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SATURDAY, 17 MAY 2014 19:30[h=2]Club Statement[/h]WRITTEN BY RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB RANGERS have issued the following statement today: “Representatives of Rangers have met with a number of supporter groups over the past few days and discussed a wide range of topics. We again made it clear during these meetings that the club will not grant security over Ibrox to any organisation and therefore the 'Ibrox 1972' scheme can never achieve its objectives. In addition the club will not accept season ticket applications from third parties such as 'Ibrox 1972' on behalf of supporters. “In some of our discussions with fans, it was indicated that there was a wish for the Board to confirm that our statement of intention not to grant security over Ibrox could become a commitment that would last for 12 months. This has subsequently been discussed by the Board and the Board confirms that it will not be seeking to effect a sale and leaseback or grant security over Ibrox during that period of time. “The Board is rebuilding the Club by ensuring its financial stability and the integrity of its assets. “Whilst the Board is reported to have offered legally binding undertakings during a fan group discussion in relation to Ibrox and Murray Park, this is not the case. The Board is committed to high standards of corporate governance and is comfortable that it has at all times been very clear in providing consistent and unequivocal public comments on this subject. "Season ticket sales have continued at a good pace over the last few days and we appreciate the continued support shown by our loyal fans. "We trust that any supporters who may have been in any doubt about the Board's previous statements regarding Ibrox now have an additional level of comfort and any who may have made, or were considering making, a pledge of their season ticket money to 'Ibrox 1972' are clear that there is no prospect of that group achieving its aims."
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http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-utd/new-leeds-owners-will-buy-back-elland-road-for-15m-1-6322034 BUYING back Elland Road for around £15m tops the list of priorities for Leeds United’s prospective new owners, the Yorkshire Post has been told. A consortium led by United managing director David Haigh is bidding to buy a 75 per cent stake in the Championship club. The group - which is believed to include Andrew Flowers, the managing director of current shirt sponsors Enterprise Insurance - have signed a share acquisition agreement with GFH Capital, the Dubai-based firm that purchased United from Ken Bates a year ago. Football League approval is now being sought as this buyout would be the second of the club in as many seasons. Providing there are no late hiccups, the Haigh-led consortium is expected to take charge early in the New Year. As revealed in this newspaper yesterday, re-signing former Player of the Year, Max Gradel, in the January transfer window is high on the list of targets for the prospective new owners. However, sources close to Haigh’s group have also made it clear to the Yorkshire Post that buying back Elland Road will be their top priority once at the helm. United’s home was sold to Manchester businessman Jacob Adler for a knockdown £8m price in November, 2004, as mounting debts threatened to drag the club under in its first year outside the Premier League. Ownership passed the following year to Teak Commercial Limited, a firm based in the British Virgin Islands. Included in the initial sale and leaseback deal with Adler - and something retained in the subsequent sale to Teak - was a buyback option that allows the club to purchase the stadium at a set price. That amount rises each October and today stands at £15m. Also subject to a raise of three per cent each October is the rent United pay to Teak, which this year will cost the club £1.4m. Since Elland Road was sold to Adler by the United board that was led by Gerald Krasner, United have paid around £11m in rent. Removing that financial millstone from around United’s neck will, the source close to Haigh’s group insists, be the overriding priority providing the expected takeover goes through early in 2014. Regardless of whether the club’s would-be new owners are successful or not in that quest, United’s tenancy in LS11 is secure thanks to the terms of the 2004 sale and lease-back arrangement - a deal in which the owner of a large asset, such as property, sells it and then immediately buys back from the buyer the right to use the asset under a lease for a fixed term at a pre-arranged rent. In United’s case, that agreement was for a 25-year lease that, once at an end in 2029, can be extended by a further quarter of a century. This means Leeds’ future at Elland Road is safe for at least the next 41 years. Haigh and his fellow would-be investors, however, are well aware that buying back the ground would be the clearest signal yet to supporters that the club is moving in the right direction. If they are successful in that quest, it will be the second time in a generation that United will have bought back their home thanks to improving financial fortunes. The first instance came in 1998 when Peter Ridsdale’s board paid £10m to Leeds City Council for the stadium, which along with the surrounding land had been sold 13 years earlier to the local authority for a quarter of that sum. Crippling debts of around £1.5m had forced the 1985 sale on the club. History then repeated itself in 2004, though by then the sums involved had multiplied