Generic Sevco / Rangers meltdown thread

[Lungo--Drom]

This is really getting crackers now isn't it?

Bill Ng back in the race too it says at the bottom of the same article. Why don't they just fill the pitch up with blue foam and everyone who has ever been connected with the club in any way and has more than £10 in their wallet can turn up in a pair of blue swimming trunks and they can all play together in the blue bubbles while Puff the Blue Magic Dragon floats about overhead singing and laughing "Come on the teddy bears...ha ha ha!" in a big deep voice while the reporters in the stands can phone back more and more bid stories to their papers.

It would be just as realistic as all this crap coming out in the papers. Jings

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

****** Souness now

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...n-Rangers.html

[shagpile]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Incredible bit from the Record this morning on Hun players:



So, he's saying that the SFA has agreed to collude with Der Hun to force the players to accept their contracts going to NewHuns or they'll freeze them out of British football? Even if it's true, SFA vs Employment law, bit of a mismatch I'd have thought.

SFA versus anyone would be a mismatch. Inept, self servicing, OF loving institution that it is. If they had any balls they would be at F & F asking for some answers as to how long they are going to **** people around. Other member clubs have commitments too. Ones that have an effect on the lives of their supporters & employees. SPl/SFL/ SFA. Crap.

[Lungo--Drom]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

"It is really crazy," Ng, who was already fast asleep when the latest events unfolded in Glasgow, told Today. "There were something like 20 missed calls from Scotland on my phone when I woke up. "I am now told they are willing to accept 50 per cent of what I had initially offered. It seems they are now more receptive and no longer digging in their heels with unrealistic demands."

Starting to think I was right, someone must have put pressure on Duff & Phelps to "come up with a deal or yous are gonnae get malkied"
Bill Ng you are totally correct, it really is crazy

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Funny how a Scottish newspaper can't report the truth about what's going on...

http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/ED...nt-for-Rangers



Of course, the high quality objective journalists in Scotland "reported" this as D&P having three back-up plans on the go while they were talking to Miller. Why do I suspect the version where Miller was the bidder, he pulled out, D&P thought "oh ****" and started ringing round anyone they had heard of is more plausible?

[Winston Ingram]

Something is afoot...

CELTIC Football Club has today issued a statement regarding the ongoing situation in Scottish football.

As the Club prepares for the final league match of this season, when the SPL trophy will be presented to Celtic after Sunday’s game against Hearts, Chief Executive Peter Lawwell also thanked the Celtic supporters for their unwavering backing of the team throughout the campaign, which has helped to deliver the title back to its rightful place.

The Chief Executive said: “We are fully aware of our supporters´ concerns regarding the current situation across Scottish football and the breadth of opinion within our supporter base.

“The issues are complex and there is much uncertainty. Indeed, the situation repeatedly changes, even on a daily basis. I am sure our supporters understand that these developments are receiving our full focus and attention.

“Our guiding principle is that we will do what is in the best interests of Celtic Football Club and our supporters, consistent with upholding the interests and reputation of Scottish football.

“I can also give an assurance that we will communicate further and directly with our supporters at the appropriate time.

“Celtic Football Club is an institution which is about to celebrate its 125th season and we will be proud to mark this season as Champions of Scotland. Your magnificent support has played a vital role in bringing the Scottish Premier League title back home to Celtic Park.

“As Neil said recently, we have never been more united and I know this unity will be vital as we move forward.

“We look forward to Sunday´s match when we will celebrate all that is great about our Club and I am sure we will celebrate as only a packed Celtic Park knows how."

I'm hoping this means there are some legs in the article posted on Pie & Bovril

[down-the-slope]

"I am now told they are willing to accept 50 per cent of what I had initially offered. It seems they are now more receptive and no longer digging in their heels with unrealistic demands."Besides the Singapore group, the only one identified in the latest effort to find new owners for the club, two other bids have been submitted at the 11th hour by another foreign consortium and a group of British businessmen.The interest from Ng's group, with their £20-million offer, was first revealed in March as one of five parties, which dwindled to three last month, in the chase for Rangers.They emerged as the front runners after the Blue Knights, spearheaded by former club director Paul Murray, dropped out on April 16 only for Ng to follow suit four days later, with claims that Rangers administrators were "shifting the goalposts" too often during negotiations.Said the 52-year-old businessman: "We've always said we are interested in Rangers but any deal that is concluded has to be realistic. The previous time, we were allowed to sell players, but not buy any for the next season, which is not practical.That is even more laughable....the buying players or not is not in D&P's gift......so does he think the 12 month transfer ban will disappear...dont think so.....Cue another Bill doing walking away......

[down-the-slope]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Something is afoot...



