Thinking the Unthinkable: Is the Time Right for Protest?

[Frankie 505]

Superb article from Big Spliff as part of the 'Setting the Standard' project.

Lengthy read (make a brew and grab a biscuit) but well worth it. Posted in 2 parts below...

Part One

Let’s assume for a moment that Rangers is for sale at, say, £50m. We have debts rumoured to be approaching £30m and we need to offload £3-4m of talent from a small group of our ‘top’ players before the end of a month we’re already more than half-way through. The reason? It has been suggested by the Chairman (“if we didn’t sell Boyd then things could have been “bad” – and this was before the deal fell through, as it has at the time of writing) that we cannot continue to function as a business past January due to our debt obligations.

These obligations are thought to include a substantial transfer fee to Burnley for Kyle Lafferty but we have run out of cash at the same time as being confronted with a sobering and sudden inability to increase our borrowing. We intend to cut our wage bill by up to one-third. There is a global financial crisis, we are at the beginning of a deep recession, our biggest asset has been a victim of property price deflation and credit markets have dried up. Our Edinburgh-based bank has collapsed, was rescued by the government and is in the process of being taken over by an English-based rival. No more Moet on The Mound for the Chairman then.

As we get into the full swing of 2009, Celtic have dominated the SPL for the past 8 years, winning 6 times and (on the basis that we fully intend to weaken our squad shortly) are looking at a very realistic/possible 4-in-a-row – an achievement they have managed only once since 1916/17 incidentally, nearly 100 years. They have only £3.5m of debts (maybe zero by now), 10,000 more season ticket holders than us and can strengthen their team significantly immediately if they choose.

Were it not for us winning the league in the last 10 minutes of 2 different seasons by 1 point and 1 goal respectively, they would be looking at 9-in-a-row now - NOW! We have won 3 out of the last 10 domestic cup competitions (2 last season). We have been out of Europe for about 6 months. I won’t get into the quality of player we have, tactics, formations, players out of position, entertainment value etc as these are subjective issues and this piece makes an attempt to deal in facts as much as possible.

As 1994 reached the end of its first quarter, those of us who can remember will easily recall the hilarity as we eagerly watched Celtic FC’s almost fatal implosion. If anybody ever WANTED to watch a car crash, then this was it! They had won the league only once in 8 years, Rangers were looking at 6-in-a-row. They had debts rumoured to be an eye-watering £7m and were busy trying to build a smokescreen by announcing fake plans to build a new £50m stadium in Cambuslang. Their attendances were regularly below 20,000. They had had a series of useless managers and an almost endless steam of equally useless players. Quite simply, their inept board had been running the club for their own self-interest for far too many years to be healthy.

‘Celts for Change’, an organisation made up of ordinary fans backed by a small band of unhappy but very wealthy supporters had been active for some time; agitating against what they saw as the corruption of the board of directors and their mismanagement of the club. Whilst Rangers were in a position where their clear dominance looked set to continue on the park, the Celts for Change group realised that the investment required and leadership Celtic needing to become a force again was simply not going to happen under the self-serving, closed-shop incumbent regime. It had all gone on too long and it was all going absolutely nowhere. They wanted change and they wanted it badly enough to organise meetings and protests, once of which was a staged walk-out after 60 minutes vs. Kilmarnock in March 1994. Only 300 fans (out of a Celtic support of only 8,000, but still nearly 5%) walked out, to jeers from their fellow fans. But they went anyway. They knew time was right for a change. They didn’t necessarily have all the details nor access to every movement behind the scenes, but they knew – they KNEW that things simply had to change .They truly were a shambles of a club. And how we laughed!

The straw that broke the camel’s back was when the Bank of Scotland declined to write a cheque to Middlesbrough for an outstanding transfer fee, insisting Celtic had to deposit more funds. They didn’t because they couldn’t. They had run out of cash. The bank declared itself ready to call in the receivers. Waiting in the wings many thousands of miles away was Fergus McCann, a reasonably wealthy fan, working in concert with the local and vocal leaders of Celts for Change. Wee Fergus said he would provide £2m immediately – insisting a deal be done and the board deposed, which it duly was. Job done. And for our part, we laughed even more, and kept laughing for several years!

