VB: A 'financial experts' opinion of Rangers' future

[Laudbertz 0]

Also stopped reading fairly early on. I just cannot read anymore support for MA or any of the others currently 'in control'.

[TheWee BlueDevil 0]

I tell you what - I'm glad there are countless others out there who are also "Defending Our Traditions"!

 

Mike Ashley + Our Traditions = Computer Says No!

Edited February 18, 2015 by TheWee BlueDevil

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

I tell you what - I'm glad there are countless others out there who are also "Defending Our Traditions"!

 

Mike Ashley + Our Traditions = Computer Says No!

They were huge fans of Whyte and Green.

[limeburner 0]

There are certain individuals who like to go out on a limb

Dont like to be seen running with the pack as it were.

Try to look like they can see what ordinary folks cant.

Unfortunately, most of the time they wrong.!!!

[Bluedell 5,329]

My post from the other thread on this:

 

With regard to VB and their stance, they've published this article today which may enlighten a few folk as to their point of view:

 

http://www.vanguardbears.co.uk/article.php?i=41&a=a-financial-experts-opinion-of-rangers\%27-future

 

On that basis, and looking back on their prior records of personal investment levels (or lack thereof) and corporate governance, I'm left with no option but to oppose their involvement at our club.

 

Is King's £20m investment in us being airbrushed from history?

 

The article does raise some relevant and valid concerns about the King/Murray bid although they equally apply to current board as well.

 

To me, it breaks down to whether I want people in charge who want the best for the club or those who appear to have other priorities, be it another master or just doing whatever it takes to maintain their own position even if harms the club.

 

King may not be the complete saviour that we all hope but hopefully he can get a 50%+ increase in season tickets for next season, something that the other side have no chance of achieving, whether it appears in a business plan or not.

[JTP 0]

My biggest gripe with the VB is that they carry a ned like persona about them, infact I've seen actions with my own eyes that would confirm that. I won't tar them all with the same brush however as they also do good.

 

However if they vote with the current Rats I see no way back for them to join the collective support. The split would be forever.

[der Berliner 3,245]

"VB on EGM" ... could one put a name or link to this? Is that the spokesman of the VB or just one opinion amongst many over there?

 

As for the stuff itself, I can see where the chap is coming from. Simply put, Ashley provides security to the existence of the club, but primarily his interests. A security the current and previous board is unable to or unwilling to give. Yet, he looks for business plans and future ideas from King's men which kinds of begs the question whether he wants the same from the current "leaders" of the club, who start blanking even the RFB now. Not that they have had any sort of future plan for the club and team since taking over. In any case, any reasonable Bear would want the club in the hands of people loyal to the club rather than people loyal to themselves and their interests first and foremost. We have already seen quite a few of people willing to invest along with King and Co., so what exactly this chap is looking for here is up to himself to explain.

Edited February 19, 2015 by der Berliner

[JTP 0]

The problem I have is that it's near impossible to analyse a business plan that either doesn't exist or, at the very least, hasn't been made available for scrutiny.

 

 

This guy has obviously seen MA's business plan then, wonder if he wouldn't mind sharing it with every single other Rangers fan who hasn't seen it yet .............

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

It's such a shame so many of our fans have been brainwashed into foaming at the mouth at the very thought of the BBC and Daily Record, when in reality they are irrelevant.

 

Meeting With Craig Whyte 6th Feb 2012

Written by Admin

Saturday, 11 February 2012 14:05

Vanguard Bears had another productive meeting with Rangers Chairman Craig Whyte on Monday evening. First of all we have to convey our thanks to Mr Whyte for his attendance given the events of last night with the BBC yet again displaying where their loyalties lie.

 

The purpose of this meeting was not necessarily to interrogate Mr Whyte on all aspects of the club as this had already been done in a detailed interview with Tom English of the Scotsman Newspaper. Rather the purpose of our meeting was twofold. As a follow up to our initial meeting and maintain contact with the Chairman and the Club. Secondly to see what has changed, if anything, from our first meeting and to ascertain how we can support the Chairman and the Club at this difficult time.

 

As many will understand with such meetings there are issues we cannot and will not disclose in to the public domain out of respect to the Chairman and the future well-being of Rangers FC.

 

In no particular order the following subjects were discussed and some of the more relevant answers are outlined below.

 

Daily Record and Media in general - The consensus appeared to be that more needs done in being pro-active in countering the muck raking and downright lies being spread about Rangers and the owner.

 

BBC - Litigation will now proceed after last night’s hatchet job. Mr Whyte admitted he had let it run because other more important matters needed his immediate attention.

 

Ticketus Deal - Wholly underwritten by one of his companies with no risk to ST holders should we go in to administration. Deal was for a percentage of the tickets over 3 years not 4. Figure mentioned was closer to £20m and not the £24.4m being quoted. Deal was arranged to provide working capital only.

