Mike Ashley seems to think only of money – morning, noon and night – and would you believe that when he loaned out five of Newcastle’s fringe players to Rangers FC at the end of January, he negotiated a £500K bonus from Rangers to Newcastle if they get promoted.
🙁
Paul Murray – interim Rangers Chairman
Yesterday Rangers posted half-year financial results through the end of December, and they had losses of £2.6M for the period, and that is a drop of 3.5M from a year ago.
Revenues were £13.1M.
This is a statement that Interim Chairman Paul Murray has released today:
“These results are historical and relate to a period before the new board took office,”
“The new board’s focus is on the future. We are in the process of developing a business and funding plan which will help us rebuild the club and ensure it enjoys football and commercial success in the future.”
“We will work closely with our shareholders, supporters and other stakeholders to achieve our vision of building a modern football club founded on our traditional values and standards.”
“The recovery process will take time, but if we work closely together we are confident of success.”
The financial figures released by Rangers FC show they have a liability of £500K, which will be paid to Newcastle United FC if they are promoted through the play-offs.
We loaned out Gael Bigirimana, Haris Vuckic, Kevin Mbabu, Remie Streete and Shane Ferguson to Rangers, but Haris Vuckic is the only one playing for Rangers and he’s scored five goals so far this year and played well.
But only Remie Streete has also played for Rangers this year, and that was for less than one half before he picked up a groin injury.
But it’s a very poor deal for Rangers FC, and looks even worse when four of the five Newcastle players have been injured since they were loaned out.
But of course the deal was agreed with a certain Derek Llambias, who is the former Newcastle Managing Director and a close confidante of Ashley’s – and Derek was essentially running Rangers at the time, until the Dave King takeover.
Rangers fans were upset when it was revealed they are paying £5K a week for the Newcastle players, and they will not be happy about this news.
And that is a huge understatement.
Comments welcome.
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170 comments so far
magscar
Mar 31, 2015 at 11:57 AM
Comment #121Not particularly following the trading ground cost discussion as remain of the view that more will be revealed when full accounts are but I believe that accounts can contain something accountants term a “provision”.
This may be how costs for something which hasn’t even got the groundworks put down can appear in accounts to 30 June 2014. If the cost is ridiculously high as seems to be main thrust on here perhaps there is another provision(s)? Only speculating as I know as much and as little as all on here – apart from the Bishop poster of course 🙂
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 11:59 AM
Comment #122Jeff…Thanks for re-posting that one from Pawl. I had intended to respond at the time, but got sidetracked.
This for me is where the fans biggest divide is.
Pawl, yourself and others, seem to think that posters, who are also fans, are merely just looking for things to complain about. That opinion is flat out wrong.
We make assumptions because the information is not forthcoming and we’re looking for answers. Whereas, you are more than happy to just drift along and see what happens next.
The danger with that approach Jeff, is that as time goes by, expectations get lowered and lowered and then accepted. Look back over the past 5 years. Lowered expectations and acceptance of this are in full flow.
magscar…Fair point on getting high fives from the “wrong” posters. It’s the kiss of death or should we say the high five of death? Bit like Belfast the other day, having to distance himself from praise of being a great poster 🙂
Truth is, people who share opinions will back each other up – they have shared opinions.
The way you serve it suggests that we would “high five” (agree) with a “mate” solely because they said it, rather than we agree with the content. That is inflamatory and off the mark, imo.
BandB can be fiery, that is without doubt. My very first dealings wiht BandB were shall we say difficult. Still, I have a lot of respect for BandB, she is clearly very intelligent and can more than hold her own on here. I’m thankful BandB posts, as she doesn’t allow herself to get bogged down in silly stuff and get’s to the point – well, the points she believes to be most important.
Someone has to. Far too many people just happy to wait and see. The blog needs balance, I’m sure you agree.
magscar
Mar 31, 2015 at 11:59 AM
Comment #123Training ground …. my predictive text playing up
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:01 PM
Comment #124Wow, a nice row of “BandB” in there.
Martoon…I envy your position 🙂 I hope you don’t have to reassess that position come September. For me, I feel like we’ve been here before.
nut meg
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:03 PM
Comment #125Magscar
I put my hand up………i’m a wrinkly.
BoyDoneGood
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:05 PM
Comment #126Ibizatoon
Well, as you can see, it was because it’s not much of a point. Mr Ashley: We [I don’t mean you specifically, Ibiza] who spend our leisure hours furiously branding you a liar, thief, slug, c**t, a**ehole, etc., etc., both for your past actions and your as yet uncommitted but inevitable deadly sins, feel that you owe it to us to explain details of the accounts a day before they are due to be published. Are we unworthy of this?”
