You have been presented with a narrative that we should collapse the Scottish Premier League this summer and have the SFA register a new, two-division, league system to resolve the problems inherent in having too many bodies running our game. This is complete nonsense.
Those pushing for a SPL 2 are, perhaps with good intentions, trying to pull a deal together to reduce the impact of the demise of Rangers FC buy allowing a phoenix the chance to gain entry into the league structure two levels higher than what they now face.
It’s a stupid proposal.
As things stand, there is no chance of a Newco getting access to the SPL next season. Despite Neil Doncaster heavily advocating the notion, the idea is simply undeliverable. Our club has been committed to opposing the proposition from the beginning, while many others now realise they have to observe the strong feelings of their own supporters on the matter.
Doncaster should have realised this was a campaign he could not win before he boxed himself into a corner over it. SPL 2 is an attempt to address the ‘No to Newco’ concerns while bringing the income some in the game hope Newco will deliver.
The unnamed SFA source who briefed the BBC on this topic last week made no reference whatsoever to Newco, their focus was all on the administrative challenges of having multiple bodies in charge of the game, but this was disingenuous. If there was a prospect of Newco getting into the SPL we would not be having this debate.
Tell us the truth, be honest, and these random, ill-considered, notions will perhaps be received in a better light.
The hope is that fans of the former club, Rangers, bring their cash along to watch Newco, which would play SPL 2 football next season and would be subject to whatever penalties the various independent bodies impose for years to come for the illegal actions of Rangers. This would allow Newco to claim the history of Rangers, would perhaps maintain the existing BSkyB TV deal and would meet the ‘No to Newco’ demands.
There are several huge obstacles to overcome. The SFA will soon instruct Lord Carloway’s Appellate Panel to consider a new punishment for ‘Rangers’ for misdeeds during the Craig Whyte era. I expect him to suspend the ‘club’ for 12 months. A new independent judicial panel will consider the case against ‘Rangers’ for subverting our game for over a decade through the illegal registration of players. If/when the First Tier Tribunal finds against Rangers a fresh wave of charges will be brought against any club claiming to hold that identity – as a guide, think of the punishments for the Craig Whyte era multiplied by 12.
These three independent judicial panels will destroy whatever is left of what we used to call ‘Rangers’ and there is nothing the football authorities can do about it.
Sevco, who own Ibrox and have applied for SPL access, already face an enormous challenge to meet trading costs for a year, even in the SPL, never mind a lower league (as Dave King correctly concluded). They are prime candidates for another insolvency event any time soon. Best of all, a Celtic fan has now bid for the assets (more on this later)!
Even if Newco overcame these enormous challenges, the SFA and SPL executives, having realised they cannot convince fans of 11 clubs to hold their noses and put up with a Newco-Rangers, will now try to convince former Rangers fans to cough up cash to support a Newco that will be rendered impotent by the most severe penalties in the history of our game.
I cannot see former Rangers fans accepting their role as cannon fodder for St Mirren, Motherwell and (cough) Kilmarnock in a league where the Mighty Celtic romp home by 30 points.
I don’t have an objection in principle to a two-league SPL but plan it properly, don’t allow knee-jerk reactions to dictate thinking. There’s no point in us getting paranoid about this, it’s not some attempt to help the remnants of ‘Rangers’, it’s just a stupid proposal from people who have yet to see the big picture.
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GG,
was there 3 year ago, venezuela were assisting with exploration still very very early with the test rigs, they were having big problems with deep sea seni subs as they were – are being blocked from the technology by guess who, only shallow test ris being tried, no sure since then as I’ve mostly been concentrating on Celtic
Morning Vmhan.
Getting similar reactions to my missionary work here in the west.
Even had a Swans fan posting his disgust on that there Facebook malarky at the huns having a vote on the 4th.
Slowly but surely folk are realising what’s gone on here…
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2012/0530/Repsol-almost-certain-to-end-offshore-oil-drilling-in-Cuba
I found this article on Repsol. I knew I had seen some news item recently.
My interest is that I have recently spent 3 vacations in the Keys and any spill there would be a tragedy. 90 miles from Key West to Havana.
I also have a close acquaintance whose parents fled Cuba in the 50s and we often exchange views and news.
It’s ironic my daughter was able to spend a vacation in Havana last Fall but my friend has never been due to travel restrictions.
