Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'fans'.
-
Would like to hear what fellow Bears expect next season. Obviously the journey back up the leagues was supposed to be a gimmie and we didn't foresee hearts and Hibs standing in the way. Hearts are on the rebuilding and Hibs are about to make changes.....An article on here a few weeks ago had Ally saying he fears Hibs, sorry but we should never be fearing them. We had a good Scottish cup run this year but id not worry about that this year and put all efforts into the league. Still cant believe we didt pick up the Ramsden's and I cant see there being big interest in that this year. I don't think Ally is the right manager, he should be at the club in some capacity but not on the training field and If im honest I don't think it will be easy next season.
-
So many season tickets have been sold in the past because it was 'what you did' every year and also an element of loyalty when the Club was down. Very few, if any, were still buying for the entertainment value. It was very much a habitual thing for a large number of us. You had your budget fixed every year to allow for it. A huge assumption is being made (IMHO) that everyone will come back if the boardroom mess is sorted out. I have major doubts about that. You see, I don't believe everyone has put the money aside for that eventuality. I think the poor uptake on Dave King's fund supports that theory. I don't think it was a mistrust of DK. People just want to see something for their money - instant gratification. Very few working class folks have that money to simply leave lying in a 'limbo' account. I also KNOW of many who were seriously considering giving up the STs due to the perpetual lack of entertainment year on year. Taking that step to use the money for something else, e.g. a large contribution towards a family holiday, has been a huge decision for some. But like with anything habitual in life, once you break it life goes on. After a few months........if there is nothing there to entice you back.... I'm just interested in whether anyone believes we will hit the same heights again in sales? I firmly believe that boardroom change wouldn't be enough to win the people back. -
Give written legally binding assurances to fans that Ibrox stadium will not be sold or used as security for any loans Ibrox stadium has been the home of our club for over 100 years and due to mistrust of the board of directors, many fans are unhappy that no legally binding assurances have been forthcoming from the board and a recent club statement declared that the board are unwilling to provide such assurances. The board agree that the stadium is sacrosanct and state they will not sell or use as security. The word of the board can not and will not be accepted by many fans due to a number of recent statements that have since proven innacurate and untrue. Fans also wish to be protected if the current board should be replaced in the future. They have also declared they wish to build trust with the fan base and this action would go some way in improving any relationship https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/graham-wallace-give-written-legally-binding-assurances-to-fans-that-ibrox-stadium-will-not-be-sold-or-used-as-security-for-any-loans?recruiter=97305010&utm_campaign=mailto_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
-
EDIT: thread was already in motion here: http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/vb/sh...084#post491084 Hamilton win on penalties (scored all 4 of theirs, Hibs missed 2) Hamilton were by far the better team from start to finish. Playing some lovely football, unlike Hibs. I know this is not Rangers - but it is relevant to next season
-
.......never mind challenge for promotion. KEITH reflects on Hibs' extraordinary collapse and looks forward to a Championship season that will see three of Scotland's biggest clubs vying for a top flight return. SCOTTISH football awakes this morning to quite the Bank Holiday hangover. Let’s call it a bad case of the Hibeegeebees. Because what happened yesterday at Easter Road completed the routing of a top flight that has been wobbling and shaking since Rangers collapsed in a heap in February 2012. Back then, prior to Craig Whyte’s arrival on the scene, today’s landscape would have been unthinkable. But the reality is next season Rangers, Hearts and Hibs will all be playing in the second tier. That’s not to say we should all be overcome by grief at the thought of it. These three clubs have managed to make an almighty mess of their own business, be that off the pitch or on it, where Hibs have failed so spectacularly over the last weeks of the season. Yesterday they too got what they deserved and even though relegation had been in the post for weeks, there was something insufferable about the way they managed to botch it on their home turf against a Hamilton side that wanted a top-flight place more. All over the park. Terry Butcher and his players ought to be ashamed of themselves for the way they have let their supporters down and for the agonies they dumped on them yesterday. This will not be easily forgiven and nor should it because this woeful run has been nothing short of disgraceful for a club of such standing and status. Hibs should be up there leading from the front but instead they dropped off the face of the map and into a Championship all set up to boggle the mind. How can it be that these three giants can have fallen so hard? And what happens when at least one of them fails to clamber to the top of next season’s promotion ladder because three into two does not go. One of them is staying in that league for at least two years and the consequences of an extended stopover could be even more eye-watering than the penalty shoot-out which eventually saw Hibs go down yesterday afternoon. It had to be penalties, didn’t it? The ultimate form of torture for a support out of which the living daylights has been well and truly thrashed. There was one last kick in the nuts for them and it came in the shape of a defiant Butcher insisting he will not throw in the towel. To be blunt, he has been a calamitous appointment – an unmitigated disaster – and there have been absolutely no signs that he is capable of turning this team around. On current form, unless he can find a way to wheel and deal and clear his squad out, Hibs will do well to survive in the Championship next season never mind compete for promotion. At least they have a derby to look forward to (how much will the SPFL pay the broadcasters for that?) but this may simply open the door to a whole new world of suffering and humiliation. The Hibeegeebees? You better believe it. -
