Ferguson Hands in Transfer Request

[broadsword]

I now have absolutely no idea how this wil play out next week.

It still surprises me that ferguson handed in a transfer request so late. Ignoring the possibility that he's completely thick, perhaps he needed to see the lie of the land first, and only handed in a request when he thought Rangers would be able to definitely meet his valuation. Which wouldn't make sense given their derisory bid.

Perhaps the most decisive element will be the resolve of Rangers to sign him. We've not heard any noises from them, let alone an increased bid, for a while now. They had made noises that they were willing to pursue other targets if they couldn't get Fergie. Which brings us back to John Williams saying Rovers wanted him more than Rangers.

[waggy]

THERE IS NO WAY FERGIE WILL PLAY FOR US AGAIN,if we do not get our valuation stick him in the reserves and let him rot,we have lost zillions in transfer dealings through sourness,7 more does not matter

[philipl]

Even Broxibears have got the message. They assume Barry is going "hame" but they also recognise that Rangers are going to have to pay the Rovers in full for him.

Murray is on the horns of a dilemma- he is the victim of a jumbo heist. What started out as loose talk in the euphoria of the semi-refinancing of Rangers debt "we'll be able to bring Barry home" has become a monster.

McLeish latched onto the wildly popular idea of signing Ferguson in an attempt to save his own job and Viola spotted a quick killing and a chance to rescue his badly tarnished reputation after the vicious words from Aberdeen and Hibs.

The whole thing gathered momentum rather than having any master plan as rumours escalated into speculation. Then JW took charge by calling Viola and Ferguson in for a chat at a time he and not they wanted and Murray made a half-hearted pathetic offer couched around with complete inaccuracies topped off with calling on the player to find his own way out of Ewood.

In went the transfer request a week later and now even Ranger's own supporters are telling Murray to cough up Blackburn's price- not what Murray had in mind at all especially as all the indications are he wasn't that fussed about Ferguson going back in the first place!

[blue phil]

A different analogy. Company A buys Company B for £6.5m and the Directors of Company B sign a four year service contract with Company A. Eighteen months into the Agreement, an Investment Bank comes to the Directors of Company B with a proposal for a Management Buy-Out of Company B and together they table a proposition to buy out for £3m to Company A.

Company A is quite happy with the acquisition- its not hitting the top end of forecasts but it is one of the better performing divisions. It is pretty ###### off with what has happened and declines politely and firmly. It indicates it wants a profit from its investment which would suggest an £8m buy-out price, otherwise the matter should be closed.

If the Investment Bank and the Company B Directors then persist but now pursue their scheme using non-cooperation to the extent that £3.5m of value is destroyed, then I can promise you, m'learned friends would be briefed, injunctions issued and they'd be seeing each other in the High Court.

My head's spinning now and I haven't even been drinking.....

Why don't we all just wait for fresh developments....

[Dado_Prso_9]

Hi folks,

First of all, as the name gives away, I'm a Rangers supporter.

But before you all queue up to have a pop, hear me out!

For the record, I don't expect Ferguson to be wearing a Rangers jersey anytime in the near future. Yes, he's handed in a transfer request, and yes the timing of it wasn't perfect. However, I cannot see David Murray upping his original offer, which is ridiculous. While £3 million is a derisory offer, the fact is that Ferguson is not worth fee Rovers initially paid. If someone like Fernando Morientes, a three time Champions League winner, can be signed for £6.3 million, then some common sense has to prevail.

I'd like to think Murray would be man enough to up his offer to £2 million cash and include the £2.1 million owed by Rovers, taking the total value to £4.1 million, obviously. The deal for Ferguson was £6.5 million yes? So, with £2.1 million still owed, Rovers in-fact only paid £4.4 million for him. If Murray does put his money where his mouth is, which I severely doubt, then Rovers would only stand to lose around £300k, from a transfer fee point of view. Sadly, when it comes to the salary that Rovers paid Ferguson, especially during his severe injury, it obvious there's no way of recouping those funds. No club ever manages to recoup the salary it pays players when they move on.

Finally, I know a good few Rangers supporters who are prepared to NOT renew their Season Tickets this summer should Ferguson not be brought home. While this may seem drastic, it seems that Murray's broken promises won't be tolerated much longer down Ibrox way. Me, of course, I'll renew mine as always, with or without Ferguson's "return".

