VB respond to the NOTW "story" on Sunday.

[IfYeCannae 48]

Same old, same old when it comes to that rhag of a 'paper'. Not checking their facts again. DEAR, DEAR...

Auld phil is at it again....

Written by Opportunity Knox

Monday, 17 May 2010

Phil McGillivan & The NOTW

We always knew that the Scottish News Of The World was a disgusting excuse of a rhag, but the last 3 weeks’ issues have cemented the publication’s reputation as the home of lowlife scum in the world of Scottish “journalism”.

This Newspaper, 3 weeks ago, printed an “article” by Arch Rangers hater Phil McGillivan AKA Phil - The Failed Journalist.

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Vanguard Bears are previously exposed McGillivan on various occasions

http://www.vanguardbears.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=207&Itemid=26

http://www.vanguardbears.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=164&Itemid=26

http://www.vanguardbears.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=186&Itemid=26

http://www.vanguardbears.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=26

While McGillivan’s attacks on the club are usually confined to his website, or Celtic Minded, in this case, the NOTW has picked up and published the “story” as follows:

By Phil - The Failed Journalist

EXCLUSIVE

CELTIC bosses pulled the plug on plans to use controversial offshore payments for their players after ruling that they were too RISKY, the News of the World can reveal.

Old Firm rivals Rangers are being chased through the courts by the taxman after funnelling millions into the pockets of their biggest stars through accounts based abroad, it emerged this week.

But canny Parkhead chiefs shunned the loophole of using Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs) in case they ended up breaking the law.

Brian Quinn – a former deputy governor of the Bank of England who was chairman between 2000 and 2008 – took the decision to meet the Hoops’ hefty wage bill without resorting to the tax dodge.

Last night, a club source said: “They took tax advice and weighed it all up. They came to the conclusion that to use EBTs as a cornerstone of any tax plan was the road to ruin.

“Looking back now, with all the problems across the city, it seems like it was a very astute piece of stewardship on the part of Mr Quinn and the board.”

Meanwhile, Rangers fans have blasted Ibrox bosses after they REFUSED to answer ten crucial questions put to them by the News of the World about its murky off-shore dealings.

Supporters are still being kept in the dark about the unravelling scandal which could scupper hopes of a buy-out of the cash-strapped club.

So this week, we put a list of key questions about the affair to Gers chiefs...though they failed to answer a single one.

Now fans leaders are calling on the club to break its silence. John Macmillan, general secretary of the Rangers Supporters Association, said:

“The fans have shown a lot of loyalty to the club but these latest developments are adding to their concerns. Rangers is in disarray and the supporters are now growing restless. Many are now holding back on renewing their season tickets. Let’s hear what is really happening. We are pleading with the club to come out and tell us what is going on. And if they can’t then at least tell why they can’t. It’s not too much to ask. All these whispers will not encourage potential buyers and it leaves the impression – however false that impression may be – that there is perhaps something to hide.”

But now there are warnings that the crisis could be about to deepen for Rangers.

Last night, an Ibrox source revealed: “It’s not just the taxman that the fans should be worrying about, it’s that one potential buyer has already been frightened off after learning about the probe.

“If the club doesn’t get sold by mid-summer, there will be a bank-driven fire sale of the best players.”

Another source close to the probe added: “The process of due diligence created the paper trail which the tax investigators are now following. “If they spot someone pulling this stunt on a one-off basis, they’ll turn a blind eye but when this sort of thing is going on year-in-year-out, there comes a point when it’s clear that something has to be done.

“That’s the point Rangers have reached – they’ve been trying it on for far too long and the chickens are now coming home to roost.”

Rangers admitted this weekl that investigators from Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are probing the way it has paid some of its top players from the past decade.

No individual stars have been named in connection with the investigation.

But in the late 90s and early Noughties, a string of pricey foreigners was tempted to Ibrox including top Dutch internationals Arthur Numan, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and twins Ronald and Frank de Boer; £12 million Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo, Turkey skipper Tugay and ex-Manchester United winger Andrei Kanchelskis.

