Home truly IS where the heart is.
After a long oul haul I was back on home turf last night.
I stopped off with BTF in Dublin and had the craic with him. I also consumed a mind altering substance called “sleep”.
It’s good to be home.
It is an atavistic exercise to try and tell someone where you think they should belong just to suit your pre ordered agenda.
You cannot impose a cultural identity any more than you can excise an ethnicity.
This is my island.
That seems to irk some folks.
I rather suggest it is they who have the problem.
When I first landed in Philly the lad standing next to me at the bar in Fadó told me that he had first seen the light of day in Aberdeen.
His dad had worked in the oil industry.
He wore a wrist band in the colours of Colombia.
It is the land of his parents and it is his land too according to him.
I wondered if this lad had been a star footballer and he had decided to play football for Colombia would he have been booed by the Scots. Then I thought that this probably would not happen as that racist delight is reserved for the Irish in the Scotland of many cultures. Of course what happened to McGeady is called “sectarianism. The Irish aspect doesn’t even get mentioned and that’s part of the racism.
Today there is a discussion in the Scottish parliament based around Scottish Irish relations.
The “S” word will be freely mentioned.
Yet “anti-Irish racism” is a term that remains verboten in the Holyrood lexicon.
While I was in the USA it would appear that clutch of clairvoyant literary critics were hard at work stating that they did not like my book on Rangers.
I have been, I my time, a reviews editor of a weekly paper here in Ireland.
Unfortunately I wasn’t equipped with the same special powers that these chaps have.
I had actually to read a book and then form an opinion of its merits as a piece of work.
Of course these book worms don’t need to read “Downfall”. They know that it is by me and it is about the demise of their beloved football club so it has to be bad.
These bibliophiles were further riled to learn that Alex Thomson of Channel 4 News had agreed to write the foreword.
I find it almost sweet that these keyboard hitmen thought that they could dissuade an award winning war correspondent from a course of action that he had freely entered into.
http://blogs.channel4.com/alex-thomsons-view/rangers-confluence-interest/2511
The descent into liquidation may have caught the extended Bear family by surprise, but it came as no shock to me.
Had they been able to read this blog and pretend it was written by someone else then perhaps the warning signs may have been heeded.
With the publication of the book I consider my attempts to educate the Ibrox klan to be over.
I failed.
Now they queue in the rain to fund Sevco.
So be it.
They remain an evidence resistant sub-culture, easy to fool and uncomprehendingly loyal to the nearest available male authority figure in brown brogues.
For those who have a schadenfreude based interest in the further humiliation of the Ibrox klan then the Sevco saga is just starting and it will not disappoint.
When I started writing about the financial problems at Rangers in January 2009 I was disbelieved and derided.
I think I am allowed a small smile.
Now that I am back home there are other projects to focus on.
Having stood at the famine memorial in Philadelphia I am further convinced that the absence of such a commemorative sculpture in Glasgow is no longer defensible.
Although I was an ocean away from my island I was among my own.
I know that there is a warm hearth in Pennsylvania, it isn’t my own fireside, but the Irish welcome is genuine.
People there are encouraged to have pride in their Irish ethnicity.
This would not be the case had they remained a British colony.
I think it had something to do with fiscal policy.
The American colonists decided to Expel British Taxes (EBT).
I am happy to be home,but I think I know where I’ll be next Patrick’s day…
Jay
Great peice Phil as usual! However I must add that in my home country of Canada, which remains a British colony, with the Queen as our head of state, we are more than encouraged to be proud of our Irishness! It has little to do with the ‘Britishness’, but more to do with the country of Scotland itself! The city of Toronto received among the most of the exiled Irish, along with the US cities along the eastern seaboard. We have a beautiful famine memorial on our waterfront called Ireland Park that’s an extremely moving tribute! Let’s hope the Scots can find it within themselves to finally pull out of the dark ages!
September 3, 2012 at 6:31 pm
timabhouy
Hail Hail Roll on the arrival of BDO more nails in the coffin
even though they are deed as a do-do !
August 20, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Pat McBride
You’re something else
August 20, 2012 at 11:02 am
Blogiston
Is your book really called, “Fifty Shades of Green” ?
August 19, 2012 at 2:49 pm
redversbodkin
hi tallbhoy will get back to you later, so rangers / sevco don’t want to play in the s p l me fine,
August 19, 2012 at 12:51 pm
redversbodkin
sorry suits me fine
August 19, 2012 at 8:01 pm
Dal
There’s been some hullabaloo about Sevco’s attendance figures yesterday. Worth pointing out that Celts drew a crowd of 146,000 for a cup game. This record will never be broken. Also a small matter of the Celtic v Leeds European Cup semi final watched by 136,000.
There might have been 49,000 at the dark place on Saturday, but it wasn’t for love of their club, merely hatred of everyone else.
