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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Great account of the cheats progress James Forrest. Incisive and flowed well.
I still wait for the escape clause ala that LNS tosh though. Keep telling them truth.
BOD=BDO
Just when you thought you had laughed enough today…
http://store.sonsofstruth.co.uk/products/sons-of-struth-demand-the-truth-pre-launch-order
Sorry to have been unable to post today, but it’s been a bad laundry day. Every time I logged on I read something new, lost bladder control and pished myself again.
Quite embarrassing really. But some priceless comedy.
Fair sobered up right enough when I read Charles Green’s advocate suggest that the asset sale from D&P to Sevco might be ‘unpicked’, the first time I’ve seen or heard a credible and professional source admit as much. Doubtless it’ll be all over the news.
Then the broke, exiled tax convict releases a statement about other people’s fudooshery jooties and it’s new pants time again.
Need to go. Washing to do.
For Mags
http://www.doyouremember.co.uk/uploads/raw-1347357284-595×417.jpg
Newsnow have Herald and Evening Times articles highlighting GSL
comments today contradicting statement rom 3 years ago.
hmmmmmmm
King being thrown under the bus ?
have really enjoyed the blog today
some of you bhoys should be on the stage
Goodnight Timland
HH
MIT
Treme was excellent, by the same team that did The Wire.
Macjay,
I was hibernating until an outbreak of sanity appeared on the blog.
MiT,
Your welcome. Hope you enjoyed your dinner.
Off to bed. I hope Abigail doesn’t cause as big an upset as that other big blast of wind from SA.
George Connelly was a priceless talent but he was also an enigma. A big classy strolling player moving effortlessly between Midfield and Centre Back.
However, he was not the only one unlucky to lose out on a Milan final starting place in 1970.
George did not appear in the team for either first round tie against Basel, he did not play in the next home game against Benfica but he did come on for the 30 minutes extra time in Lisbon. He did not play in the home q-f tie with Fiorentina but played 90 minutes in the away tie. In the semis he played 78 minutes and scored away in Leeds and he played 90 minutes in the game at Hampden. He was, therefore a breakthrough player who got more pitch time as the tournament progressed but players like Tommy Callaghan, John Fallon, Jim Craig and Harry Hood also missed out having appeared in earlier rounds.
George came on in Milan in the 77th minute when it was still 1:1. He replaced Bertie Auld and it might have been better in hindsight had he replaced either Jim Brogan, who was carrying an injury or Big Billy, whose stamina went in extra time.
CO: Stewart! Send in an associate. I’m feeling irritable today and I need another sycophant.
ND: Mmmmm..yes massa how can I help you?
CO: Stewart! Stewart! I said sycophant not psychopath! Where’s Jabba?
Winning Captains 1145pm
That link you have posted sums up the difference between Celtic and Rangers fans.
When we had our real problems in the early 1990s, Celtic fans, many of whom were strapped for cash, took out loans to buy shares in the club and they did this the week after we had lost the league cup final to raith rovers.
It was and remains the most successful share issue raised by a football club.
People putting their last pounds into the football club in a blind act of faith in its time of need.
And as for the “organised” Hun support. They lift their skirts in the hope of attracting a sugar daddy to pay for their delusions of entitlement and superiority and run a mile when asked to pony up money to avoid liquidation, pay the creditors etc
Their club’s history matters to them but not so much that they’ll pay what it takes to save it.
Then they actually try to make money out of their club’s predicament by releasing a book (Houston- sons of struth guy) or using their blog as a vehicle to hawk their public relations services (mcmurdo junior).
The Hun support gives me the boak.
RWE … I’ll give it a look. thanks.
Went to see the Wolf Tones Tuesday night in Aberdeen.
There was an amazing wee feel good atmosphere in the bar.
Great Night…. :))))))
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 13TH NOVEMBER 2015 12:06 AM
Macjay,
I was hibernating until an outbreak of sanity appeared on the blog.
===========================================================
In all modesty, I get the impression that you may well be referring to my goodself.
The STV coverage of the statement from DCK is far superior to the BBC coverage.
The BBC effectively just introduce and repeat the statement verbatim. Embarrassing and pathetic.
STV give the context and refer to the three law lords suggesting last week that some players may have gone to other clubs of not for the EBTs.
Then they finish with this belter from the mouth of the DCK himself.
“In an interview with the Scottish Daily Mail in June 2012, King apologised for the use of the scheme, quoted as saying: “I follow the logic of the argument that if we lose the tax case then we probably gained some competitive advantage.” ”
So in 2012, he said they probably gained some competitive advantage, but today he said they gained none.
Glibby has a credibility problem – no one believes a word he says.
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/1332447-dave-king-blasts-other-scottish-clubs-over-title-stripping-clamour/
STV – take a bow for being the closest thing to a journalist we have seen since ..well before EBTs.
Well bedtime for me , goodnight &God bless you all
Jc2,
Ashley is their best chance of short term survival. King is impairing himself in lies and incompetence along with his favourite conflicted pal at the SFA. I’d love the transcripts of that Masonic snapchat group.
One lie leads to another and another.
Ashley will control, the Rage will turn to white noise and they will come up with nothing to get rid of the parasite until he has sucked them dry.
We might get to play the cadaver next year in that state if the Scottish gov don’t insist that good Rangers men run the club. Eh who and where are they?
If there is anyone that can take this mythical entity known as the club from its parallel ether into the world as a born again without sin they should try now. Maybe that wee boy that got the bag for tweeting about Muslims or one of the other blue struths.
