CQN memorial, anti-Moneyball, FAC

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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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573 Comments

  1. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    ex slaemuir bhoy, the former pools guy, Mr Adam, called D Murray out for being the dofgy geezer he is.

     

     

    He added insult to it by saying we were a far better run club.

  2. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Lennon’s Passion, thanks for the information about Djuric from Cesena being a big guy.

     

     

    I wish his goal scoring record was as big as he is.

  3. O.G.Rafferty on

    Interesting comment on a McMurdo blog.

     

     

    Companies House website

     

    TRFC Ltd (Company No. SC 425159)

     

    Mortgages: 11 (9 outstanding/2 satisfied)

     

    Is that about 7 mortgages in the past year…….securities to Ashley ???

     

    Check dates on your inspection of the above mortgages, folks…….!!

     

     

    Hope there’s room for a wee war chest in there…

  4. The Battered Bunnet on

    Regrettably, Weeminger’s right.

     

     

    On an unrelated matter:

     

     

    So’s SFTB, imo.

  5. 67 European Cup Winners

     

    20:11 on

     

    15 June, 2015

     

     

    He could bring this suggestion to The Glib One…. for Off, and on the pitch value…. “Gonnae put some dosh in the Biscuit Tin, ya tight-fisted bassa !”

  6. According to the huns on their blogs, we are all crappin ourselfs with the appointment of the hottest managerial team in the land, they can smell the fear apparently.

     

     

    So they have appointed a manager with 2 years under his belt, his assistant, sir david of weir, aka the govan strangler was punted from Shef Utd cos he was crap, aye we are well crapping ourselfs.

     

     

    HH

  7. Dallas Dallas

     

     

    Yeah, I remember going to Ibrox in the 80’s and the stadium advertising was virtually all for MIM. A bit like Ashley’s blanket coverage at St James park currently.

  8. Just read Billy Bear’s post from 15.38 and I re-produce it below:-

     

     

    “From what I can recall, one or two people were enjoying it, but the vast majority of Rangers fans and management felt deep sympathy for our friends across the city. I think it may have been Sir David (anonymously) who initially got in touch with Fergus McCann to alert him to the difficulties facing Celtic. Fergus didn`t have the money to fund the revolution, but SDM managed to broker a loan deal between Bank of Scotland and Fergus, and the rest is history, as they say. Maybe not 143 yrs of history, but history nonetheless. Rangers needed a strong (but not TOO strong) Celtic, and most of the fans agreed. I feel the same sentiments should be applied in this reverse predicament. Let`s be entirely honest here, Rangers have been punished enough. Let`s have a return to the cross city rivalry that Scottish football needs.”

     

     

     

    I had thought that Billy Bear was a genuine rangers fan but this reads like a brillliant Declan style wind-up. It made me laugh.

  9. ExSlaemuirBhoy on

    Superstore web site no working, was going to hint for a wee prezzie for fathers day. Hopefully fixed for tomorrow or “Big Pete” will be looking for heads to roll

  10. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    TD

     

    I was in Donnellys last time I was in Canada in 2001

     

    Also legal beagle and a few more that I can’t remember , think was was run by a hibee who was in the masons

     

    We where in the club for st johnstone game that was called off due to fog

     

    Either late Jan or early Feb 2001

  11. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Billybhoy, history repeating itself in a way.

     

     

    I’m sure we had some MIM advertising at Celtic Park in the early eighties.

     

     

    I was told by a former member of the press, he was told, D Murray’s dad and family had such a bad reputation in Ayrshire, that’s why Ayr United said thanks but no thanks.

     

     

    Ayr United said publicly a few years ago that Murray wanted any money (more likely the bank’s) he put in paid back to them.

  12. glendalystonsils on

    Joe Filippis Haircut

     

    19:41 on

     

    15 June, 2015

     

    glendalystonsils. It was Ayr United fella not Kilmarnock. H.H.

