Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'dave king'.
-
THINK Friday night’s scenes at Ibrox were bad? Well, you ain’t seen NOTHING yet! Rangers fans have had to put up with plenty in the last three years. But giving up the title rights to Ibrox and Murray Park would be a step too far. The aggro after the Hearts game was totally unacceptable. But sell the rights to the stadium and the training ground and the Rangers board will see some real social unrest. Don’t get me wrong — what happened at Ibrox on Friday was out of order. There were a couple of staff I know at Argyle House who were injured when fans stormed the place. That’s completely unacceptable. The fans are right to be unhappy but there’s ways and means of showing it and what went on the other night is taking it too far. It was live on BT and people all over the country saw it. You can argue a lot of the kids who were involved in what went on looked so young they wouldn’t remember who played for the Rangers team of the 90s — me included. Leaving that aside, it wasn’t a proud night for the club. But people have their breaking points. And the majority of fans feel the way I do — that giving up the rights to Ibrox and Murray Park would be suicide. That’s not just because they’d be going to Mike Ashley. Giving them to anyone would be wrong. If Mike Ashley’s going to be around — and everything at the moment suggests he is — why can’t he work alongside Dave King? Like most people, I feel as if there’s something we’re not being told about what’s going on. The club have had three offers from various people, none of which asked for Ibrox to be put up as security, and have knocked them all back. Why? Dave King wants to call an EGM which would see most of the current board removed. There have been suggestions both Dave and Paul Murray’s backgrounds would be a problem. But if that’s the case, and the well-being of the club is the key, why couldn’t Douglas Park be the frontman? If they were to present a united front and take charge, they could pay Ashley’s loan off and all he’d have would be the rights to merchandising. David Somers told the Rangers AGM last month he had not been prepared to use Ibrox as security — but now it’s a great option for a £10million loan. Ashley’s been clever in all of this but that doesn’t disguise what the repercussions would be if he called in his loan. The downward spiral would continue and the club would be looking at a second administration. Fans are already voting with their feet — which, in this of all weeks, is a real shame. I’m desperate to go to Ibrox on Sunday for Fernando Ricksen’s benefit game. It should be a great warm-up to the Old Firm game next week. It’s an amazing cause for an amazing man who’s dear to the hearts of Rangers fans. It’s a fantastic opportunity for older fans to see the likes of Arthur Numan, Marco Negri and Jorg Albertz in action and for younger ones to see names they’ve maybe only seen on TV. I’d love there to be a full house at the game — just as I’d love to see the likes of Ally McCoist and Richard Gough being there. I take the point that it’s not about the nine-in-a-row team and that neither of them played with Fernando. But neither did I. I’m sure the Rangers fans would love to see two guys who are genuine legends being back at the club. It will also give fans a rare chance to see Marco in action. I thought he got a rough ride from people. They thought because he didn’t celebrate his goals wildly that he was a bit of a loner. That was harsh. He had a different personality, sure. But he’s a smashing lad and I’m looking forward to seeing him. http://www.cfclatest.com/2013/01/20/andy-goram-you-think-fridays-scenes-were-bad/
-
... in his ET interview My headline makes for a good signature. If anything, those currently trying to oust the board have learned (the hard way) that the key is in having enough shares. Let#s hope this goes through, Murdoch sounds rather confident and you'd hope King has done this because he IS confident of success. -
In today's Record: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/mortgaging-ibrox-stadium-makes-no-5006216#rlabs=2
-
Over 481,000 traded today , many small trades but some much bigger , the largest being an 150,000 one
-