SFTB
You may be right in your assessment of players at the time 1970,but George Connelly was the Jewel
In the crown,so to speak,he was the present and the future ,he revelled in the mantle of Celtic greats he just needed to be given the freedom to express himself on the field of play,he needed ,may I say ,a shoulder to lean on.
Sometimes talent is not enough,sadly we as a support witnessed that with George Connelly.What a player,what a lost.
Mike
Old Bunk Moreland from the Wire – actor Wendell Pierce is in it as a central character. First series has John Goodman too.
Pierce is from New Orleans and his parents home was flooded when the levees broke.
The music for the series is phenomenal and there are live performances by Dr John, Fats Domino, Steve Earle and many others all within the context of the plots/episodes.
Hope you are well (as you approach the hauf century)
James Forrest- 12th Nov 7.49pm,
Absolutely brilliant.
You have an amazing talent.
Keep up the good work.
HH.
Night bobby and all tims.
We woke up thinking it was just the Green “pay my costs” case day…and then Roddy Forsyth made us laugh.
Then King David decided that we hadn’t laughed enough so he put out one of his Monty Python statements.
Then the transcript from the Green case came in and our laugh-o-meter went off the scale.
For those in need, jelly and ice cream will take away some of pain of sides splitting.
HH
RWE,
I remember hearing about it when it came out, but I didn’t get into The Wire when it came out …. my brother raved about it, and I watched the first episode, but, for some reason, it just didn’t sink in at the time …. this year, after more encouragement, I went back and tried The Wire again, and it blew me away!!!!!
Love Bunk! Although Omar might be my favourite tv character ever …..
Based on what you have said, I definitely give this one a try now!
Nir Bitton has a bit of George Connelly about him IMO.
No saying he is as good as George…just something about them.
Fore I forget..
James Forrest Thanks.
Fab stuff.
WINNING CAPTAINS on 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 11:45 PM
Just when you thought you had laughed enough today…
http://store.sonsofstruth.co.uk/products/sons-of-struth-demand-the-truth-pre-launch-order
———————————————————————-
Good to see he remained true to his principles and didn’t simply try to make a quick buck on the back of his dead club’s difficulties. What a shower of shite they are….
“fudooshery jooties” – another candidate for CQN Phrase of the Week!
:-)))
Got tipsy and started posting on a Scottish rag comments section as a Hearts fan.
I feel dirty.
Team for the Ages
Craig Gordon
McGrain. McNeil. Connolly. Gemmel
Johnstone. Murdoch Hay Lennox
Larsson. Sutton
Subs: Moravcik, McStay, McBride
So hard to leave out
Boruc, Stanton, Brown, McGeady, Nakamura, Petrov and Hartson.
‘GG on 13th November 2015 3:54 am
Team for the Ages
Craig Gordon
McGrain. McNeil. Connolly. Gemmel
Johnstone. Murdoch Hay Lennox
Larsson. Sutton
Subs: Moravcik, McStay, McBride
So hard to leave out
Boruc, Stanton, Brown, McGeady, Nakamura, Petrov and Hartson.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Highly technical players like Naka could have taken Celtic way beyond with the right team beside him.
CELTIC.
Oh Ronny Ronny.
Melbourne Mick
Here’s my team.
Forster
McGrain. Aitken. Reiper Gemmell
Johnstone. McStay. Lambert Moravcik
Dalglish
Larsson
Subs : Burns, Nakamura and McAvennie
HH
I have to say I usually hate international fortnights-wrecks my enjoyment of the football.
And it’s usually carnage on here anaw,out of sheer ennui…
But I’m certainly enjoying this one,haha!
So,since it’s Friday:-
If Carlsberg did international fortnights…
Just read Chris (of the brown brogue) Graham statement on behalf of Dave once a King Sevco 5088 statement there. Bhoys what a laugh! Every sentence have a jelly n ice cream moment.
I particularly love the unveiled threat towards other official members of all other clubs in Scottish pro footy. Just Brilliant.
Read earlier Mike in Toronto’s comments re Juninho and the silly bun statement alluding to the same points/title stripping for others.
To clarify Mike.
On his arrival yon chairman of yore Brian Quinn identified Juninhos and Celtics use of EBT to be (and I paraphrase here) dodgy as ….
Mr Quinn and club did remove the EBT, inform HMRC and paid up all monies owed. All this information was registered with the appropriate football governing bodies. There were as I understand it, no lies told, falsehoods withheld, payments not made. The matter was closed with both HMRC and the governing bodies.
Unlike dee Hun who to this day in various transformation are still attempting to pull the wool over the eyes of those who can see. The clubs have tried to defend the use of a cheating employee remuneration system even after being told of it’s illegalities and forever attempted to hide from our footballing governing bodies it’s use to remunerate players.
There is a massive difference between the two clubs on this matter.
MWD
WINNINGCAPTAINS 1145
Jee-zoh,that is one ugly bastard!
Good morning friends and a Big Happy Friday form a dark, foreboding, but currently dry East Kilbride.
MOONBEAMSWD
Another point about Juninho’s EBT is that it was not set up by Celtic,but was a continuation of one he had at Middlesboro. Part of the reason for HMRC’s doggedness in all of this is its desire to have case law to go after other teams,such as,say,Middlesboro,Bolton,Arsenal,Spurs,etc.
Etc.
Etc.
Morning all
I know this is juvenile in the extreme but it is a funny as…….
https://www.facebook.com/kieran.odonnell.965/videos/10205892010773128/
HH
Morning
Off to Dublin for the day, cant wait to see what the Club that keeps on giving get up to today.
Hope big Mike turns the screw even tighter.
They have run out of places to hide the game is near to ending with just a wee bit of extra time being played.
HH