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Scottish clubs face survival battle, warns Dons chief

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Published Date: 03 December 2008
By SCOTT DAVIE and ANGUS WRIGHT
SCOTTISH football clubs face a tough fight for survival as the credit crunch hits hard, Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne has warned.
The Pittodrie chief believes that more clubs could follow Gretna by going out of business unless they can solve the problems of Scottish football individually and collectively.

Milne chose his club's agm this week to outline his concerns about the financial state of the game. He has recently had to lay off hundreds of Stewart Milne Group employees because the new housing market has ground to a halt, and he is under no illusions about the chill wind that will blow through the game until there is an economic upturn.

He said: "Football has come through some challenging times recently but I think the next few years are going to be even more challenging for football clubs in financial terms.

"There will be casualties because there is no doubt that in general football is still spending more than it is generating and that can't go on indefinitely."

Milne's message is in tune with that of his Rangers counterpart, Sir David Murray, whose club posted a record turnover for the previous financial year but overall debt increased. Sir David stated in September: "Existing levels of expenditure cannot be maintained in the current economic climate."

David Glen, a partner with accountants Pricewaterhouse Coopers, believes that the effects of the credit crunch have not been fully experienced in football yet, and will come into effect next season. However, he believes that Scottish clubs are in a better position to deal with the crisis than they were a few years ago, and predicts that the damage could be greater in England than in Scotland.

"Most of the Scottish clubs have had a fright in recent years and have brought their houses in order," said Glen. "To put it into context, I think the English Premier League is in a worse position. Their debt is approaching £2.5 billion, whereas the SPL debt is sitting at £100 million. So the English clubs are probably where SPL clubs were a few years ago when they thought the money wasn't going to dry up.

"We will get an early indicator of what's coming to football in the January transfer window. Not a great deal was spent in August, and I can see clubs trying to offload players first before they bring anyone else in."


FACT BOX

ABERDEEN

Turnover: £7.52m

Wages: £5.15m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 69%

Debt: £11.46m

CELTIC

Turnover: £75.24m

Wages: £36.42m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 48%

Debt: £9.16m

FALKIRK

Turnover: £3.98m

Wages: £2.31m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 58%

Debt: None

DUNDEE UNITED

Turnover: £4.01m

Wages: £2.58m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 64%

Debt:£7.28m

DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC

Turnover: £5.15m

Wages: £3.34m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 65%

Debt:£8.92m

HEARTS

Turnover: £10.32m

Wages: £12.49m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 121%

Debt:£37.57m

HIBERNIAN

Turnover: £9.85m

Wages: £4.06m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 41%

Debt:£2.88m

INVERNESS CT

Turnover: £2.88m

Wages: £1.35m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 47%

Debt:£20,000

KILMARNOCK

Turnover: £8.06m

Wages: £3.90m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 48%

Debt:£11.60m

MOTHERWELL

Turnover: £3.68m

Wages: £2.37m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 64%

Debt:£0.5m

RANGERS

Turnover: £41.77m

Wages: £24.26m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 58%

Debt:£16.54m


ST MIRREN

Turnover: £2.96m

Wages: £1.75m

Wages/Turnover Ratio: 59%

Debt:£1.37m

• Source: Price Waterhouse Coopers Annual Review 2008 (Figures from accounts for 2006-07 season)





The full article contains 594 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 02 December 2008 11:54 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Aberdeen FC , Credit Crunch
 
1

,

03/12/2008 00:41:20
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
2

Forward not Back,

03/12/2008 00:51:14
What would be more worthwhile is looking at the valuation of the companies who underwrite part of these debts, e.g. Stewart Milne Holmes, UBIG, MIM etc. If their credit lines reduce, lines to the football club will naturally be affected as well. However, that would actual work, wouldn't it Hootsmon?
3

JFD HIBEE,

san francisco 03/12/2008 01:19:56
CONGRATULATIONS TO FALKIRK. BUT ALL IN ALL ABERDEEN HAVE SOUNDED THE ALARM BELL. FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
4

WBB Down Under,

Perth,WA 03/12/2008 01:26:39
Crisis aye maybe but surprise, surprise an Aberdonian is the first to start grumbling. Why do us Scots always look at the glass as being half empty?
5

Hobo Harry,

03/12/2008 01:35:03
#1 I read this article just after it first appeared and wondered how long it would take for a half-a-heid Jambo to rise to the bait. The figures are taken from Price Waterhouse Coopers, perhaps you call tell us of a better source? Better yet, perhaps you could just call Vlad yourself and let him tell you the real number. After all he doesn't keep secrets does he?
6

WBB Down Under,

Perth, WA 03/12/2008 02:04:22
#2 Hi Hobo I am the other half of the half-a-heid Jambo!! The stir of course is there but I still go back to my point at #4 when will us Scots look at the positives rather then doom and gloom. Nae wonder it is so dark up there for so many months of the year.

All the positives that we could report about but no feed us the negatives. We just eat it up.

7

Hobo Harry,

03/12/2008 02:11:00
6 WBB Down Under, Not even sure it's a Scottish trait. All of the home nations are guilty of it and it is one aspect of home I don't miss at all.
8

Grangemouth Bear,

03/12/2008 03:26:55
It is obvious that Rangers are gonna have to offload players in January, and not just to cut the wage bill. Like Allan Hutton last January, who was sold to push MIM into a small profit, we'll see players being punted to bring in a transfer fee. But who? Mendes? McGregor? Barry? (here's hoping). All 3?

I am dreading the transfer window and I am dreading the next set of Rangers accounts.

Forget Hearts. We are in the most dangerous position financially in the SPL. The sooner Murray gets out the better.

I really am worried for the future of Rangers, the club I have followed through thick and thin for nearly 40 years.

God help us.
9

Finnharp,

03/12/2008 03:40:28
#8 Grangemouth, I hear your sentiments and concerns but would you not rather have it the devil you know. Poster #1 mentioned the 78 mil debt where did it go SDM cannot shift RFC debt over to MIH anymore, remember we went through this in the 90s and you got 9INARow now it might be our turn, however we did learn from you no 12 mil on Flos, but you come through, I don't know about some smaller clubs with little fan base.

RFC debts as large as they are could not have come at a worst time, with no funds available anywhere, where will the 700 mil new ibrox come from no banks have any money, the best way forward for Rangers is eat humble pie for 3-4 years and make sure you secure 2nd place as CL group stage is a must for survival (I am not trying to be condescending), though I knowit sounds that way, wee Fegus is in Bermuda.
10

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 03:41:58
Celtic's debt is wrongly reported here...it's actually about £3.2m.

In contrast, the rearrangerz debt is understated here : the last figures available should debt of about £22m , and as minty says, it's gone up.

Bit odd that these two should overstate Celtic's debt and understate rearrangerz' ...roast lamb at minty's with a made-to-measure thrown in ?
11

Forward not Back,

03/12/2008 03:57:06
#6 - Not a hobo if you care to check previous postings. I'm a Hearts fan suggesting this analysis is half-baked.
12

Finnharp,

03/12/2008 04:01:07
Helter, why is Larsson not going back to the hoops for 6 months we need a striker.
13

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 04:28:12
10 Helter

The figures mentioned in the story reflect season 2006-2007.

