Today the Scottish Premier League will vote on proposals to allow a Newco to parachute straight into the top league in the country if an existing SPL club goes into liquidation. Fans from 11 of the 12 clubs have overwhelmingly opposed the idea. Rangers fans are split, some would prefer a Newco to apply to the Scottish Football League, others think a Newco should be allowed into the SPL without penalty.
Long before this vote was a glint in the eye of the SPL, it was first discussed on Celtic Quick News. Last October we raised the alarm that Rangers were undertaking an enormous charade. They were preparing to liquidate in order to avoid the consequences of failing to pay their taxes for over a decade.
We also predicted they would present the SPL with a fait accompli – vote us ‘back’ or suffer our scorched earth policy, as we take the rest of you down. For what it’s worth, I also predicted the league would capitulate and Celtic would stand alone in opposition.
10 of the 12 SPL clubs bank with Lloyds Banking Group (Celtic and Hearts excluded). For months I have suggested that LBG could threaten to withdraw overdraft facilities if clubs voted against the revenue Rangers bring but this is not the case. Clubs have a free vote, there is no banking overlord conspiring against democratic wishes, LBG, like the SFA Judicial Panel, have played this with a straight bat.
Right now, I have no idea how the vote will go. The proposal to establish procedures to allow a phoenix club straight into the league could be passed or rejected. If they are rejected, it may be because a majority would rather Newco was back without penalties, or it may be because clubs have listened to their fans and taken a stand.
If the vote goes against Rangers I expect we will see a rapid move to liquidate. If it goes in their favour (and by that I mean a parachute, with penalties, is invented for them), liquidation becomes a more attractive prospect, if not, actually, attractive.
They would still have to overcome potential challenges from creditors, security of Craig Whyte over Ibrox, and, of course, the many penalties that Newco would inherit along with the gift of Rangers SPL share. For now, this means last week’s SFA ban on signing players, but the alleged improper registration of players matter is coming over the hill soon, and the penalties for that… wow!
As I said, I have no idea which way the vote will go. Rangers are finished and it would genuinely be best for them if someone put them out of their misery and allowed them to start the recovery process, but in the light of the intimidation of Raith Rovers last week, it remains to be seen if the other SPL clubs are up to the task.
Most of us called last week’s SFA punishment wrong, what do you think will happen today?
Huge day. Huge, huge, day.
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ASonOfDan – Bartley is like a low-rent Nacho Novo.
Novo was a ned who could play football a bit.
Bartley is just a ned. (thumbsup)
Lads do you know what amazes me about RFC ?
They make a complaint because Kyle Bartley was racially abused on twitter but when will they make a statement regarding our fans getting racially abused from their fans about the famine song.
Why didn’t the club release a statement when Kyle Bartley made a remark on twitter last week about the girl who was raped by his footballing friend Ched Evans.
On the Indian curry theme
“We`re havin chappati, when Rangers die
coat
Archie McKeevins @ArchieMcKeevins
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· Close Open Details Very reliable source says Bill Miller bid will be accepted and #RFC will be liquidated in next 48hrs
The Mysterious Past And Recruitment Of Stewart Regan
Details Published on Monday, 30 April 2012 06:47 Written by JCS
In July 2010 the weather was rather dismal. There was some infrequent sunshine, but long suffering Glaswegians mostly had to deal with spells of scattered showers and heavy rain. Nothing new as far as Glasgow weather goes, but the month turned out to be more depressing still when on Wednesday, 28th July it was announced that Stewart Regan had been appointed as the Chief Executive of the Scottish Football Association.
Mr. Regan, a native of County Durham, joined the SFA after four years as Chief Executive of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club. But even before his appointment was ratified – even before the ink was dry on his lucrative contract – his appointment was shrouded in mystery and controversy.
