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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HT
Email sent.
Hx2
Bedtime for bonzo
Night all.
Praecepta at 22.05, i’ve a smile on my glaikit coupon after that post.
I watched a game on youtube earlier, we beat united 4 nil in November 1997. I forgot how creative a player Andreas Thom was. Good football brain, fast but was inconsistent.
He linked up well with Henrik during the first half of the 97/98 season.
Think that’s us sorted out by the resurrectionists….
Getting gazumped by the new management is clearly the way things will be now as the lure of playing for Rangers stymies our efforts….
It’s a swoop they have made to capture Danny boy.
Just popped in for a mo…… Hope this works, couldnae resist it.. Offski again.
@MartinBeatty70: The Lurgan Shamrocks… http://t.co/THcU0Lm9nH
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
If I may add my own thoughts to HT’s preliminary outline for a template letter. My views are in bold.
“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. I would highlight that the Bill and Act has sought to conflate and confuse sectarianism and Offensive Behaviour without ever having a clear and workable definition of what constitutes sectarianism and sectarian behaviour. Dr. Morrow’s report does nothing to provide Police and Sheriffs with such an operational definition either. As it turns out, most offences prosecuted under the Act, successfully or not, have been capable of being dealt with by existing laws.
• 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 government have misrepresented the success of the Act, citing both high and low arrest rates as evidence that the Act was working. You have to ask what evidence would prove to them that it was not working, a question that should form the basis of any social research. The story around this Act has been subject to massive spin but the evidence remains clear that it is not working to any effective end.
• 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. The You Gov Poll is an inadequate means of measuring how successful or effective the Act has been. Those who are most in favour of the Act are those who are uninformed or poorly informed and those with little interest in football. Those who have been most in opposition are those who have a greater interest in football and greater experience of how the Act is working and being implemented. It is also opposed by the majority of independent sheriffs who have had to negotiate their way through the terms and provisions and try to find a sensible intent and purpose to the proposals. There is prejudiced and judgemental thinking, if not bigotry, involved in some of the unthinking attitudes being displayed towards our football attending public.
• 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. The researchers are actively distancing themselves from the presentation of their findings and are uncomfortable that conclusions are being drawn and findings advanced that have no basis in their objective attitudinal surveys. They are stating that a proper review must consist of more than expressing an opinion on a subject where you can demonstrate little knowledge or personal experience. The lack of reported information gained from stakeholders affected by the Act, i.e. match day attending supporters, is a cause for serious concern. As is the pointed refusal to engage with fans groups who have collected richer data and evidence from the fans and families who have been targeted by this Act
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.
Saltires, myself along with many others would very pleased if D Murray had his SIr taken off him and doing time.
If he lost his sirhood that would give me so much happiness.
mahe the madman
21:31 on 15 June, 2015
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
—————
I do spend time in your area. My better and more charming half is from San Francisco, so we visit your area on occasion.
Usually I head up to Yosemite, or Tahoe for a few days while the missus is fulfilling family obligations. I believe September was our next visit, so I’ll give you a shout. Thanks for your kind offer.
P.S. With regards to the Padres, anytime I’ve had the chance to visit Petco Park, I’ve usually ended up a casualty of the many fine drinking holes in and around the stadium. One episode in particular at the rooftop club in the Hardrock Hotel comes to mind :-))
cowiebhoy
20:09 on 15 June, 2015…
The bassas tried to close us down for defaulting on one payment on a loan, to put that in perspective to what the hun did and the new huns are doing turns my stomach.
Still, what a Feckin laugh we are having at thems….long may it continue:)) Hail Hail
SFTB
Thanks for adding some meat to my bones.
Big day tomorrow.
Weefra…
Nice one, don’t be coy…
Yer a Timaloy. HH
He wants to be out oan the Grass :-)
Some fine athletes in yon Getman lassies football team…
A wheen of them widnae look oot of place in Ronny’s pressing system.
WeeFra
Great picture mate.
glendalystonsils
21:28 on 15 June, 2015
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!
