http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/football/Sale-of-Rangers-FC-39will.6650410.jp

 

Quote

Sale of Rangers FC 'will go ahead by mid-January'

 

Published Date: 05 December 2010

By Tom English

 

A DEAL to sell Rangers Football Club to Scots venture capitalist Craig Whyte will go though by the middle of January, according to senior sources at the club.

Whyte, 39, met with Ibrox chairman Alastair Johnston in Glasgow to discuss the purchase of Sir David Murray's shareholding in the club.

 

The proposed £33 million deal will wipe out the existing debt that has stymied Rangers in the transfer market for two years.

 

Yesterday, sources at Rangers said the deal, barring any late hitches, could be completed before Christmas but it is more likely that it will be done by the middle of January. "We can't say with 100 per cent certainty, but Whyte has the money and is very convincing. We think the deal will happen," said the source.

 

Murray has presided over Rangers for 22 years but has been keen to sell his stake for some time.

 

Hopefully the debt thing is not true as that is what is holding them back at the moment.

 

 

Rangers won't be in tomorrows fixture list, instead "club 12" will appear

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18476930

 

Am I right in thinking the Dundee teams as well as the ugly sisters cannot have home games on the same day?? Presume it may just be a case of switching some games from Saturdays to Sundays but may be awkward to arrange a list if you dunno if its Dundee or the huns and there is possible restrictions on both when and where they can play

Rangers won't be in tomorrows fixture list, instead "club 12" will appear

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18476930

 

Am I right in thinking the Dundee teams as well as the ugly sisters cannot have home games on the same day?? Presume it may just be a case of switching some games from Saturdays to Sundays but may be awkward to arrange a list if you dunno if its Dundee or the huns and there is possible restrictions on both when and where they can play

 

the papers seem to mention dunfermline would also be in line for reinstatement back into the spl. Its a complete joke that this hasn't be rectified by now, how are Dundee or dunfermline supposed to budget for next season?

the papers seem to mention dunfermline would also be in line for reinstatement back into the spl. Its a complete joke that this hasn't be rectified by now, how are day Dundee or dunfermline supposed to budget for next season?

 

Aside from budget, how are they meant to build a squad if they don't know what competition they're building it for, and how can they sign a player when they can't tell them what division they're being signed to play in.

 

Disgraceful, and shows that they have worked on the assumption all along that newco will be in SPL.

Just to Clarify

That isn't photo-shopped

Whos put that up? Green et al?

I thought it was a convenient angle for the shot.

 

Go on Stewart Milne you know it makes sense.

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spl/rangers-liquidation-sfa-league-merger-could-drop-rangers-just-one-division-1-2359952

 

The crisis at Rangers is set to bring about a radical change in the structure of Scottish football, which could pave the way for the Ibrox club to be demoted just one division.

 

The Scottish Football Association is ready to merge the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League into a single league body in time for the start of the new season. Under the new league set-up, the top and second tiers of that league would stay the same size as the current SPL and First Division – 12 and ten respectively – and be rebranded “premier”, effectively meaning that the present First Division would become an SPL 2.

 

A whole raft of changes as recommended in the 2010 report by former First Minister Henry McLeish will also be introduced, including promotion and relegation play-offs for all divisions, a pyramid system for entry into the league, lower divisions consisting of community-based part-time clubs, different cash distribution within the new league, and a compulsory winter break.

 

“The time for action is now,” said an SFA source, who did not deny that the association was taking advantage of the Rangers debacle to promote its longed-for reforms. The source said: “When one of the biggest clubs in the country is liquidated, something has to change.”

 

The future of Rangers, now a “newco” owned by Charles Green and his Sevco consortium, is key to the SFA-led changes, with one source suggesting Dundee will step up to the new top league, while Rangers would be relegated only to the new SPL2 and not the lowest division – preserving the lucrative Sky television deal that is vital to clubs’ income.

 

That will be hugely controversial as the game in Scotland is split over whether a newco Rangers should be forced to start again in the bottom tier or be allowed into the SPL.

 

The compromise of allowing them to drop one division will not please everyone. “How would that serve sporting integrity, you have to ask?” one SPL chairman told Scotland on Sunday. “You can’t be half pregnant. You surely either accept that the new Rangers can be an SPL club or accept they must start again in the senior game.”

 

The SFA has confirmed that discussions about the future of professional football in Scotland have been ongoing for many months between members of the association’s professional game board and the SPL and SFL. Those talks accelerated in the past few days as Rangers went into liquidation.

