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The STUC nail their colours firmly to the mast with this one. Seeing as celtc are the team of the down trodden (so they'd have us believe) the dhims are being urged to wave palestine flags at the game tomorrow night. No doubt some of the 'faithful' will oblige. i just wonder if that that wee dhick that ran on the park at our game a couple of years ago will feel suitably enraged to do it all again...furra cause 'n'at... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8388962.stm

SPURS fans last night warned Rangers to beware the batonhappy cops in Seville. The new self-policing policy of the Light Blue legions will be put to the test when they travel for their Champions League crunch in Spain next month. Rangers supporters have vowed never again after their club were hit with an �£18,000 fine byUEFA for half-time crowd trouble in Romania 10 days ago. The SPL champions have yet to announce formally how many tickets, if any, they will take for the game against Sevilla, with the application date for briefs just passed. Spurs fans clashed with cops inside the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium two years ago during their side's 2-1 defeat in the first leg of a UEFA Cup quarter-final. Supporters Trust chairman Daniel Wynne has warned Rangers fans to be careful as he revealed police were so heavy-handed they even battered a disabled supporter in his wheelchair. It's a warning Rangers fans would do well to heed after they were hit by fines from UEFA for previous acts of disorder in Villarreal and Pamplona. Wynne said: "The atmosphere before the game was fantastic and it got even better for us when Robbie Keane scored early on to give us a 1-0 lead. "However, they were awarded a dodgy penalty soon afterwards and there were the inevitable shouts in protest at the ref. "That was enough for the Spanish police, who emerged from nowhere with batons wielding and set about our fans. I'll never forget what I saw that night, including one of our own disabled supporters being hit by truncheons as he sat in his wheelchair. "Quite simply, police over-reacted and Spurs stewards in the ground were forced to act as a barrier between us. "Our message to Rangers fans is go over there, enjoy the game, have a laugh and a few drinks but, please, be careful with the police. I'm sure they will take their own delegation of stewards and police and they must also be at the top of their game." Romanians Unirea Urziceni were also fined �£7000 for poor organisation in the Ghencea Stadium that Rangers chief executive Martin Bain claimed contributed to the violence. Wynne was among 4000 Spurs fans in Seville in April 2007 and he couldn't fault the warmth and hospitality of the Sevilla fans,only the cops. He would hate to see the majority of travelling Rangers fans penalised for the violence of a minority if their club refuses to take a ticket allocation. Wynne added: "As a football follower I could never support the decision by any club to deny a fan the chance to see his team. We live for these moments - the travel, new grounds, playing different teams. It's all part of the fan experience. "Sevilla fans were absolutely fantastic and the week after we played they unfurled a banner at the stadium apologising for the actions of their police." Record

Published on 1 Nov 2009 Talks have been held about inviting thousands of Rangers supporters to help fund a rescue package for the financially-stricken club. South Africa-based millionaire Dave King remains the leading contender to buy out current owner Sir David Murray, with his intentions expected to be revealed this month. Scotland-based businessmen Douglas Park and Paul Murray have also been linked to a joint bid with Mr King to rescue Rangers, who are Ã?£30million in debt, but no moves have yet been made. But the Sunday Herald can reveal that tentative talks have taken place involving parties interested in taking over Rangers about creating a revolutionised club answerable to "members", who would pay an annual fee on top of their season ticket costs. This is the successful and popular model of "social ownership" found at leading clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain. Essentially, this could be ââ?¬Ë?Plan Bââ?¬â?¢ if Mr King, or others, donââ?¬â?¢t emerge and firm up their interest in the club. The proposal would mean thousands of rank-and-file Rangers fans investing to lend financial muscle to some of the parties interested in taking Turn to page 2 Rangers out of the grip of Lloyds Banking Group, which has stepped in after the club fell into heavy debt under Sir David Murray. In return, the fans could have perhaps 33% or more of the shareholding as well as a couple of representatives on an entirely new board of directors. With money being poured in by thousands of fans, as per the Barcelona model, Rangers could become the first major members-owned club in British football, albeit that a handful of significant investors would have large individual stakes and would occupy some of the office-bearing positions. The extent of Rangersââ?¬â?¢ financial crisis was revealed last weekend when manager Walter Smith claimed the bank was running the club. Lloyds subsequently denied that but the bankââ?¬â?¢s interests are now represented on the board by new director Donald Muir. Rangers will not sign any new players in the January transfer window and may have to sell a senior one such as Steven Davis if Lloyds is determined to claw back Ã?£3m of the Ã?£30m owed to it. Sir David still owns 92% of the shareholding, but essentially Lloyds is dictating the terms of any eventual takeover. Mr King is uncomfortable about the current asking price and is now involved in a game of poker with the bank, which is believed to have been left reeling by the reaction from the Rangers support at large after our sister paper, The Herald, revealed the extent of their influence, the threat of administration and plans for swingeing cuts. Mr King is worth up to Ã?£300m but he is reluctant to meet the asking price of Ã?£1 for every Ã?£1 of debt ââ?¬â?? Lloyds is holding out for Ã?£30m ââ?¬â?? in the hope that it will eventually drop. Nothing will happen until Lloyds or Mr King change their stance. But if Mr King eventually walks away from a potential deal, others could step in and then ask fans to become fee-paying "members" in order to build a serious reserve of cash. The success of the venture would rely on the businessmen demonstrating that they were answerable to the fans who pay to become members. Fans spokesman David Edgar last night told the Sunday Herald that opening the club to ownership by members was an exciting, innovative idea. He claimed supporters would answer the call. "We have been exploring various avenues towards this with some of the potential investors," said Mr Edgar, of the Rangers Supporters Trust. "I think there is an interest and a desire in a sort of joint initiative, where you would have a major shareholder and also the fans playing a significant role in the club. I know this is something people are investigating. "Any new regime coming in has to understand that the fans do want to work with them. "But I would say that from the people we have been speaking to there are positive noises about that. "They understand that having the fans onside ââ?¬â?? via a membership scheme where people can invest and contribute to the football club, and have a say in the football club ââ?¬â?? works well abroad." Rangers fans could, for example, be asked to pay Ã?£1,000 each to become members, with payments spread over five years. At that level 30,000 fans buying membership would raise Ã?£30m. Sir David tried a share flotation in 2004, when Rangersââ?¬â?¢ debt soared to almost Ã?£74m, but it was snubbed by supporters. Of the Ã?£51m raised at the time, Sir David himself contributed Ã?£50m. "That was effectively a referendum on David Murrayââ?¬â?¢s performance," said Mr Edgar. "That was the fans saying ââ?¬Ë?you got us into this, you have to do something about itââ?¬â?¢. "If there was a new, dynamic, go-ahead regime coming into Rangers the fans would want to get involved and theyââ?¬â?¢d want to back it." Meanwhile, supporters upset by how Lloyds has introduced an unforgiving budgetary plan at Ibrox will protest with banners during todayââ?¬â?¢s SPL match against Dundee United at Tannadice. The banners will refer to new director Donald Muir as "the enemy within". http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/rangers-rescue-plan-b-ask-fans-to-help-buy-the-club-1.929642

