BrahimHemdani
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Everything posted by BrahimHemdani
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Fan board elections now closed as of Saturday 20 September
BrahimHemdani replied to Frankie's topic in Rangers Chat
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Can I ask, if there are still issues or concerns with the policing (and stewarding) at away matches particularly the FoCUS unit? In the past there have been concerns about about unwarranted filming, inconsistent policy about flags and banners, possibly unlawful stopping and searching of buses. Do these issues still exist, are there others? If so I will set up a meeting with the Head of Focus.
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He needs games and won't get them at Ibrox just now, good luck to him.
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TB, thanks for another thoughtful and though provoking post. I don't know how the allocations are split but I am meeting SH on Monday and will find out. I can't agree or disagree till I know how it works. I do know that sponsors and corporate get a fair chunk, in some of the Euopean away games it was as much as half, then there are the players and management. I recognise that it must be very difficult to run a bus if you only get a handful of tickets and I do know that some buses have been forced to amalgamate or run joint buses for certain games for that reason. I suspect that if we only get 1,000 or so tickets for Alloa say then it is impossible to satisfy demand. I know there used to be 11,000 signed up for away games; I suspect the number is much lower now, but again, I'll find out. I am away for 3 weeks in October and may miss 3 games (if we are away in the cup); but have been told I can only cancel two and stay in the scheme. (No privileges for rank!) This needs looked at because it means that one ticket may be lost as it will be sitting behind my door and I will have to pay for it and no one gets to use it. On the categories, I have said a couple of times already that I don't agree with some of them and I am sure this will evolve over time. I understand some had to be included in order to avoid claims of discrimination e.g young people, women and ethnic minorities, though I fail to see how the latter have different requirements from non-ethnic minority fans. (Hope that doesn' get me in trouble.) I also understand that the reason why there was no specific category for RSC's or say the RST was that the overwhelming opinion on the foucs groups was that fans wanted individuals rather than group representation. That said there was nothing to stop any person from said groups applying and stating their current or past affiliations (as I did). Thanks again. BH
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TB, I am aware of the Berwick situation because I was still on the SDS at the time and one of my colleagues was the Chair of the Berwick ST. He told me that in the first game, Berwick only made £4.50 out of each £10 ticket due to the high police costs; so took a decison to increase prices for the second match. Personally I don't think that was unreasonable. I was at both games. At the second one even the Berwick Chair was out working as a steward. I also think you should take into account that Berwick had not increased their £10 admission for 11 seasons prior to that season. The policing was way OTT. There were cops from all over the north of England, getting ridiculous amounts of money in some cases (and in others no additional pay at all) for what was essentialy a day out. Berwick is a small well run club whose players get something like £100/week, even if they did cash in on our visit a bit for the second game. Overall, like many of the lower division clubs they made about £50,000 from the two games and all or most went into ground improvements. In the past their ST has bought them extra lights for training, medical equipment etc and they got help from Brooks Mileson who financed Gretna when they were nearly out of business, though he had no connection with them at all. I wouldn't begrudge them a few quid. I agree with all your comments about the Celtic games. Pricing is the main issue for me rather than number or placing of seats. Thanks for your contribution. BH
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I am fairly sure that you will find agreement on the RFB for that and perhaps even among some of the Club's Directors.
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Any other issues concerning fans who attend away matches?
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No problems attracting a crowd perhaps
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First of all, that's hypothetical question and secondly there are particular reasons why I am unable to answer that question at this time. Nor can I discuss it further. Sorry.
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Thank you. I think this does qualify as an "away fans" question or issue since it involves us at Parkhead as much as Celtic fans at Ibrox. This is exactly the kind of solid issue that should exercise the minds of the RFB and the Board of RFC. I think there are a lot of considerations here, not the least of which is financial. As things stand at present, Rangers are more or less guaranteed to sell out or near sell out an old firm league game; certainly I would expect that next time around. That said I do recall them having to offer double tickets for the last cup tie at Ibrox. If Celtic were restricted to a couple of thousand tickets in the SE corner, would Rangers fans fill the rest of the ground? Not sure the Police would be in favour of Celtic fans in the Albion Car Park I believe the Broomloan holds 7,500 which I think is a few more than we get for Parkhead; so I think it might be more a case of Celtic having to give us an equal or more or less equal number of tickets but I will find out. It may well be that this starts off with the premise that it is easier to control the Celtic fans at Ibrox if you put them all in the Broomloan, then everything else flows from that. Would you be prepared to accept that the consequence of your suggestion might be us only getting 2,500 tickets for Parkhead half of which would go to corporate and sponsors? Another issue is that Celtic Park is quite different from Ibrox since it is totally in the round and doesn't have much in the way of defined areas for segregation. If you've ever had the misfortune to sit a few columns away from screaming hordes of mindless individuals with only a slim young lassie in a stewards outfit to protect you, you'll know what I mean. But given that there aren't defined areas, I don't see why we couldn't all be centred behind the goals rather than stuck in the corner as you say. However, the problem there might be Celtic fans on both sides of us. Another solution might be, no away fans at all; but then you lose the atmosphere and I doubt we'd sell 50,000 tickets. One thing I do think would be fairly easy to address is the constant ratcheting up of prices, which began if I recall when Celtic fans destroyed some seating at Ibrox. From memory it was more than £40 last time at Parkhead. My guess it might be £45-£50 if we get there next season. This would take goodwill on both sides; is it there, I don't know. Thanks again for a great point. I'm sure that this one could be a thread on its own. I'll definitely raise it. And can I just add that this is exactly the kind of thing that we should be debating IMHO. It would be very helpful to get a range of views on this subject.