August 19, 2012 at 11:03 am
Jim Wood
Agree mate,
Anyway aren’t they,” Buy one get one free figures,” judging by much reduced season ticket prices. Financially these ticket reductions and the lack of European money are leaving them in a pretty bad state, in my opinion.
Keep at them Phil,
Waiting for the book. Any idea when available?
August 19, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
The book is out first week in September.
August 19, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Ralf
If it were Celtic in the 3rd Division, i would still be going to support the team, and not because of hatred, i would support the team through good times and bad times which is what you do if you’re a loyal supporter of whatever team you go along to see.
August 19, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Antonious F
Phil, sounds like Philly was a worthwhile trip.
Mr Iain ROBBERson, your comments reinforce exactly why you and your club(s) are being shunned by everyone. If i owed money to someone i would not be out buying flashy cars. do you and your peepil have any morality?. Thatcherism at it’s finest.
August 19, 2012 at 1:54 am
David
Hi Phil. As a Scots born US Citizen, I completely get and agree with your point of view. Home is indeed where the heart is. North Carolina is my home and I am an American. On the book – I have pre ordered from Amazon.co.uk – availability on line on IBooks et al?
August 18, 2012 at 11:30 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
Thanks David.
The book will be available on Kindle around two months after the print edition is launched.
August 19, 2012 at 12:11 am
Allan Stewart
Love the blog, but can we give the Scots bashing a bye. Yip, we have our failings just like every other race on the planet, but we’re not all anti Irish racists. Yes we have Mickey mouse parliament full of incompetent clowns who do not understand, or wish to, the problems we have as a society. Yes rangers deserve to be severely punished, as do the Muppets running the new show. We know why they won’t be. I grew up a Catholic Celtic supporter in Ayrshire, not easy during their 9 in a row, so please be careful not to tar us all with the same brush.
August 18, 2012 at 10:00 pm
LogicAl
Phil,
Is there any chance of your forthcoming book being available in E-Form?
I went to pre order on Amazon and it’s not an option.
What news?
August 18, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
The book will available on Kindle a couple of months after the print edition.
August 18, 2012 at 10:25 pm
Mouldy67
OSCAR KNOX APPEAL
Hello , just to let you know that I am planning to take part in a 50 mile cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh, 09/09/2012
During the next 21 days I plan to train very hard in order to be able to take part in this cycle where I would hope to be able raise some funds for “Wee Oscar Knox” who is 3 year old kid and is not keeping very well just now.
You can read Oscar’s story on web link below
http://www.justgiving.com/Team-Oscar-Knox-Appeal-Cycle-09092012-Paul-Muldoon
August 18, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Joseph
Looking forward to the book Phil. All your hard work has been worth it. And I’ll tell you one thing – your kids and their kids and their kids will speak about you as a truly great journalist. I have been one for over 40 years so I know what I’m talking about. I wish I had had you on my staff!
August 18, 2012 at 10:20 am
Teddy67
I grew up in South Lanarkshire and was a regular church goer in my youth. I remember my favourite priest Alex Devany in St Mary’s giving a sermon on bigotry in Scotland. His conclusion was that we Irish had a relatively easy time settling in Scotland considering the scale of the emigration. I try to remember his words when the hoard’s behaviour starts to get me down. I would add that in my experience it is a west coast issue and strongly linked to the unionist connection to Ulster. The reaction off other Scottish club’s supporters to the demise of Rangers illustrates that it’s not just the Celtic minded that they alienate with their “permanent embarrassment and occasional disgrace”.
Ted
August 18, 2012 at 10:15 am
seanybhoy
Welcome home Phil hope you enjoyed you trip and hope you’ll be suitably refreshed for your wee trip to the Harp club in Dumbarton,looking forward to it.
August 18, 2012 at 10:03 am
rob
Does NYC have a memorial to An Gorta Mor? I left years ago as a young man and never knew of one. I would think the diaspora had a bigger presence there then Philly. Notre Dame play Navy in Dublin this fall. Not exactly the football you grew up with but you might enjoy it Phil.
August 18, 2012 at 3:38 am
Ipswich Bhoy
Rob NYC has several famine memorials, the largest in Battery Park. Do a quick google images on ‘New York Irish Famine Memorial’ and you should find them
August 18, 2012 at 10:53 am
beeegajay
It was Friday evening and I was dropping a colleague off for the Luas (tram) so he could head for Heuston Station and on for Cork.”Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin – There’s no fire like your own fire”… He said as he jumped out and he smiled the smile of a man who’s irritating stomach cramps were about to be diagnosed as pancreatic cancer.
