Some weeks ago I received a painting of Neil Lennon in the post from US based artist, Joseph Gormley. We put it onto eBay this week to get our launch our 2012 charity fundraising efforts. As well as a couple of local charities we will again donate to the Martin Chambers Ecuador Trust and Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. After so many Celtic fans have been touched by three kids, Oscar, Niamh and Vanessa, this year we added The Neuroblastoma Alliance who do research work into the childhood cancer.
The auction raised an incredible £5000. When I contacted the winning bidder and discussed some of the stories behind the beneficiaries I had to insist he took the painting, he was so affected he wanted to return it for another auction to raise more money. Joseph Gormley was so inspired by the success of the auction he has already offered to paint other subjects for us and I have a jersey signed by the Seville team in the pipeline.
So, if you were one of those who bid an incredible amount but were pipped at the post (and there were a few in this category), there will be another chance soon.
Running this blog gives me the privilege of witnessing so many great works, most of which come with the request of anonymity. It’s a real honour.
Well done and thank you.
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IF the Express story is true, then why are D&P distancing Miller by courting the Blue Knights again?
JJ
Still waiting.
MWD
MWD
I’d cut if for a pint of stella ;-) mmmm, HH
hamiltontim, just a couple of short points.
Firstly, your early morning posting was really wonderful and you are rightly receiving loads of praise for that. One day I’ll pluck up the nerve to post something similar about my own background.
Secondly, given that I’ve regularly bailed you out with the link to the Kano predictor site I think the least you can do is tell me where you are on the current leaderboard ;-)
MWD
You’re dead right my friend but in place of the words bigotry and sectarianism in your post, replace them with cheating and stealing.
How does that sit now?
Vmhan
Only if your paying :-)
Been looking to meet you for a while but it always seems that we’re out at different times.
Jungle Jim on 22 April, 2012 at 09:43 said:
My own choice of banner would be less subtle but equally humiliating.
It would simply read.
‘THEY SLOPED THE PACK MAN’.
From Alex Thomson via RTC…
Saturday 21 April 2012
2:46 pm
Alex Thomson
415Rate this
OK so they have a robust cultural approach to all manner of things in the US – but this is ridiculous.
Bill Miller clearly believes he’s the only credible pitch to take over Rangers but he also seems to believe he can hang any number if patently ridiculous conditions to secure preferred bidder status.
The administrators must be having a Friday afty laff a minute – were it not for the fact that their nightmare world is already imploding into a mire if law-suits and smoky-mirrored bids – a land of posture and bragging.
So today Windy Miller – windy in the Chicago sense? – said he’d buy the stricken club but only if the Scottish football authorities abandon current possible plans to impose greater points penalties on clubs which cannot manage their money.
Oh – and just to get the party jumpin’ he’s demanding that Rangers stays in the SPL, with no loss of previous titles. i.e. which effectively means the outcome of any SPL investigation into player registration be decided in Rangers favour or be stopped.
Perhaps somebody told Mr Miller that in Scotland they’ll just tear up the entire rule-book just to let you buy the club. That Scottish football’s governing bodies are just a bunch of patsies who’ll roll over and die just to conserve Rangers in the Scottish Premier League at whatever cost?
I think a case could indeed once have been made along such lines but evidence today that things are getting a wee bit more robust these days at the Hampden Park stadium where Scotland’s football bosses are based.
Today they were not quite laughing at Mr Miller’s proverbial gun-at-the-temple. Not quite. The Scottish Football Association pointed out that whatever Mr Miller said he has not, in fact, made any contact with the SFA.
Miller says he will do so by Monday, and whatever Rangers’ Administrators may have to say this is from the SFA direct – double sourced and on the record. My money’s with Hampden.
Mr Miller himself seems to be dumping shares and going liquid across the board if recent New York Stock Exchange activity means what it seems.
The Scottish Premier League won’t comment officially as yet, which is a little odd. My hvnch would have been that very public rejection of anybody trying to hand conditions like this on a bid serves the interests of football. It’s a no brainer.
That’s the only worrying part, the unwillingness of Scottish football to openly laugh off someone who wants to own a club on these terms.
What’s alarming is that anyone out there – even in the land of soccer – can think for one second that Rangers (if they are liable on tax and registration issues) can possibly exist in the Premier League without major points deduction and loss of a lot of silverware – as a bare minimum for what they would have been liable for.