Of course, one could write an entirely different version of that story (and there may be the odd fact which needs slight adjustment) and one could pick holes in the implied comparison. Nobody knows if Rangers are that close to the bank pulling the plug in 2009, maybe it’s doubtful. But to repeat the Chairman’s statement that things will be “bad” if we don’t pull in £3-4m in the next 2 weeks, the questions are clearly; what exactly could this mean?; how “bad” is “bad”?; what happens if we don’t sell anyone? are we really that close to the edge?

Whether the situation is the same as Celtic’s was is probably a moot point, but interesting parallels are easy to find. Of those parallels which DO NOT remain, here are a few more points to consider.

Celtic was a sleeping giant, playing to meagre crowds and embarrassingly scrimping on everything. There was plenty of unlocked potential, but it needed a fresh start, a new vision, a new strategy, energised leadership – a complete change. Rangers in 2009 is, by contrast, an ailing giant. We play to a near-packed Ibrox every week and have outsourced almost everything we possibly can, including merchandising and catering. We will probably never sell more tops, t-shirts and scarves than we did last year.

Back in 1994, Celtic had value to unlock. It was worth Wee Fergus investing millions to get it. It could be turned into a profitable business, facilities could improve – replace their large, old rickety ground with a large, new rickety ground; build it and, and the people will come. Rangers in 2009, is a busted business. It frequently makes losses (sometimes very large losses) and it is laden with debt. We cannot increase our crowds by even 10% never mind by 250%. Nobody but nobody is going to buy our club for its book value. There is simply no point. Of course if a hotel or a leisure complex was involved then maybe that’s different but is there anybody left who believes in that anymore? All that doesn’t mean we have no potential to grow; quite the opposite. But the current regime at Rangers has clearly, very clearly taken us as far as they can. The talk is once again of downsizing, cut-backs and regression. It’s hard to see exactly which direction we are going in, but we’re most certainly not on the happy path.

[CONTINUED]

[Frankie 505]

Part 2

For Sir David Murray, it’s been a game of 2 very long and contrasting halves. The first half was 1988-1998. 10 championships out of 11; a famous 9 in a row. Great times, great players, great memories! As many a great leader will testify, sometimes it’s best to go out on top. Sir David should have done exactly that. In fact I’d bet he wishes he had as 1999-2008 has been a disaster. The final years of the last millennium were successful on the park but the cost was ridiculous - £74m of disclosed debt (rumoured to be as high as £86m) and we know what happened next. From 1998-2000, it was spend spend spend. From 2000-2006 it was cut cut cut. From 2006-2008 it was spend spend spend. From 2009 to god knows when, it’s going to be cut cut cut. We lurch from one extreme to the other and back again in the most bizarre fashion. And this from a club which said it learnt its lessons from past extravagance, and would never again operate beyond its means.

Interesting to note is this; it took Celtic nearly 6 years from their darkest days in 1994 to get on top again. And most galling of all, the catalyst for their return was the repositioning of Rangers following the ridiculous escalation in our debt. We let them back in.

If you believe Rangers are (or could be) in serious financial trouble then consider this; if things get any worse it could be a long, long, long road back. Sir David Murray’s model for running Rangers has failed. Not just once – it has failed for a second time. We don’t know how “bad” it really is, but the tell-tale signs are all there. This point is worth repeating; if it all blew up tomorrow could you honestly say that the signs weren’t there? If so, you’re not looking hard enough at what’s right in front of you. We simply can’t wait for the unthinkable to happen before we awaken from our malaise. Which is why the time for the Gers to change is now. Right Now!

Sir David Murray is a proud man of considerable personal courage. He does not concede easily and is a sore loser. And brace yourself for something which might come across as ridiculous to many Rangers fans – I contend that he even has important sections of the media in his pocket – otherwise he would be castigated left, right and centre for the debacle that we find ourselves in. Perhaps his inaction on various other fronts is the quid pro quo for a silence within the ranks of the wee pet lambs in the press?

The arguments that the supporters should do nothing are weak. They are arguments for more of the same – and as we’ve seen, more of the same clearly means more of the second half, not the first. We really need to put pressure on Sir David Murray, the self-styled Custodian of our great club. He might own the shop and nearly everything in it but that doesn’t mean he should have a free ride when the club’s underlying business has clearly failed yet again. Even if Boyd or someone else goes, the underlying issues do not just go away.

