I hear legendary Sevconian statement issuer, Jim “Rangers are dead” Traynor, is now firmly established in the Dave King camp. You may have found recent statements familiar, including last night’s, which focusses more on interrupting Celtic’s period of domination than building a well-run and sustainable football club.
Or it could be that Dave King is in Traynor’s camp, it’s hard to tell who is the monkey and who is the organ grinder when it comes to that lot and their long and dysfunctional relationships with PR masters.
My suspicions were raised when the Sunday Mail ran a complete non-story on their front page. Someone submitted a frivolous complaint to police – this is your news, Scotland. This was the kind of article which would be found in the same publication when Fergus McCann was in charge at Celtic; an unadulterated attack on the club. Now poor (not actually poor) Graham Wallace has to deal with them.
What price ‘loyalty’ after Traynor had his snout in the trough to a spectacular level too. We actually have a recipient of some of that enormous over-spend criticising the enormous over-spend. After his money was banked, of course. For the life of me I can never understand why the other lot put up with these types.
King’s eight point statement was an absolute hoot and completely inspired by Celtic’s position. There seems to be a pattern here: do wrong, then criticise others for doing as you did.
Point One:
King first addressed the liability for blame, and possible criminal investigations, which he believed should be heading towards the Rangers International board in the wake of comments made by chief executive, Graham Waddell, five months ago. He wrote:
….“It is beyond doubt that the CEO (and other board members) was aware last December that there was insufficient cash to last until the end of the season and the board failed to respond to my previous question in that regard. The CEO is now subject to a criminal complaint on this very issue but I believe that his comments were made with the full knowledge of the board. Certainly no one came out to contradict him. We should therefore expect any criminal investigation to extend to other board members.”
Dave King was a director of now-liquidated Rangers throughout the entire Craig Whyte era, when the club borrowed money from Ticketus to fund the payment of Lloyds debt, failed to pay social taxes and came crashing down. Whyte lied about the Ticketus deal but his non-execs kept their eyes, ears and mouths shut.
King was also a director of Rangers for over a decade, including the period of the David Murray-Campbell Ogilvie EBT shambles, which was proven to be illegal on five counts, the other counts are currently subject to an Upper Tier Tribunal.
Point 2:
“If cash was wasted as a result of mismanagement (presumably Charles Green etc.) then what steps are being taken to hold management accountable for this?”
As a non-executive director of failed Rangers FC PLC King was employed to ensure interests of stakeholders were being looked after. He failed singularly in this regard and has yet to be held to account.
Point Three:
“The board has conceded that it does not plan to effectively compete with Celtic in our first season back in the Premier League.”
This is sanity, not vanity. To suggest Newco throw so much money at the team that the instantly become competitive to Celtic is a sure-fire way of guaranteeing yet another insolvency event. These. People. Never. Learn.
Point Four:
“This is a great review for Celtic fans. It is stated that the board might only raise 20 million over the next 3 years. This paltry amount will guarantee that Celtic will be in a league of its own for the next few years- and possibly permanently thereafter. Celtic will continue to enjoy exclusive access to the Champions League windfalls and will go from financial strength to strength. The gap could become financially irreversible.”
Agree that Celtic will go from strength to strength and be remain a league of their own. Disagree that the review was great for Celtic fans. The review is little more than a laugh for Celtic fans, it changes nothing for us. I like the “permanently thereafter” line, though. It carries a bit more weight than “Generation of Domination”, which sounded ridiculous to some 9 years ago when it was first mooted but now sounds a tad understated.
Point Five:
“The board still does not have a clear plan for raising capital despite knowing for some months that a financial crisis was looming.”
Correct. On a related matter, Mr King has offered unspecified notions that he would encourage other people to buy tens of millions of pounds of shares, no clear plan has been identified, exactly what he accused Newco’s board of.
Point Six:
“It is interesting that the credit card companies agree with me that the season tickets should not be released to the club. However, it is genuinely shocking that this board has, for several months, withheld the knowledge that fans would not have access to credit card facilities when renewing season ticket purchases. The board preferred to blame “external parties” in an attempt to hide this serious non-disclosure. How can this board ask fans to ever trust them again?”