Bhoys
It is in the MSM, so it must be true :-)
Anyway
Celtic v Queen of the South, SFA Youth Cup final, Hampden.
Monday, April 23, kick-off 7.30pm. Cash gate £5/£2.
Cmon you U19 Bhoys in green!!!
HH
CRC
While I obviously don’t want to hear any news that they have even a glimmer of hope of surviving, am I not right in saying that Auldheid yesterday said that the SPL (as opposed to the SFA) had a duty to speak to the likes of Miller. Maybe that is all that is happening.
The Daily Express could be making it up. Or maybe Bill Miller is a stalking horse for the Blue Knights – let him have the discussions around his wild and wacky plan and hint that there is a deal for no punishment at all on the table. Then they ride in with something a little more sensible. A set of fairly minor penalties is applied and we all think that it could have been worse.
Anyway, it’s a strange game today. It means nothing to us especially as there is no cup final to work towards. I can see a couple of youngsters getting a chance today. But then it’s always nice to beat Motherwell, especially given who their manager is.
Jobo
Last I looked I was so far off the top you could have called me Dunfermline!!
Until you began sorting me out I rarely submitted my predictions. So that and the fact that I’m pssshhh poor at it have contributed greatly to my lowly status :-)
HT
That is exactly my point. You reinforce it well.
Our suspicions have always been tweaked but in the face of evidence and proof of stealing & cheating while going unpunished. That for me is march too far. I won’t be accepting that.
MWD
ParkheadcumsalfordwhoisNeilLennonand PaulMcBrideandTrishGodman on 22 April, 2012 at 09:55 said:
They may have a duty to talk to MIller, but what exactly did they say?
Regarding the advancement of prize money to RFC…
…If this money is to prevent them from being liquidated, which would have the effect of cancelling relegation from the SPL this year, then couldn’t Dunfermline claim that such action was clearly prejudicial to their interests?
In effect, the SPL would be aiding one club at the expense of another.
Vmhan
How is TCD and his family?
HH
CRC
ItaliaBhoy on 22 April, 2012 at 09:58 said:
They are already paving the way to aid one club, regardless of the past cost to all others.
Paul MacC
ultra vires indeed ..
Doncaster needs hounded for this blatant chicanery
a vote of no confidence ..
not unless the other members know what he is doing ?
ht –
ah, found you now…
Italiabhoy
they`ve been doing that for years anyway …it`s just now a bit more obvious and urgent
“I would prefer to fail with Honour than to win by cheating”
GordonJ
nice …damned essential i detest those trumpets
Serge on 22 April, 2012 at 10:06 said:
Apologies. Still need to dig out those Celtic tops for you. Will have a wee look today
HH
CRC
HT
Maybe the SPL should let them in without penalty. Rather than underhanded refereeing just give ever other club a 15/20 point deduction at start of season so Celtic and the rest start on -15/-20 points. I reckon on occassion that is what the refs have been worth to them per season either by decisions going for them or against us.
If they made their cheating, stealing and dishonesty that open would you put your hand in your pocket to support it.
For me, that is exactly what they would be doing.
MWD
What is your favourite Celtic Hat-Trick (goals)??
This is mine, Every goal sensational.
Bellamy v Dundee United
MWD
As do you :-)))
Depending on the outcome with regards the huns I will start to boycott away games. But it won’t be in perpetuity, it will be targeted at specific clubs.
I will not stop buying my season ticket though because I refuse to punish my club as a consequence of their cheating mate.
Paddy Gallagher on 22 April, 2012 at 09:42 said:
If they negotiate parachute terms I hope there are no strings attached.
Paddy –
Brilliant!! Spat my tea over my lappy – ta muchly!
Ulcyr
Who is claiming that the SPL have agreed anything……nobody, although a lone journalist in a paper that has a market share of approx 1% is claiming a deal is close
Who is claiming that the SPL are outlining the parameters of what sanctions might be……D &P, although they make no claims about what these parameters are, at the same time as dismissing the possibility of a sanction free entry for newco
There needs to be a bit of emotion taken out of this. Doncaster cannot
agree anything ahead of the SPL member clubs voting on the 30th. He doesn’t have the authority to deliver rule changes, and rule changes will be required if Newco is to play in the SPL
Jobo
Ye you need to scroll really, really far down to find me!!
hamiltontim on 22 April, 2012 at 10:15 said:
So you’ll reserve the right to do everything in your power to express your disgust short of doing anything which might impair your enjoyment.
