Rangers and abuse

[givescotlandfreedom]

When approached by a victim of Gordon Neely's abuse Rangers have pointed him to old Rangers' liquidatiors claiming the company Rangers 2012 have nothing to do with these historic abuses. Quite disgusting how vocal they are about being the same club but run a mile when a victim comes to them for support http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-44126217?ns_linkname=scotland&ns_campaign=bbc_sportsound&ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter

[scuttle]

When approached by a victim of Gordon Neely's abuse Rangers have pointed him to old Rangers' liquidatiors claiming the company Rangers 2012 have nothing to do with these historic abuses. Quite disgusting how vocal they are about being the same club but run a mile when a victim comes to them for support http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-44126217?ns_linkname=scotland&ns_campaign=bbc_sportsound&ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter

Yes agree, they were horrible as the old club and probably worse as the new one

[Bostonhibby]

Yes agree, they were horrible as the old club and probably worse as the new oneTwo cheeks, same bloated horrible erse[emoji6]

Scotlands shame though, Scotland doesn't want them and neither does their much loved England.

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[calumhibee1]

Disgraceful. They really are **** of the earth and this is proof if any was needed that they are NOT the same club.

[Stranraer]

A disgusting way to treat victims of abuse.

[BSEJVT]

Yes agree, they were horrible as the old club and probably worse as the new one

Very true

I would say The Rangers are far worse than the old

This lot don't even pretend to be in the tent pissing out

Its very sad that they had the chance to reinvent themselves and did so in at best an equally bad reincarnation of the old and at worst something far more sinister.

Oldco when its suits them for honours etc but quite happy to walk away from any baggage from Oldco whether legal or moral if they can.

They are in a very small minority but there must be decent Rangers supporters out there, I would like to imagine that they are very unhappy with Newco and its handling of various matters.

Maybe I am paying them credit they don't deserve

[Chic Murray]

When approached by a victim of Gordon Neely's abuse Rangers have pointed him to old Rangers' liquidatiors claiming the company Rangers 2012 have nothing to do with these historic abuses. Quite disgusting how vocal they are about being the same club but run a mile when a victim comes to them for support http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-44126217?ns_linkname=scotland&ns_campaign=bbc_sportsound&ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter

Low as it gets.

[JeMeSouviens]

Very true

I would say The Rangers are far worse than the old

This lot don't even pretend to be in the tent pissing out

Its very sad that they had the chance to reinvent themselves and did so in at best an equally bad reincarnation of the old and at worst something far more sinister.

Oldco when its suits them for honours etc but quite happy to walk away from any baggage from Oldco whether legal or moral if they can.

They are in a very small minority but there must be decent Rangers supporters out there, I would like to imagine that they are very unhappy with Newco and its handling of various matters.

Maybe I am paying them credit they don't deserve

:agree:

As an aside, guess who wrote this little nugget in 2012?


Some Rangers fans believe the club's history, which would end with liquidation, must be protected but there is a shameful part of that history which they should want to forget and any newco should make it clear a new beginning means exactly that.

A new club open to all from the very beginning.

[Sammy7nil]

:agree:

As an aside, guess who wrote this little nugget in 2012?

Jim Traynor :confused::wink:

[RoxburghHibs]

Fixed your URL as not posted as a link mate...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-44126217?ns_linkname=scotland&ns_campaign=bbc_spor tsound&ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter

[FitbaFolkKen]

Was going to start a thread but figured this fits here.... something not quite right in that lot!

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16227487.___Fenian_b___________Vile_sectarian_abus e_hurled_at_Rangers_striker_Michael_O___Halloran_a fter_Catholic_church_visit/

[NAE NOOKIE]

Very true

I would say The Rangers are far worse than the old

This lot don't even pretend to be in the tent pissing out

Its very sad that they had the chance to reinvent themselves and did so in at best an equally bad reincarnation of the old and at worst something far more sinister.

Oldco when its suits them for honours etc but quite happy to walk away from any baggage from Oldco whether legal or moral if they can.

They are in a very small minority but there must be decent Rangers supporters out there, I would like to imagine that they are very unhappy with Newco and its handling of various matters.

Maybe I am paying them credit they don't deserve

Absolutely this. Nobody wants to use historic child abuse in football for point scoring, but in this case its perfectly valid. As you say, they want all the glory of the old club and get incredibly defensive when folk say they aren't the same club, even to the point of accusing folk of having an agenda against them and making veiled and not so veiled threats against anybody who dares to challenge their claim to the legacy of the oldco.

And yet the second they are asked to take responsibility for any of the negatives of the oldco they say it has nothing to do with them. The utter lack of moral fortitude and shameless denial of what even the thickest knuckle dragger must realise is a ridiculous paradox ( to quote them ) 'beggars belief'

That's the real tragedy of one of the biggest, if not the biggest. club in Scottish football being brought low like they were. The only positive from the whole situation was that the had the chance to reinvent themselves as something far better and even show a little humility along the way. Instead they have gotten even worse, if that were possible, and ramped up the 'whitabootery' bigotry' and paranoia.