Millions were poured into offshore EBTs which ‘loaned’ low-tax money to players at 0% interest – and the stars were never asked for the cash back.

Such schemes aren’t necessarily illegal - but if the club is found to have gone further than the loophole in the law allows, it could face a crippling bill from the Government plus enormous legal fees and a fine.

Our tax source revealed that Rangers had originally sought expert advice on how to use EBTs.

But the insider claimed: “The club eventually chose to ignore this advice and proceeded with a tax strategy, which went far beyond normal football club boundaries. This is not a question of innocently straying over the line; this is a conscious effort to evade taxation."

The use of EBTs at Ibrox is believed to have begun around the turn of the Millennium.

At the time, ex-pat businessman and Ibrox board member Dave King – now facing his own court battle with the South African authorities over alleged tax evasion - had just invested £20 million in the club.

Documents uncovered during the probe into King’s affairs have shown that he was himself looking for ways to minimise his liabilities in 2001.

Secret emails surfaced in the High Court in South Africa appearing to show that his Ibrox investment had been used to channel cash away from the prying eyes of the authorities.

The exchanges were written by Bank of Bermuda staff in 2001. One states: "Apparently DK wishes to 'dismantle' current structure...as the 'tax authorities are chasing him'."

Now it’s feared that, if Rangers are found to have acted improperly, the current cash crisis which has already seen savage cuts in playing and admin staff at the behest of chief creditor Lloyds Banking Group, could get worse.

And the fiasco could also scare away potential buyers of Sir David Murray’s 92 per cent stake in the club which has been up for sale for four years.

Last night, Rangers refused to answer our ten questions, instead repeating a statement they issued earlier in the week which insisted that the club was up for a fight.

A spokesman said: “There is an ongoing query raised by HMRC, which is part of a pending court case. On the basis of expert tax advice provided to Rangers, the Club is robustly defending the matters raised. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage”

THE TEN QUESTIONS

1. When did Rangers begin using EBTs; are they still being used?

2. Which players benefited from EBTs?

3. Has Rangers done anything illegal in regard to their tax policies?

4. Are the members of the Rangers board personally liable for any undisclosed liabilities?

5. Has Rangers’ use of EBTs broken any rules of the Scottish Premier League or Scottish Football Association?

6. What is Rangers’ potential liability to RFC – could it exceed the club’s current debts of around £30 million?

7. Would any new owner of Rangers need to take on any tax liabilities?

8. Have any prospective buyers withdrawn their interest because they discovered these potential liabilities?

9. Has HMRC requested documentation from the Rangers in regard to its investigation?

10. Have court papers been served on Rangers yet?

Phil, who we outed as “Philbhoy” on Celtic Minded on our first expose of him, has previously denied assuming this identity on the extremist Celtic Supporters website.

This we know is a lie, with several references on the site from others, and from Phil himself posting about the article.

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Interestingly, Phil’s post on Celtic Minded regards the article claims some intervention from the “boss man” at the NOTW.

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His original article:

Part 1 http://i41.tinypic.com/mwzfdd.jpg

Part 2 http://i39.tinypic.com/i3h2jk.jpg

His amended article:

Part 1 http://i43.tinypic.com/2iu6ejs.jpg

Part 2 http://i39.tinypic.com/fjdgm0.jpg

With regards to the ill informed article itself, it is riddled with inaccuracies. If he were truly a journalist, he’d know the answers to some of the questions, as a quick look at the accounts of Rangers Football Club would do just that. He’d also know that the remaining questions are inappropriate during legal process.

“Supporters are still being kept in the dark about the unravelling scandal which could scupper hopes of a buy-out of the cash-strapped club.”

Note, that the following day, Andrew Ellis confirmed his bid for Rangers Football club is very much ON.

“So this week, we put a list of key questions about the affair to Gers chiefs...though they failed to answer a single one.”