 

What a pile of shite.

Whos put that up? Green et al?

 

Been up for ages

 

I first clocked it when i ran past on the day of the Killie administration game

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spl/rangers-liquidation-sfa-league-merger-could-drop-rangers-just-one-division-1-2359952

 

What a pile of shite.

 

Agreed.

 

Merging the SPL & SFL is a good thing, but not merging the SFA into that too is a mistake.

 

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/9337279/Rangers-would-have-to-start-in-Scottish-League-Division-Three-says-SFL-chief-executive-David-Longmuir.html#

 

Sorry if this has been posted already

Agreed.

 

Merging the SPL & SFL is a good thing, but not merging the SFA into that too is a mistake.

 

Agreed all the governing bodies should be merged including SJFA as well. No way a country the size of Scotland needs 4 different organisations running football.

Agreed all the governing bodies should be merged including SJFA as well. No way a country the size of Scotland needs 4 different organisations running football.

 

Correct.

Aside from budget, how are they meant to build a squad if they don't know what competition they're building it for, and how can they sign a player when they can't tell them what division they're being signed to play in.

 

 

Or in other terms... budget?

 

 

 

 

I thought Green just bought the assets?

Or in other terms... budget?

 

 

well aye...but even if they did know a definite figure they will be able to pay in wages, players who would sign for spl won't sign for div 1. so i worded it kak-handedly but budget is only a part of the planning.

 

pedantry partial fail 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18494114

 

gimpy eyes seems to be a requirement for hun execs

Published on Monday 18 June 2012 15:46

 

The Scottish Premier League issued the following statement today after a meeting to discuss the situation at Rangers.

 

At its meeting earlier today, the SPL Board considered a number of issues relating to Rangers FC.

 

EBT Investigation

 

The SPL Board heard a report from its solicitors following the investigation into payments to, or for the benefit of, players allegedly made by Rangers FC outside of contract.

 

The delay in concluding the investigation was caused by an initial lack of co-operation from Rangers FC.

 

The investigation has now been completed and, in the view of the SPL, there is a prima facie case to answer in respect of its rules.

 

Disciplinary charges will be brought when the future status of Rangers FC is clarified and prior to the start of season 2012/13.

 

General Meeting

 

An application for registration of transfer of Rangers’ SPL share has been received. Consideration of the application will depend on receipt by the SPL Board of all required documentation and verification.

 

A general meeting of all 12 member clubs has been convened for 10am on Wednesday 4 July 2012 for members to decide whether to approve the transfer.

Ffs sake, at least another fortnight of this pish.

4th of July hopefully the day Rangers get independence from the SPL.

Scotland on Sunday rundown on where each club's preferences might lie for the upcoming vote:

 

ABERDEEN

 

The Dons have been bounced into the voting-against-accepting-a-newco-Rangers-into-the-SPL camp by a support implacably opposed to them taking this course. After a poll by the club’s Trust revealed 97 per cent were against the move, Pittodrie chief executive Duncan Fraser maintained their “views and feelings” would be “taken into account” and that the “integrity of football...must be central to any decision.” One of three clubs now considered to hold a settled position.

 

CELTIC

 

The Scottish champions have no option but to register a “no” vote. They must serve natural justice as their support demands of them as to do otherwise would precipitate a collapse of their season ticket numbers. Yet, if they were to help bring about a hiatus in the top flight rivalry with their ancient adversaries, it would force them to take a thumping financial hit running to millions more than any other club as the other cost of that would be the loss of the veto afforded by them twinning with Rangers to sustain the 11-1 voting structure.

 

DUNDEE UNITED

 

The tone of chairman Stephen Thompson’s language has noticeably changed in recent days. Last week, he made much of having to recognise, above all, the feelings of his fanbase, which is hostile to re-admission of the reconstituted Ibrox club. Talk of a complete Sky withdrawal has resulted in him now giving voice to a need to recognise the importance of television money. Without it, he said, “some clubs would face insolvency”, adding: “The smaller the club the greater the need for TV money, so it’s important for us.” Important enough for Thompson, with heavy heart, perhaps to try to sell his support the club’s endorsement of SPL status, but with stiff sanctions attached, for Rangers 2012.

