Big Spliff

I take it you're allowed to call other posters a "wanker" on here then, yeah? Anyway, get back to me if you need me to explain what I meant again. I honestly don't mind trying to help you out with stuff you're struggling with, even if it's elementary. Such irony is rare, but have you noticed that your chosen smiley is the corollary of the final word in your post?

Good piece. I do agree with the model of key links to associates, it's a far cheaper and possibly just as effective way of scouting. I would also like to see the setting up of soccer schools across the globe though. We don't have to buy building etc - we just need to rent places and pay people to coach kids. The world of agents is still a mystery to me tbh. But it seems that they have control, which is the wrong way round, surely?

I agree. It's an interesting development - the Assembly backing the Trust up, and issuing as statement challenging a specific journalist as well as standing behind the raising of the Spiers issue directly with the club. No doubt those calling for closer collaboration amongst Rangers fans' groups will be along to express their approval. I do feel the Spiers issue is something worth raising - everybody can see what he's up to now, if there was ever much doubt. It'll be interesting to see what unfolds; from Walker, Rangers and Spiers.

I think it's you who's having the difficulty. We have a variety of views & divergent opinion. Prevents 'group-think' = healthy. Our divisions dilute our effectiveness. Stifles teamwork = unhealthy. Please try not to get mixed-up by confusing a bit of elementary multi-perspectivism with indecision.

Recent Media Articles News - Assembly News Two recent media articles have caused much concern for Rangers fans. The first was an article by Michael Walker in the Daily Mail on 2 October and the second was an article by Graham Spiers in The Times on 5 October. Colleagues in the Rangers Supporters Trust have liaised with the Assembly and the action taken is fully supported by the Assembly. In the case of the Daily Mail, there has been direct communication with Michael Walker to the effect that he has been "sussed" and Rangers fans will look elsewhere for objective reporting. Walker has responded stating he made efforts to contact the Assemby (no record of any contact) as well as Ally McCoist, The Police Service of Northern Ireland, Strathclyde Police, Nil by Mouth and a Celtic Supporters Group but only had responses from Souness and Strathclyde Police. He stated he did not get the balance right in his article and "..should have made reference to the tiresome and offensive nature of some of Celtic fans' chanting..". He stated he would be in touch if he returned to the same subject. Doesn't excuse the tone of his article but at least he conceded he did not get it right! In the case of Spiers, given his previous record, the matter has been referred directly to the Club with a strong plea that "enough is enough" with this individual. There seems little to be gained by going public and crawling over old ground - there is clear evidence that this guy is out to damage us. Whatever happened to the notion that these guys are there to report on the match? The Assembly Committee will continue to try and improve media handling as we recognise how important it is to many fans. Our aim is to have a positive media relationship and promote the many good things that our fans can be proud of but we will work together with fans to tackle negative media where appropriate http://www.thebluenose.co.uk/news/assembly-news/recent-media-articles-20091007240/

And on that we agree mate. Ignoring him = hoping he'll go away IMHO. Well, he's still here.

The challenge is to tell the truth and reach a mass of people which SG reaches every day. About 50-60 people read this board every day and probably 10,000-20,000 read his column. His audience is small in comparison to the Sun or if comparing Clyde to 5-live once a week, but it's large in comparison to what Rangers fans have to offer. That is just fact.

My personal opinion is that things are more complicated that they might be - but also that it's understandable in a way. For example, my position is that it is quite astounding that Rangers fans sing "f*ck the pope and the IRA" during Simply The Best - because they must know that it will eventually lead to bother. But a lot of people do not see it like that; they think "f*ck you" to authority, or feel victimised, or feel singled-out, or don't care, or believe that no harm will come, or are too pished, or don't know, or disagee, or have a plan, or .... etc ...etc ...etc. Rangers fans do not agree on ANYTHING. It makes us strong, but it makes us weak at the same time. But it is who we are, so best get used to it. That said, I do believe there are opportunities to get stronger but we have to see them and take them.