Exclusive By Darryl Broadfoot WALTER SMITH has reacted furiously to the Lloyds Banking Group statement released yesterday that implies the Rangers' manager lied about the bank's control of the club. The Evening Times understands Smith was apoplectic at the wording of the bank's response to our exclusive revelations yesterday. They outlined the critical condition of the club, the growing influence of the bank in its affairs and the split that has emerged within the boardroom. advertisement Smith feels he has now been left in an impossible position and conveyed his deep unhappiness to the hierarchy. Indeed, he is now so fed-up with the internal politics and deception at play he could leave as soon as a new owner is found, even if it means leaving before the end of the season or before his contract ends in January. He has also received the unanimous support of the fans after Lloyds statement elicited an angry response across fans' websites and phone-ins. The statement, released last night, included the incendiary phrase: "Given the recent press coverage, we would therefore like to be clear Rangers FC is neither operated nor run by Lloyds Banking Group." Smith, 61, is so disenchanted with life at Ibrox he felt compelled to speak out publicly after the 1-1 draw against Hibernian on Saturday. In a further twist, the Evening Times understands chief executive Martin Bain will not walk away from the club despite growing speculation the bank is keen to remove the man who has steadfastly refused to agree with the swingeing programme of cuts mooted at the last board meeting. Gordon McKie, the chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union, has been linked as a possible replacement but if Bain is sacked, he will be followed out the door by Smith and Alastair Johnston, the chairman, in protest at the bank's decision. This would effectively leave Donald Muir, the Lloyds-employed turnaround specialist appointed to the board, as the man effectively in charge of the club, which is around �£30m in debt. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2533280.0.0.php

Their Europa Cup draw lends itself to multiple opportunities. Remember, ra Sellik are currently on their last warning after four increased UEFA fines for pitch incursions and thrown objects. After a �£72,000 fine and the last pitch invader being tossed into the Pokey for six months, Sellik know another infringement will bring a draconian sanction. There is precedent for this, after shameful scenes at ra Piggery in 1984 during a match against Rapid Vienna, UEFA ruled a replay of the game at a neutral venue. Bottles rained down from ra jungle, Paul McStay picked one up and hid it from the match officials, a Rapid player was hit by another, the Rapid bus was attacked as it left Parkhead. The game was replayed at Old Trafford, ra Sellik officially hired an Irish Republican marching band to parade around the track as both pre-match and half time entertainment! Rapid won 1-0, and two of their players were victims of vicious assaults by Yahoos invading the pitch. The result of this was UEFA ordering ra Sellik to play their next Euro match behind closed doors. Next season, they played Atletico Madrid(a 0-2 defeat) at ra Piggery in front of an empty ground. Sellik's draw is Hamburg, Rapid Vienna, and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Let's hope Sh1tey Sean Gallagher is intent on continuing his anti-Israeli protest. Let's hope TGFITW take all their Palestinian flags to Tel Aviv. Let's hope ra Sellik supporters club on London Road continues to fly both the Irish republican tricolour and the Palestinian flag above their main door. Let's hope TGFITW take their St Pauli skull and crossbones flags to Hamburg. Let's hope TGFITW continue their sense of injustice against the conquerers of MON's Aston Villa. Let's hope ra Yahoo friendly media continuously show those shameful film clips from those Rapid Vienna games, 25 years past. Let's hope the phone-ins stoke their sense of injustice. I suspect even the 20,000 green seats will get motivated on the back of that draw. Go on Yahoos, show us some of that wholly legitimate Sellik emotion.

