craig

Yeah, quite unfortunate Danny - to be fair they took that team from being a team that struggled to make the play-offs (but did make them, just didn't go far) into the best team in the land - but as soon as it happened they had salary cap issues and lost their better players and became a very mediocre team, despite having one of the most talented coaches in the game. Again, to be fair to them, the dynamics are somewhat different between the sports.

Chris, they are still being linked with liverpool - from what I know they are very much in tune with the franchise, the front office and even the fans - the New England fans adore what they have done for their team and they (the Kraft's) consider everyone involved (staff, fans etc) as part of their extended family.

Danny, I don't doubt their business acumen. However, their expertise is not in sports, and most certainly not in football. However, take a look at the achievements that they have had with their sporting affiliations (actually just the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they haven't been with Man U for long enough to warrant judgement). Yes, they took the Buccaneers to the Superbowl and they won that for the first time in franchise history - but they spent a TON of money doing so and as quickly as they won it they became one of the worst franchises in the league. Since their SB victory they have been a shadow of their former selves. Turning to Man U - Man U are financially solid because of what was built up BEFORE they took over - my numbers could be skewed but they bought Man U and paid for it with over 70% of debt - 70% of debt which then needs to be serviced - give that one 5 years and I reckon we could very well see fall-out from it. Personally I don't care if they come from Timbuktoo and my comments were not derived from their nationality or personality. Everyone has their own opinion and, for this Bear, the Glazer's are not the answer. Now, the Kraft family that owns the New England patriots.... they are a different matter altogether and I would love to see them invest in Rangers !

Possibly that DM AND PLG knew DM's intentions when PLG signed on the dotted line. DM might have got PLG to sing a 3 yr contract that gives PLG a parachute if, at the end of his contract (which looks like it could coincide with DM's departure), he doesn't like the new owner

If its more than 20 points they could find themselves further behind than they would have if they were put straight to Serie C. If they get say a 30 point deduction and the get relegated they will have lost a season !

Wee Rino has told the Milan VP that he will stay even if relegated - some players from Juve have stated they wil stay but they will lose some of their major players. I would think anyone over 30 (guys like Vieira) will look to leave as they need to be playing at the top level seeing as their careers draw close to an end. Have to say that the punishment looks reasonably fair if the reports of the wrong-doing are anything to go by. Juve will need to win all their games next season to avoid relegation again ;p !! 20 points will make it harder for them to get promoted but if they keep most of their players (who knows ?!?!) then they should still be good for a return to Seria A

38.30 received with much thanks - I have still to put my money to that so I think we have already reached the 65 quid target (not that it means you have to stop donating ) Cammy, can you PM me your address and I will get my Mum to write you a cheque and mail it out ASAP. Thanks everyone !

Thanks Mike and Danny - received emails from Paypal - all is good !

seriously buba ? Hopefully not - they would take us into ruination most likely.

Just had a thought and could be completely off base with this... Dm will have owned Rangers for 20 years in 2009 (which is when he said would be enough for anyone and he would look to sell). To me at least it looks like he has had this intention for quite some time - PLG signed pretty much because he liked Bain (why ?!?!?!) and DM. PLG's contract is a 3 year contract which runs till 2009. Coincidence that PLG's contract expires at the same time in which DM is looking to possibly sell ?

Thanks calscot - much appreciated - I got the email from paypal so all is good

According to sky sports the other day Man City paid 300k for him - maybe they were wrong then..

Mayeb not heavily financially but one would hope that any new regime would elect an RST representative to the board of directors - the RST would give the board an insight to the fans viewpoint and what expectations/hopes the fans have on many different fronts (for a good starting point one should read Cammy's "letter" to DM about the various things which need change/improvement)

Miller's tackle was assault !! That was a shocking tackle... maybe he was going for the ball though, not sure if it was the guy's left or right ball he was going for though ! How they almost made it to half-time without giving a goal away was unbelievable too ! That defence was awful ! Keep it up lads !

All, please check this thread http://www.gersnet.info/vb/showthread.php?t=711&page=2 I am going to use my paypal account to collect donations for the banners that are being made. If there is any excess after it has all been paid I will send a cheque to one of the admin for them to decide what to do with it. The paypal email address is.... craig.gardiner@omsl.bm I will also supply admin with periodic screenshots so that you all know that I am not stealing your very kind donations. If you make a donation could you also PM me please to let me know how much so that I can match up the donations with the donors. Thanks

What do you all think about this one ? His club have confirmed Celtic have made a "serious offer".