I think Mr King may have composed this comment ‘after a long lunch’. Credit card companies have not suggested season tickets should not be released to (sic.) the club, they simply don’t want anything to do with these transactions.
It is not shocking at all that the decision by credit card companies was not shared by fans for a number of months. Wallace would have spent much of this time looking for an alternative. It would have been inappropriate for a PLC to disclose sensitive financial negotiations to the general public months before that information becomes relevant.
Point Seven:
“The board continues the blame game and takes no responsibility for the current debacle. In truth, it is this board’s stubborn refusal to secure fresh equity that is the cause of the present fragile state of the club’s finances. The board clearly hoped to muddle along by using the season ticket advances from fans. This review should reinforce to fans that this board cannot serve as an appropriate custodian for their season ticket money.”
If fans want to know who to blame for the death of Rangers and the undignified mess Newco are in, they need look no further than the boards headed by Sir David Murray and Craig Whyte, both of which Dave King served on. Blaming Wallace instead is nonsense.
Point Eight:
“The board has admitted that Rangers is not presently a “going concern” and yet offers no plan on how this will be dealt with in the short term. Fans could once again lose their season ticket advances if given to the club at this time. It is unconscionable that this board has done nothing to bolster the finances since the last AGM.”
Fans of Oldco or Newco have never lost their season ticket advances. What is he thinking of? Does he know what club he’s talking about?
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I will keep it simple.
Edward Ursus was one of the most dignified posters to have graced this site.
martybhoy59 said:
Could the supporters who don’t want to renew please stop coming on here and boring the rest of us with your reasons. Just don’t renew if you feel so strongly and stop wearing your reasons as some kind of badge of honour.
Absolutely spot on my friend.
Well said.
Paul67
21:52 on
29 April, 2014
tonydonnelly67, I’ve had a couple of complaints about your comments this week, suggesting they are abusive to other posters and constitute a form of online bullying.
I have not removed any of your comments, but…… would like to remind you that one of the very few rules of the blog is that CQN is not a vehicle to disperse personal abuse. Please observe.
————————————————————————————————————————–
I find it impossible to believe that you have come to this conclusion on the basis of having followed the exchanges between Tony and other posters over the past number of weeks.
Had you done so,as I have,you would have come to the unmistakable conclusion that Tony is the subject of bullying, ie. the victim,rather than the perpetrator.
Frankly,it beggars belief that Tony should be singled out for this treatment when your marvellous vehicle is replete with personal insults directed from all sides to all sides.
Your personal ethos is beyond reproach in as much as it is possible to gauge these things
from your writing.
I get the definite impression that under no circumstances would you wish to be unfair to anybody who is fortunate enough to avail themselves of your brainchild.
In this case,I feel that you have done the wrong thing and that you would wish me to point this out to you.
Thank you again for all the fun which I and many others,particularly ex-pats, have enjoyed from your marvellous blog.
HAIL HAIL
Morrisey
That was adressed to Neganon. Your name must have been in his quote.
Apologies for the confusion.
Tom Molach
22:08 on
29 April, 2014
paul67
21:52 on 29 April, 2014
I don’t agree with much that Tony says, but I do think he receives more abuse than he gives out
agreed, he is the target for a lot of abuse, disgrace that he is being singled out….
doc
Totally agree. Could be much better in that department.
What about all this Donny Toadily nonsense? Just banter? I don’t think so. I know bullying when I see it.
Doc @ 22:38
Wanna help me with a banner?
https://twitter.com/Morrissey23rd/status/432555865170653184/photo/1
Justafan
Thank you for your kind words about Tony.
He has posted his own thanks above..
HH
Celtic keep winning. They keep hating. I know which side of the fence means wearing a smile. Let them wallow in their misery. Laugh at their juvenile antics.
And always remind them who’s winning. Always.
_____________________________________________________________
An excellent surmise…only I wouldn’t call the hun’s antics ‘juvenile’. Primitive perhaps?