Almost from nowhere, the popularity of the green seat is becoming synonymous with the rapid changes associated with 21st century Glasgow. Not quite a shining beacon, more of an infested piece of plastic; but its allure is clear for all to see. Barely a fortnight passes in Glasgow without the images of thousands of green seats becoming imprinted in the minds of the good folk of the city. The green seat phenomenon appears to have crept up on us all of a sudden ââ?¬â?? but in fact it is not new. Like a giant potato, its deep roots lie in the east end of the city. Although seldom (if ever) reported in the media, it has been a feature of (pond) life for quite some time. Traditionally, the green seat is celebrated by an under-class of illiterate mutants on certain notable days of the year. Mothers Day is a favourite anniversary and on Halloween the green seat is celebrated by said mutants donning costumes and wandering up the Gallowgate dressed from head to toe in the image of the green seat. Itââ?¬â?¢s quite a sight to behold and most people are now believed to have it on their ââ?¬â?¢10 things to do before you dieââ?¬â?¢ list. But the green seatââ?¬â?¢s popularity is becoming ever more prevalent. No longer confined to special anniversaries, the wonderful celebrations are now taking place at least on a fortnightly basis. The most recent example took place on Saturday gone. Reliable sources suggest that approximately 9,000 green seats congregated around Kerrydale Street around 3pm; joined together by that special bond only a fellow green seat could understand, they sat together, motionless for almost 2 hours in a silent vigil. It was a breathtaking experience by all accounts and the organisers of the event ââ?¬â?? a group calling themselves the Green Seat Brigade said ââ?¬Å?tÃ?¡ mÃ?ºid an iontach aerachââ?¬Â. Nobody was available to explain why the Green Seat Brigade speaks in a foreign language but it is believed that the spokesman was expressing some form of satisfaction. However; just as video killed the radio star and the iPod killed the Walkman, it would be churlish not to acknowledge that threats do exist to the green seat phenomenon. There were believed to be 51,000 observable threats at Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s protest/vigil alone and it is worth investigating how this managed to occur. ââ?¬Ë?Nil By Brainââ?¬â?¢, the organisation which is believed to pose the biggest threat to the Green Seat Brigade stated 12 months ago that it had (by co-incidence) 51,000 standard members who had paid up front to register their opposition to the green seat 18 times a year. Of these, a staggering 10,000 were ââ?¬Ë?concessionaryââ?¬â?¢ members ââ?¬â?? a collection of urchins and ragamuffins rounded up from various local ââ?¬Ë?workshousesââ?¬â?¢ (a strange oxymoron). The average price of protest membership was therefore Ã?£333. However, spokesman Doctor Death of Nil by Brain said recently that they would have to work very hard to match last yearââ?¬â?¢s membership numbers ââ?¬â?? most likely in response to the recent rapid rise in popularity of the green seat. With only 51,000 objectors present on Saturday including a small visiting band from Perth and the ability of several thousands to buy individual protest tickets, it seems fair to assume that the number of signed-up objectors this year may be in the region of 41,000 ââ?¬â?? 43,000. However, Nil by Brain is adopting an aggressive recruitment strategy (which would come as no surprise to those familiar with Doctor Death). They are actively recruiting members and offering the opportunity to buy concessions for as little as Ã?£50. Yes, Ã?£50! For research purposes this was checked by calling the ticket office at Nil by Brain this morning, and a quick call confirmed this to be the case. So last yearââ?¬â?¢s 10,000 concessionary members are perhaps much greater in number now, given the urgent need to combat the rise of the green seat. It would seem that all is not rosy in the garden of Nil By Brain ââ?¬â?? and that the green seat may indeed be here to stay.

A bit start and stop as its sent from my mobile: Amougst others and against some, I think i can 110% share the sentiments of my fellow poster - Pete - that an elephant came off the shoulders of many a man at Ibrox yesterday. FINALLY Walter Smith showed some ruthless-ness (if thats a word) in dealing with a couple of men who think they are head and shoulders above 10000s of true Rangers men and women! Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor have it all. Fat paychecks with no need to worry about any gas bill and employment within the GREATEST 4 walls of Great Britain! Thats right folks - Ibrox is up there with the very best when it comes to stadia - if it wasnt for the the silly Euro money going to England we would still oust Old Trafford IMO. These guys pulled on the blue jersey thinking of nothing but themselves. Ferguson and McGregor got to pull the on shirt in week in week out but this went to there heads thinking they couldnt ever be brought back to life - How Walter Smith turned the clock back in style to put the stuffin into that then!!! Personally I am a Walter fan and 1 who tends to lean towards his 9IAR achievments - however i had been questioning his mentality for the past 2-3 months about his desire for Rangers and bizarre tactics! - The Past 24 hours have shown and proved to me that the MAN is still there!!!! He has shown up George Burley on how to deal with a man! IMO if the 7 particapants walked in protest last weekend then id have paid for everyone of there taxis home! If thats what playing for Scotland means these days then call up 11 hard working men who WANT to be there. I really dont know if Walter rubbed his hands at this weeks event to get rid of the bad apple in the side! I actually still think WS thought deep down BF could still be a player for Rangers like most of us hope. On a side note, Only an Excuse must be sending thank you cards to Ibrox right now for giving them the material for the next show! But at the same time Paul Le Guen must be break dancing at the latest show to come from Ibrox. For me we have taken a huge step in the RIGHT direction this week. For 1 - Neil Alexander will deservedly be between the sticks from now on. Allan McGregor hand the world at his feet but blew it! I went as far as saying we lost the SPL last season due his injury but he turning into a loose cannon who would rather thnk of himself rather than what he was actyally achieving in life - Andy Goram must be shaking his head! Noboody liked a drink more than The Goalie but the legend knew his priorities! I firmly believe we will start seeing players come out there shell's now that Ferguson is dropped. I think he is the worst Rangers captain in my lifetime and defines everything that is wrong with the club right now. His negativity shows throughout the whole team. Now is the time to seen Davis and Mendes tick! Rangers have proved onces again that WE are bigger than anyone! Thanks to Walter for that!! I firmly believe this weeks events are a boost to the club and can see us booming onto the title!! Dear Barry and Allan - I feel embarrassed even thinking about what you did to the cameras - I have no idea how embarrassed you will personally feel! The word that defines you is idiot! You graced the tru colours of Rangers and Scotland and turned it into a laughing stock! Justice will be served if we go onto win the SPL title while you watch in the stands with your 2 middle fingers....and even better if Scotland go onto the World Cup! Step forward Davie Weir! You will wear the captains armband with proud and be a stop gap for the Queens 11. But you know yourself Weir will retire soon meandin one Magic Bougherra can step forward and become Rangers next captain!!!!

