Weather warning - Scotland

Greek mythology tells the story of Cassandra, a feminine beauty granted the gift of prophecy by the God Apollo. However after denying Apollo the right to sleep with her, Cassandra quickly learned that hell hath no fury like a God scorned, as the almighty Apollo placed a caveat on her prophetic gift – that despite the ability to predict the future with uncanny accuracy, no-one would ever believe her. Greek tragedies based on this story often depict Cassandra being driven insane with frustration, as her portents on the forthcoming destruction of her beloved Troy, alas, fall upon deaf ears.

Fall upon deaf ears.

How often in these last few months, as Rangers supporters, can we empathise with, and understand the depth of such frustration. Our frustration, which has now been surpassed by a righteous indignation, is based on events not from the future but from the past. At the very heart  of that indignation is a desire sought by mankind since time in immemorial – justice. The foundation stone in the building of great nations, but a millstone however for the also rans. The pursuit of justice has inspired mankind for generations, epitomised in Dr Martin Luther King's letter from a Birmingham jail, “I am here because injustice is here”

And injustice is also here – in our native Scotland – as an ever present travelling companion to Rangers in our club's journey over the last few months.

When you condemn someone without trial – that is injustice.

When you pre-determine someone's guilt and draw up punishments before a verdict is  passed – that is injustice.

When you impose sanctions upon someone which a court has declared unlawful – that is injustice.

When you honour and award those responsible for the sowing of lies and deceit  – that is injustice.

Former journalist and publisher Alex Mooney is absolutely correct, writing in The Rangers Standard, in describing this as “The witch hunt which shamed  Scotland“. It demotes our nation's status to that of an also ran. It is inexcusable. Nor is it a singular poor judgement made in the heat of a crisis, the frequency of it's recurrence serves to confirm that.

Imagine for a moment that rather than being wrought on a football club, the injustices aforementioned had been committed in respect of a terrorist suspect in this country.

Would our politicians, our press and media, our social commentators ignore such shameful conduct.? Would the breaches of that suspect's right of equality before the law, the usurping of his right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, be tolerated ? Not only has the injustice imposed upon our club being characterised by deaf ears, but to the shame of many, silent tongues also.

Scotland, once of the brave, now of the also rans has a dirty little secret. A secret shame in fact, for it is rarely mentioned. Perhaps by ignoring it they hope it will go away quietly, epitomised by a recent press article which encouraged the Rangers support “to forgive, forget and move one” when the news broke that both club and support would boycott the Scottish Cup tie with Dundee United.

On June 8th, 2012, Dundee United chairmen Stephen Thomson gave an interview to BBC Scotland, with regard to Rangers,  during which time he stated :-

"There's been a lack of remorse shown. Views have hardened.

"Taking things to a court of law hasn't helped. That's certainly hardened views of people within the game. 

I recognise that type of language from my days as a harassment and discrimination counsellor. It comes under scale 3 on Allports Scale of Prejudice and Discrimination under the heading of Discrimination. Its manifestation seeks to deny the victim the opportunity to seek that which they are entitled to – in this case justice.  But not only does Thomson question our right to seek justice, he infers that a consequence of doing so will see further recrimination against us.

But do not think for a minute that our “acquittal” at a tax tribunal will prove to be a turning point. One only has to look at the proposed league construction proposals for evidence that the injustice against Rangers is set to continue, unabated. Such proposals have a precedent. In the 1994 Stranraer were in a similar position in that reconstruction would deny them of the promotion they had earned. This was deemed to be unfair and unjust and they were rightfully awarded the promotion their endeavours had earned. Fast forward to today and you will find no such provision has been made for Rangers in an identical position.