Absolutely horrible club and the shame of Scottish football.

[Ozyhibby]

Treating a child abuse victim like a creditor is about as low as it gets.


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[Billy Whizz]

Was going to start a thread but figured this fits here.... something not quite right in that lot!

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16227487.___Fenian_b___________Vile_sectarian_abus e_hurled_at_Rangers_striker_Michael_O___Halloran_a fter_Catholic_church_visit/

This Is the lowest of the low. O’Halloran is a football player

[Jones28]

They really are vile.

[JeMeSouviens]

Jim Traynor :confused::wink:

Correct! :greengrin

[IGRIGI]

I hope the next time they spend themselves into oblivion it's for good, an absolute stain on Scotland.

[Sir David Gray]

I honestly think that response is an absolute disgrace. They are either the same club or they are not. They can't pick and choose the parts from the old club they like and dismiss the bits that don't suit them.

What a shocking way to treat an alleged victim of sexual abuse and proof if anyone actually needed it about how morally corrupt that club is from top to bottom.

[Jim44]

That club and it’s former being truly are literally the **** of the earth. Sevco bask in the pluses of the former self but reject all the negatives associated with it. Surely it’s about time the SFA struck off the honours claimed by the new outfit. It’s also rich that their muppet support castigate their ugly sisters’ sexual dishonour but make no mention of their own. :kettle:

[CLASS OF 72 -73]

I actually routed for them in the Cup winners cup as a 13 year old in 72 as you backed Scottish teams in Europe. I was then educated and despised them since and the new one.

[snooky]

That club and it’s former being truly are literally the **** of the earth. Sevco bask in the pluses of the former self but reject all the negatives associated with it. Surely it’s about time the SFA struck off the honours claimed by the new outfit. It’s also rich that their muppet support castigate their ugly sisters’ sexual dishonour but make no mention of their own. :kettle:

How can they claim to be 'the people' when they don't even look after their own?
And another thing, I thought they 'don't do walking away'?
TBH, this is as bad PR as there's ever been from Ibrox.

[Jim44]

The muppets on FF, discussing this issue, are laying the blame on Hibernian Football Club, for not naming and shaming this sexual predator for his behaviour at ER., before he was employed at Greyskull.

[Sir David Gray]

The muppets on FF, discussing this issue, are laying the blame on Hibernian Football Club, for not naming and shaming this sexual predator for his behaviour at ER., before he was employed at Greyskull.

Why are they so worried since their club has said he was employed by a different club to the one they now support?

[Kavinho]

Posted this on the main Meltdown thread:


The problem with the whole debacle is that they've fought tooth and nail to keep the history.... But will only take the good bits.*
Having this abuser on their books is as much part of their history as winning a trophy at some point in the 80s.


The argument is that the club is separate from the company but it's the same club it always has been etc....*

Well then, its the club that has responsibility. They shouldn't be afraid to meet victims, hear them out with courtesy and provide a measure of dignity. That is ultimately what is desired - whatever about a financial claim going in against the liquidators and the old co.

It is reprensible to try and pass this particular boy onto the liquidators of old co.....*
And to deny a victim (who is a season ticket holder, and presumably been on their books for a period of time) an opportunity to meet and talk About what had happened to him (while in the care of the club) is the most abhorrent and genuinely disgusting part of this entire sorry saga.

[Waxy]

Two cheeks, same bloated horrible erse[emoji6]

Scotlands shame though, Scotland doesn't want them and neither does their much loved England.

Sent from my SM-J320FN using TapatalkThey took Seansea and Cardiff from Wales? Surely they have to take the weegie pair?

[Bostonhibby]

They took Seansea and Cardiff from Wales? Surely they have to take the weegie pair?But they just slightly dislike each other on footballing grounds?

Or on the basis that one or the other is from the wrong part of Wales or slightly less Welsh than the other.

Hardly compares to the original ugly sisters[emoji6]


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[JimBHibees]

This Is the lowest of the low. O’Halloran is a football player

Not sure giving the muppets air time in the paper is a good idea.

[Sir David Gray]

Was going to start a thread but figured this fits here.... something not quite right in that lot!

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16227487.___Fenian_b___________Vile_sectarian_abus e_hurled_at_Rangers_striker_Michael_O___Halloran_a fter_Catholic_church_visit/

Utter disgrace but entirely predictable.

It's ok though, it's just a minority.

[21.05.2016]

When it comes to the titles and the glory it's all "we're the same club, we're still the most successful in the world etc etc" but any mention of the debt, the scandal etc and suddenly they have nothing to do with it, that was the old rangers and all that.

**** then. **** now. **** Forever.

[21.05.2016]

A disgusting way to treat victims of abuse.

Exactly. Brushing them off just like they did to their creditors.

[cleanyman]

Just out of general interest.

Why did Hibernian not inform Rangers of Neeley's history ? Am I correct in saying it was known within our circles at the time ?

[Smartie]

Just out of general interest.

Why did Hibernian not inform Rangers of Neeley's history ? Am I correct in saying it was known within our circles at the time ?

I don't think that was really the way stuff like that was dealt with back then.