Superb article from Big Spliff as part of the 'Setting the Standard' project. Lengthy read (make a brew and grab a biscuit) but well worth it. Might be better to read it via the following link as to avoid hurting your eyes on here... http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/323943426?-11344

RANGERS ace Madjid Bougherra plans to wear a black armband at today's game in protest at the bloodshed in Gaza. The SFA say he won't be let on the pitch wearing anything political but the devout Muslim insisted that he doesn't care if he is fined for trying to make his point make in the Rangers v Falkirk game at Ibrox. He added that he'd refuse to play against an Israeli team in Europe. The Algerian defender explained: "As a Muslim, I am deeply touched by the barbarity that has been suffered by our Palestinian brothers and sisters. "I hope we will soon find a lasting solution to enable the Palestinian people to live like everyone else. Everyone must make a gesture about this. "I will wear a black armband as a sign of mourning and protest. I want people to know I do not agree with what is happening in Gaza and throughout Palestine. All Muslim players must make a gesture." He praised Seville striker Freddy Kanoute who was fined for revealing a T-shirt with a message of support to Palestine after scoring against Deportivo La Coruna this week. But an SFA spokesman stressed that FIFA rules must be obeyed and said: "Players are not allowed to wear anything - out with their kit - with a personal or political slogan. "If any player does wear anything which is deemed inappropriate, he won't be allowed on to the field of play." A spokesman from Rangers FC refused to comment. But Mick Napier, chairman of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign welcomed the move. He said: "We, like the majority of the Scottish people, support the Scottish Government who have expressed disgust at the situation in Gaza. We praise players like Bougherra." Philip Mendelsohn, president of the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, said: "We would not seek to stop anyone expressing their personal views. "But we'd look to those with influence, such as Mr Bougherra, to ensure his actions can't be misconstrued and damage local inter-communal relations." Andy Kerr, president of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, said: "He is an employee of Rangers Football Club and would have to adhere to club policies." The Ranger Supports Trust refused to comment last night. So why are the RST refusing to comment? Don't like the hard questions or just run out of jaffa cakes? Pathetic.

So, at the St.Johnstone game there was a sort of flag protest attempting to draw Scotlands attention towards the mismangement of Rangers by David Murray. The time has come to start doing something about this man. Remember this time last year? Our glorious european run. It took us to a European final and it should have been built upon. However, what happened? No one took any action to try and build on that team as most teams would do after winning some success. Instead the instruction was given to apparantly save money until we beat the pub team from Lithuania and one more qualifying tie(that would have been Aalborg) and therefore enter the Champions league group stages. It was a clear money saving scam by David Murray. However, it backfired and we went out as a result of being a poor team. So, had we been given the money to buy a few players in positions that were clearly needing filled, Rangers would have earned the club about �£5m from the qualification into the group stages. Now, Rangers are being forced to sell their top goal scorer to pay for this glaring error and the only person who couldn't see the team needed strengthened was David Murray. However, this is not the first big error from Mr.Murray. During the Alex McLeish years he was found penny pinching as a Rangers manager was left to bring in free transfers and loan signings. For far too long now, many fans have not liked the direction Mr Murray has been steering the club in. And now the fans shouls start to make it known to David Murray that we want him to sell the club. He says we are not "captains of industry " and indicates we don't really know what we're talking about when it comes to running a club like Rangers. Well Mr Murray, i think you'll find thousands of fans who were supporting the club whilst you were scurrying around outside Somerset Park in Ayr, that we were here well before you and the club is in our blood. Unlike yourself who seems to have bought the club to forward yourself as an individual. We the fans want a different direction for Rangers. A club like Rangers should not be selling it's top striker to pay for an error of judgement you made by yourself to balance the books. A club like Rangers should not be on the verge of gifting Celtic a FOURTH succesive league title in a row. Where will it end? We have had 3 years to plan Celtic's downfall, so why has it not yet happened? And,a club like Rangers should be having a half decent run in europe EVERY season. Not being knocked out by pub teams because you decided to keep your cash instead of stregthening a potentially good side(which was left to drift off into an unbelievable decline). Please sign under this post with a short comment of why you want David Murray to leave Rangers alone and sell up. Lets show Mr Murray why we ant him away from Rangers.:rfc::rfc:

Rangers manager Walter Smith fears too much criticism from the stands could have a detrimental effect on his team. More...

In case anyone hasn't seen it yet. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/...t_campaign.php Rangers supporters launch protest campaign by Thomas Jordan RANGERS fans groups today launched a "We Deserve Better" campaign to try and pile the pressure on the club's board. Chairman Sir David Murray's decision to sell off one of his leading players this month to balance the books has been met with a furious reaction from some Gers fans - who held a banner during last night's win over St Johnstone asking him to quit the club. The agreed sale of striker Kris Boyd to Birmingham City in a �£3.8m deal was the final straw for many and various groups such as the Rangers Supporters Trust and the Blue Order have now issued a statement urging supporters clubs and fans to unite and let the club know their feelings. advertisement Trust chief David Edgar said today: "This isn't a campaign to get the chairman out or anything like that. "We know he is in a situation where he hasn't been able to find a buyer for the club but we want to know what direction the club is moving in and we're looking for improvements." The statement lists areas in which he says supporters are concerned with and want explanations and they are as follows; - Only 2 league titles in 8 seasons - Only 2 cups won in last 3 full seasons - Losing to the worst European opponents faced since Valletta in 1983 - A state of the art training facility, yet no advancements in technique or set plays - No discernible strategic vision, either on or off the pitch - No long-term transfer or team-building plan - Only two youth players (McGregor and Hutton) of genuine quality produced in the last decade - Selling first team players to cover losses previously made on fringe players - Consistent failure to move fringe players on for reasonable transfer fees - Lucrative pay-offs for failed players - Failure to profit from our most lucrative ever season - Failure to engage with or interact with the support in any meaningful way - Treating Rangers fans with disdain as customers instead of valuing and working with them as supporters and part of the Rangers family - Inability to either attract inward investment, or to convince fans to invest in any meaningful way - Reduction in the status of our club from leading football force in the land, to almost social pariah status through a failure to challenge those seeking to link Rangers with sectarianism - A PR operation which only acts when senior club figures are personally criticised and all too often fails to defend the Rangers support - Fan morale lower than at any time in the past 24 years

Members may wish to be aware of the following which was posted on the vanguardbears website.......

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article1902396.ece Not surprised that Chick hasn't picked this up at the BBC but it seems Celtic will once again be protesting this weekend against their club's decision to wear poppies on their shirts. Utter, utter scumbags.

