in advance.

  3. jamesgang

     

     

    10:26 on 15 June, 2015

     

    timaloy29

     

     

    Driving yesterday. Had radio shortbread on. Blithely wittering about how scotland now only have to beat Georgia away, Poland at home and hammer the gibraltarian minnows and euros here we come.

     

     

    Then without the least hint of a ‘riddy’ the go to a call from a football journalist who lives, works and analyses the game in the country that currently tops the group.

     

     

    Lewandolski (sp?) could tear us a new one in 5 mins. And yet they’re blithely wittering as though those 3 points are close to being in the bag!

     

     

    i feel a 1-0 to Georgia coming on when they start to get into ally’s army mode.

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  4. BRTH,

     

     

    Your contribution this morning has made my day. Here’s hoping it pans (nae pun intended) out just as you anticipate. Won’t that be the hoot to end all hoots.

  5. TBJ

     

     

    Take a bow for what you’ve done mate.

     

     

    bankiebhoy1

     

    10:15 on

     

    15 June, 2015

     

     

     

    The first issue is that most people believe that the Srirling Uni report is in fact the review of the Act. That’s not and never should have been the case. The Stirling report is an academic, stand alone study which has mostly been involved in presenting the data as opposed to actually analysing the statistics. Even with that in mind the authors have clearly stated at the end of their report that they are neither for or against the Act.

     

     

    Time is a major issue because parliament goes into recess at the end of this month but the review has to be completed by August 15th which is why we’re so keen for the Justice Committee to hear FAC’s analysis as soon as possible.

     

     

    My own opinion is that the Act will remain but two ‘initiatives’ will see it watered down to some extent.

     

     

    Expect to see the Morrow Report and ‘Strict Liability’ playing more significant roles in the future.

  6. South Of Tunis on

    Mmmmm,

     

     

    Sicilian Regional Government spokeswoman has said that 1,932 migrants ( men , women , children ) died in Sicilian water between 1 /1 / 15 and 31 / 5 / 15..

     

     

    Big problems brewing in Rome as right wing politicians issue the demand that the Government remove the thousands of migrants who are sleeping on the streets . Claim is that their presence is damaging the tourism industry . . One lulu has already stated that if the Government doesn’t do it then the citizens of Rome should ———-

  7. @Jamesgang

     

     

    Exactly. Scotland are not guaranteed to beat anybody apart from Gibraltar. They should expect a tough game away to Georgia. Scotland don’t have the attacking prowess of Germany or Poland while Ireland only got a win there with the last kick of the ball.

     

     

    Even if Scotland beat Gibraltar, Georgia and Poland they can still go out. Poland need only 7 points and they will get 3 from Gibraltar anyway. This gives them the opportunity to pick up 4 from Germany (away) and ROI (home).

  8. Soal

     

     

    I’m on my break which usually means brain neutrality. You’ll know that’s like :-)

  9. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    Catach,

     

     

    Thanks for your comments from the last thread.

     

    You summed up my summing up perfectly.

     

     

    Gordon_J,

     

     

    Scott limped off late in the game. Not sure if it was a knock or, perhaps cramp.

     

    Possibly the former, as there was none of the obligatory leg stretching you get in a cramping situation.

     

     

    Both sets of players, with the exception of the ‘keepers were running on empty.

  10. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Oscar Knox, MacKenzie Furniss and anyone else who fights Neuroblastoma on

    I have been ultra busy on other things of late so haven’t been able to make much of a contribution – more of which later perhaps.

     

     

    However, what Paul says above about the Act and the so called review is vitally important and something which you cannot just read and walk on by.

     

     

    Hamiltontim has been at the forefront of a mighty effort to highlight the practices and pragmatics of the act as it stands and I know that Mighty Tim’s son had a torrid time over how this ridiculous piece of legislation is being played out.

     

     

    Each and every one of us has to write to their MSP and point out that we are against this act and its implementation.

     

     

    There is an election coming up and nothing stirs the political classes as much as threatened redundancy and loss of influence.

     

     

    There are thousands of us who, if we act in unison, can be a real pain in the arse at that election.

     

     

    I saw a suggestion that there should be a standard letter which all of us can send on to the powers that be showing how unpopular this act is. I support that fully.