Rangers are not in the poor financial state they used to be. Murray did wipe £52 million off the club's debt with the recent rights issue, which the remaining £20 million tied up in low interest, long term loans. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to realise that the monthly interest payments on a debt of £72 million are more crippling then the interest on long term debts of £20 million.

Murray could yet raise his offer, and I feel sorry for Ferguson if he doesn't. However, we must remember the real "enemy" in all of this, and that's the wonderful agent. Rangers are merely acting on the advice from his agent, as is Ferguson. Now, while it's true Ferguson misses his team, the enemy here is not Glasgow Rangers.

And as for the "lack of ambition" Ferguson is showing, this may be true. But while Rangers play in a league of lesser quality, the size of the club cannot be disputed. The fact he comes from a Rangers family and is a die hard supporter himself, is the biggest reason for coming home. And any true fan of their club cannot deny that leading them to glory, be it Rangers or Blackburn Rovers, would be the pinnacle of their particular career ... especially if the dizzy heights of gracing the Bernabeu or San Siro are out of reach.

[Eddie]

Thanks for that, totally agree with you. Ferguson should certainly look to change agents, even if he does want a move back, which he obviously does, he hasn't handled this in this best of ways and has put his client in an extremely awkward situation as a result.

[T4E]

Perhaps a player exchange might resolve the matter..Is there anyone in the Rangers team we fancy?

Novo's looked good this season for them, and seems to be the only player being able to get to performances that Bazza can (but hasnt) reached... but Rangers wont get rid, so theres no point in even seriosly mentioning it. My quick glance over the Rangers first team through up a shock, in that for the first time in years, I barely knew any of the names... just a squad of foreigners.

Novo, Prso or Ricksen.

[Hasta]

Even Broxibears have got the message.

Look at the poll on that site. If Ferguson ends up stopping at Ewood until at least the summer then there'll be some miffed Rangers fans.

When does the transfer window shut??

[Dado_Prso_9]

Perhaps a player exchange might resolve the matter..Is there anyone in the Rangers team we fancy?

Novo's looked good this season for them, and seems to be the only player being able to get to performances that Bazza can (but hasnt) reached... but Rangers wont get rid, so theres no point in even seriosly mentioning it. My quick glance over the Rangers first team through up a shock, in that for the first time in years, I barely knew any of the names... just a squad of foreigners.

Novo, Prso or Ricksen.

It's safe to say that neither Prso or Novo would be offered nor would any offer be entertained in any part-exchange deal for Barry Ferguson. Both have just joined in the summer, and are extremely happy and settled at their new clubs. Ricksen, is a free agent, so if Rovers want him on a Bosman, there is nothing stopping Hughes from approaching his agent and offering him a contract. However, the idea of either Novo or Prso is extremely unrealistic.

[roversmum]

I'd like to think Murray would be man enough to up his offer to £2 million cash and include the £2.1 million owed by Rovers

Did not the original offer include the £2.1 million; so in effect you would be paying us less than £1million for Barry. This was the reason for most of the outrage, the sheer cheek of it!

I'm disappointed in Barry but would rather he went than stayed at Blackburn unhappy. But it has to be at the right price.

Agree about Agents. This one seems a complete (rude word a lady doesn't say......)

[Dado_Prso_9]

I'd like to think Murray would be man enough to up his offer to £2 million cash and include the £2.1 million owed by Rovers

Did not the original offer include the £2.1 million; so in effect you would be paying us less than £1million for Barry. This was the reason for most of the outrage, the sheer cheek of it!

I'm disappointed in Barry but would rather he went than stayed at Blackburn unhappy. But it has to be at the right price.

Agree about Agents. This one seems a complete (rude word a lady doesn't say......)

My understanding is that the original deal for Ferguson was £8 million. This included the £4.4 million which was paid up-front, with £2.1 due in August 2005. The remaining £1.5 million would be paid as and when Rovers enjoyed success on the European Stage.

So while the original offer (£8 million "package") did include the £2.1 million, the simple fact remains that it was not paid, hence why it's due in August 2005.

