Court action: Injunction granted and RFC to pay £20K costs

[barca72 440]

RST Statement on Ashley Court Action

 

Today we have seen the absurd spectacle of Mike Ashley taking our club to court to stop the Rangers board from informing shareholders and fans about details of the Sports Direct contracts. This despite the fact that the board had already publicly stated they would not break those confidentiality agreements. At the same time Mr Ashley demands clarity from the board at an EGM called by him. It seems that Mr Ashley’s hypocrisy is matched only by his avarice.

 

In his panic to stop Rangers fans from knowing definitively about his questionable dealings with our club, Mr Ashley has done them a valuable service. There can now be absolutely no doubt that the Sports Direct contracts with Rangers are of benefit to one party and one party only. We call on the hundreds of thousands of Rangers fans who have already stopped purchasing official merchandise to continue to abstain from an arrangement which benefits only Mr Ashley. We also ask them to spread the word to their friends and family and those remaining few who may as yet not be aware of the disgraceful retail arrangements which are holding our club to ransom.

 

Figures published many months ago showed that Rangers received only 70p per £10 spent on merchandise by fans. In the last accounts reported the club received nothing from the retail agreement with Sports Direct.

 

We also now have confirmation from the court that new contracts and undertakings were put in place by Mr Ashley’s lieutenants in the days leading up the last EGM whilst they were acting as directors of Rangers Football Club PLC.

 

Mr Ashley, with his call for an EGM and the cost of today’s hearing has, by conservative estimate, cost the club the wages of a first team player for 6 months. The judge in the latest case called the expenses claim by SD “shocking”. Mr Ashley must think the Rangers support are suffering from some sort of mass delusion if he expects us to buy merchandise despite his continuing attacks on our club.

 

Our message is simple. Unless the current contracts with Sports Direct are negotiated to the satisfaction of the Rangers board, and that satisfaction is clearly communicated to fans, then we urge Rangers fans not to buy any official merchandise from club shops, Sports Direct or any other outlet. Purchasing from other shops does not solve the problem.

 

In addition to this we will be publishing and maintaining a full list of the companies owned by Mr Ashley or in which he has an interest. We would request that fans spread the word to their friends and family and ask them to boycott these stores and brands also. Quite apart from Mr Ashley’s questionable business practices he is bleeding the club you love dry and taking money from it that could be spent getting Rangers back where we belong.

 

The only thing Mr Ashley understands is money. Take action and let’s make sure that in the near future both players and fans can wear the Rangers jersey with pride again, knowing that it is a true symbol of our club and not a testament to one man’s greed.

 

- See more at: http://www.therst.co.uk/news/rst-statement-on-ashley-court-action/#sthash.IORNiDOu.dpuf

 

RST have let their opinion be known. They are wrong on all counts.

First, what percentage of the Rangers' support gave them the indication that they speak for the whole body of the Rangers' support? They don't.

Second, where do they get off recommending to the vast Rangers' support to NOT buy any official Rangers' merchandise? They are doing more harm to Rangers with this plea than they would have if they kept their mouth shut. They are very wrong in this.

Look at the letter from our chairman, who is quite qualified to advise the fans. Nowhere within that letter does he require the fans to stop buying merchandise. He does say that in the future he hopes for better situations with our retail partners -" I will be engaging our retail partners to find a way forward to deal with the current concern of fans that purchasing replica kit and other merchandise does not support the Club to the extent that historically has been the case."

RST take note, he does not ask for you to speak out on behalf (?) of the fans. Could there be a conflict of interest here, specifically the LIONBRAND?

If you want to see how to make a statement with dignity and class, look at the way Rangers First have indicated their displeasure with today's proceedings.

Please, RST, do not make any further announcements in the same vein before checking on the damage it could do to Rangers.

 

p.s. I do not subscribe to RST or Rangers First share schemes, so I have no bias to either one.

[Bluedell 5,348]

RST have let their opinion be known. They are wrong on all counts.

First, what percentage of the Rangers' support gave them the indication that they speak for the whole body of the Rangers' support? They don't.

 

In respect of the SD deal they do speak for a vast, vast majority of the support. The majority of those who disagree with them on this issue do so because it's the RST and not because of the actual issue.

