Frankie

Indeed.... I'll whore myself out to anyone who can praise me in their posts....

As the Rangers support rightly becomes ever more impatient with the slow and apparently minimal strengthening of the playing staff this summer itââ?¬â?¢s interesting to note that this Wednesday the Queen will hold an Investiture at Buckingham Palace. This essentially means that after a 6 month wait since being announced as a Knight Bachelor in the New Year Honours list, David Edward Murray will finally be officially known as Sir David Murray. Mere mortals such as I can only imagine the pomp and glamour associated with such an event. Iââ?¬â?¢m sure the pride and indeed honour of being recognised by oneââ?¬â?¢s peers could be considered the pinnacle of oneââ?¬â?¢s professional career. Certainly, Sir David Murrayââ?¬â?¢s business career has been impressive and he deserves much credit for the way he has led his life whilst battling several personal tragedies. Ergo, I sincerely hope our chairman enjoys the day and accepts our good wishes. I then hope that, after the ceremony and upon his return to Scotland, Sir David will then commence a renewed campaign to return our club to the pinnacle of their domestic fraternity. In the last two seasons our great club has not won a thing and the outlook isnââ?¬â?¢t bright ahead of any new campaign. Beaten to the signature of Scott Brown, embarrassing and pointless bids for Steven Naismith and the usual media stooges announcing non-existent bids for the likes of Claudio Pizarro means the pawns in this game of transfer chess are interesting to discuss. Is it the first class players who we allege we will buy? Is it the young domestic players who we canââ?¬â?¢t compete with Celtic for? Or is it the fans who are being asked to renew their season tickets at an increased price for little return? No matter the answer to that question, we are losing the game ââ?¬â?? even at this early stage. Alan Gow, Kirk Broadfoot and Jean-Claude Darchville are all reasonable signings. All three have the game to add to our squad as well as the potential to improve it. However, we still need more and we still need players of a class to settle quickly ahead of a huge game in late July where weââ?¬â?¢ll be involved in the second round of the CL qualifers. Teams such FenerbahÃ?§e, AEK Athens and Sparta Prague then all await if we make it to the third round in mid/late August. Can we genuinely say weââ?¬â?¢re confident of beating these teams? Do we have the squad to cope with these huge matches while getting off to a much-needed good start in the SPL? To maximise our chances, itââ?¬â?¢s vital we make any further signings as soon as possible. Pre-season will soon be upon our players and its imperative that, considering the number of changes Smith intends to make, all new players are integrated into the squad as soon as possible. The longer our new team has together in terms of training and actual matches the better. Waiting till the window shuts in late August to make the bulk of our signings is very risky and we donââ?¬â?¢t exactly have a great record of doing good business on deadline day. I guess the likes of Murray and Bain will be trying to ensure that we only spend money we can afford. Obviously, that makes fiscal sense but instead of gambling on CL Group stage qualification with an under-strength squad, why not spend the allocated funds (whatever they may be) early enough to maximise our chances? Yes, that is also a gamble but the odds are arguably not as long as the former. Spending money on players is always a risk. We have suffered in the past from this and will continue to do so in the future. We havenââ?¬â?¢t helped ourselves by having a non-existent scouting system and by negotiating the kind of contracts that make players lazy. Again, we have to minimise risk by taking the time to analyse prospective players fully in what they may bring to the club. As such, perhaps our lack of real movement on the transfer front is explained by a greater need for full analysis. If this is the case then patience must be advised. However, weââ?¬â?¢ve been patient now for over two years. Weââ?¬â?¢ve also been incredibly loyal and weââ?¬â?¢ll continue to be so. What we now need is ambition, commitment and leadership from those we follow. What better leader than a newly honoured knight of the realm? He may not be here for much longer and perhaps his battle days are behind him. But can he leave a sporting legacy that would match the pride he has for his business work? Or is this one step too far for a warrior who can no longer lead from the front? Arise, Sir David... http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=425&Itemid=1

Hope your having a nice summer with the family, gersfem... See you next season!