If you got the individual out of your establishment you would have considered your job to have been done (some institutions even struggled to do this much).

We are better at dealing with situations like this these days. It might not seem it, but children are actually far better protected than before.

[Mr White]

I don't think that was really the way stuff like that was dealt with back then.

If you got the individual out of your establishment you would have considered your job to have been done (some institutions even struggled to do this much).

We are better at dealing with situations like this these days. It might not seem it, but children are actually far better protected than before.

I think that's pretty much accurate sadly. I sure I read that when Rangers sacked him after realising what he was up to he basically just left and that was that. A couple of years ago when Neely's abuse came to light rangers claimed they informed the police in the 90s but there's no record of any police investigation into his activities.

[cleanyman]

Regardless of what was the norm at the time Hibernian clearly have a few questions to answer.

[Smartie]

Regardless of what was the norm at the time Hibernian clearly have a few questions to answer.

They do, and I'll be interested to hear how this pans out.

I can tell you this though - if there is any defensive nonsense, any cover up or anything remotely similar to what Rangers came away with today then I will be absolutely furious.

[One Day Soon]

Very true

I would say The Rangers are far worse than the old

This lot don't even pretend to be in the tent pissing out

Its very sad that they had the chance to reinvent themselves and did so in at best an equally bad reincarnation of the old and at worst something far more sinister.

Oldco when its suits them for honours etc but quite happy to walk away from any baggage from Oldco whether legal or moral if they can.

They are in a very small minority but there must be decent Rangers supporters out there, I would like to imagine that they are very unhappy with Newco and its handling of various matters.

Maybe I am paying them credit they don't deserve


There are some, I know a few. They're generally embarrassed by the state of the club and its wide range of public stupidity and misbehaviours.

Your post raises a very interesting wider point for me which is the difference between a club and its supporters. I have long felt pretty sorry for supporters of The Rangers (I know, I know - massive amounts of sectarian bigotry, horrible behaviour more generally, massive unjustified conceit, their share of the twinned Ugly Sister behaviour in ruining Scottish football over literally decades and the grace and favour of Scottish referees since forever).

Putting aside the sectarianism for the moment - which is difficult because it is so vile and a horrible toxic contradictory mixture of being both unthinkingly stupid and consciously deliberately malign - here is why I feel sorry for fans of The Rangers in a way that I absolutely didn't and don't for Hearts fans. Their club has been joy-ridden around for years by a succession of increasingly dodgy characters to the extent that it is effectively largely broken and broke. I don't think any of us knew or even suspected what was going on at the time - it just looked like rich people piling wealth into a club. The consequence has been that their fans - most of who are just ordinary guys whose relationship with their team is central in their lives - have been left with a smouldering shell. The wide boy chancers have gotten away with a clean pair of heels - wealth substantially intact - while the punters see something they love and revere junked and derided.

I don't think that most fans of Rangers knew what was going on but I think most fans of Hearts knew - or at least suspected - exactly what was going on with Romanov and just did not give a ****. Romanov's origins, his attempts and rebuffs in trying to take over other clubs and his wider business dealings made it pretty obvious that he was an utter mentallist and the Poppy Thieves just lapped it up. They positively invited it upon themselves by asking no questions, accepting all the crazed behaviour and all the while suspecting that something didn't add up.

In summary, I hate the behaviour of these bigotted morons but also I feel sorry for them that consecutive ouanqueres have used their club like a post-coital tissue and left it trashed. Maybe I'm just getting soft in my old age.

As for the current iteration of The Rangers and the response to this guy's experience, the club really has shown all of the class of an institution that just couldn't care less. I don't even blame them for trying to have it both ways more generally - we're still the same club/ past debts and failings was another company - but the inability to muster any sincere regret, compassion or just plain looking after one of their own here seems staggering.

[Caversham Green]

Just out of general interest.

Why did Hibernian not inform Rangers of Neeley's history ? Am I correct in saying it was known within our circles at the time ?

They couldn't if he hadn't been convicted of anything.

[BSEJVT]

There are some, I know a few. They're generally embarrassed by the state of the club and its wide range of public stupidity and misbehaviours.

Your post raises a very interesting wider point for me which is the difference between a club and its supporters. I have long felt pretty sorry for supporters of The Rangers (I know, I know - massive amounts of sectarian bigotry, horrible behaviour more generally, massive unjustified conceit, their share of the twinned Ugly Sister behaviour in ruining Scottish football over literally decades and the grace and favour of Scottish referees since forever).

Putting aside the sectarianism for the moment - which is difficult because it is so vile and a horrible toxic contradictory mixture of being both unthinkingly stupid and consciously deliberately malign - here is why I feel sorry for fans of The Rangers in a way that I absolutely didn't and don't for Hearts fans. Their club has been joy-ridden around for years by a succession of increasingly dodgy characters to the extent that it is effectively largely broken and broke. I don't think any of us knew or even suspected what was going on at the time - it just looked like rich people piling wealth into a club. The consequence has been that their fans - most of who are just ordinary guys whose relationship with their team is central in their lives - have been left with a smouldering shell. The wide boy chancers have gotten away with a clean pair of heels - wealth substantially intact - while the punters see something they love and revere junked and derided.