... but a must read : Silence is not Green, White and Golden In December 1915, when I was seventeen and a half, I ran away from home to join the 4th Battalion East Surreys. I was under age so I had to lie to the recruitment sergeant. I said I was eighteen years old and my name was Sydney Harrison. I told the truth later though, because if Iââ?¬â?¢d been killed as Harrison, nobody would ever have known what happened to me. Arras was the first time I went over the top. We played football together as we went over. That was the tradition in the East Surreys. I remember the ball dropping at my feet and I passed it to Captain Maxwell. ââ?¬Ë?That was a good pass you made young Withers!ââ?¬â?¢ he shouted before he thumped it towards the German lines. I got wounded at the end of that battle. I was temporarily blinded in one eye but it could have been worse. At the end of the battle, I lay bleeding in a trench. There was blood coming out of my eye, pouring out all over my face. My head looked blown in. They thought I was dead and they were going to bury me. I was in a half-conscious state and I can remember a soldier getting hold of me and saying ââ?¬Å?Here ââ?¬â?? this blokes alive!ââ?¬â?¢ That man saved my life, by calling that out. Iââ?¬â?¢d have been buried alive in Arras, if it hadnââ?¬â?¢t been for him. Above, the words of Cecil Withers from the book ââ?¬Å?Last Post ââ?¬â?? The Final Word From Our First World War Soldiersââ?¬Â. Cecil recounts his time on the Western Front as a teenager fighting for our country. Last weekend 65 senior football matches were played in Great Britain. Prior to kick-off at 64 of them, fans of opposing clubs put aside their rivalries and stood silent in tribute to those brave men and women who gave their lives in service of our country. In the 65th senior game the mould was broken. Celtic Football Club spat in the face of common decency by instead hosting a minuteââ?¬â?¢s applause in recognition of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Think about it. Applause. For 20 million lives destroyed. Those of a Celtic persuasion couldnââ?¬â?¢t even bring themselves to admit who they were honouring. The Celtic Park Master of Ceremonies told the 55,000 crowd the minuteââ?¬â?¢s applause was to remember ââ?¬Å?the Celtic players who died in both World Warsââ?¬Â. He further stated that the clapping of hands to show respect for the dead is ââ?¬Å?the Celtic wayââ?¬Â. It most certainly is. Of course the increasingly incompetent Lex Gold of the SPL must shoulder part of the blame for the shame that this has heaped upon Scottish football. The option of a minuteââ?¬â?¢s applause as an alternative to the traditional silence should never have entered his distorted mind. In the name of decency it simply shouldnââ?¬â?¢t have been an option. Letââ?¬â?¢s not mince words here. This option was devised to save Celtic Football Club acute embarrassment. In decrying Gold, letââ?¬â?¢s not lose sight of who the real culprits are in this blackest of days for Scottish football. Celtic Football Club. Their directors and Chief Executive could and should have insisted they follow protocol. Their Chairman is a former Secretary for Defence for Godââ?¬â?¢s sake. They could and should have shown they cared and turned their backs on the hate-filled cretins amongst their support who intended disrupting proceedings. They could and should have requested police eject anyone breaking the silence from their stadium or arrest them for breach of the peace. But damage limitation, not decency and decorum, was order of the day and foremost in the minds of John Reid, Peter Lawwell and Co. ââ?¬Å?Keep the name of Celtic clean at all costsââ?¬Â the mantra once again. Thus they opted to shame themselves and their football club in the most contemptible way imaginable. Predictably the Celtic-minded apologists were at their pre and post-match best, deflecting and rewriting as only they can. On Saturday morning the Daily Record told us the minutes applause was introduced in Scotland after Hearts fans disrupted a silence for the Pope. Lies. The first minutes applause in Scotland took place at Ceptic Park in honour of the late great George Best. The reason? Best had made some derogatory remarks about Gerry Adams and the IRA in his Mail on Sunday column a year earlier, propmting outrage in Republican circles. The Celtic heirarchy knew any silence would be disrupted. At pains to propagate the increasingly risible ââ?¬Å?tiny-minorityââ?¬Â line, the media once again did Peter Lawwellââ?¬â?¢s bidding for him. Numbers for those who walked out of Celtic Park in protest against ââ?¬Å?British Imperialismââ?¬Â ranged from a few hundred to Hugh Keevinsââ?¬â?¢ ridiculous 20 figure. Mark Guidi in the Sunday Mail clawed hopelessly as he stated ââ?¬Å?a maximum of 80 Celtic fans left the stadiumââ?¬Â. How bloody desperate. Celtic of course refused to speak out, their work done for them. ââ?¬Å?Not worthy of commentââ?¬Â said a Celtic spokesman, just as 3500 of their fans singing loudly in tribute to their IRA heroes at Tynecastle the previous weekend had similarly been ââ?¬Å?not worthy of commentââ?¬Â. Are we really to believe that these same morons would have respected a silence one week on? The same Celtic supporters who had verbally abused poppy-sellers outside the Hearts stadium? The same Hearts who lost a whole first team in the fields of France during the Great War? Of course they would. We know exactly what would have happened, and Celtic knew too. Thousands of their clubs fans would have been shown up for exactly what they are ââ?¬â?? hate-filled, shameless anti-British fascists and racists. Keevins described the actions of the assembled throng of IRA sympathisers as ââ?¬Å?a serious embarrassment for us as a countryââ?¬Â. Wrong Mr. Keevins. They are a serious embarrassment to Ireland as a country, for these creatures are not Scottish or British, they are Irish. Ask them for yourself. On Saturday night I watched the Festival of Remembrance on BBC1. I sat in awe as Lance Corporal Mathew Croucher of 40 Commando Royal Marines was piped in carrying the Book of Remembrance, by Scottish soldiers. Lance Corporal Croucher had thrown his body across a live hand-grenade to save the lives of two of his comrades. Only his backpack saved him from being blown to pieces. He was awarded the George Cross for his bravery. I was reminded of Sergeant Michael Willets of 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment, husband and father, who threw himself on top of a hand-grenade tossed into Springfield Road Police Station Belfast by the IRA in 1971. Sergeant Willets gave his own life to save the lives of Catholic/Nationalist/Republican women and children sheltering in the station. He was posthumously awarded the George Cross. I continued to watch as British soldiers of all races, creeds and colours paid tribute to fallen comrades. I listened intently as Lt. Col. Joe Oââ?¬â?¢Sullivan 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment lamented the loss of three of his men in Iraq. The Lt. Col. could Iââ?¬â?¢m sure trace his roots back to Ireland should he so choose. This set me thinking. Why are people like Joe Oââ?¬â?¢Sullivan, and thousands of others like him, fully assimilated and proud of the adopted country of their ancestors, yet we in West-Central Scotland have the continual embarrassment and perpetual shame of those of Irish ancestry who despise us? The answer is Celtic Football Club. An organisation diseased to its core. In the beginning we had Marist Brother Walfrid introducing bigotry to football when founding the club ââ?¬Å?prompted by a fear that Protestant soup kitchens might tempt young Catholics into apostasyââ?¬Â and ââ?¬Å?worried about the dangers of young Catholics meeting Protestants in their place of employment or leisureââ?¬Â (Football historian Bill Murray from his book ââ?¬Å?The Old Firmââ?¬Â). Walfrid's co-recruitment agent for Celtic was a ******, Pat Welsh, on the run from Ireland suspected of murder. Choice company for a man of the cloth. This would of course be the same Walfrid that Celtic history books clearly document as leading the singing of Irish rebel songs in St Mary's Parish Hall, Glasgow, in November 1887. On to the opening ceremony for Celtic Park when the convicted ****** gun-runner and ââ?¬Å?embittered Irish Nationalist who was anti-British to the backboneââ?¬Â Michael Davitt laid the first piece of turf. Fast-forward to September 17th 1941, when the SFA closed Parkhead for a month because of Celtic fansââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬Å?serious misbehaviour and pro-German chantsââ?¬Â. To the Falklands conflict when Ce ltic fans chanted ââ?¬Å?Argentina, Argentinaââ?¬Â and ââ?¬Å?Malvinas, Malvinasââ?¬Â in support of Galtieriââ?¬â?¢s fascist military dictatorship. Not forgetting 30 years of Provisional IRA support and the Celtic Board of Directorsââ?¬â?¢ insistence on P.A. broadcasts of dewy-eyed ballads ââ?¬Å?rebelling against the Crownââ?¬Â and featuring ââ?¬Å?let the people singââ?¬Â Irish Republican lyrics. I could add the Irish Republican vocalist at Jackie MacNamaraââ?¬â?¢s testimonial, the disruption of a minutes silence for a member of the Royal Family, Republican flute bands playing at testimonial matches, Celtic players singing IRA songsââ?¬Â¦Ã¢â?¬Â¦Ã¢â?¬Â¦.. I would also mention the dozens of ââ?¬Å?Celtic pubsââ?¬Â that are little more than meeting places and breeding grounds for terrorist sympathisers and what former Celtic chairman Fergus McCann so deftly described as ââ?¬Å?Celtic-minded Catholic bigotsââ?¬Â. Witness the IRA theme park that the Barrowlands ghetto of Glasgow has become with its Sinn Fein shops and public houses festooned in Irish Republican symbology. Shame on Glasgow City Council who seem happy to allow this area to expand.