I'm hoping this means there are some legs in the article posted on Pie & Bovril

After the Hibs Boards masterstroke of marketing we might be the only club to increase ST numbers for next season.....we might just get a more level playing field out of this without the SPL/SFA having to make any desicions

[Winston Ingram]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

After the Hibs Boards masterstroke of marketing we might be the only club to increase ST numbers for next season.....we might just get a more level playing field out of this without the SPL/SFA having to make any desicions

I’m particularly pleased with the ‘interests of our supporters bit’ (they want them emptied), ‘the reputation of Scottish football’ part (it’ll be ruined if the newco comes in) and ‘we will communicate further and directly…’ (they obviously plan an announcement’ Hail Hail…

[Just Alf]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

"I am now told they are willing to accept 50 per cent of what I had initially offered. It seems they are now more receptive and no longer digging in their heels with unrealistic demands."Besides the Singapore group, the only one identified in the latest effort to find new owners for the club, two other bids have been submitted at the 11th hour by another foreign consortium and a group of British businessmen.The interest from Ng's group, with their £20-million offer, was first revealed in March as one of five parties...

so Duff and Duffer could have doubled the creditors "pot"?

Who are they representing again?

I can see certain peeps being sued for incompetence at this rate :-)

[ScottB]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I’m particularly pleased with the ‘interests of our supporters bit’ (they want them emptied), ‘the reputation of Scottish football’ part (it’ll be ruined if the newco comes in) and ‘we will communicate further and directly…’ (they obviously plan an announcement’ Hail Hail…

For the first time I find myself hoping Hibs stand shoulder to shoulder with the lesser Greens.

If there were supposedly 3 clubs opposed to Rangers, one known to be Dunfermline, I'd suspect the other two are us and them... Certainly Rod's statements up until now have a similar ring to that Celtic one...

[joe breezy]

Alex Thomson's latest blog

http://blogs.channel4.com/alex-thoms...roptimism/1435


Well – we should all know more than enough to be wary – very wary – of Duff and Phelps the administrators of Rangers FC being optimistic. It’s their pathology. In D&P world the cup’s not so such half full as flowing into a series of overflow-vats.


Some reality here. Check what Mr Whitehouse of D&P is saying in the “small print”.

Even he suggests at least one of the four “bids” is a rank outsider. He admits no credible, detailed rescue package is yet really on the table at all. A lot of guff about hope, credibility – nothing about cash.

He admits all talk thus far from all “bidders” has set the money going into the rescue package at levels nowhere near enough to satisfy the key creditors. They’re saying “don’t be daft” at what’s been suggested thus far.

Alarmingly D&P seem to think that if a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) is put in place as a way of rescuing Rangers by agreeing a deal with major creditors, then Rangers can play football in Europe somehow. I suggest they call UEFA urgently where I’ve talked in detail. UEFA insists a CVA is a change in legal status and means a three year ban – just like setting up a Newco: “It’s a loophole. We recognise it as a loophole and we wish to close it,” their spokesman told me late last week.

It’s critical to any proposed income flow at Ibrox and this morning the administrators are stressing this. Yes – they need to call UEFA.

And yes – setting up any kind of CVA rescue will take weeks – I’m reliably informed around six weeks.

No amount of talking up the bids in terms of a couple being from people who will be popular among fans is going to untie this – nor will it put more money on the table and a lot more needs to be on it and fast.

Ticketus – the London ticket company now one of the main creditors of Rangers and major shareholder Craig Whyte, have just told me they are not part of any current bid for Rangers.

“We’re out of all that – and happy to sit on the sidelines,” said their spokesman.

They’ve other fish in the fryer. Later today expect them to file a legal claim for £27m against Mr Whyte for season tickets he “bought” from them.

They insist the money was for tickets only, not for buying the club as has been reported elsewhere.

They expect a “long and protracted” legal case. But what if Mr Whyte should lose and does not have money like this?

“Well we know he has a large house in the Highlands of Scotland and another in the south of France. We know he has a web of financial arrangements based in the British Virgin Islands tax haven and we’re very patient about all this,” said the PR company who represent Ticketus.
Mr Whyte himself has indicated what the world and his dog already know well, that he cannot and will not realise anything like the £30m he was aiming to get by selling up his stake, just a few weeks ago.

And football? The club cannot sell season tickets at all in the current complete confusion. The squad have no clear idea what money they’ll get after next month when a lot of player contracts run out. Football’s a very short career, so facing a Euro-ban and wages/contractual confusion, many will hightail it from Ibrox to other clubs leaving potentially a squad of youths, never-will-bes and have-beens. And a manager as yet unable to buy, because of a year ban on buying because the club brought the game into disrepute over financial mismanagement.

What seems astonishing too is another D&P admission – that it’s basically being left to manager Ally McCoist to brief the players on this mess day by day. These guys need to hear from financial rather than football brains one would have thought.

[greenginger]

Just when der Hun was getting a bit optimistic its nice to have Thomo deliver a reality check.

