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D'Artagnan

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  1. D'Artagnan
    "Like many within Scottish football, including supporters and other observers, we are surprised by the parallel conclusion that no competitive advantage was gained from these arrangements. “ (Celtic FC Statement) You curse you're luck. The dice were kind to you and you landed fair square on Park Lane having rolled the required eight, courtesy of a double 4. However at £350 this property is more than you can afford at present. Your next throw sees you roll an eleven where you safely pass go and collect £200 from the bank. You’re opponent meantime rolls a 7 and also lands on Park Lane. You can see from his finances across the table he is unable at present to afford the much coveted property. But to your abject horror he pulls out a Community Chest Card – Glasgow City Council/Celtic FC – and acquires Park Lane for the knock-down price of £175. Furthermore as he passes Go he collects a favourable £600 as opposed to your £200, courtesy again of his “exclusive deal” with Co-op Bank. “Competitive Advantage” ? “Sporting Integrity” ? “Financial Doping” ? “State Aid” ? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/markets/article-2514682/Co-op-Bank-slammed-cheap-loans-Celtic-Football-Club.html I await the social, and moral outrage that Celtic FC, courtesy of their exclusive and extremely favourable banking arrangements, have robbed small firms of credit facilities and overdraft extensions. I await Graham "Selective Amnesia" Spiers tweeting that he is quite comfortable that such arrangements were a form of “cheating” All it needs is for Donald Findlay to be appointed head of the SPFL Investigation into Celtic FC and their financial and land dealings. Whats that term...”what goes around comes around” http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22037966 Of course, should any type of investigation be directed at Celtic it will cause a considerable conflict of interest for one member of UEFA's Financial Fair Play Board – Brian Quinn, former Celtic Chairman. http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/former-celtic-chairman-brian-quinn-s-uefa-financial-role-1-2386596 At least there will be a plethora of advice readily available for Mr Quinn with regard to dealing with potential conflicts of interest. His old friend, and Celtic Board member Eric Riley was a director at the SPL and the SFA for 10 and 13 years respectively. Furthermore Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell currently sits on the SFA's Professional Game Board. Did someone really say “Rangers are the establishment club” ? Conservative MP Mark Garnier is not going to allow this to go away, as he smells blood. So too do a number of Tories. It has been suggested that the revelations surrounding the Co-op Bank will reach right up to the higher echelons of the Labour Party nationally. http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/22/ed-balls-links-to-co-op-bank Of course its perhaps purely co-incidence that the former Lennox Castle Hospital , with its 48 acres of prime real estate, was sold for £493,000 to Celtic Football Club, thus allowing the Scottish Minister to delegate responsibility for it's sale to the CEO of Glasgow Greater Health Board, as it fell below the £500,000 benchmark. Which leaves me 2 questions. (1) Was the sale of Lennoxtown Castle offered or advertised in the public domain ? (2) Does Neil Doncaster have Lord Nimmo Smith on Speed Dial ?
  2. D'Artagnan
    We have GS and that perhaps tells its own story. I dont think we have played with particular fluency or style at all this season - we have relied (too much in my opinion) on the aerial prowess of Daly, who has been exceptional. But playing the high ball into him may be playing to his strength but it will do little for the development of Clark. As the standard of defender improves I think this will prove to be less & less fruitful. Furthermore Daly's aerial ability against lesser defenders is covering up a glaring failing on the right side of midfield, I dont recall Arnold ever hitting the by line to cross a ball back - he tends to swing it in from the 3/4 zone. Against better teams that will be totally ineffective.
  3. D'Artagnan
    (1) The investigation into Whyte's takeover is subject of a criminal enquiry by Police Scotland. I would think this is a fairly wide investigation as most people with even a small amount of legal knowledge know Whyte appears to clearly have ticked all the essential elements for the crime of fraud - Pretence, Inducement and Obtaining. (2) The leaking of information to the Rangers Tax Case Blog and BBC Scotland is also subject of a criminal investigation - I know this for fact as I raised the criminal complaint myself only to be informed this investigation was already ongoing (I presume a s a consequence of Prof Watson's complaint to Crown Office on behalf of SDM) (3) The information used by BBC Scotland consists of evidence stolen in the Rangers Tax Case - this is what Lord Nimmo Smith alludes to in Section 98 of his SPL Commission Report. Whilst the criminal enquiry is ongoing there will not be much discussion or action until it is concluded.
