Post by Waverley on Apr 14, 2012 12:20:14 GMT 1
In a small bar on the western isles of Scotland a small group of men, still in their working clothes of old overalls, woollie bunnets and stout boots congregate round a table playing out the last round of dominoes. At 10.50 pm a bedraggled traveller enters the pub and asks the barman what time the bar shuts.
“October” comes the reply from the barman.
The small group of domino players return their concentration to their game. But its a false concentration as all their minds are elsewhere. “Any more news of the Rangers ?” asks one. “Nothing more than was on the wireless at 6 o'oclock” replies another.
Several thousand miles away in a Starbucks in the Big Apple, a group of pin striped suited young men scour their I Pads feverishly, taking full advantage of the coffee shops free wi-fi. “Anything asks one ?”
“Just what was promulgated earlier on the main website” replies another.
Two different scenes, two different continents, two cultures a world apart in terms of technology and lifestyle and , but united by a common concern – The Rangers. Its probably a scene which has been repeated in various forms across all 5 continents of the world in which we live.
And yet despite the global impact of the crisis involving Rangers, a club of whom it has been penned....
Quote
"Whatever one's local football loyalties, it has to be admitted that Glasgow Rangers constitute the most important contribution ever made to Scottish football. Even from their first days, they were a force in the land and, from then, they have gone on to win more titles, trophies and competitions than any other club and to have provided more players for the Scotland team than any other. They were to become rich, powerful and well-nigh invulnerable on the pitch and to attract the largest support of any club in Britain." (John Cairney)
Quote
"And always, in this broad picture of Scottish football, one name towers above the rest like a colossus, and the name is, of course, Rangers. There is no getting away from it, nor indeed is there any reason why one should try to get away from it. The club, the fans, the players, all have their imperfections, but Rangers are the greatest football club in Scotland, have been so for many years, and very probably always will be, as long as the game is played. This is a fact of football life, and cannot reasonably be argued with." (John Fairgrieve)
Quote
"Rangers have done so much to bolster Scotland's football prestige; much more, let's face it, than any other club, both at home and abroad, that they are looked on almost as a national eleven. They could be called the Scots Guards of football in this country." (Hugh Taylor)
….. a club club which has supplied more players than any other to represent the Scottish National Team, so not only at club level but on a national level unprecedented, this club has more than played its part to “bolster Scotland's football prestige”
Which makes it all the more remarkable that the organisation charged with governing the game in Scotland have done nothing to help these “Scots Guards” of Scottish football in their time of need. In fact they same more concerned with further punitive measures to slow the recovery of our club.
Whilst Ally McCoist's comments that “Rangers dont do walking away” have become immortalised, another phrase from this Rangers legend has been somewhat overshadowed but is well worthy of repeating..
“At this moment in time we’re wounded, there’s no doubt about that. There are probably one or two people out there enjoying it. Maybe one or two are having a wee fly kick. I would suggest to them to have a right good kick now because we’re not going to be where we are for a long time.
“I don’t want to elaborate on who has had a kick at us – it will just go down avenues I don’t want to go down. Let’s just say, while we’re down there we’re having a look up and seeing what we’re seeing.”
We certainly are Ally. And if the potential power of the Rangers support is ever to be realised and unleashed, its imperative that we, in the course of time, pay back (tenfold I may add) those who have enjoyed their fly kicks while we were down.
But its how you unify such a large movement of people into one common direction which is the greatest challenge ahead. The fan ownership model has been touted for a number of years now most notably within the framework of the Rangers Supporters Trust. There are many in Scotland who suggest that the fan ownership model wont work in Scotland. I think they underestimate the power and resolve of the awakened giant which is the Rangers support.
I never again want to see our club become the play thing of some rich businessman who sees us as a platform to boost his own ego, or those who would seek to make a quick buck. Notwithstanding the personal failings of individuals, a model of ownership which relies solely on this business acumen of one sole individual is a risky and perilous venture.
Rangers are for life. Just ask any bear.
The last few months have convinced me that the only people who can be trusted to run our club, are those who live, breath and sleep Rangers. Before we doubt our expertise to undertake such a venture let us not forget that we got into our current plight due to the actions and directions of so called successful businessmen, multi-millionaires and banks.
Could we do any worse ?