I don't think that most fans of Rangers knew what was going on but I think most fans of Hearts knew - or at least suspected - exactly what was going on with Romanov and just did not give a ****. Romanov's origins, his attempts and rebuffs in trying to take over other clubs and his wider business dealings made it pretty obvious that he was an utter mentallist and the Poppy Thieves just lapped it up. They positively invited it upon themselves by asking no questions, accepting all the crazed behaviour and all the while suspecting that something didn't add up.

In summary, I hate the behaviour of these bigotted morons but also I feel sorry for them that consecutive ouanqueres have used their club like a post-coital tissue and left it trashed. Maybe I'm just getting soft in my old age.

As for the current iteration of The Rangers and the response to this guy's experience, the club really has shown all of the class of an institution that just couldn't care less. I don't even blame them for trying to have it both ways more generally - we're still the same club/ past debts and failings was another company - but the inability to muster any sincere regret, compassion or just plain looking after one of their own here seems staggering.

All it takes for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

I think its impossible to divorce the actions of either Hearts or Rangers supporters in allowing themselves to be placated by the spending of money they patently didn't have.

For that reason I have no more sympathy (in fact none whatsoever) for either of them dealing with the fall out of their administration events and I wish them nothing but pain from it for many years to come.

They both exhibited massive arrogance, Rangers through their establishment entitlement acquired and enhanced over many years and Hearts because whether they would like to admit it or not have always hankered for the same type of acceptance Hibs have always had for the way in which we play football and the fact that we are seen as trendy and edgy and they are seen as boring as ****.

Hearts are the very definition of the smelly wee brother of the hardest most popular guy is school, they are tolerated because big brother will kick folks heads in if they are not, but not liked in any way and know they are tolerated because of that threat rather than liked and that irritates the hell out them.

They quite happily drunk with devil for decades to have their moment in the sun and forgot the humility and decency they would require on the way down to land softly when they stopped being rich folks plaything.

For the avoidance of all doubt, I really don't like them :-)

Despite the fact that some Hearts Supporters are hun wannabees, I cannot tar them all with the same sectarian brush that its easy to tar rangers supporters with. Although less in number we too have our idiot element waiting in the wings to play up to the sectarian stereotyping of our club.

Its easy to be seduced and in doing so not to question where events are or could take you. I would hope that there are enough "good men" that if things were happening to Hibs that a stand would be taken.

As an example there have been posts recently about folk taking issue with idiots giving it "up the RA" crap. Do you think that would or could happen at Ibrox, it might at Tynecastle, but I am not certain.

On the one hand, Hands of and on Hibs suggest there are, but on the other hand the abuse directed at STF and constant demands for him to pitch in more cash suggests that some may sign up to anything for short term gain.

As one generation of a long generation of Hibs supporters which carries on to my children and will surely carry on beyond I am acutely aware that we are merely the current "good men" charged with the development and maintenance of the club we love. Its not ours to throw away or tarnish on the back of any desire for short term success

I and many folk like me we argue long and hard to preserve and enhance that legacy for future generations.

The price of that has and probably will be again in the future that we don't drink with devil and enjoy the short term illusory benefits that brings, but the other side of that coin is that we will keep and cherish something we can all be proud of without allegations such as poppy thieves etc being levied at us.

GGTTH

[One Day Soon]

All it takes for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

I think its impossible to divorce the actions of either Hearts or Rangers supporters in allowing themselves to be placated by the spending of money they patently didn't have.

For that reason I have no more sympathy (in fact none whatsoever) for either of them dealing with the fall out of their administration events and I wish them nothing but pain from it for many years to come.

They both exhibited massive arrogance, Rangers through their establishment entitlement acquired and enhanced over many years and Hearts because whether they would like to admit it or not have always hankered for the same type of acceptance Hibs have always had for the way in which we play football and the fact that we are seen as trendy and edgy and they are seen as boring as ****.

Hearts are the very definition of the smelly wee brother of the hardest most popular guy is school, they are tolerated because big brother will kick folks heads in if they are not, but not liked in any way and know they are tolerated because of that threat rather than liked and that irritates the hell out them.

They quite happily drunk with devil for decades to have their moment in the sun and forgot the humility and decency they would require on the way down to land softly when they stopped being rich folks plaything.

For the avoidance of all doubt, I really don't like them :-)

Despite the fact that some Hearts Supporters are hun wannabees, I cannot tar them all with the same sectarian brush that its easy to tar rangers supporters with. Although less in number we too have our idiot element waiting in the wings to play up to the sectarian stereotyping of our club.

Its easy to be seduced and in doing so not to question where events are or could take you. I would hope that there are enough "good men" that if things were happening to Hibs that a stand would be taken.

As an example there have been posts recently about folk taking issue with idiots giving it "up the RA" crap. Do you think that would or could happen at Ibrox, it might at Tynecastle, but I am not certain.

On the one hand, Hands of and on Hibs suggest there are, but on the other hand the abuse directed at STF and constant demands for him to pitch in more cash suggests that some may sign up to anything for short term gain.