 

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN

 

A club that toiled to pay its players’ wages on time last season is hardly likely to be wowed at the prospect of any reduction in its revenues. Especially when they are still seeking £800,000 from Rangers for the Lee Wallace transfer. However, it would go against everything that Vladimir Romanov has previously preached if he were to vote in one of the Glasgow “mafia” after they have been shown to have used tax dodges to sustain their dominance, and that could hold the key in the final analysis for the Tynecastle club.

 

HIBERNIAN

 

Chairman Rod Petrie’s “sporting integrity cannot be obtained for any price” remains the soundbite that absolutely nails the Leith club to a position of not accepting a newco Rangers. In most projections, a prudently run Hibs would not be one of the major losers if forced to redraw budgets to compensate for the fiscal reductions inherent in losing the Ibrox club, while the unstinting backing of Tom Farmer would allow them to cover any shortfall in the immediate term anyway.

 

INVERNESS

 

Chairman Kenny Cameron took umbrage to suggestions earlier in the week that they had made up their minds to back a newco application from Rangers because they could not afford the drastic drop-off in revenues predicted by some if that were not approved. “Any speculation is purely that and we find it strange that some seem to know how ICTFC would vote under certain circumstances – they must have a crystal ball,” he said. Must be considered one of the clubs whose vote remains up for grabs.

 

KILMARNOCK

 

Chairman Michael Johnston is a man alone among his SPL cohorts in making it plain that there must be a Rangers in the Scottish top flight and that commercial considerations must trump sporting integrity. He has further stated that the new Rangers must not start next season with any points or financial penalties – these believed to be a possible trade-off for entry for some clubs – in having already been punished enough.

 

MOTHERWELL

 

The Fir Park club are understood to be seeking assurances over the broadcasting rights before arriving at any decision on a new Rangers. Their fan ownership model makes them more beholden to the mood of their masses, which has appeared insurrectionist if they do not say “no to a newco”. Another club whose position may be considered to be in a state of flux.

 

ROSS COUNTRY

 

The newly promoted Highland side will increase revenues next season whether or not they have Rangers to play in their first tilt in the top flight. Chairman Roy MacGregor said he has taken a “calculated risk” on his budget that is not dependent on income that could be attached to the presence of an Ibrox club in the top flight. MacGregor’s largesse is what County count on. The fact he has said as the “new kid” he will listen to others could make for the likelihood that he serves sporting intergity if it is the case for doing so that is made most passionately by his peers.

 

ST JOHNSTONE

 

The one Scottish top-flight club with cash in the bank, they could survive any downturn in the economic viability. As chairman Steven Brown has been quick to point out, the Perth side don’t need a Rangers because they spent many seasons in the First Division balancing their books without them. Yet with Brown also describing the potential loss of the Ibrox club top the top flight as a “disaster” it is thought he is one of those who is likely to be swayed were swingeing tarriffs attached to SPL entry for a newco.

 

ST MIRREN

 

His fuliminating “the law is an ass” response to Rangers’ challenge in the Court of Session to the sanctions imposed on them by the SFA judicial panel made the Paisley club’s chairman Stewart Gilmour the most outspoken critic of what he saw as the Ibrox club’s reckless disregard of football’s jurisdiction. That is believed to have hardened his attitude towards a newco Rangers. And even though he is in the process of selling the club on to a local fan body, with the vote set to come before the £1.5m buy-out earmarked for 4 July, it is thought a “no” vote would not go against the thinking of the club’s hardcore and future owners.

They are probably going to get in 8/4 aren't they

The Board at Motherwell FC today released the following statement in light of today’s ‘Newco’ application to the SPL by Rangers FC.

 

“Confirmation has now been received from the SPL that an all club vote on the proposal to transfer Rangers share is scheduled to take place on 4th July. Motherwell FC are in the process of arranging a forum to discuss the issue with supporters of the club. Following that meeting, the board will meet and agree the club’s position and ultimately how we will vote if the meeting takes place as planned.

 

“The decision will be taken by the Director’s as a group, as the majority shareholding in the club is currently held under a Power of Attorney by Board members, pending the planned staged transfer to the ‘Well Society. No decision has yet been made by the club on the SPL share transfer, as we will only now see the full details of the proposal and be provided with the full information required. Considerable uncertainty on the implications for revenues and costs complicates our decision considerably.

 

“The Directors would also like to clarify that the comments made by Director Andrew Lapping in a letter to a national newspaper are entirely personal and are not in any way attributable to the club. Mr Lapping has played no active role in the running of the club for many years and is not part of the decision making group.