As our administrators ponder over the best suitor for our club, its perhaps a shame that Paul Murray's Blue Knights appear to be trailing in the race. Not because I favour him personally, but because he is committed to fan ownership in some capacity. Lets be clear here, I don't see fan ownership happening overnight, but it will be part of an evolving process where greater responsibility is evolved over time.
Of course some kind of unity is essential. “Unity” is a word which is banded about, often without much thought or the commitment needed to ensure unity comes to fruition. What has been ironic about our current crisis is that some of those who have called for unity have themselves been the cause of some of the division. Certain individuals need to reflect whether there continued presence is an obstacle to unity, and whether it would be best achieved if they stood aside. Make no mistake there is no place for ego, whether it be from successful businessmen or fan representatives.
A further fragmentation exists in the well meaning funds which have been established in response to our crisis. Fighting funds, GerSave etc etc have all been set up with good intentions. But it would be far better and more effective, if somehow they were to be consolidated into one fund – though I appreciate the motives, and this is not any way meant to be criticism, the fact remains we have a number of various funds running concurrently.
Whilst I support fan ownership in any form, I have to say the proposals by RangersUnite appeal to me the most.
http://www.rangersun...m/the-proposal/
For those of us who are church goers finding a fan model is a bit like finding a church – you wont agree with everything but you will find one which sits most comfortably with you. What I like about this model is that it balances effectiveness while remaining in the background without the need for ego enhancing publicity.
I'm also attracted by its voting format, and the democratic nature of one member one vote, and the entailment of that process.
But that of course is just a personal opinion, and its up to each one of us to make our own choices. Any kind of fan ownership, which has the broad support of bears should be a step forward from what we have experienced previously. But it will take time, compromise and patience.
This crisis has mobilised a lot of us into action. We have shaken off our apathy and taken up the reins. We must continue and not slip back into our apathetic ways once we emerge from this crisis.
The motivation and power of the Rangers support is more than sufficient to save our club. The enemies who are enjoying their fly kicks whilst we are wounded are nothing in comparison to the colossus which is the Rangers support.
No.... our biggest danger is from within. We are weakest if we are fragmented and going in various directions, pursuing our own personal agendas to the exclusion of all others.
Its time for us all to ruminate carefully over the meaning of “unity”.
We have a long hard journey ahead of us, and its a journey we must make together.
“October” comes the reply from the barman.
The small group of domino players return their concentration to their game. But its a false concentration as all their minds are elsewhere. “Any more news of the Rangers ?” asks one. “Nothing more than was on the wireless at 6 o'oclock” replies another.
Several thousand miles away in a Starbucks in the Big Apple, a group of pin striped suited young men scour their I Pads feverishly, taking full advantage of the coffee shops free wi-fi. “Anything asks one ?”
“Just what was promulgated earlier on the main website” replies another.
Two different scenes, two different continents, two cultures a world apart in terms of technology and lifestyle and , but united by a common concern – The Rangers. Its probably a scene which has been repeated in various forms across all 5 continents of the world in which we live.
And yet despite the global impact of the crisis involving Rangers, a club of whom it has been penned....
Quote
"Whatever one's local football loyalties, it has to be admitted that Glasgow Rangers constitute the most important contribution ever made to Scottish football. Even from their first days, they were a force in the land and, from then, they have gone on to win more titles, trophies and competitions than any other club and to have provided more players for the Scotland team than any other. They were to become rich, powerful and well-nigh invulnerable on the pitch and to attract the largest support of any club in Britain." (John Cairney)
Quote
"And always, in this broad picture of Scottish football, one name towers above the rest like a colossus, and the name is, of course, Rangers. There is no getting away from it, nor indeed is there any reason why one should try to get away from it. The club, the fans, the players, all have their imperfections, but Rangers are the greatest football club in Scotland, have been so for many years, and very probably always will be, as long as the game is played. This is a fact of football life, and cannot reasonably be argued with." (John Fairgrieve)
Quote
"Rangers have done so much to bolster Scotland's football prestige; much more, let's face it, than any other club, both at home and abroad, that they are looked on almost as a national eleven. They could be called the Scots Guards of football in this country." (Hugh Taylor)
….. a club club which has supplied more players than any other to represent the Scottish National Team, so not only at club level but on a national level unprecedented, this club has more than played its part to “bolster Scotland's football prestige”
Which makes it all the more remarkable that the organisation charged with governing the game in Scotland have done nothing to help these “Scots Guards” of Scottish football in their time of need. In fact they same more concerned with further punitive measures to slow the recovery of our club.