It is alleged that the recruitment and selection process (if, indeed it can be called that) was subverted by individuals who consciously ‘touted’ Regan for the job. Many believe that Regan was ‘hand-picked’ for the job and was urged, initially by telephone, to apply for the post. During that infamous phone call, it was suggested to him that he might wish to apply for the SFA job, and later it is alleged the caller went much further and specifically invited him to apply for the job, which of course he did to the everlasting detriment of Scottish football and Rangers FC in particular.
Not long after his appointment, the rather suspicious link between Kevin Reid (John Reid’s son) and his best buddy Paul Nolan of Nolan Partners (who helped the SFA to recruit Regan) was uncovered by our own Rangers Media, and we now know of course that Regan and Peter Lawwell worked together during their time as employees at Coors Brewers. We also know that Nolan Partners is a business supplier to Celtic, and that the rumour mill suggested that the SFA committee tasked with finding a new Chief Executive was headed by Eric Riley, a prominent Celtic director. Some might, therefore, conclude that Regan’s appointment was a stitch up.
Not a very auspicious start for Stewart Regan, and a highly dubious appointment made in the total absence of the transparency and openness that Mr. Regan so recklessly and glibly espouses.
Upon his appointment he said, “I am aware there is currently a great debate on the way forward for Scottish football and it is my intention to bring all the relevant parties closer together to achieve the obvious common goal of improving the overall standard of the No.1 sport in this country”. A laudable objective, but one that he has signally failed to achieve!
Was Stewart Regan the right man for the job or is he simply the Lawwell lapdog that we all believe him to be? The available evidence would, perhaps, suggest the latter. In fact it would not be unfair to say that the ‘relevant parties’ he referred to in his inaugural statement are as far apart as ever, and the Scottish game irreparably damaged, fractured and factionalised under his abysmal stewardship and his blinkered partisan support for all things from the Dark Side.
For instance Lawwell’s appointment to the SFA’s new Professional Game Board was greeted with considerable suspicion by many, given the bitter and acrimonious legal disputes between the two organisations over disciplinary procedures and, particularly, their vitriolic clashes over the Dougie McDonald affair. Other high profile disputes characterized their relationship up to the point at which Lawwell was appointed to the Professional Game Board.
A Celtic statement read: “It is well known that following events last year, Celtic called for a fundamental review of the processes and procedures within the SFA. We fully supported Stewart Regan’s plan for reform and we feel that the creation of this new board is a very positive outcome of the SFA’s own review. Peter Lawwell, on behalf of Celtic Football Club, will be pleased to accept this invitation to join the professional game board.”
You can bet your life he is! Yes, I’m quite sure he is tickled pink to think that he now has an influential ‘foot’ in the SFA camp and ready access to its malleable and gullible Chief Executive, Stewart Regan. I wonder would he have been so pleased, and Celtic so willing to ‘bury the hatchet’, had he been excluded from this prestigious, hand-picked committee?
However, we should not be so surprised by Stewart Regan’s courtship of Peter Lawwell and Celtic, or his antipathy to all things Rangers, after all Mr. Regan is no stranger to intrigue, controversy and scandal as his tenure as Chief Executive of Yorkshire County Cricket Club suggests.
In April last year the English press reported on the conclusion of a libel action which detailed an alleged plan, to launch a Twenty20 cricket league in England reportedly worth £1.2 billion. The plan was called ”Project Victoria” and many believe, had it come to fruition, the proposal would have irreparably damaged English cricket.
It is alleged that the plan was revealed by Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League, during a meeting in Delhi on 31st March 2010 with Stewart Regan, then the Chief Executive of Yorkshire CCC, and two of his professional colleagues, Colin Povey, chief executive of Warwickshire CCC, and David Hodgkiss, the treasurer of Lancashire CCC. Regan took notes of the meeting with Modi and representatives of IMG, the international sports marketing firm, and subsequently produced a minute of the Delhi meeting that he then circulated to Giles Clarke, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board under cover of an email dated 2nd May 2010.