The review was done in 2008
14

Grangemouth Bear,

03/12/2008 05:07:53
I think Murray bottled it 2 years ago. He should have bit the bullet by sacking Barry Ferguson and standing by PLG. We ended up winning nothing that season anyway. Given time, and players who were prepared to work for him, I honestly believe we would have been in a much better position, squad wise, than the shambles we are now.

Smith was punted all those years ago because he wasn't good enough. Why bring him back again? It was a panic measure. He is negative in his approach (ask any Everton fan) and has no tactical ability other than long punts from defence or wide positions.

I am seriously thinking about not renewing my season ticket next summer. I have had one for 18 years and this would break my heart, but that is how serious it is.

Murray out.
Smith out.

Before we go under altogether.
15

Grangemouth Bear,

03/12/2008 05:27:58
After the debacle that was Aalborg, the Celtic players must have been cacking themselves going into the weekend SPL game. All we had to do was win at Tynecastle and move within a point and put them under pressure going into the ICT game.

Instead we blew it and gave Celtic a lift and even though they played poor, they got the 3 points. We turned their confidence round again before they had kicked a ball. Rangers blew the SPL last Saturday. I don't mind losing to a better team, but we showed no fight and no will to win. We are not up to the challenge. Simple as that. 4 in a row? The longer Murray and Smith are there it will be 5,6,7 in a row as far as I am concerned.

Gutted.

Absolutely gutted.
16

Championees,

The Emerald City 03/12/2008 05:57:26
GB, you must be, you’ve gotta be, surely your a Tim at the wind up? Surely you are?

Ps. the season has a long way to go, but if you want to surrender go ahead!
17

Grangemouth Bear,

03/12/2008 06:19:54
16 No I am not a Tim. I am a Gers fan who doesnt swallow the lies that come out of Murray's mouth.

MIH have just realeased figures that are scary and look ominous for Rangers FC. There is no money to spend on new players. Huge debt levels mean players must be sold in January to bring in funds that will go straight into MIH not Rangers.

We are in a very bad state financially. Too many of my fellow Gers fans are happy to toe the party line and believe what Murray feeds the media. The worst thing is Murray can't find a buyer. In the current economic climate, who would by Rangers with such massive debts. Murray insults our intelligence by pretending he had a buyer but pulled out at the last minute cos he thought the buyer didnt have Rangers best interests at heart. What bullocks!

He is desperate to get rid of the albatross, so who is he kidding. The interested buyer looked at the books and ran a mile. Simple as.

Need I go on?
18

Grangemouth Bear,

03/12/2008 06:29:34
3 months ago, under a different name, i spoke out against David Murray in these forums. I didn't libel him or any such thing. I didn't accuse him of lying. I simply criticised his leadership (or lack of it) and asked a few pertinent questions. The following day I found my user name blocked on here (I wasnt the only one) On the same day Murray was in the papers having a dig at internet forum users.

I expect that after today I will find this username blocked. I know Murray reads these every day, so no doubt he'll be back on the hotline to the Scotsman demanding my removal.
19

Grangemouth Bear,

03/12/2008 06:30:33
I will not be silenced.
20

Grangemouth Bear,

03/12/2008 06:32:42
Anyway. Its end of shift almost. Signing off and home to bed.

I've had my say. Its time some of my fellow Rangers fans did the same before its too late.

Cheers and thanks for listening.
21

Pistol Pete,

03/12/2008 06:44:29
So who is the wee club that thinks is a big club and subsequently carries the most debt in the SPL?
Sustainable?
Perhaps with 40k every home game but you cannae even get 15k, even when you are winning.
Shocking vision.
22

Stephen101,

Excellent news 03/12/2008 06:56:11
Hopefully some will actually go the same way as Gretna. ASAP please.

Clean out the nonsense of high wages for useless imports and second rate Scottish players, some of whom can't even get themselves fit, even those selected to play for Scotland until they have a childish strop.

Time to wake up to reality. Despite the shouting of the Chic Youngs and Jim Traynors of the world, the SPL is a dreadful product. Who has not paid good money only to say after 10 minutes 'why am I wasting my time watching this rubbish?'.

So the quicker the better to let them fail, and we can then get back to grass roots football and build from there.
23

Jambo Dave,

Edinburgh 03/12/2008 07:22:37
22/Do you go to SPL games?If you dont like it go and watch grass root football.Anybody with half a brain or real interest would not want any football club to go out the box.This is peoples jobs we are talking about here get behind your local club go through the gates and pay up.
24

petegeneva,

geneva 03/12/2008 07:23:52
#21 shoosh you!
Don't you see, the debt has been magically transformed into equity, the $$ got for Plookie hasn't been taken into account, all the high-wage earners have been emptied, every game is a sell-out, we owe the money to ourselves so that doesn't count, if we pay wages late we save VAT etc.
Nothing to see here, away back to your peg-selling junky caravan now, Hobo.
:-)
25

GeorgeCowieOrWalterKidd?,

03/12/2008 08:15:39
#24 You're right. I can't speak for anyone else's figures, but the Hearts debt as it stands right now is less, taking into account the Gordon and Bednar transfer fees and the debt for equity plan. Wages are also now significantly lower as we've not only offloaded a number of VERY highly paid players since - Fyssas, Bednar, Beisja, Gordon, Goncalves, Tall, Pinilla to name a few (shakes head at the waste of cash for most of those) - but we've also changed the pay structure (to not paying them at all apparently :) or at least paying more bonuses and less wages).
26

GeorgeCowieOrWalterKidd?,

03/12/2008 08:50:40
#24 Add Neil McCann to that list of high earners now out the door. I'm guessing players to be punted to make up the eight players Shabba was quoted as saying the club needs to trim will come from Elliot, Goncalves, Mole, Makela, Audry, Chesney, Miko, KIngston, Nade and maybe Driver, Berra or Wallace if a big bid enough comes in (hopefully not). Plus a few reserves/youth players who aren't going to make it to the first team.

I think that, given that some players have also come in, that our wage bill has been cut by 25% - the wages for all the players in #25 plus McCann would come to around 4m a year.

So let's say 37.7m - transfer fees - debt for equity + reduced wage bill and other expenses = debt of 23 - 25m is my guestimate. No idea how to take into account income from ticket sales etc (reduced) - maybe someone with more economic nous can do so? Not good but going in the right direction and we probably could get up to 6m for two or three players (from Berra, Driver, Kingston, Nade, Wallace) - looking at other recent transfers - to get both the debt and wages down even further if we were pressured to. Realistically, that has to be done UNLESS UBIG are comfortable with the debt levels and want to keep our better players for a bit longer.
27

Highland Mist,

03/12/2008 08:57:08
Wakey wakey! Newsflash just in: there's a credit crunch all over the world and businesses are failing! WTF should FOOTBALL CLUBS be immune to the times and be bankrolled by the rest of the community who can't get a mortgage, can't get a car loan, can't get a business overdraft (or at the very least get charged a fortune now for all of it)????



28

_NB_,

03/12/2008 09:02:12
Turnover Vs Wages Analysis is flawed in the extreme. For example, Celtic turnover £20 million at their retail outlets to make a profit of £3 million. Rangers turnover £0 to get £4.5 million from JJB.

