Thoroughly enjoying yesterday’s coordinated effort by Newco fans who have rushed to the coattails of Dave King. To be fair to the fans, the time for them to act was years ago, before Sir David Murray set Oldco on a path to destruction, there is little positive that can be done now. Still, that’s no reason to dive headlong into destruction.
After the debacle of 2012, when Oldco were liquidated, the assets were scooped up by people who wanted to make a lot of money. The moment Charles Green and his consortium owned the assets, this reality should have been acknowledged. No amount of 13th hour Blue Knight revisionism was going to change things.
Green made off with his money a year ago, but as a consequence of that, there are newer investors, with exactly the same objectives. There are also local investors in the form of the Easdale brothers. Neither of these groups will be bullied into submission.
King’s escrow plan, which hopes to gain security of the stadium and Murray Park, cannot be accommodated by the club. How many fans do you think they will convince to hand their season ticket money over, 1000? As many as 3000? Whatever your guess figure, this does not have the look of a high participation endeavour.
With many more fans likely to renew, and more still likely to be completely turned off by the nonsense, the The Rangers Football Club Ltd have a legal duty to their shareholders (Rangers International PLC) and creditors (coincidentally, also Rangers International PLC) to retain security of company assets. Placing them beyond the reach of creditors would be a remarkably brave and self-defeating act.
It now suits the club for King’s plan to appear to be effective, or at the very least, reduce season ticket renewals to a trickle. They can cite this as the action which tips The Rangers Football Club Ltd into administration. As the overwhelmingly major creditor, Rangers International would control this administration and their agents will set about reducing costs.
I would expect to see Newco to continue trading as a youth team for the foreseeable future, with Rangers International taking security of Ibrox and Murray Park, to satisfy their unresolved debt. This will be sold to the masses as ‘securing the stadium’, but it would be the key separation of club and stadium which King as sought to prevent.
Going forward, The Rangers Football Club Ltd will have no significant assets, no playing assets to speak of, and a substantial rental to pay to Rangers International, whose shareholders will still require their financial return. Don’t lose sight of this, the Piper Always Needs to be Paid. Always.
I haven’t revisited the RIPLC accounts which drew comment last week (might be worth an update later), but the important information to glean from them is the cost of running a football operation at a stadium which can occasionally host >40,000 people. You’re looking at circa £19m annually, before you employ a footballer.
I don’t see a way forward. This is a dead multi-club football franchise, killed by 1,000 reckless acts. Even the youth team scenario is unaffordable.
The hedge funds will know this already. Remember what John Brown claims Charles Green told him he would do to Ibrox if he was messed with? Raze it to the ground, apparently. After Newco Youth Team has spent a year-or-so bouncing around, we’ll hear that Ibrox is unsustainable as a football stadium (which I could believe). It will be razed and re-designated as an industrial area.
Celtic better have their plans in place now, as should the rest of Scottish football. There was a notion that there would be a three year hiatus before it was business as usual. This will not be the case.
We need to stand together, as a club, and with other clubs, wherever possible. We need to support the game, primarily through season ticket purchases, but we must find common ground with other clubs and fans.
Leppings Lane
Everything was wrong about football back then. Stadiums were not so much designed, they were built to fit the space and available materials. The lower Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough will be remembered as the worst terracing in football but, in truth, it was just where the next big disaster happened. It could have been anywhere.
After a decade or so of football hooliganism in England, fans were penned in, 8’ fences blocked entrance to the field, some topped with barbed wire. If you were at the fence, you were staying there until the thousands behind you headed home. Hampden Park had these fences, a legacy of the 1980 Cup Final, but they were absent from other grounds in Scotland. The Jungle had some high fencing but with regular breaks. If you wanted to get onto the field, you could do so.
Leppings Lane had further chronic safety violations. As well as a fence at the front the terrace was divided into four pens with fences running back to front. Once through the turnstile, fans were free to choose which pens to join; most would choose the central two. Of course they would.
