Frankie

Yeah, it's a decent article but Broadfoot is just one journalist that seems confused about his Rangers leanings and keeping his job... One minute he makes perfect sense, the next he seems quick to jump on the bigotry bandwagon.

I think I've been saying this for the last 3 years but the next 6 months are huge for our football club. Whatever the budget we need to make the right signings in the summer. Similarly we need to ensure qualification for the CL group stage to help finances. Add to that solving the sectarian problem (we are getting there), then that is 3 main issues to help us get back to success the fans deserve. Unfortunately, it's easier said than done.

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/ Davie Weir for me....

From FF regarding yesterday's meeting. Rangers 'Til I Die is the theme By Mark Dingwall Sunday 8th April 2007 At a meeting on Saturday 68 Rangers supporters clubs pledged to swing behind a campaign to improve the atmosphere at games and stop the current witch-hunt against the club by our enemies. Putting our own house in order was the theme of the day at the mass meeting called by the Nithsdale Rangers Supporters Club in the "Wee Rangers" social club. In a full and frank two hour meeting numerous speakers for the 100+ attendees pledged their support to rid the support of chants which bring no credit on the club, provide our enemies with ammunition and are leading us towards a UEFA ban. Instead of the usual preaching Big Brother attitude the club itself displays the supporters clubs represented want to see positive support for the team - and instead of grassing phone lines and booing other fans they want the support to belt out traditional club anthems and the "Rangers 'Til I Die" chant when the *** stuff that is causing us problems starts. There was a tremendously positive sense of unity throughout the meeting with every club and supporters organisation represented - Assembly, Association, Blue Order, West Enclosure Loyal, etc - pushing towards solving the problems ourselves in our own way. Billy Montgomery chaired the meeting and made the very simple point - at the moment the solution to our problem is still in our own hands - but if we don't get our act together quickly then the club faces not only severe fines but the closing of stands at Ibrox. No-one with the best interests of Rangers can tolerate that happening. From the floor of the meeting it was repeated time and again that the club's problems were exacerbated by poor PR, the disorganisation associated with the Travel Club and the attitude displayed by our own security advisor and directors. At the same time other speakers noted that campaigning on any or all of these issues did not mean we needed to stand silent about getting rid of the problems the *** Brigade are causing us. Time and again speakers used the examples of the Northern Ireland support and the England support who have cleaned up their acts. Ayrshire Billy Boy expanded on his experience at the recent England game in Barcelona. It can be done and it will be done. All the club reps agreed to go back to their buses and spread the word - it was also agreed that leaflets be produced to get the message about the positive support needed in the coming months to fans who travel independently to games home and away - volunteers will be needed for leaflet distribution at Ibrox as well as on buses traveling to the games. The time for pussyfooting is over and positive action is going to be taken to stop us facing a doomsday scenario. The tone of the meeting was loud and clear: the things that are causing us problems are going to be eradicated and if it disenfranchises those that think their right to shout "***" is of greater importance than the wellbeing of Rangers FC then so be it.

This being the new Umbro template for the next season. Ireland, Sweden and England all have similar designs so I doubt ours will vary from the brand. As such it may look something like this...

Mate, there is a guy in TBO has done exactly what you say. The group have tried his songs and they just don't catch on elsewhere in the stadium. That's not TBO's fault but the apathetic 49,800 who couldn't care less.

Oh some of us have been calling for Murray's head long ago... Saturday's performance was awful and I, for one, have no issue with some fans making their feelings known after the final whistle. During the match, support the team fully I agree but that doesn't mean we can't boo afterwards. Too many players didn't put in any effort until after Caley equalised and that isn't good enough. More importantly, it's not as if it's just after one game - this has happened far too often over the last 2 years and it exactly why we havm't won a thing.

Fraser: Perhaps, if they applied themselves properly over 90mins and a whole season instead of just when it suits them, the booing wouldn't happen. Do you think Saturday's performance against 10 men for 90% of the match was acceptable?