DAVE KING today insisted he will easily convince both stock market bosses and football chiefs that he IS fit to run Rangers. The former oldco director has called a general meeting to vote on plans to rout the Ibrox board. He will also ask the shareholders to vote in himself, former Blue Knight Paul Murray and John Gilligan as their replacements. The current regime - David Somers, Derek Llambias, Barry Leach and James Easdale - released a statement to the stock exchange on this morning insisting they would fight King's bid. In a thinly-veiled swipe at the Johannesburg-based businessman, they said: "The AIM rules require that all individuals appointed to the board of an AIM company are suitable to be a director of a UK public company." The Castlemilk-born millionaire was forced to hand the South African Revenue Services a cheque for £44million last year in a bid to stave off a tax investigation. SARS claimed he owned £149million but he was spared jail after accepting liability for 41 lesser charges in relation to income tax laws. Both he and Murray will also have to explain their part in the demise of the club after serving on the board under former owner Craig Whyte, who put the club on the path to liquidation in 2012, if they are eventually appointed as part of the SFA’s "fit and proper" person test. But King told PA: "There are no problems regarding the AIM regulations and the issue with the SFA is simple. Only once a director is appointed is an application made to the SFA by the club. "Both myself and Paul will have to deal with our previous directorship at the time that Craig Whyte got involved. Additionally, I will have to deal with my reasons for staying on the board and trying to impose some level of governance during the Whyte era. "I will also deal with my favourable settlement in South Africa. "These are all issues that the SFA rightly has to address in the same way that the SFA has to review the history of anyone who gets involved with a Scottish football team. "That was all considered by me prior to my application - as was the likelihood that the incumbent board will use the media to try to influence the debate by misrepresentation. "The enthusiasm that this board adopts to 'media management' and its failure to act in the interest of shareholders and other stakeholders is exactly why they should be jettisoned in favour of directors who have the requisite business skills and respect for the tradition of Rangers to take the club forward. "History will judge this board as one of the worst the club has ever had. There is not one individual who puts the club above personal interest." King hit back just hours after the board called on him to drop his general meeting and save the cash-strapped club the expense of hosting it. The board's 7am statement added: "If the notice (issued by King) is valid and is not withdrawn, the directors intend to recommend that shareholders vote against the proposed resolutions." In a second statement, the directors conceded they may have to consider using Ibrox as security on a loan - but insisted any decision would not be "taken lightly". Thousands of fans protested against that possibility before Friday night's abandoned clash with Hearts after it was revealed Newcastle owner Ashley was preparing to have his name added to the title deeds of both the stadium and Murray Park as part of a £10million loan arrangement. The Three Bears - wealthy fans Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor - had already announced they would increase their own loan offer of £5million - but would not ask for security on the stadium. The board added: "The directors are pursuing bilateral discussions with two parties who are both stakeholders in Rangers. "These discussions contemplate a significant amount of capital being available to the business on a long-term basis in order to enhance the squad which the directors believe is necessary. "A consequence of funding to this level is that, in reality, it may be necessary to use Ibrox stadium as security; such a decision would not be taken lightly. "No decision has been taken at the current time while discussions are being finalised in good faith. "The advance notice does not mean that security will be given, and the directors are adamant that it will not unfairly advantage the party with whom it was agreed. "The board will conclude a transaction, based on its merits, which it believes is in the best interests of shareholders as a whole in accordance with their fiduciary duty." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dave-king-ill-convince-stock-5005483?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
-
I see Rangers First are at over 4k members now, as are the RST The example of Hearts having over 8k members paying in every month was often held up as something we should be quite easily topping with the size of our support Well now we have matched it, and will overtake it at the current rate of sign ups, quite an achievement considering its not backed by the club the way Hearts is I think as the schemes grow, and the numbers look more impressive, people who were not sure will be more likely to say "this could actually work" and sign up Its just a shame in typical Rangers fan fashion its split into 2 factions.. if it was one scheme sitting at 8k and rising steadily every day things would look very rosy for fan ownership imo Any chance of the 2 merging?