dramatically. Krasner’s board had taken over Leeds in March of that year but relegation just a couple of months later hit United very hard. A fire-sale of players such as Alan Smith and Mark Viduka during that summer bought the club respite for a time but by the early months of the 2004-05 campaign it was clear Leeds were still in the financial mire. Debts that had, at one stage, stood north of £100m when the takeover went through had been slashed to around £25m. However, punishing repayments to Jack Petchey, a London-born businessman who had once been chairman of Watford and an Aston Villa shareholder, for a £15m loan taken out by Krasner and his fellow directors when buying the club had started to bite. After negotiations with a number of parties that included Sebastien Sainsbury and local businessman Norman Stubbs floundered, the United board was left with no option but to sell the club’s only two remaining assets of substance - Elland Road and Thorp Arch, the latter’s sale raising £4.2m. Once the two sales were concluded, the remaining debt of £9.2m to Petchey was cleared. United’s financial woes continued, however, and the club was subsequently sold to Bates the following January. At his first press conference, the former Chelsea chairman said: “It is our intention, in the fullness of time, to exercise those options and bring the land and stadium back where they belong.” Scarcity of funds, though, meant those wishes went unfulfilled with a bid to buyback Thorp Arch floundering at the 11th hour in 2009. Similar sentiments about purcahasing Elland Road were expressed by GFH Capital following their December 21 takeover last year but, again, nothing concrete came of the plans.
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It has been described as a game of poker but the battle for Rangers has become something of a hand of three-card brag. The most crucial aspect of this game of claim and counter-claim is when the King is played. There are three parties to the Rangers story and each has reached a time of decision. The Union of Fans, the representatives of six fan groups, met last night to discuss the latest developments in a narrative that stretched over two years. The most crucial aspect of their discussions will be the future of the Ibrox 1972 initiative which sought to place season-ticket money in trust under the directorship of Richard Gough, the former Rangers captain, and Dave King, the South African-based businessman who is seeking to alter the power base at the club. The statement by the board on Saturday night that legal guarantees over Ibrox and Murray park would not be offered to fans has left little room for manoeuvre. First, the supporters believe that this was not their understanding of what occurred at the meeting; second, they said it was impossible to deal with the board in good faith and, third, it makes the ploy of Ibrox 1972 almost redundant. The move over season tickets was designed to bring pressure on the board and it did. But the incumbents have so far ridden this out. Indeed, Rangers sources were last night "bullish" about the future, predicting burgeoning season-ticket sales, declaring that precise figures would be given to the markets in due course as they represent market sensitive information. There was one glitch. Under agreed terms, once Rangers have reached £1.5m in season-ticket sales George Letham and Sandy Easdale must be repaid their loans. It is understood, however, that Letham is still awaiting repayment. There was, though, the unmistakeable message yesterday of Rangers "getting down to business", with sources citing appointments to be made, playing plans to be drawn up, the challenges of next season to be met. The delicate point of where all the money will come from has been, ahem, disputed. Rangers hope that the season-ticket tally will approach 20,000, hospitality packages can be sold and that a much-needed income stream will run quickly and profitably. There is also the matter of the £5m of equity funding from existing investors that could be accessed at the press of a button, according to sources close to the talks between supporters and board members this week. A share issue, too, could be brought forward to the end of summer. Even those inimical to the existing board suggest the club "could stagger on" into next season. However, savings must be made and investment found. This may make it an uncomfortable summer for Graham Wallace, the chief executive. He has been assailed by fans over the 120-day review and statements made at the annual general meeting. He also suffers the fate of all chief executives of being an instrument of the board and there was a wounding assertion from the Union of Fans that Wallace is "less powerful" than Sandy Easdale, who is not a member of the plc board but sits on the football equivalent. Wallace has set out his plans and has embarked on a recruitment campaign, in particular for a marketing manager, but has to do this while fighting fires. He will need support but, being Rangers, he should not expect it. The most intriguing player in the card game is, of course, King. If he sits on his hands, Rangers may limp towards some sort of stability - with a much-reduced cost base and a viable challenge to Celtic postponed - or they may slowly but inexorably slip towards financial perdition. His intervention, though, would be a game-changer. However, there is increasing concern among his supporters that King has hesitated too long. One City source, who has control over a tranche of Rangers shares, last night said: "Time is running out for a decisive intervention. King has had talks in the City