Tyre-kicking tycoon Dave King gave a typically underwhelming performance to an invited audience at a media conference this morning.
Using the facilities of the PR company recently formed by Charles Green’s former blogger James Traynor, Mr King gave away little detail in how he intends winning an EGM or solving the problems that have driven Sevco into the arms of Mike Ashley.
Paying off the current loans and running a business almost wholly dependent on match attendances, with most commercial revenue streams filling the pockets of Sports Direct, seems to be an impossible task with Mr King unable to provide any moonbeams of hope.
Flanked by Richard Gough, Paul Murray and John Gilligan, with only Gough wearing a collar and tie, the quartet hardly delivered a performance of dignity in keeping with the traditions of the marble staircase.
Having been snubbed by Mr Ashley after his last failed rescue mission in October Mr King, described as a glib and shameless liar by a South African judge, was keen not to target the Sports Direct billionaire for criticism.
Mr King said: “It’s not a question of getting Mike Ashley out, but of having a board that has the influence, desire and financial capability of taking the club forward. Whether that’s with or without Mike Ashley, I am quite indifferent to that.
“The board has proved intransigent in the past and they are trying to find ways to maintain their power base within the club.
“I think the game is over but while it would be good for the club, given the present parlous financial state for them not to incur the unnecessary costs of holding the general meeting, I just get the impression they will continue to see this through to the bitter end.”
Mr King’s bid for power appears to be dependent on the three rebel bears who were negotiating with the current directors for blazers as recently as last week.
In the unlikely event that he is successful at the EGM and able to provide Paul Murray with a blazer Mr King is confident that his association with Craig Whyte, administration and liquidation with be overlooked.
Following an insolvency event directors involved face a five year ban from being involved with another club but with his former Ibrox colleague Campbell Ogilvie as president of the SFA Mr King is confident of overcoming that issue.
“It is an issue, it is something I expect to be interrogated on and certainly something I expect the SFA to ask me a lot of questions about, including my role staying on the board,” Mr King admitted.
“One of the concerns I would imagine the SFA has is my staying on the board when Craig Whyte was still there. I am going to have to give reasons for that and they will have to be satisfied but as I sit here today, I believe I will do that when the questions are asked.
“However, the questions can only be asked when the club is in a position to move forward and state ‘we are proposing these individuals for the board’.
“John Gilligan’s position is the easiest of the three of us, I’d imagine Paul will have certain questions to answer given his involvement in Rangers in the five years preceding administration. I’d imagine I’d have more questions. It will be an issue post-general meeting.”
Mr Gilligan is described as a former chief executive of Tennent Caledonian Breweries.