After another appalling and heartless performance at Ibrox on Saturday I read with interest that many fans felt booing wasnââ?¬â?¢t suitable and that we should be supporting the players as opposed to criticising them so publicly. In addition to that, there were further complaints of the general atmosphere being poor as well as the usual complaints about the ââ?¬Ë?Subway Loyalââ?¬â?¢ leaving early. Generally, one can understand these points of view but I think the prevailing reason for such differences of opinion is merely another symptom of the Rangers family breakdown. After another season of disappointment and under-achievement, player/club/fan relationships have never been so strained. Perhaps itââ?¬â?¢s one symptom of such declining communications but it really is becoming incredibly hard for the fans to find anything to relate to and indeed support per se. In decades past, players were fans and lived similar lives to the support. Football wasnââ?¬â?¢t so glamorous and the money was nothing special. Hero worship was evident but not to the extent it is today. As European competitions begun and the TV and mass media started to take a real interest, profiles began to rise and higher reputations increased egos dangerously. From the Jim Baxterââ?¬â?¢s to the Willie Johnstoneââ?¬â?¢s star quality was now part and parcel of a Rangers footballerââ?¬â?¢s life. As we approached the 21st Century the TV finance boom and the subsequent worldwide exposure of that and the internet meant footballers were front page icons and loved by people all over the world. The Ally McCoist and Paul Gascoigne age started to take the players out of the reach of the fellow fan. Annual wages were now millions of pounds not thousands and fans werenââ?¬â?¢t as important as the agent or journalistic friend. The Bosman rule was next and money really started to take hold of our game. Not only that, it wasnââ?¬â?¢t just Scotsmen playing for Rangers but players from all over the world ââ?¬â?? many whom couldnââ?¬â?¢t even speak English never mind understand our traditions and history. As such, with every passing year attitudes and relationships are changing. Who are our Rangers heroes nowadays? Barry Ferguson ââ?¬â?? a captain who doesnââ?¬â?¢t appear to be a leader? Dado Prso ââ?¬â?? a likeable chap whose career is all but finished? Nacho Novo ââ?¬â?? well he did say no to Celtic 3 years ago? Will we even have any great players next year? The kind of ability, charisma and pride that makes a player a Rangers legend certainly seems in short supply nowadays. At the same time, these players are further from our reach. Increased technology and the problems that can bring means they are not allowed to attend RSC functions. VIP lounges means we canââ?¬â?¢t even buy them a pint and have a chat in our local pubs and clubs. Even when we do, we canââ?¬â?¢t understand what their life is like just as they canââ?¬â?¢t understand ours. Even the most average of players can earn more in a month that even the most skilled of us do in a year. Never have we been so far apart at the most basic of levels. Ergo, do the players really care when we boo them? Do they even care when we cheer them? Similarly, can kissing the badge or the odd fleeting gesture appease us? What about other figures at the club? An owner and chairman now semi-retired in France leaving an ill-equipped non-Rangers man to do a job he obviously struggles with. Even the so-called Rangers men still around prefer to lie and cover their bossââ?¬â?¢s tracks instead of standing up for the very people that loved them so much in years and eras long gone. Has the game changed so much that our greatest ever players are silent while our fans are kicked from pillar to post by sensationalist figures in the media? Or, like their fellow modern players, does the pound come before loyalty to the people who pay their wages? All this is rather depressing but itââ?¬â?¢s also realistic and relevant. Last week our chairman appeared from nowhere to again plead with a small section of our fans to stop letting the club down. Of course he is right ââ?¬â?? the club should take priority over everything else. ââ?¬Ë?Rangers Firstââ?¬â?¢ is the admirable message. Perhaps the chairman and some of the highly paid strangers now at our club could use that ethos themselves. Then we might just be more of the family they often talk about enabling us to face the many challenges ahead of us as a bonded unit instead of a divided and despondent one.