It was former Daily Record Editor John Allan who wrote :-

“That is the story of the Rangers. They have had good times and bad times, critical times and times of exultation. No club with the same modest origin can claim so distinguished a record of achievement. They were not born in the lap of luxury. They have been the architects of their own fortune, and, simply because of that, they have become equipped with the moral resistive force to grapple with adversity, which is better than being coddled in the cradle and whining when the wind blows cold. May all who look upon the old club with a friendly eye stand prepared, by precept and example, to protect its interests and its good name”

Have we as a support forgotten how to use the tools of moral resistive force ? Not only use them but use them effectively and strategically ?

Those responsible for the injustices against our club, not only remain in position, they continue to administer in a manner which denies our club justice. That is not only Scotland's shame but our own shame also.

Its time for us to stop whining and start grappling. It's time for that cold wind to change direction.

Let every person who looks upon not only Rangers with a friendly eye, but who has duty to see justice upheld, who  desires more for their nation than to be an also ran, issue Scotland with a weather warning – Hurricane Justice is coming.

When the truth becomes uncomfortable

It was in Alabama's Birmingham jail, following a peaceful civil rights protest, that Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous Birmingham letter and declared  to a watching world, “I am in Birmingham because injustice is here”.

Whilst I may not be incarcerated in my native Scotland, as I write these words , I can honestly declare that “injustice is here”.  Here in my native Scotland and being wrought upon my football club.

When you condemn someone without trial – that is injustice.

When you pre-determine someone's guilt and draw up punishments before a verdict – that is injustice.

When you impose sanctions upon someone which a court has deemed unlawful – that is injustice.

When you honour and award those who have been responsible for sowing the lies which deceived a nation – that is injustice.

But it appears Scotland has a new secret shame, because no-body appears to have any desire to talk or discuss the injustices which have been heaped upon Rangers FC.  None of our journalists appear to be investigating the men behind the Rangers Tax Case, why is there a continued silence and a lack of will or desire to determine where the leaks came from which sustained this blog for so long ?

The injustices of which I speak should shame Scotland. In fact I suspect they do. A lot of people have been embarrassed as they are forced to reflect on their own failings during this process. Particularly elements of the press who had Rangers condemned before verdict. It's no small wonder they urge the Rangers support to forgive, forget and move on.

Quite simply the truth is too uncomfortable for them to face – the suggestion to the Rangers support to “forgive, forget and move on” is an excuse for them to ignore their own failings, their own responsibilities and their own culpability in the commission of the injustice wrought upon Rangers FC. To their eternal shame some have even resorted to lying on national television in an attempt to squirm out of taking responsibility for what they have scribed.

Perhaps when the guilty ones face the uncomfortable truth, and acknowledge their shortcomings, then and only then will we even consider “moving on”.

It's been a remarkable weekend. We had Stewart Regan giving an interview for Scotland on Sunday and Graham Spiers hosting a radio show. The former during the course of that interview comments “Charles has made his point but I would ask the question as to why there is a desire to leave “ the latter during his radio show suggested the Rangers support are suffering from a persecution complex.

Let me kill both of these birds with one stone and deal with both the question and the accusation.

Many years ago I studied at the Church of Scotland's St Colms College in Edinburgh. During that time I learned one of life's most valuable lessons – to understand where people are coming from you have to walk about in their shoes for a bit. So what do see when you don the shoes of the average Rangers supporter ?

You certainly see a support with a persecution complex and a desire to leave Scottish football. Forever. So let me present some of the reasons for both.

Lets start with our governing football bodies, who rather than await the process of justice, pre-determine the outcome of a tax tribunal and deal with our club from the perception we are guilty. Who draw up plans to punish our club based on a pre-determination of guilt. Who impose punishments on our club, which have already been deemed unlawful by a Scottish Law Lord.

And despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by that tribunal, those governing bodies are still treating Rangers with contempt. The new league construction model sees Rangers remain in the bottom tier despite the ever increasing likelihood of earning promotion. Yet when Stranraer faced a similar situation several years ago, it was deemed to be unfair and they were granted the promotion they had earned. So why are Rangers being treated in a different manner ?

