robg58

http://www.rangers.co.uk/investor-centre/item/2681-regulatory-announcements

I wouldn't buy it but i'll nick it from anywhere

Makes you wonder where the tongue was before

http://www.thescotti...s-too-late.html Get Rangers back in the SPL before it’s too late We need Old Firm rivalry if our game is to survive FIRM DECISION ... SPL needs Celtic and Rangers By DAVIE PROVAN Published: 6 hrs ago 9 IF Lord Nimmo Smith’s tribunal had stripped Rangers of five titles we might have needed the army on the streets of Glasgow, so a big thank you to m’lud this morning. On their hourly rates, our learned friends will have done very nicely out of this investigation, but you can bet they’ll be glad it’s over. It’s always a relief to leave the nuthouse. Nimmo Smith was damned if he did, damned if he didn’t. The day before the tribunal announced it’s findings it was described as a “kangaroo court” by former Rangers striker Mark Hateley. A bit harsh on Nimmo Smith who graduated from Eton and Oxford to become a Supreme Court judge, but I doubt he’ll have lost sleep over it. Inevitably, in the land of the full moon, the verdict has upset everyone. Celtic fans see it as a whitewash, Rangers punters are demanding apologies and the heads of Neil Doncaster and Stewart Regan. In the meantime, the race for the moral high ground has become a stampede. Despite Rangers oldco being found guilty of breaching disclosure regulations, Sir David Murray was quick to break cover. During Rangers slide into liquidation you couldn’t have found Sir David with the Hubble telescope, but you can’t keep a good man down. Murray claims Rangers have been victims of a “retrospective witch-hunt.” More likely Gers are victims of Murray’s deal with Craig Whyte, despite him being well warned against it by Alastair Johnston. Murray though is yesterday’s man and with some justification Charles Green spoke on behalf of the club. Whatever you think of Green, his decision to refuse the plea bargain that would have seen Rangers trade titles for a place in the First Division, has been vindicated. Despite the £250,000 non-disclosure fine, Nimmo Smith ruled that Rangers had gained “no sporting advantage” through their use of EBTs. If that’s good enough for the man who tried the Lockerbie bomber, it should be good enough for the rest of us. Green is the man who’ll decide where Rangers go from here and his reaction to the verdict was refreshing. When he could have promised a pursuit of Doncaster and Regan he instead chose to draw a line under the EBT issue and promised to help rebuild the Scottish game. It won’t be easy. The commercial madness that saw Rangers relegated to Division Three is coming home to roost. Nowhere more so than at Celtic Park where supporters are struggling to stay awake on match days. With no credible opposition for at least another two years, Peter Lawwell will have his work cut out selling season tickets. Spare me the idea that Neil Lennon’s boys will take the same satisfaction from clinching this season’s title. In Rangers’ absence this championship was a gimme. This week Jose Mourinho said his Real Madrid players “live for the games against Barcelona”. It’s no different at the Old Firm where nothing matches the satisfaction of beating the other lot. With a one-horse title race until at least 2015, how does the SPL sell itself to punters and sponsors? On Wednesday, first played fourth in the SPL at Fir Park with James McFadden’s homecoming thrown in. Less than 9,000 fans fancied it. Where are the chocolate gladiators of cyberspace who threatened to boycott their clubs unless they voted Rangers out of the SPL? Didn’t they promise they’d turn out every week to make up the shortfall? Aberdeen had 6,000 for the midweek game against Ross County for heaven’s sake. Scottish football is heading for rigor mortis unless someone has the balls to say the bleeding obvious. Without the Old Firm at each other’s throat the SPL is a busted flush. It’s time to boot “sporting integrity” into touch and bring Rangers back into the top flight. Reconstructing the leagues to accommodate Rangers might upset the Luddites but it’ll send 30,000 volts through the top division. If it means switching to a 14-team league to squeeze Rangers in, why not? The return of four Old Firm games would bring hard cash and competition into the game in its hour of need. Charles Green eyeballing Peter Lawwell in the boardroom? Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist in each other’s faces on the track in front of a baying mob? Bring it on.

I had a dyslexia moment

Just a coincidence but the Tims send a them a DVD and the next thing Blatter arrives .

