22 December 2004
Herald Meeting Report

In addition to the Trust Board member who sits on the Assembly, two other Board members were invited to attend by the Assembly, and so the Vice Chairman and one of the newer Board members all went, and as all were thoroughly prepared - thanks to the collective input of Trust members! - I am assured from several sources that they all conducted themselves well, and gave Graham Spiers anything but an easy ride.

The Meeting can best be summarised in bullet-point format as follows:-

- Length of Meeting : 3 hours

- He accepted blame for his gaffes over the Aberdeen fans' behaviour (watch this space for news of a Trust initiative in this context)

- He attacked the Rangers support as a whole, seemingly regarding his own stance on bigotry as something of a crusade

His article in support of Neil Lennon had been written in response to a request from his employer to follow up on Martin O'Neill's comments as to "just how bad was/is the bigotry AT IBROX" which, for the record, he considers worse than at Parkhead in view of "its greater frequency". His articles are not normally changed by his editor

Only time will really tell us whether this meeting was worthwhile or not, but meantime the only tangible conclusion we can really establish is his admission of errors with regard to his reporting of the Aberdeen game. No further meetings are envisaged at this time.

Meantime, our determination to reduce the stereotyping and demonisation of Rangers fans by certain sections of the media remains undiminished, and we shall continue to do everything we can to improve this situation. The Club needs to assist us more, though, although it should be recognised that even facilitating such a meeting is new territory for Rangers Football Club

18 December 2004
Assembly invites Trust to meet Herald writer

In an attempt to address the heartfelt and widespread concerns expressed by thousands of Rangers fans regarding media misrepresentation - and in particular recent objectionable articles by Graham Spiers of The Herald - the Club have facilitated a meeting at Ibrox with this journalist and the Rangers Supporters Assembly on Monday night.

We are pleased to confirm that three of the Trust Board members have been invited to attend this meeting by the Assembly, and Trust members can rest assured that those representing them will be thoroughly prepared. We shall, naturally, keep members informed of any subsequent developments.

16 December 2004
International Blue Nose Day

Monday 27 December will see Rangers FC take on Motherwell in the Christmas game at home this year and it will also hopefully see thousands of Rangers fans showing their pride in supporting the Light Blues by wearing a Blue Nose at the game.

Most supporters "wear" a Blue Nose anyway, but on this day all supporters will be asked if they will make a donation of just £1 to the Rangers Charity Foundation to participate in International Blue Nose Day by wearing a small plastic Blue Nose with pride as they cheer on the team.

The Rangers Charity Foundation will have dozens of charity champions collecting at the turnstiles on the day, asking you to take part in this promotion by giving just pocket change to receive a fabulous Blue Nose and enjoy taking part in this fun and imaginative promotion to help charity.

Just because you may not get to the game on the 27th and you will only get a chance to watch it on television with your friends, family or colleagues, that doesn’t mean you cant participate in this sensational promotion! Why not contact the Charity Officer in the weeks leading up to the game to arrange to get a number of Blue Noses for just £1 each from the Charity Foundation so you can wear your Blue Nose with pride no matter where you watch the game.

International Blue Nose Day will help raise funds for The Rangers Charity Foundation and it's three Nominated Charities for season 2004 / 2005, namely: deaf-blind organisation Sense Scotland, Revive Scotland, which assists people with MS, and Capability Scotland, who work with disabled children with complex needs.

We would like to invite all Rangers Supporters to participate in this promotion by buying a Blue Nose at the game for just £1 donation each or if you would like to buy a number of them prior to the game for all your friends, family or group, who are watching it on television, then please feel free to contact Michelle Robertson, the Charity Officer on 0141 580 8775 or by email at charity@rangers.co.uk.

Go on, get involved in this great promotion and show your true colours!!!

09 December 2004
Newsletter Distribution Delay - Apology to Members

Due to some technical problems and illness, the latest Trust newsletter has not been distributed to all of our members. The remaining newsletters should be distributed as soon as possible but in the meantime the latest issue is available for download from the Downloads page. Apologies to any RST member who has not yet received the newsletter.

04 December 2004
Blue Spirit # 7 now available for download

The final Blue Spirit of 2004 is now available from our Downloads page.