By CHRIS JACK and MATTHEW LINDSAY: RANGERS have recorded many memorable and momentous triumphs throughout their 142-year existence. The Ibrox club has won the league on a world record 54 occasions as well as the League Cup 27 times and the Scottish Cup 33 times. On the road to recording that incredible haul of domestic trophies, the Light Blues have claimed seven Trebles. That is a feat no other football club on the planet has managed to match. The Gers have also excelled in Europe over the years. They have reached four finals in continental competition - in 1961, 1967, 1972 and 2008. The Glasgow giants have also slayed some of the biggest names in football over the years - including Bayern Munich, Juventus, Leeds United and PSV Eindhoven. And there have, of course, been numerous victories over Celtic which will never be forgotten by their legion of loyal followers. But what are the 50 most memorable games in the history of Rangers? Chris Jack and Matthew Lindsay trawled through the Evening Times archives in an attempt to come up with a definitive list of their biggest outings. And in the coming fortnight in SportTimes, we will count down from 50 to 1. Not every Rangers fan is likely to agree with their findings. But starting today, we take a nostalgic look back at the most entertaining, most unlikely and most important results for Rangers since the Second World War. It promises to be as much fun as watching them in action. 50 Game: Rangers 5 Celtic 1. Date: November 26, 2000. Competition: Scottish Premier League. Venue: Ibrox. Attendance: 50,083. The most expensive player in the history of Scottish football made his debut as Rangers overwhelmed their Old Firm rivals at Ibrox. Tore Andre Flo, the striker signed for £12million from Chelsea, netted on his Light Blues bow as Dick Advocaat's side bounced back from an embarrassing 6-2 drubbing at Parkhead in some style. Rangers were miles off the pace in the title race, but this derby victory cut their arrears to the Hoops to 12 points and gave the Light Blue legions plenty to shout about. Barry Ferguson, Ronald de Boer, Lorenzo Amoruso and Michael Mols were also on target for the Gers. It was to prove a horror day for Martin O'Neill's side, who had got back into the game at 2-1 after Henrik Larsson scored before Alan Thompson saw red and Rangers romped to a victory to savour. 49 Game: Rangers 10 Valletta 0. Date: September 28, 1983. Competition: European Cup-Winners' Cup. Venue: Ibrox. Attendance: 11,500. Rangers recorded their biggest-ever European victory, but few were inside Ibrox to see history being made. Already 8-0 ahead from the first leg in Cyprus, John Greig's side turned on the style on home soil to also set a new aggregate score record and Scottish club record in Europe. The Gers were off and running inside the first minute when David Mitchell scored and the game was won after 10 minutes, John MacDonald netting the first of a hat-trick before Mitchell completed his brace. Ian Redford also scored twice and there were goals from Ally Dawson, Billy Mackay and Billy Davies as the Light Blues romped to victory. 48 Game: Rangers 2 Real Zaragoza 0. Date: March 1, 1967. Competition: European Cup-Winners' Cup. Venue: Ibrox. Attendance: 65,000. The 1966/67 campaign is one of the most remarkable in Rangers' history, with the team that reached a European final humbled by Berwick. Scot Symon's side would eventually win this tie, and book a place in the semi-finals against Slavia Sofia by virtue of a coin toss after a defeat in Spain left the scores tied after extra-time. The crowd that packed into Ibrox would have been unaware of the drama that would unfold, especially after the Gers took control of the match and seemed to be heading smoothly for a last-four berth against the fancied Spaniards. Dave Smith put the hosts ahead after just 10 minutes and when Alex Willoughby doubled their advantage before the half-hour mark, victory on the night was secured for Rangers. 47 Game: Kilmarnock 1 Rangers 5. Date: May 15, 2011. Competition: Scottish Premier League. Venue: Rugby Park. Attendance: 16,173. In his final game as manager, Walter Smith bowed out in style as he led Rangers to their third successive SPL crown. The Light Blues went into the Rugby Park clash a point ahead of Old Firm rivals Celtic on the final day, but blew Killie away to win the title inside seven minutes. Kyle Lafferty scored twice, either side of a Steven Naismith strike, to settle the nerves and allow the Light Blue legions to start celebrating in Ayrshire. After the break, Nikica Jelavic beat Cammy Bell and Lafferty completed his hat-trick. It was the perfect way for Smith to bring the curtain down on his illustrious managerial career, with the celebrations continuing in front of thousands of fans when the team returned to Ibrox. 46 Game: Rangers 3 Aberdeen 1. Date: April 28, 1996. Competition: Scottish Premier League. Venue: Ibrox. Attendance: 47,247. Rangers wrapped up eight-in-a-row to move within touching distance of the famous nine and did so thanks to a superb showing from Paul Gascoigne. The England midfielder enjoyed a terrific first campaign at Ibrox and put the seal on the title with all three goals against the Dons to clinch the title for Walter Smith's side. Gazza was the most expensive signing of the previous summer for Smith, who shelled out £4.3million to bring him from Lazio, and he took his tally to 19 goals with his hat-trick on the penultimate day of the season as he cancelled out Brian Irvine's opener and produced a world-class display to get the party started at a packed Ibrox. Your shout ... Now it's your turn to let us know what you think about Rangers' 50 most memorable matches. Get in touch with us via email at sport@eveningtimes.co.uk and have your say on the Light Blues' biggest games. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/rangerscomment/rangers-the-50-most-memorable-matches-50-46-164912n.24311913
-
SATURDAY 24TH MAY. CELEBRATION AND PROTEST We have been asked by many fans to arrange some protests during the close season and as 24th May is the anniversary of the clubs greatest victory in Barcelona 1972, we have made arrangements for the Louden Tavern at the stadium to show a re run of the game from 1.00pm At 3.00pm we will be marching to the stadium for a 30 min protest and a petition to hand in and explain why the fans wont renew season tickets or indeed buy new ones. We require as many fans as possible to turn up as a show of numbers would be vital for the success of the protest Fans are asked to meet up at the Louden between 1.00 and 2.30 to give us adequate time to make final arrangements with fans Can I ask all to share at usual places and feeback to me with expected number which will allow me to notify Louden and make necessary arrangements. We are planning on some other things for Saturday and will announce them once we have confirmed Thanks Craig.