The Pope does walking away. The Cardinal is caught playing away. The tims can't win away. No titles taken away What a week

He might get some work on the wiring side

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SQqoKa75b-Y

It's not often that a reserve football match in the fourth tier of football can get a higher attendance than some first-team games in a nation's top division, but that is what happened when Rangers reserves (the 'Swifts', as they are known) lifted the Scottish football league reserve title on Tuesday night with a 2-0 victory over Queen's Park. Of course, in the Rangers' 141-year history, it will barely register as a footnote of a footnote. But it was a small moment of positivity for a fan base who have suffered so much in the past 12 months. Not because of the 'trophy' win, as that is not important, but because the club have shown they have a few youngsters who will add something to Rangers in the future, or if they don't make it at Ibrox, will add to the wider tapestry of Scottish football. Some of the guys playing on Tuesday have already broken into the first team, and it showed. Robbie Crawford was a class above the rest, while Tom Walsh had moments of brilliance and Fraser Aird scored the first with a mature finish. It wasn't a classic performance, but the boys played the game properly with the ball on the deck. There was no immature kick and rush football. But like the rest of this season, it is not so much about what happens on the pitch, but what goes on off it that will stay in the memory. Seeing so many youngsters with their drums, flags and banners while jumping about in unison singing their songs is important for the future of the club. The big worry over the summer was the financial meltdown would see some fans walk away and the Light Blues could lose a generation of supporters. That Rangers now have the 13th highest league attendance in the whole of Europe while playing in Scotland's worst league is a testament to what the football club means to those who 'follow follow'. Ironically, instead of turning people away, the crisis might have worked in the opposite direction. It's noticeable to all those who regularly go to Ibrox that there has been an uptake in families and children going to matches. This can be explained with lower prices for youngsters and the desire for parents to ensure their kids appreciate something so nearly lost. For this reason, it isn't just the young who have turned up week after week in sunshine, rain or snow. On Tuesday I was sitting beside an older gentleman who was telling me he had been going to Ibrox for 60-plus years. He spoke about Jim Baxter, Ralph Brand and Willie Henderson and told me he couldn't believe Rangers were in the Third Division, but he was proud of the way the support had reacted. And it was this person who had the misfortune to sit a few rows behind the 'ultra' groups who like to stand the whole match with their huge flags. When the game started he asked those in front if they could please sit down because he couldn't see the field. He said this to teenagers who had previously been loudly laughing and joking in the way teenagers do, and it doesn't matter where you are in the world people that age can be unknowingly selfish: “Why should we sit down?" they might ask, "We are only trying to enjoy ourselves?" This could have happened -- but it didn't. Instead they apologised, sat down or stood to the side, and for the rest of the match one of the youths kept turning around and asking the older fan if he could still see. It was a nice touch and for a brief moment it showed what football is all about. It is not merely the neutral love of a sport, but a shared identity from generation to generation. After the financial disaster of 2012, the only reason Rangers are still here is because of fans like the older gentleman who will never give up on his team. And although they don't know it yet, the future will belong to those young Light Blues, on and off the field, for whom it never occurred to do anything else but follow their club no matter where it takes them. http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/rangers/id/3717#?cc=5739

Revealed: Police believe a crime was committed during Craig Whyte's takeover of Rangers A police investigation has focused on the legality of Whyte's initial deal, the movement of money raised from deal with Ticketus and what happened to the missing £14million of unpaid PAYE and VAT. Disgraced former Rangers owner Craig Whyte Daily Record POLICE believe a crime was committed during Craig Whyte’s takeover of Rangers, the Record can reveal. Strathclyde officers have been looking into the deal since June last year and are close to concluding their investigation. Key Ibrox figures have been interviewed as potential witnesses and detectives are set to travel to the US to talk to ex-chairman Alastair Johnston. He was the man who warned fans about Whyte before the takeover and has been vocal in his condemnation of the disgraced businessman. Ticketus – the London firm who financed the deal to pay off Rangers’ bank debt – are also thought to have spoken to police. Last night, a legal expert said police will send a report to the Crown Office over Whyte’s dealings at Ibrox. It is understood that enough evidence has been gathered to suggest that a crime or crimes have been committed. Police are concentrating on three key areas – the legality of Whyte’s initial deal with former Rangers owner Sir David Murray, the movement of money raised from his notorious link-up with Ticketus and what happened to the missing £14million of unpaid PAYE and VAT. The probe will also look at obligations which Whyte failed to fulfil and allegedly lied about. Under the Share Purchase Agreement, he promised to invest £27.5million from his own funds or from companies controlled by him. Instead, he raised £27.4million from Ticketus, JLT Benefit Solutions and Merchant House Group – secured against future Rangers season ticket sales. Around £18million of that was used to wipe out the club’s bank debts. A fraud expert said: “Whyte has no option but to comply with a criminal investigation. He is not dealing with the football authorities now. “He won’t be able to squirm his way out of attending a police interview.” Just last week, Whyte said: “I welcome any fair investigation into anything to do with the takeover. Anybody will see there is no wrongdoing whatsoever.” Last night, Strathclyde Police said inquiries were ongoing into the biggest scandal ever to rock Scottish football. Whyte, 42, is also facing legal action from the SFA over fines totalling £200,000. Lawyers delivered a writ last week to his £720,000 Scottish HQ, Castle Grant, near Grantown-on-Spey, Morayshire.

