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Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
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Downfall: How Rangers FC Self Destructed Paperback – 24 Nov. 2015

by Phil Mac Giolla Bhain (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 379 ratings
Fundamental reading for anyone interested in the history of British football, Downfall - How Rangers FC Self Destructed contains a wealth of exclusive material as well as collecting the prophetic articles by investigative journalist Phil Mac Giolla Bhain. Phil gained the attention of notable writers such as James MacMillan, Professor Roy Greenslade and sports journalist Brian McNally - who compared his work to that of Woodward and Bernstein - by breaking the wall of silence of mainstream football journalism in Scotland, denouncing its corruption. With an introduction by Alex Thomson of channel Four News, Downfall. How Rangers FC Self Destructed has four sections which expose Rangers tax strategy and the luscious dinners for major reporters, as well as detailing the failure of corporate governance by the SFA and SPL and the culture of Ranger s supporters and how they failed to mobilise. The Fan's Revolution, when SPL fans held back from buying season tickets until they were sure their Chairmen would not let Rangers Newco back into the SPL, is documented also.
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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Frontline Noir
  4. Publication date
    24 Nov. 2015
  5. Dimensions
    13 x 2.1 x 20 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1904684262
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1904684268
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Product description

About the Author

Phil Mac Giolla Bhain is an author, blogger, journalist and writer. He is an active member of the National Union of Journalists and the Irish representative on the NUJ s New Media Industrial Council. He also is the editor of the NUJ's house magazine the Irish Journalist. An established print journalist for many years Phil's online writing has gained him a vast following as well as recognition by the national press and in the Tartan Blog Awards in 2010 and 2011. Phil lives and works in Donegal, Ireland. Downfall is his third book.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Frontline Noir; First Edition (24 Nov. 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1904684262
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1904684268
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13 x 2.1 x 20 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 379 ratings

About the author

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Phil Mac Giolla Bhain

Phil Mac Giolla Bhain

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
379 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides superb insight into Rangers FC's downfall, being well-researched and essential reading for football fans. The writing style is brilliant, with one customer noting the author's access to impeccable sources of inside information. While customers appreciate the journalistic approach, the pacing receives mixed reactions, with one customer describing it as a true story of win-at-all-cost mentality.

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38 customers mention ‘Insight’33 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insightful and well-researched content, with one customer describing it as a leading authority on the fascinating story.

"...- Finance, Media, Fans and the SFA, each following a straightforward chronological path through his blog postings relevant to the topic at hand and..." Read more

"...by the fans (and, undoubtedly, in some of the reviews) remains astonishing. A document for an extraordinary series of events." Read more

"...I took a star off though, despite its breathtaking analysis the write clearly shows his favouritism with a few “mockingly derogatory”..." Read more

"The contents of the book had the ring of truth and for this reason I would have given it 5 stars...." Read more

35 customers mention ‘Readability’35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an excellent and essential read, particularly for football fans, with one customer noting it's about more than just the sport.

"...This book is about much more than football. There is a side to Scottish society which, sadly, has to be witnessed to be believed...." Read more

"...information and the gripping nature of the story makes this a superb read...." Read more

"Really enjoyable read. You can dip in and out of it with it being written in short blogs...." Read more

"Read the 'blog at the time, but enjoyed re-reading the book, from the historical perspective...." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Writing style’11 positive4 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it brilliant and well-informed, with one customer noting the author's access to impeccable sources of inside information.

"...In fact, the author was so remarkably well informed that he clearly had sources within Ibrox who were giving him the inside track on developments as..." Read more

"...You can dip in and out of it with it being written in short blogs...." Read more

"...The overivews are good but if you are a blog reader, re-reading them becomes a bit tedious...." Read more

"An interesting look into the demise of Glasgow Rangers...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Journalistic content’6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the journalistic approach of the book.

"First off I need to mention that the author is in fact a journalist, and as such reports the facts surrounding the events leading up to arguably the..." Read more

"A brilliant piece of proper journalism, telling a true story of how a football club died due to it's failed efforts to cheat its way to the top...." Read more

"Good work by the reporter. Deserves to be read to understand how it all goes wrong and no one asks the right questions" Read more

"well researched and documented book on the downfall of Ragers,journalism at it's best...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Account quality’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's account excellent, with one describing it as a fantastic blow-by-blow narrative.

"Excellent blow by blow account of a Scottish football institution’s demise. A great read for all football fans." Read more

"A fantastic account of what happens when you stick your head in the sand. A recommended read for all football supporters...." Read more

"Fantastic. honest insight off coruption!" Read more

"Excellent account..." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Pacing’3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it well-paced, while others describe it as a true story of win-at-all-cost mentality and corruption.

"...A true story of win at all cost mentality, easy, when its other peoples money." Read more

"...are supposed to be about financial mismanagement, corruption and cheating...." Read more

"...THIS WOULD MAKE A GREAT MOVIE, WALL STREET SPRINGS TO MIND, AMBITION, GREED, CHEATING AND COVER UPS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL,ONCE YOU START YOU CANT PUT..." Read more

"This book opened my eyes to the corruption, venality and hubris that the late Rangers FC were subject to during the late 1990s and and another..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Beeegajay
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gift that keeps on giving
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 September 2012
    Verified Purchase
    There has been negative publicity for this author prior to release of this publication. Indeed, there have been negative reviews accepted and posted here on Amazon PRIOR to release of this publication. If only those psychics had lifted their heads out of the sand a tad sooner, there may have been no need to write the book at all...

