The start of the Rangers Third Division journey came with a real boom. Stadiums sold out, and the place was rocking. It was a great time and the fans loved every moment of it; the “#thisisfun” era, if you will.
As the season progressed, there was more to smile about. Charles Green, the one man army on his white horse taking on everyone the fans felt had wronged the club. There was then the successful floatation of the club on the stock exchange, and the £22 million windfall that came with that. There was then the feeling of vindication that came from the outcome of the “Big Tax Case” and the SPL independent commission.
After twelve months of off-field chaos, fans’ thoughts were starting to turn towards the football itself again – discussions of football philosophies and managerial capabilities became prominent once more. However, over the period of a few weeks, this did not take long to change, and the focus was thrown back off the field.
The “#thisisfun” era was brought to a startling end. A handful of staff were made redundant, and allegations started to fly. Deranged ex-owner, Craig Whyte appeared back on the scenes staking his claim for the club, and bringing serious allegations calling into question the integrity of Chief Executive, Charles Green. It was soon back to the case that there were more questions than answers – concerns started to grow, and boardroom rifts became evident. More allegations of extremely unprofessional behaviour started to surface as well, and fans began to turn on each other. The announcement of an independent investigation into Charles Green’s dealings with Craig Whyte was swiftly followed by Green’s departure and attempt to sever all ties with the club within the space of a couple of days. This was shortly to be followed by associate, Imran Ahmad’s departure.
As the season comes to an end, just about every shred of optimism that existed at the start of the season has been drained from the fans. A feeling of hopelessness has been allowed to ferment as the support attempts to work out who they can support. And yet it is something that has become such a familiar feeling; not entirely sure who to trust, and who really is “right” in the boardroom battles and the off-field jostling.
But should we really have expected anything different?
When Charles Green and his consortium took the “newco” route for the club last year, followed by the drop to the Third Division, it was the start of one of the toughest journey the club have ever faced. Although the fans looked to focus on the positives of the new experiences, it is difficult to argue that there were always going to be issues with new owners and uncharted territory. Beyond the rhetoric of Charles Green, there was a group of businessmen looking to make money from this club in any way possible. Along with this, there is still the spectre of Craig Whyte which hangs over Ibrox. Only days after being hit with a whopping £18 million bill by Ticketus, up stepped Whye to produce evidence he has supposedly been sitting on for almost twelve months. Although fans may realise this is not simply coincidental, after the tribulations the fans have suffered over previous times, it is not difficult to see why fans have swiftly started to raise questions. The same goes for the people involved with the club that stand accused by Whyte and subsequently others, and the concern raised by their departure.
For now, however, there is little that fans can do. Panic levels may have risen over the events of recent weeks, but for now, it may be time to calm down whilst keeping a watchful eye over proceedings. The next key date will rise when the findings from the independent examination are concluded, and everyone involved can analyse what comes from that. Until then, is there much that can really be discussed? Do we really know what we are accusing those involved of doing until we have answers? All discussion until that time is simply speculation, and if Rangers fans should realise anything by now, no one should stand pre-judged.
The other area of interest lies in potential buyers. As James Easdale has made his intentions to buy Charles Green’s shares public, it is a possible sale that has been met by extremely mixed reaction; some unsure that Easdale would be the correct figure to lead the club forward. After this, other familiar figures are making their positions known within the press, with Paul Murray and Dave King expressing their interest. Beyond this lies the ever silent yet seemingly ever-present figure of Jim McColl, who a number of journalists have reported still remains interested. Who is it that the fans trust hold the power of Ibrox in their hands? Can figures that some view as having let the club down last summer really be in a position to re-enter the frame? What about the fans themselves? Do they have it within them to make a further stake in the club following on from their investment in the IPO? If Dave King is right that the ownership of the club may be changing in recent months, it is time the fans start to work out who they want to see in charge.
And finally, there is also the publishing of the audited accounts. In an interview with the Sunday Mail, Financial Director, Brian Stockbridge described the accounts as still being in “double figures” in terms of millions. Is there anything to suggest the fans cannot trust him? Has scaremongering over the club’s finances come from anyone that possesses any real knowledge on what is going on behind the scenes? Until this can be proven otherwise, does the rhetoric of the likes of Keith Jackson really mean a thing at all? The facts can only lie within the accounts, and until they are published there is little that can be done.
No doubt some difficult and challenging times may lie ahead, but there are some things that never change. Where some will always be looking to lay out doomsday scenarios and scaremonger, the actual fans of the club itself must remain vigilant and take the facts for what they are. Questions can be asked without the worst being assumed. As for mixed feelings on staff leaving, the people may come and go but only the club remains. And for that reason, when season ticket renewal forms come out, remember you are investing in a club and an institution; a love and a passion, not the people that are running it. Without the fans, the club is nothing. Clarity will come, and a better understanding will appear, but until then, there remains only one common shared interest amongst the support; the best interests of Rangers Football Club.
garrycarmody 
Great points, Garry! Too many people focus on the backroom shenanigans as opposed to the institution they purport to support and love.