  4. D'Artagnan
    “I wish for you all, each of you, to have your own motive for indignation. This is precious. When something outrages you as I was outraged by Nazism, then people become militant, strong, and involved.” (Stephane Hessel) Much has been made of the comments at the Celtic AGM, particularly the jibes by an SFA board member, who, in his dual role, also officiates over certain matters at Celtic FC. If such comments were seen as an attempt to play to the gallery, Chairman Ian Bankier’s comment that there was “a tremendous romance attached to the club” were perhaps an attempt to detract from a far greater romantic screenplay which is developing over the other side of the city. For this developing screenplay has all the ingredients to be a box office sell out, and in fact, already has sold out time and time again. Furthermore its ability to capture the imagination and attention of those beyond these shores shows no sign of abating. It can neither be stopped nor controlled because it’s driving force, the Rangers support, will forever be beyond the reach and control of even multi-roled individuals with alarming, and questionable influence. Its a loyalty which cannot be bought, is not and will not be offered for sale, no matter the offer on the table. It has the twists of trickery, the depravity of deceit, the unedifying behaviour of the unscrupulous. Unbridled hatred is there for all to see as well Machiavellian plots which would do The Prince justice. Intransigence, incompetence and intent to injure, to destroy an institution are laid bare before all. These factors should set the scene for what would be an overwhelming victory, an annihilation, an extermination. That no such victory was forthcoming is testament to the screenplay’s heroes. Normal men and women whose love for their football club laid to waste the plotters and their schemes. She may have been kicked countless times when she was down, but time and time again the blue legions would pick her up and brace themselves for the next onslaught. Rangers may have been down, battered and bruised, but most certainly not out. And so the march onwards continues. Relentless. When people speak of the romance of Scottish football they think of the institution which would not die – because her fans would not let it be so. They filled stadiums, broke world records, were the cause of games being postponed. You want romance Mr Bankier ? Look no further than Ibrox. Forget “defiance” or even vengeance. The bad news for all the cowards who swung the boot whilst we were down is that it is something much worse than either defiance or vengeance. Righteous Indignation. It will pursue the plotters, the schemers, and the incompetent. The level of hatred and lack of mercy displayed by many, I can assure you, will be duly reciprocated. And then some. Agencies and individuals cannot hide forever behind anonymity, excuses of “whistleblowing” and “sporting integrity”. In the near future a criminal enquiry will reach it’s conclusion and the long arm of the law will finally get to grips with some of the plotters. The time for Government Agencies hiding behind the excuse of “ongoing criminal enquiries” will be over. If some of them think that Police Scotland are the extent of their worries, then they would be well advised to think again. The failings are already within the public domain and no amount of retrospective action will remedy them. All we are really waiting for is to see the extent and the scope of the Police Scotland enquiry. We will be reviewing such an enquiry through eyes filled with righteous indignation – and only the full extent of the application of the law will satisfy. Rangers are indeed coming, on a tidal wind of righteous indignation, perhaps many in Scotland would do well to brace themselves.
  5. D'Artagnan
    Apologies BH - Im forever doing that - its an age thing ;-))
  6. D'Artagnan
    I agree BD - furthermore I think we make the mistake at present on judging players as individuals rather than part of a collective unit ie a team. The title winning Dundee Utd team under McLean didnt have a team full of superstars - often players would be drafted in and played to their system. Im not sure I have seen a system yet developed within our current team - we often play to the strength of Daly (which is fairly productive against defenders of inferior quality) but that effectiveness will decline as the standard of defender improves.