A team of past legends of both clubs would be a good crowd puller.

In todays Courier the Dunfermline majority shareholder Gavin Masterton is urging supporters to pull together and raise 300-500k to ease their cash flow and to get the club back on an even keel or go bust.

This from another forum : In the last few minutes it has been revealed on sky sports news that rangers could be stripped of more league titles as punishment for giving juventus use of training facilities which celtic say contributed to their defeat by juventus. even as we speak peter liewell is hastilly convening a meeting of the cabel of darkness( doncaster, regan, you know the usual suspects), to give them their orders to come up with some trumped up charge. he has also been in touch with all his media chums to demand that they drop everything and to fabricate( sorry investigate) the evidence that will prove rangers involvement in all three goals lawyers harper and mcleod have put all other cases on hold with one director even heard to say if those ba****ds have been helping juve with their set pieces then there will be hell to pay lliewells daughter has even bieng drafted back to the lawers to help insure that the right fabricated evidence is put in place. raman at stv and keith jackson( record) leckie (the sun), thomson(chanel 4) and old phil 3 names(anybody that will listen to him) have been given carte blance to do what ever it takes to insure that the public will be told that it wasnt the fact that celtic were totally outclassed on the football field but their downfall was all down to juve training on such a high class training facility. it has also being revealed that last nights result will not be counted as celtic were beat and the game will have to be replayed till the result is one that suits everybody at celtic or neil runs out of people to blame and just accepts that his team were crap

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/opinion/item/3339-questions-remain RANGERS are well on the road to recovery after the most chaotic and hurtful period in their history but many questions remain unanswered. The horrors of the last 12 months remain vivid even if the outlook is inherently much brighter than many could have imagined this time last year. The club is more than stable, it is thriving and on the rise with considerable funding from the remarkably successful flotation which followed the initial investment plan and the incredible take-up of season tickets. However, accountability still has to be attributed for much of what happened and it may take years in some cases. Joint Interim Liquidators BDO are still in the early stages of their investigations into why the original company – oldco – failed and who was to blame. They are also pursuing monies for creditors and this may involve lengthy litigation. Equally, Strathclyde Police are now eight months into their criminal investigation of Craig Whyte’s takeover of Rangers and his subsequent mismanagement of the club. What about the football authorities? Who is going to hold them to account for the way they dealt with Rangers’ financial crisis? As Charles Green has said, the contrast between the English authorities’ handling of similar scenarios and the way the SPL and SFA acted is poles apart. How ironic, therefore, that two Englishmen run these organisations? Indeed, Neil Doncaster was a central figure with the Football League and FA in England when Leeds United were moved to a ***** and were not relegated one division never mind three. What was the real reason that the SPL clubs en masse said no to *****? Why did the SPL not hand over the prize money Rangers won last season? Why did the SPL and SFA demand that ***** pay oldco’s debts? And why did they threaten Rangers with the prospect of not playing football at all unless they agreed to an unlawful transfer embargo and a carve-up of TV rights among other sanctions to gain SFA membership? Doncaster claimed on a radio interview the other night that he may offer answers to some of these points once the Commission into Rangers’ alleged breaches of rules regarding players’ contracts releases its decision. I am not going to hold my breath on that one Doncaster has declined an invitation to take part in a documentary we are producing for RangersTV chronicling the events of the last year while his counterpart at the SFA Stewart Regan has so far yet to reply. Patience is going to have to be the key for everyone involved at Rangers in the coming years. The bottom line is that unless there is a seismic change to the reconstruction plans the next couple of seasons will be tough. At least if there is a 10-team third tier next year in any format Rangers will be playing different teams which will at least perpetuate the notion of a journey. Playing the same teams again will be difficult on so many levels. So as we approach the anniversary of that dark day last February, Rangers are in good shape but with many hurdles still to overcome. This artiicle first appeared in Ready, the official Rangers matchday programme