Every weekend in the Scottish press you can read advertisements for the self styled ââ?¬Ë?Worlds (sic) Number 1 Glasgow Celtic Bandââ?¬â?¢, Charlie & The Bhoys. This is a busy band who have an extensive gig history and wide repertoire of songs. Lets look at a couple of them starting with the song currently so popular at Celtic Park ââ?¬Ë?Willie Maleyââ?¬â?¢ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbmUQMPJ65g 1 min 2 secs in you get to the crowd courted cry ââ?¬Ë?IRAââ?¬â?¢. This happens every time this song is sung and has done since its inception. Another popular song which appears on 2 of their CDs is ââ?¬Ë?Go on Home British Soldiersââ?¬â?¢. This can be listened to at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtJOD80S4EI&mode=related&search= youââ?¬â?¢ll note that 35 seconds this time the lead singer doesnââ?¬â?¢t need to rely on the audience singing IRA, its part of the lyrics. And this is not the IRA of the twenties. Further highlights of their recorded repertoire with the number of CDs they appear on are: Sean South ââ?¬â?? celebrating the life of a would be IRA assassin from the 1950s. (4) Broad Black Brimmer ââ?¬â?? celebrating the attire of the IRA (1) Tom Williams ââ?¬â?? celebrating another active service IRA volunteer (1) Boys of the Old Brigade ââ?¬â?? an IRA ââ?¬Ë?classicââ?¬â?¢ (3) Bring Them Home ââ?¬â?? yet another invitation to IRA away (2) This is by no means exhaustive but gives a flavour of what this band are about, believe and the audience they attract. Their official site http://www.charlieandthebhoys.co.uk has a link to a web page called ââ?¬Ë?The ****** Pageââ?¬â?¢ at http://uk.geocities.com/samrod_lee/ Oddly enough there is nothing about religion on this site, but a lot about Celtic and republicanism. So what has this to do with Celtic FC? This summer Celtic FC are preparing a lavish celebration of their finest ever footballing achievement, celebrating the Lisbon Lions. It would be fair to say that this collection of players have done more than any other to represent Celtic consistently throughout time; often in their employment. These very same players are more than happy to share a stage with Charlie & The Bhoys. Indeed, CATB boast on their site that ââ?¬Ë?if you would like the Lisbon Lions or Frank McAvennie to attend your supporters night then email us below. We can help you plan a superb question and answers night along with a CATB gigââ?¬â?¢. They confidently back this up with a photo of Tommy Gemmell and Bertie Auld doing their Q&A bit at a CATB gig in Jersey at: http://www.geocities.com/charlienthebhoys/lionscatbgigjersey.JPG Further, evidence that Celtic FC officially endorse CATB is given when they appear to feature on Celtic TV at Seamill at: http://uk.geocities.com/theworldsnumberonecelticband/seamill2.JPG CATB showcase a fundraiser for the Brother Walfrid statue that sits outside Celtic Park with former favourite Bobby Lennox http://hometown.aol.co.uk/CATBhoys/lennoxetc2.jpg Any prizes for thinking that the man two to his left could be none other than Brian Quinn? Celtic FC have a number of supporters clubs throughout North America who have an annual convention each summer. Celtic provide a direct web link to this organisation from their official site at http://www.nafcsc.com/ and send over official representatives each year. This yearââ?