Big Spliff

Indeed. When you think about it, it's not rocket science to conclude that Murray had a conflict of interests in terms of Rangers and his personal status etc. That's why, in itself, there are positives to be had simply by him resigning as chairman and director. Being devil's advocate for a moment though, he's still the major shareholder and it's also fair to say that if the club starts to stand up to things, that he cannot be completely distanced from murky waters. He can still be attacked in the media by association if the media so wishes. That's why he needs to get out of town, for everyone's sake, including his own.

I agree with that, and I'm hoping for a change under AJ. Only last week for example he was quoted as saying that SDM had to consider MIH in many ways as Chairman of Rangers and that he wouldn't have the same constraints. That's not an exact quote but that's what he meant. Whether he was talking about dealing with the media or not I don't know, but it's certainly an example of something which has scope for adjustment if the club wants. Again, my interpretation was the club would not offer any support as such, but would privately be glad if the fans stood up and did something because they agree with a lot of the anger and resentment many of us feel. I wrote on here in January that perhaps Murray's silence in terms of defending the club was perhaps a quid-pro-quo for being, shall we say, left alone in terms of MIH. I still beleive that's been part of the picture.

I'm loving all this stuff to be honest. Right on the heels of the eduardo thing and wee aids takes a dive and gets sent off. Brilliant! Everybody knows full well that he dived ( and therefore that he cheated), they are just making excuses because they have an agendas. I honestly think it's funny as fook

I suppose it's all about interpretation and mine was slightly different tbh. What I liked about what JH said was that he suggested that the club would privately be quietly pleased if there was some sort of fan-driven action. On the flip-side I got the impression that the club would remain distinctly in the background and not take any part. That's how I interpreted it anyway. When all's said and done, I don't believe it's good enough for RFC to abdigate responsibility for sticking up for RFC to the fans. Maybe Alastair Johnston will have a different inclination - let's hope so.

Mixed feelings on this. The motivation (to ensure we keep our clubs) is fine, although there are too many clubs. But buying players with debt is a "form of cheating"? FFS There will be so much opposition to this it'll fall on its arse in no time.

I happened to drop in on one of their sites today for research purposes and the very strong concensus was that they believe they have a better squad than Rangers, even after the transfer window shut. They are confident they will win the league.

I imagine a lot of smaller clubs will be way over the 65%? Seems a bit daft looking at a Irish model though - smacks of that fat idiot Salmond

Yep agree with all of that. Worth following-up, definitely.

Good stuff Frankie. Would it be possible for the Assembly to share the jist of the Sandy Jardine presentation on scouting etc? Noting they are "happy" with what's going on, I think it would be of wide interest if this was passed onto the fans.

I went to school with IK, we were in the same year, some classes, school team etc. School rules were 'no football scarves'. Like me, 'Minger' wore his anyway. And red, white and blue it certainly was. I've heard his boys go to Ibrox but can't confirm that.

Confirmed? or just talk?

I would have no problem selling Bougherra for proper EPL money - provided we have an equal replacement for much cheaper. I'd like to think even the most suspect at Ibrox know that selling him in any other circumstances would result in total uproar.

I voted "stay". The guy does the business when selected - its up to WS to select him when he thinks he will score rather than bin him.

Do you also design ballot papers for the Scottish government Jon?

I'm quite confident we'll see some changes in general approach on a few fronts.

If I knew how I would create a website called the Green Seat Brigade and fill it with sarcastic tripe. The possibilities are endles If anyone would like to help I'd be happy to provide some content.

Can't complain tbh. Who knows how we'll do, but on paper it could have been a lot worse.

the official site has Murray's "REIGN" as "GLORIOUS". fuck me.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20040111/ai_n9627727/?tag=content;col1 Interesting piece/interview with Alastair Johnston.

Bit harsh. Shold at least evaluate Johnston's pedigree before rushing to make judgements. From the media release, he seems like a very sharp cookie, so we'll need to check him out first.