     

     

    and tallybhoy. Thanks guys. I knew it was somewhere hunnish -:)

  13. Did I not read on here previously that Mr Murray senior spent some time on her majesty’s service for not being a very good business man, he was caught though ?

     

     

    Sure I read that before

     

     

    Hail Hail

  14. South Of Tunis on

    lennon’s passion @ 20 25 .

     

     

    Djuric.

     

     

    Nothing in Italian cyberspace linking him with Celtic. .My watching of the Sunday night Serie A highlights prog enables me to state that he is a big lump of a man..Hasn’t impressed me

  15. glendalystonsils on

    Cowiebhoy

     

    20:04 on

     

    15 June, 2015

     

     

    Incredible! Wartbunion only appointed this morning and ‘close’ to a deal to sign Wilson!

     

    For an ordinary manager like, say, Ronny Deila or even Guardiola or Mourinho these things take weeks but new Sevco supremo Wartbunion can make signings faster than it takes to bake a loaf of bread. Wowwwwww!

  16. the glorious balance sheet on

    Dallas Dallas-

     

     

    Murray paid for trackside advertising at Celtic Park for a few years in the early 1980s. If you look at YouTube footage of European games from that period you can see Murray`s advertising in front of the South Stand near the Rangers end. (as well as Frank Lafferty construction if anyone remembers them).

     

     

    Murray`s old man was jailed for tax fraud in the 1960s and went bankrupt. The apple never falls far from the tree.

  17. Mahe the Madman on

    San Diego bhoy,,our beloved padres dismissed buddy black this morning if you haven’t read it already. Hope you’re well. Moved up to the foothills, Sonora. You’re welcome anytime should you find yourself in these parts. SierraNevadasCSC. Hail Hail

  18. Dallas Dallas/Cowiebhoy

     

     

    I believe his father ‘s business acumen was uncannily like his son’s. Much bluff and bluster followed by the great crash. Don’t think he was ever duped though.

     

     

    It’s universally understood that young SDM was “educated at Fettes”. Less well known though that alas, I am assured, it was only for one term as the cheque that was assuredly in the post appears to have taken a wrong turning somewhere. He still wears the tie though.

     

     

    Another case of the orange not falling too far from the tree!

  19. A few posters had asked me to draft a letter that could be copied and forwarded onto their MSP regarding the OB Act. I’m quite happy to do this but if I’m honest I think it’s worth making the effort and personalising your own version.

     

     

    A basic introduction highlighting why you’re contacting them and a brief outline of why you’re opposed to the Act for starters would be good.

     

     

    The points we think are worth raising are:-

     

     

    • The initial claim was that the Act was introduced to tackle sectarianism. It hasn’t. You could highlight the arrests this season of the Hamilton supporters in support of this.

     

     

    • The government have manipulated the arrest and conviction rates to suit their own ends. When arrests have been lower, they’ve claimed this is an example of the Act’s effectiveness as a deterrent. When arrests have been high, they’ve claimed that THIS is an example of the need for the Act to remain in place. What we can say, is that, regardless of increase/decrease in arrests since its introduction in 2012 the conviction rate has remained incredibly low at only 22%.

     

     

    • The recent YouGov poll claimed that 80% of those surveyed believed that the Act is an effective piece of legislation and should remain. This ignores the fact that 52% of those polled had either ‘very little interest’ or ‘no interest at all’ in football.

     

     

    • Point out the piece of research conducted by those at Stirling University was simply that, an academic report. It should not be the basis for the review alone and should only be used to inform the review. Despite this, the authors have clearly stated in their conclusion that they are neither for or against the Act remaining.

     

     

    What you should then ask your MSP to do is contact the Justice Committee and ask them to allow FAC the opportunity to present their findings face to face. Only FAC have the stories behind the arrests and convictions, this is not included in the Stirling Uni study. Ask your MSP to copy you in to any correspdence.

