Attitude to SDM

[calscot 0]

Reading some posts on here there seems a strange attitude towards SDM where people think he's more interested in locking down the finances than any success on the pitch.

 

The ironic thing is that the biggest thing SDM has been guilty of is OVERSPENDING for success...

 

I'm no Murray fan but it's just ridiculous to suggest he wants Rangers to fail and is somehow happier when money comes into the club than the winning of trophies or European success. Some seem to be arguing he's happy we're out of Europe so he can sell Cuellar...

 

The mostly glaringly stupid part of this strange concept is that success brings money into the club. We gained far more money with our run in Europe last season than the sale of any players.

 

People say Murray is reluctant to spend but he's been doing so at a rate of about 20% of turnover - that's massive.

 

But when you get down to it, it seems to me that it's obvious that SDM wants Rangers to be a success on the field for many, many reasons. He probably craves it far more than most supporters as it's far more personal for him.

 

Even if you don't think he's a supporter, any success reflects favourably on him and massages his ego. It makes him look successful himself and gets him much respect in the business world. Flops like Tuesday, make him look bad.

 

If he's merely trying to sell the club for as much money as he can get, then success on the pitch helps enormously. Not only is a successful club more attractive to buyers, the money coming in makes the books look a hell of a lot better. Successful clubs are less likely to hemorrhage money, as the fans are falling over themselves to buy tickets as are TV companies and advertisers.

 

The two things he doesn't want is a massive debt or to fund it out of his own pocket (just like the fans) as he's already had to put 50M of his own money up. I think that was more than enough for him and he doesn't want to go down that road again - especially when the fans are unlikely to help.

 

If we won't go that extra mile with our own money then you can't expect him to put MILLIONS of pounds in.

 

It's also amazing how many people assume that SDM is "syphoning off" money and talking about a "missing �£30M". This just seems pure ignorance as the accounts are properly audited and published every year, as per stock exchange rules. SDM might make money out of Rangers by subcontracting his companies but he doesn't steal it or line his pockets with money from Rangers accounts. The man doesn't even take a wage, while most Chairmen take a six or seven figure sum.

 

So you may not like SDM in the slightest and there are times when he looks like he has his own agenda and pulls the wool over our eyes, but to hold the premise that he doesn't want Rangers to be successful is just laughable.

[maineflyer 0]

Reading some posts on here there seems a strange attitude towards SDM where people think he's more interested in locking down the finances than any success on the pitch.

 

The ironic thing is that the biggest thing SDM has been guilty of is OVERSPENDING for success...

 

I'm no Murray fan but it's just ridiculous to suggest he wants Rangers to fail and is somehow happier when money comes into the club than the winning of trophies or European success. Some seem to be arguing he's happy we're out of Europe so he can sell Cuellar...

 

The mostly glaringly stupid part of this strange concept is that success brings money into the club. We gained far more money with our run in Europe last season than the sale of any players.

 

People say Murray is reluctant to spend but he's been doing so at a rate of about 20% of turnover - that's massive.

 

But when you get down to it, it seems to me that it's obvious that SDM wants Rangers to be a success on the field for many, many reasons. He probably craves it far more than most supporters as it's far more personal for him.

 

Even if you don't think he's a supporter, any success reflects favourably on him and massages his ego. It makes him look successful himself and gets him much respect in the business world. Flops like Tuesday, make him look bad.

 

If he's merely trying to sell the club for as much money as he can get, then success on the pitch helps enormously. Not only is a successful club more attractive to buyers, the money coming in makes the books look a hell of a lot better. Successful clubs are less likely to hemorrhage money, as the fans are falling over themselves to buy tickets as are TV companies and advertisers.

 

The two things he doesn't want is a massive debt or to fund it out of his own pocket (just like the fans) as he's already had to put 50M of his own money up. I think that was more than enough for him and he doesn't want to go down that road again - especially when the fans are unlikely to help.

 

If we won't go that extra mile with our own money then you can't expect him to put MILLIONS of pounds in.