Wrong. They refused to speak to McGillivan as they know he’s a Republican bigot with an agenda against the club.

They also exercised their right to refuse to answer questions that may be part of legal process.

How do they know about McGillivan? We told them all about him last year.

Now fans leaders are calling on the club to break its silence.

John Macmillan, general secretary of the Rangers Supporters Association, said: “The fans have shown a lot of loyalty to the club but these latest developments are adding to their concerns. Rangers is in disarray and the supporters are now growing restless. Many are now holding back on renewing their season tickets. Let’s hear what is really happening. We are pleading with the club to come out and tell us what is going on. And if they can’t then at least tell why they can’t. It’s not too much to ask. All these whispers will not encourage potential buyers and it leaves the impression – however false that impression may be – that there is perhaps something to hide.”

Mr McMillan was unaware of what a rheptile Mr McGillivan is, and we suspect his quotes are based on misinformation given to him by McGillivan.

Phil may think he’s clever, and may well be patting himself on the back for this piece of deception, but it’s a trick that only works once, particularly as McMillan will now be informed of McGillivan’s unsavoury past.

But now there are warnings that the crisis could be about to deepen for Rangers.

Last night, an Ibrox source revealed: “It’s not just the taxman that the fans should be worrying about, it’s that one potential buyer has already been frightened off after learning about the probe. If the club doesn’t get sold by mid-summer, there will be a bank-driven fire sale of the best players.”

Note the use of “an Ibrox source”. Also note that the one “potential buyer”, has, for his own reasons, been leaking selected Rangers financial data to various Journalists, including Darrell King. McGillivan is simply using information from quotes given to King by said individual.

One may suggest this is plagiarism from one agenda driven narcissist to another. Either way, given Ellis’s statement on the 4th May, its nonsense.

http://www.<No links to this website>/football/spl/rangers/2010/05/04/property-tycoon-andrew-ellis-steps-up-33m-bid-to-buy-rangers-86908-22231981/

Another source close to the probe added: “The process of due diligence created the paper trail which the tax investigators are now following.”

Far be it from us to question the integrity of Mr McGillivan, or the editors of the NOTW but this is simply untrue. The only person who has undertaken due diligence is Andrew Ellis. No one else. Ellis has stated his bid is still on.

It is our information that HMCR are pursuing a line of enquiry, applicable to many top football clubs, and is nothing at all to do with the due diligence undertaken.

“If they spot someone pulling this stunt on a one-off basis, they’ll turn a blind eye but when this sort of thing is going on year-in-year-out, there comes a point when it’s clear that something has to be done. That’s the point Rangers have reached – they’ve been trying it on for far too long and the chickens are now coming home to roost."

Is this really the language used by “the taxman”?

Is McGillivan (or is it actually Gillivan – We Should be told) using poetic licence to suit NOTW readers, or is it actually a work of fiction?

"Rangers admitted this week that investigators from Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are probing the way it has paid some of its top players from the past decade. No individual stars have been named in connection with the investigation.

But in the late 90s and early Noughties, a string of pricey foreigners was tempted to Ibrox including top Dutch internationals Arthur Numan, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and twins Ronald and Frank de Boer; £12 million Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo, Turkey skipper Tugay and ex-Manchester United winger Andrei Kanchelskis.”

Subtlety isn’t McGillivan’s strong point, and some would say accuracy isn’t either.

Rangers began using the EBT facility in 2001.

The individual stars named by McGillivan were signed in the following years:

Arthur Numan – 1998

Giovanni Van Bronkhorst – 1998

Andrei Kanchelskis – 1998

Ronald De Boer – 2000

Tore Andre Flo – 2000

Tugay – 2000

Frank De Boer – 2004

All but one of those players would have had absolutely no involvement in the EBTs.

From 2001, Rangers have been paying employees elements of their salaries via trust funds - The Rangers Employee Benefit Trust and the Murray Group Management Ltd. Remuneration Trust.

