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McMurdo - don't read if you're gonny moan. He makes a good point though


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OLD GENERAL BLOG

SEPTEMBER 14, 2013

Blagging A Blazer

The McColl Requisitioners are a funny old lot, it has to be said.

From activist investors to fan ownership zealots, the entire Jim McColl Circus is a collection of colourful and comedic characters.

People who wonder what I mean by the term “activist investor” would do well to look it up. Activist investors are investors who have a reputation for acquiring shares in a company with the express purpose of agitating for change in the boardroom. In essence, they want to put their own people on the board.

Generally speaking, activist investors are not popular because they are regarded as being troublemakers who do what they can to disrupt the running of companies and who benefit from this disruption, including, of course, the driving down of share prices.

Unfortunately, several of the investors in Rangers are tainted with this reputation of being activist investors.

The problem with having such investors on board is that they are easily swayed, which means that what Rangers are going through right now could become a regular occurrence. These investors are like sweetie wives who can’t stop fussing over the companies they have bought into and who end up doing more harm than good through through their meddling.

What must be understood about the Requisitioners is that they do not represent themselves. Neither do they represent Rangers as the “real Rangers men” with the club’s best interests at heart.

The reality is that they represent the investors who are backing them.

It has come to my attention that several of the investors in the boardroom battles at Ibrox have reputations for being activist investors i.e. agitators who cause mayhem in companies. Very often activist investors “attack” a company with the purpose of effecting change which can bring a hike in price shares, allowing them to cash out with a profit.

In other words, make a fast buck.

Some activist investors accept the notoriety of being such and use it to intimidate companies who adhere to their demands rather than go through protracted boardroom battles.

Any of this sound familiar?

The tactics used by the Requisitioners are classic ones used by activist investors, especially the smear and propaganda campaign in the media to destabilise the club and make other investors nervous.

It is quite sad to see a man of Jim McColl’s stature be dragged into such a dirty tricks campaign. If McColl really has Rangers’ best interests at heart you would presume that he would do things in an honourable way and invest money in shares.

Equally bizarre in the Requisition Roadshow is the very active presence of people who are supposed to be committed to fan ownership. My understanding of the Rangers Supporters Trust is that they exist to make fan ownership a reality. Indeed, this is their very raison d’etre.

I am not aware that the McColl group have made any commitment at any stage to fan ownership. So you have to question why the RST are so firmly in the McColl camp.

The RST are not alone. I have seen zealous proponents of fan ownership abandon all sense of propriety and act like teenage girls at a One Direction concert at the very mention of Jim McColl. For all the hype and bluster of those who promote Rangers fans owning Rangers, they always seem to be easily bewitched by messiah figures who have no truck for fan ownership.

The stark reality is that the Ibrox Boardroom War is a battle between two sets of investors. The noble crusade to “cleanse” the club is just propaganda and is used by activist investors all the time.

Rangers fans should not be conned.

The Requisitioners are not the Cavalry riding in to save the day. They are just another gang looking to ride in, take over and get what they can through bully boy tactics. Which is, as Craig Mather said, a club tie and a free seat in the Directors’ Box.

Rangers don’t need cuckoos in the nest.

If you want a blazer at Ibrox, you can get one on merit or you can buy one by investing serious money.

Blazer chasers and blazer blaggers are not welcome.

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Usual propaganda from one of Jack Irvine's mouthpiecces.

He was previously an unofficial spokesman for IA. Does anyone else see the irony of telling us on the one hand that IA is entitled to millions in commission for introducing various investors to the club, and then telling us now that they are all horrible activist investors? The AGM cannot come soon enough!

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Usual propaganda from one of Jack Irvine's mouthpiecces.

He was previously an unofficial spokesman for IA. Does anyone else see the irony of telling us on the one hand that IA is entitled to millions in commission for introducing various investors to the club, and then telling us now that they are all horrible activist investors? The AGM cannot come soon enough!

IA & Irvine is a typical smokescreen retort, surprised you didn't manage to squeeze Whyte in to your answer as well

Can you try and address what he actually said in the article?

Or did you not even read it?

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It has come to his attention.....everybody knew about Laxey's reputation when they invested money at outset and then when they forced Charles to transfer shares to them when his original promises to them turned out to be somewhat exaggerated. It's a bit rich McMurdo complaining about activist investors when it was his pals Green and Ahmed who introduced them in the first place.

Activist investors or a convicted criminal - who would you want?

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Did check the investors out and he is 100% correct. That Manx mob have serious bad karma! However, I stand by what I said on another thread and this only reinforces it. Current board will sell us of to a single Mr Big as we enter the top tier (this deal may already be agreed in principle!). Double their money and the new owner will increase his investment soon after by simply being in the top tier, new bigger sponsorships, Europe and soon. Win win all round. McColl and co are trying to get in on the action for free, treating us all for fools.

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