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Wee Stevie obviously been busy. Hope the backups aren’t getting neglected……
Well that Mr Warburton seemed like a decent bloke. Wonder what he has actually been told about transfer budgets? And where was Dave?!?!? And where are the results of the EGM votes?
So many questions.So few journalists willing to ask them!
Meanwhile, here are some not-very-serious thoughts on the Warburton press conference!
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/fifteen-is-the-magic-number/
Enjoy the rest of the evening!
Canada vs Netherlands Woman’s World Cup game coming up.
I’ll be resplendent in my Roots T-shirt at my local brewery to cheer on my northern neighbours.
I was fortunate to enjoy another enjoyable night with our Polish friends from Scotland. Add a few Kenyans to the mix and you know that one will have a fine Celtic night. Thanks Victor.
I trust that Toronto punter of this very Parish is cheering on his team…?
Oh well moonhowling for me tonight, another two days off…go up and check in on my da tomorrow, then go for a few beers in Ruggy.
VP/Pete the pirate I’ll be in the New Orleans in the afternoon if you fancy a beer.
I’ll be with a wee jump the dyke hun, nice wee bloke though.
No mention of any other Glasgow team. Only Celtic. For whatever reason, the Celts still resonate.
Scrolled back. More ‘offence’. This time from the Nats. Starkey is an entertainer. Just like Gorgeous George.
We anecdote.
Jumped on the ferry to Victoria, British Columbia for a wee lightening visit over the weekend.
Ferry docks downtown Victoria, we get off and head to the money exchange.
On approaching the doors, a gentleman wearing a fine straw fedora and decked out in the New Balance Hoops comes sailing out the door, jumps in a shining new silver Jaguar and speeds off!
Some Mhan!
War button and weir -typical ” oh look it’s a squirrel!!” -lovey dovey msm lapping it up
As big Mike prepares to put the stake through the heart …
They’re no very good gamblers when it comes to appointing managers, are they….this is the fourth in their short history…..I’ll give this one until the end of Sept…..
Who cares 67? Hopefully your laughing gas will be shared by us all after we dispose of the Euro qualifier sides.
Wee Bertie on Sky117 now.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
So Warburton wants to restore the zombies to former glories! Interesting!
Re-winning the 1st and 2nd divisions may just be within their grasp! :-)
HH
CRC
From Twitter
https://twitter.com/stuartmccali/status/610569443677179904
Oh dear cracked crest already??
CRC, who cares? The Celts should be our main focus, no? Our manager has the talent to propel us to better things, provided DD supports him.
Looks wee stuart none too happy
https://twitter.com/stuartmccali/status/610569280845910016
Looks like :)
Re: The Loaf
– why did he sign a 3 year contract?
– surely he must know that Sevco is a basket case?
– surely he knows that every month’s salary is dependant on a crisis loan payment from MA or the Directors?
– are the GSL and his Real Rangers Men really about to bankroll Sevco for the medium term? (aye, OK…)
Just doesn’t make sense to me.
HH
BGFC
EasyConfusedCSC
Scotland: ” a feeble little country”. David Starkey 23rd April 2009.
Paisley bhoy, the man is entertainment. Just like GG. We may not like them but they are manna from heaven compared to mediocre dross such as Ming (?) Campbell.
Oh dear – Mullet spilling the beans?
That should be fun :-))
His legned status will be revoked immediately by the SMSM – knives out.
HH
BGFC
No offence to Ming (?). I guess that someone called Ming isn’t susceptible to personal criticism though.
Richard Wilson’s BBC piece on Warburton is the biggest load of sycophantic tripe I have ever come accross – this was the same ***hole with would have torn Boyata to shreds, but for the intervention of Owen Coyle, on BBC, about ten days ago.
The same shit that we got with Murray, Whyte, Green, King, The Blue Knights, The Three Bears, McCoist, McCall, is now being fed us by the Scottish gutter press, as they once again close ranks – the Wilson story is an attempt to twist the knife.
They are all determined to sing from the same hymsheet, because they know they are now in the last chance saloon – it’s them against the world, they believe, even though the Scottish media, en masse, are four square behind them.