As one generation of a long generation of Hibs supporters which carries on to my children and will surely carry on beyond I am acutely aware that we are merely the current "good men" charged with the development and maintenance of the club we love. Its not ours to throw away or tarnish on the back of any desire for short term success

I and many folk like me we argue long and hard to preserve and enhance that legacy for future generations.

The price of that has and probably will be again in the future that we don't drink with devil and enjoy the short term illusory benefits that brings, but the other side of that coin is that we will keep and cherish something we can all be proud of without allegations such as poppy thieves etc being levied at us.

GGTTH


I think there's some historical revision going on here. I can't recall anyone at the time saying this was money that Rangers didn't have. Everyone thought it was largely one man throwing his own fortune at his plaything. From the very start Vlad's credibility and source of funding was under deep, deep suspicion.

[JeMeSouviens]

There are some, I know a few. They're generally embarrassed by the state of the club and its wide range of public stupidity and misbehaviours.

Your post raises a very interesting wider point for me which is the difference between a club and its supporters. I have long felt pretty sorry for supporters of The Rangers (I know, I know - massive amounts of sectarian bigotry, horrible behaviour more generally, massive unjustified conceit, their share of the twinned Ugly Sister behaviour in ruining Scottish football over literally decades and the grace and favour of Scottish referees since forever).

Putting aside the sectarianism for the moment - which is difficult because it is so vile and a horrible toxic contradictory mixture of being both unthinkingly stupid and consciously deliberately malign - here is why I feel sorry for fans of The Rangers in a way that I absolutely didn't and don't for Hearts fans. Their club has been joy-ridden around for years by a succession of increasingly dodgy characters to the extent that it is effectively largely broken and broke. I don't think any of us knew or even suspected what was going on at the time - it just looked like rich people piling wealth into a club. The consequence has been that their fans - most of who are just ordinary guys whose relationship with their team is central in their lives - have been left with a smouldering shell. The wide boy chancers have gotten away with a clean pair of heels - wealth substantially intact - while the punters see something they love and revere junked and derided.

I don't think that most fans of Rangers knew what was going on but I think most fans of Hearts knew - or at least suspected - exactly what was going on with Romanov and just did not give a ****. Romanov's origins, his attempts and rebuffs in trying to take over other clubs and his wider business dealings made it pretty obvious that he was an utter mentallist and the Poppy Thieves just lapped it up. They positively invited it upon themselves by asking no questions, accepting all the crazed behaviour and all the while suspecting that something didn't add up.

In summary, I hate the behaviour of these bigotted morons but also I feel sorry for them that consecutive ouanqueres have used their club like a post-coital tissue and left it trashed. Maybe I'm just getting soft in my old age.

As for the current iteration of The Rangers and the response to this guy's experience, the club really has shown all of the class of an institution that just couldn't care less. I don't even blame them for trying to have it both ways more generally - we're still the same club/ past debts and failings was another company - but the inability to muster any sincere regret, compassion or just plain looking after one of their own here seems staggering.



I get what you're saying but:

- can't see how any remotely conscionable individual could live with the naked anti-Catholic bigotry that seems central to practically everything their support does
- am amazed at how their answer to "their club has been ****ed by rich ********s treating it as a plaything" is "find us any rich ******** to plough in more money"

So **** them.

[BSEJVT]

I think there's some historical revision going on here. I can't recall anyone at the time saying this was money that Rangers didn't have. Everyone thought it was largely one man throwing his own fortune at his plaything. From the very start Vlad's credibility and source of funding was under deep, deep suspicion.

I don't agree

I think that Rangers supporters never bothered to think where the cash was coming from

It was obvious that SDM was spending cash on Rangers he didn't have, maybe not initially but before very long

£12m on Tore Andre Flo?

Probably more than their turnover at the time

There were share issues and others punting in plenty cash a long time before the fertiliser hit the fan

Much fool them they didn't see the smoke and call the fire brigade

The only difference between mad Vlad doing that at Hearts and SDM at Rangers was that the press didn't light the blue touch paper to the issue until it was too late

In the end both run out of cash and walked away

There is always an element of tiger's back syndrome to these things, but that's when folk need to ask questions

Neither Hearts nor Rangers supporters asked many questions, they were quite happy to bask in the rewards

Now its poor them, news to them, how could this have happened?

[One Day Soon]

I get what you're saying but:

- can't see how any remotely conscionable individual could live with the naked anti-Catholic bigotry that seems central to practically everything their support does
- am amazed at how their answer to "their club has been ****ed by rich ********s treating it as a plaything" is "find us any rich ******** to plough in more money"

So **** them.


I know, it's a contradiction. I still feel sorry for them. It must be like being a zombie in The Walking Dead.

[One Day Soon]

I don't agree

I think that Rangers supporters never bothered to think where the cash was coming from

It was obvious that SDM was spending cash on Rangers he didn't have, maybe not initially but before very long

£12m on Tore Andre Flo?