that the scum had protest banners at their game on saturday relating to the british army. also their minutes applause was a disgrace. only place in the world that didnt show the proper respect. anyone got any info on the banners?

I can report that there was around 75 people attended the protest which passed off peaceful. Our rep handed over our letter of complaint inside the building, at which stage, everyone packed up and headed elsewhere. Can I just thank everyone once again, for taking the time and effort to come along and make our feelings known to the charlatans who run this anti Protestant organisation. Bears from Ulster, England and the frozen north (Aberdeen) were among those who all travelled long distances to be there. Well done to all and be assured, this won't be the last. The fact it was a start, had numbers, passed off peaceful means it was a success in my eyes. I know alot of people were fearful of turning up in case it went pearshaped, this is the encouragement they need for the next one. Once again thanks to all who supported it in the many ways it was supported.

This is the statement being released to the press about Sunday: We would like to start by saying that we as Rangers fans fully welcome the sectarian issue being tackled in Scotland. What we will not accept is the blame for sectarianism in Scottish football and Scotland's society starting and ending with Rangers or Rangers fans. Over the years we feel people have manipulated the sectarian debate for their own agenda's, career's and public profiles. This includes politicans, journalists and even the media bodies they work for. We accept many genuinely have good intentions but there work is undermined by profiteers. Recently the BBC Scotland main news bulletin had a report lasting several minutes highlighting "the famine song" under "a new sectarian storm" headline, which included highlights of the recent Old Firm game and karaokoe type lyrics across the screen so people could identify what was being sung by Rangers fans. To start with never before has this method of reporting been used when the issue of sectarian singing arises. Over the following days the story grew and evolved, this included Celtic fans Pro-IRA songs being clearly sang on the Saturday previous at Motherwell, statements from Rangers supporters groups and Rangers themselves being released. We also then had the Spanish consulate looking into death threats against Nacho Novo from Celtic fans. In the days that followed the BBC reported none of this. The BBC is paid for by the taxpayer and when reporting on all matters Political, Religious or Racial are duty bound to be impartial and give a whole account of the story. They failed on every point and not for the first time and for these reasons we will be protesting on Sunday outside their BBC Scotland HQ, the protest will be silent with protesters only having banners or placards calling for equality and non-bias when reporting on these matters. In the days that followed we had a "journalist" appearing on several radio stations as the guy who broke the story in Ireland, a Glasgow born self confessed Celtic fan now living Donegal with a background that is more than questionable for his credibility not to be questioned. The guy is no stranger to Rangers fans and often appears on media outlets especially if there is criticism to be had of Rangers fans. If any journalist worth his salt had to dig into his background as we have done, they would find that his motives are driven by his Political Religious and Football beliefs. The journalist is also happy to use pro-IRA slogans and derogatory terms for Rangers fans i.e "huns", we have proof of all of the above that can be reviewed by anyone. From now on anyone or anything that attempts to use the Sectarian issue in a non constructive or balanced manner will be targeted like the BBC. We WILL picket, lobby, protest and expose these people even if it means standing outside their offices for days on end. In a society where our schooling tells us were different from the age of 4, Rangers fans will not be held solely accountable or used by profiteers no more on the sectarian debate. Craig Wilson On Behalf of Rangers Equality.