[Jim44]

There's an odd sense of excitement and optimism over on FF as they discuss who they prefer between Souness and Smith as the new Messiah who ' will get them out of the mess by Sunday.' Maybe they should be thinking more along the lines of Houdini or Paul Daniels.

[shagpile]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

For the first time I find myself hoping Hibs stand shoulder to shoulder with the lesser Greens.

If there were supposedly 3 clubs opposed to Rangers, one known to be Dunfermline, I'd suspect the other two are us and them... Certainly Rod's statements up until now have a similar ring to that Celtic one...

No longer relevant. Ross County take their place at the table.

[Winston Ingram]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

For the first time I find myself hoping Hibs stand shoulder to shoulder with the lesser Greens.

If there were supposedly 3 clubs opposed to Rangers, one known to be Dunfermline, I'd suspect the other two are us and them... Certainly Rod's statements up until now have a similar ring to that Celtic one...

I've no doubt we will. I also expect Hearts to also. That's 3 of the 5 votes needed to block any instant admission to a newco.

They only need 2 more and the others are voting to protect the income brought by Rangers. A strong Celtic is far more value to the SPL than a heavily sanction Newco Hun so I'm pretty sure that the threat of losing Celtic instead is afar bigger concern and should be enough to swing the Huns into div 3.

[ScottB]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

No longer relevant. Ross County take their place at the table.

I know that, I meant that at the time it was rumoured 3 clubs had said no.

Ross County are rumoured to be pro Rangers, so it could well be just us and them in favour of doing the right thing...

[Liberal Hibby]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

No longer relevant. Ross County take their place at the table.

Surely it is still relevant -until Sunday at least. If Duff and Duffer announce liquidation tomorrow - then the Pars stay up?

[magpie1892]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

There's an odd sense of excitement and optimism over on FF as they discuss who they prefer between Souness and Smith as the new Messiah who ' will get them out of the mess by Sunday.' Maybe they should be thinking more along the lines of Houdini or Paul Daniels.

I have it on pretty good authority that Smith is looking to get back into management, most likely in England.

He may well have had a change of heart but the reason he jacked it in at Ipox in the first place is cause he knew what was around the corner.

[cad]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I've no doubt we will. I also expect Hearts to also. That's 3 of the 5 votes needed to block any instant admission to a newco.

They only need 2 more and the others are voting to protect the income brought by Rangers. A strong Celtic is far more value to the SPL than a heavily sanction Newco Hun so I'm pretty sure that the threat of losing Celtic instead is afar bigger concern and should be enough to swing the Huns into div 3.

Killie , Dundee Utd , St Mirren, Motherwell St Johnstone , Ross County , ICT , Hibs Hearts ,Aberdeen Celtic

Teams in bold I see wanting Rangers to get the full monty ,no sure about Well ,Dun Utd St Johnstone St Mirren ICT or Ross County.

St Johnstone, Motherwell and Dun Utd definitely maybe could go either way , 4 in bold hold the away crowds no Rangers its not a hard call financially

Killie are out on a limb IMO ,Celtic boycott them along with any other team for there chairman's Integrity quote the writings on the wall,
Ive always enjoyed Killie had a great time there win or lose the chairmans put them in a terrible position if you ask me .

Who else would come up with Ross County , Dundee were next in-line I think 3,675 punters V Livingston their last game,
Killie had 6,878 V Motherwell teams boycott Killie and go to Dundee thats a huge swing financially, maybe people wont stop going ,
but backing The Huns isnt the way to find out IMO , some chit chat going on behind the scenes is a certainty , maybe even Vlad will be interested ,or is he worried about being next

[CropleyWasGod]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I've no doubt we will. I also expect Hearts to also. That's 3 of the 5 votes needed to block any instant admission to a newco.

They only need 2 more and the others are voting to protect the income brought by Rangers. A strong Celtic is far more value to the SPL than a heavily sanction Newco Hun so I'm pretty sure that the threat of losing Celtic instead is afar bigger concern and should be enough to swing the Huns into div 3.

Are you sure about Hearts, bearing in mind their likely future?

[jonty]

And in the meantime, we're still awaiting the outcome of the Big Tax Case, the Wee Tax Case and the double-contracts?

[JeMeSouviens]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Are you sure about Hearts, bearing in mind their likely future?

Speaking of which, if the ongoing HMRC investigation at the PBS does send them up the same creek as Der Hun, things are looking even less paddly for our cuddly neighbours. If the Huns can barely attract money as a going concern, how much less will that be the case for Hearts? Especially given that, unlike the Huns, they're sitting on top of some prime real estate. The point at which a break up sale looks the best option must surely come a good bit sooner for them?

[RyeSloan]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I've no doubt we will. I also expect Hearts to also. That's 3 of the 5 votes needed to block any instant admission to a newco.