-
RANGERS were today urged to clarify the current state of their finances - after it emerged that loans of £1.5million have not been repaid. Wealthy Gers fan George Letham and major shareholder Sandy Easdale lent the cash-strapped Ibrox club £1million and £500,000 last season. Under the terms of the agreement with the SPFL League One champions, they are due to receive that money back as soon as it is in the club account. But the pair have not received their cash - more than a week after the deadline for season ticket renewals passed. The Union of Fans want to be granted security over the stadium and training ground, and they have been urging supporters to pledge their money to Ibrox 1972 Ltd. And it is still uncertain how many people have signed up to watch Ally McCoist's side in the SPFL Championship during the 2014/15 campaign. This latest development has not helped to make the situation any clearer - and Rangers chief executive Graham Wallace has been encouraged to speak out. Rangers Supporters' Association general secretary Drew Roberton said: "When we (the UoF) met with (director) Norman Crighton, Sandy Easdale and Graham Wallace the other week they were adamant there was enough money in the bank. "They also said that they could raise £5m at the 'push of a button' and that all but one of the current investors had agreed to back a scheme should they need additional revenue. "But I was told on Thursday that around 12,000 had renewed their season tickets. If that is the case, and even allowing for the fact that many will have chosen to repay in instalments, then this might be cause for alarm. "My understanding was the first £1.5m of season ticket money that came in would be used to repay these loans. It would be good to have some sort of explanation." Roberton added: "Graham Wallace has said repeatedly that administration will not happen and the club will not run out of money. "Either he is right and we have sufficient money. Or he has been spouting the party line and he may have to take the fall. He may be faced with a career decision soon. "Whether his belief that £5m can be raised 'at the push of a button' is included in his forecast is not clear. But season ticket sales are slow and running costs are in the region of £1m a month." Roberton, who revealed he was "disgusted" at the way the Union of Fans was treated after their meeting with the board, has also urged the club to heal the rift with Dave King. He said: "The club has said they need to raise £20-£30m to get back to the top. Well, they have a guy, Dave King, who is chapping on their door who is willing to invest £30m. "It is economically silly to ignore him. The club say they hope to raise money in a share issue. But in far better times Sir David Murray had to underwrite a share issue himself." A Rangers spokesman said: "The loans will be repaid in accordance with the terms of the agreement in a timely and proper manner. We are in regular contact with Mr Letham and Mr Easdale." Meanwhile, Rangers chief executive Wallace received hundreds of postcards from supporters outlining why they have not renewed their season tickets when he returned to work today. The cards were delivered at a protest organised by the Sons of Struth on Saturday. It was one a series of events the Sons of Struth have lined up during the summer. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/uof-call-rangers-to-account-164951n.24329053
-
Seems that the bros or one of them are suing for £200K. In tomorrow's Record.
-
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/275976-spfl-pay-broadcaster-up-to-250000-per-season-to-show-rangers-games/ The Scottish Professional Football League is contractually bound to pay BT Sport up to £250,000 per season in return for the broadcaster airing Rangers matches. STV understands that under the terms of a renegotiated TV deal following the removal of Rangers from the top flight in 2012, a clause was inserted making the league liable to additional production costs incurred setting up at lower league grounds. It is understood the league agreed to the insertion of the clause in order to guarantee broadcast contracts which were essentially null and void after Rangers were expelled from the then-Scottish Premier League and were subsequently admitted to the bottom tier of the Scottish Football League. The SPL paid the Scottish Football League £800,000 for one season's worth of rights to show Rangers games but that deal was absorbed when the league bodies merged in 2013. It is not known how much has been paid out to BT Sport and ESPN, who were the holders of the contract for the 2012/13 season, to date. The overall payment is capped at £250,000 per season. In a statement to STV, SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "The support given to Scottish football by our broadcast partners, in 2012 and since, has been fundamental to the ongoing health of the game in this country." It is understood the league thought it necessary to agree to the deal in order to protect revenue from broadcast contracts. Nevertheless, the revelations in short mean the SPFL pays a broadcaster in order for Rangers games to be shown on television. BT Sport said in a statement: “[We] were delighted to inherit the SPFL rights from ESPN at the beginning of this season, however we cannot comment on contractual details.”
-
Neil Lennon is to part company with Celtic after four years as manager following talks about his future. It is understood that the former club captain had been considering his position for some time despite securing a third straight Scottish title. He has been concerned about this playing budget for next season. The 42-year-old Northern Irishman took charge of the Glasgow club in 2010, leading them to three league titles and two Scottish Cups. Lennon, who also previously led Celtic to Champions League last 16, is believed to have been concerned that his present side would be able to negotiate three rounds of qualifying next season.