Following the BBC's most recent attempt at inciting sectarian hatred in Scotland. Rangers fans have organised a protest against the BBC outside their Scottish headquarters at Pacific Quay on Sunday 21st September at 1.00pm, 2 hours before the kick off at the home game against Motherwell. As stated, BBC Scotland are guilty of inciting sectarian hatred, supporting anti-British terrorist organisations, and in general are against all things considered British and Protestant in this country. More and more often we are seeing the media and politicians of this country twist facts to suit their own agenda's. They will think nothing of labelling something as being sectarian or racist even when it can be very easily proven to be not the case. It is time for all people with morals and standards to stand up and say enough is enough! The BBC simply cannot be allowed to get away with this any longer. Your presence at this peaceful protest will be greatly appreciated. This protest is being supported by many other Rangers websites and forums. It is imperative we start to unite as fans and this peaceful protest could be an excellent start.

I found this earlier and thought it was a pretty full and accurate analysis of the Arsenal squad, so you can read and see what you all think.

This weekend threw up another controversy as Rangers were denied a perfectly good goal, through the linesman flagging for offside. Before the game Referee boss Donald McVicar e-mailed a warning for refs to improve. After a spate of dodgy decisions which seem to benifit our friends from the dark side, many football supporters probably think the ref boss�s real name is McPriest and not McVicar. Strangely Refs are fighting for more money. The SFA should put them on performance bonuses as that would save them a fortune. A new sponsor might be a good idea; they should change from Spec-savers to Nikon binoculars. Ebay would make a good sponsor as well as they keep selling us their crap Football is not the only sport that is having problems with the referee's though. What about the girl in the taekwondo, Sarah Stevenson. Three officials failed to see the kick to her Chinese opponents head. After a protest and TV evidence she was at least reinstated as the winner. Her fellow taekwondo colleague Angel Matos wasn�t going to hang about for a TV replay, he just gave the ref a size 9 direct to the chin. Why can�t I get rid of the thought of Billy Baxter wearing, wee Demarcus Beasley�s stud marks on his napper? If the Olympics had been in Portugal Angel Matos might not receive a lifetime ban. You can take a Maddy there and get away with it.(Sorry) Carrying on with the Olympic theme, wee Chesney wants to talk to Chris Hoy to pass on his secret winning formula. Some people believe he has the formula already. Paying referees! Maybe that is what is using up his entire transfer kitty. John Hugh�s has been following the cycling as well, After Referee Brines pulled him out of the Falkirk dressing room, he told Brines to get on his Bike. Our friend Artur Boruc has been hitting the news again. In the past he has been fined by Celtic for boozing. Last week he was thrown out the Polish national team, for skipping out for a wee vodka. Who said he didn�t have any bottle? Now he is waiting to see if Leo Beenhakker will Polish him off, as the Don was a bit brassed off Just a thought, if Artur Boruc�s wife was Pregnant to him. Would that make her a dope carrier? Taxi!!!

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=663&Itemid=1 Carlos Cuellar has gone then and going by recent years it’s extremely unlikely to be a case of ‘The King is dead; long Live the King’. The 21st Century has seen a large number of quality players leave the club with the chairman proclaiming they will be replaced with players of a similar standard. In almost all cases – particularly with regard to our midfield – that has not been the case. From the Van Bronckhorsts to the Reynas, to the Numans, to the Amorusos; the decline in quality has been a steady one since our club’s downsizing began in earnest. It’s now reached the stage where not only the continuity of the team is threatened but the very future of the club is being brought into disrepute. What options does that leave us with? Do we protest or will our apathy contribute to our downfall? Firstly, I think it’s important that we address the issue objectively. It is far too easy to be vocally critical and while that may satisfy for a short while; it won’t do any good without solutions for the problems we face. One of the biggest and most valid criticisms of the Murray reign at Rangers is that of short-termism. We shouldn’t be guilty of the same flaw. Thus, if we are to protest – and I certainly empathise with that view – we need to be careful in how we go about it. ‘Murray out’ is the cry from many. ‘Walter Smith’s time is up’ is even more prevalent. Fair points as both deserve a lot of criticism for their work recently. Unfortunately, neither is likely to be replaced and I see little alternatives offered by those who shout loudest. Quite simply, while it may be agreeable that it’s time for a new owner (none more agree than Sir David Murray), we don’t have a knight in shining armour with a spare Ã?£100million to put into Rangers. Let’s face it – any new owner(s) would need around Ã?£20-30million to buy the club; Ã?£20million to underwrite the existing club debt; and at least Ã?£50million in reserve, to not only supply an annual transfer budgets equalling the last two years but to implement the various improvements we’d all like to see to the club. A new ticket office, a better youth system, a museum, stadium development (not to mention upkeep), improved retail/marketing and a genuine worldwide scouting system would need considerable investment just to get off the ground; never mind run on an annual basis. Not many investors have that kind of money to hand – especially when one considers the market we operate in. Even if we discount the problems we face on the field, the last paragraph shows just how serious things are at Rangers. The most positive supporters can surely now see how the under-performance of the club generally is affecting the general malaise at the club. There’s no doubt while some people may exaggerate some of these issues; there’s also no doubt the challenges we face as a club are serious ones and need urgent attention. In fact, most of them have needed attention for a number of years but it’s only now some supporters are awakening to them. And that’s where my concern is. Realism regarding the financial climate needn’t be an acceptance of under-achievement and inefficiency. Football fans – and particularly Rangers fans – are demanding sorts. Success should be regular, failure is not an option and everything is measured by an SPL title-winning barometer. This is how many supporters view our club but in my view it’s far too empirical and it’s this flawed vision that has helped put us in the position we are today. More seriously though, it’s not just the support that is guilty of this – the Rangers board of directors are similarly short-sighted and far more culpable. My single biggest criticism of Sir David Murray’s Rangers’ tenure is one which goes against how the man made his impressive business reputation. After a successful initial period, investment into the club (out with transfers) wasn’t enough, was only ever based on the short-term and failed to ensure our club’s position as the number one football club in Scotland. Remember we were Ã?£30million in the black around 1998 and only a few short years and Ã?£100million later we were Ã?£83million in the red - with next to nothing to show for it. Sure, at the insistence of Dick Advocaat, Murray Park was built but even that has taken a number of years to deliver while only showing inconsistent performance given it’s not the Youth Academy many believed it would be. Where are we then? Are we any further forward than late 1988 when SDM bought the club? Of course there are lots of positives during those 20 years and they shouldn’t be forgotten or ignored in the haste to vilify. However, the fact remains, the last 10 years of the reign have been inconsistent, lacking in quality, ambition has been lost and our future bleak. Much like what was happening under Murray’s predecessors it could be said. Protest is the answer then? Yes, it is, but probably not in the way some agitators would prefer. Firstly, we need to ensure that our support of the team and players isn’t compromised. While Walter Smith is just as much to blame for our current woes as anyone else and while we all agree certain players are simply not good enough to play for Rangers, difficult times require extra support – not less. I’m not suggesting blind loyalty – that would be equally wrong – but enough support to help the team regain the confidence and form to win matches. After all, not winning the title would only make things much, much worse. However, I’ve already said winning titles should not be a barometer of how successful our club is. After all, we didn’t win the title last season but generally it was a successful one in terms of European performance and incoming finance. Importantly though, it’s how we use this success that really matters. And that’s where we’ve failed this summer and in previous times. We’ve simply not achieved consistent domestic and European success. Ergo, that’s where any protest must be focussed. Thus, while bizarre 60 minute walk outs may indicate our displeasure; and while fans reps in the media provide further obvious methods of channelling our frustration; neither will be successful without constructive alternatives. By all means protest but it has to be done at the right time and place. The status quo is unlikely to change because a few hundred fans walk out unnoticed or because a few congregate outside the front door. That will only result in further division and problems. Genuine protest has to have a goal behind it. While the ultimate goal may be one of regime change, that’s not one that is immediately possible or one that would yield immediate results anyway. As such, any protest should have aims that are possible. Obviously, that is also much more difficult to achieve. What can we do to improve the club? How can we reach the people to responsible for that improvement? Can we catalyse them via workable solutions? That place is the Rangers AGM in the next month or so. That’s where ALL the guilty parties will be present. That’s where ALL the relevant questions should be asked. That’s where ALL the board of directors can be brought to task on their under-achievement. That’s where the manager can be challenged. That’s where positive change can be implemented. That’s where the Rangers supporters can rise to the challenge. That’s where leadership can be sought in the presence of ALL the people who can make the difference. We can help shape our future. We can never be accused of not being loyal or being supportive of the club through difficult times. Let’s continue to do so by cheering the team to victory over 90mins and keeping our criticism for the place where it really matters.

