BrahimHemdani

Yes, we got £18m upfront, although around £3.5m was used up in closure costs, but even so that's a fantastic piece of business and had the added benefit of significantly reducing the interest payments (by 600K?), as you point out.

 

Yes, we then got a guaranteed £3m (and we never made more than that as far as I'm aware), which again was a great piece of business.

 

So overall the deal was worth around £5m per annum to us.

 

I don't believe that we ever made near that prior to that, although the full information is not available.

 

For example I said the following to TB 9 years ago when discussing the deal "In 2003 accounts Nick Peel said we were 2nd in the UK with a turnover of £19.2m. What sort of net profit did we make on that? 15%-18%? Would that be normal for a retail business? Perhaps less as we don't have great economies of scale? And that was a good year. The prior year was £11.8m Still appears to be far less than we are currently making."

 

The JJB deal was a great deal financially and took the risk away from the club. There were downsides to it but financially it made total sense.

In retrospect it may have been a better deal than it looked at the time.

The downsides were that we lost control of retail operations and at least some part of future profit growth but the upside was debt reduction which I agree was important.

As I recall now it meant that we were the only major UK (or wider) club who did not sell their own strips and I think that was something that concerned me at the time. However, with the benefit of hindsight, it may indeed have been a good decision.

It will be very interesting to see how much profit we make this season and under any new deal.

Heavy hints at the beginning of the presser that we may well do a new deal with SD, certainly not ruled out.

We agreed to let them have Cummings because he's a wee bachle we didn't want anyway.

That's the same as saying we didn't want Scott Allan, which we did.

So can someone clarify this for me without reading it all? (Yes I'm lazy).

 

Are Rangers now getting all the merch money? And paying SD a fee for selling?

Apparently 75%/25% on the PROFITS of megastore and online and 50/50 in the other SD shops, SD will get all their costs e.g. rent and staff (they will have a selling cost worked out per item or pro rata in their accounts or some such method of calculation) paid first, which is not unreasonable.

So when James Blair, sorry Club 1872 recommended James Blair's, sorry Rangers'new deal with SD, he was doing it from a position of objectivity and independence?

Of course he was, he has no conflicts of interest........

 

The JJB deal was probably the best deal we've ever done given the fact that it effectively gave us £6m+ net for each season it existed.

 

It gave us £18 million up front to reduce our debt (released at £1.8m per year to the accounts) and also saved interest on the debt at the time and a guaranteed £3m per season which was more or less the same as "In the 11 seasons prior to the JJB deal, we only ever made £3m or more clear profit from retail on one occasion." (from another web site, so not sure if accurate).

There was a great deal of angst over the closure of the shops and job losses and my view at the time was that we were sacrificing future profit potential for the upfront payment. My recollection is that we never got much more than the £3m but am happy to be corrected.

They never had a realistic claim and even if they did it had little or no value because of their new employment.

Maybe we agreed to give them Kiernan in exchange for dropping it.

Glasgow airport shops are nothing more than a waste of space , they cost a fortune and make hardly any money , would be sad to see us back there to be honest , and I work for the airport

Understood but worth for brand awareness, in my opinion even if it breaks even.

When this first started trickling through around half 3 I had to keep away from all news and social media because I couldn't bear any more let downs or false dawns , however well played Dave King and the board and by all accounts James Blair , this is a monumental day , probably the most important say of the summer , I've actually watched the press conference twice just to make sure that what he was saying was real ......in a blue heaven just now , cmon next season

I have never been in any doubt that King was a clever and successful businessman, so I am happy to acknowledge his success in this re-negotiation. Getting a one year deal is a great achievement. It is good news for Rangers and the fans and hopefully there is no sting in the tail. My other concerns remain however; and it will be interesting to see how much money King himself actually invests in the Club, or if perhaps he has agreed to buy some or all of Ashley's shareholding, he will include that as well.

King alluded to the old deal which Murray negotiated with JJB, of which I was an outspoken critic at the time. King says we need a retail partner and there is no doubt that this saves tying up money in shop leases, staff and stock etc; but however it is achieved I long to see a Rangers shop back on Sauchiehall St and at Glasgow Airport. The sight of the large Celtic shop at the top of the stairs with nothing on "our" side is hard to take at the start of any trip.

Both Murray and the "old Board" sacrificed retail profits for what they perceived as necessary short term gain; hopefully we can negotiate a medium-long term deal at the end of next season that recognises and expands the strength of the Rangers brand throughout the world. Given the long lead in time for new strips/registration etc one would assume that such negotiations will be under way well in advance.

Reference was made to extra money for the manager to invest in the team but it would be very interesting to know to what extent the new signings thus far have been financed by the ST sales and how much money if any has come from other commercial or investment sources.**

I strongly suspect that part of the deal with be that SD will drop the action against King and PM; it makes no sense to continue now that a new deal is in place.*

It would also be of interest to learn to what extent James Blair and/or Anderson Strathern has benefited from the "exorbitant legal fees" paid.