-
Could we? Once saying - " I think Rangers are a great team with lots of potential. I follow them in the Scottish league." FRANK LAMPARD today hailed the Rangers fans as amazing' - and backed the Ibrox club to join Chelsea in this season's Champions League. The England man revealed that Jose Mourinho's stars were gob-smacked by the reception they received from the home fans in Saturday's 2-0 friendly defeat from Walter Smith's side. Lampard, and skipper John Terry, saluted the Ibrox crowd at time-up, and the midfielder claimed it was the best friendly he'd ever played in. "The Rangers fans were awesome, all the lads were talking about it," said Lampard. advertisement"The reception I got when I went to take corners during the game, and after when we were going off, was really nice. "They certainly love their own team, but it was very special to get that welcome. It was amazing really, and a very good game to play in for us, certainly the best friendly we've had. "With that kind of backing from their crowd, they will be hard to beat. And I expect to see Rangers in the Champions League." Sp!vs want to sell season books, well get your cheque books out!
-
after refusing to hand over contract details for Charles Green and Imran Ahmad SHAREHOLDER Billy Paterson reported the club to police under Section 229 of the Companies Act 2006 after they refused his legal right to inspect contracts. RANGERS are facing a police probe into alleged failures of corporate governance. Shareholder Billy Paterson has reported the club to police for the second time after they refused to hand over contract details for Charles Green and Imran Ahmad. Rangers’ board were forced into a u-turn last month when they failed to show Paterson details of the service contracts of current directors, claiming they had no legal obligation. However, Paterson, from Fraserburgh, stuck to his guns and reported the club to police under Section 229 of the Companies Act 2006. Rangers admitted within 24 hours they had got it wrong – and released details confirming chief executive Graham Wallace is on a salary of £315,000 with a potential 100 per cent bonus. Paterson is now embroiled in another legal battle after Rangers rejected his request for contract details for former chief executive Green and commercial boss Ahmad. Ibrox legal advisers say his appeal is time-barred, they need only show service contracts for the previous 12 months. A Rangers spokesperson said: “Both service contracts were terminated in April 2013 and were outside the one-year inspection period stipulated by the legislation.” But Paterson is refusing to take their latest snub lying down and insists Green and Ahmad were still officially recognised as directors of the parent company and the subsidiary football board until the end of last May. He said: “Notices filed to Companies House by Rangers show Ahmad stepped down on May 29 and Green on May 31. “Rangers even released a statement last April stating Green was stepping down as chief executive with immediate effect but that he would leave the company by the end of May. “The failure of Rangers to acknowledge they were still both directors within the past 12 months and provide me with my legal right to see details of their service contracts has left me with no other option but to contact police. “I don’t know what, if anything, they are trying to hide but they are reluctant to be open and transparent.” A police spokeswoman said: “We have received a complaint and the matter is being looked into.” Rangers are already the subject of a police probe after fan Phil Maher reported Wallace for allegedly misleading shareholders over the company’s finances at the agm in December. Good on you Mr Paterson, whoever you are. Makes you wonder, why are they so reluctant to let the details out?
-
We are looking to put together a meeting of all the different groups of the Rangers Support. All the fans groups, representatives, forums, magazines, podcasts, radio shows, fanzines and anyone who wants to come along We would like to make an attempt to bring civility back to the Rangers Support and thrash out a ‘code of conduct’ for how fans interact with each other online and in real life. It has been a hard time for the support as different views about what is best for the club are prevalent but this isn’t about protests, boycotts, supporting the board or anything else. It is purely about Rangers Supporters meeting and finding a way to give each other the respect a Rangers Supporter should have with one another. This is not about who is right and who is wrong – it is about the support moving forward and people with differing views being able to speak to each other. List of Groups we’d like to see there include: Sons of Struth Vanguard Bears Union Bears The Blue Order RST Rangers Media Follow Follow Gersnet Do The Bouncy No.1 Fanzine 72 Magazine WATP Magazine Rangers Supporters Assembly Rangers Supporters Association Copland Road Organisation Rangers Fans Fighting Fund Rangers Chat Heart & Hand Podcast We Welcome The Chase Podcast Aye Ready Podcast Any RSCs that are interested And apologies for anyone I have missed but everyone who has Rangers at heart is welcome. We would like to have this meeting at 1pm Saturday 31st May in The Louden Tavern: Ibrox Stadium, 111 Copland Road, G51 2SL. If you are willing to come along could you contact us here or email info@theloudentavern.co.uk There is no hidden agenda here, we are just trying to help the support. We have enough enemies out there. Check out http://www.rangersfirst.org – Do something positive to help the club and the support We Are The People God Bless The Rangers The Louden Tavern: Ibrox Stadium - More than a Pub Official Partner of The Rangers Football Club *We are responsible for The Louden Tavern: Ibrox Stadium, 111 Copland Road, Ibrox, G51 2SL solely and are not involved in the operation of any other premises
-