What do you reckon? Have the bloggers earned any special consideration? Is MA likely to regard the 50,000 less dissatisfied customers as more representative that the 500 (or maybe only 50) who are metaphorically shoveling dog sh*te through his letterbox? Anyway, my apologies if this is a point near to your heart. I’m more of a facts kind of a guy. These subtle amateur psychological speculations are like trying to catch a fart in a butterfly net.
lochinvar
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:08 PM
Comment #127Very very clever.
If Rangers get promoted their new investors who loaned them £1.5m (?) will have to find £500,000 to pay Ashley to avoid having to go back to Ashley for more loans ?
That puts Rangers further in the do do you would think – only one long term winner there then !
magscar
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:09 PM
Comment #128Ibiza@120
I also have respect for BandB but have to disagree that she avoids the silly stuff. She can be supercilious to other posters she seem to view as beneath her undoubted intelligence.. Pity we didn’t have a voice mail type app on here and she could hear that I do not at all sound like a sulky 18 year old more of a grumpy old man.
hibbit
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:10 PM
Comment #129the thing that has surprised me about this whole situation since ashley took over is how easy its been for him to control the fan base with only the odd uprising shepard and hall still get more flak them him
Lindisfarne
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:10 PM
Comment #130Predictive text is no good for playing on the wing, more of your dependable midfielder that can spell out a long intonation or make a sharp connection when need be.
BoyDoneGood
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:11 PM
Comment #131Ibizatoon
Should read “…it’s not much of a point in my opinion – as my dog-walk post explained…”
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:12 PM
Comment #132BoyDoneGood…I think we must be coming from entirely different mindsets then, which is of course fine.
You seem far more focused on what the fans have done wrong, for want of a better word, in the past, than their reasons for the behaviour.
In one swift notion, you’ve justified Ashleys contempt for an entire fan base.
My point was about rebuilding the relationship. Drawing a line, uniting, moving forward together. Surely that is in everyones interest?
You feel that will be forthcoming anyway, so I guess you view me as just being impatient.
I guess my point is, even after the full accounts are published, there will still be a long list of unanswered questions, we aren’t accountants after all. These will then be batted around, eventually will be mentioned in a fans forum meeting, we’ll be directed back to the published accounts and we’ll go full circle.
Why not try a new approach? Is it really because some fans were unhappy with Ashleys early decisions? Seems a tad pathetic.
Mind, I guess my wanting to know what is happening is a tad pathetic too.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Comment #133magscar…I have had my shares of arguments with BandB, but unlike most on here she can muster up an apology when needed – that earns respect in my book!
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Comment #134magscar…Fair enough, we all call it as we see it. Well, one always hopes we do.
A positive grumpy old man…I thought I was conflicted 🙂
BandB
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:16 PM
Comment #135Ibiza,
There has been gathering momentum, accompanied by a fair deal of looking forward smugly to a reckoning, for the idea that Ashley is about to spend huge.
That idea appears to have taken a sizeable kick in the nuts, not least, as BDG noted with sinking heart himself, the less than inspiring “net spend” remark.
So naturally there is an urge to move the conversation on from the accounts and another cringe-making debacle and, hilariously, back to “wait and see”.
BoyDoneGood
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:20 PM
Comment #136Ibizatoon
Not pathetic at all – I want to know, too.
But I don’t justify Ashley. It’s just a fact that if bloggers here and Ashley despise each other, then it makes no sense to argue that it bruises our sensibilities if we have to wait a day for the financial results. Sticks and stones… They get puiblished round about now. We can’t elevate the fact that they have not been published or leaked yet to the status of another Ashley crime.
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:25 PM
Comment #137BandB…From experience, I feel for them. I have no doubt some money will be spent this summer, it simply has to be. A good arguement can and will be made that this is the start and we have to give them time, which of course, we will again.
At some point, like it did for me, peoples patience will run out. They will feel that the club are really only doing the bare minimum and that they’re being let down and mislead.
Either that, or Ashley will change his tune and I’ll be proved wrong. I’d love that to be the case, but it’ll take more than one window to undo the past 7 years. The summer of 2011 was a fun one, full of optimism on my part, what followed made it hard to keep that optimism up. In fact, it’s almost like it was sytematically beaten out of me.