¬â?¢s extensive official representatives list includes Neil Lennon, Tommy Burns and Billy McNeil. At this moment in time the author doesnââ?¬â?¢t know if CATB will again share the stage but if the last three years are anything to go by we can only assume, yes. After all, in 2006 the hosting CSC http://www.windsorcsc.com/2006.htm were sure to thank all official attendees who included Billy McNeil, Willie McStay, John Fallon and George McCluskey ââ?¬Â¦and Charlie and the Bhoys. Also included on the 2006 bill of thanks for providing entertainment was Derek Warfield of Wolfe Tones fame. Derek is not short to hide his admiration for the modern day IRA at his official http://www.derekwarfield.com in which he urges visitors to ââ?¬Ë?never fail to salute the menââ?¬â?¢ of the IRA. Derek, you may recall was part of the Wolfe Tones group who were given access to Celtic Park in the late 80s/early 90s to shoot their video ââ?¬Ë?Celtic Symphonyââ?¬â?¢ which includes the words ââ?¬Ë?Ooh Ah Up the Raââ?¬â?¢, a popular chant in favour of the IRA at the height of the Troubles. This infamous video can be viewed at: Derek Warfield and his band are confirmed to appear at the North American Federation of Celtic Supporters Clubs 2007 convention. Entertainment that will no doubt have Messrs McNeil, Lennon and Burns toe tapping along with the remaining members of the Lisbon Lions. Derek says on his site ââ?¬Ë?The Celtic Football Club will always be bigger than the community it serves in Glasgow and it remains a beacon of Irish identity throughout the world. These anthems and songs will never be performed with greater passion than when they are sung by the Bhoysââ?¬â?¢. The quickest of cursory looks at Derekââ?¬â?¢s recorded repertoire will give you a flavour of these IRA songs. Peter Lawwell would need to draw on his unique brand of ââ?¬Ë?factionââ?¬â?¢ to explain how this does not contradict or compromise his boasts about Celtic and sectarianism. Mr Lawwell is never shy in letting us know that 80,000 Celtic fans (55,000 according to the Spanish authorities and UEFA) went to Seville and were a great credit to their team. Five of those fans were members of CATB and they played to several thousand fans in the build up to this match. CATB official site proudly displays pictures of these huge crowds. One can reasonably assume that their favourite IRA songs were sung with gusto. What does this do for their UEFA award? And why can they continue to play at most of Celticââ?¬â?¢s European locations, most recently Milan, without any investigation or questioning. In light of the above, the question must be asked ââ?¬â?? does this matter? Not to Celtic, not to NBM, not to the police, not to the Scottish Executive or not to the media apparently.