 

It's also amazing how many people assume that SDM is "syphoning off" money and talking about a "missing �£30M". This just seems pure ignorance as the accounts are properly audited and published every year, as per stock exchange rules. SDM might make money out of Rangers by subcontracting his companies but he doesn't steal it or line his pockets with money from Rangers accounts. The man doesn't even take a wage, while most Chairmen take a six or seven figure sum.

 

So you may not like SDM in the slightest and there are times when he looks like he has his own agenda and pulls the wool over our eyes, but to hold the premise that he doesn't want Rangers to be successful is just laughable.

Since the turn of the century,

2 out of the last 9 trophies = 22.2%

9 out of the last 24 trophies = 37.5%

2 out of the last 8 titles = 25%

 

He might want Rangers to be successful but the real issue is whether he is capable of delivering it. Which, increasingly, he is not. Which isn't something to laugh at.

[alexscottislegend 2,324]

Calscot:You make a good point but I think the reason fans are impatient with Murray is because of his loyalty to Walter. They think we cannot get rid of WS without somehow removing SDM first.

[bmck 117]

i think he's more into locking down finances. season tickets will be bought anyway - he knows this. the books have to be balanced, though. that's not his fault.

 

the main problem is that he just has no drive or determination and no aspiration for rangers to win anything other than the league every now and again. it's less that people think he's happy if we don't succeed than that he doesn't have the same hunger as us for success.

[calscot 0]

Since the turn of the century,

2 out of the last 9 trophies = 22.2%

9 out of the last 24 trophies = 37.5%

2 out of the last 8 titles = 25%

 

He might want Rangers to be successful but the real issue is whether he is capable of delivering it. Which, increasingly, he is not. Which isn't something to laugh at.

 

I agree he may not be the man to deliver, but my argument is against those that say he doesn't want it.

 

I definitely think there was a time at the turn of the century when he lost all interest and that's when he handed the chairmanship over. The club was 70M in debt and just wasn't "fun" anymore.

 

However, he showed renewed enthusiasm and paid 50M to remove the shackles of the debt and also brought in the most promising young manager in Europe. That was a mistake on hindsight but no-one could have predicted that at the time. It was the kind of risk that most fans are always advocating and I can't see how SDM was to blame there.

 

Then he brought in an old favourite who brought the club some of our biggest successes. That seemed like a good move too, and the first one and half seasons have looked totally promising - and we were so close to the quadruple. He's also funded the manager with over 20M for players.

 

So while again, I'm not an SDM fan, I can't really see how he's to blame for the results on the pitch over the last two seasons. And it sometimes feels strange that we're talking so gloomily about failure after last season.

 

I think any lack of success in the last two and a bit seasons can be put down to the managers and players. SDM seems to have done his part of the job.

 

And if we're going to have a go at people for our success or lack of, what about our fans?

 

I'm not that impressed with our contributions. We bring the club into disrepute with sectarian crap, Ibrox is like a morgue, we cause trouble and even riot on our travels, we boo our own players, and even when we're winning and doing well all we do is moan about the style of football. We hound our managers mercilessly and continuously slag off our players. Also when we're asked to put up about 7M in a share issue, we put up about 1M - Celtic fans have raised about 50M in share issues which is what put them back into financial health.

 

I would not be surprised if all that negativity rubbed off on the players and it's no wonder they lack confidence. When a UEFA cup final and a smidgen away from the treble is considered shite by your fans then where is your confidence supposed to come from?

[calscot 0]

i think he's more into locking down finances. season tickets will be bought anyway - he knows this. the books have to be balanced, though. that's not his fault.

 

the main problem is that he just has no drive or determination and no aspiration for rangers to win anything other than the league every now and again. it's less that people think he's happy if we don't succeed than that he doesn't have the same hunger as us for success.

 

I would disagree there, I think it's far more personal for him and is connected to his ego. Our fans are more worried about which badge a player kissed, which religion they are, and how prettily we play football than any success.

 

I would say SDM is far more focused on results than the fans. However, just like us he can't go out and kick every ball for the players (metaphorically of course).

 

He also knows he has to look after the long term finances of the club, something which most of our fans just don't seem to understand.

[maineflyer 0]

I agree he may not be the man to deliver, but my argument is against those that say he doesn't want it.