Also the figures quoted are not for the most recent financial year. Up your game Scotsman.
29

_NB_,

03/12/2008 09:04:42
#27 HM

Do you have any view on the real cause of the credit crunch? The "Jakies with mortgages" theory seems to the most commonly quoted cause. We would appreciate your insight...
30

,

03/12/2008 09:05:20
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31

scorchio,

West of the Pecos 03/12/2008 09:07:46
Nothing new in this article.
As a Hearts fan I am fully aware that our finacial position is sustainable only as long as Vlad wants to hang around.
The way our operating figures stand at the moment, he won't be able to off load the club, so we just hope he stays the course.
As mentioned above, HMFC are altering their finacial structures, in an effort to get the place on a more even keel. It's going to take time, but we are moving in the right direction.
However...not paying wages is a risky way of cutting costs.
32

_NB_,

03/12/2008 09:09:58
#30 9iar

He is a Timposter, no doubt about it.

What was the highlight for you of the 9iar era?

For me, it was the day the Celtic board were faced with the choice of bankruptcy or selling the club for a quid to a wee Fergus McConman. Oh how we laughed.
Those dark days could be just around the corner once again for Celtic with a £43 million debt burden, and the Champions League "salad days" now behind them.
33

,

03/12/2008 09:11:48
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34

,

03/12/2008 09:16:16
Comment Removed By Administrator
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35

Who?,

03/12/2008 09:22:04
Firstly the figures quoted are for season 2006-07. The bank balance of most clubs will be different today.

Secondly, hearts have dramatically reduced their debts and outgoings. The company who own the club and the bank who run the finance actually made a profit last year unlike RBS, HBOS, Barclays, any US bank or many other european banks.

The ones to be most worried about are aberdeen (funded through construction industry) and rangers who have debts of £100m which includes £30m overdraft, loans to banks, investors plus £50m to Murrays parent company which was suppose to be converted to stock but which will need to be repaid as that company is broke.

Thirdly, clubs like Motherwell and Falkirk went into administration years ago to avoid paying their debts. Does anybody think that John Boyle should be running Motherwell after he ripped off small business most of whom went bust after Boyle refused to pay up- the guy is worth £120m!
36

_NB_,

03/12/2008 09:22:18
#34 9iar

I was going to go for that one too, but the comedy value of Celtic being sold for a quid to Fergus McConman was too strong to resist. Another highlight against the Sheepophiles was Gazza's hat-trick.
37

_NB_,

03/12/2008 09:25:44
#35 Who?

Boyle made his fortune selling 2 star holidays to the masses.
38

,

03/12/2008 09:28:10
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Reason:
39

_NB_,

03/12/2008 09:30:21
#37 JamesieBhoy

MIH is a family owned and run investment company, One of the significant holdings of the company is a stake in Rangers Football Club. The largest shareholder in MIH is Sir. David Murray the 4th richest man in Scotland.
40

Red Dykes,

Tain 03/12/2008 09:33:52
Stuart Milne's only focus has been money - his. Aberdeen's biscuit tim attitude has been ever present since he took over - even when his building empire was booming - no coincidence he's now a merchant of doom as his property business hits the credit crunch wall...
41

Highland Mist,

03/12/2008 09:35:45
#29, NB, Jakeys with Mortgages is a good analogy but if you need more insight I suggest you ask the Banks who created the situation or the Government that is failing to resolve it. as to the current issue - why should football clubs be immune from the times while the rest of the country suffers and pays?
42

Royalist,

03/12/2008 09:36:29
Foreign owned clubs like Hearts & Celtic could suffer most in the current climate.

These foreign owners could decide that enoughs enough & pul the plug.

Desmond's just another Romanov with a fancy tash.
43

_NB_,

03/12/2008 09:42:27
#42 HM

Football provides entertainment and a form of escapism. When times are hard, attendance at football matches has often been at its highest, For history to repeat in this respect, prices will have to come down a bit.

44

Jambo83,

03/12/2008 09:44:18
**** ALARM CALL FOR HIBS SUPPORTERS - IT'S NOT 31 JULY 2007 ****

UNLESS YOUR PALS WITH MARTY MCFLY AND YOU'VE JUMPED IN THE DELOREAN??

These figures are out of date and invalid. Until the figures for the latest year are published, hold your wheesht and get a life you sad acts.

Since these figures were published Hearts have raised approx £24m via transfer revenue and debt for equity deal. But don't let that get in the way of your wee pink lipstick stroking session....
45

_NB_,

03/12/2008 09:45:50
#43 Royalist

As Desmond has already stated:

"It's totally ignorant to say that all the problems are resolved by me putting money into the club," he said.

"When I hear my commitment questioned, I'd like to tell them to go jump into the biggest river they can find."

"I have had it over the last few years with people telling me to put more money into Celtic and I find it most irritating.

"I have no more responsibility to put money into Celtic than anybody else."
46

,

03/12/2008 09:47:18
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47

Who?,

03/12/2008 09:47:32
#38- thats correct.

It still doesn't mean that he can't pay money to whom its owed. If every business followed the John Boyle model and went into admin to avoid paying its debt then the country would be in a bad state.
48

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 09:48:03
Six months ago HBOS and RBS were financial giants,untouchable and secure.Look where they are now..

Our football clubs have NEVER been the most profitable of businesses even in times of prosperity.With that in mind we should all be concerned for the futures of our clubs.

Of course,some are more vulnerable than others with the stand out being Glasgow Rangers.Already in serious debt as a specific entity but with its myriad links to
MIH,another business not in the best of health 'gers fans cannot to laugh this off and think they are ok.Whistling past the graveyard is not a clever option at this juncture...
49

_NB_,

03/12/2008 09:52:55
#49 Swordsman

At a time of financial crisis, when money is tight, the last thing you want is for your major shareholder to state:

"I have no more responsibility to put money into Celtic than anybody else."
50

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 09:57:07
Desmond is absolutely right not to put his personal wealth into the club.
It distorts the whole picture as regards what hte company is fiscally able to cope with. It's far, far, better that a football club stands on its own two feet and lives within its fiscal capabilities.

Sporadic , impulsive, injections of capital make the company dependant on that happening in terms of fixing contracts : wages and length of contract; future projections....if the source of the impulsive injections of capital suddenly dries up, the club is left between a rock and a hard place with a business model that can't live with the true extent of its own natural revenues....in other words, you build a fools' paradise.

If Dermot Desmond suddenly went to the wall, Celtic are completely insulated from that ...there would be no adverse consequences for the club whatsoever : our business model is based purely on what is realistically possible from our own stand-alone revenue streams.

Rearrangerz are now effectively part of MIH, or at least MIH hold shares which they paid £50m for.
Rearrangerz' future is bound up with MIH.
51

_NB_,

03/12/2008 10:01:28
#51 JamesieBhoy

What I find interesting, is that with Celtic football in its entirety valued at less than Wayne Rooney. The largest shareholder having publicly stated that he would not invest any more money. You are interested in soeculating on the balance sheet of a familiy run investmenty company? I can't see the relevance myself; this obviously part of the deflect and deny training Father Ignatius gives to you Celtic fans...
52

Royalist,

03/12/2008 10:02:04
At times like this, its reassuring to know that Sir David Murray is still at Ibrox.

A safe pair of hands is needed & he knows business.

If my club was owned instead by some johnny foreigner fairweather fan with a fancy tash, I'd be seriously worried.