about proxy votes and these have been amicable, and might even be productive. But there is a sense that something must be done quickly." King must convince the City that the turmoil at Ibrox is such that it is better to give him proxy than to rely on the board to raise the share price to anything like the launch level. The share price has risen of late to just more than 28p from a low of 22p in May. King, however, has stated bluntly he does not want to buy shares from the incumbent board. There are considerable amounts of shares on the margins with some corporate holders open to selling. "There is a feeling," said the City source, " that some of the original investors would take the hit and write it all off to experience and to tax." The most recent soundings from King make clear that he does not want to pursue the buying of shares as this will dilute the money available for a significant investment to make Rangers competitive with Celtic quickly. Any dramatic and immediate development in the Rangers story would thus have to come from King. There is no doubt that the maverick businessman knows how to hold 'em. His supporters trust that his hesitation may not involve accepting he has to fold 'em. Rangers are still in play but the match has moved into extra time for King. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/can-rangers-trump-king-or-does-he-still-hold-the-ace-card.24273947 -
Alasdair Lamont @BBCAlLamont 33m Rangers chief exec Graham Wallace on £320k pa + 100% bonus. Plus £25k salary increase as Rangers move up leagues. More to follow.
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No doubt our pulses are all racing with excitement at the prospect! Nobody v Somebody Else! I repent of my contemptuous words. A great day for Saints and United fans. Rangers had the chance to get there but weren't up to it. Brings back memories, though. Tam's blockbusting 30 incher. Kai's strike from heaven. Ian McColl's swan song master class against Kilmarnock. But best of all, the 1964 epic against Dundee. I enjoyed that one the most partly because Dundee were so damned good. A terrific game of football. Your best 'Gers finals please?
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After being 1-0 down at half time the young Scots put in an excellent second half scoring 3 goals to go through to the semi final where they will face Holland,superb second half from the young guys. Sunday 5.35 on Eurosport.
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CASH gates will be in operation at tonight's Youth Cup final at St Mirren Park. Gordon Durie's under-20 side will face Hearts with the Youth Cup trophy at stake and you can back the side tonight in Paisley. The youths are aiming for success in the first final appearance for the club in three years. Tickets for the match, which kicks off at 7.30pm, and will go to extra-time and penalties if necessary, will be available at turnstiles this evening. Priced are £5 for adults and £2 for over-65s, under-16s and full-time students. http://rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/item/6954-cash-gates-at-youth-final
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Some comparisons with Ann Budge's Hearts and our Rangers from yours truly on TRS: http://www.therangersstandard.co.uk/index.php/articles/current-affairs/323-rangers-own-budgement-day-is-coming
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By Richard Wilson BBC Scotland John Brown is the latest former Rangers player to declare his support for the Ibrox 1972 Season Ticket fund. Brown, a fierce critic of former chief executive Charles Green, urged fans of the League One champions to withhold season ticket money two years ago. He has now joined Richard Gough and Lorenzo Amoruso in backing the fund, which has been set up by supporters' group coalition Union of Fans. "Rangers supporters must not give this board a lump sum of money," said Brown. The deadline for renewals is on Friday, and it is thought that the number of tickets sold is still in the very low thousands. During a question and answer session on Twitter last week, chief executive Graham Wallace admitted that sales were "slow". In their interim accounts, published in March, and in Wallace's business review, details of which were released last month, Rangers acknowledged that if season ticket sales dip below last year's uptake - which was around 34,000 - then the business's ability to trade as a going concern will be under threat. The UoF want fans to pay their renewal money into a fund instigated by former club director Dave King. The group will then seek security over Ibrox Stadium in return for handing over the gathered money in a single payment. This would prevent the property being used as security against future borrowing. Amoruso, the former Rangers captain, backed the campaign last week, while former Rangers manager Alex McLeish offered his support to King's intention to invest directly into Rangers International Football Club plc, by means of a new share issue. "I am not saying to my fellow Bluenoses, 'don't support your team'," said Brown, who left his job as Dundee manager last February. "Far from it. Buy your ticket on a match-to-match basis if this lot are still there next season." Brown, who left his job as a scout at Ibrox when Green's consortium took charge two years ago, pointed out that former player and manager John Greig refuses to currently attend games at Ibrox. He also said that he expects other former players to declare their support for the UoF initiative, although Mark Hateley urged fans to buy season tickets in an interview on the club website.