     

     

    Please go back and read Paul’s leader again and take in what it means and says and let’s organise a concerted attack on this legislation and its failings.

     

     

    Below is a post from the last thread which highlights the potential troubles elsewhere.

     

    ———————————————————————————————————————

     

     

    Good Morning.

     

     

    As the week unfolds I would keep a very close eye on the activities of Mr Ashley.

     

     

    His call for repayment at an EGM last week was possibly a very clever move because it makes the decision of the company open and known to all and a matter of record which can be relied upon in court.

     

     

    Instead of just writing to the board and demanding repayment, Ashley has used his shareholding to formalise that demand by seeking an open vote of the company.

     

     

    A formal letter to the board can be fudged, prevaricated upon and generally just messed about.

     

     

    However, if the company has a vote and simply refuses to pay a creditor when he has formally demanded repayment then the creditor is in an altogether different place and his path is clear and unambiguous.

     

     

    He is perfectly free to enforce his repayment demands or seek to enforce the alternative options open to him whether that be calling up any security, imposing penalty clauses, adding punitive interest or seeking to appoint a liquidator or administrator.

     

     

    If big Mike goes down the latter road then there is a huge call for cash and he can probably outrun any of the current board.

     

     

    For them to get rid of big Mike they not only have to pay him back £5M plus but they also have to effectively buy him out of the value of his current contracts re sponsorships, advertising, merchandising and so on.

     

     

    If these contracts make Ashley say between £5- £10 Million per annum ( merch, advertising, branding etc ) then anyone buying these would expect to pay a multiplier of the annual income. Mike has at least 7 years of income under contract and could argue that this is worth something like £25 – £40M over the period quite easily.

     

     

    Add on his loan plus interest and you can see that he has a real grip over the club and it could take all of Dave King’s so called investment pot to get him out.

     

     

    Now, be very clear also about this.

     

     

    In the event of there being an administration or liquidation, any season ticket money could not be used to buy him out and so all the money would have to come from external sources.

     

     

    In the event of a liquidation, I would expect big Mike to lodge a claim with the liquidator for at least £30M plus – he would be by far the biggest creditor — and that does not include the value of his shareholding through which he would expect to receive 9% of any surplus.

     

     

    This then allows for the following scenario in the event of a liquidation:

     

     

    Ashley can offer to buy the club lock stock and barrel from any liquidator by offering say £5M in cash and offering to wipe away his claims. This in effect amounts to an offer to buy the club for say £35-£55M.

     

     

    For King & Co to defeat that they would have to come up with the equivalent in cash!

     

     

    Also, expect big Mike to ramp up the pressure on Donald Park, John Gilligan, Paul Murray and King personally.

     

     

    Directors who are in situ when a listed company becomes delisted might just face some personal liability attaching to them if it can be shown that they have acted irresponsibly.

     

     

    King ( and perhaps the others ) repeatedly advised that they had a new Nomad lined up.

     

     

    It would appear that there was no such Nomad or that any Nomad fled the nest when King & Co gained control by stirring up the shareholders by saying that they would have a new Nomad and that they would invest heavily in the club as soon as they gained control.

     

     

    Matters get even worse if the Nomad then turns round and says that they refused to act because of King’s past activity on the tax evasion front or because of what might be seen as the poor corporate governance practices of King, Murray and others in years gone by.

     

     

    You will recall that former non execs like John McLelland, John Greig and others were severely criticised for doing nothing when Rangers PLC were in the course of collapsing and while David Murray embarked upon poorly planned and implemented tax schemes which the then board failed to monitor.

     

     

    This situation is no different, and the delisting of the company and the absence of both Nomad and promised funds should be a trigger for nion executive action including public resignation and criticism where necessary.

     

     

    In the absence of such a proper course of action, those directors leave themselves open to potential claims of professional and personal negliegnce.

     

     

    A Director’s title and salary does not come without responsibilities and all of them should be checking with their lawyers as to their personal positions.

     

     

    Mike Ashley is not the forgiving type and has shown himself to be a sharp and ruthless corporate strategist in the past.

     

     

    He is not for wee blue boys to play with lightly.