Was Joe Strummer thinking about CFC when he sang that imortal line "the meltdowns expected"?

As for Rangers - I have no fear.


53

,

03/12/2008 10:03:23
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54

_NB_,

03/12/2008 10:07:29
#53 HS

Let me tell you something. Sir David is one of the most astute business men in the country. If push came to shove, he would pass on the guardianship of the famous Glasgow Rangers in time honoured manner in which it was passed to him by Lawrence Marlbourgh. Financial crises come and go, the famous Glasgow Rangers stands firm through it all.

READY
55

,

03/12/2008 10:07:51
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56

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 10:14:11
Magnum..

Sid murray has for the last few years,tried to unburden himself from his stewardship of the 'gers to no avail...Takers?None,nil,nada..

To continue the musical theme started by his maj...Duran,Duran said it best,I think..."Please,Please tell me now,Is there something I should know...?"
57

_NB_,

03/12/2008 10:17:58
#59 Swordsman

Sydney Divine summed up Celtic's CL campaign for this season with his famous ditty, "Tears for souveniers..."
58

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 10:19:17
Magnum...That was another Rangers man,Ken Dodd...He of the Diddymen and tax dodging...If the cap fits and all that.....Woo! Hoo!
59

,

03/12/2008 10:19:59
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60

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 10:25:31
I liken Sid's performance to that of an old slapper who has been round the block a few times and now no longer in the running,declares that since the offers have dried up,decides she is waiting for "the right man".Nothing like that old chestnut to save face,eh?
61

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 10:26:34
Minty has been trying to flog rearrangerz for nigh on 4 years and there have been no takers.

Minty recently gave us some bullocks story about a deal falling through at the last minute because, just before putting pen to paper in a london hotel suite, minty casually asked what the buyers' intentions were.

On hearing that the emphasis would be on property development, Minty cursed himself forn not asking sooner, and walked out on the deal...tinkerbell then sprinkled some fairy dust and as if by magic, minty and bain were waltzed back to ibrox.

Hing oan...hasn't minty been bragging about a £700m proprty development doon ibrox way this last wee while ? All bluff and bluster off-course, but the stated intention of minty has been a a massive property development doon in govan.

He tried to buy additional land from the council for buck shee, arguing that Celtic were given land on the cheap to develop paradise.

Glasgow council said they were happy to sell rearrangerz land on the cheap around ibrox FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RFC , not however so that minty could then develop the land for his own PERSONAL BUSINESS interests.

It just doesn't add up does it ? Does it ever when minty's concerned.
62

_NB_,

03/12/2008 10:31:56
#55 HS

Couple of facts for you. The stadium at Ibrox is on the UEFA 5 star list and would be elligible to hold a European final. The P!ggery was redeveloped for the minimum possible budget using the lowest quotes in every aspect of the construction of the 3 new sides in the 90's. The safety certificates in terms of structural safety and utilities is under annual review; significant structural works will be needed to keep these stands operational beyond 2015.
63

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 10:35:18
IRN...Heartily agree...Back to basics will be of long term benefit for us all.I look forward to Morecambe and Wise on the telly at Xmas,a games compendium and a wee glass of ginger wine to round off the day.Nae SKY+ for me!

On the Footie front,again correct as the Hoops and Hibs academies are the leaders in bringing through fresh faces (Sooner than expected at CP,given our injury list).

If the headline in the Daily Ranger are to be believed (personally if they said it was daytime,Id check outside)and the 'gers will "Rationalise" their existing plaiying staff by SIX to get ONE defender,its already started...
64

_NB_,

03/12/2008 10:35:44
#63 Swordsman

You seem to know a lot about this subjectl. You must have spent a lot of time with auld slappers to build up such a detailed profile.
65

Royalist,

03/12/2008 10:38:58
It always raises a smile when I read reports of Sir David Murrays iminent abdication.

As one eminent reports recently wrote, "Sir David appears to be raising the bar so high for potential suitors, that perhaps hes not in such a hurry to leave as people think".

CFC on the other hand would be sold to the first bidder who could match the asking price.

Rangers & Celtic.

Its like comparing Claridges with Kentucky fried chicken.
66

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 10:40:34
Magnum..given the number of tales related by your good self of late,I bow to your superior knowledge on the subject...
67

_NB_,

03/12/2008 10:41:11
Derry reject McGinn trial request


Derry City turn down Celtic's bid to take highly-rated midfielder Niall McGinn on a week's trial at Parkhead.

---

YOu could not make it up. Looks like Lieswell will be delivering on his promise of new signings in January...
68

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 10:42:22
Your Maj...

I think Woolworths (nae pick and mix,cos "Mix" sounds Irish) would be a better business model for RFC.
69

salmondella,

UK 03/12/2008 10:45:38
Scottish football is not only suffering financially, the quality of the game is, in my opinion, lower than it has been for many years including refereeing and this is not helping either. TV may put back some money but it also reduces gate receipts which cannot go higher in the present climate Sometimes lack of quality leads to more exciting games as mistakes are rife from less skilled players than in the English top leagues. There is no easy answer, although I would argue that there needs to be a joint agreement by clubs on wage rate ceilings to prevent one club which has much more money dominating the others for less competative games and makingand players and managers actually accepting lower wages as normal and striving for higher standards of skills to give the fans better value for money.
70

Royalist,

03/12/2008 10:50:02
#72 Swordie

Good one.

I hear Millwall Chairman Theo from Dragons Den is buying Woollies.

Does that mean Millwalls strips will be made by Ladybird?




71

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 10:51:09
Your Maj

Dunno but the Floodlights will be Angle Poise Lamps (a steal at £4.99)
72

Royalist,

03/12/2008 10:55:58
Sat next to a PE teacher at the Ajax game on sunday.
She couldnt believe the SPL has no winter break & the teams play each other 4 times a season.

Utrecht's visit to the Arena is a massive occasion for their fans & players.

In Scotland we get the likes of Kilmarnock playing the OF 4,5, 6 times a season.

the PE teacher was right - the SPL is boring for players & fans.
73

Andy1,

03/12/2008 10:55:59
#26

Hearts debt will probably be at around £30 million now, taking into account the debt for equity swap and also the recent fees received.

I'm sure most Hearts fans will suspect it is a lot less but Hearts were losing £12 million a year which needs to be factored in still.

Those losses may have been cut a bit, again most think the wage budget has been cut considerably but I don't think to the extent suggested. Income will also be down from the days of sell outs and European games.

So, allowing for a decent dent in the wage bill I'd still suspect Hearts to losing close to £10 million a year.

74

,

03/12/2008 10:57:25
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Reason:
75

,

03/12/2008 11:01:38
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Reason:
76

,

03/12/2008 11:03:11
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77

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

03/12/2008 11:08:05
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/sport/Adam-shakes-Ibrox-pillars-with.2299216.jp

May I suggest that this guy knows more about Rangers and how they are run than the lot of you put together
78

Maroon tinted glasses,

03/12/2008 11:12:22
The problem with murray trying to punt "scotlands shame" is there is no-one out there foolish enough or with deep enough pockets to adhere with the demands of the fans, they will always want/expect big cash spent on players to compete with sellic and in europe but in todays enviroment of financial meltdown it just isnt possible.