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http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/mobile/rangers/peralta-eyes-rangers-escape-162843n.24175472 Feel free to walk away any time Arnold, and wave any pay off if you're that keen to go.
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........No it's time for Dave King to step up and pay. KEITH believes it's time for Ibrox investor King to put his money where his mouth is with the club's Murray Park training ground under threat. IF Dave King is serious about rescuing Rangers then he had better get a move on. In fact, come to think of it, he may have procrastinated too long already because this basket case of a business is staring its next disaster dead in the eye. Very soon someone will have to blink and before you know it this club could find itself minus a training ground if it’s not careful. In five days from now the curtain will come down on season ticket renewals and when it does, bedraggled chief executive Graham Wallace might as well sound the emergency klaxon because unless there is a late stampede between now and Friday, Rangers will be right back on the brink. Raising money against Murray Park might then become almost inevitable, assuming insolvency is to be avoided as Wallace so bullishly insists it will be. It was interesting to note that the current board made no comment at all about the security of their Auchenhowie HQ when categorising Ibrox as ‘sacrosanct’ the other day. The truth is Wallace was busy discussing the merits or otherwise of raising funds against Murray Park with former financial director Brian Stockbridge at the turn of the year. Stockbridge wanted to push the button back then but Wallace at least had enough sense to resist. However, Wallace also made it clear that such a scenario might need to be revisited at a later date and if the season ticket revenue really is about to be obliterated then that date might well be now. Also, given the enormous scale of Rangers financial requirements, there would seem little point in simply raising a couple of million quid in the form a secured loan – like the deal Wallace brokered with those nice hedge fund folk from Laxey Partners just to keep the floodlights on till the end of winter. A full-blown sale and leaseback would certainly bring in significantly more money but at what price to a club which continues to be robbed of its soul from the inside? Which brings us back to the man who would be King and his plotting in South Africa. King has lent his name to the Union of Fans’ plan to starve the club of its biggest single source of revenue but he’s done so from a distance, almost half-heartedly, while this club’s supporters have been busy whipping themselves up into a state of high doh. That King did not attend the launch of this scheme in person, nor even make sure that his recently- recruited wingman Richard Gough was there to deputise, sent out more muddled messages to these fans who want nothing more than a leader in whom they can place their trust along with their cash. But then this is the Rangers civil war we are talking about. If there is a way to mishandle public relations then you can bet your last blue pound someone in this abomination will find it – even though you can barely move for gurus spinning furiously for one camp or the other. King says his attempted coup is not in any way reliant on public opinion, which is probably just as well because he hasn’t done enough to win over the rump of the fans. The vast majority want to believe in him but need to see tangible proof of his intentions. If Friday’s final tally of sold season tickets is as low as many are predicting then this will be an indication of how little these fans trust the characters inside their own boardroom rather than a show of faith in the man who wishes to topple them. It would also leave the board with a couple of options – selling off the family silver or engage immediately with King, who is ready to talk. So far, King has done nothing much more than kick up a stink by issuing sporadic flurries of statements, most of which have told us nothing we did not already know. He has been heavy on promises – talking boldly of blowing £30million worth of his children’s inheritance – but feathery light on substance. So if he is serious about acting – and for the record I’m sure he is – then right about now would seem like an appropriate moment for him to start digging deep. King has made clear his reluctance to line the pockets of the very shareholders he blames for making such a mess of the club. While this is an admirable position, the more time passes, the less realistic it appears. And all the while, Rangers fans are wrestling with their own consciences and fretting over whether or not to hold their club to ransom. King could remove all that confusion and guilt from their shoulders at a stroke by ploughing some of his own millions into the very account that has been set up for their season ticket cash. If those who run the club will not accept his money then why would any individual feel the least bit bad about hanging on to their own £400? Better still though, King should rethink his strategy and find out exactly how much it would cost to make those shadowy investors lurking behind the likes of Margarita Blue Pitch Holdings and Margarita disappear once and for all. Ultimately, this is what will be required if Rangers are ever to be properly ‘cleansed’ and now Friday’s iceberg is approaching, maybe those lucky