I enjoy Roddy Forsyth’s articles and broadcasts but I’m staggered at today’s article in The Telegraph. The initial headline read “Scottish clubs fear bankruptcy if Rangers are stripped of titles for tax avoidance”, but was amended to “SPL (sic.) clubs fear they will be hurt financially themselves if Rangers stripped of titles”.
Justification for this claim lies with the fact that clubs who lost a cup final to Rangers during their tax evasion (not avoidance) era, may have to pay a win bonus to players, which would be enough to tip them into bankruptcy.
These clubs would, we are told, prefer to sit tight as runners up, than be awarded a cup win. One chairman told Roddy, “Celtic might be able to afford that but nobody else could”.
Nobody else could afford a win bonus, so let’s not impose the unwelcome burden of winning on them! Consider what that makes supporters of these clubs!
Another chairman told Roddy, “my view is that the EBT scheme was questionable and maybe even reckless from the start but they were given expert advice and they acted on it”. “Questionable”, “reckless”, I think the word you’re looking for is illegal. Paul Baxendale-Walker’s expert advice was only one aspect of his flamboyant commercial undertakings.
Documentation was also hidden from HMRC, the SFA and SPL, and as ‘Mr Black’ told the Tax Tribunal, the ruse was designed to recruit better players. Who win more trophies.
Falkirk, Queen of the South, Dundee, St Mirren, Dundee United, Motherwell and Ayr United all lost finals to an EBT-fuelled Rangers, as well as Celtic, of course. Let’s hear from any of them who don’t want the matter formally examined. And let the door slam on their backside on the way out of competitive sport. Forget what’s happening in Russia, this is going on TODAY in Scotland!
If any of these clubs are campaigning for Rangers to keep their EBT trophies, it’s important their fans know about it. Roddy doesn’t suggest his two chairmen-sources come from any of these clubs, in fact, he describes them as “SPL” chairmen, the former name for our top flight.
So who are they?
Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee United and Hearts can all be excluded from consideration. Think what you like about any of these clubs, but I cannot imagine any of their chairpersons considering this nonsense. Which leaves:
Kilmarnock. Michael Johnston is no longer chairmen, that role is fulfilled by Jim Mann.
Partick Thistle: David Beattie.
Motherwell: Brian McCafferty.
Inverness: Kenny Cameron.
Dundee: Bill Colvin.
Hamilton: Les Gray.
Ross County: Roy MacGregor.
St Johnstone: Steve Brown.
To the horror of Accies fans, in 2012 Les Gray said “SFL clubs should not be put in the position to vote on something which may destroy Scottish Football”. I wonder what Les is saying off the record now.
The Brown family have chaired St Johnstone through many issues, but their fans were off the mark quickly in 2012 to let Steve know their thoughts the last time Scottish football faced a decision to follow the rules, or not.
Roy MacGregor bristled with irritation when others tried to influence him in 2012. He has a reputation of knowing his own mind.
I don’t know anything about Bill Colvin, Kenny Cameron, Brian McCafferty, David Beattie or Jim Mann, but I suspect the names of both Roddy’s chairmen are on this page.
You’ll never read a better insight into why corruption was allowed to fester in our game than the glimpse available in today’s Telegraph, or that it remains endemic. Scottish football cannot be a comfortable haven for lawbreaking.
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You’ll find Wild Cabaret at 18 Candleriggs (0141 552 6165).
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James Forrest
Loving your words. Love how your mind works.
Great writing amigo. Look forward to the sequel. ;)
I may have made the odd comment on fb and tweeted on the ongoing Sevco/Oldco/EBT etc issues.
My email account can no longer be accessed by me.
Coincidence?
EC67
Macjay..Hes Undercover in St Mungos..shhhh….
Sipsini … being part Sicilian, but living in Canada now, I may have to steal that one from you! :)
Mike in Toronto
I assume you’re having a wee joke with the Ju,imho thing but in truth I would take that if it meant all of these hun victories were the subject of expungement.
It would ‘even things out’ as they say.
I enjoy your posts
HH
MiT
I was fine pal till I read your post. My heid is bursting trying to work that conundrum oot. ;))
James Forrest…Dont Always Agree with him…
Love His Writting…..One of Our Best..No Doubt…
cathedral … I could be talking pish (it has been known to happen) … and I am tired after a long day … but I seem to recall that he was paid using an EBT ) and Celtic had to go back later and pay what was owing on it …. and I am assuming (and no more than that) that, in those circumstances, it would not have been registered … but, if I am mistaken, someone will correct me ….
CRC: Yes I am. Can meet you at the corner before the match or TR can give you my email addy and we will make an alternative arrangement.
Off to mo leaba. Will check back in the morning.
CRC
Hard fought indeed. Good to see you drop out of reverse gear and into neutral, 1st gear next week maybe ;) New guy was decent too.
Dallas
Popped round to see you the day before I left but you must have been skiving, I have a wee day flexi the morra but hope you have to change your moniker to “Dallas Dallas Pay Your Taxes”
I am sure there were a few names not on Mark Daly’s list, I wonder ????
skyisalandfill …. cheers, mate.
I’m probably talking pish …. but sort of serious ….as DD says, it hurts my head to think about the what ifs and buts… but I agree that, whatever the outcome, it needs to be done.
ps … with a blog name like that, you need to start posting some music on the friday night sessions …. dont recall Mr. Buckley being played …that needs to be sorted out.
DD
All of them, wow, it must be the devil weed then :-)
Muchas Gracious mi amigo.
HH
BGX on 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 10:12 PM
Macjay..Hes Undercover in St Mungos..shhhh….
—————————————————-
Boaz to you bruv.
Tiny Tim 9.48pm
One hundred per cent correct.