 

Second, where do they get off recommending to the vast Rangers' support to NOT buy any official Rangers' merchandise? They are doing more harm to Rangers with this plea than they would have if they kept their mouth shut. They are very wrong in this.

Seriously? You think that supporting Sports Direct, which gives Rangers a miniscule percentage of the income is the way to go? It really isn't. We need to force SD to the table to renegotiate and the only ay we can do that is to boycott. How else can we escape a deal where we get virtually nothing and have been tied in to a deal where we have to give 7 years' notice?

 

The only way to increase Rangers retail income in the medium term is to boycott now.

 

Look at the letter from our chairman, who is quite qualified to advise the fans. Nowhere within that letter does he require the fans to stop buying merchandise. He does say that in the future he hopes for better situations with our retail partners -" I will be engaging our retail partners to find a way forward to deal with the current concern of fans that purchasing replica kit and other merchandise does not support the Club to the extent that historically has been the case."

 

He can't come out and say to the fans not to buy merchandise or the club will end up in court again. The actual thing that you should be taking from it is that he makes no effort to encourage the fans not to boycott. His statement is as close to an endorsement of the boycott as he probably can get.

[Rangersitis 0]

Have Rangers actually given notice that they are terminating the arrangement with SD?

[the gunslinger 3,366]

In respect of the SD deal they do speak for a vast, vast majority of the support. The majority of those who disagree with them on this issue do so because it's the RST and not because of the actual issue.

 

 

Seriously? You think that supporting Sports Direct, which gives Rangers a miniscule percentage of the income is the way to go? It really isn't. We need to force SD to the table to renegotiate and the only ay we can do that is to boycott. How else can we escape a deal where we get virtually nothing and have been tied in to a deal where we have to give 7 years' notice?

 

The only way to increase Rangers retail income in the medium term is to boycott now.

 

 

 

He can't come out and say to the fans not to buy merchandise or the club will end up in court again. The actual thing that you should be taking from it is that he makes no effort to encourage the fans not to boycott. His statement is as close to an endorsement of the boycott as he probably can get.

 

Yes but you need to have a brain to see that del.

[Oleg_Mcnoleg 50]

RST have let their opinion be known. They are wrong on all counts.

First, what percentage of the Rangers' support gave them the indication that they speak for the whole body of the Rangers' support? They don't.

Second, where do they get off recommending to the vast Rangers' support to NOT buy any official Rangers' merchandise? They are doing more harm to Rangers with this plea than they would have if they kept their mouth shut. They are very wrong in this.

Look at the letter from our chairman, who is quite qualified to advise the fans. Nowhere within that letter does he require the fans to stop buying merchandise. He does say that in the future he hopes for better situations with our retail partners -" I will be engaging our retail partners to find a way forward to deal with the current concern of fans that purchasing replica kit and other merchandise does not support the Club to the extent that historically has been the case."

RST take note, he does not ask for you to speak out on behalf (?) of the fans. Could there be a conflict of interest here, specifically the LIONBRAND?

If you want to see how to make a statement with dignity and class, look at the way Rangers First have indicated their displeasure with today's proceedings.

Please, RST, do not make any further announcements in the same vein before checking on the damage it could do to Rangers.

 

p.s. I do not subscribe to RST or Rangers First share schemes, so I have no bias to either one.

Desperate stuff.

Oh aye, the RF statement is a ringing endorsement of the current deal and clearly urges everyone to buy as much from SD as possible. The RST may not be speaking for all Rangers fans on this but seeing as we're 450,000 downs shirt sales, it would seem there's a few who share their broad view.

[barca72 440]

In respect of the SD deal they do speak for a vast, vast majority of the support. The majority of those who disagree with them on this issue do so because it's the RST and not because of the actual issue.

 

 

Seriously? You think that supporting Sports Direct, which gives Rangers a miniscule percentage of the income is the way to go? It really isn't. We need to force SD to the table to renegotiate and the only ay we can do that is to boycott. How else can we escape a deal where we get virtually nothing and have been tied in to a deal where we have to give 7 years' notice?

 

The only way to increase Rangers retail income in the medium term is to boycott now.

 

 

 

He can't come out and say to the fans not to buy merchandise or the club will end up in court again. The actual thing that you should be taking from it is that he makes no effort to encourage the fans not to boycott. His statement is as close to an endorsement of the boycott as he probably can get.