enough to have stuffed their pockets with penny shares might realise it’s time to abandon ship. Even if they sold now for as little as 20p a share they’d still make mind-boggling returns on their investments. The thought of making them rich might make King’s skin crawl but, even so, this would seem like a price worth paying. He could always ask Fergus McCann who had to perform a similar U-turn when bringing down the Kelly and White dynasty across the city. A deal could even be structured that would allow King to be given some of the money back, much like the £2.5m Ann Budge has just had to pony up to make sure Hearts are a Lithuanian-free zone. King could do any of the above and instantly cement his status as a genuine hero among the club’s rank and file. The longer he waits though the more time is running out for his club.
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Im glad he is employed so he doesn't make the available list for future Rangers manager. Worst Scotland manager of all time! Even though Locke wasn't great and Im no fan it does seem a bit harsh on him. Sounds a bit like 'thanks for getting us through the season when nobody else would but jog on"
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GEORGIOS Samaras struck a discordant note on a day of celebration for Celtic when he claimed he has been forced out of the club. The Greek international was in tears on the Celtic Park pitch yesterday after scoring the second goal in a 3-1 win for the champions against Dundee United before they received the Premiership trophy. It was widely anticipated beforehand that it would be Samaras’ last appearance for Celtic following months of speculation over whether he would sign a new contract when his existing deal expires next month. But, in a startling interview during the post-match celebrations, Samaras insisted he had wanted to stay at the club all along and was only departing because of Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell’s failure to offer him a new deal. “I’m leaving, that’s for sure, but it was not my decision,” Samaras told BBC Scotland. “I never had an offer from the club. I never had an offer from Peter Lawwell. I’ve been seven years at the club and I’d have loved to stay. I had a chat with the manager. He would have loved me to stay and I was happy to stay, but me and the gaffer don’t make the decisions – there are people higher up. I’ve not spoken to any other club. I was waiting to the end to see if they offered me anything, but that is the end. “We are the champions and that’s what counts in the end. I am very happy for my team-mates and the coaching staff and wish them all the best.” The 29-year-old joined Celtic, initially on loan, from Manchester City in January 2008. He scored 74 goals in 252 appearances for the club, winning seven major honours. Although he often divided opinion among the Celtic support, he was highly valued by Celtic manager Neil Lennon and was often especially effective in the Champions League where he scored ten goals. Samaras appeared as a second-half substitute against United, receiving a warm ovation from the home fans. He scored his 11th goal of the season from the penalty spot after regular spot-kick taker Kris Commons handed him the ball. Lennon, clearly unaware of Samaras’ comments when he conducted his own post-match media conference, indicated he felt the player was leaving through his own choosing. “I’d imagine his mind is made up,” he said. “I wouldn’t have thought there would be any negotiations. If there are any to be done, it would be between his advisor and Peter. He’s going to join up with the Greek World Cup squad pretty soon, so I don’t know if I’ll have a chance to see him or not. It was a nice touch from Kris to give Sami the opportunity to say goodbye properly. I don’t think it’s any big secret now that it doesn’t look like he is going to be here next season. So if he does go, he goes with the best wishes of the backroom team and the players.” http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/georgios-samaras-claims-celtic-forced-him-out-1-3407308
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Following the success of the First Annual Gersnet Dinner it has been suggested that the event be held more frequently than annually and that we should not wait a year for the next one, particularly as several members of the site were unable to attend the first one for a variety of reasons. The new football season kicks-off on the following dates: • Weekend of 26 July - First Round of the Scottish Challenge Cup • Weekend of 2 August - First Round of the Scottish League Cup • Weekend of 9 August - SPFL League season starts across all four divisions Leaving aside July as being a bit early (and it would be dependent on a home or away draw in any event), I’ve divided the broad date zones as follows: Early Season - August/September Autumn – October/November Christmas New Year Spring – February/ March End of Season – April/May Please vote for your preference. Note this is just for the NEXT dinner; so voting for Christmas/New Year say, does not preclude one later in the season as well. Once we get an idea of the most popular time of year we can wait till the fixtures are published and TV schedules are known to decide an exact date, time and venue. I’m working on the assumption that most if not all folk will want to stick with after a weekend match. Please post any other comments. Also anyone who wants to take over organising duties step right up.