  7. D'Artagnan
    Loyalty - its a funny thing. In its genuine form it can neither be bought nor imitated. The exercise of it can, on occasion, test the very limits of our determination, our mettle; it may subject us to the most sternest of examinations, but such testing can go a long way to defining the type of people we are. On a personal level it separates that which is important in our lives, from the also rans – the wheat from the chaff. Its easy to forget in the midst of our “Scottish tour” that we, the Rangers support , are re-writing an additional chapter in the long history of Rangers legends. In years to come our children and grandchildren will read books and tell stories of forefathers whose loyalty was unquestionable, who in times of considerable adversity helped not only our club, but also each other, overcome the trials and tribulations before us. We are not only a part of, but are actually central to, history in the making. Perhaps, in years to come, with a more favourable and balanced journalistic culture in Scotland we may even see our current exploits examined in the same way as Hugh Taylor did many years ago when speaking of the Rangers support visiting Wolverhampton. (Hugh Taylor – We Will Follow Rangers, 1961) I say "easy to forget" because its a fact which has not really been either acknowledged or recognised within the Scottish media - despite it being covered and investigated in Japan and other countries. In fact it takes the somewhat mesmerised announcement of a Sky Sports presenter, the awe in his voice as he reads our attendance figures, to fully realise that you don't need to be wearing blue tinted spectacles to recognise the magnificence of the achievement and the loyalty factor clearly at work. In fact the Scottish media have been less than charitable towards the Rangers support in this regard. Initially the Rangers support was not loyal but “defiant” (remarkably such “defiance” was in respect of various injustices the Scottish media have also been relatively quiet about. Tick Tock.) That's of course when they see fit to mention it at all, if some of them can drag themselves away from their “Rangers are a new club” arguments, with of course their “unnamed insolvency experts”. Graham Spiers must be the only golfer in Scotland who employs a caddie to lug around his ego rather than is golf clubs. On Boxing day I met up with a fellow Bear, John, with whom Id shared various online discussions over the years. Between us we have almost 100 years of following Rangers. As we enjoyed a pre-match sherry we discovered we both shared the same Rangers baptism – the Arsenal Centenary Game where the “King of Ibrox Park” had lifted our hearts and spirits, only to see them broken again when the Girvan Lighthouse made two dreadful errors in the closing minutes, allowing Charlie George to capitalise (twice). As John and I made our way to G51 2XD, as we have done for nearly a century, to cheer on the Rangers, we crammed into a sardine tin like subway train, full of like minded individuals expressing their loyalty. “Rangers are a new club” ? - don't make me laugh. Notwithstanding the various legal rulings, or those of various footballing authorities, not to be mention the Advertising Standards Agency (Twice) – such a contention should be seen purely for what it is :- (a) The ramblings of hate filled individuals who, in arriving at such a position, have chosen to ignore the expertise and authority of those who have stated otherwise or (b) The ramblings of a troll like journalist, attempting to court controversy and attract attention, in an attempt to compensate for his bland, insipid and uninspired writing. Follow Follow is no longer just a song, it has become our standard. It is not empty rhetoric but an exercise in faith and loyalty to a football club evidenced by attendance figures and the setting of new world records. Perhaps one day other supporters will aspire to our standard. Until then, we welcome the chase.
  8. D'Artagnan
    Id much rather he dispensed with BS due to his inability rather than being forced to by angry fans. The former allows us to determine the kind of man we have at the helm - the latter doesnt.
  9. D'Artagnan
    An outstanding article - there is just no substitute for expert knowledge.
  10. D'Artagnan
    So those who vote at an election Tom, but dont see their candidate or party win - would we be happy to see them embark on a campaign of civil disobedience ? Or rather than harm the country would it be better they work with others to ensure a different result next time round should the elected candidate prove unworthy ?
  11. D'Artagnan
    Let me join with you in this Orwellian moment and say I agree. I suspect we are not that far off agreeing on the type of model we would like to see overseeing such profit, and where would like to see that profit invested.
  12. D'Artagnan
    The invasion of both France and the Falklands were breaches of International Law GS - the vote at the AGM did not breach any law
  13. D'Artagnan
    That is a fair point FS - but you know as well as I do thats the price of capitalism. Lets call it it due process and take democracy equation out of it.
  14. D'Artagnan
    Thats what I was driving at Thinker. Perhaps, for the avoidance of doubt, it would make it easier if we replace the word "democratic" with "due" process. But lets say the requisitioners had won - with their promises of institutional investors. Would have that still have been a victory for naked greed and self-interest ? Are the protests against the system because it is unfair or because it failed to deliver the correct result with regard to who we wanted to win ?
  15. D'Artagnan
    But the democratic system and process is not about your view AMMS - nor mine for that matter. Its the system the requistioners subjected themselves to and is the process which is in place. Its the way it works - and not just for our club, its fairness (or lack thereof) is perhaps a discussion for another time. The fans have the opportunity to effect that process by acquiring the significant shareholding - we should have done it by now but we havent - that to me is not a fault of the process.