Indeed... :cheers:

Good young goalie actually... I'd prefer we brought in someone like him than a more experienced guy who would probably be quite happy to do a Klos.

It's 2 actually...

Look hot on the beaches of Europe (or Ayrshire) by purchasing one of our newly designed t-shirts. Available in a fantastic cool blue colour and a range of sizes, buy now via the following link. We can deliver to anywhere in the world so we look forward to seeing your pictures of the T-Shirt in locations far and wide! Buy Now! http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=114&Itemid=1 PS: These will be available to buy at NARSA later this week...

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=422&Itemid=2 At last, after much rhetoric over the last few years, the SPL (in conjunction with the SFA*) is to officially introduce wide-ranging rules to combat anti-social behaviour at matches from next season. The new legislation, to be included in its constitution from August 1st, will include tough new penalties for offenders. These will include fines, annulling and replaying of fixtures, deduction of points, closing all or part of a stadium and playing matches behind closed doors, withholding the title and, ultimately, expulsion from the league. Tough talking then from the authorities - however the question remains in that what exactly is anti-social behaviour? Obviously it rightly includes sectarianism. Over the last few years Rangers fans especially have been vilified for such behaviour. Chants of *** and the use of the word ââ?¬Ë?******ââ?¬â?¢ have been challenged and, for the most part, wiped out in an admirable years work by the Rangers support. Being fined by UEFA in 2006 finally made the majority of the Rangers support appreciate that a small cross section were letting us (and our club) down by using outdated chants to bore other fans with non-football related nonsense. One unfortunate incident in Spain earlier this year brought the issue again to the fore and since then the Rangers support have worked together to ââ?¬Ë?self-policeââ?¬â?¢. The results have been magnificent and although weââ?¬â?¢ll have to continue to work not to allow any small minority to let us down, our support deserves a lot of praise for reacting to the criticism (from the media and the authorities) so quickly and so well. Just a pity you wonââ?¬â?¢t read about it any time soon from the people who wanted the improvement. However, no faux praise is required as we should be happy enough with our progress to feel comfortable that the new SPL legislation may not actually worry us more than some of the other teams in the league. What also seems to be included (if you take the Scotsman article below at face value**) is offensive singing generally. Unfortunately, this is where the new legislation will really be tested. Ewing Grahame suggests that songs about ââ?¬Ë?sheep-sh#ggersââ?¬â?¢ will be punished as well as any other ââ?¬Ë?racist, sexist or violent behaviourââ?¬â?¢. This is strange as the Aberdeen fans sing about their selves in that (albeit bizarre) manner and there was little complaint in May when Neil Lennon light-heartedly used the term to describe them as they ruined his farewell speech. A contested term already and we have hardly started analysing the issue! Thus, what else can be considered offensive? ââ?¬Ë?Politicalââ?¬â?¢ songs supporting terrorist organisations will obviously be high on the agenda but will the SFA be expected to ââ?¬Ë?self-policeââ?¬â?¢ the Scotland fans as they sing about Jimmy Hill being a p##f? Will the Hibs fans be in the dock for suggesting some Hearts players may be overly-friendly with their owner? Indeed, will the Edinburgh clubs no longer be able to sing about Glasgow slums when they travel west? Killie fans may also no longer wish to be ââ?¬Ë?up to their knees in Ayr bloodââ?¬â?¢. Just how far will the new rules go? There is obviously a fine line between banter and ill-advised mockery of rival clubsââ?¬â?¢ backgrounds compared to genuine discrimination and prejudice. Ergo, who will decide where the line is drawn? After his embarrassing quotes of last week, can we safely assume it wonââ?¬â?¢t be new ââ?¬Ë?Honorary (sic) Vice-Chairmanââ?¬â?¢ of the SFA John McBeth? Perhaps new Chief Executive Gordon Smith will contribute? Just donââ?¬â?¢t tell the Celtic fans who have started a petition against that particular appointment (what they are doing about Eric Rileyââ?¬â?¢s loyalties isnââ?¬â?¢t known). Thus, itââ?¬â?¢s vital for the credibility of any new rules that they are set out clearly beforehand. If the authorities are serious about the problem, the education of the problem fans should initially be paramount before condemnation and punishment. What songs are offensive? What chants are not acceptable? What is the punishment? Who decides? Will the fans be consulted and represented? Where do the stewards and police fit in? For this to work we have to be made aware of the banned terms and the penalties awaiting any breach. What is also clear is for the legislation to be a success is that all Scottish clubs must take the directive on board and act accordingly. The Rangers support are still imperfect but their actions so far in terms of admitting they have a problem while combating it strongly via the fans working with the club are actions worthy of imitation by any other club that may face similar future problems. What hasnââ?¬â?¢t been so encouraging is that while the Rangers fans have been acting positively; other supports have continued to plead their innocence from the moral high ground. Will the fans be able to rise above judgements based on one-upmanship? Or can we expect some supports to continue to be more eager to have others punished instead of facing their own problems? Can we rely on the media to be neutral in their approach or will we continue to see the irresponsible reporting that continues to increase tension instead of alleviating it? Judgement Day is almost upon us. Scottish football can either lead the way in dealing with offensive behaviour or the whole issue could prove to make us a laughing stock. Can football really show society and the politicians how to remove anti-social behaviour from our country? Or will this be another case of all talk and no substance while flawed legislation ruins our game? At this stage there are still far too many questions and not enough answers. The clock is ticking.... * - http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news.cfm?newsid=2999 ** - http://sport.scotsman.com/football.cfm?id=866752007

Aye, 'tis the latest rumour... Good player but his attitude is questionable.

Let's hope so... Evening Times says we are in talks with mystery striker as well...

Got it in one...

In terms of day to day running of the organisation yes, but John McBeth is the (outgoing) president so will possibly hold as much clout....