We need to sign Ciftci for next season.
John O’Neil
22:39 on 29 April, 2014
Evening John, hope your well?
“His style is no different to many other posters here so that is not an excuse.”
You on the pure stuff in the land of the Reds or are you back home? :-)
Can you provide us a list of other posters? No just joking!
As you do, you can put your point across without aggression or falling out. All about opinions, only Keevins gets it right, ha, ha!
HH
CRC
HT
Doing good mate thanks, hope you are well, see reply to CRC, I understand reasons why some won’t renew, but whether we like it or not they will be back, I want to maintain every possible financial advantage over them, once you give the ticket up you have effectively lost that supporter as very few will take up the option again at a later date. I have always said that we were punching above our weight on ST numbers, maybe we are just naturally returning to our core of 25 to 30k in our stadium it unfortunately ghost like.
Neganon2, for balance, dissent is essential.
We could do more, so here we discuss debate.
This is noted by the Club.
Not only here of course, but the other forums.
Except RM and FF, we ignore them.
I do agree about dismissing and banning MSM, but gradually, we must increase our communications with the support. The Celtic View should be run as a Newspaper, not just a club advert, I haven’t even looked at it for years, it should be a must read!
Many things to be done.
Jerome67
“On the bright side I was able to play golf 4 months later .”
No, not seeing the upside there, at all :-)
Note, there was no smiley after RM and FF, we really should, at the Board level, be aware of this.
GCT I think it’s important that we discuss reasons for renewal or not. I know this vpcan feel like self indulgence but I think it’s about the support galvanising around opinions and hopefully influencing the club.
martybhoy59
If I decide to give up my season ticket, I will not sell my shares and as a shareholder I am entitled to call the Board to question about the way they run the club on our behalf.
If I don’t get an answer before the AGM to the points raised on here, then that’s the forum to address then to the Board (as with Res 12 last year)
There are many of us who are in the same boat and ask for the same clarity, transparency and accountability from our Board as we demand from football authorities such as the SFA.
What would have happened back in 1994 if the ‘rebels’ hadn’t made a stand ?
jude2005
“We need to sign Ciftci for next season.”
Would it not be easier if you just supported Dundee United. Is there any of their first 11 you have not advised us to buy? :-)
JeromeK
The hardest part is admitting my dream of pulling on the hoops is finally over!
I will continue on my quest for a Green Jacket now….just as likely
Kilbowie Kelt 22.47
agreed.
Jude 2005 – 22.21
The following quote from a Celtic Director applies to Keevins and his Press Gang – ‘The Scottish Football Press are th lowest form of life. Even they don’t believe what they write’!
Paul67
21:52 on 29 April, 2014
‘CQN is not a vehicle to disperse personal abuse.’
###
Quite right.
We can’t be having that sort of thing.
Why, only yesterday some one called someone else a fawning acolyte.
I mean, really.
OK the poster subsequently withdrew the remark and apolgised, but that’s hardly the point.
Doc I agree. I am open to employment opportunities if they want balance……..I won’t hold my breath dude.
I am not going to buy any more goods from the co-op as from tomorrow because of their policy change in finance and investment strategy. :))) ( but I love the co-op and will be forever faithfull to them )
Getalifecsc
Hail! Hail!
Maybe so KK but TD is a Celtic man. He has been mocked for his spelling: this is elitism which we are usually asked to rebel against by many on here.
CRC
The missus is praying for a victory she seriously is of the opinion that I return home in a completely different demeanour after a win!! :-)
A vehicle for dispersing personal abuse is a Rangers team Bus
martybhoy59
22:42 on 29 April, 2014
I have thought about it many times as well, but still hanging in there for hopefully the right reasons.
HH
CRC
Doc
Ok. The biggest snub was asking Jock Stein to run the Celtic Pools. Cringe worthy doesnt come into it!!!!
ernie
“Why, only yesterday some one called someone else a fawning acolyte.”