     

     

    There is an old saying in corporate business:

     

     

    When you can’t see the angles then you are screwed ( that is me being polite by the way ) and in this instance the blue boys are as blind as the mice in the nursery rhyme.

     

     

    I expect the next 14 days to be very very interesting indeed.

  11. TBJ

     

    Thank you for taking the lead on the paving stone efforts

     

    ________________

     

    Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Oscar Knox, MacKenzie Furniss and anyone else who fights Neuroblastoma

     

     

     

    10:10 on 15 June, 2015

     

     

     

    Good Morning.

     

     

    As the week unfolds I would keep a very close eye on the activities of Mr Ashley.

     

     

    His call for repayment at an EGM last week was possibly a very clever move because it makes the decision of the company open and known to all and a matter of record which can be relied upon in court.

     

     

    Instead of just writing to the board and demanding repayment, Ashley has used his shareholding to formalise that demand by seeking an open vote of the company.

     

     

    A formal letter to the board can be fudged, prevaricated upon and generally just messed about.

     

     

    However, if the company has a vote and simply refuses to pay a creditor when he has formally demanded repayment then the creditor is in an altogether different place and his path is clear and unambiguous.

     

     

    He is perfectly free to enforce his repayment demands or seek to enforce the alternative options open to him whether that be calling up any security, imposing penalty clauses, adding punitive interest or seeking to appoint a liquidator or administrator.

     

     

    If big Mike goes down the latter road then there is a huge call for cash and he can probably outrun any of the current board.

     

     

    For them to get rid of big Mike they not only have to pay him back £5M plus but they also have to effectively buy him out of the value of his current contracts re sponsorships, advertising, merchandising and so on.

     

     

    If these contracts make Ashley say between £5- £10 Million per annum ( merch, advertising, branding etc ) then anyone buying these would expect to pay a multiplier of the annual income. Mike has at least 7 years of income under contract and could argue that this is worth something like £25 – £40M over the period quite easily.

     

     

    Add on his loan plus interest and you can see that he has a real grip over the club and it could take all of Dave King’s so called investment pot to get him out.

     

     

    Now, be very clear also about this.

     

     

    In the event of there being an administration or liquidation, any season ticket money could not be used to buy him out and so all the money would have to come from external sources.

     

     

    In the event of a liquidation, I would expect big Mike to lodge a claim with the liquidator for at least £30M plus – he would be by far the biggest creditor — and that does not include the value of his shareholding through which he would expect to receive 9% of any surplus.

     

     

    This then allows for the following scenario in the event of a liquidation:

     

     

    Ashley can offer to buy the club lock stock and barrel from any liquidator by offering say £5M in cash and offering to wipe away his claims. This in effect amounts to an offer to buy the club for say £35-£55M.

     

     

    For King & Co to defeat that they would have to come up with the equivalent in cash!

     

     

    Also, expect big Mike to ramp up the pressure on Donald Park, John Gilligan, Paul Murray and King personally.

     

     

    Directors who are in situ when a listed company becomes delisted might just face some personal liability attaching to them if it can be shown that they have acted irresponsibly.

     

     

    King ( and perhaps the others ) repeatedly advised that they had a new Nomad lined up.

     

     

    It would appear that there was no such Nomad or that any Nomad fled the nest when King & Co gained control by stirring up the shareholders by saying that they would have a new Nomad and that they would invest heavily in the club as soon as they gained control.

     

     

    Matters get even worse if the Nomad then turns round and says that they refused to act because of King’s past activity on the tax evasion front or because of what might be seen as the poor corporate governance practices of King, Murray and others in years gone by.

     

     

    You will recall that former non execs like John McLelland, John Greig and others were severely criticised for doing nothing when Rangers PLC were in the course of collapsing and while David Murray embarked upon poorly planned and implemented tax schemes which the then board failed to monitor.

     

     

    This situation is no different, and the delisting of the company and the absence of both Nomad and promised funds should be a trigger for nion executive action including public resignation and criticism where necessary.

     

     

    In the absence of such a proper course of action, those directors leave themselves open to potential claims of professional and personal negliegnce.

     

     

    A Director’s title and salary does not come without responsibilities and all of them should be checking with their lawyers as to their personal positions.

