When asked on Twitter four years ago how Rangers were granted a licence to play European football in season 2011-12 when they were overdue with HMRC, SFA chief executive, Stewart Regan, replied, “If someone sends you a bill you disagree with then you do not accept it was overdue”.
Any business is allowed to dispute a tax demand, but former Rangers director, Donald McIntyre’s evidence at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday was clear, Rangers had accepted liability for unpaid PAYE and National Insurance claims in connection with the Wee Tax Case (DOS) in 2010.
If, as Regan suggests, Rangers misrepresented this fact to the SFA Licencing Committee in their March 2011 application, the Association now have action to consider.
If you have been around this story for the best part of the last decade you will recall a number of us writing on the perilous state of Rangers finances while the club was under the control of Sir David Murray. This was robustly disputed by the club at the time, but in his evidence McIntyre noted that, under Murray, the club appointed an insolvency expert to ensure they were not trading illegally.
Just one month before the sale of the club to Craig Whyte in May 2011, in an email produced by Craig Whyte’s counsel, Donald Findlay, Mr Mike McGill of Murray Holdings, advised that “it would appear forecasts for club have deteriorated, we will breach bank facility”.
Asked by Findlay if “HMRC were coming for the club and were after blood”, McIntyre said “Yes.” The directors of Oldco Rangers omitted this sentiment from their public comments at the time.
Rangers were a football club running a perilous financial strategy from the 1990s until liquidation was eventually confirmed in 2012. They established a mindset, not only in their own support, but in parts of ours too, that spending money you couldn’t afford on casino football was the only acceptable way clubs should behave.
You still hear the echoes of those times, from Willie Henderson’s request that Newco spend £50m, to comments a lot closer to home when Celtic fail to win a football game.
Please remember that while it is OK to report evidence discussed at court, you should not comment on matters pertaining to the charges against Craig Whyte.
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Mad Max
Return to Hunderdome
HH jamesgang
Bicycle Thieves
Big Jimmy
Michael Johnstone got me off my seat like Patrick Roberts does. Thought he was magic.
Thunder road
You have a huge heart. Follow (not folllow follow!) it my Fhriend.
HH jamesgang
Hum movies
Reservoir Dobs
HH
KTF
UTLR
Naw Gaz that’s haemorrhoids pal! Or a jaggy splinter!
Though he was super good I’ll grant you!
;-)
HH jamesgang
:))))))
Hunnish sitcom
Hello Hello – where apparently unassuming types rip the piss and titles from under the noses of Huns.
HH jamesgang
The Taxman Always Rings Twice
One Flew Over the Bigotdome
James
Haha. Hope you are well.
Saw you on BBC1 recently (not Crimewatch) :)
A career in media is yours if you want it Mr Photogenic.
HH
The close ups of the Sevco bench was like a scene from “Still Game”with the wee neds.
“Hiv a drink man”
Last of the Mock-Hee-Huns
DD
Love brother.
My aim is to be Scotland’s first president!
Like the Irish version. No nuclear buttons and shoite, just shaking hands before matches!!!!
Need you as my chief of staff!!
;-)
HH jamesgang
Murty to his bench,
“Get sready,we can still win this”
“Naw we canny”.
Look,I”m in charge”
“Naw ye urny”
“You wont play again”
“Aye a wull”
Hunfight at the Oaky Coral
Huns of Never Owing
That Bhoy Nesbit should make the squad next season as he has flair.Experience and muscle will make a big difference to him.
Ralston is a tank and looked like a man against boys tonight.
Miller has frightening pace and good crossing ability.
McIlduff snuffed out the wonder kid Attaki and had him in his pocket the entire second half .
I like that this season he have made progression and tactical nous a priority over winning.
Our coaching has gone up a notch since Brendans arrival.
I honestly think we don’t need to sign to many players as the core we have and youth coming through is very exciting.
Ajer should establish himself next season in defense.
Right back is our weak area but expect Gamboa and Ralston to strengthen that side.
An experienced midfield conductor and a top quality striker needed and thats where we should be willing to spend.
The future is bright.
All Quiet on the Trophy Front.
Hackers
The Losers
(in the) RED.
HH
Michael Johnstone looks the real deal.Terrific control,blistering pace and acceleration.A lot going for him.
James
Shoulder to shoulder we stand, chieftan!
HH
O Brothers , Where Art Thou?
‘Mind the gap’ and recent posts considered!
Jamesgang: great to see you posting regularly again.
Where’s Livibhoy?
Animal House.
Big Trouble In Little Govan……………..
Weans win Youth Cup – very well done!
The dirty dozen
Four Court Cases and another Funeral?
Everything you wanted to know about tax but were afraid to ask.
No Casino Royale
(Our) Local Hero.
Yorkbhoy,
Some crackers from you neebs :D
HH
DD
Love
Almore
Good to see you all mo chara. I Miss livibhoy. A v thoughtful and erudite young man. Reckon he’ll pop up in a few years as a head teacher.
HH jamesgang
Huns on the run
Honey I Shrunk The Club
The last king was seen in scotland
Big(cup)
Thought Aiden Nesbit was a class act tonight.
Thunder Road,
Or the much used lying king :)
HH