There appears to be a degree of confusion over the report Rangers International FC PLC have commissioned into the conduct of its directors. This report resulted from the revelation that Craig Whyte was a director of Sevco 5088 Ltd, the company which paid for exclusivity rights and had an irrevocable agreement to buy the assets from Rangers administrators, Duff and Phelps. Several RIFC directors were unaware of links between Whyte and Sevco 5088 and were so concerned they demanded this independent inquiry.
In short, the board need to know if information given to them by fellow director, Charles Green, is wholly correct and reliable. Another PLC has also told the stock market they have made a report to the Serious Fraud Office, for a company director, this cannot get more serious.
The report is unlikely to come to any hard conclusions as to the legal status of assets like Ibrox Stadium, that is a matter the courts could later take a different view of, or of the club’s entitlement to associate membership of the SFA, which will be a matter for Mr Ogilvie and his board. It will more likely do little more than inform the RIFC board if they have reasons for alarm.
On becoming aware of a potential serious corporate matter directors must take steps to confirm any disputed information, consider potential consequences for the company and correct any stock market announcements which were subsequently found to be inaccurate. This is the road the RIFC board have gone down.
If the report indicates that the courts are unlikely to rule that Sevco 5088 Ltd can be considered a part of RIFC group, and that its entitlement was inappropriately assumed by Sevco Scotland Ltd (now The Rangers Football Club Ltd), the directors will then, and only then, have enough information to decide if some of their worst fears will be realised.
If Mr Green found his grilling by STV difficult, he will find the forensic accountants and lawyers no less taxing. In answer to their questions I wonder if he’ll say, “Define Craig Whyte”.
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Fr. William Doyle, S.J. Chaplain Of The Battle of Ypres “They Speak His Name With Tears”
[The following letter, written by Father William Doyle a few days before he was killed during the advance of Irish troops north-east of Ypres on August 17th, 1917, is a chapter of autobiography needing the fewest possible notes in its elucidation. This Jesuit Chaplain of the Irish Province was the son of Mr. Hugh Doyle of Dalkey, co. Dublin, for many years Registrar of the Dublin Bankruptcy Court; he was forty-four years of age when he wrote this to his father, aged eighty-six.* Educated at Radcliffe by the Rosminians, William Doyle nevertheless became a Jesuit. He studied in Belgium, was ordained at Milltown Park in 1907, was Professor at Clongowes (where he founded and edited The Clongovmian) and subsequently laboured in Limerick and in Dublin. In November, 1915, the call to more strenuous service came to him, and three months later he went to the Front with the 16th Irish Division. For his bravery at Ginchy he was awarded the Military Cross, and he was afterwards commended by his Commanding Officer for the V.C., which, however, he was not to receive. As a preamble to his own letter may be quoted a line from that of a brother-chaplain, written about Father Doyle before his death : “He is a marvel. They may talk of heroes and saints—they are hardly in it!” That exclamation neither the saints nor heroes aforesaid, nor yet the eighth Urban of the scrupulous Decree, will in anywise take amiss.]
July 30th, 1917.—For the past week we have been moving steadily up to the Front. It was half-past one a.m. when our first halting-place was reached, and we marched again at three. It was the morning of July 31st,. the Feast of St. Ignatius, a day dear to every Jesuit, but doubly so to the soldier sons of the soldier Saint. Was it to be Mass or sleep ? Nature said ” sleep,” but grace won the day; and while the weary soldiers slumbered the Adorable Sacrifice was offered for them. As we fall into the line once more the dark clouds are lit up with red and golden flashes of light, the earth quivers with the simultaneous crash of thousands of guns—the Fouth Battle of Ypres has begun. . . . The road was a sight never to be forgotten. On one side marched our columns in close formation. On the other galloped by an endless line of ammunition waggons, extra guns hurrying up to the Front, and motor-lorries packed with stores of all kinds ; while between the two flowed back the stream of empties and ambulance after ambulance filled with wounded and dying. We marched on through the City of the Dead—Ypres, out again by the opposite gate. A welcome halt at last, with perhaps an hour or more of delay. At that moment the place for sleep did not matter two straws—a thorn-bush, the bed of a stream, anywhere would do to satisfy the longing for even a few moments of slumber after nearly two days and nights of marching without sleep. I picked out a soft spot on the ruins of a home, laid me down with a sigh of relief.