I think if anything, it would be fair to construct a similar deal for Rovers, for us to take Ferguson north. For talking sake, £2.3 million cash, plus the £2.1 million owed ... this would give you back the £4.4 million originally paid 18 months ago to secure Ferguson's services.

Now, and I mean this with no disrespect, we play in the Champions League or at worst the UEFA Cup every season. I find no reason why a similar clause cannot be put in the Ferguson deal, to the one which took him south. When we qualify for the Champions League or UEFA Cup, we could pay you £500k. For every game Barry plays in the group stage, another £100k.

In total, you would look to receive £1,100,000.00 extra on top of the £2.3 million and the £2.1 million owed. I can see NO reason why this sort of deal cannot be implemented. Qualifying for the group stages brings in £5 million alone, with a single point in the group stage being worth some £150k, the last time I checked.

Sadly, our Chairman does not think this way. While in the past, our managers such as Walter Smith and Dick Advocaat would have the clout to make Murray act, sadly Alex McLeish doesn't have that luxury. I think it's only fair we pay Rovers a decent price for Ferguson. I don't think we should go over the top, but I don't think £900k cash and £2.1 owed is the way to go either.

If you think you're unhappy at this proposed move, wait and see the reaction of Rangers fans if this deal doesn't happen.

Edited January 22, 2005 by Dado_Prso_9

[philipl]

This is a link with quotes from the 7th JANUARY!!!

"Blackburn Rovers have blasted speculation linking Barry Ferguson with a return to Rangers, while his agent also insisted the Scotland international is going nowhere."

I will own up, yes I am upset about this thing and probably a touch obsessed.

I am going to open a new thread within the next hour on the stuff I have just found. It's not very nice.

[AlanK]

Blimey, the plot thickens !

[philipl]

Well, its there now. I controlled myself because we don't want any trouble for the site.

Robbie Savage had this to say last week:

"Birmingham hold all the cards. I'm their player. Unless Blackburn come in with more money, that's the end of it.

"Equally, everyone has a price and if Blackburn come up with more money, then I suppose I'll be gone."

That is exactly the situation with Ferguson, Rovers and Rangers now.

I cannot access the Times web site but apparently they had a quote from Ferguson today indicating something similar.

[grizfoot]

Just over a week left of the transfer window. I'm still hoping we can keep hold of him. fingers crossed

[Manchester Blue]

I cannot access the Times web site but apparently they had a quote from Ferguson today indicating something similar.

Didn't see anything when I read it. There is an interview tomorrow with Andy Cole which should make interesting reading. On Souness he says 'He tried to dominate me, and I can't be dominated by someone I don't like'.

[Drakefyre]

By offering the 2.1 million owed, do you mean canceling the debt or Rangers paying it to us instead?

It seems to make the most sense for Rangers to cancel the payment and just give us 4.5 million. I think that would be acceptable. Then we'd make £100k on the transfer, not taking wages into account.

[1864roverite]

he is in the squad for Mondays match.

[BRFC4EVA]

And as for the "lack of ambition" Ferguson is showing, this may be true. But while Rangers play in a league of lesser quality, the size of the club cannot be disputed. The fact he comes from a Rangers family and is a die hard supporter himself, is the biggest reason for coming home. And any true fan of their club cannot deny that leading them to glory, be it Rangers or Blackburn Rovers, would be the pinnacle of their particular career ... especially if the dizzy heights of gracing the Bernabeu or San Siro are out of reach.

The thing which i can't understand is, you say that winning stuff with the club you love is the pinnacle of someone like bazza's career, but its not like he aint won jack with rangers or something and want to return home to get his first trophy. Im mean he has countless winner medals from scots league, cup and league cup so why go back and win yet more, thats the bit i cant get. He has done everything he can in the scot game, even a treble so surely if you have made the initial decision to move on the why go back to beating motherwell 4-0 at home everyweek?

[Dado_Prso_9]

And as for the "lack of ambition" Ferguson is showing, this may be true. But while Rangers play in a league of lesser quality, the size of the club cannot be disputed. The fact he comes from a Rangers family and is a die hard supporter himself, is the biggest reason for coming home. And any true fan of their club cannot deny that leading them to glory, be it Rangers or Blackburn Rovers, would be the pinnacle of their particular career ... especially if the dizzy heights of gracing the Bernabeu or San Siro are out of reach.

