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.
Maryhill Foodbank
Remember, there’s a Christmas toy collection for Maryhill Foodbank at Wild Cabaret, THIS Saturday, 14 November, from midday to 4:30. Families who don’t have money for food don’t have money for Christmas toys. If you have something you can donate, drop it in. There’s mulled wine and mince pies on the go.
You’ll find Wild Cabaret at 18 Candleriggs (0141 552 6165).
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Bosco
Hahaha. Magic! :))
DD,
That’s Martini :-)))
Melbourne Mick –
I’ll give it a go over the weekend. I’m a size medium ;-)
Nice Vibe on CQN tonight…Bless To All…COYBIG…
mike in toronto/TTR,
Yes, my understanding of it is Juninho had an EBT that was settled after some sound advice on tax implications. As long as the payment was declared to the SFA then there is no issue.
I’m pretty sure we would have heard otherwise by now if there was a problem.
cv
CRC,
I remember once when he had an ear infection in his RIGHT EAR, oh what fun we had :-)
Jeezo…Just posted and Boom…Bedtime…
Laters…
gents (and ladies) … I’m off for my dinner …. cheers
Gerry, your dad was right about George Connolly, he would have been the Scottish version of Franz Beckanbauer , incredible football player .
His biography is a tough read , a lot of issues in his life, but his honesty about them, is refershing.
His goal in the 1969 cup final is one of my all time favourites . Some older fans say George not playing in the Feyenord game in Milan contributed to our loss in that game.
Enjoy your day off.
Good night all and sleep well
CT
Shaken and battered.
Not stirred.
GREENINBINGLEYINOSLO on 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 9:01 PM
Britain’s biggest-ever sporting scandal.
——————————————————
Great post – even if you didn’t mean to post it!!
HH.
PS. BGX – leave your boy where he is- all is not well with the Hill St greens.
And anyway, geographically, what’s not to like….!!
Bosco although I don’t listen to phone ins & have not bought papers for a few years & encourage everyone to do likewise I wish you had got on ,brilliant question to ask the clowns
For the attention of MiT, when he’s had his dinner.
Mike,
Juninho’s contract was mutually ended and Celtic paid him up with an EBT.
As it was paid to him AFTER he left the club, he was no longer a Celtic player, ergo, there was no requirement to inform the SFA.
Brian Quinn subsequently had doubts about the EBT, contacted HMRC for advice and, acting on that, the tax was paid.
PS. The SFA subsequently confirmed that Celtic had no case to answer.
the real deal 4-4-2
1. Forster
2. McGrain
3. Gemmell
4, Connolly
5. McNeill
6. Murdoch
7. Johnstone
8. McStay
11. Lennox
9. Larsson
10. McBride.
Subs – Auld. Moravcik, Hay
Skyisalandfill,
That album of covers is already available, from er, unconventional outlets.
I have it if you’re interested.
Dallas Dallas
I sat in the SanSiro that final,and IMO to leave out George Connolly was the reason we lost,also IMO,contrary to opinion at that time,Big Jock let sentiment rule him,.Yogi Hughes missed Lisbon and again only my opinion,BJ tried to do him a turn.
George Connoly could and should’ve been a great Celtic player.
When I sat in The Estadio National I thought this would be the greatest Celtic team ever,they were,but if any player since could squeege into that team ,well George Connoly was that player.
James Forrest…..
I hope there are more parts to come than the second part…..
That is a book waiting for print my friend….
Keep it going, expand the detail, you have it all…
Thanks
what Does Dave King mean in his ramblings that if we applied the same rules other clubs would lose titles?
That aside it’s clear he’s admitting the great tax robbery and admitting they gained a sporting advantage all for the good of capitalism. Forget sport, forget the rules, this is about money.
Further to his money theme, Dave threatens war on other clubs. Not clear if this is some kind of Scottish football nuclear option. The withdrawal of the Rangers cash cow and accuses clubs of not satisfying their shareholders in 2012 when Rangers were, ahem, demoted ( his words) .