Nothing against camel toes but I don't know about camels

Lord Nimmo Smith to make Rangers wait for 'weeks rather than days' for EBT verdict 1 Feb 2013 07:42 AN outcome to the investigation in to the use of EBT's is expected to be announced in 'weeks rather than days' by Lord Nimmo Smith and will keep Rangers waiting on any possible punishment if found guilty. Lord Nimmo Smith will keep Rangers waiting LORD NIMMO SMITH is set to keep Rangers sweating over their titles for “weeks rather than days”. The law lord yesterday gathered final submissions from legal teams representing the Ibrox club and SPL after chairing a three-man panel over three days as part of the probe into the use of EBTs. Rangers stand accused of breaking SPL rules by making undisclosed payments to players from 2000 to 2011 during the reign of former chairman David Murray. Lord Nimmo Smith must now deliver a verdict and if he finds Rangers guilty he has to also decide on an appropriate punishment – with a raft of possible sanctions including the potential stripping of some of the club’s 54 titles. But Record Sport understands there will be no rush to announce Rangers’ fate and Lord Nimmo Smith told both parties yesterday he is unlikely to be in a position to tell them his decision this week or next. A close source said: “It appears we are talking weeks rather than days for the final decision. “Lord Nimmo Smith has a lot of evidence and submissions to go through and also has to examine the SPL rulebook. These are serious allegations and he will not be rushed.” We also understand that Biggart Baillie, the lawyers representing Rangers oldco, are quietly confident of securing a positive outcome. They believe the findings of the first-tier tax tribunal – which cleared Rangers of cooking the books – has significantly weakened the case against the club. They believe their case is so solid they did not require “star witnesses” including Murray and former director Mike McGill to give evidence. Current Rangers chief Charles Green has refused to take any part in the proceedings. Last night the SPL released a statement that said: “The independent commission has heard evidence and submissions and will issue a full written decision in due course.”

I did not write this it was from another site.