However, no doubt it's a good day along the road to normality; whatever that means in football terms.

EDIT Noted from Press Conference

* ALL litigation terminated.

** "Interest fee loans on the exiting basis and internal resources (ST sales/ commercial?)"

There was a queue to get through online but eventually got it done:

Thank you for your purchase from Rangers Football Club Limited. Please ensure that you read this confirmation email for full details on the product you have purchased.

Booking Reference:

Customer Product Date Time Price Ticket Type Fulfilment

Progres Niederkorn FREE REGISTRATION 04/07/17 - £0.00 Registration Post

Total Price: £0.00

TRAVEL CLUB

IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

FC PROGRÈS NIEDERKORN v RANGERS FC

THE STADE JOSY BARTHEL

TUESDAY 4 JULY – TBC KICK-OFF

Travel Club Points: X

Dear

As a member of Rangers Travel Club 2017/18, we are pleased to inform you that you can now register interest online for the above game before the closing date of 9am on Monday 26 June.

To register for independent travel, ticket price to be confirmed, click here.

To register with the Club’s official provider of supporter travel, Thomas Cook, daytrip only, cost £395, click here

This follow up came out a couple of hours ago, apologies if I'm behind the times here:

Season ticket holders can now purchase tickets for next week’s Europa League Qualifier against Progrès Niederkorn. You can secure your own seat until Saturday 24 June at which point the general sale will open.

After almost six years since Rangers last competed in Europe, continental football returns to Ibrox this season with the home leg against Niederkorn being played on Thursday 29 June at 7.45pm.

Ticket prices are £15 adults, £10 concessions and £5 juniors and can be purchased online HERE, by phoning 0871 702 1972* (calls cost 13ppm plus network extras) or visiting the Rangers Ticket Centre.

If you have signed up to the Continuous Credit Card Scheme for ‘All Non-Season Ticket Home Games’ your registered payment card will be charged from Wednesday 21 June.

An email came out yesterday.

Yes, thanks, I was (and am) pretty jet lagged from Mexico; I have a vague recollection of seeing it and was intending copying it to here; but something else must have happened:

IMPORTANT CONTINUOUS CREDIT CARD SCHEME INFORMATION

EUROPA LEAGUE 1ST ROUND QUALIFIER

RANGERS FC V FC PROGRES NIEDERKORN

THURSDAY 29 JUNE 2017 KICK-OFF 7.45PM

Dear Season Ticket Holder,

Tickets for the above fixture will go on sale from 10am tomorrow, Wednesday 21 June, where you can purchase your own seat until Saturday 24 June. If you have signed up to the Continuous Credit Card Scheme for ‘All Non-Season Ticket Home Games’ your registered payment card will be charged from Wednesday 21 June.

Prices for this match are adults £15, concessions £10 and £5 for juniors.

Bar 72 and section MLF season ticket holders should note your smartcards will be automatically activated for this game.

All non-season ticket seating will be available to purchase with full public sale commencing on Sunday 25 June (online and hotline only on Sunday 25 June).

HOTELS in Luxembourg: if someone wishes to stay in the city centre at a reasonable rate i can recommend the Parc-Plaza Hotel*** of the Goeres Hotel Group (the name somehow sounds "funny" i know) http://www.goeres-group.com

Its next to the Parc-Bellevue Hotel**** of the same hotel group, but cheaper. mind, seems that not all the rooms do have air conditioning, better ask...might be an issue right now...

Seems quite acceptable based on latest TA reviews such as "The location of the hotel is very good, it is near the city center. The area around the hotel is very beautiful and you have a view of the valley. The room was clean, cozy and nice for sleeping. The bed was comfortable. The staff were very helpful and caring. The breakfast was normal and less diverse than some other hotel. The price of this hotel was much more reasonable." but this one not so good "Room clean and bright but quite basic. No door on the shower room which was a bit strange. The whole hotel complex which was two hotels together was quite dated and in need of work. Paving throughout the complex was loose and uneven . Breakfast was quite an experience(and not a good one) Too many people and not enough tables or food and about 2 staff. Everything was running out and extremely slow to be replaced if at all. The bar in the evening was pretty much the same-No staff, trying to get a drink was quite a challenge. However, the hotel is only 5 minutes walk from the bus stop from the airport and the town which was very good." Cheapest price here now is £191 per night (4-6 July).

Air con seems and noise to be an issue in a lot of the 3* hotels I looked at, a lot of negative comments on breakfast quality and a lot do not include breakfast in the rate.

You can still get a room at the Ibis or the Campanile at the Airport for under £200 for 2 nights but most in or near the city centre are now in the high mid £200's - £300 for 2 nights.