BoyDoneGood
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:28 PM
Comment #138…and, it’s true, I’m also a “wait and see” kind of guy. I’m prepared to wait a day or two to see where Ashley spent his footie money last year, and a month of two to see where he spends his money this year. It’s not my money. But if the summer plan is “less than inspiring” I won’t be looking for excuses for MA – everything is in position, no excuses. However, I won’t start condemning summer activity before it’s happened.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:29 PM
Comment #139Back to basic Ibiza…we all know how optimistic you were 😀
…youth! Adulthood is becoming! lol
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:29 PM
Comment #140BoyDoneGood…I’m not suggesting it’s an Ashey crime. Just a missed opportunity. Perhaps another missed opportunity.
I remain confused as to why, other than we don’t matter, which can’t be right.
Surely it is for the greater good to not just say they want better communication with fans, but to acually do it?
Granted, a day or two’s waiting is not too much. Someone, somewhere, will no doubt do a breakdown for the fans and all will become clear – to an extent, at some stage.
BoyDoneGood
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:29 PM
Comment #141Got to go – should be somewhere else right now.
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:32 PM
Comment #142BoyDoneGood…I will admit, I do find it frustrating that fans still have a “wait and see” outlook. What are we waiting for, have we not seen enough to date?
I get the feeling there will always be a reason to wait. If I’m being paranoid, I could suggest that’s by design, either way, it’s irrelevant.
Still, we are where we are and people have every right to chose to wait and see again.
A lot has been made about this summer and I hope the club don’t let us all down.
Jesper… 🙂
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:33 PM
Comment #143BDG…what have you been up to the last 7 years or so? (if you don’t mind me asking)
…you strike me ad a guy who really takes his time (…or are just really not that bothered)
Just an observation (I could be wrong)
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:33 PM
Comment #144BoyDoneGood…Until next time.
optimistic prime
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:36 PM
Comment #145Wait and see, seems ridiculous to me!
The money was available to strengthen the squad in last 2 windows but wasn’t utilised, I dare say there was money in the previous windows.
So what are people waiting to see, he didn’t “net spend” in last 2 windows what makes anyone think he’ll change his mind.
BandB
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:37 PM
Comment #146Ibizatoon,
I don’t think their adherence to and admiration for Ashley has anything much to do with football, and so football-related issues will never shake the faith of his very small core of stormtroopers.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:37 PM
Comment #147Ibiza,
I must correct you, Pawl 90210 is an accountant, he seems to accept the fact as an accountant that if you can’t compete with the top four then to stop competing is the answer. TDSarf as a businessman with a very good grasp of accounts (apparently) was much more comfortable with the knowledge that if you didn’t plan to win a cup it was better to exit in the third round, once we all understand accounts a little bit better we will see how Ashleys way is the way forward.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:42 PM
Comment #148Boy Done Good while doing bad things would be a very apt username for Mikey should he ever take up blogging.
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:47 PM
Comment #149BandB…That is certainly one viewpoint. I am hoping that with reasoned discussion they can make their case and not just throw back the usual return questions.
I for one, shall wait and see.
Jail…Ah yes, my bad. I was always taught, perhaps incorrectly, that accountants are good for just that – accounts. They hold an extremely important role in any business, but it is not the role of deciding the businesses ambitions.
As you know, Newcastle United is not just a business, it can’t just be about standard business practices.
Highlighting that cups aren’t a priority was possibly one of the biggest mistakes of Ashleys time at NUFC. Whilst there may be economic sense in it, how any fan goes as far to support the idea is baffling. We’re a sporting outfit, we’re supposed to want to win things.
magscar
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:47 PM
Comment #150Ibiza
On the “been here before” point I totally get why you and many others have made it. The only difference is as I said some months ago I genuinely feel we are arriving yet again at a crossroads but there are some definite differences now as opposed to previous close seasons.
Firstly Pardew has gone and I never felt Ashley trusted him to be involved in a “big spend”.
Secondly the latest accounts show a more significant profit than ever before in his reign. OK not as much as some had anticipated but useful especially if taken with some of the anticipated profit in this year to 30 June 2015.
These facts do not of course mean Ashley HAS to make it a different transfer window but the launch pad is there for the first time.
That is why I think there is cause for cautious optimism. If he doesn’t seize this opportunity and appoint a decent Head Coach who can have professional input into what the squad requires not by reference to profit alone then I admit he has missed the last bus.
If I read your earlier post correctly then this could become my Damascus moment and I finally give up hope of progressive change however slow. I don’t think I will become a negative poster though as I don’t see the point on rehearsing the same arguments when I am totally unable to change the situation. Others can of course do what suits them.
martoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:49 PM
Comment #151Ibizatoon @124 – I’m not saying I’ve taken over sitting on your fence 🙂 I want to see some decent signings in the summer starting with the head coach. If I see no progress next season then I will give up my ST.
scout
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:51 PM
Comment #152500 grand bonus haha. Dunno how he sleeps at night. He’s a pretty unimaginative guy if all you can do on Saturdays is watch the club you’ve ruined try and scrape a few points here and there.
