Congratulations to Fraser Forster on his international call-up, I am absolutely delighted for him. It occurred to me that he left Sports Direct and Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley’s clutches on the cheap early this summer, while Ashley had other matters in Glasgow under consideration – partnering with Sevco.
It was with customary bombast that Sir David Murray announced the deal Rangers struck with JJB Sports in 2006 to offload the club’s retail and merchandise operations to the sports retailer. At a stroke the club banked £18m although subsequent dilapidation and redundancy costs ate into this figure. Celtic had previously rejected a similar deal, believing that securitising future revenue streams in this manner would only swap short-term for long-term problems.
That deal perished when Rangers liquidation was announced but the Newco acquired only one retail store (outside Ibrox) and no infrastructure in place. Instead, six weeks ago, Newco handed over retail operations to Sports Direct, who now operate its retail company, Rangers Retail Limited, and its online operation at rangersdirect.co.uk.
This deal was covered in local and retail press but lacked the bombast Murray would have brought to the occasion, perhaps because Ashley was aware that Celtic fans no longer felt comfortable spending their cash with JJB after the 2006 link-up. Better to keep this one low-profile so as not to cannibalise sales to Celtic fans.
Whether Ashley is part-owner of Newco or just their merchandising partner is moot, Sports Direct’s interests in the Scottish market are significantly entwined with The Rangers F.C.
It is unlikely the retailer had to pay as much as £18m up front to secure his new rights but their support will be absolutely critical in quickly building their partner club into a successful force. If they can do this while continuing to milk Celtic supporters they have knocked it off.
Chances of me buying the 125th Anniversary Kit from Sevco’s partner company are approaching zero. My Celtic budget is for the benefit of one club only, it will not help build The Rangers.
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Egon Ronay
ambles back up the brae from The Trossachs
NegAnon2
11:13 on 6 October, 2012
Lenny seems to hold him in high regard,but what would he know?
The Battered Bunnet
11:02 on 6 October, 2012
Overheard in a tourist pub/hotel
‘Look, like I’ve just explained to that other couple, we don’t serve food after 2.00pm because there’s no demand for it.’
Neganon2/ernie…,
To be honest Celtic is no longer needed, all objectives have been achieved, listening to some clowns slavering on about how proud Br Walfrid would be, he’s probably spinning in his grave at the excesses gone to and the obscenity that is modern fooball
Clashcitybhoy
It’s not bad advice, although I respectfully point out that they are not square, but in fact isosceles trapezoidal if prepared in the traditional butcher’s mould.
Colloquially, “isosceles trapezoid” is pronounced “Sliced”
:¬)
TBB
Wee restaurant in the Trossachs with Mrs K, “lunch is finished at 2 n we’re no daein dinner the night, the chefs aff wae food poisoning!”
Angry or relieved?
tomtheleeds
Still in my jammy skirt
bhoys/ghirls
i am currently in Mexico City coaching Cambodia in this year’s Homeless World Cup, if any tims are around this area pop down and support my boys and this great event.
Opening ceremony is at 10am local time and today’s opening game kicks off at 12 noon.
Guatamala v Cambodia is at 4.15.
jimmybhoycampbell
Richard Hughes ?.
History suggests that he is very fond of helping the the terminally ill. . When the inevitable occurs many are surprised that their inheritance is not quite what they were expecting .
On the subject of ‘customer service’ in eating establishments:
Say what you like about the Italians – go on!! – but when it comes to customer service they could teach the Scots a great deal! Yes they can be rude etc…
But –
Lunch service doesn’t suddenly stop at 2pm – it’s often only getting started! Was out for lunch recently with certain family members – as we were leaving at just before 3 others were arriving and being welcomed with open arms! Honestly!
Try turning up at a busy restaurant in Scotland with a wean in a buggy and see the reception you get! Over here you get the red carpet treatment! Not that that has happened to me for about 15 years ‘tho!
OK – plug over!
italiantouristboardCSC
Plaza de la Constitución in Mexico City to be exact….
