5th February 2012 – was this the day that we finally began a return to per 1986, pre Lawrence Marlborough, Rangers? Only 18,000 showed up today to witness Rangers tumble out of the Scottish Cup. Balance this against the glory days of the early nineties, or even two years ago when there would have been a full house to watch the lines being painted.
Before 1986 Rangers, I believe, were playing in front of an average attendance of about the same number that showed up today. Years of spending more than they were taking in; Murray’s, Joe Lewis, King’s money has all gone. Even Craig White has already admitted that there is a £10M black hole in this year’s budget but even then he authorised new contracts for several players while bringing in five or six new players.
I may not be much of a financial analyst but even I know that spending more money and adding to your wage bill when you already have such a deficit is not going to help matters.
Before 1986 Rangers only ever sold out Ibrox when Celtic rolled up.
The question I’m really trying to ask is ‘are the glory hunters beginning to stay away?’ Now don’t get me wrong every club, and I mean every club, has such an element. How many fans have Celtic lost in the last three years?
‘Sleeping giant’ is the most over used phrase in football. But the simple fact is that if everyone was a giant then nobody would be a giant because everyone would be the same height.
I know this question will not be answered until Rangers see how many fans renew their season tickets but the problem for Rangers, if they are staying away, is two fold; Firstly having a securitisation over your season tickets demands a sell out otherwise you cannot make the repayments on the loan and you have less ready cash for weekly running costs. This could only result in more downsizing. Secondly, and possibly more important, where does that leave the current media driven story that the league will crumble without Rangers? If they can no longer sell more than half the stadium in season tickets then this disproves the lie.
As I’ve said before only time will tell which is true but I know a lot are already saying that they are not renewing.
Another current story being perpetrated by the media is that Rangers will simply liquidate the current company, form a new company (newco), and be voted straight back into the SPL.
Let us assume for a minute that a newco is formed.
Let us forget about the money owed to HMRC (that’s every one of us by the way), and all the other creditors which may possibly result in job losses in other companies.
The problem with a newco is that there can be no link to the previous company as it will be perceived that there is an avoidance of fiscal responsibility taking place. In other words, if Rangers lose the tax case and attempt to go down this route, then HMRC will simply present the bill to the newco and we will be back to square one. The Old Firm is dead because Rangers, along with there history since 1873, has died. If they attempt to keep the history then that is a link to the previous company and HMRC will be back in play. How will the powers that be attempt to sell this to Sky with a new TV deal?
Will Craig White pass a ‘fit and proper’ test this time as it is clear that he should not have the first time. Oh and since we are on the subject; how is the SPL’s current investigation going? After all it has only been eight weeks.
Is annually over spending £10 million every year condoned by the SPL/SFA?
If a newco is voted straight back into the SPL, WITH NO DEBT, where does that leave the other clubs with debt who are already struggling? Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, Dundee United, and Hearts are already carrying substantial debts. Having to compete with a debt free Rangers while they are still saddled with their debt to me is not even covered by the word unfair.
How many fans will desert the game from other clubs as our game will finally be shown up for what it is? When one club is promoted over all others to the extent of parachuting straight into the top league without ever having played a competitive game recognised by the SPL or SFA will leave fans from other clubs out with the SPL wondering if the lunatics have indeed taken over the asylum.
Finally, and probably most importantly; Can anyone tell me of any other league, in any other country where such an idea would even be entertained?
If we heard of this happening in any other country we would probably all give a little chuckle and say that it must be a corrupt league.
That is the crux of the matter; the whole integrity of Scottish football is now at stake.
Recent utterances of the Sky deal have said that there must be four Old Firm games a season. Before closing let me present you with a scenario; either Celtic or Rangers are having a horrendous season and are in seventh or eighth place in the SPL with two games to go before the split and six points behind the team in sixth. The other is comfortably in the top half of the SPL. Would the team in sixth place be cheated to make sure they did not win another point. Would the teams that have to play Celtic or Rangers in the two pre split games even bother showing up as they know what is in Sky’s small print?
Our game has little enough currently going for it as it is. What is the price for what is left of its integrity?
I think the most salient point is the integrity of the SPL. The laptop loyal keep reminding us how important the institution that is Glasgow R*****s is and how Scottish football will be on it’s knees without them. Yet they cheated their way to many championships when it was clearly not a level playing field. The other day i heard a delusional orc state that the Scottish government should bail out his club. Well they should get the full punishment for their cheating and be stripped of those titles they “won” during the big financial sting.
We have the integrity champion in our CEO!
🙂
Heh, I’m going to be a pendant. DuNT had sold 1100 tickets. So just under 16,000 Orcs were present. Not enough for Mr Whyte to do a bunk with the gate money in a broon envelope (like the Kelly’s would have done).