http://www.plusmarketsgroup.com/PLUS_news_story.shtml?NewsID=564601&ISIN=GB0007237380/GBX/PLUS-exn The Rangers Football Club plc Sir David Murray today (Wednesday, 26 August 2009) announced he is to step down as a Board Director and Chairman of Rangers Football Club. He will be succeeded as Chairman of the Club by Alastair Johnston (61), a Director of the Club for the last five years. Following Sir David's announcement today, the Board of the Club said it is considering proposals to formally recognise his outstanding contribution to Rangers. Sir David said: "For the last 20 years I have been actively involved in the Club on an almost daily basis and I think that now is the right time to take a step back. "I have said many times that being the Chairman of Rangers is not something anyone should do forever and I have personal and business interests outside the Club I would like to pursue. "As things stand, I remain the majority shareholder at the Club and will always have the best interests of Rangers at heart but it is time to pass on the Chairman's baton. "For me personally, it has been a tremendous honour and privilege to serve as Chairman of Rangers. There have been so many great moments to savour and it is particularly gratifying to step down when the Club are reigning SPL champions, Scottish Cup holders and about to embark on another exciting journey in the UEFA Champions League. "The Club has the governance and management in place, both in footballing and business terms, to deliver further success in the future and Rangers can go forward with confidence. "I would also like to salute the countless Rangers fans around the world who have shown unwavering support for the Club, week in week out. They are the lifeblood of Rangers and many clubs would dearly like to have such a great support. "I am delighted that Alastair Johnston has accepted the chairmanship. He is an internationally renowned and respected businessman and will be an excellent servant to the Club." Glasgow-born Alastair Johnston is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde and Vice-Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of IMG, the leading international sports and entertainment group. Alastair first met IMG Founder, Mark H McCormack, in 1968 and apart from a short spell as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen and Company has worked with IMG for 37 years. His roles within the group have included Chief Operating Officer of Arnold Palmer Enterprises and Head of IMG's worldwide golf operations. When Mark McCormack passed away in 2003, he was appointed co-Chief Executive Officer of IMG overseeing all the company's global businesses, conducted by over 2,500 employees located in more than 60 offices spread throughout the world. Alastair divides his time between the United States and Scotland and advises The R&A of St Andrews in terms of marketing the sponsorship and worldwide media rights to the Open Golf Championship. He is a lifelong Rangers fan and became a Director of the Club in February 2004. Alastair is also a recognised expert of golf history and among his charitable interests is a family bursary to support youth initiatives in the Glasgow Battalion of the Boy's Brigade. He said: "David richly deserves his place in the Rangers history as one of the Club's greatest Chairmen and his passion has burned brightly for 20 years. He invested heavily in the Club but has also demonstrated enormous personal commitment at all times. "On behalf of all Rangers supporters I wish him the very best for the future. "I consider it a great honour to be appointed Chairman of the Club and can say to our supporters that the board, management and staff will spare no effort in striving to ensure that Rangers Football Club enjoys a successful future." This announcement has been approved by the Directors of The Rangers Football Club plc. END

Welcome aboard mate, hope you enjoy it.

good work Bears.

It's with mixed feelings that I have to report that I was in fact sober and smoke-free when I put this together. I don't know what that says about me.... I don't even want to know, I don't think

Almost from nowhere, the popularity of the green seat is becoming synonymous with the rapid changes associated with 21st century Glasgow. Not quite a shining beacon, more of an infested piece of plastic; but its allure is clear for all to see. Barely a fortnight passes in Glasgow without the images of thousands of green seats becoming imprinted in the minds of the good folk of the city. The green seat phenomenon appears to have crept up on us all of a sudden ââ?¬â?? but in fact it is not new. Like a giant potato, its deep roots lie in the east end of the city. Although seldom (if ever) reported in the media, it has been a feature of (pond) life for quite some time. Traditionally, the green seat is celebrated by an under-class of illiterate mutants on certain notable days of the year. Mothers Day is a favourite anniversary and on Halloween the green seat is celebrated by said mutants donning costumes and wandering up the Gallowgate dressed from head to toe in the image of the green seat. Itââ?¬â?¢s quite a sight to behold and most people are now believed to have it on their ââ?¬â?¢10 things to do before you dieââ?¬â?¢ list. But the green seatââ?¬â?¢s popularity is becoming ever more prevalent. No longer confined to special anniversaries, the wonderful celebrations are now taking place at least on a fortnightly basis. The most recent example took place on Saturday gone. Reliable sources suggest that approximately 9,000 green seats congregated around Kerrydale Street around 3pm; joined together by that special bond only a fellow green seat could understand, they sat together, motionless for almost 2 hours in a silent vigil. It was a breathtaking experience by all accounts and the organisers of the event ââ?¬â?? a group calling themselves the Green Seat Brigade said ââ?¬Å?tÃ?¡ mÃ?ºid an iontach aerachââ?¬Â. Nobody was available to explain why the Green Seat Brigade speaks in a foreign language but it is believed that the spokesman was expressing some form of satisfaction. However; just as video killed the radio star and the iPod killed the Walkman, it would be churlish not to acknowledge that threats do exist to the green seat phenomenon. There were believed to be 51,000 observable threats at Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s protest/vigil alone and it is worth investigating how this managed to occur. ââ?¬Ë?Nil By Brainââ?¬â?¢, the organisation which is believed to pose the biggest threat to the Green Seat Brigade stated 12 months ago that it had (by co-incidence) 51,000 standard members who had paid up front to register their opposition to the green seat 18 times a year. Of these, a staggering 10,000 were ââ?¬Ë?concessionaryââ?¬â?¢ members ââ?¬â?? a collection of urchins and ragamuffins rounded up from various local ââ?¬Ë?workshousesââ?¬â?¢ (a strange oxymoron). The average price of protest membership was therefore Ã?£333. However, spokesman Doctor Death of Nil by Brain said recently that they would have to work very hard to match last yearââ?¬â?¢s membership numbers ââ?¬â?? most likely in response to the recent rapid rise in popularity of the green seat. With only 51,000 objectors present on Saturday including a small visiting band from Perth and the ability of several thousands to buy individual protest tickets, it seems fair to assume that the number of signed-up objectors this year may be in the region of 41,000 ââ?¬â?? 43,000. However, Nil by Brain is adopting an aggressive recruitment strategy (which would come as no surprise to those familiar with Doctor Death). They are actively recruiting members and offering the opportunity to buy concessions for as little as Ã?£50. Yes, Ã?£50! For research purposes this was checked by calling the ticket office at Nil by Brain this morning, and a quick call confirmed this to be the case. So last yearââ?¬â?¢s 10,000 concessionary members are perhaps much greater in number now, given the urgent need to combat the rise of the green seat. It would seem that all is not rosy in the garden of Nil By Brain ââ?¬â?? and that the green seat may indeed be here to stay.