It was fortunate that the person making this accusation did not make a spoonerism :-)
If It’s Not Just Newspaper Talk….
And Denny Johnstone Is Intent On Moving To Dundee Utd In The Summer….
Surely The Clubs Could Come Up With A Compromise Deal….
With Robertson Or Armstrong Moving The Other Way….
With Additional Fee…
However…Kojo Will Be Inconsolable…
As Yet Another Of His ‘Fair-Heided’ Boys….
Takes To The Yellow Brick Road….
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
22:57 on 29 April, 2014
I’ve got a missus like that. They’re a strange breed, ha, ha! :-)
HH
CRC
On Tony Donnelly. I don’t like tony or his posts. But I am reminded of the time when Paul67 was given personal abuse as was his family after he and I had an exchange on this site (many years ago now). Paul was understandably furious and I was defensive because of course I hadn’t intended others to abuse Paul.
I didn’t get the chance to apologise to Paul until CQN where he was characteristically gracious.
My point is this. It sometimes takes us time to realise perspective. And debate helps with that. I hope tony realises that and listens.
By the way I will still fight with all of you in case you were wondering. But I am still listening……
Ernie, we all know who to complain to when people star personally insulting.
And most of us can be sensible enough not to resort to insult.
And, I do not have to go to Harrogate!!!!:-)))))))
Needed for a meeting in Glasgow.
So, no Harrogate and then on to the CSA do on Friday!!!
Wife still thinks I’m driving though, likely!!
sftb
And ur point is???
The other players I want is Snodgrass Russell and May.None of them play for D Utd. rrrrrrrrrrrr
THE Highland Castle owned by disgraced former Rangers owner Craig Whyte has been snapped up by Ally McCoist hours after bankers repossessed it from the businessman.
The historic Castle Grant went on the market on Thursday 17 April and is now under offer.
The Rangers Legend said: “I really wanted Greame Souness’ old place but after seeing the house we placed an offer within a few hours of viewing.
“This offer has now been accepted.”
It went on the market with a price of £1.1 million and the firm said they would “very surprised” by how quickly it sold.
Kevin Maley of Strutt and Parker said; “this has been a very quick sale for a property of this size but it is a fantastic place in a great setting at a very good price indeed. We are happy as the deal is done”
The stately pile at Grantown-on-Spey includes mature parkland gardens, a landscaped loch and about 35 acres of private land will now be christened Chateu Sacre Bleu
‘
Craig Whyte was evicted from the castle earlier this month after being unable to pay the mortgage.
Whyte and his former wife Kim purchased the property for £720,000 in 2006 with a 110 per cent mortgage of £800,000.
But she moved out after their marriage fell apart, and he reportedly refused to pay the £7,000-a-month mortgage for two years.
The Bank of Scotland raised a legal action against him last year after he had failed to make the repayments from 2012.
The battle came to an end at Inverness Sheriff Court when Whyte finally agreed to repossession.
He sought help from his father Tom who supervised workmen as they cleared the castle of his belongings.
The clear-out included reportedly the siphoning off of oil from the central heating system and ripping chandeliers from the ceiling to be transported back to his London home.
Castle Grant is the ancient ancestral seat of the Chiefs of the Grant Clan.
The castle has had a number of additions added over the years, with the largest expansion taking place in the 1750s.
There was an extensive programme of refurbishment undertaken and largely complete in the early 1990s and the castle was sold to Whyte with “considerable development opportunities”.
The work that had so far been undertaken is mainly on the ground and first floors and they include a cinema room, ballroom, 4 bedrooms, billiard room, library and kitchen.
Most of the bedrooms have en-suite facilities and part of the second floor incorporates a two-bedroomed self-contained guest wing.
Aw naw.
You have far too much time on your hands ;)
John O’Neil
22:56 on 29 April, 2014
He’s a wind up merchant. He goes out of his way to provoke and antagonise. He enjoys the attention he attracts.
He oversteps the mark though when he attacks, often quite scurrilously, named third parties.
He posts like he would talk in a pub and maybe hasn’t quite grasped the difference in the two mediums.