August 1st.—Morning brought a leaden sky, more rain, and no breakfast. Our cook, with the rations, had got lost during the night, so there was nothing for it but to tighten one’s belt.
Sunday, August 12th —We have just got back to camp,, after (for me at least) six days and seven continuous nights on the battle-field. I shall give you the principal events of these exciting days, as I jotted them down in my notebook. (August $th.) All day I have been busy hearing the men’s confessions, and giving batch after batch Holy Communion. My poor, brave boys—they are lying on the battle-field, some in a little grave dug and blessed by their chaplain, who loves them all as if they were his own children. Do you wonder that, in spite of the joy that fills my heart, many a time tears gather in my eyes as I think of those who are gone ? As the men stand lined up on parade I go from Company to Company giving a General Absolution, which I know is a big comfort to them. Then I shoulder my pack and make for the train which, this time, is to carry us part of our journey. “Top-end for Blighty, boys; bottom-end for Berlin !” I tell them as they clamber in, for they like a cheery word. “If you’re in Jerryland, Father, we’re with you too,” shouted one big giant, and is greeted with a roar of approval.
As I marched through Ypres at the head of the column, an officer ran across the road and stopped me. “Are you a Catholic priest ? I should like to go to Confession.” There and then, by the side of the road, while the men marched by, he made his peace with God, and went away, let us hope, as happy as I felt at that moment. It was a trivial incident; but it brought home vividly to me what a priest is, and the wondrous power given him by God.
All the time we were pushing on steadily. Suddenly the storm burst. The enemy’s guns had opened fire with a crash. I can but describe the din by asking you to start together fifty first-class thunder-storms. On we hurried, when right before us the Hun started to put down a heavy barrage, literally a curtain of shells. In the darkness I stumbled across a huge shell-hole crater. Into it we rolled and lay on our faces while shells burst on every side. We reached Headquarters, a strong blockhouse made of concrete and iron rails, a masterpiece of German cleverness. From time to time, all during the night, the enemy gunners kept firing at our shelter, having the range to a nicety. Scores exploded within a few feet of it, shaking us till our bones rattled, and one burst near the entrance, nearly blowing us over, but doing no harm, thanks to the scientific construction of the passage.
The following morning, though the Colonel and other officers pressed me very much to remain with them, on the ground that I would be more comfortable, I felt I could do better work at the advanced dressing-station, or rather aid-post, and went and joined the doctor. The following night a shell again burst at the entrance to the block-house, but this time exploded several boxes of rockets which had been left at the door. A mass of flame and smoke rushed into the dug-out, severely burning some, and almost suffocating all, fifteen in number. You can imagine what I felt as I saw all my friends carried off to hospital, possibly to suffer ill-effects for life. I was delighted to find a tiny ammunition store which I speedily converted into a chapel, building an altar with the boxes. I had to be both priest and acolyte, and, in a way, I was not sorry. I could not stand up, so I was able for once to offer the Holy Sacrifice on my knees. It is strange that out here a desire I have long cherished should be gratified —namely, to be able to celebrate alone, taking as much time as I wished, and not inconveniencing anyone.
I spent a good part of the day, when not occupied with the wounded, wandering round the battle-field with a spade to bury stray dead. Though there was not very much infantry-fighting, owing to the state of the ground, not for a moment during the week did the artillery duel cease, reaching at times a pitch of unimaginable intensity. We counted once fifty shells, big chaps too, whizzing over our little nest in sixty seconds, not counting those which burst close by. I have walked about for hours at a time getting through my work with “crumps” of all sizes bursting in dozens on every side.