Be careful about location; a lot of hotels described as "Luxembourg" are out in the country, not in the city, though nothing is very far from anywhere in Lux, I have no idea about transport to and from the city.

I booked

Hotel Vauban, Luxembourg City

yesterday at Room price €310.00

2 nights: €155.00 /night

Taxes : included

Total €310.00 (£271.43)

This is for single use of a double room with double bed which I prefer, single bed rooms are cheaper.

It is now £370 for the 2 nights!

Most reviews were average or very good.

Price to value seems much higher here than we were used to on our European travels in the past; not unexpected perhaps in this small city.

A couple of Best Westerns still have rooms at around £250 for 2 nights; I'm thinking about changing.

Anyone on the CC Scheme get an email yet?

Essentially they played a football version of musical chairs to prove that one is "soonsored" and the other "owned" by RB.

German clubs won't appeal after Uefa clear RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg for Champions League despite Red Bull link

Uefa came to the decision after 'several important governance and structural changes' had been made at both clubs.

The Independent Football

RB Leipzig finished second in the German Bundesliga last season Getty

Uefa have ruled to allow both RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg to play in the Champions League next season, opening the door to the prospect of the two partner clubs facing each other this season.

Both teams are funded by Red Bull and Uefa has detailed rules against two clubs with close ties playing in the same competition. But after a month-long investigation from Uefa, and serious behind-the-scenes changes at the two clubs, Uefa ruled they had done enough. RB Leipzig will play in the group stage, Red Bull Salzburg in the second qualifying round.

After RB Leipzig finished second in the German Bundesliga and Salzburg won the Austrian title, both teams submitted paperwork to Uefa to prove that they were not in breach of article 5 of the Champions League regulations, relating to ‘the integrity of the competition’.

hat rule is to stop teams under “common control” from playing in the same competition, meaning no individual or group can exert control over two teams. Uefa’s investigatory chamber initially thought that the two sides were too organisationally linked to be able to play against one another.

Over the course of this month Leipzig and Salzburg have proven to Uefa that they have untangled themselves from one another. What have been described as “significant and substantial changes” have seen individuals with influence at both clubs step down to focus on one or the other, rather than the two.

The adjudicatory chamber of Uefa’s Club Financial Control Body said that after “several important governance and structural changes” that they now accepted that “no individual or legal entity had anymore a decisive influence” over both clubs. That meant that both teams were now accepted into the next Champions League season.

The decision may be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the next 10 days. Had Uefa found differently, and Leipzig been banned from the Champions League, then their automatic group stage place would have gone to 1899 Hoffenheim, whose Champions League play-off round place would have gone to FC Koln. But both clubs told The Independent they would not be appealing.

“We are absolutely fine with the decision”, said a Hoffenheim spokesman. “After our best season in Bundesliga history we are looking forward to the Champions League play-offs in August.”

“We won’t appeal this case, it is not our business” an FC Koln spokesman said. “We are very happy having qualified for the Europa League for the first time in 25 years.”

You are loaded BH, no need to worry about the additional cost !

I'm just a poor pensioner as well you know.

Hotel prices now £100 - £150/night and up.

Two nights 3* city centre just about €13 less than three nights last night.

I don't really understand why you never booked from Tuesday to Friday as that would have covered all the European football days.

The cost of the hotel for the extra night is much more than the extra flight cost for coming back Thursday and Differdange v Zira is at Stade Municipal de Differdange - Differdange Wed 05/07/2017, although it also shows on the Thursday so who knows!

Genuinely hope it doesn't cost you too much to change your flights given the news that the return leg is on the 4th.

 

Lesson learnt I guess.

I have just changed at a cost of £148 (£60 fee + £88 difference) so a total of £366, not great but not a disaster. Now arriving at 13:55 on Tuesday so hopefully no delays and the kick off isn't too much ahead of 6.00pm! Return on Thursday was slightly dearer than Friday but saves a night in a hotel and still get to see Differdange.

Now for the hotel.

Reply from GM

Hi Alan,

The dates for the fixtures are to be announced imminently. Apologies for the delay but it was out with Rangers’ control.

Warnings about booking before the fixtures where (sic) confirmed where (sic) on the Rangers website prior to the draw being made. In the future I would recommend to all supporters not to book anything until the date and venue of any fixtures has been confirmed!

Hope you are able to sort any issues.

Thanks

Greg

You are, IMHO, wrong with all 3 counts. Unless, of course, you are suggesting that SR is the only person at Rangers that is allowed to speak to UEFA.

 

Taking each item :

 

1. You could have voiced your displeasure to plenty of people within Ibrox, as Frankie said, notably the SLO. And/or relaying to UEFA is not the CEO's decision alone or at least shouldn't be. Such things can be delegated and, something such as travel plans, should be. It really isn't a CEO issue, regardless of how you try to mask it as such

2, Requesting a fixture resolution ASAP also does not need to be a CEO role. Indeed, one would think that there should be a role within the Club that deals with fixture scheduling, both domestic and European, and that it isn't the CEO's function to do so.