 

Whilst on this subject we had to ask about administration; its possibility and effect. Mr Whyte reiterated his view that it is a last resort and not Plan A or Plan B. However given the uncertainty surrounding the HMRC verdict it is simply not possible to say for certain what strategy will be adopted until the decision is known. We then asked what happens if the worst case scenario arrives and we do go in to administration. Mr Whyte’s response was that it wouldn’t be pleasant and cuts would have to be made but the club would come out of it in a far healthier state. A 10 point deduction is the current penalty for a club going in to administration and not every season as certain rumour mongers were happy to shout out at every opportunity. The phrase “Business as Usual” was used.

 

It also has to be noted that in recent years Motherwell were in administration and emerged from it with their name and history intact. The same goes for Dundee FC.

 

Cash Flow Rumours - We put it to Mr Whyte about the rumours of cash flow issues and bills not being paid which he categorically denied. He did admit that all bills are scrutinised and payment terms have been changed or extended but the negative publicity has forced some of the larger suppliers to demand payment quicker or on receipt of goods. He maintains though that smaller suppliers are being paid and the relationships with them are still healthy.

 

Small Tax Bill - This is being challenged as the clubs legal advice is that because this is over 6 years old HMRC are not within their rights to pursue it. So the stories about Rangers not paying it or can't pay it are wrong and merely mischief making.

 

Players Wages - There is no wage cap in place as such but finances dictate we cannot pay what we used to offer or entertain ludicrous wage demands that led us in to the financial problems we currently face. However the fact remains we are still competitive and will still be able to compete for good young Scottish talent.

 

Andrew Ellis – Mr Whyte said he will be primarily London based and working on areas like pre-season deals and various other marketing and sponsorship ideas. Mr Whyte had a meeting with a representative from Manchester United in London which prompted him to copy their business plan and open offices in London to augment this business plan.

 

Influential Supporters - The question was asked about our more affluent or well-known supporters and what they can do to help the club now and in the long term. This is an area he hopes will be expanded on once the current climate of uncertainty has been dealt with.

 

Ideas from fans about new revenue streams - The current Rangers Facebook page has over 250,000 “likes”. Coupled with the fact we took over 200,000 fans to Manchester with a further 35,000 inside Ibrox that evening proves overwhelmingly the size and potential of our support. VB Admin’s idea of a savings scheme was mentioned and the club are very open to the idea. However as Jim Hannah pointed out the fans must see where the money is going and feel they are not just forking out to clear debt. The entire club is open to any suggestions from the fans or groups on how to generate new income streams. A couple of examples were if a monthly subscription was in place then once a month 2 lucky fans would get a day out at Ibrox in the Directors box for all home games. Other ideas were simple things like receiving a Rangers share which holds unique sentimental value.

 

Fans Groups – Mr Whyte spoke about the need for unity and how vital it was that all the various groups put aside their issues and work together for the club. Never has it been more vital in our entire 140 year history that this is achieved.

 

Media Intrusion - Mr Whyte knew it would be a tough job and that he thought interest would die down after a few months but clearly that is not the case. Indeed he expressed his surprise at just how certain sections of the media have been operating lately and it has opened his eyes.

 

Player and Staff Security – This is an area that is being looked at given issues surrounding the recent attack on Alejandro Bedoya’s car (among others) and the separate case of a chef who openly supported the IRA working at the club’s Auchenhowie training ground. Mr Whyte intimated that those types were not welcome at our club, and it was pleasing to see the club acting so decisively in removing this person and ensuring that the safety of the players and staff is paramount.

 

Internet Bloggers – This issue was also raised and the club are now in possession of information collated by Vanguard Bears which appears to show links between influential parties working in collusion to inflict harm on the name of Rangers FC. This will not be tolerated and will be addressed in due course. It was also mentioned that the support have a role to play in reporting anything they see which deliberately seeks to harm Rangers FC or the fans unnecessarily.

 

Once again our thanks go to Craig Whyte and to Jim Hannah for giving up almost 2 hours of their time and their willingness to engage with the support and we look forward to working with them again for the good of Rangers FC.

[der Berliner 3,245]

It's such a shame so many of our fans have been brainwashed into foaming at the mouth at the very thought of the BBC and Daily Record, when in reality they are irrelevant.

 

You do know that that's utter rubbish? No disrespect, but who is it exactly who implants all this rubbish and half-truths about our club, its history, the EBTs, sectarian hatred, wrong financial analysis into the brains of the masses? Some bloggers, websites, or fanboards who have an audience of a few hundred or perhaps a few thousand? Or the mass media of the McLaughlin's, Daly's, Keevin's, and Co. addressing not only the people of Scotland as a whole, but also the world?