August 7th.—Word reached me about midnight that a party of men had been caught by shell-fire nearly a mile away. I dashed off in the darkness, this time hugging my helmet as the Boche was firing gas shells. A moment’s pause to absolve a couple of dying men, and then I reached the group of smashed and bleeding bodies, most of them still breathing. The first thing I saw almost unnerved me—a young soldier lying on his back, his hands and face a mass of blue phosphorus flame. He was the first victim I had seen of the new gas the Germans are using, a fresh horror in this awful war. The poor lad recognized me. I anointed him on a little spot of unburnt flesh, gave him a drink which he begged for, and then hastened to the others. Back again to the aid-post for stretchers and help to carry in the wounded, while all the time the shells are coming down like hail. Good God, how can any human being live in this ! As I hurry back I hear that two men have been hit twenty yards away. I am with them in a moment, splashing through mud and water—a quick absolution, the last Rites of the Church, and a flash from a gun shows me that the poor boy in my arms is my own servant, a wonderfully good and pious lad.
August 8th.—There is little to record during the next couple of days except the discovery of a new Cathedral and the happiness of daily Mass. This time I was not quite so well off, as I could not kneel upright, and my feet were in the water, which helped to keep the fires of devotion from growing too warm. When night fell I made my way to a new part of the line, which could not be approached in daylight, to bury an officer and some men.
August 10th.— A sad morning, as many men came in dreadfully wounded. One man was the bravest I ever met. He was in dreadful agony, for both legs had been blown off at the knee ; but never a complaint fell from his lips, even while they dressed his wounds, and he tried to make light of his injuries. ” Thank God, Father,” he said, “I am able to stick it out to the end. Is it not all for little Belgium ?” The Extreme Unction, as I have noticed time and again, eased even his bodily pain : “I am much better now and easier—God bless you !” as I left him to attend a dying man. He opened his eyes as I knelt beside him: “Ah, Father Doyle, Father Doyle,” he whispered faintly, and then motioned me to bend lower as if he had some message to give. As I did so, he put two arms round my neck and kissed me. . . . Sitting a little way off I saw a man with his face smashed by a shell. He raised his head as I spoke : ” Is that the priest of God ? Thank God, I am all right now.” I took his blood-covered hands in mine.
In the afternoon, while going my rounds, I was forced to take shelter in the dug-out of a young officer belonging to another regiment. I found that he was a Catholic, came from Dublin, and had been married just a month. Was this a chance visit ? I had not long left the spot when a shell burst and killed him. I carried his body out the next day and buried him in a shell-hole
August 11th.—I had ventured a bit down the trench to find a spot to bury some bodies left lying there. I had reached a sheltered corner when I heard the scream of a shell coming straight for the spot where I stood. Instinctively I crouched down, the shell whizzed past my head—I felt my hair blown about by the hot air—and hurst in front of me with a deafening crash. It seemed to me as if a heavy wooden hammer had hit me on the top of my head. I hardly knew how I reached the dug-out. That night we were relieved, or, rather, it was early morning, 4.30 a.m., when the last Company marched out. We hurried over the open, floundering in the thick mud, tripping over wire in the darkness. We had nearly reached the road when, like a hurricane, a shower of shells came smashing down upon us. We could not stop to shelter.
Dublin Fusiliers : ” Father Doyle did not know what fear was, and everybody in the Battalion, Protestant and Catholic alike, idolized him. He loved the men, and spent every hour of his time looking after them. He was asked not to go into action with the Battalion, but he would not stop behind”
The CO. 8th Royal Dublin Fusiliers: “He was genuinely loved by everyone, and deserved the unstinted praise he got from all ranks for his rare pluck and devotion to duty.” Another brother officer: “God bless Father Doyle, is the heartfelt wish of all the men of the Irish Division to.day. Well do we remember how our beloved padre did the long three days’ march with the A Company. Then who of the men do not recall with a tear and a smile how he went’ over the top ‘ at Wytschaete. Ypres sounded the knell. Many a dying soldier on that bloody field has flashed a last look of loving recognition as our brave padre rushed to his aid.” An I listerman : “If he risked his life in looking after Ulster Protestant soldiers once, he did it a hundred times in the last few days. They told him he was wanted in a more exposed part of the field to administer the Last Rites of his Church to a Fusilier. While he was doing what he could to comfort the poor chap, the priest was struck down. He and the man he ‘was ministering to passed out of life together.” for dawn was breaking and we should have been seen by the enemy. Crash, one shell has pitched into the middle of the line—and then, just when the end seemed at hand, our batteries opened fire with a roar. The German guns ceased like magic, or turned their attention elsewhere.