CRC
Thanks mate, No worries plenty time yet i’m in the desert for another 6 or 7 weeks. Just when you get a chance. HH
HT,
I don’t normally post in the mornings, i’m usually too busy with my daily apologies to Mrs JQB. She really is sainted to put up with me.
However, just on to say that’s a beautiful post, straight from the heart. It sounds like you’re parents gave your family riches beyond measure.
Respect and thanks
See yous later
JQB
HT
But you would if Celtic signed AMcG? Did you feel the same about Alfie Conn, Kenny Miller, Elvis?
What if you found out Celtic did nothing to stop their re-admittance or Yoda forbid actively supported them being re-admitted?
MWD
Would like to see a few young players get a game from now till the end of the season. Can’t see many today though with the youth cup final tomorrow.
I would like to see NL forget those players who won’t be here next season. Those who will be here and have a future should always get in ahead of the maybees.
Heard that Forster won’t be signing for us. If true a shame but don’t play him again.
What a load of old cobblers from the express
” Miller said: “My offer is contingent upon the regulatory bodies agreeing the club will begin play in the 2012/13 season in the SPL and they will do so without any loss of points and with all historic titles intact.
“It is my strong view that Rangers and their fans should not continue to be punished in the future for the past failures of others.”
The main stumbling block with all the bidders is the administrators can’t guarantee that current owner Craig Whyte will sell his shares to any parties vying to gain control of his club.
Miller has refused to talk to Whyte or even consider an offer from Ticketus, who are owed £24m from future season ticket sales. The ticket company have talked to Ng and the Blue Knights.
Miller admitted: “In order to preserve the history, records, championships and assets, I will put the ‘heart’ of the club into an ‘incubator’ company while Duff and Phelps work to make the ‘sick patient’ healthy through a CVA process.
“Once the CVA process has been completed and the patient is on the mend, the administrators will return Rangers Football Club plc to me for a nominal sum.
“The healthy heart and the healthy patient (The Rangers Football Club plc) will then be reunited through merger.”
The Singaporean interest hit out at the long-running administration process.
Ng said: “With a deep sense of regret and with empathy to fellow Gers, we hereby announce our decision not to continue with the pursuit of Rangers FC.
“Recent developments in the bidding process, with unwarranted and unexplained delays, have prompted our withdrawal.
“We may re-launch our bid if the administrators fail to reach any agreement with the current bidders.”
Sale Sharks chief Kennedy has left his bid on the table and said: “I don’t think my offer is much different to the US bid as it is a guaranteed £10m. The administrators know where I am.”
Meanwhile, the SFA will not announce their findings into Whyte being a fit and proper person until next week.
Barcabhoy on 22 April, 2012 at 10:17 said:
‘Who is claiming that the SPL have agreed anything……nobody, although a lone journalist in a paper that has a market share of approx 1% is claiming a deal is close’
Quite.
Still, it gives them a different angle, fills some inches and generates a bit of publicity (if only to remind people that the Express is still in existence).
And, let’s be fair, there’s been far more ridiculous stories published about the huns recently.
Barcabhoy
Thanks!
McCoist from BBC website:
“We are in the wrong so we have to go and abide by the decisions that are taken upon us.
“We’re just hopeful that the powers that be are – I’m loathed to use the word sympathetic – but realistic of the situation.
“A lot of the problems that we’re in aren’t down to the club, the majority of problems that we’re faced with at the moment are down to individual mistakes and individual errors within the club.
“And we can only hope that the SFA or the SPL are, not lenient as such, but are fair with us because we are in the wrong and we deserve to take whatever we get but we just hope that there’s a bit of fairness about the whole thing.”
Shall we make the venue for any investigation the committee room in Queen’s Park Bowling and Tennis Club?
Paddy Gallagher on 22 April, 2012 at 09:42 said:
“If they negotiate parachute terms I hope there are no strings attached.”
Excellent.
With or without your permission, I will be using that line