He makes a very valid comment in his Canal Plus interview about the provocation is also guilty because without provocation there is no reaction. He says he wanted to apologise but didn't regret his actions because regret would mean he felt what Materrazi said was acceptable. ======================================== Zinedine Zidane has publicly apologised for his sending off in the World Cup final, but claimed he did not regret his actions against Marco Materazzi. Zidane, who was captaining his country in his final match before retirement, stated that Materazzi insulted his mother and sister in the seconds leading up to the incident, which saw the France midfielder thrust his head into the Italy defender's chest. "I reacted badly and I would like to apologise for it," Zidane told Canal Plus. "I would like to apologise because a lot of children were watching the match. I do apologise but I don't regret my behaviour because regretting it would mean he was right to say what he said. "There was no tension with Materazzi before or during the match. "He just put his hand onto my shirt and I told him to stop. I told him that if he wanted it I could give it to him at the end of the match. "Then he said very harsh words to me and repeated them several times. I left but then I went back towards him and things went very fast. "The words he said concerned my mother and sister. "I heard them once, then twice, and the third time I couldn't control myself. I am a man and some words are harder to hear than actions. "I would have rather been knocked down than hear that. "Afterwards I explained to the referee that I had been provoked, but my behaviour is not forgivable," Zidane said. Without Zidane, who had earlier given France the lead with a penalty, extra-time finished with the score locked at 1-1, and Zidane's team lost the penalty shoot-out 5-3 to Italy. Asked whether he plans to attend FIFA hearings into the incident, Zidane said that he would seek to defend himself. "I will go and I will tell everything I have just said," he added. "The reaction is always punished but if there is no provocation there is no reaction. The guilty person is the one who provokes. "If I reacted that way, it is because something bad happened. Do you really believe that 10 minutes before the end of my career I would be able to make such a bad gesture? The provocation was very serious." The incident was a sad way to end what has been a glittering career for Zidane, but he insisted he would not change his mind about retiring. "This is a decision I have made and I will not go back on it," he said. "This is definite. I will not play again." Materazzi himself, who scored the equaliser for Italy on Sunday, made a statement of his own while Zidane was speaking on French television. "I didn't mention anything about religion, politics or racism," he said. "I didn't insult his mother. I lost my mother when I was 15 years old and still get emotional when I talk about it. "Naturally, I didn't know that his mother was in hospital but I wish her all the best. "Zidane is my hero and I have always admired him a lot."

Even though we are no closer to knowing the truth I am inclined to agree with you Colsh. The venom that ZZ put into that headbutt suggests that something was said that pissed him off a LOT !!! I think Materrazi is trying to make himself look like some innocent victim in all of this.

Not a problem Stu !

You know, I was just reading Fergie's article and it really inspires enthusiasm for the new season - he seems as if he is desperate to put last season behind him and the club and just wants to get that trophy back - and with that level of desire I think he can and will inspire gers to the league trophy come next May !

Yeah, that was a fun introduction for me onto Gersnet Chris !! Not a biggie though, even though I still had 4 memberships left on offer which weren't taken up !

Stu, I think you complete a couple of items and you can get an automated pin number from them and then I think you are done. My paypal account has nothing in it so I don't mind using it. I can also send screenshots of the transactions going in and out if wanted. Cammy, if you need the cash for the whole lot now (to prevent the printing being held up - as it would be great to have the banners ready for the opening game) let me know and I can have my Mum send you a cheque for the whole amount just to get it all done !

Stu, I have a paypal account that could be used if you like ? I can send a check for any monies received into it once I get back home at the end of the month. If folks don't want to pay into my paypal account I don't have a problem with that either (he says after the initial fiasco when he offered RST memberships for free......)

Evening times is reporting that we have bid 1 mill for Sebo but Vienna want 2 mill. Another one whereby it is a drawn out process before both teams compromise to get what they both think is a fair deal ?

But was Kahn not STOPPING opponents from scoring goals, meaning Germany had to score less to win, and therefore contributing a great deal too ? Though I am sure he could have let the odd one, or seven, slide in against Saudi and they would still have got the win.......