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96&Itemid=1 http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,5~1004155,00.html RANGERS' supporters groups today announced the launch of a major 'self-policing' initiative in a continued effort to eradicate sectarian behaviour. The groups, with the full agreement of the Club, intend to immediately undertake a range of self-policing measures in an attempt to isolate and shame so-called 'fans' who are 'bringing the Club into serious disrepute'. It was agreed last night that Supporters' groups will self police at domestic away matches until the end of the season and will then meet the Club to review the behaviour at these away games. If there is unsatisfactory behaviour at domestic away matches then the suspension of ticket allocations for away games in Europe will be considered jointly. Rangers and the supporters' groups have been engaged in positive and productive talks since the UEFA Cup match against Osasuna in Pamplona on March 14. Following their latest meeting this week, Rangers Chairman Sir David Murray, Chief Executive Martin Bain, the Board of the Club and supporters' organisations agreed the following joint statement: "The match in Pamplona turned out to be a watershed for the Club and supporters. At that game, Rangers encountered the poorest safety and security arrangements for a match for many years which gave the Club deep concern for the welfare of supporters there to enjoy the game. "The poor arrangements led to questionable policing and shambolic segregation that was clearly visible to all attending the game and those watching on TV. "This Club knows better than most the tragic consequences that can result at football matches and we believe the arrangements in Osasuna were a recipe for disaster. We continue to pursue this matter with UEFA in the strongest terms. "We accept there were a small number of so-called Rangers fans who let themselves and the Club down during this match and we condemn them out of hand. That said, much of the distress and injury suffered by many supporters could have been prevented. "Quite rightly, clubs in the UK have to adhere to the strictest safety regulations and it is disappointing to see this is not the case in countries which are regarded as advanced footballing nations. "We are grateful for the support of the First Minister, MPs and MSPs who have expressed their concern at events on the night and have agreed to raise the matter through appropriate channels. "Regrettably, we also witnessed sectarian singing at the Pamplona match by some of our fans and we are united in our condemnation of this. It is deeply disappointing since we have achieved so much on sectarian behaviour, particularly at Ibrox this season. "We all agree that we still have some way to go on this issue and we are very grateful to the fans who have embraced the Club's Pride Over Prejudice policies. "We are agreed that the strongest possible action should be taken by the Club and supporters against people who continue to indulge in sectarian behaviour. This kind of behaviour will simply result in a doomsday scenario for the Club and the vast majority of fans. "Since Pamplona, we have held exhaustive and constructive talks on finding the best way forward. It is clear to everyone that the future of fan behaviour lies in the fans' own hands and real improvement in fan behaviour will work best through self-policing. "This, of course, will be done in addition to the stringent policing and stewarding measures already enforced by the Club and the police. "The issue of ticket allocations for away matches has been discussed at length. Although this sends out a strong message to those who let the Club down, it was agreed that, in general, it is not the people who use Rangers ticket allocations who cause the most problems. "However, we will review this position again at the end of this season. We remain deeply concerned at Clubs willingly selling tickets to fans at away matches in Europe on the day of the game. fans in osasuna"This is a matter we will be raising again with UEFA and with clubs Rangers may play in Europe next season. We do not want Rangers fans to travel to away European matches without officially endorsed tickets. "There is complete unity between the supporters groups and the Club. We agree there are people who refuse to come on board with our anti-sectarian campaign who are bringing the Club's reputation to the brink of ruin. "The supporters have pledged to do everything in their power to isolate and shame these people. It is time for everyone to move on. They cannot and will not be allowed to spoil the enjoyment and pride so many take from being part of the Rangers family. "Our message to them is clear - come on board and show pride in yourselves and your Club. Remember what being a real Rangers supporter is all about. It is about setting standards that should be the envy of clubs around the world. "Collectively we will also work together to devise a code of conduct for Rangers supporters which we hope to develop into a fans' charter. "This work will go on over the next few weeks. We intend to present this to UEFA who may wish to use it as a guide for good practice, as they have done with the work we have done on racism. "This has been a difficult time for Rangers over the past few weeks but we feel now we can go forward together. "There is a renewed determination to eradicate sectarianism and the supporters have an opportunity to demonstrate that this great club - whose pedigree is respected throughout Europe - has a great support that does the Club proud." The measures to be undertaken include: > Supporters groups to issue anti-sectarian guidance to all supporters clubs > Anti-sectarian messages to be featured on all possible websites including Follow Follow fanzine > Supporters groups and the club to urge fans not to travel to away matches without officially endorsed tickets > The Club will undertake a major review of the Rangers Travel Club operations > Supporters to inform fans on songs and chants that 'do Rangers proud' > Code of conduct to be produced by supporters for supporters > Players to deliver anti-sectarian messages to supporters' clubs "Supporters' representatives and the Club agreed at the start of the season a list of songs in the Wee Blue Book and we would urge fans to focus on these at all matches." Signatories: Jim Templeton, President,The Rangers Supporters Assembly Jackie Robertson, Secretary, The Rangers Supporters Assembly Alex Milree, Scottish Delegate, The Rangers Worldwide Alliance Roddie Maclean, Scottish Delegate, The Rangers Worldwide Alliance Ryan McNamee, Scottish Delegate, The Rangers Worldwide Alliance Mark Dingwall, The Rangers Supporters Trust Jim Kirk, The Rangers Supporters Association Sir David Murray, Chairman, Rangers Football Club Martin Bain, Chief Executive, Rangers Football Club

Cammy, Work is actually ongoing in that very department mate.