Between this post on Friday and your Twitter feeds of the trip & journey home it has been a joy and nostalgic journey of my own to follow your thoughts. For myself when I met an Irish girl and fell helplessly in love the question of raising a family in the West of Scotland or Eire was a no brainer. Even with a Scottish surname and a complex mix of Irish, Scots with a hint of Norwegian I stood out as an obvious ‘P*pe’ in the eyes of the peepil. My mother was sent to elocution lessons less she bore the stigma of an accent from Co Antrim – cue being marked as a p*pe who talked snobby. Lovely. Best little bigoted country in the world Ma!
Ireland is a quare place at times, but you know when you feel at home amongst your own.
Really looking forward to the book. Also really looking forward to BDO getting in and getting their hands dirty.
Must off and listen to ‘Grace’ once more before bed and dream of late nights in village pubs and friends long lost…
August 18, 2012 at 3:08 am
Brian Ó Dubhthaigh
Welcome home – even though I’m over here and your over there but you get the idea !!
Interesting to see Sally 5 Bellies at the iBrokes [(C) Apple Corp (LOL)] press conference today with the Oldco Rangers badge “proudly” displayed on the background board. Oldco when it suits, Newco when it suits……
August 17, 2012 at 10:36 pm
gazthechef
In the words of the late great bruce lee;”it is the art of fighting without fighting”,or “the pen is mightier than the sword”. The book will soon be out, and the tale will soon be told.it may take a year for the MSM to acknowledge it, but everyone concerned will soon know the truth.everything else is immaterial.bdo,sfa,sevco,ebt KFC!the reality is that downfall will rock scotland to the core, in terms of football, politics and culture.it is only the start.Phil is the first journalist to keep harping on about the endemic racism that pervades and destroys scottish society, and i pray that his book will inspire others to further expose it.then after much soul searching and deliberation, and after we admit that we actually have a race problem,may we try to confront it.anyway, good to have you back.sure your mad for a good cup of tea, some Dohertys mince n tatties,watching Tonight with Vincent Brown, listening to the sean dokurty show etc.keep er lit, Donegal for Sam.might see you at Croker next week??
August 17, 2012 at 9:33 pm
Finnharp30
Phil, I am certainly glad you enjoyed your trip to the US and your point on the famine statue is truely shooking its not even considered in Glasgow, ah maybe some day.
Quote of the day:
We tolerate the speech we hate, for someday our speach may be hated.
Finnharp
August 17, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Brenda
Iain Robertson ……. You’re family must be so proud of you……..NOT!!
August 17, 2012 at 4:24 pm
nessiewatcher
Credit where credit’s due. Any man who can shift 30,000 tickets for a ‘Rangers Tribute Act’ must know his audience
August 17, 2012 at 4:19 pm
jakeyrollin
Green will be selling towels this time next year with the Cheeky Chappie at his side.
August 17, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Liquidator67
Good one Phil.
How can we be sure the Sevco saga will not disappoint? Green to go walkies after a share issue and BDO to call back the asset transfer?!
Hail Hail
August 17, 2012 at 4:10 pm
greenallover
I think we all know this story will run for a while yet Phil.The level of denial and spin reminds me of the “succulent lamb” days,only worse as The rangers seem to have STV in their pockets now.Not one awkward question as been asked of Green,but mention “timmy” and the peepil roll up to part with their hard earned,with most still not realising they are running up a large tab that will need paying back.The latest laughable positive spin is hilarious,a world record crowd for a fourth tier fixture! Priceless.I was also pleased to see you getting up the nose of the most rabid,anti Irish ex reporter ever,leggat. Good work,well done.
August 17, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Andybhoy
If you asked THEM what they think of you now,and what they thought about the truth you told THEM over TWO YEARS,,they would say,,fenian bass. THEY WILL NEVER NEVER NEVER CHANGE.
BORN TO HATE.
Charles GREEN,,the guy you would see at the fairground,,roll up roll up,,,get your tickets here,,well done son,,,choose a prize,,,on the bottom row,,good choice,,,a season ticket. Hahahahahaha.
August 17, 2012 at 3:42 pm
redversbodkin
Hi Phil there is as you “PROBABLY KNOW” a wise EASTERN PROVERB ENTITLED, W8 4 IT..YES IT’S “HE WHO KNOWS” if you have not read it, or heard of it, i suggest that you google it & enjoy, I learned the proverb when i ATTENDED ST LAWRENCES R.C. primary school,in Greenock Scotland in the late 1950s, it never left me, HONESTLY ! & it never will, MAYBE THE RANGERS OR SEVCO FANS MIGHT ENJOY IT AS WELL HAIL HAIL GLAD YOU ENJOYED YOUR TRIP TO PHILLY NICE TOWN
August 17, 2012 at 3:41 pm
tallybhoy
It is indeed a small world! I also attended that school 1959-62!
HH!!