Probably more than their turnover at the time

There were share issues and others punting in plenty cash a long time before the fertiliser hit the fan

Much fool them they didn't see the smoke and call the fire brigade

The only difference between mad Vlad doing that at Hearts and SDM at Rangers was that the press didn't light the blue touch paper to the issue until it was too late

In the end both run out of cash and walked away

There is always an element of tiger's back syndrome to these things, but that's when folk need to ask questions

Neither Hearts nor Rangers supporters asked many questions, they were quite happy to bask in the rewards

Now its poor them, news to them, how could this have happened?


I'd maybe buy that argument if rival fans or indeed anyone else had been asking these questions at the time - but as far as I can remember they weren't. It all looked legit- a bona fide very, very rich guy indulging himself.

Everyone - and I mean everyone - knew Romanov was as dodgy as Del Boy Trotter from day one. He'd already been serially rebuffed elsewhere and he was a post-communist oligarch who got suddenly rich and bought a bank to place at the centre of his 'empire'. If it had been called Ukio Launderette Bankas it couldn't have been any clearer.

[Betty Boop]

The muppets on FF, discussing this issue, are laying the blame on Hibernian Football Club, for not naming and shaming this sexual predator for his behaviour at ER., before he was employed at Greyskull.

Why did Hibs not name and shame him ?

[Pete]

Why did Hibs not name and shame him ?

Had he been charged with anything?

[lapsedhibee]

I think most fans of Hearts knew - or at least suspected - exactly what was going on with Romanov and just did not give a ****. Romanov's origins, his attempts and rebuffs in trying to take over other clubs and his wider business dealings made it pretty obvious that he was an utter mentallist and the Poppy Thieves just lapped it up. They positively invited it upon themselves by asking no questions, accepting all the crazed behaviour and all the while suspecting that something didn't add up.

Don't think the bold bit's really right. They introduced their own counting system - yamathematics - without skipping a beat, to ensure that the things which didn't add up to the rest of us always did to them.

[Mr White]

Why did Hibs not name and shame him ?

Is the main question not: did hibs report him to the police?

And also: if not, should we have done so?

[jacomo]

I don't think that was really the way stuff like that was dealt with back then.

If you got the individual out of your establishment you would have considered your job to have been done (some institutions even struggled to do this much).

We are better at dealing with situations like this these days. It might not seem it, but children are actually far better protected than before.


Sadly true. An indictment of the times.

People would also gossip about folk who beat their wives but they never were in danger of losing their jobs, let alone being reported to the police.

What was the point if they would do nothing about it?

[NAE NOOKIE]

Why did Hibs not name and shame him ?

I would presume that at the time all Hibs had to go on was 'a few accusations' and the honest truth could well be that when he left the club Hibs saw it as having dodged a potentially damaging bullet and breathed a sigh of relief that we wouldn't be forced to take things further. Clearly a wrong attitude IMO.

On top of that, if it is a fact that Hibs knew this guy was a danger to kids, which it seems pretty clear we did, and didn't inform Rangers, even on the QT, that he should at least be closely watched then that in all honesty was a pretty despicable act and one for which the folk running the club at the time should be rightly condemned.

Its a fact that no club involved in this UK wide situation has emerged squeaky clean from it, and probably one of the reasons it ( thankfully ) hasn't emerged as a subject for point scoring between fans is because even now many clubs who haven't been affected up to this point might still be revealed as having a skeleton in their closet in the future .... lets face it, that's almost a certainty.

There is no question here of condemning The Rangers 2012 for the fact that they had a paedophile working at the club, so did lots of clubs it would appear ... the condemnation is because not for the first time they have utterly contradicted their stance that they are the same club in an unbroken line since 1872 in order to abdicate their financial or moral responsibilities.

I would sincerely hope that if ( possibly when ) Hibs are asked to face up to our complicity in this matter and the question of historic child abuse in football generally that we act with integrity and honesty, as I'm sure we will.

[BSEJVT]

I'd maybe buy that argument if rival fans or indeed anyone else had been asking these questions at the time - but as far as I can remember they weren't. It all looked legit- a bona fide very, very rich guy indulging himself.

Everyone - and I mean everyone - knew Romanov was as dodgy as Del Boy Trotter from day one. He'd already been serially rebuffed elsewhere and he was a post-communist oligarch who got suddenly rich and bought a bank to place at the centre of his 'empire'. If it had been called Ukio Launderette Bankas it couldn't have been any clearer.

I think we are all guilty of seeing or hearing what we either want to or expect to hear. The ability to look beyond what's immediately visible is very valuable.

There were comments in informed circles quite a bit before the credit crunch of 2008 which is widely reckoned to have hastened the dismantling of his empire and the pressing need for him to exit Rangers.

SDM and Rangers had / have such power over the media these never surfaced in mainstream conversation before the event, but it was a known issue alluded to in part on the mega thread around the sale of Rangers to Craig Whyte.

If nobody was asking questions or at least thinking how the hell is he managing to do this, then they certainly should have been.

You and I hold differing perspectives on this which is absolutely fine, you feel they are due some slack. I don't feel they are.

For me ignorance is no excuse, they were quite happy to lord it over all, and now they are paying the price and fingers crossed will continue to do so.