Breaking news on BBC Thanks for all the good times big man but glad you're big enough to move on at the right time.

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php That time is here again. The letters will soon be through the door and RFC are asking for your hard-earned cash – often more than £400 in many cases. Are you automatically reaching for your bank account details? Is it money well spent or could it be considered emotional blackmail? Whatever you think wait a few minutes before getting your wallet out – read on! The end of this season will now see 2 years of no success – not one trophy! The product on offer has been depressing and if it wasn’t for a decent CL run last season and an interesting UEFA Cup run this term, we’d have no positives to talk about. I think it’s fair to say that at the beginning of the season we were all pretty happy. Attracting and installing Paul Le Guen as our new manager must have been no easy task. He was one of the youngest and brightest managers in world football and we all thought David Murray had secured a gem. We were back and nothing would stop us was the cry! How wrong could we have been? Investment into the playing side was minimal because of more pay offs and no CL football. However, even with the money PLG did get it appears to have been wasted on players that have offered little or no improvement on previous personnel. It all soon went downhill and I don’t think we need reminding about how bad it was. As such, in a marked difference from last season, SDM acted quickly and removed PLG immediately. ‘Back to the Future’ was the theme as Walter Smith returned along with Ally McCoist who would surely help dressing room differences. As a short-term solution it seems to have worked to a degree. Decent SPL form and a much-needed away win against Celtic means the feel-good factor is returning slightly. It remains to be seen if it’s the right medium-long term appointment and our quick Euro exit showed Smith et al have a lot of hard work ahead of them. In addition, we still don’t have our problems to seek off the pitch. The UEFA charge of early 2006 has hung over us and we have all been criticised in the media every other day since. At that time, Murray’s statement condemning sectarianism and bigotry was appropriate and the responsibility certainly lies with us all in eradicating the offensive content from our support. It is a challenge but one that we must overcome. The continued witch-hunt by various parties (independent, anonymous or not) shows that the matter won’t be laid to rest so we have to act soonest. I do wonder though at the club’s reluctance to combat the media on these issues. Too often now we seem impotent when it comes to their ever more frequent diatribes. Journalists such as the odious Graham Spiers, Gerry McNee and Hugh Keevins seem able to say what they want without fear of reprisal from the chairman or the club. Others have jumped on this bandwagon while other clubs seem to do what they want with minimal coverage. Why is the press coverage so seemingly one-sided? Criticism of our club and its fans goes with the territory. It’s is often valid and we should neither deflect nor deny the problems we face. However, at the same time we cannot allow our enemies to blacken our name by sensationalising a terrible issue. We cannot afford to give people like the above carte blanche to say what they like about the fans and our club. With new SPL rules on the horizon the danger has never been clearer and we have to be ready for further attacks. David Murray, as our club’s custodian and our ultimate ‘leader’, should answer on our behalf. Yet the only people I see standing up for our fellow fans are voluntary fans’ groups. Surely if someone like Murray or even Martin Bain did what Peter Lawwell of Celtic seems to be doing very successfully, these attacks wouldn’t be so frequent or so over the top? The last 2 years have been awful but there are signs that we can rally. However, unless the club start defending the fans, the Rangers family might not be as happy or together as it should be. David Murray and the board are the head of the family and they must start leading from the front. Once again, I implore the club to act in the good name of Rangers FC. There is a battle going on out there and we desperately need a General. Is David Murray that man? Where has he been lately? As such, I would ask every Rangers fan reading this to not blindly fill out that renewal form. Have a think what you want from your club. Do the arrival of Walter Smith and some more new players satisfy your ambitions? As well as the primary media issue, what about the other problems we have? Dangerous European away trips; hindrance of invaluable singing sections; over-the-top policing and stewarding; a confusing and forever changing Youth system; poor match-day facilities; questionable scouting policies and minimal appreciation of the club’s history. These are all negative issues which should concern every one of us. Are you still ready to sign that form? I know you will. I know I will. After all we are amongst the most loyal fans in the game and supporting a club such as Rangers isn’t always done logically. But, fellow Rangers fan, why not do what I’m going to do: accompany your renewal with a letter or with a simple piece of paper if you prefer. On it use the following words to show that you’re a customer who doesn’t appreciate being victimised in the media and who will not blindly accept second best year after year. This simple message will suffice: David Murray – Show some leadership and defend our club.

