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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Have any sevco or ex deidco players been been asked by msm if they miss playing us. Anyone?
Most overused words on CQN. –
Back, and return.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………Praying for our WEE HERO!
With the greatest respect I totally disagree.
Leigh Griffiths was lucky to get to CP. He was warned in no uncertain terms what standards were required at Parkhead. He was signed with that proviso and to date has failed to meet the required standards. Playing for Celtic requires personal responsibility.
He has been targeted because of his stupidity and the likelihood that a negative event would occur . I believe that everyone in any walk of life deserves a second chance but can anybody seriously say they are surprised.
Although I personally do not think his actions were that bad, the sad thing is that it was so predictable and it does bring the club into disrepute. How many, including our own supporters muttered “I told you so”
I do agree that his punishment should be proportionate, however IMO the jury is still out on both he and Anthony Stokes.
Both lacked common sense and judgement.
HH to you.
.
brogan rogan trevino and hogan supports oscar knox, mackenzie furniss and anyone else who fights neuroblastoma
11:40 on 16 April, 2014
Two questions , if you don’t mind .
1. “There is a feeling abroad that Rangers Football Club have been given preferential treatment”
Could you expand on this ?
2. “And it is working — just check the twitter statements from the Chairman of Forfar Athletic last night.”
What did the Forfar chairman say last night ?
Many thanks in advance .
That the crisisnengulfing the Hun was always a risk to celtic is accepted by all I think.
But that celtic are playing their hand so poorly here is astonishing.
I do not accept the guff that the celtic statement is something they had to put out. It’s just guff and a crap excuse and an insult to our intelligence.
This isn’t semantics and it does matter. This is corruption, cheating and mass indoctrination and our own club are visiting it upon us.
We are divided due to the embracing of that corruption.
HT
Would the SFA have criticised Celtic?
Would the SFA have fined Celtic?
IMHO
Yes at every opportunity…
yorkbhoy
12:16 on 16 April, 2014
HT
Would the SFA have criticised Celtic?
Would the SFA have fined Celtic?
IMHO
Yes at every opportunity…
______________________
So, when will we begin to see the benefits of
having PL at the SFA ?
HH
BRTH
I hope ACGR is not absconding with the CQN whisky cask and this is the real reason why he going into hiding :-)
Seriously though this is in Celtics hands to manage the expectations of the masses better. Patience in this matter is very important but as we will all have different fuses and trigger points, then it can easily be sparked. Just read CQN on every second day igniting with a minimum of fuss.
My first port of call at Celtic would be to overhaul the PR dept and whilst we are on that perhaps a rethink on security leadership as well.
Starting leading by example and sending out the right message to the fans, and not flippant schoolboy comments at AGMs.
Perhaps I am asking for mission impossible, but still remaining patient on this.
HH
CRC
Does anyone on here believe Elvis Presley is alive?
Should the Presley family, or even Carl Perkins’ family, release a statement to confirm Elvis is dead?
I am genuinely baffled as to why people require reassurance from Celtic over an indisputable fact.
Liquidation is permanent. It is not just for Christmas.
BT
I will try and nip up to the Tartan Shamrock today or tomorrow and claim those 6 pints. :-)
Thanks very much
HH
CRC
Ps hope your credits good?
Steinreignedsupreme
Totally agree. I think Lawwell addressed that at the AGM. It was maybe said in a flippant way but they can call themselves what they want but they still liquidated. They are a new club.
LB
I heard last night that, the UB’s weren’t at ibrokes as
the wee lassie that died the other day was, a member.
Neganon
I’m still sorry I missed you at CQteN.
Quick question: Given The Rangers Football Club Ltd legitimately operates a football team called Rangers FC, and that this designation is protected at Law, by Football Regulation and through Media Accreditation Agreements designed “to protect, market and commercialise official match related data” , how would you refer to them in official media and publications?
HamiltonTim
I don’t think you will consistently get what you are looking for from Celtic Park sadly.
I do not know why Celtic did not change the statement to read “The” Rangers or what the consequences would be.
Perhaps they did not think about the matter or perhaps they thought about it and decided tactically not to challenge the wording?
I have no idea which.
I actually disagree with you on the chance to make a statement issue. I realise what you are saying and what you want them to say and why.
However, if Celtic make a statement ( and there is a big argument for saying that they should ) it will be palmed off as just a meaningless statement from Celtic as opposed to a statement from one of the authorities.
So let me pose a question:
The SPL changed its name to the SPFL — it is the same organisation — the same limited company as it always was just with a different name.
Clearly, that is not the same position as Rangers International Football Club PLC or The Rangers Football Club limited both of which were established two years ago.
So — forgetting the idiocy of the SFA — should someone not check with Neil Doncaster whether or not the current Ibrox club have ever won one of their championships before or have ever held a share in SPFL ltd in the past?
Also — if I may be so bold — is it not about time for the ordinary football fan to “take football back” and in that respect– and with all due respect to the Celtic Board and the board of any other club — they can think and say what they like the fans know the score and what is cobblers and what is not.
I don’t see the statement yesterday as really being all that important and it would not sway me one way or the other– whilst fundamentally disagreeing with it — there are far more important things that get up my nose while fully respecting your position and Mick’s stance.
Hail Hail
Did Pele ever come onto the park at half-time in the 70s or 80s?
Maybe during a friendly or the Centenary Cup against Cruzeiro Belo Horizonte?