And finally I love Raul Malo’s music. Think Roy Orbison and blend with C&W.
.
VMhan..
Yea Still Here..:O( Still waiting for Summer..
Would need to Add Extra week for Hampster Jam..But still have a Few Brownie Points in Hand..Ha
001Bhoy
Good morning CQN from a very wet Clydebank
Rangers who the F are Rangers?
Time for the MSM to let them go and rest in turmoil
And pain for their sins
Keep the Faith
Hail Hail
Good morning fellow Celts from a grey and windy London town
4 days off and the news coming in thick and fast makes for enjoyable reading.
In my heart I knew that season ticket holders at other clubs would be as scunnered with thems as we are. We know what is costs to fork out for a ticket supporting a club that wins stuff regularly and a nice big modern stadium. So the same commitment ..arguably more…. is required from supporters of the other teams.
I really do admire the fans of the game in Scotland who support the other teams. Particularly the season ticket holders who live for their moments of glory, maybe once in a decade if they are lucky. They might not love Celts but they damn sure don’t like the currants and their hordes. For every FB I’ve heard from them there will be a corresponding OB to thems.
Fair play might still win the day!
The huge GIRUY moment has arrived …the dominos are falling and every club except NEWCO ..yes even Killie….will now vote No to NEWCO.
What would be then point?
Clever post last night from TCC …p@shed myself laffiing….the new Group of Death:
————
The Comfortable Collective on 21 June, 2012 at 22:54 said:
CultsBhoy loves being 1st forever & ever on 21 June, 2012 at 22:51 said:
in my estimation DUFC makes the required 5..
I make it. . ..
D…..undee Utd
E…..dinburgh huns
A…..berdeen
T…..ic
H…..ibernian
——-
HH
M
GG,
I’m thnking ths has abit more to do with it than the dry bore
“Just days later, it took two more blows when the Argentine government seized its YPF branch – and Cuba applauded the nationalization”
As for the disaster stuff, a bit rich from the yanks no
After a hot and sultry day, 98F or thereabouts, it has finally cooled down a wee bit.
Time to sleep on top of the bed with the AC on.
Not a sign of rain in the forecast and Jersey Shore roads will be jam packed this weekend with people seeking some breezy relief.
Good morning all and a Big Happy Friday from a very wet and distinctly horrible looking (for June) East Kilbride. The dominos are starting to topple…
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on 22 June, 2012 at 06:16 said:
I was down in the Keys during the BP spill and they were all geared up to combat anything coming onshore. Fortunately it didn’t come near the Keys where they would have lost some coral reefs and their dependence on fishing and tourism would have cost economic chaos. Should that be tourist fishing?
The monitoring process and daily briefings were very impressive.
Anyway I suspect that international oil companies will be leery of exploring and developing in Cuban waters as any finds will be immediately nationalized and they will be lucky to get a return. It’s far easier to do business with Brazil. The prospects of a line of platforms reaching towards USA would be too tempting for Cuban refugees to resist.
The Herald
Creditors retain claim on Rangers season-ticket cash
by Richard Wilson
Ibrox season-ticket renewal money gathered by direct debit is being held in the oldco Rangers’ bank account, where it can be claimed by creditors, after Charles Green’s group failed to make the necessary banking arrangements.
The chief executive said the funds were ring-fenced in a secure account, but Herald Sport can reveal the required legal process is only in the early stages and could take four to six weeks, meaning that fans’ money is not being held securely for the newco club’s use.
Herald Sport also understands that the counter-offer made by Zeus Capital to the consortium backed by Jim McColl and Douglas Park last week valued the club at £16m, only four days after Green’s Sevco group bought the business and assets for £5.5m. Negotiations between the two parties broke down after Zeus Capital, who were involved in the talks for Green’s Sevco consortium, responded to a £6m offer by asking McColl to buy 50% of the club for £8m.
As part of the deal, McColl’s group would have been allowed two directors, while Sevco retained three, meaning decisions would not be made on an equal basis. McColl’s consortium considered this an unrealistic bargaining position and withdrew. However, they do remain interested in buying the club.
There remain concerns about Green’s consortium having the working capital to run the club. The chief executive said yesterday: “I can reassure all fans season-ticket money will be ring-fenced in a secure account and will not be used before the current issues are resolved”. However, Herald Sport can reveal that money that has already come into the oldco’s bank account is not ring-fenced, and no means to transfer it to the newco have been established.