But it was not only the Scottish football authorities who jumped to a conclusion of guilt. The Scottish media and the Scottish footballing public also jumped on that particular bandwagon. The real problem is that this particular bandwagon appears to be still rolling.

“Cheats” ,“financial doping” were terms which were, and continue to be overused, but perhaps the icing on the cake was comparing our club's tax avoidance strategy to the corruption and bribery which disgraced both French and Italian football. The truth is it's never been about sporting integrity, its about an unbridled hatred of Rangers Football Club with the indication being such hatred is not going to go away anytime soon.

One only has too look at the response to Jim Traynor's “Gentleman be careful” comments. Mocked, goaded and challenged. Given that our club has been subjected to a witch hunt which should shame Scotland in the last 12 months, with such flames of hatred being fanned by the lies of a blog and a documentary, (which they saw fit to honour with awards) is it any small surprise our football club would make moves to prevent such a repetition ? Or is this club not allowed to defend itself from blatant lies ?

Perhaps one the greatest ironies about this article is that the individual who made the persecution complex comment was exposed as a liar recently on national television, denying he had attributed certain words to describe Rangers use of EBT's, when in the public domain, screenshots from his twitter account, serve to confirm that Graham Spiers claims of innocence were false. In essence his conduct and the subsequent lack of accountability for it, from the individual concerned and Scottish media in general, strengthens that persecution complex.

So Mr Regan and Mr Spiers, I hope this answers your questions and accusations. I hope the time spent wearing my shoes granted you an understanding of the feelings of the Rangers support and, for your own personal contributions to such feelings - a sense of shame.

But I doubt it will.

Lessons in life courtesy of Dad's Army

It' a long time since I enjoyed a good chuckle. The kind which have you aching in pain with laughter. It's also a considerable time since I last saw an episode of Dad's Army, or even thought about it. ( For the younger Bears among us Dad's Army was popular British sitcom based around the goings on at a Home Guard platoon) However events this week, courtesy of some of our most prolific and outspoken Rangers haters have ended both periods of abstinence.

And there is certainly an element of “old reliable” about chuckle No.1 as it features BBC Scotland and Stuart Cosgrove. Fresh from his mealy mouthed apology for labelling Rangers cheats over the use of EBT's he was back to his old self again, on Sportsound Extra, suggesting that Charles Green was using inflammatory language for financial gain ie to sell season tickets. Oh how I laughed.

The man who is no stranger to the sectarian term “hun” and who proudly relates a story on a train where he describes Rangers supporters as “Orange Wankers” lecturing anyone on “inflammatory language” is an absolute hoot. Seems Charles Green having the temerity to defend Rangers has raised the ire of Mr Cosgrove.

Well have I got news for you Mr Cosgrove...get used to it. Not only does this club not do walking away, we no longer do dignified silence either.

To quote Corporal Jones....”They don't like it up them do they ?”

Chuckle...or rather sides splitting No. 2 came courtesy of Leggo and his revelation that Phil many surnames had complained to the PCC over the Sun suggesting “he was tarred by the sectarian brush”, with the PCC finding in favour of the newspaper. Perhaps there is some truth in the latest murmurings from republican supporters that Phil has something of an ego problem. Has no-one ever been kind enough to give Phil the cautionary advice that when you are in a hole don’t keep digging ?

As Captain Mainwaring would say....”Stupid boy”

Those of us old enough to remember Dad's Army will remember the title credits at the end were always preceded by the caption “You have been watching”.....

And this provides the biggest laugh of all courtesy of Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB) who publish British Television Viewing Figures.