  16. D'Artagnan
    I dont disagree GS that the set up is wrong as it stands - I have long campaigned that we as fans need to get ourselves organised, represented etc etc. But our failing to maximise and organise in such a way that the democratic process works to our advantage - does not make it wrong nor undemocratic.
  17. D'Artagnan
    I wrote the above paragraph a few weeks ago in an article which was published in the inaugural launch of WATP magazine. Much of course has changed during that time with the coming and going of the AGM, and the confirmation of our board of directors. Even as a fence sitter throughout all of this, I cannot hide my inward disappointment that Brian Stockbridge remains on the board. But perhaps in that regard I am being unfair to Mr Stockbridge as I don’t have in my possession the information which allows me to make an informed choice. I don’t know for instance whether he, in his role as financial director, was merely rubber stamping the overly generous bonuses previous board members had arranged for themselves, nor for instance what part, (as has been claimed in this overloaded propaganda war) nominee Malcolm Murray had in the setting of such bonuses. That will always be the case of course so long as the Rangers support remains dis-empowered and disenfranchised from the systems and processes I alluded to several weeks ago. But the system and process which determines the make up of the Rangers board has spoken, and furthermore it has spoken in a way which is democratic. We may not all like the results it has delivered but that, I’m afraid, is life. Of course, we can attempt to usurp that democratic process. and there has already been talk of boycotts with regard to season tickets and club merchandise, and I have no doubt such action will make those who clearly wield power – institutional investors – sit up and take notice. Notwithstanding the damage such boycotts would cause to our club, perhaps we should also consider the damage such action would cause to democratic process and what kind of “notice” would be initiated within institutional investors ? If the democratic process to elect a board is usurped by way of boycotts, a refusal to accept the decisions that process has delivered, do you think this will instil confidence in any future investment in the club from others ? Ask yourself this – would you invest heavily in an institution where your majority shareholding and the decisions you make relative to that investment, through proper process, can be overturned by the militant actions of others with a lesser shareholding ? I don’t like where our club sits at present, nor do I have complete confidence in those who are charged with taking us out of our current predicament and to another place. But given the choice between giving them a chance as opposed to damaging both club and destroying confidence in that democratic process – then I know which one I will choose. Season Ticket renewed.
  18. D'Artagnan
    45 Commando Royal Marines 79-83
  19. D'Artagnan
    There is - I raised a criminal complaint to be informed that one was already ongoing - Im pretty sure thats the one SDM's solicitors talked about although I have never had this confirmed.
  20. D'Artagnan
    Following several unsatisfactory responses to both myself and Mr Joe Fitzpatrick MSP over a period of several months, today I duly instructed Campbell Boath Solicitors, to serve upon Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs, a series of Freedom of Information Requests pertaining to the following :- PRODUCTIONS (1) The seizure of, care and storage of productions and (2) Action on the theft or loss of productions in the care of HMRC (3) Duty to report the theft or loss of productions (4) Protocols for contacting Police should the circumstances at (2) above be fulfilled BREACHES OF CONFIDENTIALITY (5) General action on suspected or possible breaches of confidentiality by HMRC staff (6) Duty to investigate suspected breaches of confidentiality (7) Duty and protocol for reporting such criminal conduct arising from such breaches of confidentiality to the Police. Should the request be subject of a denial then such denial will itself be subject of further legal proceedings. Furthermore recent correspondence received by Mr Fitzpatrick aforesaid from Mr Stephen House, QPM, Chief Constable, Police Scotland, confirms the criminal investigation into the Leaking of Confidential Information to BBC Scotland is still ongoing.
  21. D'Artagnan
    Frankie - you know my thoughts on this book - it cannot praise it enough. It really is a must read for all bears. As I said on my first read through - seeing the injustices meted out to our club in such a succinct fashion - really raises the hackles.
  22. D'Artagnan
    There was a time I would have agreed wholeheartedly with you Juan - after what Ive seen these last few months on the internet Im not so sure.
  23. D'Artagnan
    rotflmao !!!!!!!!
  24. D'Artagnan
    I could have done it long ago . Dont believe me - ask plgsarmy by PM. And ask her why I didnt.
  25. D'Artagnan
    Certainly gave me a chuckle Zap.
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