The thing which i can't understand is, you say that winning stuff with the club you love is the pinnacle of someone like bazza's career, but its not like he aint won jack with rangers or something and want to return home to get his first trophy. Im mean he has countless winner medals from scots league, cup and league cup so why go back and win yet more, thats the bit i cant get. He has done everything he can in the scot game, even a treble so surely if you have made the initial decision to move on the why go back to beating motherwell 4-0 at home everyweek?

All fair points, but the comparisons between English and Scottish football isn't the issue here.

Look at it this way. You say why go back to beating Motherwell 4-0 every week? Ok, fair point. However, let's take a look at the Premiership for a second. Chelsea at the top, having only lost ONE game all season. Arsenal last season, the "Invincible" team ... one we'll likely never see again for a good few years, if we're lucky.

The point I am trying to make is that the top teams in EVERY league in the World, win 99% of their games. The following is all hypothetical: Manchester United could beat Norwich 4-0 every week. Arsenal could beat Portsmouth 3-1 every week. And Chelsea could beat West Bromich Albion 4-0 every week. The point is that the top sides in every league, will win most of their games. The simple fact is they are a class above the rest, and Rangers are no different in the SPL.

You could say "ah, but in the Premiership, everyone has the chance to beat everyone else", which sorry I don't agree with. Again, not meaning to sound disrespectful to Rovers, but Chelsea winning 4-0 against you earlier this season at The Bridge was not exactly a shock was it? Exactly the same as Motherwell losing 4-1 to Rangers three weeks ago wasn't a shock ... although at 2-0, Motherwell pulled one back with a screamer and made us work for the 4-1 scoreline.

I get the feeling, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that the view down south is that Rangers and Celtic can put out any team from their squad and walk an SPL game. Correct? Sadly, this is not the case. After clawing back a 7 point gap on Celtic to go 1 point clear at the top, we travelled to Pittordrie to play Inverness, a team who shouldn't even be in the SPL in fairness, but credit to them ... West Brom are hardly Premiership class either!

Anyway, within 5 minutes we're 1-0 down. Thankfully, Dado Prso equalises for us, but Inverness were unlucky not to beat us. Who'd have thought Inverness would hold Rangers to a 1-1 draw? You could say, "but Rangers had an off day". But then again, I'm sure Jose Mourinho looks on Chelsea drawing 2-2 with Bolton after being 2-0 up, as an "off day". Trust me when I say, the SPL is an inferior league to the Premiership in terms of the quality of player playing in it ... but please, don't think the SPL is like PlayStation game on the easiest setting, where Rangers and Celtic walk through opposition defences like they're not there. The SPL is a very hard league, in terms of how it's played. It's the same as the Premiership with respect to that it's fast, frantic, and can be entertaining. The view down south is that it's a "Mickey Mouse" league, but this comes from people who form their opinions, sadly, on the strength of their own league and the fact we're in Scotland!

My final point with regard to this, is that Celtic lost a 7 point lead to allow us back to the top of the SPL. 3 of those points came from us beating them 2-0 at Ibrox in Novemeber. If the SPL was a canter for both the Old Firm clubs, then surely a club like Celtic would not have thrown away four additional points before allowing Rangers to use their home advantage in an Old Firm tie to change the SPL leadership? Trust me, it's not a canter.

You say that you "don't get" why Ferguson would want to go back to Rangers. For a fellow Bluenose, that answer is simple mate. Unless you've been in Glasgow for a sustained period of time, you won't realise the passion for Rangers. I appreciate fully, that ALL supporters of ALL teams will love their team with a passion, but in Glasgow, football is life. Sad as it may seem, you need to experience it for yourself first hand to understand just HOW mad this city is. Ferguson was brought up in a Rangers family. He used to watch from the stands as his brother Derek played for Rangers, and he dreamt of one day emulating and indeed surpassing him ... which he did. For a TRUE dyed-in-the-wool Bluenose, lifting the SPL title would be on a par with the UEFA Cup, etc. Riddicule me if you will, but it's the truth. It doesn't matter how many times you lift it, Richard Gough lifted it 9 times in a row, as did McCoist, Durrant, and many other Rangers greats, all of whom were dyed-in-the-wool Rangers supporters.