Cellic got themselfs on an even keel after they almosts folded and paid the price of costcutting by gifting rankers several titles in the 9 in a row years BUT they are now in a much stronger financial position without the aid of a sugar daddy style input like murray, this coupled with the regular revenue from the champ league will see them only get stronger in the SPL.

i am not a fan of either half of the O/F but all those rankers fans on here spouting on about how great their club is have clearly spent too many years on the glue and buckie. The glory spending years have come to an abrupt end and just think you wouldnt even have had those if clyde had taken murray up on his offer all those years back.
79

Stephen101,

Let them sink 03/12/2008 11:20:55
Thanks you Jambo Dave for your unreasoned response. I do note that you did not say that the SPL is good quality. Especially for those sitting at Tynecastle over the last couple of years.

As one who had a season ticket there during Burley's golden days, I have chosen to pay to watch good Junior games at £5 a shot, far better value and far better games. Out of 8 of us who had season tickets all except one have moved to watch the Junior game.

And as for paying money to watch the SPL dross, over to you Jambo Dave. I think you are the daft one.
80

_NB_,

03/12/2008 11:22:30
The tide will turn by the end of the year:

Saturday, 6 December 2008
Rangers 3 v 1 Hamilton, 15:00

Sunday, 7 December 2008
Hibernian 1 v 0 Celtic, 14:00

Saturday, 13 December 2008
Celtic 1 v 1 Hearts, 15:00

Saturday, 20 December 2008
Rangers 2 v 0 Hibernian, 15:00

Sunday, 21 December 2008
Falkirk 1 v 0 Celtic, 14:00

Sunday, 27 December 2008
Rangers 5 v 1 Celtic, 12:30
81

_NB_,

03/12/2008 11:27:04
Saturday, 13 December 2008

Dundee Utd 1 v 1 Rangers, 12:30
82

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 11:27:15
Magnum...

Funny that you should bring up tides turning.After my earlier analogy re Murray and old slappers....

My hero Richard Thompson said it best I feel in the song "Turning of the tide"...Could be written for Sid and Co down Edmiston Drive way ....

"How many boys, one night stands

How many lips, how many hands have held you

Like I'm holding you tonight



Too many nights staying up late

Too much powder, too much paint

Oh you can't hide from the Turning of the Tide



Did they run their fingers up and down your shabby dress

Did they find some tender moment there in your caress?



Boys all say you look so fine

Don't come back for a second time

You can't hide from the Turning of the Tide



Poor little sailor boy, never set eyes on a woman before

Did he tell you that he'd love you, darling, for ever more?



Pretty little shoes, cheap perfume

Creaking bed in the hotel room

You can't hide from the Turning of the Tide



Did they run their fingers up and down your shabby dress

Did they find some tender moment there in your caress?



Boys all say you look so fine

Don't come back for a second time

You can't hide from the Turning of the Tide"




83

Maroon tinted glasses,

03/12/2008 11:28:08
84

as i said "glue and buckie!"
84

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 11:30:16
Song moment...The Doobie Bro's..."What a fool believes..."
85

_NB_,

03/12/2008 11:36:20
#88 Swordsman

I will have a guess as to what is on your mp3 player:

“Meat is Murder” by The Smiths

“Be Healthy” by Dead Prez

“Ode to Groovy” by OhGr/Skinny Puppy

“Squash all Beef” by KRS One

“I Don’t Eat Animals” by Melanie Safka (cute video someone made)

“Beat the Meat” by Good Clean Fun

“Meat Means Murder” by Conflict

“Vegan in Furs” by Of Montreal

“New Age Girl” by Deadeye Dick

“Banana Chips,” “Brown Mushroom,” and “Fruits and Vegetables” by Shonen Knife

“Vegetables” by The Beach Boys

“Peaches” by Presidents of the United States of America

“I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” by Freddy Martin

“Call any Vegetable” by Frank Zappa and the Mothers

“Captain Vegetable” by Jeff Moss

“HomeGrown Tomatoes” by Guy Clark

“Vegetarian Mumbo Jumbo” by NoFX

"A Chicken Aint Nothin’ But a Bird” by Cab Calloway

“Attack of the Sprouts“

“Carrot Juice is Murder” and “I am Cow” by Arrogant Worms
86

_NB_,

03/12/2008 11:40:49
Top Animation Movies
As picked by the users of IMDB.com

WALL·E (2008)
Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001)
Mononoke-hime (1997)
Macskafogó (1986)
Ratatouille (2007)
Finding Nemo (2003)
The Incredibles (2004)
Hotaru no haka (1988)
Waltz with Bashir (2008)
The Lion King (1994)
87

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 11:41:19
Magnum..

You forgot "Big Eyed Beans from Venus" buy Captain Beefheart.....Another personal fave...
88

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 11:42:09
Favourite INanimate object...Kris Boyd
89

_NB_,

03/12/2008 11:43:44
#91 No place on this list for Jungle Book you will note, what are these people playing at?
90

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 11:46:02
What? NO Pepe Le Pew?...Has Paul Le Guen been scrubbed from the list?
91

_NB_,

03/12/2008 11:46:08
#94 Jamesiebhoy

Which Scottish club is trying to lend players from the League of Ireland? Falkirk...no. Hamilton..,no. Kilmarnock...no. Celtic...YES!
92

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 11:46:41
Kris Boyd...Bambi on Ketamine...
93

Royalist,

03/12/2008 11:47:14
#95 Nae snowhite?

A sad inditement on these modern times.

Im welling up.
94

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 11:48:05
Velicka....The woman from the Tom and Jerry show....You know she's there but you never get to see her face....
95

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 11:52:42
Anyways..Gotta go get the Xmas shopping done....Due to the present (no pun intended!)crisis,I'm buying all my 'gers supporting friends wooden clothes pegs as they will need them soon when they are hung out to dry...

Later all!
96

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 11:55:12
Normally you would say it's agiven rearrangerz wuld pick up three points at home to the accies on Saturday...but after the way things went at tynecastle, you wouldn't bet more than a tenner would you ?

Misser and Papac have been dragged off the treatment table whilst many of their new signings - bougherra, mendez, laughatme - are all coming in for serious criticism.

And goddammit burley let the cat out the bag about mcshagger's knee ...and there was minty at the ready to get off down the pawny with him sharpish in january.

I think burley is definitely off minty's sherry list for that.

Bazza was the invisible man at tynecastle but the hordes aren't ready to turn on cap'n unbookable especially when there are so many other targets more worthy of their ire.

It's still probably a rearrangerz win on Saturday, but you wouldn't be all that surprised if they drew.

97

_NB_,

03/12/2008 11:58:27
#103 JamesieBhoy

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

Rangers 51
Celtic 42*

We welcome the chase.

* ( Celtic's total includes 4 won during WW1, Rangers do not include 6 won during WW2 in their total.)
98

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 11:59:57
Reports that walter has to horse 6 rearrangerz plerz oot the door during january don't exactly boost morale...fair enough, 1 or 2 ...but 6 on a GTF outta here basis....hardly inspiring furra plerz.

They must sit at murray park looking at each other, wondering who's for the chop / who's safe.
99

_NB_,

03/12/2008 12:01:46
#104 HS

Bazza still has a way to go to get back to the imperious form he showed at the begining of last season. I expect that by the time we get to the 27th that the Captain will be back to his Head up, chest out, master of all he surveys, best.
100

_NB_,

03/12/2008 12:05:42
#106 HS

Players available for transfer will iclude:

Hemdani,
Velicka,
Beasley,
Daily,
Possibly Darcheville and Smith.