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It is still 0-0 after 30odd minutes, Twitter feed here Starting line-up: Kelly Pascazio - Halkett - Gasparotto - Sinnamon Crawford - Hutton - Murdoch - Telfer Gallagher - Burrows Subs: Simonsen, Gibson, Stoney, Dykes, Ramsay, Roberts, Finnie
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via @Rangers_Official Now that the season is over, this is a good time for me to speak to you directly as part of our ongoing Ready To Listen fan engagement programme. In order to do so I will be answering questions from supporters today in a Twitter Q&A on our official club account. You can tweet your questions directly to me on @RFC_Official using the hashtag #ReadyToListen between 1pm and 2pm. I will answer as many questions from supporters within the hour and look forward to speaking with as many fans as I can. Graham Wallace, Chief Executive Officer.
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Wallace about to come under greater scrutiny re assets. Also, his man Tyrrell speaking to BBC behind McCoist's back. Today's Sun back page a deliberate attempt by sports editor Ian king - been called by Wallace - to discredit McCoist. Hardly subtle Ian. Put on twitter by someone who has been very insightful recently.
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By mutual consent. Oh dear! Striker Kenny Miller moves on May 4, 2014 VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the club has parted ways with striker Kenny Miller. The club and Miller have mutually agreed to a contract termination. “We are thankful for the contributions Kenny made both on and off the pitch during his time in Vancouver,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "He has been a great role model, a constant professional, and someone who I consider a very good friend. We wish him and his family all the best.” Miller, 34, joined Whitecaps FC in June 2012 and during his time with the club the native of Edinburgh, Scotland, made 45 appearances in all competitions, registering 13 goals and adding three assists. Conference call audio from head coach Carl Robinson and Kenny Miller will be posted on whitecapsfc.com this afternoon.
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Hi there, first post, great site. I read lots of blogs etc and this is the best one in Scotland by a distance. If Rangers FC cannot continue as a going concern, in the event of the Dave King faction starving the board out, what happens? How does Rangers International deal with this?