I can't put it any differently, it's difficult to understand. Quite frankly, after the health of yourself and your family, Rangers are priority. They're the last thing you think of at night, and they're the first thing you think of when you wake up. Glasgow Rangers are like one massive family, and even if the body leaves Ibrox, the heart stays. Sure, Ferguson could sweat it out in the middle of the English Premiership with Blackburn, trying to push them into a top 6 spot, but he'd always be glancing up the road to see how Rangers are doing in the Group Stages of the Champions League or UEFA Cup, wondering how he could have helped us. However, what if after those two seasons, at the age of 29, a move to another English club further up the table, doesn't bid for him. He's pushing on 30 and again, with no disrespect, he'd regret NOT coming back to Ibrox, because the chance of European Football had deserted him. The chance to regularly lift trophies had deserted him. And the chance to play for the only fans who can support him "properly" had deserted him. You have to look at from Barry's point of view ... the love for Rangers Football Club, in a fan, is comparable to that of loved one. And that is no joke.

That's the best I can put it, and even that I feel doesn't do the job.

After a painful three years of debt management and selling of our best players, we're finally ready to rebuild a squad fit enough to wear that jersey and walk onto that field. I'd love to see Barry back, but sadly I can't see it happening.

Cheers.

[Gav]

You make some good points but I think in this matter its clear that Ferguson and his family just cannot settle in the north west of England and want to move back to Glasgow, simple as that.

I'm sure Barry himself will admit that he's not exactly set the premiership alight and with his injury to boot I feel he owes Blackburn Rovers some loyalty and hopefully he'll stay until the summer.

If Rangers are indeed serious about signing him in this transfer window they need to pay the going rate and not try to pinch him on the cheap. The powers that be will not allow him to go for peanuts so either put up or shut up Mr Murray and that is the bottom line.

[Dado_Prso_9]

You make some good points but I think in this matter its clear that Ferguson and his family just cannot settle in the north west of England and want to move back to Glasgow, simple as that.

I'm sure Barry himself will admit that he's not exactly set the premiership alight and with his injury to boot I feel he owes Blackburn Rovers some loyalty and hopefully he'll stay until the summer.

If Rangers are indeed serious about signing him in this transfer window they need to pay the going rate and not try to pinch him on the cheap. The powers that be will not allow him to go for peanuts so either put up or shut up Mr Murray and that is the bottom line.

Exactly.

Put up, or shut up.

And trust me mate, it's not only Rovers fans who are thinking and saying those exact words. We're not a support to be messed with, and there are a lot of fans who will talk with their feet ... and walk. Murray has to realise this, I know people personally who will give their seats up at the end of the season should this deal not materalise through Murray's inability to pay the going rate.

Personally, I'm angry that this whole Ferguson thing has taken the attention off our big signing in the window, Feyenoord's Belgian International, Thomas Buffel. 36 goals from midfield in two seasons with Feyenoord and a regular in recent Belgian international matches ... he looks a cracking player. However, he's barely had a mention in light of this speculation, and I can't help but wonder if Thomas is a little annoyed at his "low key" arrival in Scotland.

[BRFC4EVA]

And as for the "lack of ambition" Ferguson is showing, this may be true. But while Rangers play in a league of lesser quality, the size of the club cannot be disputed. The fact he comes from a Rangers family and is a die hard supporter himself, is the biggest reason for coming home. And any true fan of their club cannot deny that leading them to glory, be it Rangers or Blackburn Rovers, would be the pinnacle of their particular career ... especially if the dizzy heights of gracing the Bernabeu or San Siro are out of reach.

The thing which i can't understand is, you say that winning stuff with the club you love is the pinnacle of someone like bazza's career, but its not like he aint won jack with rangers or something and want to return home to get his first trophy. Im mean he has countless winner medals from scots league, cup and league cup so why go back and win yet more, thats the bit i cant get. He has done everything he can in the scot game, even a treble so surely if you have made the initial decision to move on the why go back to beating motherwell 4-0 at home everyweek?

All fair points, but the comparisons between English and Scottish football isn't the issue here.