I have told you all my escapes, dearest Father, because I think what I have written will give you the same confidence that I feel, and I do not want you to be uneasy about me.
Heaps of love to every dear one.
As ever, dearest Father, your loving son,
Willie.
[Six days later, Father Doyle fell. Tributes were paid to his memory in the Press, sometimes in unaccustomed places. One such lingers in memory from the pages of The Morning Post: ” The Orangemen will not forget a certain Catholic Chaplain who lies in a soldier’s grave in that sinister plain beyond Ypres. He went forward and back over the battle-field with bullets whistling about him, seeking out the dying and kneeling in the mud beside them to give them absolution ; walking with Death with a smile on his face, watched by his men with a reverence and a kind of awe. His familiar figure was seen and welcomed by hundreds of Irishmen who lay in that bloody place. Each time he came back across the field he was begged to remain in comparative safety. Smilingly he shook his head, and went out again into the storm. He would not desert his boys in their agony. They remember him as a saint—they speak his name with tears.”
TET –
HaHaHaHa.
I know what you tried to do there.
Fortunately I can see right through it.
To quote from The Life of Brian . . . “You are a very naughty boy!”
:-)
Paul67 why are my posts awaiting moderation?
Hail Hail The Celt Are Here, why the moderation, why the moderation…………………..boooooooooooooooooooooo!!
A Ceiler Gonof Rust –
It’s not just your posts mate.
ACGR,
It’s not usually human intervention. Software picks up on repititions, unrecognised words and links. After that happens, you need to give the software a 30 mins break while it sits back with a tobacco pipe and contemplates whether you are to be trusted or not.
BTW, what is this sing-song you all keep referring to at Bar67?? I have NO recollection of this.
Apols for offending your hotel barman :(( – he was very annoying though !
Many thanks for looking after myself and 16 Roads – you stopped us going mental with it :)) Great to meet you amigo!
Late night’s this week for NHL play offs…
Hoping for something positive from the Canucks. Toronto sports teams continue on their ongoing circle of failure..
Last song I remember from that night was this – I think I was sitting next to the cool as a cucumber Midfield Maestro while we acknowledged our mutual enjoyment of this one :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrcOL1g9yJA
Next thing I remember is a huddle outside with Petec, ACGR and 16 Roads – as I jumped up and down I remember thinking, “Feck, did BMCUW get his train or what??” :))
Moderator
Can you delete my post at 00:59 please
thanks
Kit,
Great to see you back, sir.
Am annoyed at you setting this 125 day precedent though, as it made it easy for SFTB to jump on that bandwagon – he’s a bandwagon jumping bollocks. (poor attempt to provoke him into coming back…)
Not such a good thing when it’s the best posters that take up that challenge – so I’m going to break the chain, and refuse to do so :)))
Doh! missing chain(train) links, 125 days, BMCUW, don’t you be considering this !! You were right about Brummy btw – nae pubs, just endless clinical train platforms – I could tell why you didn’t like it – me neither! But I did stagger into two good boozers last night, and the latter gave me two bottles of 8% Libertine Black Ale to take away, for which I’m currently grateful :)) The folk were friendly there. Great multi-cultural city, despite (or because of?) the industrialization.
Kitalba
Your a good man. Keep it lit…
Respect…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQXbf1i24C8
& G’Night
.
Big Big Thanks to..LymmBhoy..
Who just knocked on My Door and left a Few.. and l mean a Few Celtic Books..
That’s my Avro sorted..:o)
So much for Chopping Wood..:(
Cheers Buddi..Nice to meet You..
001Bhoy
Ps..The History box is Awesome l owe Ye..
The Currants…
Via…
The Scottish Football Association… And Scottish MSM…
(New York Style)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY4j8Ow-CTs&feature=player_embedded
Just read on BBC news the Barcelona have set a new record for biggest semi-final defeat in CL history.