     

     

    Mike Ashley is not the forgiving type and has shown himself to be a sharp and ruthless corporate strategist in the past.

     

     

    He is not for wee blue boys to play with lightly.

     

     

    There is an aold saying in corporate business:

     

     

    When you can’t see the angles then you are screwed ( that is me being polite by the way ) and in this instance the blue boys are as blind as the mice in the nursery rhyme.

     

     

    I expect the next 14 days to be very very interesting indeed.

  12. Premature post from last weekend!

     

     

    I got the start date wrong. My daughter Janice67 is once again taking part in the Living below the Line for UNICEF.

     

     

    1.2 Billion around our planet live in extreme poverty. That’s almost 20% of the World’s Population who live of £1 for food and drink, as well as housing, education and all the other necessities most of us take for granted.

     

     

    Janice purchased £4.88 worth of groceries at the supermarket yesterday (including buying 5 teabags from her Mum) – this will feed her starting 00:00 last night through to 24:00 Friday 19th June @ <£1 per day (tap water being the only luxury).

     

     

    Her link: https://www.livebelowtheline.com/me/janicet67

     

     

    Last year she raised £1000 – she is halfway towards that sum again. She would be most grateful for any small donations from my fellow CQNers to help her reach that target.

     

     

    Posted by a proud Dad H!H!

  13. My youngest took the weemhan (her nephew) into Parkhead yesterday just to pass an hour and have his photo taken at his papas brick:)))

     

    on walking up the Celtic way he was buzzing bolted ahead of them looking skyward, it was not the Jock ,Jinky or Brother Walfrid statues that had captured his attention(that came later ),when they caught up with him he was looking up in awe at the banner of Willie Maley

     

    he then burst into song without taking his eyes off the banner

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azghP1daq6s,

     

     

    “it’s safe to say he is hooked” was her comments on returning home with a rye smile at me:)))))))

     

    He is still taking about seeing Willie Maley this morning

  14. Please someone tell cowiebhoy that the 2 pieces of BRTH prose above are repeats from previous blog.

     

     

    Otherwise he’ll lose the whole day!

     

     

    GoldfishBrainCSC

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  15. BRTH

     

    Seen this on TSFM a few days ago

     

    “Good Morning

     

    Reading the blog and notice how many people are wondering what Mike Ashley’s game is.

     

    Without boring you with a lot of legaleese the following is, without seeing the actual documents, I hope, a simple but general explanation, as each particular Security can vary and other statutes also govern residential properties.

     

    Apologies if it is a bit long winded, and for the purposes of the

     

    He is merely complying with the procedures laid down by the Law. Firstly, by Statute (The Laws passed by Parliament) and secondly the interpretation of those Statutes as defined by Case Law (Matters decided by the Courts).

     

    If anyone has a mortgage in Scotland, your Bank or Building Society will require you to sign a Standard Security in exchange for lending you the money.

     

    The Law relating to Standard Securities is contained in the “Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970”.

     

    Mike Ashley/Sports Direct will have a Standard Security granted in their favour by “The Rangers International Football Club”, and /or their subsidiary, “The Rangers Football Club” (formerly Sevco)

     

    So the simple question is how does MA/SD get repayment of his money?

     

    He must follow the exact same steps that the Bank or Building Society would have to take in the event of you being unable to pay your mortgage, whereby they would seek to take possession of your house in order to sell it.

     

    Any creditor in a standard security must first serve a calling up notice if he wishes to require repayment of any of the debts or obligations secured.

     

    Upon expiry of the unsatisfied calling up notice the creditor may exercise his remedies under the standard security.

     

    The procedure was clarified in a case decided by the Supreme Court in 2010 (RBS v Wilson).

     

    The Court decided that where a creditor requires repayment of any part of the debt secured by the security, it must proceed to issue a calling up notice in terms of section 19 of the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970 (1970 Act), which allows the creditor to exercise its remedies under the standard security as a result of the debtor’s failure to repay as demanded.

     

     

    The calling up notice will normally state that the debtor has two months to repay the debt in full (if the debtor agrees in writing to do so, this period can be dispensed with).

     

    If the calling up notice has expired without payment the debtor will be in default. In those circumstances, the creditor is entitled to exercise any and all of the remedies under the security, including entering into lawful possession of the secured subjects, and exercising its power of sale.