-
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/12218547.html
-
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/12218558.html
-
Stuart McCall has thrown his support behind the Three Bears, the group owning a near 19 per cent stake in Rangers headed by businessman and Rangers fan Douglas Park. The former Ibrox midfielder has called for Rangers people to be back at the helm of the stricken ship, believing that the departure of legendary figures have left a gaping hole at the heart of the club. “I don’t know any of these gentlemen [the Three Bears], but if you believe what you read, they have Rangers at heart,” said McCall yesterday “I’m not saying that, just because you have Rangers at heart, you are going to be successful and the club is going to make money. But you do know that, whatever they are doing, they are doing it for the right reasons. “They are not in there saying: ‘we can earn this and we can get out’. What you want are people that the club matters to and will do their best for the club, not for themselves as individuals. If it is The Three Bears, if it is Dave King, if it is anyone else, you would rather have people who bother about the club and it’s not just about money-making. “Rangers don’t necessarily need an ex-player as their manager,” he added. “But what they need is someone at the club who doesn’t just have business sense, but is actually doing it for the love of the club – because they’ve got ties to the club.” McCall believes that the departure of three stalwarts who have cut their ties with Rangers – John Greig, Ally McCoist and Walter Smith – sums up the state of the Ibrox club. The Scotland coach was at Ibrox for the abandoned game against Hearts on Friday night in his role as a summariser for BT Sport and watched with anguish afterwards as passions ran high among supporters angered by the board’s conduct. With advanced notices of loan securities against Ibrox and Murray Park having been lodged at the Register of Scotland last week in the name of Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct retail company, fans now fear losing ownership of the club’s stadium. However, it is the emotional heart of the club being ripped out that McCall struggles to accept. Greig, voted Greatest Ever Ranger in 1999, resigned as a director in 2011 in protest at Craig Whyte’s running of the club. Departed manager McCoist, who was put on gardening leave after tendering his resignation, has decided to watch other teams rather than Rangers in recent weeks. Nine-in-a-row manager Smith, meanwhile, confirmed last week he has no intention of ever returning to Ibrox in an official capacity. McCall, who played for Rangers for seven years and had been linked with a return as manager, despairs at the quality of characters who have felt compelled to end their official association with the club. The 50-year-old offered the assessment that few clubs, including Manchester United, could withstand such blows without some very searching question being asked. “John Greig stayed away, which for me is hard to get my head round,” said McCall. “Walter left the board and, again, alarm bells started ringing. If Walter is walking away it must be bad. Obviously the great Sandy Jardine passed away. And now ’Coisty is away. That would be like Bobby Charlton at Man United saying: “You know what? I’ve had enough of the club. Then Sir Alex Ferguson departing because something was going on – and then Ryan Giggs leaving. If that happened at Man United, imagine how everyone would react. “Yes, football is a business now. But is there anybody at Rangers actually doing it for the sake of the club? Or are they just in to make a few quid then disappear into the night?” McCall was speaking at a Scottish Football Association event to publicise the start of the selection process for year four of the regional performance school programme. Since resigning as Motherwell manager late last year the Scotland coach has been linked with the Rangers manager’s post, currently occupied on an interim basis by Kenny McDowall. However, he sounded unconvinced by those in charge at boardroom level at the club, and questioned Ashley’s involvement. “Mr Ashley has got what, eight-and-a-half or nine per cent of the club?” McCall said. “Yet he seems to be the one making all the decisions – appointing a chief exec and a finance director etc. Obviously I’ve got a lot of friends and family who are Rangers supporters – and they can’t understand how this can be the case. The catalyst for everything now is the fact that Ibrox was going to be put up as security against loans. Supporters see other people wanting to offer money and ask why Ashley is the best option.” http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl-lower-divisions/stuart-mccall-backs-three-bears-rangers-bid-1-3665193
-
Welcome aboard Captain America and a true Rangers captain in Richard Gough http://www.rangersfirst.org/captain-america-joins-rangersfirst/
-