No, he would replace David Taylor who had left to undertake a position at UEFA...

I post on an FM board and they are literally spewing with hatred for the appointment. Apparantly a Celtic forum has started a petition against it and every Celtic fan I've spoken to so far thinks he's too biased or lacks the qualifications to do the job. Just in case you missed them: I've read many debates over the years regarding how the SFA should have a genuine football man in charge who is young, imaginative and the kind of honest reputation to ensure our footballing authorities modernise for the future. He's been a big advocate of summer football; supports much needed changes to the structure of our game; agrees the fans shuld be more involved with their clubs; and has made many other valued contributions to the discussion of our game over the last 10 years. He is indeed a Rangers fan but I've never seen him as anything other than neutral in his comments. An inspired appointment ! Unfortunately, as I expected, the Celtic support can't see past their own prejudices to see that.

But the SFA is an organisation for the interests of the member clubs. I agree it should have a degree of independent consultation but it's inevitable that there will be the odd conflict of interests. Now, in an ideal world, obviously that isn't desirable but many organisations (sporting or otherwise) are made of people who are externally involved with the subject matter. The alternative is having a SFA commitee led and run by a board of independent people who would have to consult with the member clubs anyway. Remember, the rest of the member clubs get to vote on proposals anyway so it's not a case that a Celtic (or Rangers or Alloa) associated director will be changing everything to suit their own team.

For comparison's sake, Eric Riley is the finance director of Celtic but sits on the SFA commitee and disciplinary panel. If that's acceptable, then so is Gordon Smith's player agency work IMO.

Don't know mate. I don't see he should given that every member of the SFA commitee have similar external jobs within the game.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/6705941.stm Excellent appointment IMO. :cheers: Gordon Smith is an articulate gentleman who unlike many of the pundits in Scottish football actually knows the game and although it is inevitable any suggestions of bias towards Rangers are completely and utterly laughable. He's also a man who speaks his mind and is just the person to wake up some of the old suits at the SFA. His agency work may be some sort of conflict of interests but considering half the SFA board sit on the boards of the various football clubs, I don't see why anyone would complain. Not only that but he's a good friend of ours at Gersnet. Isn't that right Gordon...?

Thanks to calscot for this fine main site article.... http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=1

JJB paid us £18million up front and a minimum of £3million per year for the rights to sell our merchandise (mainly strips/clothing nowwdays). Our retail were making a profit of around £5million before the deal but strip sales are expected to fall across the board as superstores etc start to sell them on the cheap. Hence the reason for the 10 years JJB deal. The Umbro deal was for 4 years from last season where theyhave been granted rights to distribute replica kits and training products abroad. It is anticipated that these arrangements will contribute £6.5m annually through the Club's retail activities. How that factors into the JJB deal is anyone's guess.

Supposedly he is... But he pretty popular and it's just a case of the WRC being very generous towards the Trust once more.

At, such irony from a man who wants Rangers punished for our alleged bigotry! I certainly don't know the background behind his claims (although many possible would share them) but one cannot and should not make such claims through the media without genuine evidence and reason for doing so. It only serves to make more problems instead of helping to fix the existing ones. We see it ourselves with the sectarian 'debate' in Scotland.

As part of our ongoing partnership with the excellent 'Wee Rangers Club', the Trust has 15 free pairs of tickets to give away for next week's 'Dean Park Show' (with disco) at the club. To claim one of the free pairs of tickets, email stewart@rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk now; making sure to include yor name, address and Trust membership number. The first 15 submissions win! It couldn't be easier! The tickets are for use on next Saturday night (2nd June, 2007) at the Wee Rangers Club, Glasgow. Guests are to be seated for 8pm and the show starts at 9pm. All winners will be notified by Tuesday evening. Good luck!

I like the idea but if we're going to go down the Northern Spirit/Shanghai route again, I hope we commit fully but only after investigating the complexities of such a deal. Potentially it could be a good investment but the 2 above ended up the opposite.