Payments to the trusts were first made in 2001 and have continued since thus:

2001 - £1.01 million

2002 - £5.17 million

2003 - £6.79 million

2004 - £7.25 million

2005 - £7.24 million

2006 - £9.19 million

2007 - £4.9 million

2008 - £2.29 million

2009 - £2.36 million.

The allegations against Mr King have yet to be heard in court, and no “journalist” should be making any implications of any kind against Mr King until the matter is resolved.

Interestingly, word reaches VB, that many of Mr McGillivan’s apologists on Celtic Minded were raising the prospect of him beginning legal action against a number of allegations on web forum.

Given the allegations implied in the NOTW “report” above, I suspect this is almost as unlikely as Mr McGillivan getting a publisher for his next “book”.

“Now it’s feared that, if Rangers are found to have acted improperly, the current cash crisis which has already seen savage cuts in playing and admin staff at the behest of chief creditor Lloyds Banking Group, could get worse.”

Feared by whom?

Those “savage” cuts to date amount to the sale of Pedro Mendes.

Other players who have left the club, have done so for a huge profit for the club, such as Alan Hutton, and Carlos Cuellar.

Note, that not one person named against the various “quotes” from “sources” and “insiders” in the entire report.

Our understanding is that Rangers did not speak to McGillivan, and he simply repeated a prepared statement published on Rangers website several days earlier.

Interestingly, another report appeared in this week’s NOTW, written by a “Mark Howarth” alleging that Martin Bain had confided in friends that Rangers had to stick to their business plan, or “Rangers are finished”.

Being as obsessed with Rangers’ finances as they are, 666FC fans across the globe flooded the web to discuss it the following day, with several discussions referencing the author not as “Mark Howarth”, but as McGillivan.

http://www.omnifootball.co.uk/2010/05/this-seasons-honest-mistakes-and-rangers-money-worries-are-they-connected/

Quite why, within a week of an article under his current name, this name cannot be credited against a new report is unclear, but the NOTW HAS still sanctioned the publishing of this rubbish.

McGillivan admits the article is his, here

http://i42.tinypic.com/14dk7x1.jpg

Interestingly, bitter Phil uses the Irish term “sceal” instead of the English term “story”.

Either McGillivan has been using this pen name for many years at the NOTW, or this (Howarth) is a common pen name given to various contributors and freelancers.

If it’s a real person who’s had their name stuck against a McGillivan piece I’d hope they now see what the agenda of their management is, and look for employment elsewhere.

Now despite Martin Bain possibly being seen as an easy touch by 666FC supporters, we reckon that when it gets personal he’s far from it. He’s proven it in the past, and I believe he’ll prove it again.

One can only hope, for McGillivan’s sake, that Mr Bain did indeed make such a statement to a friend who has betrayed him, because if this is untrue, the only legal action McGillivan will be involved in will be as defendant.

Mr Bain has been sent screen shots of the claims that Howarth is indeed McGillivan - it has now been mentioned on Radio Clyde's lunchtime news bulletin that Rangers are considering taking legal action against the article.

Now in the latest issue of the rhag, an article by “James Douglas” about the club states that “the taxman” has served the club with a demand for £24M, which will take the club’s debt to £80M.

“James Douglas” may be the byeline, but the article is written by McGillivan.

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http://i43.tinypic.com/x6fvba.jpg

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/4551/95735683.jpg

He wishes Rangers kicked out of Europe here:

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/6928/44974670.jpg

Here, he can’t keep his trap shut, while using a sectarian term:

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4401/33993085.jpg

VB can now exclusively reveal that the missing Seville Calculator is in the hands of McGillivan.

Rangers, and MIH have both quite clearly stated that there are no cross dependent loans or debts from Rangers Football Club to MIH or Murray Sports.

Rangers’ only current debt is to Lloyds bank, last confirmed at the Rangers AGM as £31M, with most informed advisors now believing that figure has reduced by £3M - £5M

The £24M figure, if added to the £31M figure, is £55M, not £80M

It is also fantasy from Phil’s head based on a quick calculation that Rangers would be liable for 50% tax on a total of £48M invested in EBTs.