    I have actually read it - couldn't put it down once I started. Phil has a gift for setting out the complex, murky and quickly changing world of planet fitba' as simply as possible without condescending to the reader or ever losing sight of the need to tell the story.

    The book is set out in 4 main sections - Finance, Media, Fans and the SFA, each following a straightforward chronological path through his blog postings relevant to the topic at hand and the timeline of destruction of 'Oldco' Rangers F.C. (1872). Each page, each section is annotated with footnotes leading you back to the rabbit hole of internet links and postings on this story.

    Much of the material has been posted online, however the format of a book and the wisdom of hindsight make this a different experience again. More than one blog reads differently looking back than it did at face value at the time. He can be very subtle.

    A book by a blogger which encourages you to get back on the net and find out more.
    This book is about much more than football. There is a side to Scottish society which, sadly, has to be witnessed to be believed. This volume bears witness - no wonder so many wanted to undermine it's publication. In terms of financial collapse of an 'institution' and the online media which broke and analysed the stories it really is a tale of our times.
    64 people found this helpful
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  • K. McAuley
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book's having to be sold 'under the counter' in Glasgow... They really don't want this story told...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 September 2012
    Verified Purchase
    First off I need to mention that the author is in fact a journalist, and as such reports the facts surrounding the events leading up to arguably the biggest scandal to rock Scottish (maybe even British) sport. Of course there are authors out there who could possibly have written the account in a more effective 'storyline' style, but that's not what this book is about, it's no story!!!

    The book highlights the systematic abuse of tax relief (EBT) mechanisms utilised to effectively introduce financial doping into the SPL. For over a decade this went unnoticed (ignored maybe?), and unpunished by the authorities who were in fact led by ex-directors of the disgraced club. It highlights how Rangers FC(IA) incorrectly registered players with those same footballing authorities due to 'under the table' (proven) side contracts and side letters to enable the board at Rangers to pay 'over the odds' salaries while cheating HMRC and the UK tax payer out of millions of pounds of revenue in the chase to win record breaking titles and trophies.

    All the negative (1 star) reviews on here come predominantly from fans of the now liquidated club, and as such are not true reviews, but more a typical attempt to undermine and discredit the content of 'Downfall'.

    I am in no doubt they must be embarrassed by the fact their shame has been highlighted and put out there for all to see. The slights on the author about "being a bigot who hates Rangers" are all totally rubbished when you consider it was the self same author who FIRST highlighted what was happening at the club and warned the Rangers fanatical support as to what was going on at Ibrox... these are the self same fanatics who ignored the author because he was a Celtic supporter who now resides in Ireland... Bigot?? Oh the Irony...

    The same fans who continued to sing their bigoted songs on the terraces, standing idly by, while their club died before them... The reason they are outraged is the shame that not only the club brought upon Scottish Football, but the shame of being a 'fan' while the institution they professed to love slowly sank in front of them, on their watch and they did nothing about it...

    Their great rivals from the East End tried in vain to warn them, but their arrogant belief that they were untouchable caused them to ignore all those signs, and they are, as well as their club, now nothing more than history...
    32 people found this helpful
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  • kenny edwards
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Insight into the Demise of Rangers FC
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 February 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Foreword written by Channel 4 Senior reporter Alex Thomson.
    Book endorsed and praised by Roy Greenslade, Professor of Journalism, City University London.

    This book is a series of contemporaneous blogs written by Mr Mac Giolla Bhain during the period when Rangers FC were descending into collapse and eventual fourth tier oblivion.

    As you can tell by many of the previous reviews of this book, the author is a figure of hate for Rangers fans, simply because he had the audacity to report truthfully as the drama unfolded. In fact, the author was so remarkably well informed that he clearly had sources within Ibrox who were giving him the inside track on developments as they happened.

    One has to say also that his blogs are suffused with sympathy and compassion for the rank and file Rangers fans who lost their beloved club through the hubris and wrecklessness of David Murray.

    In summary the author's skilled writing style, his access to impeccable sources of inside information and the gripping nature of the story makes this a superb read. I recommend this book wholeheartedly to everyone interested in the football business.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Yoyogi
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Story of The Liquidation of Rangers FC
    Reviewed in the United States on 31 July 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A very good read outlining the overspending, illegal tax scheme and eventual liquidation of one of Scotlands oldest football clubs. A warning about ego, lack of checks and balance and the arrogance of those who feel they must never lose. All happening with a press corps that were mostly more like cheerleaders than investigative journalists.
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  • cavansam
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic but sadly true.
    Reviewed in the United States on 10 September 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent read very well researched. The story of how Rangers football club ceased to exist, and rose again as a cover version of themselves. History will probably repeat itself judging by some of the negative reviews.
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  • Ozmick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 23 August 2014
    Verified Purchase
    ALWAYS LIKE TO READ A GOOD ZOMBIE STORY THAT ENDS WELL SO OFTEN...
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  • John McBrearty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 25 November 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent history of what actually happened.
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  • MightyMariner
    2.0 out of 5 stars Not well written
    Reviewed in the United States on 19 August 2013
    Verified Purchase
    While this book gives insight into the murky world of Rangers finances over the last years and into the dodgy characters behind them it is not particularly well written and does tend more towards an agenda than a balanced account. As a Celticm fan I am no lover of Rangers but would really like to read a non partisan account of what has been going on. Quite funny that Amazon have assumed that as I bought a book about Rangers I would like to read others.
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