They only need 2 more and the others are voting to protect the income brought by Rangers. A strong Celtic is far more value to the SPL than a heavily sanction Newco Hun so I'm pretty sure that the threat of losing Celtic instead is afar bigger concern and should be enough to swing the Huns into div 3.

What Newco? There is no newco and soon there will be no oldco either.

A few pages back it seemed quite clear that a UEFA licence was required to play in the SPL. A UEFA licence cannot be given to a club/newco that is less than 3 years old therefore is this whole newco discussion not just pie in the sky...

1) there is no newco

2) any newco cannot get a UEFA licence for 3 years so cannot compete in the SPL until that time.


It's rather typical of this whole episode that the spotlight was on just how any newco could be accomodated long before any newco became a reality or before anyone bothered to check the rules of the governing body.

The focus here should be on getting the tax payers money that is due yet week after week the creditors have been relegated to mere after thoughts as the admins and the weegie press tried everything to persuade us that it's the football club and it's history that must be saved at all costs....be that costs to the tax man, costs to the SFA and the biggest cost of all; sporting integrity.

[CropleyWasGod]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Speaking of which, if the ongoing HMRC investigation at the PBS does send them up the same creek as Der Hun, things are looking even less paddly for our cuddly neighbours. If the Huns can barely attract money as a going concern, how much less will that be the case for Hearts? Especially given that, unlike the Huns, they're sitting on top of some prime real estate. The point at which a break up sale looks the best option must surely come a good bit sooner for them?

If an administrator is appointed at Hearts, they won't be in post very long. The administrator will identify, very quickly, that there is no prospect of a better return to creditors through administration, as opposed to liquidation. Liquidation will follow very quickly.

The likelier scenario is that HMRC will go for a winding-up order, and they will go straight to liquidation.

However... and Cav is your man on this point.... AFAIK, there is little prospect of anyone other than the secured creditor (including HMRC) getting anything.

[Moulin Yarns]

Still trying the CVA route in spite of the evidence to the contrary

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/insmanual/ins10171.htm

Operating a policy of withholding payment of Crown monies is not just simply a matter of non- payment. There will be evidence that the debtor has

• paid other creditors first Paid Dunfermline?
• funded their business or lifestyle by consistently withholding Crown Monies That is how Craigie ran the club
• largely debt owing to the Crown the tax cases

[Seveno]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Are you sure about Hearts, bearing in mind their likely future?

Well the Mad One isnt going to be involved in their future, is he ? I'm sure that he would like to stick one up Rangers as his parting shot to the corrupt Scottish football.

[jgl07]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Are you sure about Hearts, bearing in mind their likely future?

It's a very different situation with Hearts given the most of the cash is owed to Romanov related companies. Administration is never likely to be on for Hearts or certainly not at this stage. I think that the future for Hearts is an exodus of their best (or rather highest paid) players with youth team members taking their places.

They cannot build up any debts with other companies or institutions (bar HMRC) as no-one will give them any credit. So as long as HMRC keep threatening to wind them up and get paid, Hearts will stagger along much as they have done this season.

The crunch will come in around a years time if Hearts' season ticket holder refuse to renew or the club is relegated.

I don't think that the whole Newco thing will be of much concern to Romanov.

[Part/Time Supporter]

Souness has not been contacted and is not interested in returning to Rangers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18019164

So much for that one then. More pish and wind from D&P exposed.

[Disc O'Dave]

Sorry if posted already......

http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman...ommentsSection

You would think they would also hold out for a couple of Rangers blazers and a golf umbrella.......but has it really come down to some faux silk items from the clubstore......?

[Winston Ingram]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Are you sure about Hearts, bearing in mind their likely future?

Considering Vlad's rants against the Old Firm I would say yes. Logically it would make more sense to vote them in but when has his head ever ruled his heart?

[Winston Ingram]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

What Newco? There is no newco and soon there will be no oldco either.

A few pages back it seemed quite clear that a UEFA licence was required to play in the SPL. A UEFA licence cannot be given to a club/newco that is less than 3 years old therefore is this whole newco discussion not just pie in the sky...

1) there is no newco

2) any newco cannot get a UEFA licence for 3 years so cannot compete in the SPL until that time.


It's rather typical of this whole episode that the spotlight was on just how any newco could be accomodated long before any newco became a reality or before anyone bothered to check the rules of the governing body.

The focus here should be on getting the tax payers money that is due yet week after week the creditors have been relegated to mere after thoughts as the admins and the weegie press tried everything to persuade us that it's the football club and it's history that must be saved at all costs....be that costs to the tax man, costs to the SFA and the biggest cost of all; sporting integrity.

I wasn't aware they needed a UEFA licence to play in the SPL. From what I understand Hearts missed deadline will mean they will not get a UEFA licence but nothing seems to be happening about them getting emptied by the SPL.

Totally agree on with you on what the focus should be