Now the name may have changed but it is still the same competition and I’m sure that a certain ex-team that loves to claim world records will be keen to tell the anyone who will listen that once upon a time 12 goals were conceded in a European Cup semi-final.
Did Chuckles buy that as part of the history?
MJM
Baku
Chuckles right enough.
12-3
http://www.europeancuphistory.com/euro60.html
Off oot!!!!!
For a few days
Doing West Highland Way .starting this morning …..
Four days …..Fort Willam by Sunday …late afternoon
Ill have earned a Guinness by then
Listen ……behave while I’m gone ….and nae fightin’
HH
PFayr
There is a Greggs’ in Milngavie town centre..
Priceless for starting you on your march to Fort William.
So I have heard…
Morning Bhoys and Ghirls ,
The Yo-Yo of Honour
RRC
BMCUWP
BakuBhoy
Masty is Neil Lennon
Doc is Neil Lennon
TheCelt45
Cowiebhoy
FourGreenFields
PMTYH
AyrshireTim
Bradbhoy
DBBIA
Oglach
bognor bhouyle
angelgabriel
Fortunes Favour Mibbes
Thank you , one and all .
The Kano Foundation (and yours truly ) are taking part in a fundraising Bungee jump at Xscape , Braehead on 11th May @ 10.00am.
I believe the crane is 160ft tall , and as i’ll be hurling towards the ground at up 70mph , i hope they tie it on tight ! Maybe a triple knot might be an idea.
Please sponsor me – i’m not gonna give it “it would be great if you could” or “if you can find the time” – simply , please sponsor me . Gulp.
http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/KanoBungee
Sanna
Somewhat confused this morning thought i’d logged on to the NI Royal British legion site.
A lot of guff and tosh about Irishmen (sic) who serverd in the British Army. Not sure of context as i haven’t read back through the blog past but seems a wee bit strange to post so many !
From twitter.
Issue is how Sevco 5088 lost out to Sevco Scotland after it agreed an exclusivity agreement with D&P for them.
And there’s the rub. How Whyte can be eased out and a new obligation applies to Sevco Scotland.
Resigned to the fact that “the rules” don’t apply to the establishment club. Return delayed ie no SPL2 but they’ll be back.
Have you heard the ‘independent commission’ nonsense recently. There is a pattern emerging here.
Independent. Honourable. Learned. Respected … Then a ‘no conflict’ … Sorted. Feels very familiar.
Good morning friends from a dry and very bright looking EK.
sannabhoy – What’s with the list?
Zbyszek
Like SFTB you are a credit to this blog, don’t let anyone allude to anything different.
SFTB
If your lurking, get yourself back on here,
http://Www.selfimposedbanningordersare rubbish.net
HH
Morning Celts, nice clear blue sky as far as the eye can see along the Fylde coast, light winds.
30k already done on the bike ☑
V
Sannabhoy
Not forgot ye pal.
V
Morning all from the Blue skied Chilterns…
Well done to the Celtic bhoys in winning the youth cup.
4 x Doubles shows that although our academy is not world class yet, it is dominating Scottish Football.
So an all German CL final, that’s been in the post for sometime, but emphatic it was.
I heard the Beeb’s German correspondant talking after last weeks semis.
Stating the model for German Clubs and the way they were run as major reasons for the success.
Many of his reasons could have be3en describing the Tic; youth Academies that develop foreign as well as German talent, clubs run on a viable, sustainable, financially prudent basis… etc.
The two things stated that were different from the Celtic model was, tiered ticket pricing, to make the Games accessible to as many as possible and supporter membership schemes that had a major shareholding and say in the running of the Clubs.
Of course last week’s SB announcement went some way to rectifying the former.
Hope we are competitive in Europe again next season but can’t see past the Germans for sometime.
Hail! Hail!
Do you know what annoys me the most, that lot at the @ScottishFA bend rules to help Sevco but apply rules to everyone else.#disgraceful
We’re all sitting here talking about the kids breaking seats but what about organising fans protest to get the SFA removed from office are these not more important issues.
Why do you think the media made a big thing about the youth cup final, they want us to forget about asking the real ?’s like 5 way agreement and the links between Charles Green & Craig Whyte.
