NON-NEWSNOW

As Ibrox Continues To Bleed Its Fan Base, Eventually Something Has To Give.

|
Image for As Ibrox Continues To Bleed Its Fan Base, Eventually Something Has To Give.

There are internet reports from the other side of the city that say they have failed to reach their share issue total.

Indeed, they’ve only got halfway there.

At the same time, there are other reports that they sold out a “cryptocurrency” launch in record time … it’s less impressive than it sounds thought as it was only for a couple of million at 20p a pop and you get speculators buying these things all the time, in the hope that one of them takes off.

There’s little doubt that they are showing some flair when it comes to fundraising.

But most of these tricks are the sort you can only pull once.

There’s nothing sustainable about any of it, and this share issue smelled like a last roll of the dice for them.

I am amazed, to be frank, that it got anywhere.

Because they so consistently have a hand in the pockets of the fans now that something has to give.

Look at the “trophy tour.” That was absolutely ridiculous, and a gigantic rip off. Yet dozens of them – maybe hundreds – lined up for it. Then there’s the MyGers scam which has locked fans into a perpetual cycle of spending.

On top of that you have this bunk about it being the “150 anniversary.”

Of what, exactly?

Certainly not of the club which has nearly 140 years to go before it reaches that “milestone.”

They are releasing all manner of merchandise and cheap tat for that … at exorbitant rates.

As they fumble about trying to sell Morelos or someone else, the only real sources of income for them are what the fans are handing over, and they are handing over more than they ever have and always is the emotional blackmail that should they stop the good times can no longer be guaranteed. But the club is asking them to dig deep in a way they never have.

And like the largesse of their directors, there is only so much they can do.

These are mainly working class fans like us; they don’t have bottomless reserves of cash, and with government support for jobs and companies about to disappear like the proverbial puff of smoke some of these folks are going to have more to worry about than their football team.

It was preposterous for them to attempt a share issue from fans at this moment in time, so soon after season tickets have been purchased.

It reeked of desperation and fear.

When you see online reports tonight that they’ve defaulted on payments to Close then you can perhaps understand where the fear is coming from.

They must also be testing the patience of HMRC, and especially when they took a mammoth government loan and then bought players.

That club is addicted to spending money and so it presumes that their fans are too.

But everyone has a limit and their support must be very close to reaching its own.

When you think of how many hands are in their pockets at any given time it’s no wonder that some of them have already openly stated that they won’t be handing over another penny.

And throughout all of this, two organisations remain silent.

The SFA doesn’t explain how the Ibrox operation can pass muster when its finances are scrutinised for European license compliance, and UEFA says nothing either.

A third organisation remains silent too, of course; Celtic.

Dominic McKay has a lot to be getting on with right now inside our club, but sooner or later he’s going to be called upon to answer if we allow this to continue.

We should be leading the way on issues like financial fair play and working to see its introduction for Scotland as soon as possible.

Indeed, Scotland should have had it a long time ago.

In the meantime, Ibrox squeezes its fans because it can, and because they tolerate it.

But only so far.

Their own limits might finally have been reached.

Share this article