Whilst Ally McCoist's comments that “Rangers dont do walking away” have become immortalised, another phrase from this Rangers legend has been somewhat overshadowed but is well worthy of repeating..
“At this moment in time we’re wounded, there’s no doubt about that. There are probably one or two people out there enjoying it. Maybe one or two are having a wee fly kick. I would suggest to them to have a right good kick now because we’re not going to be where we are for a long time.
“I don’t want to elaborate on who has had a kick at us – it will just go down avenues I don’t want to go down. Let’s just say, while we’re down there we’re having a look up and seeing what we’re seeing.”
We certainly are Ally. And if the potential power of the Rangers support is ever to be realised and unleashed, its imperative that we, in the course of time, pay back (tenfold I may add) those who have enjoyed their fly kicks while we were down.
But its how you unify such a large movement of people into one common direction which is the greatest challenge ahead. The fan ownership model has been touted for a number of years now most notably within the framework of the Rangers Supporters Trust. There are many in Scotland who suggest that the fan ownership model wont work in Scotland. I think they underestimate the power and resolve of the awakened giant which is the Rangers support.
I never again want to see our club become the play thing of some rich businessman who sees us as a platform to boost his own ego, or those who would seek to make a quick buck. Notwithstanding the personal failings of individuals, a model of ownership which relies solely on this business acumen of one sole individual is a risky and perilous venture.
Rangers are for life. Just ask any bear.
The last few months have convinced me that the only people who can be trusted to run our club, are those who live, breath and sleep Rangers. Before we doubt our expertise to undertake such a venture let us not forget that we got into our current plight due to the actions and directions of so called successful businessmen, multi-millionaires and banks.
Could we do any worse ?
As our administrators ponder over the best suitor for our club, its perhaps a shame that Paul Murray's Blue Knights appear to be trailing in the race. Not because I favour him personally, but because he is committed to fan ownership in some capacity. Lets be clear here, I don't see fan ownership happening overnight, but it will be part of an evolving process where greater responsibility is evolved over time.
Of course some kind of unity is essential. “Unity” is a word which is banded about, often without much thought or the commitment needed to ensure unity comes to fruition. What has been ironic about our current crisis is that some of those who have called for unity have themselves been the cause of some of the division. Certain individuals need to reflect whether there continued presence is an obstacle to unity, and whether it would be best achieved if they stood aside. Make no mistake there is no place for ego, whether it be from successful businessmen or fan representatives.
A further fragmentation exists in the well meaning funds which have been established in response to our crisis. Fighting funds, GerSave etc etc have all been set up with good intentions. But it would be far better and more effective, if somehow they were to be consolidated into one fund – though I appreciate the motives, and this is not any way meant to be criticism, the fact remains we have a number of various funds running concurrently.
Whilst I support fan ownership in any form, I have to say the proposals by RangersUnite appeal to me the most.
http://www.rangersun...m/the-proposal/
For those of us who are church goers finding a fan model is a bit like finding a church – you wont agree with everything but you will find one which sits most comfortably with you. What I like about this model is that it balances effectiveness while remaining in the background without the need for ego enhancing publicity.
I'm also attracted by its voting format, and the democratic nature of one member one vote, and the entailment of that process.
But that of course is just a personal opinion, and its up to each one of us to make our own choices. Any kind of fan ownership, which has the broad support of bears should be a step forward from what we have experienced previously. But it will take time, compromise and patience.
This crisis has mobilised a lot of us into action. We have shaken off our apathy and taken up the reins. We must continue and not slip back into our apathetic ways once we emerge from this crisis.
The motivation and power of the Rangers support is more than sufficient to save our club. The enemies who are enjoying their fly kicks whilst we are wounded are nothing in comparison to the colossus which is the Rangers support.
No.... our biggest danger is from within. We are weakest if we are fragmented and going in various directions, pursuing our own personal agendas to the exclusion of all others.
Its time for us all to ruminate carefully over the meaning of “unity”.
We have a long hard journey ahead of us, and its a journey we must make together.