The mis registration / non registered issue is the main point.
Side letters.
Why conceal and deny their existence ?
Only discovered by an unannounced raid from the City of London police.
3-0 results have resulted in previous cases for simple academic errors not close to the skulldugery involved at Ibrox.
The waters though have been muddied by the LNS verdict. Over and out. Delt with.
According to Richard Wilson and his ilk
Campbell Ogilvie’s conflicted paws are all over it.
Resolution 12 is still hugely important. HH
MiT
Im sure the EBT was part of his contract (no side letter) and must have been declared. It was the tax that was the issue, and that was settled. No issue (i hope).
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 10:17 PM
Just caught up with your kind comments post Hootenany.
Cheers.
going home tonight to watch the final episolde of Sons of Anarchy … intense and a bit over the top at times, but still some really good viewing …..Jimmy Smits was superb in it ….
Not as good as The Wire (best show ever) … but pretty darn good TV)
Gerryfaethebrig
Wonderful player,potential to be the very best, apart from Jinky
of course. he laboured with our company at Grangemouth
refinery and i used to think George what are you doing here
you should be a millionaire now with the ability you had.
H.H Mick
TimReaper …
I’m hitting the big 50 in a few weeks! (damn! where did the time go?! …), so your memory is probably better than mine, pal! At least, I hope so!
HH
Melbourne Mick (or anyone else!) –
what’s the criteria for these 14-man teams that folk are posting. Best of all time? Players we’ve seen in the flesh? And is it strict 4-3-3 (which may give Ronny The Lurker a bit of a problem)?
Mac jay 10.22pm
Likewise, your words about CQN being your virtual Celtic boozer and link to Celtic from thousands of miles away made my sentiments a bit hollow, it’s exactly what I say from 10miles away from Celtic park, hope you and the family had an enjoyable few weeks back “home”
thetimreaper on 12th November 2015 10:16 pm
Touche. Nothing wrong with reverse gear as somebody has to track back. Will send you a map for that bit :-)
1st gear is a big step mind, for next week! Not sure if I make it :-)
Having to bath my bruises in Budweiser tonight due to the thuggery of the other team :-)
Great game and Sipsini before you ask, yes HT’s team got thumped.
HH
CRC
James Forrest.
It’s past my bedtime and it’s all your fault.. Couldn’t stop reading part 1.
Wow. If it was fiction it would be filed under the “too elaborate to be a plausible story” section.
Wow again.
MIT
Yep.
Read today there is a lost album coming out, recorded about a year earlier than Grace with tasty Smiths, Zep and Dylan covers.
Should be amazing.
HH
Just catching up,
Read the first two paragraphs of DK’s speil and stopped.
I’m thinking he’s getting done under the OBAF, or BOTP, this guy is actually threatening, ANYONE, online – is there not a law against that as well?
?????CSC
The Hun statement will backfire on them big time,if any club chairmen or fans who are thinking of giving them a pass,might sway them the opposite way.
TeT
A particularly nice strain came my way last night.
You may have a point mi amigo. :)
Brilliant fast show ish piss take of Peter Gabriel on BBC4 right noo.
Gerry, I will change my blog name if Shug is one of the unamed beneficiaries.
Enjoy your day off tomorrow .
PS you’re right , I was skiving Lol
Jobo
Just a bit of fun in between the sevco court room buffoonery.
Us Aussie wallopers ( Cowiebhoy ) have picked our best 11 plus
three subs since 1965, any formation seen or not seen, you have
till Sunday and the winner gets one of our much sought after
club polo shirts
H.H Mick
I’ve not posted for a while but here goes my tuppence worth. I tried to get onto SSB tonight (I know) but alas to no avail. If this point has already been made then I apologise.
I think I have a sure fire solution to the whole EBT problem. Starting next season, every club in the Scottish leagues can use a “legal” tax avoidance scheme. For the next ten years these clubs can benefit up to the tune of £47m. I understand Celtic would probably be the only club to benefit to that tune of money but others could benefit up to their maximum as well. It could be governed by Sandy Bryson and Lord Nimmo Smith. The only caveat to this is that Rangers have to pay tax while the other clubs have a chance of bringing players to the clubs they otherwise couldn’t afford..
I’m sure guys like BFDJ Traynor Dave King Mark Guidi Roger Hannah etc would welcome such a novel idea.
Almore
Drop me an email at celticrollercoaster@yahoo.co.uk and we will sort
HH
CRC
CRC.
Does HT still run about like a ‘Roundabout’, left fitted of course.
:-)
CT
The Lying King is up for a skwerr go wi the top bhoy fae the Tongs doon the Green.
BGX as a major negatron as you call it (name calling eh how grown up of you) while it’s fine to crow about the mess the Huns are making I remain utterly utterly convinced that Celtic will not act.
Why?
Look at their track record.
If they don’t Celtic are finished.
Get it?
Or do you just want to keep calling people names. Last time it was lots of homophobia. Does it still make you proud BGX?
The thing about the last 2 Sevco statements is that, if Sevco felt they were in control of the narrative, they would not be making these kinds of noises.
Indeed, they probably wouldn’t say anything.
The fact they are sounding so shrill – and, in the case of today’s effort – actually appearing to threaten their fellow clubs – is a dead giveaway that they really believe the titles might go.
I suspect much of the MSM coverage has been influenced by Level5. Forsyth’s piece today is a classic example of a piece of work which looks like it was only partially written by the journalist whose name appeared on the article.
Again, this suggests to me a PR operation straining every sinew to stem the tide. And failing.
CT
Made of concrete and round, yep sounds like a roundabout to me :-)
Very good player box to box player ( we use footballs mind), but don’t tell him I said that
HH
CRC