Or am I just imagining it?
ShouldhavestayedaffitCSC
livibhoy – god bless wee oscar
steinreignedsupreme
It’s not what the NEW club call themselves that matters , it’s their claim on the OLD clubs history that needs addressed .
BRTH
Care to take a stab at the question I asked Neganon above?
Forfar Chairman @chairman_forfar 13h
No disrespect to Rangers at all – but there is no enjoyment in a football mismatch. I wish them all the best next season but this is unequal
CRC
agree with every word of that.
Four Green Firls and TBB
Off oot for my lunch ( I am late ) so will answer those later.
To hell with the begrudgers!!!
new article posted.
IMHO this is not just our war.. it’s all of scottish football’s war to fight. We play under the sfa’s banner and if they call them rangers then we need to toe the line. There are another 40 clubs. Yes we are by far the biggest but are we supposed to prop the game up AND fight all their fights for them. We are already seriously disliked in Scotland, should we go and make it worse for our club and our fans ? Imagine the bad decisions we would see if the sfa then decided to be more blatant in their dislike for us ? Imagine how bad the msm would get. Celtic are probably angry about what is going on but publicly they can’t be seen to be the ringleaders. Lawelll probably knows how bad things are over next to the govan asda so he is toeing the party line and allowing them to kill themselves without putting our boot in.
maybe aye, maybe no
FourGreenFields
I think I addressed that previously and then BRTH did a much better job at it. Until the big tax case is decided then the stripping of titles can be adjudged by the SFA. If they fail to do so then Celtic have to get involved. If they do not then fans will walk away. Many thousands will walk.
The SFA let them transfer the old club titles and history over and I believe that within Scotland it is legal to do so unless anyone can prove otherwise. We have to live with that unfortunately.
I am not an expert. Just reading what is on here and other sites I read.
LB
brogan rogan trevino and hogan supports oscar knox, mackenzie furniss and anyone else who fights neuroblastoma
“So — forgetting the idiocy of the SFA — should someone not check with Neil Doncaster whether or not the current Ibrox club have ever won one of their championships before or have ever held a share in SPFL ltd in the past?”
The official SPFL website lists the team called rangers currently playing in the third tier of the league as having won 54 top flight league titles, stretching back to the 1890’s and including nine in a row during the 1990’s.
GREENPINATA
Frankly,I find it a difficult position to be in. It’s equivocation,as I said to one of our team on here.
It doesn’t alter the fact that he was a total idiot. Nor that he was put in the frame because of who he was and not what he did.
I don’t like double standards,mate. But I don’t like them being used against us either.
When Peter Lawwell states that Celtic have a business plan completely non dependent on any other club in Scotland he is called a liar and accused of secretly conspiring to fast track the Norwegian Blues into the SPFL. When Peter Lawwell makes a joke about the Zombies calling themselves anything they want but it doesn’t make them the same club and he is accused of indulging in cheap shots that are not befitting of a Club of our ‘s stature. The club issue a press release about an under 17’s match and its time light the pitchforks and pick up the torches, :-),” to the carpark” is the battlecry.
Celtic are perpetuating the deidco myth, aye right get a grip people. Celtic have made a decision over an u17’s match, does anyone honestly believe that if Celtic had billed this as a match between our u17’s and a new team that we would have been supported by any of the media in Scotland? No Celtic would have been slaughtered for indulging in petty and spiteful insulting behaviour towards a team of kids.
If a new,new,newco ever face Celtic I do not give a monkeys what they are called in the programme because they will not be Rangers as they died in 2012.
BRTH, Brilliant post……………………..you have made me re-think.
I have 2 season books I am considering binning.
I drive up from Lytham of a Saturday, pick up my Da and enjoy the match with him before dropping him off and driving doon the road.
I’m getting scunnered at the games being shifted from a week-end to midweek at the drop of a hat, I think it’s 4 this season, that’s 4×2 games I (we) miss out on.
.
I’m scunnered at the way the polis are treating our kids, with the apparent collusion of my club.
I’m scunnered games shifted to suit the telly, NEW YEARS DAY FFS!!!!! Surely we lose money on this, no way will TV cash make up the shortfall on fans going to the pub instead of the turnstyle?
I’m scunnered that everything appears to be done with absolutely NO consideration given, by anyone, to the guys who actually fund the whole shibang…..us, the support.
Your comment on RES 12 (I gave my shares to this) has me a big bit excited, is there an output imminent?
As for any form of deid club, I couldn’t care a jot if we never have them darken our door again. Like the rest of the support, I just want to be listened to, you know, like a paying customer.
I feell better for that, bet there’s a new article posted.
FourGreenFields 12:27 on 16 April, 2014
livibhoy – god bless wee oscar
steinreignedsupreme
“It’s not what the NEW club call themselves that matters , it’s their claim on the OLD clubs history that needs addressed.”
Sevco’s claim on Rangers Football Club PLC’s history has been addressed in UK law (prior to the events of 2012). The Insolvency Act 1986 was passed to prevent the history of a liquidated entity being transferred to a new entity.
new quote of the season – brth
The scale and impact of this complete bollox was unforeseen and unforeseeable
UTT – upper tier tribunal, what’s BDO by the way ?
It is sad that the fans attending an under 17 match between Celtic and Sevco will have to be segregated.
I have been disappointed that none of Scotland’s senior political figures have been willing to stand up and state that our society is better off without this poisonous fixture.