Look at it this way. You say why go back to beating Motherwell 4-0 every week? Ok, fair point. However, let's take a look at the Premiership for a second. Chelsea at the top, having only lost ONE game all season. Arsenal last season, the "Invincible" team ... one we'll likely never see again for a good few years, if we're lucky.

The point I am trying to make is that the top teams in EVERY league in the World, win 99% of their games. The following is all hypothetical: Manchester United could beat Norwich 4-0 every week. Arsenal could beat Portsmouth 3-1 every week. And Chelsea could beat West Bromich Albion 4-0 every week. The point is that the top sides in every league, will win most of their games. The simple fact is they are a class above the rest, and Rangers are no different in the SPL.

You could say "ah, but in the Premiership, everyone has the chance to beat everyone else", which sorry I don't agree with. Again, not meaning to sound disrespectful to Rovers, but Chelsea winning 4-0 against you earlier this season at The Bridge was not exactly a shock was it? Exactly the same as Motherwell losing 4-1 to Rangers three weeks ago wasn't a shock ... although at 2-0, Motherwell pulled one back with a screamer and made us work for the 4-1 scoreline.

I get the feeling, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that the view down south is that Rangers and Celtic can put out any team from their squad and walk an SPL game. Correct? Sadly, this is not the case. After clawing back a 7 point gap on Celtic to go 1 point clear at the top, we travelled to Pittordrie to play Inverness, a team who shouldn't even be in the SPL in fairness, but credit to them ... West Brom are hardly Premiership class either!

Anyway, within 5 minutes we're 1-0 down. Thankfully, Dado Prso equalises for us, but Inverness were unlucky not to beat us. Who'd have thought Inverness would hold Rangers to a 1-1 draw? You could say, "but Rangers had an off day". But then again, I'm sure Jose Mourinho looks on Chelsea drawing 2-2 with Bolton after being 2-0 up, as an "off day". Trust me when I say, the SPL is an inferior league to the Premiership in terms of the quality of player playing in it ... but please, don't think the SPL is like PlayStation game on the easiest setting, where Rangers and Celtic walk through opposition defences like they're not there. The SPL is a very hard league, in terms of how it's played. It's the same as the Premiership with respect to that it's fast, frantic, and can be entertaining. The view down south is that it's a "Mickey Mouse" league, but this comes from people who form their opinions, sadly, on the strength of their own league and the fact we're in Scotland!

My final point with regard to this, is that Celtic lost a 7 point lead to allow us back to the top of the SPL. 3 of those points came from us beating them 2-0 at Ibrox in Novemeber. If the SPL was a canter for both the Old Firm clubs, then surely a club like Celtic would not have thrown away four additional points before allowing Rangers to use their home advantage in an Old Firm tie to change the SPL leadership? Trust me, it's not a canter.

You say that you "don't get" why Ferguson would want to go back to Rangers. For a fellow Bluenose, that answer is simple mate. Unless you've been in Glasgow for a sustained period of time, you won't realise the passion for Rangers. I appreciate fully, that ALL supporters of ALL teams will love their team with a passion, but in Glasgow, football is life. Sad as it may seem, you need to experience it for yourself first hand to understand just HOW mad this city is. Ferguson was brought up in a Rangers family. He used to watch from the stands as his brother Derek played for Rangers, and he dreamt of one day emulating and indeed surpassing him ... which he did. For a TRUE dyed-in-the-wool Bluenose, lifting the SPL title would be on a par with the UEFA Cup, etc. Riddicule me if you will, but it's the truth. It doesn't matter how many times you lift it, Richard Gough lifted it 9 times in a row, as did McCoist, Durrant, and many other Rangers greats, all of whom were dyed-in-the-wool Rangers supporters.

I can't put it any differently, it's difficult to understand. Quite frankly, after the health of yourself and your family, Rangers are priority. They're the last thing you think of at night, and they're the first thing you think of when you wake up. Glasgow Rangers are like one massive family, and even if the body leaves Ibrox, the heart stays. Sure, Ferguson could sweat it out in the middle of the English Premiership with Blackburn, trying to push them into a top 6 spot, but he'd always be glancing up the road to see how Rangers are doing in the Group Stages of the Champions League or UEFA Cup, wondering how he could have helped us. However, what if after those two seasons, at the age of 29, a move to another English club further up the table, doesn't bid for him. He's pushing on 30 and again, with no disrespect, he'd regret NOT coming back to Ibrox, because the chance of European Football had deserted him. The chance to regularly lift trophies had deserted him. And the chance to play for the only fans who can support him "properly" had deserted him. You have to look at from Barry's point of view ... the love for Rangers Football Club, in a fan, is comparable to that of loved one. And that is no joke.

