Stoking the phoenix fire (The fall and rise of Binnie)

Back in February I noted the passing away of Arthur Binnie. Arthur was the BBC reporter who, back on 11th April 1951, landed his exclusive "big scoop", the re-appearance of the Stone of Destiny within a stonemason's barrow at Arbroath Abbey some 108 days after it's repatriation from Westminster on Christmas Day 1950.  108 as a symbolic number carries some currency in certain circles thus I shall return to both it and the name Binnie, shortly - with a synchronous mindset and an added dash of Harry Potter magic.

Last Saturday saw a football cup final. Glasgow Rangers versus Hibernian at Hampden Park. Hibs were the bookmaker's underdogs and had not won the cup for 114 years. The team which ended victorious would play in the cash rich European game(s) next season, so much was riding on the outcome especially given Rangers recent phoenix resurrection after their cash flow problems. I should probably note here that (Protestant/Queen loyal) Rangers are allegedly "bankrolled" by a David King, their now saviour after a spell of Mr. Green and Mr. Whyte: colours which their supporters despise.

Hibs started well with an early goal by Anthony Stokes who is on loan from Celtic, Rangers bitter rivals. Later though, Rangers equalised and then took the lead. The Hibs fans were beginning to lose heart however, with ten or so minutes to go, Stokes rose like an enchanted cobra to head in a goal and make it two-all. In early injury time David Gray emulated Stokes, another venemous header striking in, sending the spellbound Hibs supporters into a collective madness. Glorious.  Three - two. Their hoodoo was broken, the curse lifted.

As the final whistle blew, hoards of Hibees descended the stands and encroached the pitch. Unusually, the police were conspicuous by their absence. Some supporters raced towards the Rangers fans to celebrate and goad, the result being various skirmishes on the pitch and spilt blood, both Orange and Fenian, albeit not in quantities requiring wellington boots. The crossbar was destroyed and turf ripped up as souvenirs. The police soon arrived in numbers and with their truncheons out, order was quickly restored.

Mainstream and social media went into overdrive. Rangers issued statements deploring the Hibs' fans conduct. By Tuesday a "rogues gallery" of most wanted had been published. One individual missing was Greg Binnie - he had apparently already been named and shamed on facebook and had quickly received threats. He also received his very own article in the redtops and was the first to appear in court in relation to the trouble (here). He pled guilty and will be sentenced later.  The game took place 108 days after Arthur Binnie's passing on 3rd February (3/2)

We learned more about ginger Greg during the week. He is young, a sports student, and worked as a squash coach at the prestigious George Watson's School in Edinburgh. George Watson was a philanthropist. He is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard adjacent to another philanthropist's school, George Heriot. Some claim that JK Rowling based Hogwarts on George Heriots School. Potterites still frequent Greyfriars to visit the gravestone of a Thomas Riddell which they believe was the inspiration for Dark Lord Voltermort. I have written before about royal goldsmith George Heriot with particular reference to the Oasis singer, six-toed Liam Gallacher and his visit to the pub named after George where he announced Edinburgh to be "Beautiful, amazing, f****** biblical, in fact. Words can't explain it..." Magical Scotland

We have still to see what the fall-out will be over this matter. Rangers, it's fair to say, being the establishment club have friends in high places. Indeed their friends are so high that the aforementioned David King was approved a fit and proper director of the club despite his numerous convictions for tax evasion in South Africa. Apparently a judge described him as a "glib and shameless liar"; one presumes Mr. King was under oath at the  time.

To close, I'll just cut and paste from my original Arthur Binnie post with a little addition:

"It is certain that onomatology, or the science of names, forms a very interesting part of the investigations of the higher Masonry, and it is only in this way that any connection can be created between the two sciences". (Encyclopedia of Freemasonry)

Arthur is a common masculine given name. Its etymology is disputed, but its popularity derives from its being the name of the legendary hero King Arthur.

Binnie : "Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacBain/MacBean clan include Bain, Bean, Beattie, Binnie, Macbeath, Macbeth, Macbheath, Macilvain and MacVean." Rampant Scotland

MacBain Family Crest

Gregory is a masculine first name. It is derived from the Latin name "Gregorius," which was from the late Greek name "Γρηγόριος" (Grēgorios) meaning "watchful, alert" (derived from Greek "γρηγoρεῖν" "grēgorein" meaning "to watch").

It could well be that all Kings are cut from the same cloth, it's worth keeping an eye on.

Glasgow Rangers flag inc. Red Hand of Ulster

cheers