buster.

Re. Tillman and Sands I think the jury have a lot of evidence to watch before they even consider going out to consider the verdict. As it stands (IMO) they haven't done nearly enough but still have some time on their side.

From the little I have seen, the board or whoever on their behalf, sometimes note what is going on or being questioned within the support (often via social media). They offer back soundbites, tweets, statements, occasional actions, etc to appease, sweeten up, keep happy, satisfy or similar, that line of supporter feedback. In some cases it is short term firefighting that actually makes things worse. For example, pushing the positive vibes about our finances, deals, etc and not a balanced picture. So the support expect more money spent in a transfer window and then further down the line, the board are on the back foot. Partly, their own fault. As for supporter groups to communicate/act as bridge....with the board. Forget it, it isn't happening any time soon. Twenty years of one disaster after another, for all kinds of reasons. We have what we generally deserve. The current board have enough real supporters on it. Re. Communication. They just have to improve in obvious areas. Not forgetting, the planting of money trees at Auchenhowie and winning Leagues.

Your argument doesn't convince me.

The bulk of the starting XI have been around for years and there is a definite and clear distinct patterns regard apparent motivation/performance/results in both Domestic and European football (the one exception being domestic 55 season). Lets take since the start of last season. We had won the league a few months before but something wasn't quite right with the team/manager and this seemed to come accross on the field of play and we started 21/22 relatively poorly. We were undefeated Champions and had won 32 from 38 games and drawn 6, two of which came after we clinched the league. We didn't build on that win, we reverted to type (another manager and/or squad debate?). Under SG in the League 21/22 WLWWWDWWDWWDWW We couldn't put together a long winning run that helps you win a title. Gio comes in. The players seem to respond and it goes well at the beginning (League) WWWWWWW ......then it is the winter break For whatever reason, the squad revert to type as we return from winter break and the positive Gio effect wears off.......DWDLWWDDWWWLWWDWWW (League) The players do seem to motivate (themselves?) for Europe and we make the final. We come into 22/23 (League) and we resume where we had left off in May. WWWDWLW My conclusion is that this group of players have it in them to get to a decent level but have great difficulty in putting together the consistentcy needed to win league titles. When the domestic going gets tough, they are mentally weak and not sufficiently motivated enough to give it their best shot. In Europe, it has generally been a different tale. I think they basically get themselves up for it. I also see a manager who isn't going to be able to change things (league consistency). He doesn't appear to have the authority and respect of all the players. Always easier to get rid of the manager than change a squad but both are overdue. Obviously, finances make it impossible.

Looking medium to long term is very much part of it but when you go several transfer windows bringing in so little that improves the first team and the projects don't really cut it either.....then what happens next is predictable.

The relatively new UEFA distribution model has had an effect and will continue to do so. Ie. The ten year co-efficient and being paid a sum according to what your number is, relative to the other 31 teams. We are 31st this season and get 2 shares of over a million euros each. IIRC, they are getting in the region of 9m euros. Big difference, then you have to add a 55/45 split of TV money in their favour (latter has a short term resolution possible / win the league) Similar thing happened last season in the EL, but numbers were much more modest (EL share worth around 10% of CL and about x3 of Conference). At the other end, Real Madrid rake in 32 x approx. 1.2m€. Keeping the elite clubs onside, for now.

Predicted in June, alongside communication being a big problem and the squad not being good enough. #trumpetblower

Consistency over a long period.

Just to add, when the hilarity was at its highest, only one club had to close the top tier. So busy laughing, they forgot to attend their own games.

They were laughing so much they didn't see '55' coming and during that 'hilarity' our support stayed loyal. Cost of living may be a factor but that will be for everyone. We failed to build on 55 (on field) and now we have to go again and the changing environment means a different approach is required.

Should we care about what they think ? I think realism helps and there are challenging times ahead. Not surprised that John Bennett said running Rangers is the biggest challenge in business that he as faced. Part of that is managing expectation levels. If you fuel them and don't deliver, rational two-way communication becomes more difficult. IMO, better to keep the paying support onside with realism and have them buy into another strategic well communicated plan. Would hopefully mitigate constant fire-fighting and reactionary measures.