SPL

Celtic v Aberdeen 91,000
Dundee Utd v Hibs 16,000
Hibs v Hearts 25,000
Ross County v Celtic 70,000
Dundee Utd v Dundee 75,000
ICT v Celtic 67,000
St Johnstone v Celtic 85,000
Aberdeen v Motherwell 41,000
Aberdeen v Hibs 44,000
Celtic v Hearts 183,000
Inverness v Ross County 38,000
St Mirren v Celtic 103,000
Hearts v Motherwell 61,000
Motherwell v Hibs 63,000
Dundee Utd v Celtic 87,000
Inverness v Hearts 48,000
Hibs v Dundee Utd 51,000
Inverness v Motherwell 51,000
Aberdeen v Celtic 105,000
Motherwell v Hearts 36,000
Hibs v Hearts 124,000
Hearts v Celtic 129,000
Dundee v Dundee Utd 89,000
Kilmarnock v Celtic 106,000
arbroath v Celtic 255,000
kilmarnock v Hibs 59,000
Hearts v Dundee Utd 61,000
Dundee Utd v Celtic 96,000

Total viewers 2,259,000
Average 80,679 per game.

Rangers

Peterhead v Rangers 166,000
Berwick v Rangers 96,000
Rangers v Elgin 85,000
Clyde v Rangers 127,000
Rangers v Elgin 291,000
Montrose v Rangers 79,000
Queens Park v Rangers 174,000

Total viewers 1,018,000
Average per game 145,428

Who else but Private Fraser could finish off this piece...? Was he speaking about the SPL when he gave us his catchphrase ?

“We're doomed”

Pride goeth before destruction

And a haughty spirit before a fall.

And there is ample evidence of that haughty spirit. After reading a number of newspaper columns over the last few weeks there is a consistent theme emerging that the SPL is going through something of a Utopia period with the absence of Rangers.

Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with marketing which attempts to “sex up” the product, the danger comes however when you begin to believe the hype and ignore the facts. Part of that Utopian myth appears to suggest the absence of Rangers has made the SPL more “family friendly”

In the last 2 weeks we have seen scenes at Dens Park which one official compared to a “throwback to the 70's” and “the worst scenes in 20 years”. Add to that a 10 year ball boy being the victim of someone spitting in his face at the Edinburgh derby, as well as chairs damaged at Pittodrie in the Aberdeen vs Dundee United match. Perhaps it's just me but such scenes are not my interpretation of “family friendly”.

Furthermore the “sexed up” product does not appear to be selling that well despite considerable marketing. Attendances are down, but more significantly, TV viewing figures have also seen a considerable drop. Clubs are having to offer considerable discount on batches of ticket sales in an effort to encourage sales. The Sell out Saturdays campaign is a dim and distant memory. Rangers in the 3^rd Division of the SFL continue to draw attendances which outstrip those of the combined SPL games.

Tam Cowan was pontificating in a recent column that the predicted Armageddon for Scottish football had not happened. I think Tam needs to go back to bible class, Armageddon comes after considerable signs and warnings.

Contract talks between Dundee United and their manager Peter Houston, have dragged on for some considerable time without resolution. Quite simply Dundee United don't have the money to give him the kind of favourable contract he negotiated in the aftermath of their Scottish Cup triumph. I have little doubt the pinch is being felt throughout the rest of the SPL.

Of course part of the “sexing up” of the SPL in the newspapers, is nothing more than a GIRUY to Rangers and their support. It would be a complete humiliation for all of those involved with the rejection of Rangers membership if they had to subsequently concede that the SPL needs us, or more appropriately, the money and viewing figures we generate.

This is not a Rangers supporter gloating at the trials and tribulations affecting the SPL, just someone objective enough to compare the hype with the hard facts and the harsh realities of market forces.

It is perhaps appropriate that the decision whether or not to unleash Armageddon on Scottish football will not come from a Rangers hater or a Rangers lover for that matter, but rather a TV executive reviewing this season's SPL viewing figures which will be devoid of any “sexing up”.

Looking from the outside in

Many of us will be familiar with the saying “you can't see the woods for the trees”. The fundamental truth of these few words of wisdom were underlined to me in a recent phone conversation I had with an old friend Rik. Rik is not a Rangers fan, nor a football fan for that matter, he's one of those strange chaps who prefer the game played with an egg shaped ball where the forward pass is not only frowned upon, it is in fact illegal.