 

“The ‘Newco’ issue is often portrayed as a straight choice between preserving sporting integrity and clubs accepting a reduction in gate money together with potentially a significant amount of commercial revenue. In reality it is far more complex than that. We are fully aware that an overwhelming majority of our fans and most others, who have so far expressed an opinion, are totally opposed to ‘Newco’ being allowed immediately back into the SPL.

 

“The club has been flooded with correspondence from supporters of many clubs which ranges from fully reasoned arguments to direct threats concerning the consequences of a vote either way. Our Board of Directors is predominately made up of lifelong Motherwell supporters and we fully understand that fans are the single most important group within the club. History shows that any business which ignores the wishes of its customer base rarely prospers in the long term.

 

“In any event it would appear a yes vote may not even guarantee that ‘Newco’ will play in the SPL next season as the club is still subject to SFA sanctions and there is an ongoing investigation into the use of EBTs to make payments to players.

 

“The consequences of five or more clubs voting no to ‘Newco’ do also need to be understood and fully taken into account. In addition to lower gate receipts, we are likely to lose an as yet un-quantified amount of commercial revenue with a specific risk around TV payments. The clubs’ income from SPL distribution of commercial revenue was approximately 36% of the total amount generated last season, although this does vary year on year. A significant proportion of SPL income is obtained from TV and other broadcasting rights. The lack of clarity on what the actual impact of ‘Newco’ not playing in the SPL will have on these revenues is a major problem for the Board.

 

“Despite some reports, it is our understanding that Sky/ESPN have made no official statement on how they will react to a no vote and we believe that a number of other contracts could be re-negotiated if ‘Newco’ was refused entry to the SPL. We very much hope that sponsors and partners will continue to provide their backing whatever the outcome of the various ongoing processes.

 

“The common response to the potential loss of revenue is that clubs need to cut their cloth accordingly. Of course this could be achieved over a period of time, by reducing both on and off the field costs, but it cannot be done overnight. It is vital that we honour player and employee contracts and meet all our other obligations.

 

“We are in the healthy position of having no debt but have set our cost base in the expectation that income will be at a certain minimum level. In the event of a shortfall we do not have a bank or benefactor able to fund the gap. We clearly do not wish anyone associated with Motherwell, or any other club, to suffer as a result of events in which they played no part. Having been though a painful Administration process many years ago, we are also better placed than most to have sympathy with both the employees and ordinary fans of Rangers who are in no way responsible for the uncertainty they are facing.

 

“The Directors of any business have a duty to act in the best interests of the company or, in this case, the club. In normal circumstances, decisions are fairly straightforward but in this situation a decision either way is likely to have a significant impact on at least one of our key income streams. It is inevitable that there will be consequences if a business suffers a sudden drop in income. Instead of the usual process of deciding what is best for the club, we are currently faced with trying to decide on which is the least worst option. The stakes here are high.

 

“There are a number of other knock on impacts to this lack of certainty. Firstly we have temporarily delayed giving the club any access to the ‘Well Society funds. When we launched the Society we made it clear that we would not put the funds raised at risk and that they would be used only to assist with short term funding requirements at the club, when there was a clear source of repayment. In the current circumstances we believe that we can only fully protect the money raised by keeping it entirely ring fenced from the club until the outcome of the ‘Newco’ debate is known and the financial impact understood.

 

“In addition we will need to adopt a cautious approach to investing in the playing squad. To date we have not changed our previously agreed plans but this could change dramatically in the current weeks. The inability to accurately forecast future income could also impact on the production of our financial accounts.

 

“By any measure the events at Rangers are having and will continue to have a huge impact on Scottish football. It is our hope that the tax authorities and liquidator will investigate these events fully and are able to take appropriate action against those responsible for causing lasting damage to our national game.

 

“Whilst we fully understand that the ‘Newco’ issue is one which many people feel strongly about, we hope that our fans now have a better idea of the extremely difficult position the club is in and that you continue to offer support by buying season tickets and, if you have not already done so, joining the Well Society which remains very much part of the club’s plans for the future.

 

“We can assure you that any funds raised by the Society will remain separate from the club, until the position is clearer, but we remain totally committed to the fan ownership model. Whatever the outcome of the vote on ‘Newco’ it will be more important than ever that our fans stay loyal to the club, as we look forward to our debut in the Champions League, and that our efforts to grow the fanbase continue to be successful.

 

“On the pitch, these are very good times at Motherwell FC and it is vital that we continue to work together as a club to enable us to emerge from the current SPL difficulties with our integrity and optimism intact.”