This is Sir David Murray’s responsibility. Name him. He took all the plaudits when we achieved 9-in-a-row. He must now take the criticism. Keep it simple. State the facts. Be constructive. Be positive. Don’t make it personal – it’s not. Keep it free from abuse. Asking him respond now, after 20 years to many-pointed plans might be a nice tactic, but ultimately it’s futile. It’s like going to the hairdresser and asking if they’ll paint your head to cover your bald patch.

The Chairman has failed. Twice. He needs to move on and if that means cutting his losses and accepting a vastly reduced offer then so be it. Yes, he has put in a pretty penny but he owes us the chance to get on with a new future. He needs to go not because he wants to – he needs to go because he needs to. It’s not about him – it’s about Rangers. Sir David Murray is only important to Sir David Murray, his family, his friends, and some of those he employs. Rangers FC is important to hundreds of thousands of people – maybe even a million or two - across the globe.

We may suddenly be only 2 points behind a very weak Celtic team and still in the 2 domestic cups. But last week we were 7 points behind and the support was getting very frustrated. Next week we might be a point ahead and everyone will be getting very excited (me included). This piece is not about the last or the next 3 points. This is about the bigger, deeper, more fundamental, long-term issues surrounding the future of our club. We cannot afford to get sidetracked by the short-term dramas of the latest result or the form of an individual player.

Either way, Sir David’s time is up. He knows it. He and his off-field management team have failed yet again. Regardless of which individuals have made which mistakes, we need to be asking ourselves now; what would be enough for our 5% to stand up and walk out (literally or metaphorically)? Do we wait and hope it’ll somehow all get better? Do we really need to wait until Celtic win 4-in-a-row? Or do we stand up and get involved now?

Many of us can see that behind the facade, the club is already a shadow of its former self. A different future needs to start now, before the Rangers we love becomes a shadow of its current shadow, or quite literally, part of the past.

Several like-minded have fans been doing a lot of thinking. We’re putting together constructive proposals for discussion so that we may invite everyone with Rangers’ interests at heart to get their ideas out in the open too. We ask you to get thinking, talk to your friends, get together, write a blog, pen a letter, write an article, print a leaflet – get involved!

In 1994 the aptly-named ‘Rebels’ won the future of their club. In 2009 the loyal Rangers fans need to rediscover how to ‘Protest’ for the future of ours.

Hardly any Rangers fan disputes that 'We Deserve Better'. I’ll go one step further;

“The time is now”.

[Frankie 505]

I'd like to make a few points:

1. Firstly I disagree with any overly aggressive/negative protest. Banners and folk gathering outside the front door is premature IMO but I can understand why some may find such a reaction suitable.

2. It could be said we're only 2 or 3 bad results away from that happening anyway. But by the same token we're only 2 or 3 good results away from such protests being laughed at. Hence the utmost care is required in any campaign for improvement.

3. As such, I'd prefer more constructive, positive protest as we're doing via the 'Setting the Standard' project. Sure, we arguably have plenty to complain about but, since we have no Fergus McCann, we need to be more constructive and clever in our approach.

Looking forward to reading other people's opinions. Agree - say why and give examples in how direct protest can work and how it could be done. Disagree - say why and give evidence for your opinion.

[Briton 394]

Great read but I dispute the statement that hardly any Rangers fan disputes that 'we deserve better'. As fans of this great club we may expect better, even demand it, but nobody 'deserves' anything. Just like Celtic didn't 'deserve' to get out of their troubles. Don't get me wrong, I fully agree with the main point, Rangers FC should be run to better standard than what we are seeing now and we are fully entitled to protest at the situation. I just think the campaign title that the RST came up with is a mistake and sounds petulant. If you wanted a logo to go with it a stamping foot or protruding lip might be appropriate. Some may think that's a petty point , but I don't think so.