     

    In my opinion MA/SD will already have issued a calling up notice. If not then the vote at the EGM will be used as a belt and braces justification for doing so.

     

    Either way, the clock is ticking and it is only a matter of time before King and co have to pay up or face the security being sold.

     

    The action by Ashley against the 3 bears which I think is coming down the line is to address the issue of the diminution of his investment as they acted in concert to drive down the share price.

     

    We live in interesting times”

  16. the glorious balance sheet on

    Re contacting MSPs – especially from the SNP – about the offensive behaviour bill-

     

     

    My advice would be if at all possible for people not to use template letters. Such letters would get a reply but are generally dismissed by MSPs and government ministers as campaign letters and are viewed as being more the work of a well orchestrated interest group rather than the heartfelt views of the individual correspondent.

     

     

    I would advise people to use individualised letters to make their point more strongly. In my experience this would have more of an impact.

  17. Mr P – Thanks

     

     

    TBJ, Brilliant

     

     

    Big J, your Pan Bread when I get hold of you :-)))

  18. foghorn leghorn on

    the glorious balance sheet

     

     

     

    11:04 on 15 June, 2015

     

     

     

    Re contacting MSPs – especially from the SNP – about the offensive behaviour bill-

     

     

    My advice would be if at all possible for people not to use template letters. Such letters would get a reply but are generally dismissed by MSPs and government ministers as campaign letters and are viewed as being more the work of a well orchestrated interest group rather than the heartfelt views of the individual correspondent.

     

     

    I would advise people to use individualised letters to make their point more strongly. In my experience this would have more of an impact.

     

    ——————————————

     

     

    so do you have stats regarding SNP MSP’s handling of communications from the public compared to how other parties handle them?

     

     

    is this information available under the Freedom Of Information Act?

     

     

    or is it just available inside your head?

  19. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    THEGLORIOUSBALANCESHEET

     

     

    That is how I view standard letters too. One possibility is for a template to be issued but then modified by each petitioner.

     

     

    Having said that,the uptake on a simple petition was surprisingly poor. I would be surprised if many could be bothered to edit and mail a letter when signing a petition was too much for them.

     

     

    HAMILTONTIM

     

     

    On that subject,I’ll send you up the signatures I got in Birmingham. Doesn’t look hopeful for any more,which I was holding out for.

  20. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    FIGHORNLEGHORN

     

     

    No mention in TGBS post about party affiliations

     

     

    Except in your head…

  21. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    THECLUMPANY

     

     

    Again,my congrats on your continued good work,mate.

     

     

    I noticed you tried hard to avoid the bread puns so prevalent on here recently.

     

     

    Pity you fell at the first hurdle wi ‘Roll up! Roll up!’

  22. Neustadt-Braw on

    interesting timing here…………….

     

     

    Football fans expected to be given right to buy clubs after two-year campaign

     

    A new law will give fan groups first refusal when a club goes up for sale

     

     

    FOOTBALL fans are to be given the right to buy their clubs after a two-year campaign.

     

     

    An amendment to the community empowerment bill, which is expected to pass on Wednesday, will see the right to buy extended to football clubs as well as allowing community groups to buy land.

     

     

    It is expected the bill will give fan groups first refusal in buying clubs when they go up for sale and possibly allow them to buy shares, including enough to have a controlling interest, at any time. (read more here)

     

     

    The amendment was put forward by the Scottish government and has attracted support from Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs.

     

     

    Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnson told the Herald: “Fans will always be the best long-term trustees of a club’s interests, and now, for the first time, ministers will have the powers to bring in that crucial right to buy. It’s not good enough for fans to be called on only when a club has gone bust.”

     

     

    She also said that it was time for fans to put in charge and if clubs were doing well there would be no need for right to buy to be used.

     

     

    The Greens want to see the bill go further and allow loans or grants to be made available to fan groups to make it easier for them to buy their clubs.

     

     

    Last year polls suggested people were strongly in favour of fans being able to buy their clubs with almost 75 per cent of those with a preference supporting it and 89 per cent thinking grants and loans should be made available to do this.

     

     

    will we buy oor club ?

     

     

    braw smiley thing

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