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:54 PM
Comment #153magscar…Fair enough, you are on this issue a lot more reasonable than I.
The stage is set for a different approach. I still do think things could have been different before this point, but hey ho.
Take Pardew as an example. You say you don’t think Ashley ever trusted him with a big spend – so why the hell did he stick with him? How much compensation did we get from Palace? In the scheme of things, peanuts.
All of these type of scenarios are why I find it hard to imagine that things will be different this time around, even if we are better positioned.
For your last paragraph, I never envisaged me being a negative poster. Strangely, I don’t feel I am now. Yes, I am paying more attention to negative aspects, as I feel they need addressing and changing.
Magscar, please don’t ever forget, people do have power. People have been overturning superpowers for years and years. It’s not always pretty, but it’s down to what you believe is right.
As and when (or if) enough fans share the same opinion, I have no doubt they can make things happen.
We do have more options than acceptance. Whether that be acceptance of how things are or acceptance that we can’t do anything about it.
That’s my view on it anyway.
BandB
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:55 PM
Comment #154So there it is Mike, straight between the eyes.
If you let the fans down ONE MORE TIME they’ll accept there’s NOTHING they can do about it.
Have you GOT that!
Don’t mess with these lads.
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 12:58 PM
Comment #155martoon…Glad to hear it. The stain I had used to treat the fence was fairly toxic 🙂
I’m not here trying to bash people for having faith. If people still feel they have more to muster then fair play to them.
What I do object to, and this isn’t aimed at you, is those that suggest that these negatives are manufactured for some alterior motive.
Clearly there are issues, even fans who are somewhat optimistic are putting deadlines and ultimatums on the regime. That wouldn’t be the case if there was trust.
Let’s hope they turn it around. If they don’t, let’s hope as fans, we can find a way to unite better and find a better future for a club we clearly all care about.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 31, 2015 at 1:09 PM
Comment #156This is what I find incredible, Magscar who portrays himself as one of the more sensible and fair minded posters actually believes that what’s been holding us back was Ashleys mistrust of Pardew, the same guy who was given an eight year contract, that was told what a marvellous job he’d done and how he’d taken the club forward. If there was going to be a spend then it wasn’t going to be any time soon as Pardew wasn’t going anywhere fast.
BandB
Mar 31, 2015 at 1:12 PM
Comment #157magscar,
I know you take pride in being Stoic, and I guess the difference between us is that I wouldn’t.
Stoicism is the Hellenistic version of “A rock feels no pain, and an island never cries.” It’s a cop-out.
As a kid I was horrified by Cowslip and like pretending they weren’t being culled in Watership Down, and refusing to help others in trouble.
I wasn’t brought up to walk around with my eyes downcast.
I am fiery, and though I will apologise if I am unfair to someone, I am unapologetic about that.
magscar
Mar 31, 2015 at 1:23 PM
Comment #158Ibiza
BandB once again shows the height to which any poster wanting to aspire to bloodhound status needs to reach.
I give my honest non-argumentative view which translates into something I would find Ashley running scared from.. Why the sarcasm? I am on record as being of the belief that Ashley nor any of his major players care what is written here. He cares not that I may see it as a missed opportunity and I don’t care if he has that view.
At the risk of going on about earlier years in my support I have also joined protests against previous regime futile though it seemed and ultimately proved so. The level of invective aimed at Ashley on here doesn’t seem to be reflected by the bums on seats. Can’t profess to know this as I don’t have a rectal thermometer or know any willing participants to be able to get enough empirical data to satisfy the BandB test so IMO only.
Jesper
Don’t recall any apology from BandB ever but no doubt she can use her unchallengeable sniffing abilities to prove me wrong. Sarcasm or irony can’t be bothered to decide.
magscar
Mar 31, 2015 at 1:27 PM
Comment #159BandB
I am too old to worry endlessly about things I personally can’t change . Stoic was a quick response to labels of regime lover etc. I am not a classics fan but do admit a love of SandG.
I do not call on others to rise above only explain my own position for what it is worth. Carry on being brutal as you wish don’ t hide behind fiery
Ibizatoon
Mar 31, 2015 at 1:31 PM
Comment #160magscar…What you saw from BandB was utter disbelief that it appears you have resigned yourself to two options.
1) Put up with what is on show
2) Give up
With that mindest, it’s already over. I get why that makes posters / fans angry.
BandB has been having this discussion on here for a while now, I can forgive her for becoming disillusioned and resorting to sarcasm. It may not be fair on the individual, but it is understandable, I think.