I am always interested to receive news about a new book.
Firstly, I know what it means to get a title out there as I’m currently working on book number six.
Consequently, anyone who thinks it is easy to be an author almost certainly hasn’t tried it.
However, I was especially intrigued to learn that Birlinn will publish Craig Whyte’s autobiography next year.
I think it is rather sweet that it will hit the bookshelves on February 14th 2020.
Not only is that the special date for those how are in love, but it was the day back in 2012 when Rangers were placed in Administration.
Mr Whyte first appeared on the scene in late 2010 as the putative saviour of cash strapped Rangers.
The Ibrox club had been effectively run by the bank since the start of 2009.
You may recall that when he first appeared on the radar an award-winning chap breathlessly told Planet Fitba that Mr Whyte’s wealth was off it.
Sadly, like many of his dignified exclusives, it was regurgitated PR pish.
In 2011 the credulous Ibrox klanbase rejoiced at this “news”.
This young chap, in particular, peace be upon him, got rather excited about it all.
Unsurprisingly, Mr Whyte was greeted on Edmiston Drive like Scipio returning in triumph from the Second Punic War.
However, my reporting on Mr Whyte painted a very different narrative to that being spewed out by the sports desks.
Dear reader, his site is fully searchable by date, year and keyword.
I am happy to let my reporting stand the test of time.
I’m interested to see if Mr Whyte re-visits the conversations that he had with his PR folk in the summer of 2011.
That is because I understand that your humble correspondent was discussed a bit of an unrelenting, unrepentant problem.
Of course, the gorilla in the room for the entirety of Mr Whyte’s tenure at Ibrox was the contingent liability from HRMC resulting in the Discounted Options Scheme and the use of Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs).
The former would become known as the “Wee tax Case” and the latter, of course, as the “Big Tax Case”.
Both of these issues were forensically examined on the RTC Blog, which was deservedly awarded the Orwell Prize for journalism.
My own meagre contribution was as a named member of the NUJ reporting the facts and pointing out the overabundance of succulence in the Glasgow media.
It is worth recalling that the journalist who were across this story were all outsiders in various ways.
Alex Thomson of Channel 4 News merits a worthy mention.
Here he is in 2013 and he doesn’t miss the stenography corps or their PR gaffers.
Now, this front page in the Herald could have been the teachable moment for the sports desks in Glasgow.
The mainstream media in Scotland had been actively looking the other way as storm clouds gathered over Ibrox.
Yet, when they were presented with the cadaver of a football club instead of acknowledging their failure as journalists they bought into a football lie worthy of North Korea.
Instead, they quickly discovered terms like “Holding Company Vehicle” and my particular favourite “Engine Room Subsidiary”.
Since Charles of Normandy set up Sevco Scotland Limited from the body parts of Rangers the Fitba Fourth Estate have bought into an Orwellian lie that Rangers FC (1872) survived the insolvency event in 2012.
Consequently, this week the Stenography Corps are in “Old Firm” overdrive about the League Cup Final next week between the holders and the current operator of the Ibrox franchise.
It is a self-serving lie that would not be out of place in 1984.
I don’t mind plugging Mr Whyte’s book as he did so much to make Downfall a best seller.
For the avoidance of doubt, I’ve already pre-ordered my copy…
Discover more from Phil Mac Giolla Bháin
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Don’t want to spoil the ending for you but they died
I have just received a reply from Birlinn Publishers re my request that they amend their website entry about what they describes as the ‘demotion’ of Rangers. This is what they replied.
‘Many thanks for your email. I will draw this to the attention of our Sports Editor on Wednesday (when he is next in) and ask for any necessary changes to be made. It is very good of you to draw this to our attention at this point.’
Just like the American cop show “Columbo”, we all know who died, but just like the show, I’m sure that we all want to know what led to the victim’s death, as well as who played their part in it. Now, we all know how rangers died, and who the killers were – I guess this book will be like the confessions of one of the killers, with his own take on the events. That’s what will make this an interesting read….,
Ya bastart!!! Well, there’s nae point in me buying noo you’ve spoiled the ending!!!
The synopsis mentions demotion – which we all know is not true – so I immediately begin to wonder how much more fo the book is simply not true. A shame really.
Here was me wondering what to get my wife for Valentine’s Day. Thanks once again Phil, keep up the good work.
DEMOTION…??? deluded people that will buy it…
I hope Waterstones have the foresight to fill the sandbags and build the barricades because Billy might be a tad upset come February next year. HH
A couple of gun turrets wouldn’t go amiss, either!
Sevco was not demoted to the third division !!!
Just called Debs, in Editorial at Birlinn, highlighting the factual inaccuracy in their “about the book” above. Making her aware that there was never a demotion to the 3rd division, I introduced her to “The Continuation Myth” and let her know that this was covered in at least one court case, so a fact no less. The Editor of the book wasn’t in today but I left my email address for future corespondence.
Never mind all that Zombie malarkey, Phil, the real question is: how come George Orwell’s got only half a ‘flavour-savour’ in that pic? 😁
You could have the publishers for plagiarism, they used “downfall” to describe the demise of rangers football club 1872-2012 may they never rest in peace,
May they rot in hell for all eternity for there cheating! Oh aye…….and all who sailed in and with them.
I can’t wait to taste that particular piece of succulent lamb, hold the mint sauce though.
Maybe you could write to the publishers making it clear they were NOT demoted to the third division but in fact wormed their way in thanks to a compliant GFA ( Glasgow Football Association. )
How very apt that the publisher of this book is called BIRLINN. There will be quite a few people of a blue/orange persuasion that will be BIRLIN’ with apoplectic rage at this tome!
Surely, though, the title should be INTO THE SNAKE PIT, since Ibrox is nothing more than a nest of vipers?
I recommend that fans email Birlinn and point out, as I have already done, that the mendacious statement on their website, about Rangers being demoted, will stop them from buying the book. Given that Rangers/ Sevco fans will not buy the book and give money to Craig Whyte, if enough non-Rangers fans do let them know that this statement has to be corrected to ensure a sale then they should change it or risk harming healthy sales.