This arrived a wee while ago. Three surveys were issued comprising of Fan Engagement 2, Club Membership and Digital & Media. More than half the respondents from the initial survey said they would participate in further supporter engagement initiatives to help shape the Club’s Ready To Listen campaign. From that 50%, the uptake was overwhelming with over 86% of fans completing the Fan Engagement 2 survey, 58% completing the Club Membership survey and 66% completing the Digital & Media survey. Fan Engagement Key Findings 88% of fans see the Club’s Website as the key channel for information regarding the Club with Email coming a close second at 71% and Social Media at 60%. 64% of fans use Email as the key mode of communication with the Club and 51% via Social Media. The 5 areas that fans are satisfied or very satisfied with in terms of communication with the fans are - Club Website, Matchday Programme, Email, Social Media and Ticket Centre. Fans do not see the Hotline as an effective method of communication with less than 1% citing this effective. Fans are happy with the level of Email communication with 66% feeling the Club does not communicate too frequently. 43% of fans interact with the Club on a daily basis. Awareness of the Club’s Supporter’s Services department is low with only 21% aware and of those only 13% had used this service. Those who did use the service found it a positive experience with 60% stating it was courteous and 44% stating it was knowledgeable. The top 5 channels fans would like to communicate with the Club were: Surveys, Email, Q&A Sessions, Open Days/Evenings and Social Media Polls/Conversations. The most important channels of communication were Email, Q&A Sessions and Open Days/Evenings. The establishment of a Fan Representation Board was seen as the most effective way to improve Club and supporter engagement with 74%. The majority of fans believe the Fan Representation Board should have between 6-10 members and it should comprise members with a relevant professional expertise (83%) and Season Ticket Holders (80%). The Fan Representation Board should be re-elected and the largest % of fans at 46% felt a term of 2 years maximum was acceptable. The Fan Representation Board should meet on a monthly basis according to 65% of respondents and 78% agreed that there should be a Club representative in attendance and 93% agreed that a member of the Board should also attend. To view an infographic of the Fan Engagement survey 2 results click here. Club Membership Key Findings “Bringing me closer to the Club” (45%) and “Increasing my involvement with the Club” (41%) were deemed most important in terms of Rangers Membership, with “providing me with exclusive merchandise pack” least important (2%). Top 3 Rangers Membership benefits perceived as providing “value for money” were: Retail Merchandise Discount, Free Stadium WIFI and Exclusive Merchandise. 61% of participants felt a members-only email newsletter should be issued “Monthly”. 61% of participants felt that receiving a gift pack wasn’t an important part of a Rangers Membership. A Rangers Membership scarf was perceived the least important membership pack item (Average Score of 3.14) compared with a Membership card (Average Score of 3.74). 94% of participants think the “ability to vote on Club initiatives should be a benefit of Membership”. 95% of participants think that people on the Fan Representation Board should be Club Members/Season Ticket Holders. Priority tickets for Premium Games was perceived the most important benefit to enhance matchday experience (Average Score of 4.15), Digital Matchday programme was perceived the least important benefit (Average Score of 3.26). 54% participants have children/relatives, but 80% of these children/relatives aren’t Season Ticket Holders however 53% of them attend matches. Top 5 Rangers Membership benefits that represent value for money for kids under 16 are: Player Mascots, Retail/Merchandise Discount, Membership Pack, Online Games/Competitions and Kids Video Content. To view an infographic of the Club Membership survey results click here. Digital & Media Key Findings 99% of all respondents said that they use the Internet on a daily basis. 82% of respondents confirmed that they access the Internet via a PC or a Laptop. However, 76% also said that they use a Mobile Phone with 60% accessing via a tablet. Only 38% of respondents indicated that they watch videos about Rangers on RangersTV, with more watching video content on rangers.co.uk (59%). YouTube was the most used website to watch Rangers videos (78%). 53% of respondents said that they visited the Club website rangers.co.uk on a daily basis, with a further 35% identifying that they use it on a weekly basis. Only 5% of fans said that they used the website monthly. When asked to select a statement that best reflected their opinion of rangers.co.uk at present, 55% of respondents selected “It’s good but I also go elsewhere”. Only 1% of fans said they thought “it’s terrible”, however only 8% said “it’s fantastic and has everything I need”. 68% of fans felt that the content on rangers.co.uk appeals to both ardent fans and casual fans, however only 13% felt that the site was first with news. Less than 50% of people said that they could find everything they wanted easily (40%) and that it was visually appealing (45%). 44% of respondents felt that match reports were timely, factual and accurate, 45% felt they were objective and 63% felt that they were of a good length. Regarding picture galleries, 66% felt they were easy to use, but only 32% felt that they captured the emotion. 85% of fans confirmed that they do not subscribe to RangersTV, with 56% of those who do having a RangersTV Standard subscription. Price was the most significant factor for people who have subscribed previously to RangersTV and cancelled, with 41% not wishing to pay for video content at all and 34% indicating that the subscription is too expensive. Regarding video content on RangersTV, match content was what fans wished to see most, with 88% wishing to view Live Matches. Other areas they would like to see include Archive Matches (59%), Interviews (61%), Highlights (66%) and Documentaries (63%). Only 46% of respondents indicated that they buy the matchday programme and of those, 49% said that they do so every game. 63% of fans said that the reason they do so is because it’s a collector’s item. People who don’t buy the programme said that the reason for doing so was that they didn’t feel it was value for money (72%). 57% said that they would be interested in a digital version of the programme. 75% of respondents said that they use a social media platform with Facebook (79%) and Twitter (68%) the most used. 39% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that Rangers engages well on Social Media, with 32% either disagreeing or strongly disagreeing. 46% of fans felt that the Club provides news effectively via Social Media with 26% either disagreeing or strongly disagreeing. To view an infographic of the Digital & Media survey results click here. Next Steps More focused face-to-face meetings in the form of focus groups will now be facilitated at the stadium with fans who had expressed a wish to continue their involvement in this initiative. The first set of focus groups will take place next month on Fan Engagement with a minimum of 4 groups being held. A representative sample of Rangers fans will be included in each group to share their individual views and will be invited to participate on a first come first served basis. A range of topics will be covered and this will be outlined in the initial correspondence for each focus group. These initial focus groups will be followed by further focus groups on Club Membership and Digital & Media in the coming weeks and months.