Written by David Bennett To: The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP,The Secretary of State for Defence; The Rt Hon Andrew Robathan MP, The Minister of State (Minister for the Armed Forces); The Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, Minister of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans) Dear Sirs, It is with grave concern and disappointment that I find myself forced to correspond with you. However, in these modern times of electronic media a certain issue has came to my attention, namely the decision of Major General Nick Eeles, General Officer Commanding Scotland to restrict the Remembrance Day celebrations conducted in the future at Ibrox Stadium, the home of Rangers Football Club. This hasty, unpalatable and surprise decision was announced in bold headlines in a Scottish Sunday newspaper on Sunday 27th January 2013 and is now, via the afore-mentioned electronic media, widely known. My concerns are numerous and I have listed these below for your perusal and consideration. I would also trust that a speedy retraction of General Eeles decision would be forthcoming. Let us firstly start with the Remembrance Day events at Ibrox Park on Saturday 10th November prior to and at the interval of the Scottish Football League fixture between Rangers and Peterhead. It has been a long held tradition that Rangers invite members of the Armed Forces to the home fixture nearest in date to the 11th of November, Remembrance Day. Rangers Football Club and the Rangers family have and continue to embrace a multi-cultural policy and as Scotland’s largest football club, and indeed one of Britain’s, the Remembrance Day activities are eagerly anticipated by and engaged in by the club, it’s supporters and, most importantly, our men and women who serve in the Armed Forces. This year there was, as always, the laying of wreaths by a small group of club officials, management and players at the appropriate time at the memorial that the club built for the purpose of serving as a permanent remembrance of those who gave their life for their country and in particular those who also represented the club through its history. Prior to the match, as in previous years, there was an outstanding card display in 3 of the main stands that was a visual tribute not only to those who have lost their life but also those who are still with us, either on active service or who suffered the physical and mental traumas of war at a loss to their health and well-being. On this occasion arrangements had been made with our friends in the Armed Forces to have a howitzer positioned in the stadium and for it to fire a round to intimate the commencement of what was, and always is, an impeccably observed minutes silence by both home and away supporters, players and officials. The minute silence was then ended by another round being fired. I think I can safely say the use of the howitzer and its dramatic impact served well to remind everyone of the horrors and frightening reality of war. This was done as opposed to the traditional referee’s whistle and, I assume done with the officials agreement. Suffice to say there were many tear-filled eyes and lumps in our throats during this minute of respect. Then, immediately prior to kick off, two paratroopersabseiled from the roof of the Govan Stand to ground level and then onto the park to present the referee with the match ball. I personally, as did many others, found this an ideal opportunity to see our forces in action and a timely reminder of their skills and bravery. Lest we forget, the near capacity crowd of 48,407patrons are made up of people who will remember the numerous times our troops have been engaged in combat throughout the modern world, be it in the two World Wars of the 20th Century or in recent conflicts in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan. No doubt many will have experienced the traumatic concerns of having a loved one on active duty and the service of our troops past and present should never be forgotten. None of the aforementioned actions or activities can in any way diminish what was a truly a show of ‘appropriate solemnity’ at the appropriate time. How do I know all of the above? I was privileged and honored to be among those 50,000 patrons and I have yet, in all my years of being in the stadium on such occasions, to hear one dissenting voice. So I ask myself why this unacceptable situation has arisen. Let us start at source. It appears Major General Nick Eeles, General Officer Commanding Scotland, received correspondence regarding what the writer described as involving ‘Army, Navy and Royal Marines service personnel (who) were participants in a travesty of a ‘Remembrance’ parade at Ibrox Park, Glasgow’. The correspondent has gone not only to the bother of writing to General Eeles but also making his letter and the General’s subsequent reply widely available on the internet. This leads me to several worrying conclusions and concerns about both the writer’s true motives for writing and publicising this matter using the often abused power of the internet and the subsequent stance and actions taken by General Eeles and his fellow commanding officers. Let us firstly consider the writer’s remarks. His first is one of a glaring inaccuracy. The match was in fact against Peterhead, not Alloa as he states. To this end I would suggest the writer was not at the game nor, based on his subsequent comments, likely ever to be so (unless perhaps his own ‘team’ was playing). The writer then continues ‘Whatever the original intention may have been, the occasion was allowed to degenerate into what I can only describe as a show of sectarian support - by the military personnel involved- for one particular section of Scottish society and one particular football club.’ I can only assume that the writer means the half time parade of our Forces and not the events prior to kick off. From my recollection of the day and the video evidence available, the half time celebrations consisted of a spontaneous and continuous round of applause throughout the interval and the singing, by the crowd, of Rule Britannia, the playing of the David Bowie rock anthem ‘Heroes’ and an enthusiastic ‘Bouncy’ engaged in by troops and fans alike. This can be verified by accessing a wide range of videos captured by fans in the stands that are available on the website ‘YouTube’. There were no sectarian incidents neither by deed nor word, and yet this type of celebration is to end as a result of one person, who was not present on the day, and his desperate attempts to undermine the entire ethos of the day for reasons that are not entirely clear but seem to refer to another issue and agenda. I would further point you and the writer to the simple fact that the Rangers family have regularly honored the Armed Forces on match days over the years. In 2009, they welcomed marines from 45 Commando on to the pitch at half-time in a fixture against Heart of Midlothian after the troops finished a tour of Afghanistan. On this occasion, and I speak as someone who was in attendance, one soldier from 45 Commando spent the whole half-time interval in front of his fellow Hearts supporter in a display of mutual affection that all in the ground applauded. Indeed and furthermore, the club had several representatives at the funeral of the late Captain Walter Barrie, observing a minutes silence with players wearing black armbands at the home fixture following his death. Scots Guardsman Gary Jamieson, who lost both legs in Afghanistan, was also the club’s guest of honour during a match in 2010. There can be no doubt that all those who serve or have served in our Armed Forces are treated with respect and kindness by the Rangers family as an expression of gratitude for their service, dedication and devotion to duty often at great personal cost. The writer further adds It was in no way respectful of the men and women ( among whom I include my own father) who suffered death or injury in the second World War, but was an absolutely undisciplined display of sectarian bias by the army unit(s) involved, who, I believe had balloted to be present because of their personal support for the aims and ideology of The Rangers FC. I firmly believe the time for respect on the day had already passed and been observed in complete and appropriate solemnityand what occurred at the half time interval was a mutual respect and appreciation of both the services personnel and the fans making. Those who serve our country are often reminded of the words of the famous war poet, Wilfred Owen, who wrote ‘DULCE ET DECORUM EST - the first words of a Latin saying (taken from an ode by Horace). The words were widely understood and often quoted at the start of the First World War. They mean "It is sweet and right." The full saying ends the poem: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - it is sweet and right to die for your country. In other words, it is a wonderful and great honour to fight and die for your country. I, and I’m sure the vast majority of the British population, no longer believe this is the sole principle of celebrating and engaging with those who join our military service. Many return from active duty physically and/or mentally scarred, some to the point where there life will never return to ‘normal’. The release valve on the day in question and the Rangers family’s warm welcome and enthusiastic reaction would make it most difficult if not impossible for any individual to refrain from indulging in the celebrations. The writer closes with what could be best be described as a bigoted, sectarian rant, referring to ‘the officer who authorised the use of tax-payers’ money for such a shameful partisan display, and the senior officer present on the day ( if indeed, any officer was present) should be asked to apologise to the people of Scotland for being so crassly insensitive to the feelings of many like me, who distance themselves from the poisonous ideology behind Orangeism and who do not wish their support for the Armed Forces of this country to be predicated on a false assumption that Orangeism equates to patriotism. It is essential that I emphasise this was in the writer’s view and he continued in his ‘blog’ by highlighting that ‘as you can see dear reader 95 people liked this post with only one finding objection to it.’ I would suggest that the low number of people raising objections may be as a result of the vast majority of reasonable minded people refusing to dignify this diatribe. I would, alternatively seek to point out that the writer makes several unanswered and unfounded allegations in his letter, namely regarding a waste of tax payers money, sectarian issues, the lack of a commanding officer’s presence on the day, that the people of Scotland should receive an apology and that those personnel in attendance had been somehow balloted in based on their religious beliefs, sectarianism and following of the largest and most successful football club in Scotland and further. I am a firm believer in freedom of speech and the individual’s right to this. However I am also a firm believer in democracy and would ask, in your considerations of this matter, the views of the overwhelming majority who found nothing disrespectful or insulting about the Armed Forces personnel conduct on the day and, if anything, appreciated the opportunity to salute those who serve. I would ask you now to consider the response from General Eeles that the original correspondent felt worthy of ‘posting’ on the internet. His response is, in my view, ill considered at best and I have taken the liberty of breaking this down to confirm my view. General Eeles replied ‘The General Officer Commanding Scotland has now had the opportunity to review the events that took place at Ibrox Park with the other Service heads in Scotland. They share your view that the format of the half time event and the conduct of those taking part in it was inappropriate for Remembrance Weekend, and will take steps to ensure that such events are conducted with appropriate solemnity in the future. They believe that the minute’s silence before the match was the correct way to mark the occasion and Army commanders will be directed to restrict future Remembrance events to this type of activity in the future. The focus of Remembrance activities must be on