A mistake, yes. It was almost as if the recent dominant M.O. (squeezing as much revenue as possible from fanbase) naturally went the route of RTV subscriber only. Then someone analysing the feedback realised the irony of a trailer finishing with a line about fixing communication from club to fans being only available to a few. --------------------- If the fans want the club to grow on and off the pitch, they need to be prepared to pay top dollar and regularly. Short of finding & selling a Calvin Bassey every window, there appears no way round this. Primarily, beyond basic survival, this is about keeping up with the neighbours and domestic success that opens the door to (the possibility of) CL money. FFP will eventually limit our spending on salaries, transfer/agent fees, etc. to 70% of revenue. Historically, at least as far back as I paid any attention to the accounts, we have been run in what could be termed as an unsustainable business model. We became used to buying our way out of problems. Too often, it was only buying in more problems. Kicking cans down the road was the order of the day. In 2009, a set of events was put in motion by Lloyds that would lead to Feburary 2012 (obviously on the back of Sir Duped's business model). Our more recent losses, post March 2015 were projected and funded. Covid pulled the rug from under projected timescales and here we find ourselves looking at UEFA imposed FFP regulations to conform to. In short, to operate at a competitive level with the neighbours, never mind Europe. We are somehow going to have to up those revenue levels and keep them there. That has to be paid for and the support are as John Bennett said, the lifeblood. Lowering costs would probably mean lower salaries which points towards playing more of our own youngsters. Great, if they are good enough because it also boosts revenue (player trading model). The only viable option ? The supporter model would then need to incorporate patience. Why not, when the supposed saying that Rangers is all about winning (the League title) has gone by the wayside in the last decade or so. If we've grown acustomed to not winning it, perhaps it is time to try something else.

My mistake I thought it was the full interview. Thanks !

Part One was about fixing communication from club to support. Had it been about communication from club to RTV subscribers then I wouldn't have seen the irony. I get an argument that says you offer it first to your paying customers, fine. However, in this case that argument doesn't stand up.

The fans won't really care if the team is winning. We don't need any extra salaries to pay. We need those that are already there to change a little, the way they operate. Instead of fire fighting, David Graham needs to try and get ahead of the curve.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62942308 I can see the above on the game, from the Sunday.

Thanks 26th ! I got the statement from the club website. Did Dundee United amend it or have BBC Scotland modified it? There aren't noted signs of amendment. Can hardly believe that BBC Scotland thought they could get away with editing the statement but who knows these days. When the reference 'cnut' was used for a pic of Kevin Thomson in a Rangers top, on the BBC website, at least it was hidden from plain sight.

A very difficult juggling act. They (current board) are pretty much as good as it will get with regard to sharing the interests of the support. Only, they have to operate with reality.

Scott, it is an analogy. Type it into a search engine and it will be explained.

Nearly always impressed by John Bennett, a good communicator who has an air of competence. Seventeen minutes that touched on a lot but didn't really go in to much detail. The accounts and AGM will fill some of those gaps. The rest has fingers crossed for our performances/results to pick up. He stressed that 'expert opinion' states we have the best squad for years. IMO, this is what is being completely misread, it isn't. Some of the players may come good but I refer to this season.

My reading of the general situation is that the club desperately need to maintain and increase revenue streams if, going forward, they want to keep our first team competitive at home and abroad. This has to be done within the parameters of the gradual implementation of the new FFP regulations. These new rules would seem to be a bit of a game changer. To get revenue up, they need the fanbase to constantly buy (in). This is getting to a stage where we are seeing a little bit of pushback. Mostly verbal, but as time goes on and the cost of living increases, it will eventually bite. However, the fanbase didn't want the Sydney Cup either. Fine, but one USP we have is the rivalry with Celtic and the board can legitimately say to the fanbase (IMO)... ok, we won't go, but further down the line, that will produce an effect that we and you won't like. Neo-liberal economics (extreme capitalism) has had a very clear effect on football. Three decades ago, we (Campbell Money/Rangers) helped get the CL underway and little by little (boiling a frog) the financial distribution has skewed to the point, we only want to be there for the money. Basically, getting pumped for money. The general financial direction of travel for the sport and our cost of living won't make communication from the club to the fanbase more difficult.....BUT it will make it something that won't go down well. Any board will make mistakes but I have a degree of sympathy for our board given the general situation, partly out of their control. A frank honesty and a plan is what they need to offer. Ps. Haven't seen full interview as yet.

John Bennett acknowledges SOME valid criticism regards communication from board to fans hasn't been good enough and wants to fix it......A welcome development. I note he uses the example of the Super League when The Sydney Cup might have been a more relevant. Small thing, but wouldn't it have been better communication to have released this interview in its full form, rather than bit by bit. edit I note the full interview is available to RTV subscribers. Given subject matter, not the brightest move, IMO.

Rangers Youtube channel has just published a short video (PART ONE) of Vice Chairman, John Bennett touching on communication issues between club and support. Part Two is to be released later in the day.

In a few years he'll realise what his career could have been.