Ha! Some good Scots’ Hospitality anecdotes. My own favourite is Sunday lunch at the Amulree Hotel some years ago, now under new ownership….
Arriving at the hotel:
“Are you serving lunch?”
“Yes, of course, just go straight through to the Dining Room”
The dining room is rather nice, with a great table at the far end set in the bay window looking out towards the Sma’ Glen. Perfect.
“I’m sorry Sir,” says Mine Host, “that table is set for Dinner. Please take another table.”
So we move table… and the chap comes over with the menus.
“May we order some drinks?” says I.
“Please order your drinks at the bar” says he.
So I walk over to the bar, where….
…Mine Host takes the drinks order.
Sunday Lunch comprised freshly prepared boil in the bag beef followed by (still) frozen cheesecake.
I understand Mine Host has developed his customer service skills such that he now chases overdue Council Tax for East Aryshire Council.
anyone, anywhere, got highlights of the Moscow game.
cant find them at all at all.
Wee bit of money for “King Of Paradise” 2.40 Redcar, 12’s into 8’s.
jimmybhoycampbell
11:42 on
6 October, 2012
bhoys/ghirls
i am currently in Mexico City coaching Cambodia in this year’s Homeless World Cup, if any tims are around this area pop down and support my boys and this great event.
Opening ceremony is at 10am local time and today’s opening game kicks off at 12 noon.
Guatamala v Cambodia is at 4.15.
jimmybhoycampbell
———————
fantastic post bud.
if only you had given us the venue i might have run a bus.
just kiddin, what your doing is tremendous.
BSR,
Happy birthday
keep the candles lit.
Bournesouprecipe pops round to Dello’s for a wee lunchtime pudding supper
We will be wearing the new white strip tomorrow,which is nice.
21-5-79, fourstonecoppi, hebcelt, row Z, yorkbhoy and finally The Exiled Tim –
thanks for all of your advice regarding cameras.
Off to do a wee bit of further research on your suggesions but knew that CQN wouldn’t let me down.
Jobo
The Battered Bunnet
12:03 on
6 October, 2012
Bournesouprecipe pops round to Dello’s for a wee lunchtime pudding supper
=========================================================
Is Greggs shut?
The one thing we don’t need on CQN is a fashion guru
We’ve already Gok Wan.
jimmybhoycampbell
Great post. The best of luck to you and your team
HH
jimmybhoycampbell
Good luck.
Mon the Cambodians in Mexico.
VP-Can you feel a podium coming on ?
Will there be a chant of ‘England’s no. 1’ tomorrow?
Saint Stivs
Thank you
HH
TBB
saccinfrassinrassinmassin
TBB
I am kind of glad you did not find a sports bag full of shooters or you would never be of television.
HH
I just had the misfortune to listen to the Soccer Saturday panel on Sky there for 5mins
They are so dense, they are destined for a job with Clyde SSB
BSR
Happy Birthday to you sir……….and to ole Gerry Adams
Teuchter ár lá
I’ve just properly sobered up after Tuesday night.
And the moral of the story is; don’t go on a bender with Jennie Bond after a good European result.
An ole Huddle down in ole Sevconia
Teuchter
Thank you – I’ve texted him ;-)
andrew67 @ 09:28
His substitutions ,won the match.
Taking of Wanyama and Mulgrew dissolved any threat of us being reduced to 10 men.
Both players were playing well.
Well if that’s the definition of tactical genius then the pub on Tuesday night was full of tatical geniuses. The game was won when the manager gave Georgi a start ahead of Forrest
Also good to see the manager in the papers this morning defending Dermot Desmond who is as much of a supporter of Celtic as anyone who says to the contrary no matter their opinions of themselves
Ole Egon Ronay – himself
C’mon the Albion!
The Stirling branch, that is!
Are they any good?
HH!!
afternoon
could anyone tell me how i can order a CQN golf tee shirt
seen it mentioned while lurking
thanks in anticapation
BB
BSR-Happy Birthday,and many more.HH
Stark choice for Huns
The Living Dead or This Living Hell
P