the fallen, not on those who are serving in the Armed Forces today I would be interested to hear if this was the complete response from General Eeles as the internet scribes and our media seem to avoid letting the whole truth get in the way of a good story and are not unknown for printing matters out of context. I would also like to know if such a decision is in the remit of the General Officer Commanding Scotland and who would be in a position to overturn this. However, I can only comment on the extracts of his response that have been ‘conveniently’ made public. On that basis, it is extremely distressing to note that the General Officer Commanding Scotland seems to have acceded to the wishes of the minority. Heaven help this great nation of ours if this is the strength of character of our senior military officers. He has failed, miserably in my view, to separate the pre-match Remembrance observance and what occurred during the half time interval although he does admit that the minute’s slience was appropriate and correct. He has also declared his view that ‘the focus of Remembrance activities must be on the fallen…’. I would remind General Eeles and indeed you, as politically elected representatives, that this is solely an opinion and not one shared by me or many of my acquaintances. It is time the ‘modern’ army joined the 21st Century if this is the kind of response they make to ill-willed allegations. Remembrance events and significant historical dates are held throughout the world, not only by our allies but by nations that were formerly our enemies. These are often a mixture of solemnity and celebration for example ‘Bastille Day’ in France. Indeed, in our modern world , the funeral of the departed is often celebrated in an up-beat and positive manner. We need look no further than the Catholic mass which aims to honour and pray for the person who has died and to care for and support those who are grieving. This care is focused on remembering and celebrating the death and subsequent resurrection of Christ and how this mystery offers Catholics hope. The New Orleans jazz funeral is a unique funeral tradition in New Orleans, Louisiana. The tradition arose from a combination of African spiritual practices, French musical traditions, and African-American cultural influences. A typical funeral begins with a march by the family, friends, and a jazz band, starting from the home, funeral home, or church, and proceeding to the cemetery. Throughout the march, the band plays very somber dirges. Once the final ceremony has taken place, the march proceeds from the cemetery to a gathering place, and the solemn music is replaced by loud, upbeat, raucous music and dancing where onlookers join in to celebrate the life of the deceased. I would re-iterate my comments of the Rangers family being a multi-cultured one that respects all regardless of beliefs, creed or colour and take this opportunity to state that for many, service personnel and fans alike, at Ibrox on the day in question, celebration is the ‘letting go’ of the loss, pain and angst they suffer. I am concerned that General Eeles has also not availed himself of the opportunity to answer any of the allegations made by the original correspondent. Has there been a waste of tax payer’s money? Were there sectarian issues on the day? Was there a commanding officer present on the day? Are the people of Scotland due an apology and had those personnel in attendance been somehow balloted in based on their religious beliefs, sectarianism and their following of the largest and most successful football club in Scotland and further. I am confident that there was no waste of tax-payers money even if the personnel involved were on duty as our forces are effectively on duty 24/7 and rest and recreation must surely form part of their duties. I have, I feel, totally dispelled any notion that there were sectarian issues on the day. There were a number of officers present on the day and, as noted in the clubs statement regarding this matter, ‘All activities on the day were arranged in full co-operation with the Royal Navy, RAF and Army.’ With regards to an apology, I believe the original correspondent should apologise for using Remembrance Day as a mechanism to promote an entirely different agenda and cause. Perhaps those responsible for the website that allowed this vitriol should apologise too and the Sunday Mail and it’s daily version, the Daily Record are well known for promoting anything that sells papers often at the expense of showing the Rangers family inaccurately in a bad light. Indeed this has happened to such an extent that these papers are the subject of boycotts by large numbers of people who share this opinion. However, I am not so sure General Eeles has investigated how those in attendance were selected nor am I convinced that he has made himself fully aware of the background and history of the Remembrance Day activities, and indeed any opportunities when the Rangers family are afforded the chance to salute British forces, at Ibrox throughout the years and this year in particular. He has failed to comment on the number of people who complained regarding this year’s event and to use the ‘like’ button (as the correspondent did) as a measure only serves to highlight how few people were offended and could be bothered to do anything other than click on a computer icon. Furthermore, General Eeles has appeared to undermine the decisions made by those members of the Armed Forces who co-ordinated this years’ celebration with the club. Instead, he, and the other Service heads seem to believe a minority view not only regarding what occurred on the day but also the tenets behind it. In my opinion a true leader of ‘men’ knows the strengths of his command and trusts the judgement of those within it. I cannot say I consider General Eeles to qualify in this regard. He appears to have been used a political and sectarian football and further seems not to have recognized this, a genuine cause for concern regards the General Officer Commanding Scotland. My last area of concern is, of course, with the reporting newspaper. According to their headlines, ‘Military chiefs have criticised Remembrance Day events organised by Rangers.’ I would respectfully submit that I see no criticism of the Rangers family, be it the club, the fans or, most significantly the Charity Foundation, in either the General’s remarks or the comments of the spokewoman for the Army. The concept of ‘top brass’ branding anyone, let alone Rangers, surely ended in the early part of the 20th Century. The press article then refers to ‘complaints’ but Ihave yet to see or hear of more than one. The article then uses words such as ‘Instead’ and ‘just’and ‘more’ to describe General Eeles response. These words are subjective but appear to portray some attempt at condemnation of ‘the Ibrox parade (which) was organised by the Rangers Charity Foundation to raise cash for ex-servicemen and their families.’ The Rangers Charity Foundation do indeed raise significant sums for the military charities and, indeed, the Army Benevolent Fund – The Soldiers charity is the Foundation’s current national partner. An extremely worthy cause in the view of reasonable minded people. Sadly, as a result of the article, the club has felt obliged to make a statement in order to present the true facts and endeavour to repair some of the deliberate damage done by those who have, apparently, alternative motives. The club stated: ‘ Rangers have always had a close and respectful relationship with this country’s services personnel and associated charities. That will continue. No one from any of the Forces has been in contact with us other than to thank us for our support and help. Indeed, it was pointed out that our Remembrance event proved to be the single largest memorial event in Scotland in the year in question. The Remembrance part of the afternoon was observed impeccably and carried precisely the correct degree of solemnity. This was, as should always be the case, entirely separate from anything that some might have deemed frivolous during half time an hour or so later.That was when service people about to be deployed abroad wanted to celebrate in normal football style. All activities on the day were arranged in full co-operation with the Royal Navy, RAF and Army. They have always been extremely appreciative of the club’s efforts and acknowledge we are massive supporters of the country’s serving men and women, as well as veterans.’ I trust that, having read this you will see that the Rangers family will continue to support our services personnel including serving, retired and bereaved parties. That has never been in doubt. The Charity Foundation, the club and the Royal Navy, RAF and Army arranged the day’s event in conjunction and received numerous expressions of appreciation of the enormity of the boost to coffers that this day, and others conducted by the Rangers family, make to such a needy and worthwhile cause. Rangers official statement continued stating ‘The Remembrance part of the afternoon was observed impeccably and carried precisely the correct degree of solemnity’ and further remarked that the half time celebrations were ‘entirely separate from anything that some might have deemed frivolous during half time an hour or so later. That was when service people about to be deployed abroad wanted to celebrate in normal football style.’ The article does correctly state that ‘Rangers players wore special poppy strips during the match and fans displayed a poppy mosaic before kick-off. However the report states that ‘Servicemen were given footballs by subs from both sides and took part in a half-time kick-about.’ I think it only fair to say that some of the forces personnel took over the subs half time drill and did indeed engage in a kick about and penalty shoot-out but it is also fair to add that this was done while the subs from both sides warmly applauded, shook hands and posed for photographs with those personnel on the park. If this was not a heart-warming sight then I have truly lost all perspective of what is good and kind. The comments of the spokeswoman for the Army again seem to confirm the Armed Forces ill-informed decision and toe the ‘politically correct’ line of apologising. I find this distasteful and weak on the part of the Armed Forces command. Her comments also seem to refute the original correspondents allegation that those troops present were in some way hand-picked if they‘were invited as a thank you from the club as they wanted to show support for the job they do and raise money for Poppy Scotland.’ The newspaper article also quotes a Rangers spokesperson as saying “No one from any of the Forces has been in contact with us other than to thank us for our support and help.Our Remembrance event proved to be the single largest memorial event in Scotland last year.’ This only goes to re-enforce my previous views regarding the true merits and meaning of the day in question. It may well, at this stage, be appropriate to remind you of your own Service Complaint’s Commissioners statement that “The men and women who serve with our Armed Forces are trained to act with professionalism, integrity and respect for others and ultimately to lay down their lives for our country. They deserve to be treated well and, where they feel they are not, to have their complaints handled properly. You have my assurance that those of our Armed Forces have acted as trained at the appropriate time and deserve to be treated, not only well, but fairly. In closing I would remind you of the ulterior motives of many who use the power of electronic media to promote and bolster inappropriate causes and agendas and also your duty to do the will of the British public at large. I make no apologies in informing you that I intend to put the content of this e-mail out to as many forums and media outlets that I can as well as side-copying it to the Rangers Charity Foundation. I eagerly anticipate your response and hopefully a full retraction of this decision now the facts have been fully presented. I would lastly recommend that you should make the time to visit Ibrox at your earliest opportunity and perhaps more appropriately on the day of Remembrance. Only then can you fully understand the bond between our Armed Forces and the Rangers family.