All these delays from the SFA are to help Sevco.
Remember last year when the SFA done the exact same thing and asked for paperwork regarding EBT’s, delay after delay = shredder = set up.
A good start would be for notonewco to set up a poll with some ?’s asking all fans are they happy with the men at the top of our game and are they happy rules apply to everyone apart from the new club.
morning bhoys from a bright clear G72..
PF doing the west highland way whilst I’m stuck in my flipping kip.
happy birthday kickinthenakas and to my great friend from Larkhall Jamesy…
Jobo Baldie 06:59:
Those have sponsored Sannabhoy’s Bungee jump on the 11th May.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Just dropped in to say…
Well done to Bayern Munich last night and sadness for the Barcelona fholks.
Borussia Dotmund will always be fondly looked upon by me as, I’ve had a heavy
interest in them ever since my favorite player – Murdo Macleod – played for them when he left the Celt’s in 1987. Also later…One of Celtic FC’s favorite son’s – Paul Lambert – came to the Celt’s in the – Wim season – one of the best times for Tims.
The Bayern fans also showed their support for the GB with their banner at a recent home game that said – “Bayern Fans Back The Green Brigade # FAC !” – which I’m sure you’ve all seen….
I wish I could do the link-thing to demonstrate better….old foagie :(
Anyway – what a final to look forward to and hopefully there will be an even better one the following day :)
Zbyszek – I work with a lot of polish fholk and as far as I can see they are guid fholk – just like yer ghood self. One day when yer on I’ll have a chat with ye about some stuff and share my thought with ye. Oh, and don’t worry…I’m no the big bad wolf that some fholk on here would have you believe :)
Please keep posting M8….as for me…….
Have to go just now – back later mibbees
Hail Hail n God Bless – Off oot.
Hoopy Birthday kickinthenakas and Jamesy from Larkhall…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Morning All,
Many of you will be aware that a third bridge is being built at the river forth.
Voting for name the bridge is in place, from a short list provided.
St Margarets Bridge is one of the options.
Is the best wee country taking a step forward?
http://www.namethebridge.co.uk/
Have a great day HH
Vmhan , cheers
Jobo, I thought that was the modern way of doing things !?
It’s a list of those who have sponsored me for the bungee jump on 11th at braehead.
http://Www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/KanoBungee
Sanna
Dotmund=Dortmund
well oot of here :)
Golf post alert! Can anyone recommend a cheapish GPS distance measuring gadget that’s legal in competitions. Present for a mate.
Jobowalking2workCSC
PfAyr, good luck and enjoy.
I know it’s a passion of yours and I wish I had the time and inclination to do it . Enjoy your Guinness , you’ll have deserved it.
Sanna
Good morning CQNers,
Sad to see the heroic deeds of a priest dismissed so easily as ‘guff and tosh’, equally I’m dismayed some would dismiss the vandalism of a kids as some sort of lesser crime when compared to the list of injustices visited on Celtic and it’s supporters.
You can’t fight injustice with wanton acts of vandalism perpetrated by indisciplined youths,
On a positive note – well done to the Celtic youth team, something to be very proud about today,
Parkhead target is a man of intrigue
Celtic have been linked with a summer move for Serbian midfielder Adem Ljajic, who has remianed coy about his future despite his contract at Fiorentina having just one year left to run.
The Serie A club are still in pursuit of a Champions League spot but Ljajic has yet to commit to sticking around beyond the summer.
Such speculation is unlikely to daunt the 21-year-old, also a target of Everton, since he has already drawn plenty attention when he was banned from playing for Serbia after refusing to sing the national anthem ahead of a friendly with Spain.
His time in Italy has also brought intrigue, with former manager Delio Rossi incurring a three-month ban for punching Ljajic. The Serb had infuriated the coach by sarcastially applauding the decision to substitute him after just 32 minutes of a match with Novara.
hen1rik
totaly agree with you on that..deliberate from the msm to focus and distract from the real issues going on..i cant beleive that the klan should have been alowed this self investigation pash..just more time wasting and cover ups..the fact that no clubs even ours is condemming this and the sfa is a joke..surveys are being done but we need action before the season ends ..