THERE was a rare moment of unity between Rangers fans groups and the Scottish Football Association when the governing body blocked Mike Ashley’s proposals to increase his stake in the club last month. Then, a Union of Fans statement spoke of the SFA having “done the right thing” in observing their rules on dual ownership by refusing to approve the Newcastle United owner’s bid to increase his Rangers stake from around 9 per cent to 29 per cent. Yet, those same supporters are unlikely to be so taken by the SFA obeying their articles of association should Dave King succeed in his mission to oust the current board. King revealed his intentions on Friday night when he requisitioned an extraordinary general meeting (egm). The South Africa-based businessman, Rangers’ largest single shareholder with a 16 per cent stake, is “confident” he can muster the 50 per cent shareholder support he needs to remove chairman David Somers, James Easdale, Derek Llambias and Barry Leach from their directorship. His plan is to replace them with himself, Paul Murray and John Gilligan. And therein lies the rub. At an egm, which the current Rangers board could stall for six weeks, King could expect the support of the 20 per cent stake controlled by the Donald Park, George Letham and George Taylor consortium. In addition, he is believed to have the ear of a couple of the hedge funds with a 10 per cent holding between them, while individual supporters whose share totals add up to a further 10 per cent would back his efforts to put the Ibrox club into the hands of supporters. That is all well and good, and Ashley deserves to be removed because of his callous disregard for the club and its followers in this week’s moves to gain security over Ibrox and Murray Park. The current board maintain this was in return for the £10 million loan Rangers need to see out the season. But it is important to look beyond Ashley’s game-playing and not forget how we arrived at this point. In the independent inquiry chaired by Lord Nimmo Smith under the auspices of the SFA, the old board were criticised for failing to blow the whistle on Craig Whyte as he sent the club on the road to ruin after taking over in May 2011. King was a member of that board. And it cannot be forgotten either that the reason King was in no position to buy the assets once the old Rangers had been condemned to liquidation the following summer, and save it from the clutches of Charles Green, was that the Castlemilk-born businessman was then in the midst of a decade-long legal battle with the South African Revenue Service. He settled last year by pleading guilty to 42 criminal counts of contravening the country’s tax laws, and kept himself out of prison by plea bargaining on almost 300 other charges, which required him to stump up £41m. As far as failing to meet the SFA’s fit and proper person test, King – who lost £20m he invested in the David Murray Rangers era – does so with bells on. Indeed, it is almost as if the ruling has been written to debar individuals with chequered business careers of King’s ilk. Under section (h) of Article 10.2 that sets out the “considerations” that would be made concerning the board “reserving its discretion” as to whether a person is deemed fit and proper to hold a football directorship, it is stated “[if] he has been convicted within the last ten years of (i) an offence liable to imprisonment of two years or over, (ii) corruption or (iii) fraud.” King was liable for a stretch longer than two years had he not plea-bargained. Moreover, he is caught in a double bind over the fit and proper person rules. Because what also counts against those seeking to meet the criteria is having “been a director of a club in membership of any National Association within the five-year period preceding such club having undergone an insolvency event”. King and Paul Murray – who was sacked from the Rangers board immediately after Whyte took over – both fall down on this basis. They simply cannot be granted permission by the SFA to take up directorships in any Rangers board if the governing body stands by their own rules, which were tightened up because they had failed to act over Whyte’s dubious business past. King constantly puts it out through sympathetic media sources that he is confident the SFA professional game board would wave him through as a Rangers director in the event of gaining a controlling interest. That sounds like bluster, which, as well as the baggage, has led to legitimate questioning of King’s credentials to lead Rangers out of the mire. At times, though, it must be said he talks a good game. As he did in his statement on Friday in which he claimed that, as well as putting the club on a sound financial footing, a second “important task” would be “to conduct a forensic audit of the management and commercial contracts undertaken over the last few years to determine whether they are truly arm’s length and whether the affairs of the company have been pursued in accordance with the fiduciary obligations of those entrusted with that responsibility”. King thundered at the end of this declaration of intent that “any malfeasance will be pursued aggressively and transparently”. For the South African tax authorities, that might read like a sick joke. http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl-lower-divisions/rangers-dave-king-s-move-faces-taxing-questions-1-3664643
-
It is the opinion of both our senior counsel, junior counsel and solicitors that we can take no further action at this time. It is quite clear from their detailed examination of statements made by the board regarding Ibrox that, whilst giving the impression to fans and shareholders that they were making a commitment not to grant security over Ibrox, the board was in fact meticulously careful not to stray into language which would actually give such a legal commitment. We believe the effect of those statements was to be deliberately misleading. - See more at: http://www.therst.co.uk/news/rst-update-on-legal-action/#sthash.gCEGaKE3.dpuf'>http://www.therst.co.uk/news/rst-update-on-legal-action/#sthash.gCEGaKE3.dpuf http://www.therst.co.uk/news/rst-update-on-legal-action/
-
EGM requisition has been delivered to Ibrox within the last couple of minutes. Statement klaxon to follow no doubt.