Go nuclear Dave. No one will touch Rangers with a barge poll. They say the biggest bully gets to the top in the boardroom.
Hi Dave… Meet Mike. Bye Dave.
Boabyevans
Maybe over the next couple of nights someone more erudite than me could put that point across. Can you picture BFDJ stuttering and stammering his way to answer it. I bet he wouldn’t think it was as fair then.
hi dave,
meet mike,
he swims like a fish
Why does Hugh Dallas suddenly appear with quotes about refereeing standards on EBT fortnight.
Gerryfaethebrig on 12th November 2015 10:28 pm
Cheers,pal.
Lovely time was had by all.
My kids were introduced to some family members for the first time and to my mates .
My introductory visit to our marvellous new stadium and the guided tour were highlights.
Glasgow looked marvellous.Or the bits that I saw…….A far more attractive and seemingly prosperous city than the one I left.
The people also looked far better off.
The place had imho improved out of sight from the auld toon I left.
Actually, I take that back. I have a different double CD of demos/outtakes for Grace with the following songs;
Jeff Buckley – Grace Outtakes CD 1 of 2
1 Jeff Buckley – Grace Outtakes – 01 – intro (0:23)
2 Jeff Buckley – Grace Outtakes – 02 – Just Like a Woman (5:58)
3 Jeff Buckley – Grace Outtakes – 03 – Dink’s Song (10:44)
4 Jeff Buckley – Grace Outtakes – 04 – If You See Her, Say Hello (6:49)
5 Jeff Buckley – Grace Outtakes – 05 – Night Flight (5:55)
6 Jeff Buckley – Grace Outtakes – 06 – Alligator Wine (3:36)
7 Jeff Buckley – Grace Outtakes – 07 – Hallelujah (7:11)
8 Jeff Buckley – Grace Outtakes – 08 – Just Like a Woman (6:44)
9 Jeff Buckley – Grace Outtakes – 09 – Mama, You’ve Been on my Mind (3:21) — MISSING
Jeff Buckley – Jeff Buckley Grace Outtakes CD 2
1 01 – joking around (1:39) — MISSING
2 02 – Mama, You’ve Been on my Mind (3:42)
3 03 – Mama, You’ve Been on my Mind (4:35)
4 04 – joking around (0:59)
5 05 – Hallelujah (8:47)
6 06 – Mama, You’ve Been on my Mind (4:02)
7 07 – Hallelujah (6:56)
8 08 – Lover, You Should’ve Come Over (5:28)
9 09 – Eternal Life (4:13)
I shouldve looked at the news about the new album – it has mostly different tracks. I have a few other odds’n’ends. Happy to share, if you are interested. The sky is a landfill is one of my favourites
Anyway, enough of the non-football stuff.
Ok ok apologies to our Aussie Bhoys, your no longer Wallopers, yer getting in the roasters club, until I get that 14 :-) and the special club polo shirt
St Stivs, that’s some team, I picked mine with Stanton instead of Connolly, all others the same, will happily accept yours as winner though
Michael, I’m going to come up with another 14 though
Hail Hail, and thanks for getting me thinking
Cowiebhoy
Doc is suggesting Dec 21 for a lunch. I think he is paying as he has dodged for a year You free?
HH
CRC
TTT
Was just perusing afore I retire for the night, delighted to see you posting again mi amigo, your sense of reality has been missed, by me anyways :-)
HH
Sleep well Timland.
I hope they burn in hell, tho that is too good for thems, but better than nothing I suppose.
Mr Green, in the Boardroom with the Truth
by James Doleman 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 0 COMMENTS
Craig-Whyte-Rangers-FC-Glasgow-AirportA routine costs hearing at the Court of Session turned into a highly significant debate about the status of Rangers and Scottish football today.
Advocates for the former CEO of the Ibrox team, Charles Green, who did not appear in court, demanded that that Rangers honour a contractual commitment to pay his legal fees for his forthcoming criminal trial for allegedly defrauding investors during the £20M intial public offering (IPO) made by the company.