The process of securing the season ticket funds requires legal agreements from Duff & Phelps, who currently run the oldco’s business, BDO, who will move in as liquidators, and a guarantee from Green’s newco. The process could take as long as six weeks to ensure proper protections are in place, meaning that the current funds are part of the oldco’s assets and, so, within reach of the creditors, despite Green’s assurances to the contrary to the Rangers Fans Fighting Fund in a private and confidential meeting last Wednesday night, and then again in a statement yesterday.
Having set up the newco, direct debit mandates should have been sent out to all supporters informing them of a change in the banking details and requiring them to sign the mandates before money could be taken out by the newco. However, Sevco have been unable to arrange corporate banking facilities.
Andy Kerr, the chairman of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, also raised concerns yesterday about the lack of guarantees from Green about his plans for the club and the identity of his investors. “The fans’ contribution via season tickets is around £20m, and I am sure most are keen to plough that money in and get the club’s coffers up,” Kerr said. “But we don’t just want to hear how much Mr Green and his associates plan to invest. We need evidence about what they plan to do.”
Did I break the blog or wot?
:o)
The Scotsman article on the previous page (Kitalba post) contained this little gem:
“With Celtic and Hibs also expected to be in the “No” camp, it leaves Green’s hopes of securing the minimum 8-4 vote in favour of admission for newco Rangers hanging by a thread.”
That was after telling us that four other Clubs (total SIX) were voting No.
Hanging by a thread?
JJ
PS The Herald article (Tom McLaughlin post) is also a good read (if you are a Tim).Cheerio for now.
JJ
Thanks JJ.
Was beginning to think I was in the Twighlight Zone.
It’s Friday . . .
It’s beer o’clock . . .
I’m outta here.
Morning,
Expect a busy day in respect of Club12 now the writing is on the wall.
Anyway…
Sky Sports understands Celtic have made
a move for Nottingham Forest striker
Dexter Blackstock.
The Antigua and Barbuda international
moved to the City Ground from QPR in the
2009-10 season and bagged an impressive
14 goals.
However, the 26-year-old Oxford-born
forward, who is in the final year of his
contract, recently questioned how Forest
would be able to challenge for promotion
unless manager Steve Cotterill is backed
heavily by the club’s hierarchy.
Scottish Premier League champions Celtic
are looking to strengthen their squad in time
for the start of the new campaign and have
made a verbal offer for Blackstock.
Charles Green faces a new and serious
obstacle to selling season tickets – and
income stream worth between £7-8 million –
to Rangers fans after fears were expressed
by the Lloyds Bank Group.
Green’s consortium, which is now in control
of the assets – Ibrox stadium and car park,
the Murray Park training ground and,
perhaps, the playing squad – which
belonged to the former company, wants to
use the former business to continue to sell
season tickets through direct debits taken
out before HMRC decided to put Rangers
Football Club Ltd into liqudation.
However, Telegraph Sport can reveal that
Lloyds has raised concerns about this
proposal with the administrators, Duff &
Phelps, who ran the club from Feb 14 until
Green’s consortium took control.
Duff & Phelps approached the bank to ask
for a solution to the problem of collecting
season ticket payments by direct debit into
an account held by the former company.
The bank, however, is understood to have
raised a number of concerns about such an
arrangement, in particular the difficulty of
ring-fencing the funds sufficiently securely to
ensure that season ticket income is not used
to pay creditors or used for any purpose
other than to ensure that supporters who
pay for tickets are able to use them next
season.
Green, nonetheless, yesterday assured fans
that season ticket money “will not be used
before the current issues surrounding the
club, such as what league we will be playing
in, are resolved”.
He told Rangers’ official website: “The
chairman and I had a very productive
meeting with members of the Fans Fighting
Fund yesterday and I believe we have
assured them of our best intentions to
secure the long-term future of the club.
“We would like to thank them for
encouraging fans to renew their season
tickets to demonstrate their ongoing
support for the manager, his team and the
players.
“I can reassure all fans that season ticket
money will be ring-fenced in a secure
account and will not be used before the
current issues surrounding the club, such as
what league we will be playing in, are
resolved.