The central two pens were accessed via a tunnel running under the upper stand. On That Day, fans entering at the rear of the tunnel had no inclination of the crush ahead. By the time they were part of the crush, others had gathered behind them. Space to retreat was quickly lost.
The outer pens were empty, the central two, death-traps. Fans piling into the tunnel knew nothing of the crisis ahead.
For some minutes it was possible for the police to burst open the pens and allow fans to flood free onto the pitch but they were still in crowd control mode. By the time they realised there was a disaster underway, it was too late.
There were lies and cover-ups. Fans were blamed, and accused of atrocious acts, all untrue. The government were complicit. The Sun were the worst media offenders but by no means the only one.
Two weeks ago a fresh inquiry into the events of that day opened in Warrington. At long last, the truth, which we’ve all known for years, will out. Too late for many campaigners and bereaved, who died fighting the combined weight of the establishment, but welcome nonetheless.
Tomorrow, CQN’er, Iain McGovern, sets off on a 232 mile walk from Celtic Park to Anfield, where he hopes to arrive 11 days later, in aid of the Lola Commons Fund for SiMBA. It’s his way of commemorating Hillsborough. Supporting him could be yours.
I’m delighted (actually excited) to confirm John Hughes will be on the blog on Thursday morning. John is Celtic’s seventh highest goal scorer in our 126 year history. He has remarkable insights into some of the great times and characters of our history. Tune in and ask him questions online.
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eddieinkirkmichael-agree,totally uncalled for reference.
Winning Captains, will see you then, and am looking forward to it.
Can’t understand why folk are getting in to Anthony Stokes. All he said was we would like a little more competition he didn’t say I can’t wait to hear the Billy boys again.
notthebus
The 1 at the bottom is thinking outside their box.
I didn’t know who wrote this but the picture that’s painted is a distinct possibility.
At this stage of the game, all Rangers fans should know this.
_____________________________
A fiver for your thoughts
There may be a few that are in the know regarding what our board are actually doing, thinking and planning but generally we are all just looking at whatever angles WE can see.
Personally, i think they are doing exactly as you say and not giving them ANY fuel to stoke(pun intended)their fire.
It clearly isn’t what many supporters want them to say and i think i understand how frustrating it is for those that want Celtic to come out and tell it like it is, but i think(or hope)the club are simply telling them what they hope to hear while defusing loaded questions and getting on with running OUR club well, in the knowledge that THEY ARE FINISHED.
There is a wee saying that pops up on here at times – do not feed the troll.
Is it possible that Celtic think exactly the same?
Kojo
Are you dermot Desmond?
Jamesgang
Still pull in’ yar leg ;-)
HH
I’ve read some absolute nonsense on CQN over the years, some of it from me I might add, but David Murray being a big financial contributor to the SNP?
Complete and utter tosh.
Tallybhoy,
Re your comments on DD, how do you feel when he regularly tells us we will play in England within X years?
Awe_Naw
I do not agree with the politics of any of the individuals I mentioned (I am an unreconstructed socialist) but I would argue that none of them made their careers because of, or through, their Celtic connections.
You must admit that none of the recent occupants of the blue room are serious players in Scottish society. SDM had serious influence but he is now regarded as badly damaged goods.
I think a serious scam was hatched in order for a debt free team in blue to continue to play out of Ibrox, but some of the spivs didn’t stick to the script and fat salary hasn’t delivered on the park. There is now, as Paul has outlined, a better than evens chance that they could lose Ibrox and therefore any chance of them seriously competing with us EVER.
Why should Celtic make a statement that could galvanise them into doing something sensible when their WATP attitude is what will destroy them no matter what their friends in high places do to help?
BMCUW
We lost 3-2.
Played at Firhill.
Attendance about 7000 if I remember correctly. Young Paul McMullan motm.
I was NOT there. Will not be going this time either.
HH!!
Fritzsong
Me a Victim of a Dangerous fallacy..?
Pal.. How aboot including Yersel in that Accusation.
Fur..