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THOSE Rangers supporters who have so far not renewed their season tickets for next season are currently facing some stark choices. Do they pledge their cash to Ibrox 1972 Ltd, the company launched by the Union of Fans group this week, and hope security will be granted over the stadium? Or do they give their money direct to the club as usual and book their seats for home games in the SPFL Championship in the 2014/15 campaign? Alternatively, they can sit back and see how the stand-off develops during the summer months before deciding how to proceed. What the Light Blues fans do, and in what sort of numbers, will determine the short-term future of the troubled Glasgow club. There is certainly backing for the scheme to withhold cash in the company that has former director Dave King and club legend Richard Gough as trustees. That is despite the fact the Rangers board stated once again this week that it "has no intention of granting security over Ibrox to anybody". Many fans were alarmed when it emerged that both Edmiston House and the Albion car parking facilities had been used as security for two loans of £1.5million earlier this year. And there are serious fears that institutional investors, who have seen the share price tumble since the IPO in 2012, may seek to maximise the club's assets in future. George Thomson, a law student from Paisley who has been a season ticket holder for 10 years, is one of those who will be putting his money into Ibrox 1972 Ltd. He said: "I think there comes a point where you have to say: 'Enough is enough.' "And this, for me, is that point. I will be withholding my season ticket money from the club. "I am unhappy at how the club is being run and have no faith in this board. I think we need change at the top in order to move on as a club and I would like to see Dave King involved. "He is a Rangers fan and has money that he is prepared to invest that could make a real difference to us. How many of the current directors or investors can say that?" Yet, there are also many supporters who are unsettled by the path being taken by King and the Union of Fans and the implications it may have for Rangers. David Somers, the club chairman, has stated there would be a serious doubt over the Govan club's ability to continue as a going concern if fans withheld their cash. James Clark-Dick, a retired quantity surveyor from Uddingston who has been a season ticket holder at Ibrox for nearly 30 years, is against the plan. He will be renewing the three season tickets he has in the Copland Road Stand - he attends every home game with his wife and daughter - and believes he is in a "silent majority". He feels that withholding money from Rangers in the coming weeks could actually help to bring about the eventuality that King and the Union of Fans are hoping to avoid. "Withholding season ticket money from the club this summer until security is granted over Ibrox seems like a ludicrous idea to me," he said. "I don't think it is the right way to go. "My worry is that if you push the shareholders enough then that (utilising the club assets) is just exactly what they might do. It might be what they have to do." The 63-year-old feels there are many Rangers fans like him whose views are not being represented by the supporters' organisations which comprise the Union of Fans. "I have met and spoken to Chris Graham (the Union of Fans spokesman) on a few occasions in the past and he came across well," he said. "But Chris and others like him are described as fans' representatives. Well, I am a fan and I don't have a representative." Given the gross mismanagement of previous regimes at Rangers, Mr Clark-Dick admitted he was "cautious" about the current custodians of the club. However, he also has serious misgivings about South Africa-based businessman King getting involved and the company that he has set up. He said: "I'm not pro-board and I'm not anti-board. I'm neither. I'm pro-Rangers. And I don't think this idea to withhold season ticket money is a great idea. "If it hadn't been for this campaign then I think we would have been all right. And apart from this season ticket fund, I don't know what plan Dave King has for the club. "Everybody has criticised the Rangers review. But what more did people expect? You are only ever going to get the bare bones of a business plan in a review. "I have been a shareholder for 30 years. The last batch of shares I bought were the fourth lot I have acquired. And the review is the most information I have had out of Rangers during that time. "They detailed exactly where the £67million went. They showed that £26m was used up in one-off costs. "That is the most clarity we have had." What the future holds for Rangers, though, will remain shrouded in uncertainty until it emerges how many supporters have renewed season tickets and how many have withheld. At the moment, it is too close to call. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/rangers-fans-divided-by-loyalties-162650n.24161559