[Frankie 505]

Great read but I dispute the statement that hardly any Rangers fan disputes that 'we deserve better'. As fans of this great club we may expect better, even demand it, but nobody 'deserves' anything. Just like Celtic didn't 'deserve' to get out of their troubles. Don't get me wrong, I fully agree with the main point, Rangers FC should be run to better standard than what we are seeing now and we are fully entitled to protest at the situation. I just think the campaign title that the RST came up with is a mistake and sounds petulant. If you wanted a logo to go with it a stamping foot or protruding lip might be appropriate. Some may think that's a petty point , but I don't think so.

I agree to an extent.

Which is why I think 'setting the standard' is a slightly better mantra. It implies the standard isn't good enough while offer constructive debate to improve it. Much more positive IMO.

Would like to read an article from you mate.

[Briton 394]

Another thing I don't necessarily agree with, and it may be going of track a wee bit, is the assertion that if it wasn't for winning the league by one point and one goal (it was two BTW, we had one to spare ) that they would now be on their way to NIAR. That's simplistic as history doesn't work like that. If one of those events never occurred then Eck's tenure would have been different, there would probably have been no PLG and no return of Walter Smith. Yes, they may still have gone on to win those leagues but equally fate could have taken a different turn.

[Frankie 505]

Another thing I don't necessarily agree with, and it may be going of track a wee bit, is the assertion that if it wasn't for winning the league by one point and one goal (it was two BTW, we had one to spare ) that they would now be on their way to NIAR. That's simplistic as history doesn't work like that. If one of those events never occurred then Eck's tenure would have been different, there would probably have been no PLG and no return of Walter Smith. Yes, they may still have gone on to win those leagues but equally fate could have taken a different turn.

Again, fair enough point. I don't really like it when people suggest a1 point league win as somehow imperfect or undeserved. These same people don't apply the same logic to last season for example.

However, such a tight gap does show how close the competition was, that we've been unable to build upon it so have been unable to dominate as we did in the 90s.

I don't think anyone could expect year after year of title wins. But we can expect a more consistent and better all round performance.

[Briton 394]

Great read but I dispute the statement that hardly any Rangers fan disputes that 'we deserve better'. As fans of this great club we may expect better, even demand it, but nobody 'deserves' anything. Just like Celtic didn't 'deserve' to get out of their troubles. Don't get me wrong, I fully agree with the main point, Rangers FC should be run to better standard than what we are seeing now and we are fully entitled to protest at the situation. I just think the campaign title that the RST came up with is a mistake and sounds petulant. If you wanted a logo to go with it a stamping foot or protruding lip might be appropriate. Some may think that's a petty point , but I don't think so.

I agree to an extent.

Which is why I think 'setting the standard' is a slightly better mantra. It implies the standard isn't good enough while offer constructive debate to improve it. Much more positive IMO.

Would like to read an article from you mate.

Setting The Standard is way better as a campaign title.

I should get around to writing something but creativity is not my strong point to say the least.

[Tontospal 1,116]

A well thought out article depicting similar thoughts that I have held since Advocaat was replaced by McLeish.

As for the 5%, I think you will find that a significant number of our 'loyal' fans no longer watch 'Murray' Rangers due to their lack of trust and support for Murray and what he has done to our once great club.

How many fans have given up their season tickets by way of a silent protest in the last 5 years or so? I would hazard a guess at 5-15,000 although this number has been ignored as those bums on seats have simply been replaced by new fans.

The problem is that you are preaching to the converted and the vast majority of our support are either apathetic, ignorant of the facts or simply do not understand or want to accept the mess that our club is in on and off the park.

I always thought that Rangers would be immune to administration or going out of business but I also thought the same about firms like Woolworths whilst the RBS has shown that no organisation is safe from economic or financial meltdown.

The majority of our fans will only wake up to the severity of the situation when they are buying a seson ticket for Rangers 2009 FC.

[Briton 394]

Again, fair enough point. I don't really like it when people suggest a1 point league win as somehow imperfect or undeserved. These same people don't apply the same logic to last season for example.

However, such a tight gap does show how close the competition was, that we've been unable to build upon it so have been unable to dominate as we did in the 90s.

Another point about that is that we were up against one of Celtic's best ever sides. We had excellent league records in both those seasons and normally that would have been enough for a comfortable title win. The Helicopter Sunday season's record, for example, was only matched once by a NIAR side. I know that's kind of comparing apples and oranges but the way some people talk you'd think we were a poor side that scraped home undeservedly. Anyway...I'm continuing to diverge from the main thread.