101

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 12:07:08
106 Helter

Hardly news we were told in August that a clear out was coming in January and as many as 6 players would be out.
102

_NB_,

03/12/2008 12:10:20
#112 JamesieBhoy

The following is factually correct. You owe me an apology.

Rangers 51
Celtic 42*

We welcome the chase.

* (Celtic's total includes 4 won during WW1, Rangers do not include 6 won during WW2 in their total.)
103

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

03/12/2008 12:13:07
#108

Nobody will buy Mac Gregor, Ferguson or Miller until they can prove their long term fitness.

The official list release by Rangers this morning is

"Brahim Hemdani, DaMarcus Beasley, Jean-Claude Darcheville, Chris Burke, Christian Dailly, Stevie Smith and possibly Lee McCulloch if a replacement can be sourced"

In other words is Webster good enough as he and Gow (the new George Best) are on their way back to Govan after xmas.
104

_NB_,

03/12/2008 12:27:32
#116 JamesieBhoy

More accusations. Either point out the falshood or apologise.
105

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 12:35:36
It's fine to talk about club history and the honours won. But I want the Gers to win the league this season!
106

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

03/12/2008 12:37:37
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/epic/sgc/3544376/Stagecoach-plans-job-cuts-as-it-warns-on-rail-profits.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/mining/3543370/Metal-prices-fall-further-than-during-Great-Depression.html

Thank god the property market and transfer market is booming
107

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

03/12/2008 12:39:08
#118

2m to get them to agree to any move that will have them on reduced wages (A job lot I reckon)
108

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 12:39:41
121 dv

Good to see you also want the Gers to win the league this season.
109

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 12:41:26
The only three players on he rearrangerz' books at the moment who could pull in some decent cash are Thomson, mcshagger and Davis.

Thomson's out 'till next season, and those interested in him will defer their interest until january 10.

McShagger had surgery on his knee earlier this year, and burley's comments, and it has to be said his form, will have put the dampeners on interst for the time being ...those interested will wait and see how things pan out over the season...it's a safe bet noone will be rushing in with a multi-million pound bid in january as things stand.

Selling Davis would be a humiliation for rearrangerz. T hey won't even make that much on him ...mibees at best an EPL club might go to £6m tops ...not a helluva lot of profit ...not what you'd call 'silly money' for a player on whose rfc contract is barely dry ...really, the only decent outfield player available to "walter" at the present time.

If rearrangerz sell Davis, it really will be the humiliation to top the numerous selling humiliations in recent years...it would top the lot by a country mile.
110

P Rayner.,

Latin America. 03/12/2008 12:46:47
I certainly hope the smaller clubs in British football survive the financial crisis besetting us at the moment. However, I hope the likes of the so called big clubs of the Premiership and SPL really do suffer pain, lots of it, as they have conducted themselves for far to long with scant morality. The clubs extract enormous sums from working people for the privilege of seeing them play in order to pay those, who ordinarily have the intellectual capacities of boiled potatoes, sums of money for one week which would take the majority six years to obtain. Ferdinand,Lampard,Drogba, Pretty Boy, all on a 150000 a week !So I hope the whole crumbling greedy edifice collapses and new people emerge to return the Clubs to what once was . Sir Matt, Jock and Stan Cullis, tough no nonsense, heroes must be turning in their graves.
111

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 12:50:55
125

Mendes has a decent pedigree and would be wanted by EPL clubs, but is going no where.

As for the tic's depreciating assets, summer values posted by CFC supporters on these threads,

Boruc we were told would pull in 10-12mil, now maybe 3-4mil.

McGeady summer value 10-15mil, now in the range 2-4mil.

Naka now zero.
112

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

03/12/2008 12:59:59
#129,

after winning 4 in a row uncontested can you blame those players for moving on.
113

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 13:03:06
129

Brian, Celtic have no plans to sell anyone in the january window...it's rearrangerz who've indicated that there are too many on the books and 6 will need to be moved on.

The value of Celtic's squad isn't really on the agenda for now, whereas rearrangerz' most certainly is.

Something which there's no getting away from : noone will Hemdani anything like the money he's on at rearrangerz....he'll need a big pay off, and "getting rid" of Hemdani is like buying a player in january.

Darcheville will be saying the same thing : pay me off and I'll go...beasley, the same thing : fill my hand with silver and I'm outta here.

Most of the targets will cost money to be shot off, and since the whole idea of a january off-load is to reduce costs and bring in cash, it's hard to see how minty will get his wish. I think he'll be forced to see out their contracts and at least "walter" can call upon them if there's an injury crisis.

The only way minty can deal profitably in january is to SELL, and I wager that the only player at the dark star who might bring in a decent offer is Davis...but as I say, I think you'd be lucky to get £6m and if minty does that, his fragile relationship with the rearrrangerz' hordes will crumble into dust.
114

_NB_,

03/12/2008 13:03:48
#130 dvt

8 to 10 million for McGadgie...lol. He would be lucky to get a chance in the EPL as none of the struggling teams would want a luxury player like wee Adrian. Celtic are stuck with him, as he is with them. He could go to become Celtic's long-term "Dud in residence" following in the footsteps of the likes of Paul McStay...

115

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 13:04:50
BTW

Mendes has had two or three decent performances this season...it's not enough to get EPL managers fighting relegation to get their cheque books out i.e. three decent spl performances.
116

_NB_,

03/12/2008 13:19:04
#134 HS

I suppose the fact the lad has a Champions League winners medal and an FA Cup winners medal from May this year will also be disregarded by these managers you speak of?

If Mendes was available, there would be 4 or 5 clubs interested at a price somewhere north of £5 million.
117

_NB_,

03/12/2008 13:20:56
#135 Jamesiebhoy

Doughnuti is not fit to run a bath for Mendes.
118

_NB_,

03/12/2008 13:26:04
#135 Jamesiebhoy

Just asked a Portsmouth fan what he thinks of Mendes, he told me that he was a smashing player, the heart-beat of the team. He was very sad to see him go and would happily welcome him back.

So, you are wrong again Jamesiebhoy.
119

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

03/12/2008 13:28:51
138

I Just asked a Portsmouth fan what he thinks of Mendes, he told me that he was a fair weather player and faint hearted. He was glad to see him go and was surprised he chose the SPL
120

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 13:29:00
136

If you think anyone would pay that sort of cash for mendes, you are in cloud cuckoo land m8.

You've got to look at it from down there : mendes has completed almost half a season in a far, far, inferior league, and he's failing spectacularly to set the heather alight...a handful of good games, plenty of indifferent.
121

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 13:31:20
It's premature to judge mendes, but if the second half of the season is anything like the first, you'd half to say that he was a waste of £3m.
122

_NB_,

03/12/2008 13:34:20
#140 HS

In order for Mendes to be most effective, the team has to build from the backl with the passing game. Against Hertz on Saturday, they went route 1 most of the time. Pedro is a class act and in time will prove to be a magnificent foil for The Captain.
123

Royalist,

03/12/2008 14:03:01
Allow me to stray off topic for a second.