Tweets 1h Chris McLaughlin ‏@BBCchrismclaug #SFL meeting over. They reached agreement....to continue talking. #reconstruction #BBCSport Expand 2h Chris McLaughlin ‏@BBCchrismclaug #SFL meeting over. Agreement....to keep talking. #reconstruction. Expand 4h Chris McLaughlin ‏@BBCchrismclaug #SPL happy for #SFL to proceed with idea of 12-12-10-10. Reconstruction talks continue. #BBCSport Expand 6h Chris McLaughlin ‏@BBCchrismclaug @RickyBobby1872 off top of my head.. Arbroath, Berwick, Morton, Annan, East Fife, Livingston. View conversation 6h Chris McLaughlin ‏@BBCchrismclaug Chatting to a few #SFL clubs heading into reconstruction meeting. Most positive about change and need for one league body. #BBCSport

Club statement: RANGERS Football Club today received notification of the SFA Arbitration Panel’s decision which ruled that the Club did not inherit the right to continue the arbitration process started by oldco. This was always a possible outcome of what was purely a procedural hearing. Suspecting this would be the outcome, the Club had already filed a further Notice to Refer under SFA Article 99. This was done before the end of last year and that process will now continue. The Club had argued that since oldco’s registration had been transferred to newco the right to continue the case would also have transferred. Nothing has been won or lost at this stage and the Club will continue with its action. http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/3262-sfa-arbitration-statement