The shortfall admittance from the Billionaire also went unoticed by the masses. Adds weight to the rumour that he reckoned they qualified for the CL by winning the league last season.
Glory Hunters are perfect member numbers for any PLC. They will spend a fortune, not question anything and are disposable. Then when they need to prove their credentials again, they spent another vast fortune. Season books, home kits, away kits, international 3rd kits..pencil cases, stuffed mascots, mugs, pants and sweeties.
Ching ching.
They’re not worth their salt in hard times.
Jabba The Hut tonight said R*ngers fans were notorious for deserting! Oh, the Loyal woe. Maybe he read about the war? Anyway, no product no wonga and no loan payments as you said.
The New Orc FC scenario is the Armageddon moment for the whole Scottish gemme. That’s not to say that I don’t think Scottish Football would die without them (I don’t) and it doesn’t mean that I think they will disappear (I don’t).
I HEAR ALL THE TIME that Glasgow Rangers celebrating 140 years this year will not die. Sorry, it’s been pointed out that they must die to survive. Yes, someone will play at Ibrox, play in blue and be called FC Rangers but they won’t be Glasgow Rangers.
I think a see of change is sweeping the mindset of the game. Will Dundee United now vote differently than they would have a few months ago? The sweet taste of success on their lips and riches in their eyes?
Hearts, Aberdeen and maybe Hibs all see an opportunity for increased crowds flocking to see the challengers. New Orc FC in the SPL? Naw, 3 seasons in the SFL while we live the good life.
The only thing I can think off is ACF Fiorentina going bust in 2002 as something similar. But while the Italians don’t do integrity they do punishment (see the stripped titles of the Calciopoli and relegations).
Something to consider.
Some excellent points there. Real food for thought.
Excellent posts above!
I wouldn’t put it past the SNP to invoke a ‘special case’ plea’ for ragers. They look like they are in cohorts with Orc, doing their best to implicate Celtic fans in their statistically challenged crime reports, destroying another report to keep Orc onside & even congratulating them for the worst racist & sectarian singing for years!
They understand the underlying reason why Catholics are 5 times more likely to be subjected to assault and if they can skew their favours towards the bias of the Scottish masses, they know it’s s vote winner, even if it makes Scottish justice a laughing stock.
The solution to ragers going out of business is simple-rules are rules. Commit the crime do the time.
The onion is being unwrapped & it will surely end in tears.
If financial cheating is exposed, no question their titles should be struck off.
But as we have seen with Dougie Dougie-gate, Dallas’s emails & Farry’s dismissal, we would be soft to expect the football authorities will do what’s right.
I burst out laughing every time I hear Rev Wishart telling us ‘it’s a simple 10 point penalty!
We have to be vigilant here, if we don’t show our mettle they will receive a get out of jail free card.
Whytes financial dealings are under scrutiny,but it’s Murray’s that should be.
Like any sport, to win the game you must put your opponent away, having an advantage us never enough.
These are days we have lived for & wished for. For our season at Hampden (minus our tri-colour) for the Carl Muggletons & Wayne Biggins’.
Let’s not be complacent or sentimental when it comes to the end game, if the tax case goes against them they’ve cheated us all. They should be put an end to, once and for all!
Ice cream & jelly anyone?
SNP can’t get involved as political interference, particularly cash wise, is not allowed under UEFA rules.
Firstly; why would the SNP save the club which provides the biggest gathering of unionists in Scotland in the lead up to an independence vote.
Secondly; in these times of austerity and hardship could you imagine the public outcry if they attempted to put public money into afailing football club. It would make the bankers bonus row seem like childs play and could even bring down the government.
There is more than one way they could become involved & what better way to convert some votes than to lend a hand. Ever heard of floating voters?
Maybe you can better explain the SNP’s attacks on all things Timmy, from the aggressive blessing gesture, to the equalisation of arrests and the silence over John Wilsons acquittal for assault!
Never mind their gushing congratulation of their league cup behaviour, some can’t see the wood for the trees!,
I know what you mean Gerry but the sole aim of the SNP is to get an independent Scotland.
I hardly think they are going to save the unionist club which will turn round and bite them.
Polliticians will only help something that will assist them in their ultimate goal.
Assisting Rangers will not do this in my opinion.
“Yes, someone will play at Ibrox, play in blue and be called FC Rangers but they won’t be Glasgow Rangers. ”
since your such a pendent thought would point out that their is no team called “glasgow rangers”
rangers will survive regardless of a letterhead or business number. it makes me laugh to see all my celtic supporting friends obsess over our tax case, will we, wont we go bust yadda yadda
funny thing is we have still won the leage the last 3 years. peter liewell must love your daftness
w.a.t.p
I’m sorry that my thirst for pedantry doesn’t match my obsession for R&ngers FC which saw me make such a Gioan like error. For this I must apologise for the disappointment that I have bound to have caused you that I don’t spend every living hour obsessing about your beloathed club.