     

     

    I hope this helps but I’m not precious about this and if anyone has any other points which they think should be included then feel free to add them.

  20. We can go on and on about Murray and his methods and his screwing of the huns, but he is above investigation and criticism from hun lovers, particularly in the media, because he delivered so many golden years of success for the dead club.

  21. ” with the attacking football Jose warburton will play next season David templeton will be like a new signing ”

     

     

    A Hun.

  22. Dallas Dallas

     

     

    See TGBS……………

     

     

    There are tenuous links between Old Murray and guess who?????

     

     

    Going back to Motherwell – Craigey Bhoy’s old man!

  23. saltires en sevilla on

    Clogher

     

     

    Not to Carlingford Parish – often passed through Lough en route to Dublin when I worked there in 2000 and 2003.

     

     

    Visited Tullylish area a few times and have some great friends in Downpatrick.

     

     

    Hope to take a trip to Ballinteskin some day – buy you a beer mate

     

     

    HH

  24. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    The Glorious Balance sheet and Billy Bhoy, the Murray family tree must be good. I wonder if their is any borrowed history in it.

     

     

    Paul Larkin’s Asterisk Years film mentions Fettes in it as part of the Edinburgh Establishment where Murray ingratiated himself.

     

     

    Ron Bacardi, you are right about Murray and all his dodginess never being fully revealed nor will he be punished for his shenanigans unfortuntaley.

  25. saltires en sevilla on

    Ron Bacardi

     

     

    Indeed.

     

     

    Any currant that goes after Murray is effectively trashing their 9 – therefore, he is waterproof- although they know he is to blame!

     

     

    The guys that could sink him are conflicted and/or feart, he will put photographs up on FB ;-)

  26. In fact there are some reports linking Djuric with Celtic (e.g http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-b/cesena-anche-il-celtic-piomba-su-djuric-offerta-ritenuta-incongrua-692207 ). Saying that we are bidding a milllion EURO, but Cesena want more. However,the reports quote Sky Sports, so they could be ‘reports of reports’. Probably agents trying to drive up the going rate. I suspect that Celtic enquire about 50 players and sign 4 in any one close season, so I wouldn’t necessarily believe anything.

     

     

    Can’t understand why Rangers didn’t want McCall. Not the greatest manager in the world, but they don’t need the greatest manager in the world, just someone competent to scrap around and get them up next year, and he’s good enough for that. I am afraid that, like the Bourbons, they may have forgotten nothing, but they have certainly learned nothing. They are still ra peepul.

     

     

    Passing 4 days in Lisbon – work, not a pilgrimage. Still nice though.

  27. Hamilton tim I want to support this but im on holiday right now, any way you can email some of this detail to me so I can pick it up when I’m home?

  28. ron bacardi @ 21:38,

     

     

    You are quite right. Once the SDM years are looked on as bogus the 9iar, the 50+ championship, the Smith Myth etc etc etc….. All fade into a mendacious reality that they are never going to acknowledge.

     

     

    They’d die first and even second:-)

     

     

    Hail Hail

  29. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Praecepta at 21.46 , I didn’t know that.

     

     

    Another possible link about Murray duping people by claiming to have been duped. He’s some guy.

  30. ExSlaemuirBhoy on

    Murray= Cheat , that’s how I’ll remember him. Suspect we’ll get the same result from the GSL.

  31. I love this, every day’s a school day

     

     

    And not because HT is on :-)

     

     

    Hail Hail

  32. HT, as I said, on holiday and bedtime beckons so if I miss any reply apologies in advance but I’ll scroll back later!

     

     

    Great work btw your efforts are appreciated.

     

     

    Hx2

  33. ExSlaemuirBhoy on

    that’s enough for me for today Bhoys n Ghirls, Tomorrow ? Another day closer till big Mike shuts thems doon, Sweet dreams indeed

  34. Dallas Dallas

     

     

    Where there are metals……………….

     

     

    ……… scrapyards are never far away!