[GeneralCartmanLee 313]

An interesting piece.

The problem with protest, and this is something Frankie touched upon, is there is no figure head to rally around. The Kelly’s were clinging to power at the piggery, our chairman is telling the world that he would love to sell.

Most fans seem to have accepted that the chairman is willing to sell, can’t, but is trying his best in the meantime. I am not arguing whether that is right or wrong but that, for me , is why protests won’t work.

Also going by the previous protests which were poorly attended , and even more poorly received, I don’t think there is the appetite in the support at large to light the burning torches just yet…….

[Frankie 505]

How many fans have given up their season tickets by way of a silent protest in the last 5 years or so? I would hazard a guess at 5-15,000 although this number has been ignored as those bums on seats have simply been replaced by new fans.

The problem is that you are preaching to the converted and the vast majority of our support are either apathetic, ignorant of the facts or simply do not understand or want to accept the mess that our club is in on and off the park.

No way of knowing how many people have given up their tickets. I know a few but I personally doubt your 5-15K figure. If this was true where were they during previous protests and/or what are they doing now to change things? Such a number of like-minded people is pretty large and if they got together could be extremely vocal.

As for reaching the offline/apathetic fan I agree completely that is a necessity if we want real change. Online fans are vocal, knowledgable and 'active' to a fair extent. Offline fans aren't but I'm sure plenty of them would be interested in what people have to say.

That's exactly why once this project is complete we'll look to take it to offline sources - the club, the media, high net worth fans and fanzines. There's no reason at this stage - depending on progress - that further action can be taken to increase and better the debate.

You may have missed my introductory piece explaining what we're trying to achieve via articles like the one above. Here it is again for those who may have missed it.

http://forum.rangersmedia.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=96697

[Frankie 505]

An interesting piece.

The problem with protest, and this is something Frankie touched upon, is there is no figure head to rally around. The Kelly’s were clinging to power at the piggery, our chairman is telling the world that he would love to sell.

Most fans seem to have accepted that the chairman is willing to sell, can’t, but is trying his best in the meantime. I am not arguing whether that is right or wrong but that, for me , is why protests won’t work.

Also going by the previous protests which were poorly attended , and even more poorly received, I don’t think there is the appetite in the support at large to light the burning torches just yet…….

There's no doubt you are right. However, things can change quickly and that's why it's worth putting in some pre-emptive work so we can provide any interested parties with something tangible on the club improvement issue.

[Poacher 0]

I have no problem with the use of 'deserve'. I do think we deserve better than the leadership and management has been providing in recent times. I think deserve is a key word.

[*Manticore* 1,893]

Good article, interesting stuff.

I wouldn't argue against demos, but let's face it, the regime will send in the thugs like they did before; and unleash the media lapdogs as they have over the last week or so. It will be stormy.

On a pedantic note - '4-in-a-row – an achievement they have managed only once since 1916/17' - their nine in a row must have included at least two fours in a row surely?

[dezrfc1 26]

wtfs a point in a protest at this stage of the season we need to back the team:S

[Tontospal 1,116]

Good article, interesting stuff.

I wouldn't argue against demos, but let's face it, the regime will send in the thugs like they did before; and unleash the media lapdogs as they have over the last week or so. It will be stormy.

On a pedantic note - '4-in-a-row – an achievement they have managed only once since 1916/17' - their nine in a row must have included at least two fours in a row surely?

On a more pedantic note it actually included 6 4-in-a-rows

1-4

2-5

3-6

4-7

5-8

6-9

[*Manticore* 1,893]

Good article, interesting stuff.

I wouldn't argue against demos, but let's face it, the regime will send in the thugs like they did before; and unleash the media lapdogs as they have over the last week or so. It will be stormy.

On a pedantic note - '4-in-a-row – an achievement they have managed only once since 1916/17' - their nine in a row must have included at least two fours in a row surely?

On a more pedantic note it actually included 6 4-in-a-rows

1-4

2-5

3-6

4-7

5-8

6-9

I resisted taking it to that new level, just hinted at it with 'at least two fours in a row'

[Tontospal 1,116]

Good article, interesting stuff.