When he had fully absorbed Stewart Regan’s email, and the attached minute of the Delhi meeting, Giles Clarke was so shocked by its content that he described Project Victoria as ”destructive of the structure of world cricket, especially in England. Some days later, on 8 May 2010, he wrote to Mr Shashank Manohar, the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) alleging a plot to destroy the structure of world cricket, and as a result of his accusations, Lalit Modi, was charged with financial impropriety and suspended as vice president of the BCCI and barred from participating in the affairs of the Board or the Indian Premier League.
In light of Regan’s involvement with Modi at the Delhi meeting, the Chairman of Yorkshire CCC, Colin Graves, moved at light speed to distance his club from the scandal. The Delhi trip, he said, “Was a fact-finding mission. Lalit Modi did not put a proposition on the table. There were no secret proposals, no secret agenda, nothing underhand.” Oh really?
His statement is in stark contrast to the view of English cricket supremo Giles Clark, and it should be noted that Graves was not at the Delhi meeting and is solely reliant on Regan’s account of what took place.
“We attended that meeting in an educational capacity, as we wished to learn more about how the IPL has gone from nowhere to being one of the biggest sporting businesses in the world inside two years,” said Regan immediately after the BCCI made public the accusations against Modi. Thereafter he made it clear that he would not comment any further and he has been true to his word – his lips remain sealed!
I have been unable to obtain a copy of the minutes of the Delhi meeting and it is, therefore, impossible to establish what actually passed between Modi, Regan and his two colleagues. However, Regan’s role remains the subject of speculation and suspicion in some quarters, and questions continue to be asked about how he (and his colleagues) could have been so naïve – so gullible – as to continue to participate in a meeting which was so potentially explosive for English cricket. Remember, this was not a mere ‘spot-fixing’ scandal but a major conspiracy described as ruinous for English cricket.
Giles Clarke maintains that Regan’s notes of the Delhi meeting provides clear evidence that Modi had presented the English counties with a commercial proposition wherein if they supported his idea, the IPL would guarantee each county a minimum of $3-5 million per annum plus a staging fee of $1.5 million. An incredible and very attractive inducement to undermine the existing cricket regime in England!
If that is the case, and knowing the full implications of Modi’s proposals, why did Regan not withdraw from the meeting? Why did he not tell Modi that he was exceeding his remit? Why did he not explain to Modi that this was purely an ‘educational’ exchange? Why did he not tell Modi that he did not have the authority to broker any agreement? Why did he not tell Modi that his plans would be extremely detrimental to English cricket? In other words, why did he not tell Modi ‘where to get off?’
Stewart Regan seems to lurch haplessly from one crisis to another and the ‘Delhi incident’ certainly has not enhanced his credibility – if, indeed, he ever had any! His judgement and competence is suspect, and as each day passes it becomes more apparent that he is incapable of providing the innovative leadership that the SFA so desperately needs. He is a bumbler and a buffoon; a comic character with no charisma and no clout. His position as Chief Executive of an organisation constantly ridiculed and under relentless attack by all and sundry, is fast becoming untenable, and what little respect he may have had, has all but disappeared.
His unholy alliance with the evil empire at Parkhead and his willingness to ‘kow tow’ to the dark and dangerous forces who seek the demise of our great club is repugnant. Prime amongst those dark forces is Regans sycophantic and Machiavellian buddy Peter Lawwell, a man well versed in the art of sophistry – the clever use of arguments which seem true but are really false in order to deceive people.
There is no doubt that Regan has been deceived by Lawwell and others, although I believe that he is content to be deceived. Indeed, I think that was the purpose of his appointment – he is the ideal patsy!
I conclude this article with the prescient words of Oliver Cromwell. I think our Chief of Men may have had some presentiment about Regan and the SFA when he made this speech to the Long Parliament in 1653.
It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonoured by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches and would, like Esau, sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money. In the name of God, go!
I demand that Regan take Oliver Cromwell’s sound advice, and go now!
above From Rangers Media
HH..
Still rejoicing after yday.. Work a jhoy this morning and just the 4 papers at lunch.. !!
I think the procrastination( not bad word for a Monday ) is no one wishes to be “THE ONE” who pulled the trigger and liquidates them..