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"They" being Rangers fans presumably? I personally do not find the so called "famine song" offensive.
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Sorry, I see that now; it's been a hectic day with a Spanish client giving me verbals most of the morning and on here most of the rest of the day. No doubt Zappa will reply.
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This is honestly a very difficult question to answer because it depends on the type of offensive behaviour and the circumstances at the time.
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I think that that is a personal issue for any fan who feels offended by behaviour which would be regarded as offensive under the Act. I do recall that the police and the authorities were keen to encourage an element of self-policing while acknowledging that it could of itself be a dangerous occupation. Therefore I wouldn't want to offer advice, it is a personal matter. In terms of an issue affecting "away fans", I think it is the actual policing of matches and travel that would be the subjects of discussion. If there are such issues then I'll be happy to set up a meeting with the Head of FoCUS and David Martin, Rangers Head of Security.
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An offer I'll be very happy to accept :cheers:, says he not knowing where your bus leaves from Of course I'm sure you do not carry any alcohol on your bus so you will have no problems if you are stopped. Then your guys all have to turn up at the Gersnet Dinner, hows that?
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Mr Dingwall did offer to reinstate me in 2010, an offer I politely declined. Did you not make the point that (a) the actual numbers of active contributors are a tiny percentage of the alleged membership (b) that online fans are themselves a tiny proprtion of all the supporters i.e. people who go to games and © I would make the point that I was elected despite outright opposition from FF ( to put it mildly). I have no plans to apply to FF again. Anyone from that forum who wishes to contact me may do so through the email address which will be up after 6 October.
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I'll put that forward, thanks again. Do you think that fans would be prepared to go early enough to make that work?
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Is that before or after I get my blazer and tie? Actually I'm feeling a bit impecunious right now what with hols coming up as well, perhaps a wee part time job on the buses might be in order. That way Rangers don't have to pay for the uniform.
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Fan board elections now closed as of Saturday 20 September
BrahimHemdani replied to Frankie's topic in Rangers Chat
FS, I am not going to get into a public slanging match with a fellow Board member. So I will make some points in relation to your question and won't respond further, particularly as your question is based on a premise that I am not prepared to confirm or deny at this point. As you know all members of the RFB have been sent all member's CV's and asked to consider whether they wish to stand for a position or support anyone else for a position. There is no "perhaps" about it. If you do not believe me, then please ask Rev McQuarrie yourself; then perhaps you would be good enough to post his reply. I am told that he has a reputation for being scrupulously fair which is why he was invited to take the role and has held similar positions in the past. He does not have a vote in the elections for Office Bearers. However, if you think that the fact that I spoke to him for the reason stated post the election renders him unsuitable to chair the first meeting because he might be in some way biased when it comes to the conduct of the office bearers election should there be one (though it's not clear to me how he might exercise such bias) then I suggest you ask him to stand down when the agenda is considered. So far as I am concerned the whole process has been open, transparent in and in your view "democratic". I have been equally open and answered all questions truthfully to the best of my ability. I would respectfully suggest that we now get on with the job that we have been elected to do on behalf of the fans. However, if you continue to have concerns please direct them to Rev McQuarrie. -
I think that's brilliant stuff, thanks very much; I'll definitely put that forward at the first meeting. Might be an issue about getting home again from Ibrox particularly if drink was taken but a very worthwhile idea. Strikes me that should find favour with at least one Club Director. Actually, I think that the Germans do stuff like that. Certainly I remember Hans whatshisname saying that the members not the Club at Hamburg controlled the away tickets and got 10% which financed some of their operations. Not sure Rangers would go for that though!
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Well considering some of the stuff that's been posted about me on there and the identity of the site owner, that's just something I'm going to have to live with.
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Terrific, beats my old skip cap that's for sure
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OK that's all very useful advice, so long as you are prepared to stand guard beside me. I'm not sure about dark car parks in the middle of winter but it's worth consideration:D Seriously, I will certainly make myself available to attend any SC Meetings within reason. If you want to organise something in NI and guarantee safe passage, I'd be up for that. Or perhaps if you guys are doing an overnight here might be better. A few folk who know me did approach me at Falkirk but I like your suggestion to introduce myslef to people sitting beside me, though there may be some hazards in that, I know it goes with the territory. Any other suggestions on communciation would be welcome. It will be a lot easier once the Board are identified on the Club site and the email addresses are published.
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Fan board elections now closed as of Saturday 20 September
BrahimHemdani replied to Frankie's topic in Rangers Chat
You are correct that I do tend to feel obliged to answer questions that folk ask and I always try to get the facts before I do so. Zappa did say that perhaps his comments should not have been framed as questions to me, since I was not responsible for the process. Some others may have posed questions for different reasons. However, one correction if I may. I was already elected before I spoke to Rev McQuarrie and he will confirm that if necessary. -
I'm not sure if you are being serious or not. If you are serious can you suggest how that might work in practice?