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John Bomber Brown remembers Nine years after helping to pull Rangers back from the brink, John Brown savours title win Fraser Mackie Sunday March 14 2021, 12.01am, The Sunday Times Football https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nine-years-after-helping-to-pull-rangers-back-from-the-brink-john-brown-savours-title-win-gvjg6k5r5 Rod Stewart’s boasts would ordinarily have triggered a swift, unfriendly response from John Brown. For the Ibrox diehard to tame the natural instinct to fight Rangers’ corner said everything of how far adrift the club was from mustering an answer to Celtic on any level. It’s Pittodrie, October 2017. Celtic are sauntering to a 3-0 success over Aberdeen, highlighting everything impressive about the slick Brendan Rodgers team. While Celtic supporters belted out their Ten In A Row standard, Brown, known as ‘Bomber’ thanks to his combative playing style during nine years as a defensive stalwart for Rangers, but by this time a club ambassador and scout, eavesdropped as the Scottish singer-songwriter gloated with his then 11-year-old son Alastair. “Rod was sitting directly in front of me and his son asked what the fans were singing,” Brown recalls. “It was 3-0 going on 7-0. They were that good. Rod explained about the Lisbon Lions winning nine and the Rangers team that won nine. And he said: ‘We are going to beat that’. “There was nothing I could say to him. We weren’t at the stage of being ready to compete against them. I didn’t know if we’d be able to stop the 10. I couldn’t argue with Rod. So when he said that, I gritted my teeth and thought to myself, ‘I hope we’ve got enough to do this’.” The chaotic Pedro Caixinha reign came to a conclusion that same evening with an error-strewn 1-1 home draw with Kilmarnock. Rangers were seven long months and multiple humiliations at Celtic’s hands away from the turning point — the appointment of Steven Gerrard. As he drove home from Aberdeen to write a future opponent report for Rangers, Brown filed the experience in his mind as one of the most deflating of a desperate period for his beloved club. However, at no stage did he feel quite as lonely as after an appearance on the Ibrox steps in June 2012. In the wake of Craig Whyte’s reign ending in administration then League Two, Charles Green and his cohorts seized control and claimed they were picking up the pieces. Brown’s sources told him something very different. He quit his Ibrox job to call out Green’s charm offensive. He would be proved right in the long run, but that infamous address to Rangers supporters exposed Brown to a torrent of online abuse. More hurtful was the sight of friends turning their backs. No supporter wanted to believe he was right. “I got a phone call from Green’s personal assistant because I was involved in a rival consortium,” Brown says. “I went into his office. I don’t need to go into the detail of what was said but I was very close to putting one on his chin. But I thought: ‘No’. “I said: ‘I’m out the club now, I’ll fight you from the outside’. I knew those coming in were going to strip everything out. My worry was the fans didn’t know. I had to speak up. “The aftermath affected my daughters. They saw the criticism online and that hurt more than anything. My parents are in their 80s and hurt when the club went that way. “I never got that from anyone I met. They all told me to keep going. The support of my wife Sandra helped me through. “But I got information back that people I had respect for were being critical. They turned their back on me, which was tough to take. They were probably laughing at me. ‘Did you see Bomber on the steps? Has he lost the plot?’ Is he this, is he that? “There’s never been an apology. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is where the club is. “A pal sent me a link to a fans’ website. A punter thanked me for standing on the steps that day. I had a lump in my throat reading it when I got home from Tannadice.” How fitting that Brown should be the only Rangers representative to witness history being made — their 55th title secured by Celtic’s 0-0 draw at Dundee United. Now part of a recruitment team headed by Andy Scoulding, Brown was given the game to cover weeks before its potential significance emerged. Never a man to hide his true colours, he sported Rangers tie, club-crest facemask and blue bobble hat for the occasion. “I was in the stand at Tannadice in 1997 when Brian Laudrup put that header in for ‘the nine’,” Brown says. “I just had a feeling, as it was my game in the diary, that we’d win it there. “From going out on the Ibrox steps to being there last Sunday was the best feeling I’ve ever had. To do it in the season Celtic wanted it most of all makes it sweeter still for every Rangers fan. “I managed to win eight leagues as a player, but it beat all that. Because of where the club has been and how close we were to going out of business, I think it’s the best of the 55.” Brown sees shades of Graeme Souness in Gerrard’s work and a sprinkling of the Nine In A Row spirit in the current team. He was impressed immediately by Gerrard’s knowledge of the club’s plight and a grip on what was required to overtake Celtic. “As I’d played for Souness, I could see he was in the same mould,” Brown says. “The manager brought his winning mentality and the players have bought in. “He’s brought a steel back to Ibrox, a togetherness, that drive, that fire. Steven will know Souness always said when you lose the fire in the belly it’s time to move on. As long as that’s burning — and I know it is — they’ll push these players for the maximum. This is just the start. “What this team does is win the respect of opponents but, at the same time, put fear into them. That’s what we had. Teams knew if they scored against us, they got a reaction. “It doesn’t need to be an Alfredo Morelos goal. It could be a Connor Goldson crunching tackle, a Scott Arfield challenge in a 50-50, an Allan McGregor wonder save. “It lifts you when you know your team-mates are right on their game. They’ve met the demands and done it in every game. That’s the measure of this Rangers team.”