However Counsel for Rangers International Football Club (RIFC) James Wolffe QC, opposed the motion on the grounds that Green’s alleged offenced occured before he took over Rangers football club and therefore, he argued “It all falls.” Wolffe also contended that there was a distinction to be drawn between the “club” and the “company” saying that “an association football club continues whatever company happens to own it.”
This sparked a furious response from Green’s advocate, Jonathan Brown who told the court that his client had signed a severence agreement when he resigned from the board of directors: ” He was prepared to depart the scene without fuss,” but if he was “dragged back in” the agreement was “you pay the lawyers.” He also challenged the idea that a Rangers was the same club noting: “A club can not sign contracts” and that “a club is an undertaking” of it’s owners and as it “has neither capacity of personality” no-one can be CEO of it.
In one of the most striking scenes of the day Brown said, referring to the company, Sevco Scotland that Green used to purchase the assets of Rangers: “The team are paid by Sevco, play at a ground owned by Sevco, are trained by a manager who is employed by Sevco and fans buy tickets from Sevco. That is the business that is being carried on.” Rangers, he argued were “a collection of assets,” noting “What is the players were sold to one person and Ibrox to another, where is the “club” then?”
When court adjourned late in the afternoon, the presiding judge, Lord Doherty, thanked Counsel “for their “submissions in this interesting case.” He told the parties he would consider the matter and then produce his findings in writing as soon as he could.
Possibly stung by today’s legal arguments, which were widely reported on social media. The current chairman of Rangers Dave King rushed out a statement just as court adjourned saying: “It is disappointing that a debate has re-emerged around the subject of Rangers’ history in Scottish football.” The South African based chairman of the club added “If the history of our Club comes under attack we will deal with it in the strongest manner possible and will hold to account those persons who have acted against their fiduciary responsibilities to their own clubs and to Scottish football.”
With the legal argument over the case of former Rangers Cheifs Charles Green and Craig Whyte due to resume in December, and King himself set to appear at the Royal Courts of Justice on the 9th of that month to answer contempt of court charges laid by Sports Direct magnate Mike Ashley, performances on the pitch seem to be the least of the club’s worries.
Macjay
Good stuff, your daughter was really interested in the history of where you lived and how far away Cambuslang/Rutherglen was, just a pity it was me and Frantic that were trying to explain, I also liked the fact your son was out to all hours partying, sorry I mean learning about his Scottish roots “up the dancing” even though line you say most conversations were short but memorable !
I might have a wee day off e morra but only 9hrs to the school run for young Miss GFTB
So good night fellow Celtic fans
Take care and Hail Hail
The dominoes are starting their journey, and gathering pace
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/script-writing-in-excelsis/#comments
sorry if already posted…..
Johnjamessite is up…..
easy read on todays proceedings…..
TET,
Thank you.
My late father used to say that if a man has one friend in the world, he is a lucky man.
CRC
Will make myself if Doc’s paying :-) is that a Monday ?
I need to drop Paddybhoy a wee text as well
Hail Hail
Thom
I was wondering where you had disappeared to.
Conspicuous by your absence.
Ralph Waldo Emerson and Canamalar thanks for the BOD appeal info earlier.
Remember this:
Scottish football IS a haven for lawbreakers
and
The huns sang “Big jock Knew” and “The famine is over” as we all paid to see them cheat Celtic and Scottish football to such an unprecedented degree through the EBT years. Why? Because Minty wanted to obliterate the memory of Jock Stein. Now they lie in squealing pig underbelly shambles shit of their own making still telling us all to go to hell. Its got nothing to do with what division they are in it is time to cremate them. If you have the Old firm guts!
thomthetim … thanks for clearing that up!
CRC, will make myself available if Doc’s paying our Christmas lunch :-)
I already need to drop Paddybhoy a text as well
If anyone has BBC richard Wilsons number – please pass it to the Samaratins…. I think he needs to talk to a trained professional
Whit happened there ?
My original note went missing, then appeared
Nytol