I wouldn't argue against demos, but let's face it, the regime will send in the thugs like they did before; and unleash the media lapdogs as they have over the last week or so. It will be stormy.

On a pedantic note - '4-in-a-row – an achievement they have managed only once since 1916/17' - their nine in a row must have included at least two fours in a row surely?

On a more pedantic note it actually included 6 4-in-a-rows

1-4

2-5

3-6

4-7

5-8

6-9

I resisted taking it to that new level, just hinted at it with 'at least two fours in a row'

I did read that I just wanted to clarify for the more dim-witted amongst us

[Frankie 505]

wtfs a point in a protest at this stage of the season we need to back the team:S

The two need not be mutually exclusive...

[*Manticore* 1,893]

wtfs a point in a protest at this stage of the season we need to back the team:S

[GeneralCartmanLee 313]

I wouldn't argue against demos, but let's face it, the regime will send in the thugs like they did before;

Do you actually believe that happened........

[andyboy66 0]

Great read but I dispute the statement that hardly any Rangers fan disputes that 'we deserve better'. As fans of this great club we may expect better, even demand it, but nobody 'deserves' anything. Just like Celtic didn't 'deserve' to get out of their troubles. Don't get me wrong, I fully agree with the main point, Rangers FC should be run to better standard than what we are seeing now and we are fully entitled to protest at the situation. I just think the campaign title that the RST came up with is a mistake and sounds petulant. If you wanted a logo to go with it a stamping foot or protruding lip might be appropriate. Some may think that's a petty point , but I don't think so.

I agree to an extent.

Which is why I think 'setting the standard' is a slightly better mantra. It implies the standard isn't good enough while offer constructive debate to improve it. Much more positive IMO.

Would like to read an article from you mate.

Setting The Standard is way better as a campaign title.

I should get around to writing something but creativity is not my strong point to say the least.

[Tontospal 1,116]

How many fans have given up their season tickets by way of a silent protest in the last 5 years or so? I would hazard a guess at 5-15,000 although this number has been ignored as those bums on seats have simply been replaced by new fans.

The problem is that you are preaching to the converted and the vast majority of our support are either apathetic, ignorant of the facts or simply do not understand or want to accept the mess that our club is in on and off the park.

No way of knowing how many people have given up their tickets. I know a few but I personally doubt your 5-15K figure. If this was true where were they during previous protests and/or what are they doing now to change things? Such a number of like-minded people is pretty large and if they got together could be extremely vocal.

As for reaching the offline/apathetic fan I agree completely that is a necessity if we want real change. Online fans are vocal, knowledgable and 'active' to a fair extent. Offline fans aren't but I'm sure plenty of them would be interested in what people have to say.

That's exactly why once this project is complete we'll look to take it to offline sources - the club, the media, high net worth fans and fanzines. There's no reason at this stage - depending on progress - that further action can be taken to increase and better the debate.

You may have missed my introductory piece explaining what we're trying to achieve via articles like the one above. Here it is again for those who may have missed it.

http://forum.rangersmedia.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=96697

I think you would be surprised at the number who have drifted away.

Personally, I never used to miss any first team game whatsoever, home, abroad, friendly, pre-season etc.

Now, I wouldn't cross the road to watch the current side and I certainly wouldn't give Murray and Bain any money.

I also fail to recognise the club or support as the one that I grew up with and always felt a part of.

As for the lack of support at protests etc, the current support have the team and club they deserve. I say that as the majority are happy to go along with Murray's Rangers without any real sense of objection.

Every day that passes I can appreciate why disgruntled fans set up FC United of Manchester.

TBH, I would rather support a new Rangers side from scratch that followed on the principles of Moses McNeil etc than follow Murray Rangers.

I will not be back at Rangers until Murray is gone and that will not happen until the apathetic and ignorant majority wake up and act.

[Frankie 505]

I will not be back at Rangers until Murray is gone and that will not happen until the apathetic and ignorant majority wake up and act.

Or until those that are unhappy offer reasonable and workable suggestions for improvement....

I don't blame you for taking your stance. I'm extremely unhappy as well and am close to not renewing for next season. However, that still wouldn't change the fact that SDM is going nowhere unless we apply pressure and open eyes to the overall issue.