That's before we even get to the tax evasion of the EBT's that further multiplied their advantage

[blackpoolhibs]

Front page of one of the broadsheets today is Gareth Southgate warning his players about racisim during the world cup, and how their black players will need to handle it.


Wouldn't it be wonderful, if every team in Scotland had their manager speak about sectarianism in the papers, before we played the huns?

[Sammy7nil]

Front page of one of the broadsheets today is Gareth Southgate warning his players about racisim during the world cup, and how their black players will need to handle it.


Wouldn't it be wonderful, if every team in Scotland had their manager speak about sectarianism in the papers, before we played the huns?

Huns ! Dear oh dear :greengrin:greengrin:greengrin

[Chic Murray]

Had he been charged with anything?

He could have sued for defamation if he had nothing to answer to. Of course, he would have lost.

There is no moral high ground on this one, but Rangers response seems to be pretty low.

[blackpoolhibs]

Huns ! Dear oh dear :greengrin:greengrin:greengrin


:greengrin

[Caversham Green]

He could have sued for defamation if he had nothing to answer to. Of course, he would have lost.

There is no moral high ground on this one, but Rangers response seems to be pretty low.

It's a minefield now but it was even worse back then. Apparently Hibs had received some complaints about this lowlife's conduct, but it's debatable whether they could be sure they would win a defamation case. Either way, if a court case took place the boys that he abused would presumably have had to testify and it would have been difficult to keep their identities secret - the whole thing was much more taboo then, which why so much has only come to light in recent years. Speculation would also have affected all the youngsters on Hibs books to some extent.

Having said all that, I'm not saying Hibs were squeaky clean in the whole affair. I think they probably thought (correctly) that they had dodged a bullet when Rangers poached the guy from them, but his crimes do seem to be serious enough that they probably should have involved the police even though attitudes were different 30 years ago. An 'off the record' phone call to Rangers would probably have been the right thing to do but that would have meant Hibs were stuck with the problem.

In today's climate the attitude of "Rangers" is beneath contempt but so typical of all who seem to be involved with that club.

[Smartie]

Is there any sort of official investigation being carried out?

It seems to me that a story appears every few months but that's it.

If there has been widespread sexual abuse of children that has gone on within most of our lifetimes and involved some of the country's biggest clubs (ours included) then there really should be some sort of independent inquiry to sort it all out, no?

[O'Rourke3]

Is there any sort of official investigation being carried out?

It seems to me that a story appears every few months but that's it.

If there has been widespread sexual abuse of children that has gone on within most of our lifetimes and involved some of the country's biggest clubs (ours included) then there really should be some sort of independent inquiry to sort it all out, no?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08ntbf4 - hard to watch Neely brought up in this investigation,. From memory waters muddied between Rangers and Hibs. Not watched it since it went out though.

[Chic Murray]

It's a minefield now but it was even worse back then. Apparently Hibs had received some complaints about this lowlife's conduct, but it's debatable whether they could be sure they would win a defamation case. Either way, if a court case took place the boys that he abused would presumably have had to testify and it would have been difficult to keep their identities secret - the whole thing was much more taboo then, which why so much has only come to light in recent years. Speculation would also have affected all the youngsters on Hibs books to some extent.

Having said all that, I'm not saying Hibs were squeaky clean in the whole affair. I think they probably thought (correctly) that they had dodged a bullet when Rangers poached the guy from them, but his crimes do seem to be serious enough that they probably should have involved the police even though attitudes were different 30 years ago. An 'off the record' phone call to Rangers would probably have been the right thing to do but that would have meant Hibs were stuck with the problem.

In today's climate the attitude of "Rangers" is beneath contempt but so typical of all who seem to be involved with that club.

:agree:

I suppose this was before the days when a dodgy reference could get you in trouble.

[Killiehibbie]

They couldn't if he hadn't been convicted of anything.
I'm sure a quiet word could be had to prevent him gaining access to victims. Loads of people have found themselves unemployable for less.

[Tinribs]

All the chat that 'nobody' knew Rangers finances were smoke and mirrors just isn't true. When Joe Lewis pumped 40 million into them in 1997 it was obvious that Murray foresaw trouble ahead. You just don't get into bed with Bahamas based business types if you can possibly avoid it.

[neil7908]

Have Hibs made any official comment on the case? Rangers conduct is absolutely despicable but I'd like to hear from our club to get their take on what happened.

It's a long time ago now but if we (even historically) behaved poorly as a club I'd like to see us be open and honest about things.

[JimBHibees]

Interesting wording used in this case about an ex Celtic coach who abused a young player.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-44194256

"He also worked at a number of other Scottish clubs, including Hibernian, before moving to Northern Ireland in recent years".

Why not name the other Scottish clubs and not just Hibs, a little odd imo.

[Future17]

SFA and Hibs now being sued by an alleged victim of Neely.

[superfurryhibby]

Interesting wording used in this case about an ex Celtic coach who abused a young player.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-44194256

"He also worked at a number of other Scottish clubs, including Hibernian, before moving to Northern Ireland in recent years".