fans are planning a protest against the club before the game against hearts on saturday. also a walkout after 60 minutes. anyonetaking part? certainly will take part in the protest before the game but i dont know if walking out on the team is the answer. its a tough one.

Im actually getting withdrawal symptoms today seen as a manager hasnt lost or left his job yet. How many recently: Chelsea Spurs Bolton Wigan Birmingham Derby Leicester (Megson to Bolton / Holloway in) Plymouth (Sturrock in for Holloway) Swindon (Sturrock out) Internationals: Rep Ireland Scotland England Rumours: Newcastle Middlesboro Liverpool (5000 to make protest in tonights CL game) Fook me!!

Some of you will already have received your season ticket renewal notices this week. As usual, it comes with an accompanying letter from our esteemed chairman. Just in case you can't isolate the truth from the spin and the smoke, have a look at the results of our BabelFish translation of the letter. Dear customer/bigot, I am writing to you after a regretfully disappointing season draws to a close, yet once again Rangers supporters have continued to demonstrate unwavering allegiance during another year of me taking your money and investing none of my own huge personal wealth or time into the club. Incredibly, despite our awful performances on and off the field we still manage to keep season tickets high ââ?¬â?? even I am surprised at how loyal you guys are. Just in case though, hereââ?¬â?¢s another 3 new (and low quality) strips for you to spend another Ã?£30 per person on. That should really test your allegiance. The immediate priority however, is bolstering the first team squad and I am committed to backing Walter because no-one will buy this club off me yet. This will enable him to mount a challenge for 2nd place next season and to secure Champions league qualifier participation ââ?¬â?? if we can get past Hearts, Hibs and our friends from the North East in the SPL. Donââ?¬â?¢t the Ultras from Aberdeen back their team well when they are here? In order to achieve these objectives we will need to strengthen the squad, but it is vitally important that we continue to operate within our financial means, which in an increasingly competitive market will require prudent management. As such, we have been working extremely hard going through all the DVDs, videos and letters from our agent friends to ensure we spent the least amount of money while making sure the names are strange enough to call them the next Laudrup, Albertz or Gough. Walter has also made it clear that players, both new and existing, will have to earn their place in the Rangers first team squad. On the field commitment, spirit, quality and pride isnââ?¬â?¢t necessary on match days but as long as we donââ?¬â?¢t get beat you guys will be happy surely? Off the pitch we continue to rely on voluntary fansââ?¬â?¢ organisations ideas ensuring all revenue streams are maximised to facilitate the required investment in the team and the stadium. That being said, we will not be increasing season tickets by a substantial amount next season. Just enough to emotionally blackmail you into another year while getting the most out of you. Following a pricing review we have decided to rationalise our prices across the stadium, stand by stand, to ensure that your season ticket continues to offer value for money. Well, value for money in the sense of you pay to get in and thatââ?¬â?¢s about it. Isnââ?¬â?¢t Andy Cameron a hoot? I am determined as ever to ensure success (no buyers yet?) and I am confident that next season we will fight to regain 2nd place and to ensure we can beat the odd Israeli team by a few goals to appease my European ambitions. Thank you for your continued and loyal support for the club ââ?¬â?? sign the form now or my lads from the protest last year know your address. Yours Faithfully Sir David Murray Chateaus Routas oops Rangers FC. PS: Stop singing those sectarian songs ââ?¬â?? (MediaHouse)