A well-known sportswriter who quit the industry after 37 years with an attack on fellow journalists has been appointed to lead communications for Rangers Football Club.
Jim Traynor wrote his final column for the Daily Record last week in which he criticised other journalists and bloggers for how they reported on the plight of the club and said his “conscience” would not allow him to remain in the profession.
Now the club has announced that he will take up a post as director of communications in the New Year, overseeing all of its media platforms.
Jim has worked at The Herald, the Daily Express and the Daily Record during his career, as well as being a presenter for BBC Radio Scotland.
A statement from the club said: “The Rangers Football Club has announced today the appointment of James Traynor as the club’s director of communications. His appointment will take effect from early next year.
“James will be head of media and oversee the development of all media platforms including Rangers TV, digital, online and print publications.
“James joins Rangers following a distinguished journalistic career with The Herald, Express and Daily Record newspapers as well as being a presenter with the BBC.
“In his role at Ibrox, James will be supported by the Rangers Media editorial team, the press office and external media advisers, Media House.”
In Jim’s final column for the Record wrote about accusations made regarding the club’s financial problems since it was placed into administration.
He also highlighted a tax case recently won on appeal by Rangers over its use of Employee Benefit Trusts, although HMRC are seeking permission to appeal against the decision of the tax tribunal.
Jim wrote: “My work here is done and I’m glad – but just for the record, I’ve not been sacked or made redundant. I was asked to remain but my conscience won’t allow me to stay in our profession.
“The kind of journalism needed by the country, never mind sport, no longer exists in enough of the media outlets.”
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*ahem*
How nice for him. Of course he had no idea the Rangers job was going when his conscience got the better of him.
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Football writing is obviously a funny old game!
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I think I’ll be mellow as it’s Christmas. But, having damned Scottish journalists, how’s he going to sell them anything in his new job?
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well isn’t that a stroke of luck!!!!!!
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Odd turn of events. Wouldn’t be surprised if Jim’s ‘high moral ground’ quickly turns into a shooting range for Scotland’s miffed sports hacks to get their own back.
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Would this would be the same James Traynor who wrote a two page spread praising the legacy left by David Murray just shortly before the club imploded?
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It seems ridiculous that Rangers can still have a large Comms team. Wtf is going on. They’re supposed to be skint!
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See You, (Jimmy) Next Tuesday!
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James Traynor is wrong in terming journalism a profession. Journalism, as the late, great journalist James Cameron wrote and often said, is a craft, not a profession.
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