If ye Believe that it is Possible fur Re-invigorated Aberdeen or a Rebounding Hibs or Hearts??… tae Become Celtic’s Main rivals fur League Supremecy.. then Ah wid say that
You are Certainly bucking fur.. becoming A vIctim of that same dancerous Fallacy.
Right?
Of Course Ah am.
Kojo
Still,Laughin
Jamesgang
Bet your glad you did History at school.
Jamesgang
How did Ye guess..?
One good Pull. deserves. Another!
Kojo
Still,Laughin
Doc
It’s cos CFC have spoken about us playing ‘Rangers’ in the youth cup final.
As opposed to Sevco, newco, The rangers, etc
Point of principle. Moot point. Semantics. All 3 views in strong evidence this evening. I feel all 3 within myself. Heavily conflicted as it were!
HH jamesgang
It seems like the return of the huns aint going to happen the way it was mapped out and I’m sure the Celtic board are aware of this. The decision to advertise the Glasgow Cup Final as the ‘real’ Rangers is no big deal in my opinion…we all know the truth.
I firmly believe now they have had it. Even until recently I still had my doubts and I thought they would fluke a Cup win this year and try and build upon it. In their depleted state they have still financially doped to win the minor leagues. They are an embarrassment. Their fans are now beginning to see reality; the press are still in the main trying to work it out but the ground has changed in Scotland and it will never be the same again. Let’s hope Aberdeen and United and some others continue to improve and flourish.
I’m not getting excited about an u’17 Glasgow Cup Final because if that is their level now my dreams have come true.
HH
Point of principle for me JamesGang.
Not impressed, off to have a gander at the official site.
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
11:38 on
15 April,
cyrenean
It’s not been mentioned yet but it is not the Bluebell Polka that I remember but Whistling Rufus by Jimmy Shand in the early 60s. I think it was played regularly maybe 15 or 20 minutes before kick off.
______________________________________________________________________
Whistling Rufus…Chris Barber`s Jazz Band
Home ,boys,home…….Frank Haffey et al…B side of Celtic,Celtic,that`s the team for me.
marrakesh express
I even did it at Uni too! Don’t tell TD!!
;-)
Obviously wisnae listening right!
I blame my school!
HH jamesgang
Doc
You are known as a Mhan of that particular virtue.
HH jamesgang
Bobby Murdoch
Hiya,Pally..
Despising the Sevco..like you hiv vouchsafed…is an Admirable Attribute..
Howevahnn..
It will Not Prevent their Eventual return.
That is Something. that you should be contemplating..
Ah hiv Already done that..
n..
Ah hiv reached the Conclusion that
It wull Be a good Thing fur Us.
Meanwhile.. Ye are allowed tae despise the Sevco..as Much as You wish..
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
jamesgang
21:54 on
15 April, 2014
On a lighter note. 1st listen to wee Paolo’s new album.
Wee Mhan’s a genius. 2nd best singer ever to come out of Paisley…..
————————————–
Would you be the finest jamesgang? :)
Heard a song from his new album on the radio a few days ago and really liked it.
Normally it takes me a few listens to begin to like a song.
Very talented guy and maybe he is going to surpass Sunny Side Up?
macjay
wis it not Slattery’s Mounted Fut that wiz the B side?
Long e-mail sent to JP Taylor re Sevco suggest all like minded CQNers do the same.Hail Hail Hebcelt
Doc
Big Yogi may have scored 189 goals for Celtic but how many will he score on Thursday evening?
I have managed to retain my place in the CQN Fives and to celebrate I have invited the big guy along. The bhoys could be playing with a Lion! I have already advised him that he will be getting nutmegged!
Thunder Road 21.56
Thanks, our club have waited a long time to deliver a message, not an inflammatory message, an example.
Our club has survived and thrived despite adversity from the establishment, enjoy the next decade of dominance, but have humility and tell every RIFC fan you meet that we are hoping that they provide some competition soon.
HH
JamesGang, virtue, long lost that buddy:-)
Just read the article, now I’m conflicted.
We can see a car crash coming for Sevco, so now conflicted too.
It makes me baulk to think our club acknowledging them as the same club, history and all.