August 17, 2012 at 6:58 pm
redversbodkin
Hi Tallbhoy , a few names 4 U 2 remember OR JOG your memory, Jimmy Mclaughlin ( EX BRITISH ARMY OFFICER ) my teacher in 1962 B4 the explosion that took the life of my pal Charlie Donnachie,PADDY MCLEAN, PETER WELSH, JOHN DORNAN, FRANCIS DONNELLY, maybe they’ll ring a bell,anyway good to hear from you take care & c’mon the hoops. P.S. HAIL HAIL & GOD BLESS NEIL LENNON the only decent manager in scottish football, can’t w8 2 C Serbia play porridge united in the world cup qualifiers
August 20, 2012 at 2:50 pm
iain robertson
why cant the celtic minded people wait for the bdo people to rake over the rangers oldco ashes ….regardless of what they find the club will be liquidated all assetes have transferred to newco in one form or another at the discretion of the court appointed administrators ..therfore newco the rangers will legally take their place amongst scotlands football fraternity with a fresh outlook on life and will almost certainly be debt free .it would seem that charles green and co do indeed know what they are doing ..poor deluded celtic fans need to grow up and deal with issues which concern their own club …we will soon be the rangers a newco playing 3rd division football sevco will be no more .and as i suspect 99% of people will still refer to the club as rangers ..much to the annoyance of the celtic faithfull…hail hail ..more like haha..100 million of debt dropped like a stone and a measly 4 years without euro money ..big deal .let rangers flourish my man its all good .
August 17, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
“100 million of debt dropped like a stone and a measly 4 years without euro money ..big deal .let rangers flourish…”
Could you look an ambulance driver in the eye and say that?
The UK armed forces that the Ibrox klan seem to think are their own died in two wars during the EBT decade for want of adequate equipment.
Help for heroes?
Oh dear…
August 17, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Robertg
Sadly mate, there is a term called I believe Gratuitous Alienation that is used in relation to assetes (sic) being transferred out of an ailing enterprise at below their value to a phoenix organisation, and it may be that Hector’s men from BDO decide that Sevco has been the benficiary of that.
Your attitude – presumably intentionally mimicing the esteemed leaders from Govan – is the reason why the busted flush that was Rangers (and will presumably be called Rangers going forward) ended up in Div 3.
I suspect that there are many more consequences yet to come to pass. Note the coice of word. that’s before anyone has really got to punishment.
Enjoy your weekend with the other 40,000.
August 17, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Hurricane67
Mr Robertson, ma old granny died 45 years ago! she will always be ma granny! ma auntie Molly moved into ma Granny,s house, but that didnae make her ma Granny! Ma grannys Dead! Your old Rangers team are also Dead (god rest the both of them) Like you with your team ma Granny will always be ma Granny! So I Know what you mean!
August 17, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Pensionerbhoy
In the utmost depths of my old heart I have wanted to grow weary of the Rangers/Sevco/The Rangers et al issues and to rest my tired mind on the pillow of Celtic Football Club playing games for the next 9 months or so like it used to be – well not quite maybe. Then, continuously, I read shameful comments like this portraying all the cold hearted and cynical unconcern for the devastating consequences of the immoral behaviour of Rangers directors, officials and staff over many years. It would appear that those associated at every level with Rangers past and present can find nothing in their hearts to replace the insulting and unacceptable attitudes and behaviour that has dogged their history. I am sure I am not alone in recognising that the need for justice to be served is urgently required if others are to move on. But justice and mercy, if it be sought, require truth, humility and sorrow and unfortunately these virtues are rare, if not non-existent, among those involved with any kind of Rangers. Till that happens, and at my age I fear holding my breath is not an option, my thoughts must continue to be exhausted by the
turmoil.
Welcome home, Phil. Hope you at least can rest your weary head after your hectic, though obviously exhilarating, U.S. experiences.
H H
August 18, 2012 at 1:00 am
Robert Quinn
Welcome home Phil.
Keep up the good work mate.
As Kevin says;Bring on the BDO.
Happy days.
August 17, 2012 at 3:24 pm
redversbodkin
WELL SAID PHIL, and WELL SAID, as for the “go ho ho ho van gang” so mote it be ,so mote it be
August 17, 2012 at 3:15 pm
droid
Mac Giolla Bhain Abu!!!!
August 17, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Kevin Gallagher
Roll on the arrival of BDO. Interesting times ahead.
August 17, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Dal
Mason Walker
What is most disturbing about ‘dark Ibrox’ is not the embezzlement or deceit. It’s the narrow mindedness of your following. Void of imagination, passion, genuine glamour…you name it. People who make nazi salutes and chant bigot anthems unrelentingly, aint part of civilisation. Disliked in Scotland, England, Europe etc.
We pity you. Catch a grip of yourself.
August 20, 2012 at 8:56 pm