Doesnt the Dons chief look better now he's ditched the gerry helmet style wig?

What was he thinking about?
124

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 14:09:24
I would love to hear one of these all-male english choirs , complete with red soutaines and bleached white surpluses, holding candles in a dimly lit 15th century english church set in the countryside singing :

Oh! The Rangers are sh###
Oh! The Rangers are sh###
Oh! The Rangers are sh###
Oh! The Rangers are sh###



125

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 14:15:36
The solemn faced conductor standing just in front of the pews would be essential to complete the effect.
126

,

03/12/2008 14:42:48
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
127

,

03/12/2008 15:02:32
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
128

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 15:21:31
Just read the article regarding the big defender from Norway now on tral at CP...

Can I be the first to name him "Bumpsadaisy"?

Well his name IS HANTSVEIT..........
129

_NB_,

03/12/2008 15:23:13
#155 Swordsman

Nice afternoon of shopping?
130

Royalist,

03/12/2008 15:25:39
#155

Heres how it works down P'head way.

Trialist arrives.
Trialist has trial.
Trialist leaves.
Another trialist arrives.
Trialist has trial.
Trialist leaves
Another trialist arrives.
Trialist has trial.
Trialist leaves.
Another trialist arrives.
Trialist has trial.
Trialist leaves & on & on

and yawn & yawn & yawn.
131

_NB_,

03/12/2008 15:25:47
#154 Jamesiebhoy

I could not be bothered reading your cut and pasteings. If you have read it yourself could you provide us a short summarty of 50 words or less?
132

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 15:27:12
Magnum...

Yup got all my pressies and am entitled to be a smug get for the rest of the festering season ...
133

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 15:28:48
your Maj

We were about to rename Ibrox as the Bermuda Triangle as Footballers go there and are seen more often than Terry Waite there after...
134

Royalist,

03/12/2008 15:30:46
Rangers received a boost this afternoon with the following news...

Celtic full-back Mark Wilson agrees a new three-year contract extension to keep him at the club until 2012.

Its coming home.
135

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 15:31:43
Great snap of Sid Murray in the ET getting a doctorate (he likes a wee bit of "Doctoring"..Accounts,profits,dividends...)He looked like an extra from a Harry Potter film...
136

_NB_,

03/12/2008 15:35:12
#159 Swordsman

Let me guess what you got.

For that special lady in your life, a little something she will struggle to get into but can easily be removed by your skilled hand know doubt.

For your publican, details of what he can expect to get back from the insurance if he torches the place as it is now not viable due to you withdrawing your custom.

For Peter Lieswell, a video copy of the Danny Kaye Classic , Walter Mitty.
137

_NB_,

03/12/2008 15:38:17
#164 Jamesiebhoy

If there was any point to the reams of P!sh you published above, let us know what it is in the short summary you have been asked for. Otherwise you will have been proven to be a cutty-paster-waster who does nort even read his own pasteings.
138

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 15:48:39
Magnum...

Sadly my days as a silver tongued,wasp waisted lounge lothario are long gone...A cup of Ovaltine,a scalding hot water bottle and the latest Mills and Boon bodice ripper is about my speed.

Nae Victoria's Secret stuff in my hoose.Mair like Victoria Sponge and some camomile tea.....
139

_NB_,

03/12/2008 15:50:10
#167 Jamesiebhoy

Ok Jamesie lets do it your way. If you are an adult, would you read it for me and post a summary of 50 words or less?
140

_NB_,

03/12/2008 15:53:40
#168 Swordsman

In a way, I envy you Swordsman. Alas, I am still a desirable beau and am often presented with oportunities to dip my wick. I can suffer the demands for now in the sure and certain knowledge that my ovaltine and bedsock days are still ahead of me.
141

_NB_,

03/12/2008 15:58:34
#171 Jamesiebhoy


The following is factually correct. You owe me an apology.

Rangers 51
Celtic 42*

We welcome the chase.

* (Celtic's total includes 4 won during WW1, Rangers do not include 6 won during WW2 in their total.)
142

Royalist,

03/12/2008 15:58:58
Charlie Nicholas knows a thing or two about football.

His latest salvo makes interesting reading.

Charlie says.....

"Lawwell's ego has become so big he has forgotten the true soul of the club, the fans."

The in fighting has begun.

It'll end in tears I tell ye.

143

_NB_,

03/12/2008 15:59:39
#171 Jamesiebhoy

If you sent your kids to a non-sectarian school, chances are that they would have learned to read by themselves by now.
144

Royalist,

03/12/2008 16:02:33
#172

* (Celtic's total includes 4 won during WW1, Rangers do not include 6 won during WW2 in their total.)

RFC - since 1873 - unsurpassed dignity.

No wonder we follow the Glasgow Rangers.

Simply the best.
We welcome the chase.

Dare I say.. We are the people.
145

_NB_,

03/12/2008 16:03:06
#173 Royalist

The current totalitarian regime at Celtic will not like these "off-message" comments by their former poster-bhoy. Charlie should prepare himself for an onslaught from the tame-tim-journos.
146

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 16:03:26
Your Maj..

You have to be part of the club set up to be engaged in "In Fighting"...I dont think being the toy poodle (batteries not included) of the fourth estate qualifies
Chico for that particular role,but go ahead if thats the best stirring you can muster at the minute .. ;@)
147

_NB_,

03/12/2008 16:06:01
#177 Swordsman

Listen to yourself man. You are backing a bean-counting no-mark over a one-time Celtic hero. Lieswell's power grows by the day...
148

_NB_,

03/12/2008 16:07:39
#175 Royalty

Indeed, this is dignity in action.
149

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 16:09:50
178 NB

"a one time Celtic hero" who will voice an opinion and not follow the party line.

As Idee would say.

Refreshing isn't it.
150

_NB_,

03/12/2008 16:12:26
#180 Jamesiebhoy

The league continued during WW2 to keep up morale on the home front. It was run by a war-time league committee. Rangers do not include aany of the 6 titles they won during this period in their total, dignity in action.

When will Celtic do the same with their dubious titles won during WW1?

A non-sectarian school is one where they do not promote the teachings of one religious sect above others.
151

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 16:18:46
I read with interest that Sid Murray is to open a "Santa's Grotto" at Ibrox this week to gather much needed funds for his beleaugered club.

Sid was quoted as saying that "The Grotto (nothing to do with Carfin,guys,I promise)has been set up in the Trophy room as there is plenty of free space there at the minute".

For £20 your little ones can enter Laptoployalland and see Santa's little helpers,Daryll,DJ,Keith,Jim,Glenn and the comedy donkey,Chick.In addition to this, every sap,I mean guest, will recieve a share flotation form where they can donate even more cash to our great club.

We looked long and hard to come up with the perfect Santa and were delighted that the crieria for the job,I.E. an old fat guy with a cheery disposition, was met by one of our own coaching staff,Ally McCoist.

Ally was upbeat at this new appointment as he said it would give him valuable experience when he takes the reins at Ibrox next year."All this giving away will stand me in good stead next year as we throw another championship to Celtic".

In another exclusive we can reveal that Wattie Smith declined to be Rudolph the red faced reindeer as he said it undermined his authority at RFC.


152

Royalist,

03/12/2008 16:20:16
Better not let Archie McPherson hear you talking about Champaigne Charlie like that.

