Frankie

I'm rather surprised at the complete lack of work by any of the fan groups on this subject. We can only hope they are doing stuff quietly in the background to help organise some sort of awareness drive.

Johnston is no more or no less culpable than any other member of the board (I include SDM in that) when it comes to contributing to the current farce that is Rangers Football Club.

Great post bmck...

No both award threads will be open for around another ten days as I'm going on holiday next week so no time to collate them until I return...

Fair point mate...

Just as likely the journalists called him after you posted your info mate and he said basically the same things to them as you...

Must admit, I found that part of the King article rather mischievous...

They'll certainly be more than capable of making a decision on the tax query...

For those who want to contact the Ellis team: http://www.marlboroughtrust.com/marlborough-trust-team.asp?ID= Have fun...

If I were to ask you or others to provide information you had obtained on the basis it was to be kept private, I'm respect your right to refuse and wouldn't question your honesty either. Remember, it may not be Ellis that would object to N_L providing his number but the person who provided it to N_L and asked for it to be kept private. I feel we should respect that wish and look to other ways of examining the information posted. To that end, I think the story that came out following N_L's post yesterday should grant him an element of our trust. If you don't believe him fine but the rest of us will examine what he has to say on an ad-hoc basis and prefer to concentrate on that as opposed to his intentions which seem reasonable enough to me.

As usual an excellent bit of writing from OK...

I should add, for what it is worth, I've told N_L privately that putting one's self forward in this way would lead to criticism and cynicism from people. As such, I think some of the teasing we've seen here and elsewhere should have been expected and should be water off a duck's back. Sometimes we all need a thicker skin...

I'm not chastising anyone - just simply making it clear there is a difference between doubting Ellis' comments and/or inferring N_L is a liar. I'm puzzled as to why anyone would think N_L is doing this to raise his profile? Why - for what reason? As far as I can see he had a decent profile on FF previous to this and wouldn't need to do anything to increase that. I'm also pretty certain he isn't being used by certain others either for a variety of reasons. Finally, people can listen in on conversations without travelling to the same venue - for example, I'm sure you have the facility on your mobile or works phone to have a conference call. However, I agree with you in that isn't really the best way of gaining the trust of people. Neither is passing on the phone number IMO - but that is only my opinion. Again, I'm not asking everyone to believe N_L or Ellis. But just refrain from stuff that spoils the debate for others who are interested.

I think it is rather unfair to expect N_L to send all and sundry Mr Ellis' phone number. If you want it, I'm sure you can source it via means that wouldn't conflict with N_L's own virtue.

Read what I said again and refrain from the smart-arse comments please. I specifically said by all means take Ellis' comments with a pinch of salt - just don't suggest N_L is doing anything other than providing us with the means to make up our mind on that in good faith.

N_L: Thanks for posting the information as always - it is appreciated. For those that don't believe what Ellis says, then that is absolutely fair enough - after all I see no reason why Johnston would lie. However, I will not have aspirations cast on N_L for providing said information. He is doing so in good faith and has never suggested the information is correct or that he even is a supporter of Ellis. As such, it is rather unfair to infer he has been lying or is some sort of stooge. Fortunately, on a place like Gersnet, the members are more than capable of making up their own mind on such matters and people who are less than constructive in their approach are more likely to look silly than anyone attempting to move the debate on.

Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to take part!

Thanks to everyone who has taken part so far...

Zappa: Like you, I'm of the mind the situation is probably not as bad as some will have us believe. I expect us to be prudent and don't mind further cuts if it leads to proper efficiency and long-term improvement in service. I'm also happy we're not being overly extravagant in our contract offers and accept players may choose to leave as opposed to us not offering suitable deals. If that is the case then, a deadline for their decision needs to be given so we can move forward and approach other players. Problem is can we afford to bring in other suitable players unless we move on existing assets? I don't think we can. That in itself isn't a problem as, again, I don't mind us selling players at the correct time to service the debt and make monies available for new staff. However, once more, will we be able to do that very season? What happens next season when even more players are out of contract? Can we really be certain the replacements this season and next will be better than them - or of good enough quality to deliver success? Generally speaking, I don't think the situation is one that is immediately worrying. Nonetheless, I feel there is a problem there for the medium-long term which may well justify the doom and gloom suggested by some. What is certain is that we need fresh investment and innovation within the club. With every passing day the apparent inability of the board to deliver that is perhaps the greatest worry of all.

No probs mate - just vote for me and you'll be fine. �£5 in post.

Gisabeer: I think you make some very valid points - even if your analysis may be somewhat more negative than we'd like. 1. Of the existing board - most have contributed to where the club is as it stands so anyone expecting them to get us out of our ongoing problems could be waiting a long time. 2. I guess with the Ellis bid, we'll know very soon according to what his spokesman said in the ET today. His preference for privacy is interesting (and actually refreshing) but also disconcerting and unhelpful. His bluff has now been called though very publicly. 3. I agree the fans remain the most important part of the club in a financial sense. CL and player income is also vital but our season ticket revenue has been one certainty over the last 10 years since the SPL became a fiscal back-water. The reluctance oft he club to explore ways of making our relationship more formal than emotional is a huge mistake in my opinion. Unfortunately, we've not helped out own credibility in that regard so are just as much to blame arguably. There is not much sign of change either. Your roller-coaster analogy is a good one. No-one knows how deep the troughs may be but there appear to be more of them ahead than peaks. That alone should be precipitating action but personality clashes seem more agreeable to some than constructive action.

What a shame...

Thanks to everyone who has voted so far... I'll send a mass email tomorrow as well.

�£20K per week for an injury prone 30 year old...

He seems capable of some great work but his lack of heart means more often that not he's a waste of a jersey...