-
The Union of Fans is calling on Rangers fans to stage a "mass demonstration" outside Ibrox 45 minutes before kick-off tomorrow night.
-
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/306606-mike-ashley-posts-intent-to-take-out-security-over-rangers-ibrox-stadium/ -
SIR David Murray has broken his silence on the battle for control of Rangers by praising the efforts of Dave King and The Three Bears consortium to gain influence at Ibrox. But the club's former owner warned the club's cash position remains in a critical condition while uncertainty continues to hang over the ownership of the stricken Glasgow giants. While fans have welcomed moves by the Three Bears consortium - comprising wealthy businessmen Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor - and former oldco director King to amass 38.1 per cent of shares between them in recent days, Sir David fears little has changed. He claimed the stalemate between the board and those looking to take over is impeding the investment the club badly needs. Sir David, who famously sold Rangers to Craig Whyte for £1 in 2011, said: "The way I see it at the minute, and this isn't trying to be smart, is people have changed seats at the table. "But the fact of the matter is the club needs money and resources as quickly as possible. "Dave King and the Three Bears I'm sure have the right intentions for the club, but they must be in a dilemma about how they take it to the next stage when the other sides don't seem to be willing partners." He added: "I take my hat off to the people who are trying to do the right thing, and let's hope they're successful, but whatever way they are going to do it it's going to need more money." Sir David, speaking after a £20m takeover bid from US basketball boss Robert Sarver was rejected by the club, criticised the current board and its suitors for failing to come up with a strategy to take Rangers forward. He said: "I don't know what anyone is trying to do at the minute. I don't mean to be smart. What we'd like to see is Rangers in the hands of Rangers-minded people. But I wish someone would come out and tell us what their strategy is. "Is Dave King working solo? Are the Three Bears working solo? If they are, they are going to have to come up with some more money." Fans groups have voiced concern over Newcastle owner Mike Ashley's influence over the Ibrox Club. The Sports Direct boss has a 8.92 per cent stake in the business, control over the club's retail operations and has advanced loans to the company. Asked if he shared those concerns, Sir David said: "We don't know, do we? The problem you've got just now is that nobody is making statements. There is no strategy." Sir David also welcomed moves by supporters to buy shares in the club through organisations such as Rangers First but said the club's cash needs were more pressing. He also fears the club is losing supporters who may never come back. Sir David said: "What concerns me also is that a fair percentage of the hardcore [of fans] may have drifted now, and I don't think it will be like you turn a light switch and they will come back. "This will take time." http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/gers-need-cash-fast-sir-david-says.116118429
-
Apparently.