It’s no more than guesswork, and no tax bill has been served on the club, or is likely to be in the near future for that kind of sum.

The Parallels with the Seville Calculator are startling, as the Seville Authorities’ estimates of 55,000 666FC Supporters, was rounded up by 45% to 80,000 by the self same support who had trouble attracting 20,000 in the final weeks of the season just passed.

Alarm bells ring over McGillivan's nomadic move across the wate, then seemingly "working" all over Ulster and the Republic, in short lasting jobs.

This, along with the name change points to someone running away from something. What is he running away from? What has he got to hide?

McGillivan's friends on Facebook are also interesting, as they include David Miller of Strathclyde University. You may remember that Miller is the complainant who took issue with the use of the Red Hand of Ulster flag on Blue Peter by Zoe Salmon

In short, McGillivan is a lying fantasist who should have no place at a national newspaper.

By publishing McGillivan’s twisted pieces, and even (according to the bold Phil) requesting that he add in some positive PR about 666FC in his “first” piece, it’s clear that the Editorial staff at the Scottish NOTW are indeed, as stated on this site carrying out an agenda against the club.

We therefore ask that all Rangers supporters starve the paper and it’s website of finance by refusing to buy the publication, or refusing to visit its website.

http://www.vanguardbears.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=266&Itemid=26

OpportunityKnox

--------------------

VB is encouraging all Rangers supporters to ask pertinent questions of Lloyds Bank, Donald Muir, Archie Kane, and the Rangers Board, via a Facebook group called “Save Rangers Football Club”

Our Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001038168262

The Save Rangers Group:

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/group.php?gid=110444795665119&v=info

Vanguard Bears believe that there is a fight to save the club, which HAS to be won, and this is our upmost priority at the moment.

Three weeks ago, VB took an editorial decision to step back from online “debates” with lunatics like Phil McGillivan/Gillivan, to focus on “the bigger picture”.

We have now decided, due to the nature of McGillivan’s attacks on our club’s reputation in mainstream mhedia, at a key time in takeover negotiations, that this decision be temporarily reversed.

Vanguardbears.co.uk

http://www.vanguardbears.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=291&Itemid=1

[gogzy 31,195]

thats a bloddy big post mate, i will read it later when i get time to take it all in, usually you guys are spot on with things like this

[DavidCF2 29]

Excellent article.

Sooner this clown gets knocked off his perch, the better.

As we speak, he's on Celtic Minded telling all and sundry that he has "Another slice of H** pain" in the pipeline.

Naturally, it will be more sensationalist claptrap, but he clearly thinks he is untouchable.

[fog 289]

i only looked at the pictures

[RFC55 109,117]

you guys are great

[Dennis 1,011]

nothing that scumbag writes is a surprise to me or should it to any bear. what is surprising, is that the rags seem, it suitable to print his shite. Rangers as a club should come out and deny this pish straight away and put sanctions against the guilty rags. this would send out the message to bears to stop reading this shite.

that was a great piece by the way

[Jelle1880 225]

Once again the VB use timmy's biggest enemy (after soap) against them, hard cold facts.

[simon 1,743]

That was a great read.

VB

[RichieG10 0]

Good work again by VB.

[Carsons Dog 9,878]

Excellent work by VB.

Are VB self funding or do they rely on donations?

[nvager 498]

Good article! Needed too.

[RFC55 109,117]

Will anything be done about this guy? Im not sure if anything can but surely the notw would want to look into his online shellick minded site comments? I dont get how someone would be allowed to do articles on us that reffers to us as H***!!!

I gather his next exclusive will be about a member of our team taking gear and using prostitutes, apparently its been in the pipe line for a while

[BlueIsTheColour 35]

Will anything be done about this guy? Im not sure if anything can but surely the notw would want to look into his online shellick minded site comments? I dont get how someone would be allowed to do articles on us that reffers to us as H***!!!