3. Read 2 above.

 

To suggest that these MUST be CEO functions makes little sense to me. If you are right then we need to have root and branch change to our corporate governance procedures and delegations of authority procedures and documentation. If these are CEO functions then we have an inefficient CEO role. His role is to deal with the strategic, important issues. Not a handful of travel concerns from impatient supporters who booked their flights as soon as fixtures were announced, knowing full well they could be subject to change.

 

However, given you believe that this really is a CEO's function you and I will agree to disagree. If you cant see what is staring you in the face then I sure as hell can't help you see it.

 

I look forward to Stewart Robertson having to deal with complaints about a broken TV in the Copland rear, a bookies not paying out on a bet in the concourse and, of course, the inevitable cold pie at Ibrox. No need to concern yourself about increasing and enhancing revenue streams Stewart, no need to concern yourself about making us more competitive on the field of play, no need to improve the state of Ibrox, no need to concern yourself with the infrastructure of the club - just get those travel plans sorted and you will have fulfilled your role well.

 

We agree to disagree.

Reply from SR

Dear Alan

Thank you for your e-mail of earlier today.

I fully understand your frustration, however the Club communicated with fans as soon as it became apparent that there was a potential issue with the away leg of the fixture. The issue has nothing to do with Rangers and is currently being resolved between Progres Niederkorn and UEFA and is due to circumstances in Luxembourg.

As things stand, it looks as though the match will be played on Tuesday 4 July but with the kick off time still to be confirmed.

As I said, the Club notified fans immediately we were made aware that there may be a change to the date and whilst I appreciate how you must feel, the matter is completely outwith the control of anyone at Rangers.

Best regards.

Stewart

As is your prerogative BH.

 

And we will most definitely have to agree to disagree if you believe that your travel plans, which YOU made knowing full well that until confirmed these fixtures are subject to change, should form any level of prioritization with the CEO of a Club trying to rebuild itself and make itself competitive as an entity once again.

 

Only my opinion, but your sense of self importance is startling at times. If Stewart Robertson spends all his time dealing with the type of matters you have raised then he will have virtually no time to deal with any of the bigger issues.

 

I would imagine that in your role previously as an IFA, if you found a CEO dealing with such trivial matters - by trivial I don't mean in the eye of the customer (supporter in your case) but trivial from a CEO's perspective - then I would actually like to think that you would think twice about recommending them as an investment - a CEO dealing with these trivial matters isn't fully focusing on the strategic issues of the entity, which is his job. The Club has other departments that could, and should, deal with these issues. It isn't the CEO's job.

You are 100% reaching when you say it may affect 10,000 fans. There is absolutely no way 10,000 fans (or even close to it) booked their flights as soon as the draw was made. Indeed, if they have, then we have a number of people who are naïve - you are acting as if we have never been in Europe before - we KNOW that until confirmed these dates can change. You tried to get a jump on flights and pricing and it came back and bit you. Harsh as it sounds, it really isn't anyone's fault but your own BH - and to then take the issue to the CEO of the Club ???

 

I don't see an issue taking it to the Club, but the CEO ???

 

You love a wee name drop - I suspect that if he reads your email he will be dumbfounded at having received it. He may respond, but not because he thinks he should.

Craig, yes happy to agree to disagree.

I already said I knew I was taking a calculated risk but I don't agree it's trivial at all, because it certainly involves thousands of potential travelling fans. We took 8,500 to Leipzig for a friendly in the middle of winter, who's to say we can't fill the Stade Josy Barthel.

Judging by what I've read elsewhere, a fair number did the same as me.

It's ridiculous emailing the CEO on that issue, regardless of speed of response.

I completely disagree. SR is a decision maker in this case or at least will be a party to the decision that is made, GM is a purveyor of information.

There are three points to the email; (1) indicating displeasure at the delay, which SR can take on board for Rangers and/or relay to UEFA as he sees fit; (2) requesting a resolution asap; (3) requesting that that information be issued asap.

Only SR can deal with (1) & (2); he can and may well pass (3) through GM; but that's for him to decide.

No wonder the Board can't get any real work done when people are emailing about such triviality.

 

Christ on a bike BH - you took THAT issue to the CEO ??? You absolutely dumbfound me at times. Fair play if you get a response but if I were the CEO of the Club getting that email I would be blocking you on my spam filter.

I'm in doubt that it's an issue for the CEO because (a) he was at the draw and will be involved in agreeing any changes and (b) it may affect as many as 10,000 fans.

I dumbfound a lot of people Craig, but I don't think Stewart Robertson is one of them.

Better emailing Greg if you want a quicker response.

Good idea, my wee pal Greg.

Edit: DONE