Rik and I were marines together, we fought, drank, womanised, yomped, billeted together for many years, our shared Ulster Scots heritage solidifying a friendship through common and shared culture, despite our differences of opinion between a round and egg shaped ball. It is a friendship we have maintained throughout the years, which culminates in a New Years Day phone call.

As ever during this years phone call he asked me about my beloved Rangers. (Rik's current job in the oil industry sees him spend many months of the year in far flung corners of our planet, which often leaves him less than well informed regarding UK events)

As I related the years events to him in the best chronological order I could, I could hear the disbelief in his voice. Substantiated by my constant need  for re-assurance “No honestly this is what happened”. The more the story unfolded however, the more incredible and far fetched it sounded, even to me, who lived through and experienced each heart wrenching moment of it.

This topic of conversation finished with a question from Rik.. “How did they get away with it ?”
It was not a rhetorical question, just one I was unable to furnish an answer to. But it really set me thinking. Have we been so embroiled with concern over our club that we have allowed those who wilfully and maliciously conspired against us to get away with it ? Are we really missing the obvious, have we failed to see the woods for the trees ?

Football governing bodies usurping the fundamental right of innocence until proven guilty. Of blackmailing our club. Of manipulating and intimidating those outside our club to accept a solution which ran contrary to any sense of natural justice ? There is a whole symphony of SFL chairmen singing in harmony from a hymn sheet and the song they are singing is that they were lied to, bullied, threatened and intimidated by those in charge of our game. Where else would such allegations go without investigation or action ? Why are the people accused of such appalling behaviour still in post ? Does this country condone and sanction such conduct ? Those at the centre of such allegations still represent our football governing bodies.

And what of HMRC and their tsunami style leaks to the Rangers Tax Case Blog ? Why didn't they report such criminality to the Police who are far better qualified to investigate such matters, after their own internal investigations proved fruitless ?  Why did it require Sir David Murray's lawyers to write to Crown Office asking that the leaks were treated as criminal and worthy of investigation. It is public knowledge that HMRC have been subject of scathing criticism for their failure to recuperate monies allegedly due. Did it suit the under pressure HMRC to have an outlet such as RTC, whose sole motivation was to misuse the information they had received by criminal means, to convince everyone of Rangers guilt ?  If HMRC have failed to take all reasonable steps to stop the leaks which had such a damaging affect on the saleability of our club, will they be liable to all us shareholders who lost out when liquidation followed as a consequence ?

And of course BBC Scotland. Lambasted for their conduct by some of their own most respected journalists and broadcasters. Producers of a documentary which went a long way to cementing public opinion of our apparent “guilt”. A publicly funded broadcasting organisation which spent months on journalistic research rightfully calling into question both the integrity and credibility of Craig Whyte, and yet suddenly they afford him the credibility of an exclusive interview. Co-incidence that the man who has caused so much damage to our club was given such a platform as we embarked on a share issue flotation ? But even then that was not enough for this organisation. Because that exclusive platform they gave him was leaked to an internet blogger in the Republic of Ireland. Did they perhaps think that a man who has been labelled as “tarred with the sectarian brush” ...”a tactical bigot” and various other labels confirming his status as “Rangers Hater” could do more damage with his particular brand of anti-Rangers poison than their documentary could ?  HMRC leaks to RTC – exact same modus operandi.

I now have an answer to Rik's question “How did they get away with it ?”

The answer is they haven't. 

Accordingly over the next few days  I will be writing to a number of individuals in various government posts demanding answers – I will post the e-mails on all Rangers sites. Please feel free to copy verbatim if your time is of the essence, use appropriate phrases from my original, or use your own style and terminology ( I'm not a professional letter writer so there is every chance your own will be better than mine) but I would implore you all to write, To demand answers, explanations.

It's time for this support to take the offensive, to be pro-active rather than be reactive, and to let the world know that those Rangers haters who operate in the shadows have had their 5 minutes of fame.

It's time my fellow bears to fight back.