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........and tells how boss kept his wife's miscarriage from him. HUGHES admitted his relationship with Big Jock was strained as he unveiled his autobiography at their spiritual home of Celtic Park. JOCK STEIN is a legend to Celtic and Scotland fans. The former boss is held in reverence at Celtic Park and his statue towers over the stadium’s main approach. But one of Stein’s own players, John Hughes, has launched a bitter attack on the dugout giant. Hughes claims: * Stein kept news of Yogi’s wife’s miscarriage a secret from him. * Forced him out of Celtic at the peak of his career. * Responded to the striker’s pay rise request by threatening to cut his wages. Hughes yesterday opened up about the legendary gaffer as he unveiled his autobiography at their spiritual home of Celtic Park. There are plenty of golden memories from his time at the club he still holds close to his heart after netting 116 goals in 255 appearances for the Hoops. But he admits his relationship with Big Jock was strained. Hughes said: “He was a fox. We were on a post-season tour to America in 1966 and my first wife Mary was pregnant at the time. I used to phone home every five or six days. “Then I bumped into the sports reporter Ken Gallacher one morning and he said, ‘Sorry to hear your news’. I didn’t know what he was talking about and he was the one who told me Mary had had a miscarriage four days earlier. “Jock knew but he hadn’t told me so make your own mind up about that.” In the book he talks in depth about the secret, saying: “I met up with Jock to confront him about it and he didn’t even blink. He replied, ‘Ach, what could you do about it anyway? You’re here and she’s there’. “I was stunned, speechless. I waited for my head to clear before I said, ‘You knew and you didn’t think it was right to me let me know? My wife losing a baby? Didn’t you think that was important?’ “He said, ‘Oh sort it out when you get home’. It was such a flippant throwaway remark. “I glared at him before saying, ‘Listen boss that’s ridiculous. You’re bang out of order’. I could see it wasn’t any of his concern.” Hughes claims it wasn’t the only time he was kept in the dark by the manager. He is aggrieved about his exit from Celtic in 1971 and claims Stein railroaded him into signing for Crystal Palace. He added: “I’m a Celtic guy and didn’t want to leave Celtic. “Ken Gallacher had asked why I signed for Crystal Palace when Everton and Sheffield Wednesday were in for me as well. But I didn’t know, Jock didn’t tell me. “I was negotiating with the Crystal Palace chairman and Jock came in and took me outside. He said, ‘You get in there and f*****g sign or I’ll sit you in the stand for nine months’. So that was that. “It would never happen nowadays as you’ve got agents and some sort of say. With Jock you didn’t have a say. “Don’t get me wrong, I had some great times under him. When he came I played most of the time. It was only latterly things went wrong.” Hughes reckons missing a chance in the 1970 European Cup Final loss to Feyenoord prompted his departure. But he feels Celtic would have won that trophy for the second time in three years if Big Jock hadn’t been complacent about facing the Dutch side. He said: “I missed a chance in the game and feel that is one of the reasons why Stein got rid of me. Why else would he have done it? I was 28 and the sixth highest scorer in the club’s history. “Three months later I got a bad knee injury and never played again. “Jock thought we’d won the trophy after we’d beaten Leeds in the semi-final. We didn’t think that but he did and the atmosphere permeates down from the top. “He thought it’ll be a doddle – we only need to turn up.” Injury had ruled Hughes out of Celtic’s European Cup-winning team of 1967 but he bounced back to form the next season. His stock was high and he was convinced he deserved a pay rise – but Big Jock’s response left him stunned. Yogi said: “I’d had a good season so I went to ask Jock for a wage rise. He said, ‘I know how you feel – you’ve had a terrific season. But I think, just to keep your feet on the ground, we should cut your wages’. “I’d just scored for Scotland against England at Hampden and there I was wondering how I could get back to what I’d been earning when I walked into his office.” Stein died in September 1985 after suffering a heart attack at Cardiff’s Ninian Park seconds after Scotland had drawn 1-1 with Wales to book a World Cup qualifying play-off. Hughes though didn’t go to pay his last respects. He said: “I didn’t go to his funeral. I would have been a hypocrite if I had gone. “He got rid of me when I was in my prime and three months later I was finished at 28. People say to me, ‘Are you bitter?’ Yes. “In the book we’ve tried not to comment. We’ve told people what happened and left them to make their own minds up. “I think I’m the seventh highest goalscorer but had I stayed until I was 32 and kept scoring at the same rate I’d have been third.” http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/john-hughes-lifts-lid-run-ins-3515962
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The Blue Order is confirming that we are reluctantly not renewing our season tickets for the 2014/15 season. It is, however, our intention to buy tickets for home and away games on a match-by-match basis so that we can continue to give our full support to our team. Unfortunately, until further notice, we are unable to accommodate any new requests to join TBO or for seat transfers into our section however we would welcome others to congregate with our group in BF5. As part of the Union of Fans umbrella group, TBO have been at the forefront of recent protests against the board and we strongly urge Rangers FC to engage openly with concerned supporters and potential investors to safeguard the club's future.
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how many have actually pledged to dave kings scheme and how may season books have actually been sold?