You should be thanking your friends who obsess. As they HAVE BEEN TELLING THE TRUTH for over 2 years now.
Your witty retort proves the problem you and a thousand others have. I hear it’s not nice getting sand out your nostrils and ears.
You are not the people. Youse are just fuckwits who couldnae/canny work Google.
tdotbear:
Welcome to the board.
I noticed that you didn’t actually respond to any of the points.
If I was wrong in anything in the article please feel free to point it out. We could have a grown up discussion about it.
If a Rangers Newco is formed where will it get its players from?
They can’t have been part of the previous team because that is a link back to the old company and brings the tax man back into play.
It is a mute point anyway because at the point of liquidation the players registrations will lapse and become the ownership of the league.
Where will the money come from to buy back Ibrox, Murray Park, and put a team on the park.
I think Rangers are in an extremely perilous state and I think Rangers fans should not be looking for the mooted newco to solve the underlying problems that have beset your club.
Perhaps there is a site where Rangers fans can go to to discuss what could be done to solve these issues but, if there isn’t, feel free to come back and discuss them here.
“tdotbear”
I think you might have spelled your nome wrong…should be “idiotbear”!
A team masquerading as Rangers might appear at the end of all this, but it is HIGHLY unlikely that the current incarnation of Rangers will survive. That means no history/titles/cups etc. for the new version. The SFL (in a fair, non-biased world) shouldn’t even contemplate allowing a newco entry to the league as there are other teams out there from the Highland league etc. with more of a right to play in the SFL. What a new Rangers will be akin to is a pub team formed that week, never having played a single game. Who in their right mind would let a team like that into the professional leagues? If any Rangers should be admitted into the SFL it should be Cove Rangers of Aberdeen!
The titles of the last 3 years (and beyond) are tainted, pure and simple. The simple fact of the matter is that your club have CHEATED every other team they have played, be it in Scotland or Europe. This is something that you and your ilk fail to grasp, that your club have corrupted the sporting integrity of every competition the have entered since embarking upon the EBT scheme. It shows the bias of the media in Scotland when they will not even mention that fact.
When Rangers die the rest of Scottish football will survive without any real problem. Get used to watching your local team for the next couple of years, as it won’t be as simple as is being made out for a newco rangers to form. No players, no staff, they have to start from scratch. The only players they will be able to attract are journeymen supporters, no agent worth his salt is going to recommend his client join a team with such a dubious financial pedigree.
Wake up to the reality of the situation and stop burying your head in the sand with that delusional WATP crap. You are not “ra peepul” now, and you never will be.
Bear….there’s no time like the present!!
RFC’s history is based on Fraud, Corruption and honest mistakes…your 9iar and CL semi smells of Rats and quite frankly your 5 stars is a mockery of anything Positive thats emerged from Scottish football.
You’s are simply cheats and cowards and I hope you’s die a long and painful death for your ignorance and deception and with your History rightfully ripped from your rag who gives a fcuk what you’s call youself!!
42 real honest titles and British football pioneers Glasgow Celtic 1888, we welcome the chase.
HH 1NL YNWA TAL 😀
Brilliant bhoys…..great stuff above.
idiotbear, take aff the blue & orange glasses (like the auld 3D ones) you’ll find the world is already 3D and multi-coloured as well. You’ll will however notice there’s plenty of Green & WHYTE!!!
WATP – well and truley Phucked!!!! lol 😉
I’ve seen a few games of us against them at Ibrokes when there where lots of empty seats in the early 80’s (utube)… I remember the year they claim they nearly won the BIG CUP (pmsl) when Marseille ‘cheated’, 6 months later they where calling for the final to be replayed with them against AC Milan but now they are very quiet about all the trophies they won when ‘cheating’ i’m not sure but it would be perfect irony if they where tax dodginy the season the French won it.
Great point Mick.
Also, I remember we used to get a section of the Govan Stand as well when we went to IPOX.
Mick fantastic point re Marsailles, I’d forgotten about that!!!
so sad to see the abuse our great rivals are getting from all you sad bigots we should be bigger than this i as an auld tim knows more than most on this blog how they would be if the ball was on the other foot but we should rise above this as the true christians we are please pray for them PS JUST HAD A DREAM IF CARLSBERG DID YEARS could they do better than a celtic treble the sporn of satan going oot the game their edinburgh brethern going oot the game magic you coulnt make it up PARTY TIME HAILHAIL
You nearly had me there. :-0
Baron Bannside??