It’s becoming embarrassing and I for one, love EVERY second..
Great pics in paper of the APOCALYPSE banners.. Superb.. Not as superb as the dodgers STUNNED silence.. It ll live with me long…
Well done Green brigade..
HH
adi_dasler – Taj took over from Shish Myfatherlahore
:) (thumbsup)
rangersmedia have outdone themselves today with their article on Stewart Regan and his ‘mysterious’ links to Celtic.
Absolute topper!
Philvis – thought the Indian was Delhi’s Walls!
Sonn to be renamed-
Chapati’s Over
Hail hail
Starry
The Tap Room probably gets more visits these days from the local constabulary than any other hostelry in Hamilton. Went in for lunch once and wouldn’t go back!
Awe_Naw_
It was either Declan or Celtictaxcase who have written that as a wind-up!
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo – Has anybody asked Stewart Regan what school he went to? (thumbsup)
midfield maestro
Really looking forward to Thursday night. I hope as many of us as can will make the game to give them a tremendous welcome.
The clip of them celebrating Mulgrew’s goal is my favourite today.
Not an entirely wasted morning…
SPL clubs have agreed new sanctions against teams who fail to settle outstanding bills with other member clubs by the end of each calendar year.
At a general meeting, a new rule was introduced requiring clubs to ‘have no outstanding sums due to other SPL clubs as at 31 December in any year’.
Failure to do so would constitute a breach of SPL rules with punishments ranging from fines, points deductions to expulsion from the league.
Other rules to be introduced include from next season include, pitch protection rules will be introduced to minimise the risk of damage to pitches during pre-match warm-ups.
New media co-operation rules will also be put in place to ensure clubs co-operate with SPL broadcast partners.
Great result yesterday, just wish we hadnt stopped at 3-0 there was defo the possibility of a cricket score. As Hamish in braveheart says “I could crush you, like a worum”.
Crushed they were but 5-0 would of been nice even tho id have taken 1-0 before ko.
From BBC.
Former SPL chief executive Roger Mitchell believes a solution will be eventually be found that keeps Rangers in the top flight.
He told BBC Radio Scotland: “The clubs vote principally through self-interest and they will all have had a word with their bank managers, who will have said ‘whatever you do, make sure you still have revenue from a television deal and from Rangers fans coming through the turnstyles’.
“Rangers and Celtic basically finance the whole of the Scottish game.
“If you were looking at it on principal, Rangers should go to the Third Division if they go into liquidation, there is no doubt about that.
“However, it’s 60 shades of grey in life, not black and white.
“And you can’t expect clubs to shoot themselves in the foot. They would like to punish Rangers, their fans would love them to, but the real politic is that they are going to have to find a solution.”
Five will get you ten that the SPL will craw it and THEY, newco or no newco will be welcomed back with open arms.
hen1rik on 30 April, 2012 at 12:53 said:
Just watched that video right through also with the sound up.
Our club should be asking why do we pay thousands for match day policing when the police just stand by watching hun after hun break the law.
Regarding the huns jumping and clapping their hands while eh…peeing.
I can confirm there was never any danger of splashback because strathclydes finest sent a few officers in to eh…lend a helping hand for which ever hun needed it.
I can confirm that during the toilet wrecking strathclyde police now have pee on their hands.
On another note….
Barry Robson wins Boro’s POTY award.
Lucas Podolski to join Arsenal.
http://www.scotprem.com/content/default.asp?page=home_Fixtures
The game is being shown on BBC Alba on Thursday.
Now managed to get a decent photo of the ‘Four Horsemen’ saved as the wallpaper for my phone.
Looks bloody brilliant!
They have wanted Regan out for months, they know times are changing and they can’t handle it.
After the Aulko dive they knew things were changing and they don’t like it 1 bit so they make up any old sh**e.
They call us paranoid ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Ron Bacardi
I’ve just left Penrith after about 12 years.