If separate entity fc pulled their weight we could be challenging Austria for their place. As much as it pains me to say it I want them to get it together so we can guarantee a CL spot straight in for winning the league.

As long as Rangers are in the group stages of the CL, I couldn't give a monkeys what Scotland's ranking is.

It should be rather clear. Anyone de facto ordering the mass murder of thousands civilians need not be lauded for exactly that.

This is the crowd-funded documentary that covers much that other TV and news hasn't. Some brave stuff from the Grays and Gordon Woods. Please watch, like and share to increase exposure.

That was the week that was. I am just old enough to remember BBC broadcasting, 'that was the week that was'. It was mid-sixties grainy black and white TV. Ned Sherrin created it, David Frost hosted, and an army of household names wrote the satire. John Cleese, Peter Cook, Dennis Potter, Roald Dahl, Bill Oddie, Erik Sykes, Denis Norden, Frank Muir, ......... etc. Even as a Primary schoolboy, I got the ridicule reserved for Apartheid, the class system, the racism of the American deep south, and all involved in domestic politics. The only part of the show that irked arrived at the conclusion, Millicent Martin sand a topical song in a cool jazz style. The show was the pre-cursor for the next quarter of a century of TV/Radio satirical shows. The Frost Report to Spitting Image and everything in between, owe their existence to 'that was the week that was'. Peter Cook launched the satirical magazine, 'Private Eye' on the back of the show, a case of mutual support. Further, Cook also had a nightclub , 'the Establishment' for several years, predicated on the growing sense of ridiculous. Everyday phrases such as, "tired and emotional" and "Ugandan affairs" emanate from the show. Our attention was drawn to MPs' expenses scandals, conflicts of interest, and their abilities to evade the revolving door. In new, modern Scotland we have no satire. Most Journos and commentators are cheerleaders for the current Scottish Government. Principles mean nothing to professional politicians, no one resigns because their considerable lifestyles won't allow it. As for comedians, Janey Godley is the epitome, does regular voiceovers of the First Minister's speeches and Angela Haggerty's one year old son, Francis; and is duly rewarded with a weekly column in the Herald. No doubt, her daughter, the privately educated Ashley Storrie will be a nepotistic beneficiary? This is the new, modern Scotland of entitlement, privilege, and woke sensitivities. This time last week, the newspaper front pages and broadcast current affairs shows were still being dominated by the fall out from Salmond's trial on sexual misconduct. Another two SNP MPs were subject to further charges of sexual misconduct, Chief Whip Patrick Grady and one other, as yet unnamed. The Holyrood Inquiry into Salmond had just been stymied by the First Minister's 8 hours of, "I don't know", "I can't recall and, "I would have to check my Diary". Nicola's husband and SNP Chief Executive these last 20 years, Peter Murrell was desperately seeking a case of, 'Events dear boy, events'? It arrived, courtesy of ra Sellik's inability to notch a goal at Tannadice. Rangers had won their first Premiership title in a decade. Rockets flew, fireworks exploded, and joy took to the square. Such detonation lit the fuse for the pile on. BBC Scotland deployed Sports Correspondent, Chris McLaughlin. He worked the leverage of UEFA. Creepy's brother told of watching eyes and the very real threat(in his fevered thought) of cancelation of Hampden's involvement in the upcoming Euros. Gary Robertson led the current affairs onslaught, every politician was asked, "have Rangers done enough"? Glasgow was under siege, Rangers supporters had prevented Nurses getting home after their shifts, Rangers supporters had prevented the homeless accessing the soup kitchen, and Rangers supporters had vandalised memorial benches in George Square. In three days, from Monday to Wednesday, BBC Scotland dedicated comment and phone-ins entirely to Rangers supporters' excess. Momentum was needed, feed the fire and the FM stepped forward, expressing her anger and anguish. John Swinney pointed the finger, Rangers were to blame. Humza Yousaf agreed with the Dear Leader, Rangers were found wanting and he Hectored a senior Polis Officer into adding his signature to a condemnatory letter. Despite video evidence twice showing other channel commentators in Edmiston Drive being drowned out by a bellowing Ibrox PA asking supporters to return home, Rangers did nothing. More momentum needed. SNP controlled Glasgow City Council utilised their PRO, Gerry Braiden's contacts at his old blatt, and Catriona Stewart et al delivered a seven page expose on events. Sellik could not see green cheese, they screamed, 'we're half of nothing' and warned next Sunday's old firm game could be called off by the authorities. Stuart Cosgrove and Professor Eamonn