“The chairman and I also believe that we –
the fans and the club – are stronger together
and we want to thank the fans for their
unwavering commitment to secure the best
future for the club.”
Meanwhile, John McMillan, the general
secretary of the Rangers Supporters’
Association, has advised his members (and
all other fans of the stricken club) not to
part with money for season tickets until at
least next month.
McMillan has no confidence in the ability of
Green to be able to fund the day-to-day
running of the club, especially with the
players – who agreed to cuts of up to 75 per
cent in March – due to return to full pay next
week.
Green’s consortium urgently requires the
cash flow season book renewals generate at
this time of year but McMillan claims it’s
“immoral” to ask people to pay in advance
when it’s unclear in which tier they’ll be
competing next season.
“The Rangers’ Fighting Fund have had a
meeting with Charles Green and they seem
to be satisfied with what he had to say,” he
said.
“I’m not trying to demean them in any way
but my stance hasn’t changed at all. I’m
meeting their chairman, Andrew McCormick,
next week and maybe he can give me some
comfort in that regard.
“But Dave King and, more importantly,
Walter Smith have expressed serious doubts
about Mr Green’s ability to make money
available to take the club forward.
“We need 100 per cent transparency and
confidence in the board in order to move
on. I would like to be convinced by Mr
Green but I haven’t been yet.
“Personally, I think that it’s morally wrong
for the club to ask people to pay SPL prices
up front.
“Right now no-one can give any guarantees
as to what division we’ll be playing in next
season or what other sanctions we may face
from the SFA and the SPL. Until we have
clarity on that front, it would be foolish to
commit money now.
“That’s why I’m not prepared to ask my
members to renew until at least July 4, when
the SPL clubs meet to vote on the newco’s
application to join their ranks. And I believe
the Rangers Supporters’ Trust shares that
view.”
McMillan is also concerned that Green’s
tenure may prove to be as disastrous as that
of the previous incumbent.
“I read recently that his consortium had
£10-12 million at their disposal but that
money would run out in September unless
there is fresh investment,” he said.
“Mr Green needs to give us some answers
and I don’t just mean about proof of
funding: Craig Whyte provided that and look
what happened.
“At the moment I don’t know anyone who
has renewed their season book, although
I’ve heard that three or four people have
had theirs renewed automatically without
their authorisation because they’d originally
chosen to pay by direct debit rather than
standing order.
“Consequently, we’ve been telling our
members to be wary of that and to contact
their banks.”
In which I suggest that SFL admission is not certain; that the upheaval to all three divisions might be too much in terms of the time involved; and that Sevco Rangers might have left it too late to apply to the SFL. And that, even if they do get in, SFL Rules may require them to get rid of many players.
http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/its-not-certain-sevco-rangers-will-be-admitted-to-the-sfl/
Burger everything else.
I want Fraser Forster.
Altho`,if he`s playing silly burgers,I would be tending to tell him to burger off.
Never mind agents.
If I employ someone ,they do what I tell them to.
Sign up,Fraser,or sod off.
With regrets.
rangers are liquidated & shortly do will be history. The new club with no history can not be punished for the old clubs crimes. The should start ithe 3rd division. The old club can be stripped of titles & cup wins should the EBT duel contracts be proved to be illegal under SFA rules. Hector will go after the players who beniffted from EBT’s & also players whose tax & NI was not paid by Whytey boy there is going to be a lot of pain for the past & present players at the death star. I hope Novo is one of the big losers
So Utd say NO!
“Following a robust and constructive
meeting, the club’s position on how we will
vote was substantiated by the viewpoint of
the various supporters groups,” read the
statement. “The meeting finished with all in
agreement as to what the correct course of
action would be.
“The board are unequivocal in the belief
that a form of sporting punishment must
form part of the reasoning behind any
decision made and, therefore, cannot vote
the newco into the SPL. General sporting
integrity and, more importantly, the integrity
of Scottish football, must also play a
significant part in the decision-making
process. It is our belief that any form of
sporting punishment must be unambiguous
in the message it displays.”
FORMER Celtic defender Glenn Loovens is on the brink of signing a megabucks deal with Turkish giants Besiktas.
The Dutchman quit Neil Lennon’s SPL champions at the end of the season after four years at Parkhead and had options from across Europe.
But it is understood that Turkey will be his destination after he was offered a deal worth almost £20,000 per week.