That's the best I can put it, and even that I feel doesn't do the job.

After a painful three years of debt management and selling of our best players, we're finally ready to rebuild a squad fit enough to wear that jersey and walk onto that field. I'd love to see Barry back, but sadly I can't see it happening.

Cheers.

Very interesting points made, and made well too. This perhaps gives us more of an understanding of what the clubs means to hardcore blues fans though i think the bazza issue has more than just love of club, for want of a return. From reading your posts, you seem a very knowledgeable and sectarian free Rangers fan. I presume therefore you dont post on a footymad sire called follow follow, which seems to cater to more extreme rangers fans . If you do that is, what do you make of the site.

[Dado_Prso_9]

BRFC4EVA

Firstly, I apologise for putting your username in bold to gain your attention. However, had I used the Quote system, you'd have had to do some amount of scrolling for the actual post mate!

"From reading your posts, you seem a very knowledgeable and sectarian free Rangers fan. I presume therefore you dont post on a footymad sire called follow follow, which seems to cater to more extreme rangers fans"

I'd like to first thank you for the kind words. I follow football in general as well as follow Rangers. If football is on TV, I'll watch it. If I get the chance to go to a game, I'll take it ... it's that simple.

I'd like to take up, briefly, the topic of Sectarianism. This, I feel, is another thing which seems to be reported in an over-reacted manner, especially to our friends in England. It seems that the portrayal is that the Protestants of Glasgow constantly fight with the Catholics of Glasgow. I'd like to go on record as saying that this is nonsense, and is not how things work up in Glasgow. My step-father is Celtic supporter and my best mate at work is a Celtic supporter. I run a 5 a side team, and three of my mates in the team are Celtic supporters. The banter is excellent and there's no animosity between us, even on the "dreaded" Old Firm games! Granted, I've been on the receiving end of some brutal stick in recent years, but it's a laugh ... why fight over football? Sadly, like every club, there are a minority who support Clubs and believe it's their "duty" to act in a more extreme manner, latching on to the said Clubs' past history. In all my years of following Rangers both at home and abroad, I have NEVER been involved, nor any of the fans in my company, in any trouble or fights with local authorities or rival fans. I have never seen trouble after Old Firm games, and again, the minority are the problem, not the majority. You'll also find that the people who cause trouble do not even go to the games, do not have a season ticket, and probably have not set foot in Ibrox or Celtic Park in years, if at all.

99% of Rangers and Celtic fans are decent, ordinary people. The sectarian issue is a dying one which is being replaced by something more realistic and acceptable ... a pressure to succeed.

The Old Firm game at Ibrox on November 20th, where Rangers triumphed 2-0, was marred by the poor behaviour on the field or Chris Sutton, Henri Camara, Alan Thompson, and our own Nacho Novo. Sutton and Thompson were both sent off after Rangers had gone 2-0 up. This sparked a furious media frenzy into sectarianism. Why? The pressure on the field now, is a pressure to succeed. Losing these games is not an option, just as losing to Arsenal is not an option for Manchester United. It's an intense rivalry, and that more than anything else is what fuels Old Firm encounters. Nothing more.

To answer your question, I've never visited the site Follow Follow that you mention. I mainly keep myself to myself when it comes to forums, but I found this forum through complete chance, when looking for information on Barry and this "transfer". While I cannot comment on Follow Follow, I can comment on this site, and in particular, this forum.

I have to say, that as a fan of the Club which is, at present, the focus of many Rovers fans anger, I'm delighted with the response, conversations, and people I've met thus far. Hope to continue in this vein in future.

Cheers.

Edited January 23, 2005 by Dado_Prso_9

[Radagast]

BRFC4EVA

...

I'd like to first thank you for the kind words.

They weren't so kind a few days ago.

What was it..."at least we don't care if people are Catholic or Prodestant(sic)"?