I gather his next exclusive will be about a member of our team taking gear and using prostitutes, apparently its been in the pipe line for a while

I think Rangers Football Club will be more interested in his comments on CM, if they do indeed decide to pursue legal action.

Poor Philbhoy is in for one hell of a fall and wee Roisin will be crying once again.

[theweebluenose 4,332]

Will anything be done about this guy? Im not sure if anything can but surely the notw would want to look into his online shellick minded site comments? I dont get how someone would be allowed to do articles on us that reffers to us as H***!!!

I gather his next exclusive will be about a member of our team taking gear and using prostitutes, apparently its been in the pipe line for a while

Email the NOTW and complain, it might sound pointless but if enough people do it then it could make a difference. Could you imagine the NOTW employing a Journalist who refered to Celtic as the t*rriers?

[RFC55 109,117]

Will anything be done about this guy? Im not sure if anything can but surely the notw would want to look into his online shellick minded site comments? I dont get how someone would be allowed to do articles on us that reffers to us as H***!!!

I gather his next exclusive will be about a member of our team taking gear and using prostitutes, apparently its been in the pipe line for a while

I think Rangers Football Club will be more interested in his comments on CM, if they do indeed decide to pursue legal action.

Poor Philbhoy is in for one hell of a fall and wee Roisin will be crying once again.

Sorry mate im tired thats what i meant.

Are we looking into it do we know?

[lancedeangers1 287]

Really good work as ever VB.

The work you guys carry out is invaluable to the defence of our club and its traditions.

[RFC55 109,117]

Will anything be done about this guy? Im not sure if anything can but surely the notw would want to look into his online shellick minded site comments? I dont get how someone would be allowed to do articles on us that reffers to us as H***!!!

I gather his next exclusive will be about a member of our team taking gear and using prostitutes, apparently its been in the pipe line for a while

Email the NOTW and complain, it might sound pointless but if enough people do it then it could make a difference. Could you imagine the NOTW employing a Journalist who refered to Celtic as the t*rriers?

I would mate but i get carried away. If someone fires one up then ill copy it but change and add bits. I start rambling haha. Could you imagine a journo even typing the tims, despite the fact they class themselfs as that. There deluded as fuck they would get all upset

[GeneralCartmanLee 313]

A good article, some of it i knew and much of it i didn't.

Surely his employers would be interested in his use of bigoted langauge.....

[bluedogg 0]

Great piece, hats off to you guys for highlighting this scumbag and what he's about, how does he get away with it. He hates us more than he loves his own club......he's one sad individual.

[minstral 5,375]

Fantastic article and great to see fans that are willing to fight back against the people who lie and try to cause harm to our club.

[kanjo 26,330]

Freedom or press means they are allowed to, but since Rangers are a top-line business, under Scots law if what they're stating (especially the quotes by Bain) is found untrue, the NOTW can be taken to court.

VB deserve every inch of credit i could muster for any supporters group or website.

[Jimenez 1]

Will anything be done about this guy? Im not sure if anything can but surely the notw would want to look into his online shellick minded site comments? I dont get how someone would be allowed to do articles on us that reffers to us as H***!!!

I gather his next exclusive will be about a member of our team taking gear and using prostitutes, apparently its been in the pipe line for a while

I think Rangers Football Club will be more interested in his comments on CM, if they do indeed decide to pursue legal action.

Poor Philbhoy is in for one hell of a fall and wee Roisin will be crying once again.

She'll only stop her greeting when McGobblegiver snuffs it. Imagine that pathetic cretin was your father

[boss 1,941]

Impressive research as usual.

[Blue Stars Bearette 1]

excellent riposte by th VBs

NOTW; toilet paper has a higher status in the paper world

[Adoniram 1,919]

VB is self funding and not for profit.And like the vast majority of other sites our reason for being is simply a love of the Rangers.

"Defending Our Traditions"