-
Lifted from FF: On the 18th of December 2012 there was an incident within Ibrox stadium involving Police Scotland and members of the Union Bears; an incident which made headlines throughout Scotland and branded our members as mindless and violent thugs. At the time, we released a brief statement maintaining our innocence, criticising the Police and asking fellow Rangers fans for help with gathering evidence. From that night, a total of 11 group members were arrested and banned from attending all Rangers matches. After countless court appearances over an 18 month period, involving 14 Police witnesses and hours of CCTV footage; a verdict of not guilty was delivered to 10 of our members, which surely must cast another shadow of doubt over the functionality of the Offensive Behaviour at Football bill, something which our group strongly opposes. The one remaining member; sadly, was today found guilty of culpable and reckless conduct after "banging a drum beside a Police horse" ; without speculating, we believe this was an attempt to save some form of credibility for Police Scotland and the Scottish Justice System in what has been an embarrassing case for them. Throughout all 11 trials which were attended by large fractions of our group, we were saddened to see actions which does not fit the character of a reputable Police force. Continuous lying under oath, manufacturing statements to suit their agenda and targeting individual members. We hope this highlights the extreme lengths that Police Scotland will go to victimise our group. At this time, we would like to thank the Rangers support who stood beside us and helped where they could; your continued assistance and support throughout this matter has been greatly appreciated. This has made us stronger as a group and we refuse to be the victims of unjust treatment from a cowardly and deplorable Police force. Police lies, ruin lives. Union Bears No Surrender
-
Given the current situation and arithmetic within,......the easiest way of tackling 'division' within the support is to stop talking about it. The vast majority (look at ST renewals/ or lack of) and we see that the large 'apolitical middle rump' of the support are unhappy. I don't think there is any doubt that the majority would cite general unhappiness of how the club is being run alongside a distrust of the current board. The numbers involved with groups that may be considered loosely as pro-board are such that they become unimportant. That isn't to disrespect anyone or to say they can't have their opinion(s) but it is to say that the arithmetic points to any 'division' currently being insignificant. The biggest noise is coming from those who don't belong to any group and the board would do well to listen. -
@Chris_Jack89: Sandy Easdale has threatened legal action against Craig Houston over an online petition. Story in Wednesdays @TheEveningTimes #Rangers
-
It does appear that admin 2 is on everyone's agenda. There are so many known unknowns and unknown unknowns that gambling on admin to provide a clean ownership break with all assets seems risky. Considering the market cap is currently under £20M, why oh why doesn't someone try buying £10M of (admittedly limited) shares to take overall control of the club? Why? Only desperate purchasing of shares by a couple of the board has seen the price rise from about the value of the physical assets. Anyone interested should be buying at these prices now- unless they are recklessly inviting admin to save a few million. This would be the ideal scenario: Ally McCoist, after a long lucrative career in which he has accumulated great wealth and with the help of a few friends and colleagues, purchases a controlling interest in the club. He moves upstairs to become chairman, and appoints Frank and Ronad De Boer to completely overhaul the football department in their image and to deliver a team full of youths ready to challenge for the SPFL in three years, and the last 8 of the CL in 5 years. All the while they must bring in £6M+ in transfers every year to help keep the whole operation viable. Season tickets sell out. The share price trebles to 90p, Rangers have market cap of £60M. A new share issue is made at this point, raising £30M+. Ally can sell a few back now for healthy profit if desired. Ally hangs on though, and proves a master at managing the club as CEO. Rangers move forward as a self financing, cash rich club. Some of it's investors are hedge funds. They see pre ordained profit targets being reached and sell their shares. McCoist makes deals with hedge funds etc to give fans opportunity to buy first. Slowly the ****s take their profits and leave, and the club regains it's stature and soul. Ally ,I'm sure if you looked down the back of the sofa and phoned Walter and Graeme you'd cobble the money together. OK?
