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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Great read today Paul67.
Excellent summation of That Day did, though, omit the opening of the gate by the South Yorkshire Police, which was seen by Justice Taylor as the final act of gross negligence in the chain of appalling policing.
HH
Chilean Quick News
Apparently the danger money for woaring on Santiago public transport is quite good these days. Read on….
Colo Colo wins 30th campeonato to end drought
Colo Colo, the country’s most successful football club, returned to the summit of Chilean soccer Sunday, overcoming both nerves and a determined Santiago Wanderers side to become league champions for the 30th time and ending the side’s four year wait for the title in the process.
Héctor Tapia guided the team to end its second-longest period without a league title after taking the reins last season — the longest stretch was between 1972 and 1979 — but the manager was quick to deflect the praise onto his players.
“It’s very emotional for me. It was a really difficult campaign, but I’m happy,” he said. “The players deserve it, the success is down to them. They made all of this possible and I take my hat off to them for how they worked to bring this joy to the people.”
That joy was too much for some — according to a press release from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, following the match with Santiago Wanderers almost 400 Transantiago buses were vandalized by rejoicing fans, while seven others were hijacked and one SuBus vehicle was even stolen. The subsequent lack of buses in circulation directly affected 11 districts, including Estación Central, La Florida and Renca.
However, nothing could mar a day of intense celebration for the manager and his players. It was a particularly special day for Tapia, initially an interim manager following the departure of Gustavo Benítez in October 2013, who has greatly exceeded the expectations that usually accompany the role.
The young manager spoke throughout the season of his team’s maturity, which benefited from a strong spine of experienced players who pulled the team through several tests of character and resolve.
The side conceded just 15 goals in the league, the second fewest of any side after O’Higgins, on the way to clinching the title — 36-year-old goalkeeper Justo Villar was an assured presence between the posts and enjoyed the protection of a defense expertly marshalled by 29-year-old Julio Barroso. The centerback joined after winning the league with O’Higgins last season, bringing with him the knowledge of exactly what it takes to win the campeonato.
Colo Colo also enjoyed a lethal edge up front, outscoring every other team in the league with 38 goals. At 33 years of age Esteban Paredes was the team’s clinical target man, and is currently the league’s joint top scorer with 11 goals.
Linking defense and attack was midfielder Jaime Valdés, having joined from Parma after more than 10 seasons playing in Italy. He invariably provided a reliable outlet for his defense and a constant threat around the edge of the opposition area.
The team’s wealth of experience helped to create a consistency of performance unmatched by its rivals — in particular a run of seven straight wins from the end of January, broken March 9 by a 0-0 draw with Cobreloa, opened up an uncloseable gap between Tapia’s men and the chasing pack.
A 30th domestic league title for Colo Colo means the club has almost twice as many league titles as its biggest rival and the country’s second largest club, Universidad de Chile, which has won 16. Furthermore, it puts Colo Colo among the most successful club sides on the continent — Paraguayan side Olimpia currently leads the elite with 39 titles to its name.
Paul..you have caused a stir on FF
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Re: Brennan’s Latest
this clowns ramblings (or should I say fantasies) should not be given any oxygen on here.
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Can’t be bothered reading that. Someone care to summarize?
Mental illness
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The fact they want admin, move the assets and burn Ibrox to the ground isn’t slanderous? (sic)
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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.
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A wee thought. Should King a man very conscious of what he sees as THEIR rightful place in Scottish Football,gain control, will he in the interests of Honour and Dignity payoff oldco’s debts which they sloped two years ago?
woaring = working.
Duh !!
quonno
Why of course he will! With interest aplenty. What kind of a good chap wouldn’t?
;-)
Aff oot. The wee westie won’t walk herself…..
Laters Jungles….
HH jamesgang
jamesgang
19:33 on 15 April, 2014
thomthethim for oscar ok
You make your point well and forcefully mhate.
Respect
HH jamesgang
********
Thank you. I truly appreciate your response.
It is not an easy position to take, but in all logic, I can’t see it any other way.
The problem is that football is a game of emotion, but,sometimes emotion is not enough and the state of the game at present, is one of those times.
Hmmmmm?
….ach well.
Off oot.
The number of season tickets sales,will let the board know the supporters thoughts on their failure to speak up for them.
Never thought I would say it,but I am slowly losing interest in football.
I fail to recognize any common ground I have with this set of directors.
thomthethim
You’re spot on. I think I’m a 50:50 split in life between logic and emotion. But not in football. As you say the heart pulls so strongly!
Right. Def need to walk the dug.
Again. Respect Fhriend.
HH jamesgang
Some amount of guff on here about what Celtic call ‘The’ Rangers/ Sevco/ Newclub/ Newco. It reminds me a we bit of Harry Potter – ‘he who must not be named’ – quite frankly, the facts speak for themselves. We all know it, they all know it. I don’t like that they are getting away with using the old name for the new team but I don’t see what is to be gained by the club writing anything other than ‘Rangers’ (there I gone and done typed it!)
You’d be feeding the hostile press and inflaming an already inflamed fixture – it may well be a new club but we have all noticed how the same clowns who used to follow the old club have all TUPED over to the new one.
Relax. Sit back and watch the great sevco bunfight to the death and maybe even dare to venture along and watch the U17 Celtic win a trophy against another Glasgow Club who love to hate us.
I’m content with the way ahead for Celtic. We’ve just reached the last book in the sequence of the Harry Potteresque struggle between good and evil – Voldermort (Rangers) have tried to come back but in the vanity that accompanies the baddies they have been unable to muster the humility to do it in a sustainable and humble way.