Why not name the other Scottish clubs and not just Hibs, a little odd imo.

They mention Celtic, Hibs and Falkirk as the clubs he worked at in the first paragraph.

At least the perverted ****er has plead guilty. Little comfort to his victims but better than having to go through a trial.

[Chorley Hibee]

They mention Celtic, Hibs and Falkirk as the clubs he worked at in the first paragraph.

At least the perverted ****er has plead guilty. Little comfort to his victims but better than having to go through a trial.

It's the bold "Worked at Hibernian" half way down the article I find unusual - as opposed to mentioning all, or any of the other clubs this deviant was employed at.

[Chic Murray]

It's the bold "Worked at Hibernian" half way down the article I find unusual - as opposed to mentioning all, or any of the other clubs this deviant was employed at.

I think the fact he worked at Hibs is all that concerns us. Naming other clubs is neither here nor there.

Whitabootery doesn't have anything to do with it.

[Chorley Hibee]

I think the fact he worked at Hibs is all that concerns us. Naming other clubs is neither here nor there.

Whitabootery doesn't have anything to do with it.

Indeed, but likewise I don't expect Hibs to be highlighted any more than any of the other clubs who employed him.

[Betty Boop]

I think the fact he worked at Hibs is all that concerns us. Naming other clubs is neither here nor there.

Whitabootery doesn't have anything to do with it.

Exactly . Who gives a flying one what other clubs he worked for. The fact that he worked for us is shameful.

[Smartie]

I think we need to lead from the front on this one.

Hibs have to be open, honest, transparent, 100% co-operative and if there is a price to pay, we pay it.

By all accounts we had a wrong un at our club, we need to take ownership of that fact and deal with it.

It's up to Rangers how they choose to deal with it if any complaints come their way.

Looking back on institutions who have been mixed up in such allegations (think BBC, the Catholic Church etc) then it can cause irreparable reputational damage (not to mention further suffering for any victims) if you do not.

[Chic Murray]

Indeed, but likewise I don't expect Hibs to be highlighted any more than any of the other clubs who employed him.

I couldn't care less. It's not a competition.

[Chorley Hibee]

I couldn't care less. It's not a competition.

In my eyes it's nothing to do with being a competition either, it's a matter of fairness and impartial reporting.

[mixumatosis]

Does anyone honestly think Hibs will be failing to handle this in an appropriate and sensitive manner?

If we never hear a word out of the club about this it will be because it's been dealt with privately, as it should be, not because of some kind of cover up.

[Smartie]

Does anyone honestly think Hibs will be failing to handle this in an appropriate and sensitive manner?

If we never hear a word out of the club about this it will be because it's been dealt with privately, as it should be, not because of some kind of cover up.

I have total faith in Hibs to do the right thing - now.

I suspect we'll have some questions to answer about our past though.

[BegbieHSC]

I think we need to lead from the front on this one.

Hibs have to be open, honest, transparent, 100% co-operative and if there is a price to pay, we pay it.

By all accounts we had a wrong un at our club, we need to take ownership of that fact and deal with it.

It's up to Rangers how they choose to deal with it if any complaints come their way.

Looking back on institutions who have been mixed up in such allegations (think BBC, the Catholic Church etc) then it can cause irreparable reputational damage (not to mention further suffering for any victims) if you do not.

100%. Individuals suffered at the hands of an employee of our club, so just pay out, take responsibility, and give the guy some closure.

We have to handle this in a manner of dignity and class.

[Bostonhibby]

I have total faith in Hibs to do the right thing - now.

I suspect we'll have some questions to answer about our past though.

Yep, I agree.

Very interesting contrast with the Legal / moral position at Sevco/the Rangers/Oldco. Quick flip to the moving on camp for this one. The five way agreement is proving more valuable to them every day it would seem.

[Chic Murray]

In my eyes it's nothing to do with being a competition either, it's a matter of fairness and impartial reporting.

We are centre stage in this story, and as fans we have to be more concerned with how Hibs will fix this instead of whining about some perceived slight by the media.

Given that Neely was at Hibs, I think it's relevant that this coach was also at Easter Road.

When in a hole, we need to stop digging.

[Chic Murray]

Does anyone honestly think Hibs will be failing to handle this in an appropriate and sensitive manner?

If we never hear a word out of the club about this it will be because it's been dealt with privately, as it should be, not because of some kind of cover up.

Most cover ups are done quietly.

[WeeRussell]

In my eyes it's nothing to do with being a competition either, it's a matter of fairness and impartial reporting.

I'm just assuming it's due to our high profile? In the same way if it was Manchester United, Chelsea and then a host of lower league clubs - the high-profile ones are the ones that are going to resonate with readers most?

Having said that I've made the assumption without knowing every club he was employed by.

[CropleyWasGod]

I'm just assuming it's due to our high profile? In the same way if it was Manchester United, Chelsea and then a host of lower league clubs - the high-profile ones are the ones that are going to resonate with readers most?

Having said that I've made the assumption without knowing every club he was employed by.Celtic were in the headline, which has been missed by some. And that probably backs up your point.

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