Im off for herring sandwich.

Later chaps.
153

_NB_,

03/12/2008 16:20:39
#185 Rorie

Poor old Alloa. It is perhaps lucky that the inhabitants are too stupid to benefit from formal education.
154

,

03/12/2008 16:20:53
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155

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 16:21:34
186

Well it is the season!

At least at Parkhead they don't have to hire elf's for the Xmas season.
156

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 16:23:46
Dman..Thats why we have the National Elfs Service...
157

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 16:25:02
192

Ho Ho Ho, and bto I don't mean female.
158

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 16:26:15
The perfect antidote to the XMAS shoite is "Bad Santa" with Billy Bob Thornton...FABULOUS!
159

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 16:27:01
195

Funny film!
160

_NB_,

03/12/2008 16:27:28
#190 DM

With Samaras playing the part of snow white, the festive panto is Snow white and the seven dwarves:

Grumpy - WGS
Dopey - Scottie Broon
Bashful - Wilson
Doc - Maloney
Happy - Peter Lieswell
Sleepy - Naylor
Sneezy - MacDonald
161

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 16:29:58
197 NB

Snow White perfectly cast.

Stand in for Sammi is McCourt.
162

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 16:33:04
Grumpy - Wattie
Dopey - Broadfoot
Bashful - Velicka (well,when was the last time you saw him?)
Doc - McMoist
Happy - the Celtic support
Sleepy - McGregor
Sneezy - Cannigia (well he did the old hokey cokey allegedly)
163

_NB_,

03/12/2008 16:34:04
#200 rorie

Las Vegas is in the Nevada desert.
164

SWORDS MAN,THE GREY BLADE,,

03/12/2008 16:36:31
203..I wouldnt bet on it.............
165

_NB_,

03/12/2008 16:37:14
#202 JamesieBhoy

Have you ever had a dream in which you are the referee of a greco-roman wrestling match between Samaras and Balde? You have to oil up their bare torsos at the start then seperate them when they get stuck during the contest...
166

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 16:38:45
202

Watch it, I'm holding a heavy purse!
167

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 16:41:06
Later lads off to the mall with the heavy purse (the make up weighs a ton) to do some Xmas shopping.
168

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 16:41:58
Rearrangers 1 Hamilton 1

Hibs 1 Celtic 3

Champions Celtic stretch their lead to nine points ....walter and ally get police escort past lynch mob outside ibrox.
169

_NB_,

03/12/2008 16:42:19
#209 Jamesiebhoy

You seem pretty keen to find out a lot of info on this subject, You should try a more suitable form to satisfy your curiosity...
170

,

03/12/2008 16:42:31
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171

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 16:43:33
James what ever winds you're clock, its you're business.

Later.

Tis the season!
172

,

03/12/2008 17:03:27
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173

,

03/12/2008 17:05:09
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174

,

03/12/2008 17:06:46
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175

,

03/12/2008 17:10:16
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176

Irish National Lenny Army,

03/12/2008 19:00:29
Wonder if Rangers will survive this recession.

HOPE NOT!!!
177

Irish National Lenny Army,

03/12/2008 19:00:30
Wonder if Rangers will survive this recession.

HOPE NOT!!!
178

Daillyman,

03/12/2008 19:19:59
221

Do you have a stutter?
179

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 20:04:29
217 - 220 presumably a late afternoon outbreak of raging ranger syndrome ?

The Champions have certainly no reason for any such outbursts , although in fairness a few posts which do no more than poke a bit of fun at minty have been pulled in the past.

The Celts are surfing on a high wave at the moment, hawaii shirt on, raybans on, havana jauntily positioned at the side of the mouth (the pacific ocean wouldn't dream of splashing it out.)...we smile in the sunshine and waive to a couple of buxom beauties awestruck by our effortless skill on the surf...we hold them in our gaze as we perform a sommersault, unable to decide which of the two is most deserving of our attention...'perhaps we'll take them both' we say to ourselves with a wicked smile....

Meanwhile, down at Girvan, the rearrangerz are on a caravan holiday. It's a nice wee four berth, and even though the gas has run oot, they grimly hold on to the forlorn hope of a wee bit of sunshine ...'mibees the morra' they say to themselves, 'mibees the morra'.
180

Helter Skelter,

03/12/2008 20:10:30
Billy !

Whi'?

Pi' the ke'le oan wul huv a wee cup a tea eh?

There's nae gas !

Awww f.....ah fogot! D'ye waant a game o' monoploy ?

Stick it up yir €rse!
181

Rouleur,

on ma bike 03/12/2008 21:26:13
I am worried by the title of this article.. .. .. I mean Dr 'Death' needs little excuse let alone UN sanction to conduct an invasion. The denizens of Govan better watch out for a Dr 'Death' invasion as we know by his comments in the press that he despises all things blue.. .. lets hope they don't discover oil.
182

Paulmac2,

surrey 03/12/2008 23:11:39
226...

Psssst....It was Geoff Hoon...just thought I would let you know before you keep makin an eeerrrse of yersell.
183

sonofcosmos,

glasgow 03/12/2008 23:19:42
what strange figures given by this article..the "author" should explain where he got celtics debt figure from..and for readers interest

"Rangers parent company, Murray International Holdings, have seen debts rise to an eye-watering £759m to the year ending January 2008 (2007: £677m), over £730m of which is payable to the company's bankers.

The company paid £39m in interest in the year, a staggering 58% increase on the previous year, and made a profit of just £5.072m on a turnover of £542.386m.

A Balance Sheet valuation of £158m is supported by £46m of intangible assets, £17m of which is player registrations and £29m of goodwill.

Trading conditions are likely to have changed since January for the property-to-football group, as the UK lurches towards a recession which has hit the property market more severely than most.

£730m of bank debt will present an interesting challenge as the company's principal bankers, HBOS, merges with the Lloyds TSB Group, which is expected to complete next month.

The football division represents a small part of the group but the company clearly cannot sustain the kind of losses Rangers experienced in previous years without debt, interest payments and profitability all suffering." ouch xxx


184

sonofcosmos,

glasgow 03/12/2008 23:21:59
also funny the article which boasts about rangers high cost transfers..including mo edu..while slagging off mccourt for hardly been seen since his move to celtic..HoHoHo
185

Paulmac2,

surrey 03/12/2008 23:32:29
229...Sono

The debt figures are drawn from season 2006-07...

Whatwould be interesting to know is if the £5m profit is...operating profit or profit before operating costs?

I do all my banking with Lloyds....knowing the type of bank they are....will be looking to deal with such debts PDQ.
186

Paulmac2,

SURREY 03/12/2008 23:39:49
If you look at the woolworths figures...£100m turnover..£10m profit.......administration...
187

sonofcosmos,

glasgow 03/12/2008 23:57:36
scotsman also keeping this cracker low key..

"Boyd gets gift of a goal for his tally

RANGERS striker Kris Boyd's bid to finish as the SPL's top striker has been given a boost after he was officially credited with the goal in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Hearts – even though Christos Karipidis bundled the ball into his own net.
In his match report that has been submitted to both the SFA and SPL, referee Dougie McDonald marked the Ibrox forward as the scorer.


The full article contains 76 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.Page 1 of 1

Last Updated: 02 December 2008 11:52 PM "

 

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