Rangers newco has been refused permission to continue an arbitration process established by the oldco over players who left Ibrox when the club filed for insolvency. The club was informed on Wednesday that it did not inherit the right to continue the arbitration process from the former parent company. Rangers have filed a further Notice to Refer under the Scottish Football Association's article 99. It plans to continue the process. The Ibrox outfit is pursuing compensation for six players who signed for other clubs when the company's assets were sold in the summer. Several players found new clubs under the TUPE regulations when the oldco entered administration and applied for liquidation, which permits employees the right to refuse to move their terms and conditions to a new employer or owner. Allan McGregor, now with Besiktas, Kyle Lafferty (Sion), Sone Aluko (Hull City), Steven Naismith (Everton), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City) and Jamie Ness (Stoke City) refused to have their contracts transferred to the club that would start the new season in Division Three. The panel was established and facilitated under the SFA's Articles of Association after agreement was reached by the club and the players over who should represent each side of the dispute, with a chair appointed to review both side's claims. However, the SFA is not directly involved in the arbitration process and has no influence over any decisions taken by the panel. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21268775

Rangers Supporters Trust statement on reconstruction The Rangers Supporters Trust are disappointed but unsurprised that the SPL clubs have decided to show total disregard to football supporters, and unanimously back a reconstruction proposal which has serious question marks over it's viability. At the moment there is no sponsor and there are serious concerns over the future of the current broadcasting deal. Back in October Neil Doncaster reported that the SPL was adapting remarkably well without Rangers. Given this prosperity, one would question the need to rush the proposal through for the beginning of next season, especially when there are so many unanswered questions. We can only hope that our fellow SFL clubs are able to display the integrity, transparency and common sense so sadly lacking from their SPL counterparts, and treat this proposal with the same level of contempt as the SPL have shown football supporters. In the summer the directors of many SPL clubs stated how important it was to listen to fans - yet there would appear to be an almost universal rejection amongst fans of all clubs against 12-12-18. We also note statements in recent times from the Dundee United Chairman and the Celtic CEO concerning the unsuitability changing of the rules of a competition during a season. FOR INFO: "You can’t ignore fans. Any business which ignores its customers is doomed to fail". Stephen Thompson, Dundee United. 9th June 2012. "However, the league must not be compromised by changing the rules during the course of the competition and these decisions should not be made on an ad-hoc basis". Peter Lawell, Celtic FC. 22nd April 2008. http://therst.co.uk/