 

 

1. You are going to have to prove that to me this time and not just give an opinion, because they do not represent the vast majority of the fans. The dispute is not because it is the RST but more that they are wrong to cry for a boycott.

2. Yes supporting SD is the best way to help Rangers. Attempting to force SD to the table through a boycott just won't happen. In fact it is the quickest way to cause Rangers dire harm. The best way to get out of this contract is for DK to use every leverage he has and negotiate his way out of it. We will not win by trying to butt heads with SD.

3. Of course DK can not come out and call for a boycott and neither is he attempting to disguise his support for a boycott. He is saying that he wants to allay the fans fears about the contract and get the fans back to historic sales levels of the past.

 

This thing might stick in our craw, but we will not push Ashley around. The best thing we can do is buy merchandize and increase Rangers year-end profits from RR. Ask yourself why DK wants sales to rise to historic levels, and at the same time in Res. 2 today he is asking the fans to give him the permission to negotiate hard with Ashley without having to break off each time Ashley causes an impasse.

[Rangersitis 0]

Desperate stuff.

Oh aye, the RF statement is a ringing endorsement of the current deal and clearly urges everyone to buy as much from SD as possible. The RST may not be speaking for all Rangers fans on this but seeing as we're 450,000 downs shirt sales, it would seem there's a few who share their broad view.

 

 

There is little doubt that shirt sales have fallen dramatically over the years, but in what year was this figure of 500,000 sales achieved? Couldn't find reference to it anywhere.

[Bluedell 5,348]

1. You are going to have to prove that to me this time and not just give an opinion, because they do not represent the vast majority of the fans. The dispute is not because it is the RST but more that they are wrong to cry for a boycott.

The evidence of the fall in sales, the fans I talk to at Ibrox, the fans I talk to at work and my friends. I haven't come across anyone "in the real world" who thinks that fans should continue to support the SD deal.

 

2. Yes supporting SD is the best way to help Rangers.

 

 

Attempting to force SD to the table through a boycott just won't happen. In fact it is the quickest way to cause Rangers dire harm. The best way to get out of this contract is for DK to use every leverage he has and negotiate his way out of it. We will not win by trying to butt heads with SD.

 

Other than the £5 million, what leverage does King have? None! It's the fans who have leverage.

 

3. Of course DK can not come out and call for a boycott and neither is he attempting to disguise his support for a boycott. He is saying that he wants to allay the fans fears about the contract and get the fans back to historic sales levels of the past.

and the only way to do that is to give SD an incentive to return to the table and the only way to do that is through a boycott.

 

This thing might stick in our craw, but we will not push Ashley around. The best thing we can do is buy merchandize and increase Rangers year-end profits from RR.

We can't push Ashley around but we can make it economically viable to return to the table. If you really think that we should continue getting shafted by SD by getting our 5p in the pound (or whatever it was) and not try and force an agreement that suits both parties then there's no point in discussing further.

 

Ask yourself why DK wants sales to rise to historic levels, and at the same time in Res. 2 today he is asking the fans to give him the permission to negotiate hard with Ashley without having to break off each time Ashley causes an impasse.

King doesn't have to break off and he doesn't need Res 2. It's just posturing.

 

As for getting sales to historic levels, Kings knows and 99% of our support know that the only way to do that is to get SD back to the table to renegotiate and the only way of achieving that is through a boycott, otherwise SD have no incentive to it.

Edited June 12, 2015 by Bluedell

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

Who sets the price of shirts in our club shops? If its the club then couldn't we put them on sale for a quid each and then buy them so the club don't have to fork out for unsold and the sales price is the cost of a cup of tea. Its not all stock of shirts but still a saving to the club in a way.

SD set the price! They control Rangers Retail.

[Oleg_Mcnoleg 50]

There is little doubt that shirt sales have fallen dramatically over the years, but in what year was this figure of 500,000 sales achieved? Couldn't find reference to it anywhere.

No idea. I've naively accepted King's figure without further investigation. I'm very, very sorry. But, after further research, I think I can now confidently assert that sales have gone from 'lots' making us decent money, to 'fuck all' and making us fuck all. Of course the difference is that if we sell lots, we still make fuck all. I'll be saving my money and it looks like there's a fair few bears who think the same.