Frankie 8,677 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Three months into this hugely stressful administration process, this coming week has the potential to be one of the most important of the club's history. After all, not only are the SPL due to discuss (though perhaps not rule) on the proposed financial fair play sanctions, it could be that preferred bidder Bill Miller decides to make a Rangers newco a reality by Friday tea-time. Add in our appeal against the hugely punitive SFA transfer registration embargo, then our fingernails will be taking a hammering again over the next few days. And that's before we achieve any clarity on tax tribunal decisions or just what hold Craig Whyte (and Ticketus) have over our club. Perhaps rightly though, the ownership issue should take precedence for Rangers fans. Arguably, it doesn't matter where we'll be playing next year or under what sanctions, more that we are able to play next year per se and have the chance to build for the future. Bill Miller may or may not be confirmed as the new owner of Rangers but how can the club PROSPER amidst all the rhetoric from those worried about sporting integrity? Preserve Generally I think the reaction to a Rangers newco has been quite mild (from our fans at least). After all what choice do we have? We either have a new(ish) Rangers or no Rangers at all. Nevertheless, newco or not, it is vital any new owner preserves the history of the club. Scare stories from the media aside, Rangers are Scotland's most successful club with a rich heritage and tradition and this should never be lost. Yes, we seek to modernise but we should never be afraid of celebrating our past. Recover Any sensible Rangers fan will appreciate turning the club around will take time. Reversing the corporate vandalism of the last 12 years won't be easy and patience will be required. It may take some time before we're genuinely competitive again. However, neither should our ambitions be lowered in the long term. We must and will recover. Overcome Rangers is a club built from humble beginnings. Our gallant pioneers didn't have the luxuries we have now. They had decades of trials and tribulations so let's not complain about the obstacles in our way. Let's overcome them and achieve success again. Stabilise Our club was losing money hand over fist. Without European football we were losing far too much money each season. That trend must be reversed and the club should seek to be run prudently and within its means. Stabilising the club will means difficult decisions and cuts will have to be made. Short term pain for long term gain. Prevent Never again should our club reach such a situation. Risky tax strategies, dubious contractual practices and a lack of ownership accountability should all be part of the past. Our fans are the lifeblood of Rangers and our passion unmatched - financial or otherwise. We're happy to buy into any share issue but for that commitment, we should be able to prevent boardroom malpractice by having a say in how the club is run. Enhance As I've said previously, in times of difficulty lies opportunity. Essentially starting again means we have the chance to improve many aspects of the club. Be it supporter involvement, PR operations or marketing; the potential is there to enhance the Rangers brand. Not everything takes millions of pounds - just a desire and willingness to improve. Remember Never again should our club reach such a position of financial endangerment. Never again should we let our forefathers and the rest of Scottish football down by allowing personal egos to take precedence over the club's well-being. We must remember those who made the mistakes and learn from them. Moreover, let's don't forget those who revelled in our pain and looked to plunge the knife in deeper. In conclusion, I haven't met one Rangers fan who wants our club to hide from its obligations. Yes, the actions of Sir David Murray and Craig Whyte are obvious reasons for the choices our club made and it can be debated if they are solely to blame. Indeed, we should not hide from such debate but welcome it and use the findings to ensure the same mistakes are not made in our club's name again. Of course, there are many who would rather see our club die out of spite even if such people struggle to see that, beyond their grudge, lies as just a difficult future for Scottish football as it does Rangers. Sure, our club should be adequately censured (some will say a ten point deduction and three year European ban is already enough) but this process shouldn't be about public hangings but securing a better future for all by ensuring this doesn't happen again. To anyone. Thus, the somewhat contrived title acronym above isn't just a question for Rangers fans or our new owner but for Scottish football as a whole. Implode or PROSPER? It really isn't a hard choice to make. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Rebo's Big Blue Nose 0 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Good post Frankie. "In conclusion, I haven't met one Rangers fan who wants our club to hide from its obligations. Yes, the actions of Sir David Murray and Craig Whyte are obvious reasons for the choices our club made and it can be debated if they are solely to blame. Indeed, we should not hide from such debate but welcome it and use the findings to ensure the same mistakes are not made in our club's name again." This quote for me relates to something that has been bothering me over the last few weeks. I've been somewhat disturbed by how the media have been keen to blame the Rangers fans and make them somehow equally implicit in the downfall of Rangers. What the feek were we meant to do when this was all going on? Were we meant to ask for weekly accounts published in match programmes? What outlet/avenues did we as fans have to voice any concerns we would have had? IMO Hugh Keevins is the prime accuser with this critical view of the Rangers fans and I just don't buy the whole "we are all guilty by association" thing. Most fans I know are willing to accept punishments coming our way if we are found guilty of wrong doing. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,677 Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Max: You're right,there's no much our fans could have done to affect what has happened over the last year. All the more reason for us to demand a genuine say in the club's future - particularly if we're being asked to buy into a share issue. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 0 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Good piece, Frankie, but for me anyway, new(ish) and no amount to the same thing. I sincerely hope that there will be a last dash alternative to Miller's plans. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,677 Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Good piece, Frankie, but for me anyway, new(ish) and no amount to the same thing. I sincerely hope that there will be a last dash alternative to Miller's plans. Fair enough mate - I wouldn't blame anyone for holding such a point of view. I don't think a stand-alone CVA can be completed now so I think it is newco or nothing. Still not convinced it will be Miller owning the club though. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 0 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Fair enough mate - I wouldn't blame anyone for holding such a point of view. I don't think a stand-alone CVA can be completed now so I think it is newco or nothing. Still not convinced it will be Miller owning the club though. Any word from your contact? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,677 Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Any word from your contact? Nothing worthy of posting... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 0 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Nothing worthy of posting... Understood! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,677 Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 This is the Club9 guy commenting on the PROSPER article. Jon L. Pritchett @tobaccoroadguy This is "spot on" as regards the future of Rangers Football Club. Not sure what this compliment does for the article's credibility but I suppose it is positive that the relevant parties are monitoring fan opinion. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 0 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 This is the Club9 guy commenting on the PROSPER article. Not sure what this compliment does for the article's credibility but I suppose it is positive that the relevant parties are monitoring fan opinion. He will hopefully pass it on to his 'friend'. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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