One of the first notable themes to emerge from Rangers fanzines (which preceded message-boards and websites by some way) was the question of media bias. Obviously, until then, one never heard of it in the media, be it TV, radio or the press. ââ?¬Å?Weirdââ?¬Â, I thought...... By the way; for media ââ?¬Ë?biasââ?¬â?¢, read ââ?¬Ë?agendaââ?¬â?¢. They may not literally be the same thing, but for all intents and purposes, an agenda (if there is one and it can be classed as slanted in one way or another) and a bias is the same thing. They each represent a skew towards a specific view, opinion or position. And so, here we are - a long time later - and, step forward G. Spiers. Now, if you think Iââ?¬â?¢m arguing that Mr. Spiers is in the wrong for pointing out that Rangers fans shouted ââ?¬Å?f*ck the popeââ?¬Â on Sunday in Ibrox Stadium, I am not going where you think. He is perfectly entitled to discuss this issue if he wants; itââ?¬â?¢s a free press after all, and the people amongst us who shout ââ?¬Å?f*ck the popeââ?¬Â would surely agree or argue that free speech is an enshrined and given right in this hard-fought-for free society? The issue is not Spiersââ?¬â?¢ opinion or choosing to voice his opinions about Rangers and Rangers fans. The issue is that, despite possibly 1000 opportunities even since this football season started, that he chooses ââ?¬â?? yes chooses ââ?¬â?? to take up this crusade where there is only one target and only one loser; Rangers FC. Actually, make that two; add us, the Rangers fans. This man has to be stopped in his tracks. He is ââ?¬â?? 100% - knowingly and intentionally stirring the pot. He hopes to gain credence, publicity, and (possibly?) a change in supporter behaviour at Rangers. He sees himself as some sort of antithesis to the sports-writing world (and the real world) which he reluctantly, and with difficulty, ââ?¬Ë?inhabitsââ?¬â?¢. Well good for him. The man does Rangers no good. He makes it his mission to cast shadows over good work and strengthen ââ?¬â?? in fact begin to build ââ?¬â?? arguments against you and me. And all the while he turns a blind or a cursory eye to everything else thatââ?¬â?¢s questionable within the culture of football. Thereââ?¬â?¢s hardly a need to argue that homophobic chants are illegal, yet they occur. Thereââ?¬â?¢s hardly a need to highlight that causing offence by mocking people who live in ââ?¬Å?slumsââ?¬Â or genuinely go hungry in the middle of a recession is in poor taste (I know that as a football fan this is hardly offensive, but it could be seen as such none-the-less). Thereââ?¬â?¢s hardly a need to even begin to say that listening to songs and chants which decry and insult the Servicemen and women of our country are extremely offensive to many, many people. But they donââ?¬â?¢t matter. Only one issue ââ?¬â?? sectarianism ââ?¬â?? matters in the world of G. Spiers. We know who his target is. Donââ?¬â?¢t letââ?¬â?¢s lie down against this agenda-laden freak. But donââ?¬â?¢t fight back by shouting ââ?¬Å?f*ck the popeââ?¬Â or in any other ill-conceived way. Fight back by damaging this man professionally in whatever way you can - and do his utterings and mutterings the twisted damage that they deserve. Find a way. Like it or not, he is here and he has us in his sights. He chose this, not us. Itââ?¬â?¢s time for Rangers FC to step forward. This guy has an agenda, he is biased, he is out to get us and heââ?¬â?¢s bad news. If Rangers are indeed cowardly (as Spiers says) and won't do it, then we must. As they say in certain parts of Englandshire; ââ?¬Å?best get ridââ?¬Â.

Like it or not, he made trouble for us before and he's clearly intent on causing further embarrassment to Rangers FC.

Fantastic !!!!

He's just not worth the money tbh, he's a waste of a wage and thats why he doesn't play.

OK. So the question is; can we score too? Or two?

Id hope for a win but am not necessarily confident. I'll take the draw if I see them at Ibrox and they look top class. Basically I can't honestly say. So sort your poll SA.

Kaunus. We need to be on our game, that's all I'm saying.