For Richer, For Poorer

Oct 4, 2024 7:22 PM

Author:Paul Smith

The start of the 2011–12 season should have marked the dawn of a bold and brave era for Rangers Football Club, as new owner Craig Whyte accepted the keys to Ibrox from Sir David Murray. But football became a sideshow during Whyte’s first campaign as tax rows, court action and the plunge into administration hogged the headlines in one of the most dramatic seasons Rangers have ever seen.

With unique insights from those inside the game and within the club during its darkest hours, For Richer, For Poorer charts the tumultuous tenure of Whyte, examines in detail David Murray’s own time in the owner’s chair and puts the Charles Green bid for control in the spotlight.

Murray took a white-knuckle ride on football’s roller-coaster. He savoured the thrills of unbeatable highs, leading the club to the famous nine in-a-row sequence of championships, and suffered agonising lows as the world’s financial markets crashed and the club struggled to cope with mounting debts. The colourful businessman also changed the face of Scottish football, breaking down religious barriers and spending millions to attract world-class stars.

Whyte spoke of grand plans to restore stability to the club, but ultimately became the man who led Rangers into the hands of the administrators.

Green was the man chosen to repair the damage and put a proud institution back on track, charged with opening a new chapter in the club's rich history.

For Richer, For Poorer puts events at Ibrox under the microscope to reveal the untold story of an incredible period in Rangers history.

Reviews

A must-read for fight fans... brings a unique perspective to boxing. Smith's exhaustive research is illuminated by his myriad contacts in the fight business and his close affection for boxers and their families

—— Jeff Powell , Daily Mail

A very enjoyable catalogue of our era

—— Glyn Leach , Boxing Monthly

An eye-opener

—— arrse.co.uk

A beautifully written, vivid portrait not just of Merckx, but also his era and his 'victims'

—— Scotsman

Well written and well researched

—— Cycling World

The transformation of Merckx the man into Merckx the deity on two wheels. A superb piece of modern history.

—— Outdoor Fitness

InIntriguing insight into one of professional cycling's greatest rivalries...an engrossing story

—— Bike Radar

Both men invite Moore into their homes: a privilege that clearly took some badger-like tenacity to secure. But it was worth the effort as Moore gains fresh insight into the rivalry

—— Scott Dougal , East Anglian Daily Times

The stars are, inevitably, Hinault and LeMond themselves, both with their own memories of what did and did not happen. But they're almost outshone by three of the supporting cast... How true was Hinauolt to his word in 1986? Was he just stirring it up or did he actually try to give the French what they wanted from him, a sixth Tour victory? Well that's the story Richard Moore tells in Slaying The Badger. And some stories you really do have to read for yourselves

—— Podiumcafe.com

The tale of the spectator Lemond-Hinault rivalry over the roads of the 'greatest ever' Tour de France in 1986 is hardly unknown for most cycling fan - and yet Moore magnificently offers a fresh perspective, bringing alive this supreme tussle by resorting to some vintage toilet humour... His book is a gripping read

—— UK.eurosport.yahoo.com/blog/blazin-saddles

[Moore] entertainingly unravels the complexities of the relationships within the peloton

—— Richard Williams , Guardian

One of Bike Radar’s favourite books of the past 12 months

—— Bike Radar

Moore unearths a dazzling array of detail through interviews and anecdotes, telling a tale that holds suspense even for those who know the ultimate outcome of this epic battle. As racing books go, Moore’s book just might be “the greatest ever"

—— Kent Petersen , Outside Magazine

The measure of a great book is a great start.Richard Moore’s introductory anecdote in Slaying the Badger set a new standard in cycling literature

—— Cycle Sport

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