The 28-year-old joined Celtic in the summer of 2008 in a £2million move from Cardiff.
Loovens had been all set to sign for Old Firm rivals Rangers before then Hoops boss Gordon Strachan nipped in to gazump rival Walter Smith.
Loovens then played under Strachan, Tony Mowbray and finally Lennon — but never fully established himself as a first-team regular.
He was also hampered by injuries during his four-year stay in Glasgow — and made just 89 appearances.
Meanwhile, Celtic have missed out on transfer target Gaetan Charbonnier.
The 23-year-old striker has opted to sign for French champs Montpellier on a four-year deal.
Charbonnier, who was the French Second Division’s top scorer with Angers, has been signed as a direct replacement for Arsenal-bound France star Olivier Giroud — a previous target for the Hoops.
He said: “I’m delighted. I had a few options but the chance to play Champions League football is too good to turn down.”
Forster given until end of month for decision before Celtic turn attention to another keeper
By John Mcgarry
Celtic will give Fraser Forster until the end of next week to provide an answer to his contract offer before turning their attentions to an alternative goalkeeper.
The Parkhead club have agreed a £2million fee with Newcastle United for the stopper but Sportsmail understands that price guarantee only holds until the end of this month.
With Celtic due to return for pre-season training on July 2 – and Champions League qualifiers scheduled for the end of that month – manager Neil Lennon cannot afford to ask for the agreement over the fee to be extended any
longer while he awaits Forster’s answer.
Celtic made a take-it-or-leave-it offer to the 24-year-old Englishman two weeks ago but, although he has subsequently met with his agent Mark Curtis to discuss the matter, no answer has been forthcoming so far.
Celtic have become frustrated with the impasse but, given he is the manager’s No 1 choice, they are prepared to wait a little longer in the hope the player agrees to sign.
Forster had been strongly linked with Queens Park Rangers but that avenue was closed off yesterday when Mark Hughes signed England goalkeeper Robert Green following his release by West Ham United.
Sportsmail revealed yesterday that one name under consideration by Celtic is that of Blackburn Rovers’ Paul Robinson, who is available on a year’s loan.
It’s understood that Lennon’s preference is to sign a permanent keeper, however, after two successive loan deals for Forster.
Craig Gordon is also in the mix after being freed by Sunderland. The former Hearts No 1 has stated his desire to remain in the Barclays Premier League but he has not ruled out a return to Scotland.
Greek Michalis Sifakis has also been offered to Lennon. The Aris goalkeeper, a member of the Greece squad at Euro 2012, is also available on a free transfer.
Morning all from gay Paree, occasional showers (21C max)
It’s all starting to converge: they will be extremely lucky to be playing any football anywhere in season 2012/13.
RFC(InLiq.): Time to Pay the Wages of Sin
From a United fan on Twitter
Euan McP @euanmcp11
SFL3’s not that bad: A new trophy to win – Challenge Cup – could have 3 stars before they come back up
Hahahahahahahahahahaha
Time to punt the loanee goalkeeper methinks.
He doesn’t want to play for us for the wages we are offering him.
Plenty good goalies up for grabs at this time of the year who wouldlove to play for us.
And for less money than the loanee is going to cost.
Good Friday morning CQNers,
Another good news morning, the stench from the Rangers cadaver is becoming more repulsive by the day it it’s burial can’t be far off now.
Long live the Celtic.
Come on Jim Spence,,,reveal who the other SPL club is, that is saying NO to NEWCO!!!!
Hail hail
You know, I’m starting to think that no Rangers new or old might be the approaching reality.
ibleedgreenandwhite1
That’s what I’m up early today for too.
Snake Plissken on 22 June, 2012 at 08:28 said:
ibleedgreenandwhite1
That’s what I’m up early today for too.
Lol,,,,im up every morning bloody kids and there bloody shcool run grrrrrr :)
Hail hail
Liam McLeod sounding a little depressed on Shortbread.
Come on Jim,,,spill it????
Hail hail
Jim Spence on the other hand sounding quite perky.
I bet its Aberdeen???
Hail hail
RFC (LanLiq): Languishing in Liquidation
I get the feeling that the more SPL chairman who go public with their ‘No’ vote, the less inclined others will be to vote ‘yes’ … keep those ‘no’ votes coming guys!!!