SpidermansGaffer

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■ It's taken a long time for the Court of Session to force the Rangers chairman Dave King to comply with company law. ■ He's strung along the Takeover Panel and the Court. But he may soon face an unpleasant combination of a cold shoulder, hot water and porridge. Dave King has previous on stringing along the authorities. In legal action taken by South Africa's tax authorities, he kept them waiting for years before paying up what he owed. The stigma of a criminal record doesn't seem to bother him much. Facing action by the Takeover Panel, the Ibrox chairman seems to be playing a similar game. The watchdog of mergers and takeovers has limited powers. The main one is usually very effective, in that it "cold shoulders" someone who refuses to comply, denying them any access to regulated financial companies, such as banks or accountants. It hasn't used that on Dave King, yet, probably because he doesn't have much need of banks or accountants in the UK. He lives in South Africa, from where it's easier to cock a snook at the financial authorities in London. He did so this week with his start-of-season message to fans. Published on the Rangers website, this was intended to fuel a sense of Ibrox grievance that Rangers' financial difficulties are down to vexatious complaints from other clubs and former directors. It's almost as if the Companies Act 2006 was not crystal clear on him being in the wrong, or that the Takeover Panel was unable to make up its own mind without pressure from the terracing at Parkhead. Not for the first time, a Rangers chairman in difficulties has appealed to the faithful to back him against the perceived injustices of the outside world. And not for the first time, many of the Rangers faithful have failed to distinguish between the interests of their club and those of its chairman. 'No end in sight' King twice described the Court of Session rulings as "strange", and said the Takeover Panel's refusal to give him more time to get his finances together, to open a UK bank account and to make the offer was causing "further unnecessary delay, with no end in sight". Those final four words appear to be what focussed our learned friends' minds with Friday's hearing in the Court of Session. King is either deluding himself about who's causing delay, or he's stringing along the Court. But for how long? Being found in contempt of court, as early as next month, could bring a jail sentence of up to two years or an unlimited fine. Both the Court and the Takeover Panel have a common interest in seeing their authority respected, and that of the law. So does he want to be a fugitive, unable to touch down in the UK and visit Ibrox without having his collar felt? If he is held in contempt, will there then be a case for the Scottish Football Association to challenge his status as a "fit and proper" person to be a director of a Scottish premiership club? That sporting sanction, rather than cold shouldering or a fine, may be what the Takeover Panel is relying upon as the leverage to get Mr King to comply. He'll have to make up his mind before 16 August, when the case is reconvened? Yes, yet again, the Scottish courts are taking a long time to handle this. I'm told it could have been taken to an English court, and would probably have been concluded a long time ago.

King of Ibrox: stringing along the Court http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-44908488

Outstanding article, very well written.

As Tannerall said - were they really that blinded with their hate for the most successful team in the world, that they actually couldn't see the big picture?? Get rid of Rangers & you wee diddy clubs will have more chance to win stuff right?? Eh...no. All it actually means is you all get a chance at gloating at the BIG team that's been pumping you all for the last 140 odd years, whilst the other big team that's actually been pumping you all too has a straight run at title after fucking title & champions league money. I'm actually surprised it's not been a Quadruple Treble btw. They all thought we'd walk away. They all thought we'd wither & die. They all assumed that we wouldn't be back. What they didn't bank on was the words that bind this club & support together. Loyalty, Integrity & Strength. We. Are. Back. & they fucking know it.

If I had a hat on right now, I'd take it the fuck off. Well said brother.

Spot on. If we announce proper investment on the back of appointing Steven Gerrard as manager, there's nothing surer. He'll be offski down south, he'll get one half decent job, then be found out for what he actually is.

I've gone for a much more radical lineup, with a different approach. John Cleese in goals, clearly for his height advantage & funny walk skills. A full back pairing of Morecambe & Wise brings much needed experience for the big stage, coupled with Bernard Manning & Russ Abbot as no nonsense centre halfs. I went for a tricky midfield with plenty of flair & speed on the wings with Ken Dodd and Benny Hill. Tommy Cooper giving us a bit of dig in the centre, with the sublime guile of Chic Murray. After much thought and deliberation as to who to put up top, I went with the tried and tested double act of Laurel & Hardy. I'm open to suggestions for potential substitutes and manager, and before anyone starts - I have no idea if any of these players are tims...

Must have saved up several weeks worth of unemployment benefit for such a wager...

Love that pic ??

It's not the same since they installed the tarrier-barriers a few years ago to stop the cunts jumping off after we'd won another title...

Christian Dailly was only here for a season I think, did pretty well for us in 2008/9 as a bit part player.

In two foot deep, I know what fate awaits me, No bus or train, the snow has bound me fast...

I'll bloody guarantee if we do slip up today, the taigs will get pumped on Sunday too. It seems to have been like that all season, they slip up - we fail to take advantage. Nothing but a resounding win please Mr Murty, let's put some pressure on these filthy bastards

Malcom MacDonald ??

I've still got my late 70's white Blackpool away top with his number on it ? I grew up in Blackpool & my old man took me to the home games.

Was that the Derek Spence who played for Blackpool?

Excellent piece ??

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Put the Evo-Stick down & go back to bed...

Ally Dawson after a bottle of Just for Men??

As much as I agree with that sentiment, it must be killing Walter inside to see what's going on at Ibrox, knowing fine well that he could probably steer us into safe waters again until we eventually get some stability. If our club could actually be defined by one figurehead - It's him all day long.