The article doesn’t do that, but it doesn’t take, another, opportunity to make a statement/stand.
Thunder Road
That’ll be me! In the shower and in my dreams!
Love this kid. He’s got some gift.
‘Better Man’ – listened to 2 mins of it. It’ll be the 1st dance at many’s a wedding. But at 5.29 it lasts longer than some marriages!
HH jamesgang
A FIVER FOR YOUR THOUGHTS
I’d never be able to keep my face straight saying that.
Doc
Regarding Celtic advertising Glasgow Cup Final ( U17 ) using the dead teams name instead of sevco / rifc or whatever .
WC, CRC will be gutted he is in Benidorm!!!!!
I’m sure there will be nutmegs, but not so sure who will be getting megged!
I’m also gutted I am a while away from a comeback!
FGF, caught up now, email to be sent.
Desmond and Lawwell are desperate for the zombie club to get into the top flight.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens if Sevco are liquidated, as now seems inevitable. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Third Rangers being allowed to parachute into whatever division Sevco vacated.
At that point, I’m out.
ipaddy mccourt supports wee oscar
Don’t think you will be the only one mate.
mayanman
22:08 on
15 April, 2014
macjay
wis it not Slattery’s Mounted Fut that wiz the B side?
——————————————————————————————————————–
Could be,pal.
My memory`s not as good as I thought it used to be.
:-)
Emial to JP Taylor away – thoroughly pi55ed off!!!
—————-
Absolutely disgusted with Celtic’s official statements (and for that matter player interviews) that give support to the lie that the club / team curently playing out of Ibrox stadium is the same one that was our former bitter rivals. It is incomprehensible to me that my club continues to apparently ignore the fact that this is a new club, which seeks to adopt the identity of the former club, Rangers, which is now in the throes of liquidation.
Can you explain the club’s apparent stance on this matter to me? For the CEO to make several statements in the past re: ‘Sporting Integrity’, and to then allow a variety of statements that have supported this lie leaves a very, very bitter taste in my mouth.
I have stood for years supporting Celtic in, what we know now, was a rigged setup, with Rangers using illegal and / or unregistered payments to steal trophies from us. Rangers have now paid for that – they are no more, they have entered liquidation following an administration from which they could not recover.
Celtic should treat the new club as just that – a new club. They should not call them Rangers, or Third Lanark, or Abercorn, or Solway Star, or Renton, or any other former club – that is not their name or their identity. Does the club know how much it offends a large number of its faithful fans to see this lie perpetrated by our own club? Do they care? It sometimes seems not.
Pleased to hear the club’s response.
Regards – ‘ BGFC ‘ (holder of three season tickets)
————
HH
BGFC
I’m with you Doc.
ThomTheTim posted earlier. About 7.40ish.
Thoughtful posts ref emotional love of CFC versus principles.
Wow this dominance malarkey is harder than I expected it to be!
Shower n shave and Holby City. My payback for my CQN obsession!
HH all Timdom
Jamesgang
Ghuys
Email (and earlier tweet) off to JP expressing my displeasure about their reference to Sevco with regard to the Glasgow Cup match.
My ST renewal is in the balance.
Doc – don’t fancy being in goals with Yogi firing in shots!
Mayanman
Hiya,Pally.. Pleased tae Meet ye..
Ah do not blame ye fur the way that ye Feel. toward the Imminent return of Oor Hateful.n Hated Rivals..’
Ah, too, share all of Your Disgust n Loathing in regards tae Them.
But..
Hiving said all that..
We must be Practical..
We cannon get everything ..jist the way that we want..
Ah am sure that you Already know that..
But.. Ah do not see any harm in Reminding You!
It is a fact of Life .. to which we must face up.
The Sevco will be back.. It will Happen..
n.. when it does..’
Ah wull be NOT, Joyful.. but. Happy… enuff..
tae Receive them..
n AH do no Fear their Return… Ah will welcome.. the much needed
Competition which ther Return will Bring tae the League Race..
Nice Chattin
Kojo
Still,Laughin’