Take care it can be a nasty wee town, though back in my drinking days I did drink with most of the nutters, well the older ones.
Predominantly Hun if anything, some of the 2nd or 3rd generation really bitter. I almost got a doing a couple of times simply for being a Celtic fan, but luckily my friendship with afore mentioned nutters stood me in good stead.
Currently the only pub that regularly shows Celtic games is the Robin Hood. Usually 4or 5 Tims watchiing the game on the TV at the back, while English games shown on other screens. But wee Davie who has recently taken the pub opposite Spar (cant remember name, memory is shit) is great Celtic fan. I used to drive up to Gretna with him to watch the UEFA cup games on BBC 2 Scotland.
And Bob the owner of The Druids is a big Hearts fan who is strongly against sectarianism, even if his family are all Huns :)))
Are we the Cavelliers or Roundheads :)
What is it with football parasites having an inability to countenance doing the moral and decent correct proper and right thing ?
Hail HAil
ASonOfDan – rangersmedia have outdone themselves today with their article on Stewart Regan and his ‘mysterious’ links to Celtic.
It is brilliant.
Like the hunnish equivalent of one of those 10-page James Forrest specials where he goes on and on, like a Che Guevara-themed Duracell bunny, about how anybody to the right of Leon Trotsky is a racist fascist bigot and kitten molester, and how this is all somehow relevant to Rangers being baddies.
So Stewart Regan’s “mysterious links” to Celtic are:
* he knows Peter Lawwell.
* Peter Lawwell, the chief executive of the biggest club in the league, also sits on an SFA committee with his peers
Also, Regan once may have floated an idea for English cricket that at least one person disagreed with. Sounds like a rum character to me.
The truth is out there. (thumbsup)
Saint Stivs on 30 April, 2012 at 13:24………
By……….. Ildefonso Falcones…..
Its high on my list……Really!
Mostly doing some re-reading for now (e.g. The Committee) as availability is not that great; reason why on our return (to Cebu) my case (usually) is loaded with books and Celtic give-aways and my slightly better looking other half has case(s) full of ‘sensible’ stuff, you know, mosquito repellent and suchlike !!!!
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
The Sunday Times Rich List reveals there are five people living with 10-figure fortunes north of the Border – up from two last year.
And considering the state of rangers not one of them is a hun it appears…
Hector-MurdochauldandHay – Cavaliers.
The Roundheads were the 17th century Taliban. (thumbsup)
Honestly listening to that video they deserve everything that comes their way.
On Saturday’s Parade,for Parade it was, to Hampden, a banner proclaimed, that the SFA was killing Scottish Football.
Such concern for the good of the Scottish game was heart warming.
Or it would have been, if only some of those on Parade had not been among those who only few years ago were pledging their allegiance to the Three Lions in preference to the Lion Rampant. That of course was before the advent of Wattie and Ally being in charge at Hampden.
philvisreturns
‘Like the hunnish equivalent of one of those 10-page James Forrest specials where he goes on and on, like a Che Guevara-themed Duracell bunny, about how anybody to the right of Leon Trotsky is a racist fascist bigot and kitten molester, and how this is all somehow relevant to Rangers being baddies.’
I know you managed to clear your name regarding ‘racist fascist bigot’ but I thought the jury was still out on you regarding the ‘kitten molester’ bit. :0)
ASonOfDan – I prefer the term “kitten lover”. (thumbsup)
philvisreturns on 30 April, 2012 at 13:47 said:
You are a twisted genius…….fine work!!
Hector-MurdochauldandHay on 30 April, 2012 at 13:44 said:
Are we the Cavelliers or Roundheads :)
Back then we were the victims
Today we are interested Onlookers
The Onlooker
philvisreturns on 30 April, 2012 at 13:47 said:
In the wake of Dougie and Dallas gates, a letter writer to The Herald warned Reagan to watch his back.
hamiltontim on 30 April, 2012 at 13:35 said:
Sounds about right I haven’t spoken to my Brother in Law since he told me Neil Lennon brings it on himself!!