O'Neill hosted their Podcast with Angela Haggerty as guest. The conclusion, Rangers supporters behave the way they do, because of entitlement. Oh, and a wee bit of satire, they liked Police Scotland's statement, "we are the people"? A whole week and Salmond's name has disappeared. Derek MacKay MSP must be wondering why the "h-u-ns and typical orange wankers" did not ride to his rescue? Anyways, Rangers must wise up, when an election is pending we cannot present ourselves as targets. There is a truth, the Nats like nothing better than being seen to be sinking the boot into Rangers and Rangers supporters. It's their preferred good look. It's a lesson we must learn, the football is a tactic and the football does not matter. The trumping strategy is condemnation of a majority of Bears celebrating with Union Flags. Oh, the hatred? The national broadcaster is determined that Rangers will never be portrayed as bringing anything good to Scottish life. We do not carry the standard, we do not improve the coefficient and the nation cannot be beneficiaries of any Rangers effort. Rangers securing the title has been the unifying force for the Scottish Government, BBC Scotland, Glasgow City Council and ra Sellik. Yesterday, Cosgrove summed it up, "If I complain about the actions of Rangers supporters in George Square knowing fellow Saints fans gathered at McDairmid to celebrate the League Cup win, then it's whataboutery. They don't get it, people with no interest in football see what happened in George Square, it's a disgrace". That was the week that was sans satire. It is fitting Cosgrove has the last words. He puts out considerable effort in self portrayal, a loner liking nothing better than sitting down to read. In his occasional garrulous moments he betrays daily relations with Angela Haggerty, Kevin McKenna, Gerry Braiden, Eamonn O'Neill, .... etc. This week and incidents like the IRA murder of fellow Journo, Lyra McKee highlights his absolute adherence to separate development. Stuart speaks with all the confidence of a supporter of Scotland's second most successful team in the last decade and he knows BBC Scotland will never tire of relating that fact. PS. A couple of bon mots from last week. Firstly, it's Friday evening and Michael Stewart is in the Sportsound studio with Ricky Foster. The Host offers his weekly man of the week nomination. Three names : 1. Steven Gerrard winning the title and favourite to lead Rangers into the Europa Cup last eight. Undefeated in both tournaments so far. 2. Alan McGregor only conceding nine goals in 32 league games and that save against Slavia. 3. Derek McInnes for enduring 8 seasons at Pittodrie and winning a League Cup. Ricky Foster cannot decide between Gerrard and McGregor but settles on Greegs. Michael chooses McInnes, no doubt because of biomechanics? Secondly, Friday night and it's The View from the Terrace. Now, five regulars appear on this hour long TV show. Craig Telfer(Stenhousemuir) hosts, three others, Craig Fowler(Hearts), Joel Sked(Hearts) and, Shaughan McGuigan(Raith Rovers) discuss and Robert Borthwick(Hearts) handles the social media content. I enjoy the show, they don't miss us when deserved, but happily they stick it on ra Sellik just as often. Generally, they know football, particularly lower Division stuff. Anyways, they are praising Rangers Culture's social media work last week, listing all the detractors one by one this last decade and ripping them eg Spiers and the "quietly terrified" quip. Shaughan McGuigan offers, "Ah love it, they've nailed every Celtic supporter from Rod Stewart to Jim Spence"(Jum's Tweet : "Celtic signing Shane Duffy has secured ten-in-a-row"). Satire Shaughan, satire. That was the week that was.

And rightly so.

Get well soon! The iconic Rangers manager of my lifetime.

Nothing will change with the BBC in general until the licence fee is scrapped and they are forced to go out into the real commercial world for their revenue like all other broadcasters have to do. That revenue will be dependent on audience figures so puerile broadcasts such as Sportsound & Sportscene with their agendas & opinionated presenters will be binned before long. Regards this ongoing ‘dispute’ all that’s required is for the BBC to send someone other than McLaughlin. The club must not give an inch on this.

BBC License Fee paying Rangers supporters have a contract with the BBC. We pay for a service. BBC Scotland deliberately chooses NOT to provide that service. They continue to take our monies and BBC Scotland thumbs a collective nose. They parrot, "we want to hear from Rangers supporters" without any intention to listen. Occasional broadcasting of interviews conducted by BBC nations and regions only allows them to continue to taunt us with an expression of keenness to find a suitable resolution. Rangers supporters understand the problem, BBC Scotland hates us and our club. The quicker PQ accepts the ongoing relationship is based on their hatred, then the quicker we will find the resolution.