Don’t waste yer time worrying about what Celtic call ‘Rangers’
I suspect Stokes was put up today as part of his penance, the Club ,as we seen on TV last week should tell the lapdogs which questions are out of bounds.No hun related questions,it’s not that hard really……unless the party line is much different to the majority of the fans.
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
16:26 on 15 April, 2014
Celtic had better sort this out…….the orcs were liquidated, and if Celtic are going to join the media charade / circus of denial, this is one supporter who will not be renewing, and I won’t be alone……SORT THIS OUT, CELTIC…..QUICK………YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF THE REPERCUSSIONS……I won’t live their lie
Rioskorrie.
if you are still about,are you from Wick with the initials JD or do you know someone in Brazil that matches the details
roberttressell
19:53 on 15 April, 2014
The only ‘guff’ is in your post, I’m afraid…… It took long enough to remove that hate-filled monstrosity from Scottish Football / Society, now some of us (even) want them back …… did you enjoy their unrepentant ex-fans (ignored / unreported) repertoire at their last 2 games…..?
67heaven … i am neil lennon, supporting wee oscar..!!.. ibrox belongs to the creditors
What are these consequences?
Did you not hear the singing at the recent Patrick thistle game or the Dundee it’s game by our own fans, that went unreported too.
Dundee united
Rangers will probably sell 20,000 season tickets if there is another admin event and the assets are hived off. That’s the figure I would put on the blindly loyal or those with too much money. As you say Paul67 that isn’t enough and Ibrox is worth more as a non playing venue.
Why is King not asking why he wasn’t allowed to buy the assets at £5.5m? Why is King not approaching the SFA or Queens Park to use Hampden.? He could go the whole hog and just say I am restarting Rangers now from scratch.
As there is clearly no exit route for Celtic we need to either manage reduction as we have been doing or share out our riches with our competitors. I am sure Aberdeen could never become as hateful as Rangers unless they stopped employing Catholics. Hey maybe there is an idea?
consequences = repercussions
Kids still 1 down
mullet and co 2
20:13 on 15 April, 2014
Why is King not asking why he wasn’t allowed to buy the assets at £5.5m?
He was in court case with the South African tax at the time
Them did/do sign Catholics – Jon daly
I am also sure Dave King is more than capable of lifting the phone to St Mirren or Kilmarnock to make them an offer they couldn’t refuse.
gordybhoy64 19:59
..that Bhoy from Brasil with the initials JD would be me.
(the clue’s in ma sign on)
Within a political context Sevco have more clout than we have. An influence over Governments, The justice system, political parties, the MSM , The Scottish football association, The SPFL, Police Scotland, The European commission, UEFA the ECA and it has been amicably demonstrated these last two years.
A sphere of influence we can only dream of. So we try and get in with the powers that be by being deliberately docile and kiss arsey but any exit plan involves a hun team. The sphere of influence will help to assist that be rest assured.
HH
my boss is peter principle
20:11 on 15 April, 2014
Songs of remembrance are not sectarian…….every Country who ever fought for independence from an ‘Empirical’ ruler has songs of remembrance……..
Bada Bing,
That was my initial thought as soon as I heard Stokes’ nonense. Why couldn’t Celtic have someone controlling the questions and if the SMSM start asking about the deid team, the session should be brought to an abrupt end.
Celtic, that team are dead and every last supporter thanks Ghod for it. WE DO NOT WANT THEM BACK IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM EVER AGAIN.
awe_naw_no_annoni_oan_anaw_noo
20:21 on 15 April, 2014
All that power and they got put in the lowest tier of Scottish football.
Hammer Time
West Ham take the lead. Good.
My boss is Peter principle,
I am quite sure Dave King was not so preoccupied with his case that he couldn’t have made an offer for the assets. The point I am making was that he was not allowed to as the admin was a stitch up to deliver the assets to Whyte. There also the spectre of Whyte and King and Murray allegedly meeting at some point in Switzerland well before admin. What this adds to the story I am not sure but I do think there is a possibility King knew what Whyte was up to but none of the 3 gents mentioned bargained for Green.
You are correct that Rangers sign Catholics but they did not for over 100 years. The point I am making is that no other team could ever come close to creating the same rivalry with Celtic as they have never indulged in discriminating against the people who have generally made up the largest percentage of the Celtic support. I was being facetious but obviously failed.
67heaven … i am neil lennon, supporting wee oscar..!!.. ibrox belongs to the creditors
20:22 on 15 April, 2014
my boss is peter principle
20:11 on 15 April, 2014
Songs of remembrance are not sectarian…….
What are you on about?
The song for Bpbby Sands MP and the add on is not for football matches.. Sorry
The Pole makes it 1 each
mullet and co 2
20:26 on 15 April, 2014
The points you were making nonsense
CQteN package arrived………..thanks lads! (Paul 67, Doc, BRTH, Winning Captains et al)
Cheers CSC.
Awe naw, the sphere of influence is undoubtably there but Murray has gone and politicians are rightly distancing themselves from toxic Murray. Salmond has relatively clean hands as far as sleaze is concerned but that could quickly change with proof of any unnatural influence wrt Rangers. Murray was a large contrubter to the SNP. Did that come from his own personal fortune or from EBTs or from free money from his pals at failing banks?
The sphere of influence also sees a dead donut the same as we do. Money motivates that sphere more than any old pals act, conversation after a funny handshake…self preservation before a toxic dying brand.
My boss is Peter principle, what points were nonesense?
mullet and co 2
20:36 on 15 April, 2014
My boss is Peter principle, what points were nonsense?
Your entire post at
20:13 on 15 April, 2014
The plucky huns are holding their own against the mighty Forfar ,0-0 HT