-
Bawsburst on RM hinting at something happening soon with this recently formed company by Laxey pic.twitter.com/Nc8zHXA8Dn So Laxey's Kingsnorth registers a new company called GreenWhiteStar UK PLC. How disgustingly ironic
-
Support from the above on keeping Ibrox and Auchenhowie, while some of our own dither. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/rangers-fans-backed-by-leeds-support-for-board-battle-164353n.24280107 RANGERS fans were today urged not to give up the fight to hold on to Ibrox and Murray Park as animosity grows towards the under-fire Light Blues board. The call came from Gary Cooper, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters Trust, who have fought a series of hierarchies in Yorkshire as the club have fallen from grace in recent years. United's Thorp Arch training centre was sold off for £4.2million a decade ago while their Elland Road home was hived off in a sale and leaseback agreement just weeks later as the club battled for survival. The Rangers Union of Fans have launched a bid to pool season ticket money this summer that will see cash only handed over to the Gers board once security has been granted over Ibrox. A meeting between the group and board last week failed to reach a settlement, with fears growing among supporters that their Murray Park base could be sold to raise much-needed funds. Leeds have never fully recovered from the disastrous Peter Ridsdale era and fans' chief Cooper has issued a rallying call to the Light Blue legions to play their part in safeguarding Rangers' biggest assets. He told SportTimes: "Any club worth its salt has to own its stadium and training ground. For a decade and more, Leeds United haven't and that isn't right. "It is difficult for supporters, they value it more than bricks and mortar. "They make an emotional investment in their team and the club and have a link, a tie to the heritage and history, past glories and failures, to the ground, your home. "We have not had that at Leeds United and it is hard for supporters of any other club to fully understand it until it happens to them. "Rangers are a massive, historic club and the idea that they could lose their stadium and training ground and become tenants is, in my opinion, devastating. "It has been so hard for the fans of Leeds United and it will be for Rangers fans if it happens. "We are in a fight to reclaim our identity and our home and I would urge Rangers fans to keep up their fight to hold on to Ibrox and Murray Park." Having seen the board backtrack on plans to consider a legally binding undertaking on Ibrox and again hit out at the aims of Ibrox 1972 Ltd - the vehicle used by the UoF to collect season ticket pledges and backed by Dave King and a host of Light Blue legends - supporters have become increasingly disillusioned with the Gers powerbrokers. The board have repeatedly criticised the UoF proposal that would see the stadium and training complex handed over to fans but LUST chairman Cooper has given the group his firm support. He said: "Supporter involvement in owning any ground, or financing the purchase of a ground, has to be a positive thing. "The club's identity is intrinsically linked with the place it plays its football. "Its history is there, its traditions are there and the hearts and emotions of the supporters are there, and I mean supporters from a hundred years ago and today. "It is fundamentally important that fans try to retain a voice in all aspects of our game and our clubs. "It doesn't belong to the money men, it isn't all about money. "It is about competition, identity, tribalism, recognising something in your club that lives and breathes in yourself. We are losing that. "If the Rangers fans are going to fight to keep ownership of Ibrox and Murray Park then I am sure our 9,000 members would support them all the way."
-
Nacho Novo branded the current situation at Rangers a ‘joke’ as he lent his public backing to Dave King’s plan for boardroom change. The Spanish striker has become the latest former Ibrox player to speak out against the existing regime – following Richard Gough, Lorenzo Amoruso and John Brown. Staggered by the squandering of almost £70 million in the period between May 2012 and December 2013, Novo believes an overhaul is required if Rangers are to be restored as the title-winning club he represented between 2004 and 2010. Anger: Nacho Novo has hit out at the debt and uncertainty dogging his former club Rangers The 35-year-old is supportive of fans withholding season ticket money and hopes to see King eventually assume a position of control at the end of the turmoil. [h=4][/h] The South African-based businessman has stated a willingness to invest around £30million in a new share issue which, if granted, would weaken the current shareholder power base. ‘It’s all very sad – you can see that in the people at the club when you go to the stadium or Murray Park,’ said Novo. ‘It’s sad – in my time everyone was happy, the training ground and stadium were excellent. ‘Now it looks as if it’s been left and is not being looked after. ‘The spirit is not the same either. I’ve been at Murray Park and Ibrox – and there is something missing. The feeling is not there. ‘It is still a massive club and without the fans the club would not exist. ‘Families are struggling for work and don’t have much money to live on yet they will always try and support the club and would normally buy season tickets. Yet they do not know where the money is going. ‘It’s not just that – for me the whole thing is a joke. Anyone who pays money needs to know what they are funding. That’s why I’m 100 per cent behind the fans and Dave King.’ After a compromise briefly appeared to be on the cards last week, relations between the Rangers board and the Union of Fans have plumbed new depths in recent days. The club denied claims it intended to offer any legal guarantees over Ibrox and Murray Park, with the Union of Fans responding by expressing fears the key assets could be in ‘grave danger’. King’s next move is now awaited. He may try and rally support for change among investors, but has so far insisted he has no intention of buying out existing shareholders. ‘I have been supporting King and before him Paul Murray – they are Rangers people and for me I will always side with them,’ said Novo. ‘I will definitely support them and have thought about making this statement before now. ‘I hear people asking all the time – why don’t people put lots of money in? But let’s be honest – why would you put money in now when you don’t have any clue where it is going? The whole thing is a mess. I will support King because he has Rangers’ interest at heart. ‘The only people I really care about in all of this is the fans. They are the ones who have spent their money on Rangers and they are the ones who are told nothing.’ Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2634441/The-situation-Rangers-joke-blasts-former-striker-Nacho-Novo-backs-Dave-Kings-plans-struggling-Scottish-giants.html#ixzz32IlO09Vi Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook -
SATURDAY, 17 MAY 2014 19:30[h=2]Club Statement[/h]WRITTEN BY RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB RANGERS have issued the following statement today: “Representatives of Rangers have met with a number of supporter groups over the past few days and discussed a wide range of topics. We again made it clear during these meetings that the club will not grant security over Ibrox to any organisation and therefore the 'Ibrox 1972' scheme can never achieve its objectives. In addition the club will not accept season ticket applications from third parties such as 'Ibrox 1972' on behalf of supporters. “In some of our discussions with fans, it was indicated that there was a wish for the Board to confirm that our statement of intention not to grant security over Ibrox could become a commitment that would last for 12 months. This has subsequently been discussed by the Board and the Board confirms that it will not be seeking to effect a sale and leaseback or grant security over Ibrox during that period of time. “The Board is rebuilding the Club by ensuring its financial stability and the integrity of its assets. “Whilst the Board is reported to have offered legally binding undertakings during a fan group discussion in relation to Ibrox and Murray Park, this is not the case. The Board is committed to high standards of corporate governance and is comfortable that it has at all times been very clear in providing consistent and unequivocal public comments on this subject. "Season ticket sales have continued at a good pace over the last few days and we appreciate the continued support shown by our loyal fans. "We trust that any supporters who may have been in any doubt about the Board's previous statements regarding Ibrox now have an additional level of comfort and any who may have made, or were considering making, a pledge of their season ticket money to 'Ibrox 1972' are clear that there is no prospect of that group achieving its aims."
