Some final thoughts ahead of the Rangers AGM

Lord Carson, 17 August 1913.

It's the start of a process because for the first time several Rangers fans' groups are organized on a large enough scale to make a difference and operating to agendas which can make a difference to how the club runs.

As widely predicted, Alex McLeish has been handed a new contract on the eve of the AGM but that should not detract from the underlying problems facing the club. Frankly, we will never know how good a manager Alex McLeish has the potential to be until we sort out the club's debt, until then he will continue to fight with one hand tied his back. This summer he was able to sign six players five of whom were over 30 years of age and the majority are on very short-term contracts. It's no way to build a dynasty.

It's vital that fans keep a sense of perspective and concentrate on the big issues - that's not to say we should ignore issues like the shameful harassment of the Blue Order or the farce of 'Ticket Tuesday' - but those incidents are merely the symptoms of a deeper-rooted malaise.

RIGGING THE AGENDA
A sad aspect of the AGM is that the Board have ruled out three motions proposed by the Rangers Supporters Trust on a technicality.

The Trust requested and were sent a copy of the club's Articles of Association by the Club Secretary. Taking these as a guide the motions were sent in with more than the required three weeks notice only for them to be rejected on the grounds that the club had decided to supercede their own Articles and use the six weeks notice period stipulated in the Companies Act.

However, the club itself only gave out three weeks notice of the AGM so if you aren't a member of the club Board or possessed of psychic powers you'll never be able to put a motion up!

Those motions you wont see on the agenda at the Rangers AGM are as follows:


-  Rangers Football Club should arrange to have elected supporter representation on its Board.

- Rangers Football Club should always retain ultimate ownership of Ibrox Stadium.

- Rangers Football Club should seek a full plc listing as a means of raising additional capital and increasing share ownership by its supporters.

However, such administrative hocus-pocus does not stop shareholding fans asking the same questions from the floor. Set your watches and count the questions - at all previous AGMs the Question & Answer session normally lasts an hour and a half and forty questions are normally asked. There is no reason why it should be any different tomorrow.

People will ask their own questions about all areas of the club's operations, particularly the team on the pitch. However, several questions should be raised about the appearance, or non-appearance of David Murray.

Considering that he is no longer on the board it might be asked why he still appears to involve himself in executive actions - the club's own website and newspaper has detailed his leading role in the sale of Barry Ferguson; the signing of Emerson; and his 'shaking hands with Alex McLeish on a new contract' last week.

As David Murray continues to control the operations of the club - either in an executive role or by having (since the resignation of Ian Skelly) every member of the board an employee of the Murray Group - why is he not on the board or at the AGM to answer in person for his custodianship of the club?

So, if you get the chance to speak tomorrow follow a few simple pieces of advice.

Don't be abusive. We're all Bluenoses and you can get what you want by winning the argument rather than browbeating people.

Don't supply the answer to your own question.

Don't tell the audience your life story.

Don't interrupt the replies even if you disagree with them - that just makes you look slightly mad.

Don't shout out if you don't have the microphone - no matter how valid your point is you just look mad.

If they give you an answer you don't like you don't have to agree to disagree - just say thanks for that answer but I'm sure when you reflect upon the issue you'll change the policy.

A Q&A session is like a boxing match - you are unlikely to knock them out or leave them speechless with your wit and wisdom - you just need to land more telling punches than they do. Don't labour your points, make them and move on - the audience will decide who has won the argument.

Good luck!

GRANDMASTER SUCK