I think Sebo, Svensson and Sionko would all have been on international duty this week (apart from Papac who has retired). I do see what you're saying though...

No doubt about that. But if we are going to spend a few million on a striker (which in itself is unlikely); I'd rather it was on a more physical player to compliment Boyd and more directly replace Prso.

His price will probably be beyond our reach but I'm glad we're interested in him.

We send out a quarterly newsletter with all news mate. Obviously to send out more regular stuff by email would be very expensive.

Varies depending on results. I'd say within the next fortnight before Celtic win the league.

Season ticket holders will be able to buy tickets for the friendly with their renewal I believe. Public sale will then probably be in late May.

Yep, you make some interesting points Johnny boy and the pressure is certainly on these people to put up or shut up this summer.

Yeah, I'd imagine that to be the case. Worthwhile as obviously our profile will be raised at the same time. I'd pay £20 for the game but not any more for a friendly.

Mate, I think they will be £20 minimum....

Well this place isn't as busy as it was before Xmas but I'm expecting us to be back on Newsnow in the next week or 2 and that should help numbers once again.

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=377&Itemid=1 So after another fine weekend of Scottish sporting performance it was with my usual disappointment that I found out the usual suspects had been casting their typical brand of negativity and poison over the red tops. One wonders exactly what our media set out to achieve with their constant aspersions of bigotry towards Rangers. Earlier this year Manchester Utd visited France and their fans were treated similarly shabbily to ours. Poor segregation, non-existent stewarding and heavy handed policing resulting in violence and danger to what are simply people like you and I travelling to watch their team away in Europe. The responses towards their problems were much more positive ââ?¬â?? the FA promised to investigate, the media backed them to a man and even the Sports Minister said that heââ?¬â?¢d be investigating. After all, their fellow countrymen had been treated disgracefully by another country despite doing little to provoke such treatment. Compare and contrast with the media reaction to Rangers supportersââ?¬â?¢ problems in Spain. Broken limbs, scars, litre blood and danger of loss of life were all reported from Rangers fans on the Friday morning. Were their similar outcries of defence, did the media demand action, did David Taylor promise investigation, what about Joke in his Edinburgh castle? Nah, a dodgy YouTube video was found and the usual taunts begun in earnest. The RST have had to report now on dangerous incidents in Stuttgart, Bratislava, Villarreal and now Pamplona. Is it any wonder minor trouble flares up due to the frustration of fans' terrible treatment by heavy handed police and poor host organisation? Does someone have to be killed before we look after our own? Are the Scottish media that petty that they'd rather go against their own people instead of standing together and getting us all a better deal from the likes of UEFA who consistently rule against Scottish football while ignoring the bigger problems of racism and fascism in the continental countries? Rangers FC and its supporters know we have our problems. What happened in that grainy YouTube video was unacceptable and we have to eradicate such chants. And weââ?¬â?¢re working damn hard to achieve that realistic aim. Indeed, the club have been praised by UEFA for their hard work against bigotry, while the announcement of a forthcoming conference organised by voluntary fans in the RST has shown weââ?¬â?¢re eager to self-police and find solutions for our problems. Was this conference praised and discussed by the likes of Gerry McNee? Did it make the front page of the Sunday Mail at the weekend? How eager will our First Minister and Strathclyde Police be to attend this conference in the summer? They are all so far strangely silent on this extremely interesting development. Itââ?¬â?¢s easy to criticise and complain about any issue. What is much more difficult is to come up with practical and workable solutions for these problems. The likes of Graham Spiers, Gerry McNee, David Taylor and Jack McConnell have never done that. Instead, they enjoy the increased profile and quick buck from paying lip service to a social problem that has nowhere near the impact on our country that the real issues such as poverty, health and crime actually do. The Rangers fans are eager to solve our problems. That simple fact seems to be overlooked in the haste by some to criticise us. At the same time, these people appear to prefer to castigate us instead of offering solutions and defence when we most need it. That isnââ?¬â?¢t helping to solve our problem but actually exacerbating it. For that, they are not only failing to help but are actually part of the problem.