 

I definitely think there was a time at the turn of the century when he lost all interest and that's when he handed the chairmanship over. The club was 70M in debt and just wasn't "fun" anymore.

 

However, he showed renewed enthusiasm and paid 50M to remove the shackles of the debt and also brought in the most promising young manager in Europe. That was a mistake on hindsight but no-one could have predicted that at the time. It was the kind of risk that most fans are always advocating and I can't see how SDM was to blame there.

 

Then he brought in an old favourite who brought the club some of our biggest successes. That seemed like a good move too, and the first one and half seasons have looked totally promising - and we were so close to the quadruple. He's also funded the manager with over 20M for players.

 

So while again, I'm not an SDM fan, I can't really see how he's to blame for the results on the pitch over the last two seasons. And it sometimes feels strange that we're talking so gloomily about failure after last season.

 

I think any lack of success in the last two and a bit seasons can be put down to the managers and players. SDM seems to have done his part of the job.

 

And if we're going to have a go at people for our success or lack of, what about our fans?

 

I'm not that impressed with our contributions. We bring the club into disrepute with sectarian crap, Ibrox is like a morgue, we cause trouble and even riot on our travels, we boo our own players, and even when we're winning and doing well all we do is moan about the style of football. We hound our managers mercilessly and continuously slag off our players. Also when we're asked to put up about 7M in a share issue, we put up about 1M - Celtic fans have raised about 50M in share issues which is what put them back into financial health.

 

I would not be surprised if all that negativity rubbed off on the players and it's no wonder they lack confidence. When a UEFA cup final and a smidgen away from the treble is considered shite by your fans then where is your confidence supposed to come from?

No one will ever know what is inside Murray's head. Not me, not you. And while speculation can be interesting, it won't help clarify what Murray's intentions or attitude actually are.

 

However, being chairman carries certain responsibilities and at a football club like Rangers it is ultimately to assure success on the field of play. That is done by selecting the right personnel to manage the club and by generating sufficient funds to resource the club. If success is not forthcoming then the chairman will be judged against the aspirations of the support.

 

I can only give you my own personal view but I don't think Murray is doing a good job and hasn't been for quite some time. What he wants is of little interest to me compared with what he is actually delivering.

[ian1964 10,724]

No one will ever know what is inside Murray's head. Not me, not you. And while speculation can be interesting, it won't help clarify what Murray's intentions or attitude actually are.

 

However, being chairman carries certain responsibilities and at a football club like Rangers it is ultimately to assure success on the field of play. That is done by selecting the right personnel to manage the club and by generating sufficient funds to resource the club. If success is not forthcoming then the chairman will be judged against the aspirations of the support.

 

I can only give you my own personal view but I don't think Murray is doing a good job and hasn't been for quite some time. What he wants is of little interest to me compared with what he is actually delivering.

 

I agree with this,for me anyway I think SDM should be more open,not staying in the back ground,which gives the impression to the fans that he doesn't give a shit about Rangers.Let us know what your intentions are SDM.

[calscot 0]

That is done by selecting the right personnel to manage the club and by generating sufficient funds to resource the club.

 

And recently has he not made a reasonably good fist of both?

[maineflyer 0]

I agree with this,for me anyway I think SDM should be more open,not staying in the back ground,which gives the impression to the fans that he doesn't give a shit about Rangers.Let us know what your intentions are SDM.

Completely agree with you on this. But he also has to stop the bollox about moonbeam, museums, casino's or spending �£100m's on stadium development. None of this is ever going to happen and making grandiose statements ahead of season ticket renewals every year, only for those dreams to then be dropped without further comment, that has to stop. Murray has made so many "targeted inferences" for his own narrow purposes that he has lost the respect of the thinking fan.

 

He has also driven a huge wedge between the club and the support by his stupid attempts to over-sanitise the club. The billy boys may have been unacceptable to him but the way Rock Steady and the police have been allowed (encouraged) to treat Rangers fans at Ibrox is ludicrous. He has progressively alienated what now amounts to quite a large number of fans.

 

Murray needs to find a way to introduce openness and (above all) honesty to his dialogue with the fans. No, he needs to introduce dialogue, period.