The 2004 proposal for an Ibrox casino and associated development

mdingwall

Administrator
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When you think back how did many of us swallow some of Murray’s stuff . He had me that’s for sure, I only realised towards the end really .
For roughly the first ten years he ran the club pretty well. The real damage was done in the four and a half seasons of Advocaat's era - we over-spent by £124m than we brought in during those years. That was the millstone around our necks.
 
It 100% was on the cards (Pun intended), as I was in advanced talks with Las Vegas Sands to do the casino dealer training. Then the UK Gov U-turned on Super Casinos, so that was the end of that.
 
Pie in the sky or not, was failed from day one, for one main reason.

The junkie leader of Glasgow City Council, Steven Purcell. He needed further investigation than he got.

As they have been doing for years they secretly opposed anything we were doing to progress. Everything about this would have benefited all of Glasgow but they were blinded by their hatred and narrow mindedness. Continually neglecting the south side of the city whilst continually pouring money into the east.

Commonwealth games 2014 was a prime example. What did we get ? Absolutely nothing, offered to buy the additional lighting that was installed for the rugby and were refused. Think it was more expensive to actually remove them than what they were worth.

Even the new flats built opposite Ibrox. Very few flats of that height are being built and in such concentrated numbers, they were built with a purpose to obscure our magnificent stadium. Did they build flats on Barrowfield Street, Stamford Street or any other new development in close proximity to the piggery ? Not that I can think of.
 
Sheldon Adelson died a few weeks back.


There was no way GCC were ever going to allow this to prosper.
 
I believe only one super-casino site was to be approved, Manchester won the vote, with Blackpool next in line, so the Ibrox scheme was further down the pecking-order. In the end, nothing went ahead, although the Manchester property scene has gone into overdrive since then, and Blackpool has still got plans for a more modest redevelopment on the same land.
 
Pie in the sky but I would like some more realistic development of surrounding area of stadium. Edminton house is a decent start but there is a serious lack of pubs. Even if we could redevelop the concourses so that punters could watch the 12:30 sky game and god forbid buy a pint, missing a trick
 
A question: 'moonbeams' is always used when talking about Murray.
Was there a specific interview or comment that this relates to, or is it just a general term for his ott ideas?
 
A question: 'moonbeams' is always used when talking about Murray.
Was there a specific interview or comment that this relates to, or is it just a general term for his ott ideas?
It’s from an interview from Feb 2006

MURRAY said: "The fans have been very supportive, but they want to see direction. My job is to get to the bottom of our problems and get this sorted out.

"I will leave no stone unturned. I am working very hard with Martin Bain to bring all these deals together and bring the direction this club needs.

"Rangers should not be divided. Yes, we are annoyed, yes, we are upset at results - but we must stick together.

"That (protests) is not Rangers' way. I understand people have the right to stand outside and protest. But Rangers do things another way, not like that. That's why I meet the Trust, the Assembly, we do it by talking.

"It is people's entitlement. It does not sway me, nor does it put me off - I will still do my job to the very best. I can understand 300 people getting bloody annoyed if they felt there wasn't a light at the end of the tunnel - but there is a massive moonbeam of success waiting for us.”
 
When you think back how did many of us swallow some of Murray’s stuff . He had me that’s for sure, I only realised towards the end really .

All the shareholders at AGM whooped and cheered (including me) and we all believed it.

Donald Findlay was a joy at AGMs also every year with his sly digs to our "friends from the East".
 
The idea of redeveloping the area around Ibrox wasn't terrible. A major casino wasn't the right development. The UK never ended up attracting a big name casino development and we only really saw some smaller scale investments when they relaxed membership requirements.

Redeveloping the land around Ibrox should still be a priority, but in the current economic climate it would be very difficult to get off the ground.
 
Was there not talk of a retractable pitch aswell if I remember at the time?
No - think it was a pitch on the top of the casino.

I actually recall both being mentioned. Not sure if the retractable pitch was at the same time as the plans for the casino etc. but an upgrade to Ibrox definitely mentioned it. I think it was part of a plan to use the stadium for concerts etc.

Edit. I think this is what I recall. It actually mentions a “retractable roof” and a “hovering pitch”.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/30615/GERS-NEW-280m-Ibrox
 
Back then I had the idea of making coming to Ibrox to become a family all day adventuring, having not only the casino but unground parking for thousands of cars shops and restaurants.
so going to football could start at 9am and finish late at night and have seven days use of the complex bringing in money from profits straight into the team like they have in america.
 
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