-
I believe it's now a distinct possibility that we'll see an "insolvency event" happen this summer given the state of play with season tickets and potential concerns for the security of Ibrox and Murray Park. There are a number of questions this raises, not least of which is - Would this be the first or second insolvency event in the eyes of the SPFL? Would you accept this happening if it meant the parasitic shareholders and board cut and run? What would be Dave King's entry plan/opportunity should it occur? All very emotive stuff I know but I think we have to be realistic and say that it's at least a possibility.
-
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-utd/new-leeds-owners-will-buy-back-elland-road-for-15m-1-6322034 BUYING back Elland Road for around £15m tops the list of priorities for Leeds United’s prospective new owners, the Yorkshire Post has been told. A consortium led by United managing director David Haigh is bidding to buy a 75 per cent stake in the Championship club. The group - which is believed to include Andrew Flowers, the managing director of current shirt sponsors Enterprise Insurance - have signed a share acquisition agreement with GFH Capital, the Dubai-based firm that purchased United from Ken Bates a year ago. Football League approval is now being sought as this buyout would be the second of the club in as many seasons. Providing there are no late hiccups, the Haigh-led consortium is expected to take charge early in the New Year. As revealed in this newspaper yesterday, re-signing former Player of the Year, Max Gradel, in the January transfer window is high on the list of targets for the prospective new owners. However, sources close to Haigh’s group have also made it clear to the Yorkshire Post that buying back Elland Road will be their top priority once at the helm. United’s home was sold to Manchester businessman Jacob Adler for a knockdown £8m price in November, 2004, as mounting debts threatened to drag the club under in its first year outside the Premier League. Ownership passed the following year to Teak Commercial Limited, a firm based in the British Virgin Islands. Included in the initial sale and leaseback deal with Adler - and something retained in the subsequent sale to Teak - was a buyback option that allows the club to purchase the stadium at a set price. That amount rises each October and today stands at £15m. Also subject to a raise of three per cent each October is the rent United pay to Teak, which this year will cost the club £1.4m. Since Elland Road was sold to Adler by the United board that was led by Gerald Krasner, United have paid around £11m in rent. Removing that financial millstone from around United’s neck will, the source close to Haigh’s group insists, be the overriding priority providing the expected takeover goes through early in 2014. Regardless of whether the club’s would-be new owners are successful or not in that quest, United’s tenancy in LS11 is secure thanks to the terms of the 2004 sale and lease-back arrangement - a deal in which the owner of a large asset, such as property, sells it and then immediately buys back from the buyer the right to use the asset under a lease for a fixed term at a pre-arranged rent. In United’s case, that agreement was for a 25-year lease that, once at an end in 2029, can be extended by a further quarter of a century. This means Leeds’ future at Elland Road is safe for at least the next 41 years. Haigh and his fellow would-be investors, however, are well aware that buying back the ground would be the clearest signal yet to supporters that the club is moving in the right direction. If they are successful in that quest, it will be the second time in a generation that United will have bought back their home thanks to improving financial fortunes. The first instance came in 1998 when Peter Ridsdale’s board paid £10m to Leeds City Council for the stadium, which along with the surrounding land had been sold 13 years earlier to the local authority for a quarter of that sum. Crippling debts of around £1.5m had forced the 1985 sale on the club. History then repeated itself in 2004, though by then the sums involved had multiplied dramatically. Krasner’s board had taken over Leeds in March of that year but relegation just a couple of months later hit United very hard. A fire-sale of players such as Alan Smith and Mark Viduka during that summer bought the club respite for a time but by the early months of the 2004-05 campaign it was clear Leeds were still in the financial mire. Debts that had, at one stage, stood north of £100m when the takeover went through had been slashed to around £25m. However, punishing repayments to Jack Petchey, a London-born businessman who had once been chairman of Watford and an Aston Villa shareholder, for a £15m loan taken out by Krasner and his fellow directors when buying the club had started to bite. After negotiations with a number of parties that included Sebastien Sainsbury and local businessman Norman Stubbs floundered, the United board was left with no option but to sell the club’s only two remaining assets of substance - Elland Road and Thorp Arch, the latter’s sale raising £4.2m. Once the two sales were concluded, the remaining debt of £9.2m to Petchey was cleared. United’s financial woes continued, however, and the club was subsequently sold to Bates the following January. At his first press conference, the former Chelsea chairman said: “It is our intention, in the fullness of time, to exercise those options and bring the land and stadium back where they belong.” Scarcity of funds, though, meant those wishes went unfulfilled with a bid to buyback Thorp Arch floundering at the 11th hour in 2009. Similar sentiments about purcahasing Elland Road were expressed by GFH Capital following their December 21 takeover last year but, again, nothing concrete came of the plans.