-
...as they hold advanced talks with club bosses. Jan 12, 2015 07:32 By Keith Jackson RECORD SPORT understands the Lanarkshire-based businessman and his allies are on the brink of agreeing a deal in return for two seats on the board. DOUGLAS PARK and his consortium were locked in advanced talks with the Rangers hierarchy last night as they edged closer to winning the battle for control of Ibrox. Record Sport understands the Lanarkshire-based businessman and his allies, George Letham and George Taylor, are on the brink of agreeing a deal to plough over £6million of emergency money into the club to spare it from insolvency – in return for two seats on the board. An announcement is expected early this week as the current regime scrambles to secure fresh funding. And last night, with Park and his group on the cusp of forcing their way into a position of power, directors James and Sandy Easdale appeared to pave the way for their imminent arrival by insisting they will be welcomed into the boardroom. In a statement the Easdale family adviser Jack Irvine said: “Sandy and James repeat again that they will willingly work with Douglas Park’s group for the benefit of the club.” Between them, Park, Letham and Taylor already have control of 20 per cent of the troubled Ibrox club’s shares. They are pushing for regime change and plan to invest further in a new share issue but realise the club’s cash flow position is critical and needs to be addressed immediately. In fact, Hong Kong-based banker Taylor believes, in the longer term, Rangers fans should eventually have control over their own club. The Morgan Stanley managing director has now signed up to a life-time membership with fan-ownership group Rangers First and said last night: “My hope is that direct fan ownership would become the biggest individual owner of the club.” Rangers First director Ricki Neill said: “With our monthly contributors donating amounts from £5 upwards, Rangers First have the income to buy an increasing number of shares every month. “The more members we get to join Rangers First the faster we grow and the bigger our shareholding becomes. “We also have the Club 1872 membership – which George Taylor has recently joined. “This costs £500 and was designed originally to help us reach our target in as short a period as possible. “George Taylor is one of many true Rangers fans that have joined Club 1872 and we look forward to meeting up with him in the near future.” Phoenix Knight Robert Sarver has also offered Rangers a crisis loan based on the condition that he underwrites a share issue to the tune of £20m and buys control of the club. But, crucially, the American’s plan needs the support of 75 per cent of the club’s current shareholders for it to get off the ground and so is viewed as a non-starter. This has left Park in the driving seat although the board are refusing to engage in similar talks with like-minded Rangers supporter Dave King, the club’s biggest single shareholder with a 15 per cent stake. As the crisis deepens, the South African-based businessman is expected by many to call for an egm later this week in a bid to rout the current board at a shareholders’ vote. Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, meanwhile, may yet be prepared to make a rival offer after previously handing over £3m to keep the club afloat through November and December. A close source said last night: “The cash situation remains critical and because of this a decision had been expected over the weekend. “The club is now days away from running out of money completely so there is an urgent necessity to get this funding in place. “However, the talks with the Douglas Park group are at a very advanced stage and it is expected that an announcement will be made soon.” http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-boardroom-battle-douglas-park-4962945 -
Three Bears investor George Taylor believes Rangers should eventually be controlled by the Ibrox support. Along with partners Douglas Park and George Letham - as well as oldco director Dave King - the Hong Kong-based banker is among three factions battling for control of the Glasgow giants. But while the Three Bears' most immediate threat comes from US financier Robert Sarver - who has launched a £20million takeover bid - and the current board and their ally Mike Ashley, Taylor believes the club should eventually be governed by the Light Blues faithful. The Morgan Stanley managing director has now signed up to a life-time membership with fan-ownership group Rangers First. In a statement given to Press Association Sport, he said: "My hope is that direct fan ownership would become the biggest individual owner of Rangers." Rangers First have made a number of significant strides in recent days. Wealthy supporter Jim McColl recently handed the group his 10,000-share Ibrox stake last week, while they have signed up around 700 new members since the Three Bears and King bought up around 34 per cent of the club in two surprise transactions just before the new year. The scheme - which is similar to the one used to rescue Hearts from administration - is now collecting thousands of pounds a month from contributors and using that to buy up shares. On Saturday night, they announced another 60,000 shares had been purchased, giving them control of 0.8 per cent of the club. The Rangers Supporters Trust has also recently increased its stake to just over one per cent. With the fight for power set to come down to which faction can get to 51 per cent, the fans could yet play a vital role for the Three Bears and King in the coming days. The board urgently needs to raise cash to keep the club afloat and an announcement on Sarver's revised takeover bid and possible news of another emergency loan is expected early next week. A general meeting may also be called if King and the Three Bears can find the support to force boardroom change. Rangers First director Ricki Neill said: "With our monthly contributors donating amounts from 5 upwards, Rangers First have the income to buy an increasing number of shares every month. "The more members we get the faster we grow and the bigger our shareholding becomes. We also have the Club 1872 membership which George Taylor has recently joined, this costs £500 and was designed originally to help us reach our target in as short a period as possible. "George Taylor is one of many true Rangers fans that have joined Club 1872, we look forward to meeting up with George in the near future." Meanwhile, midfielder Nicky Law believes a win against Hearts next Friday could kick-start Rangers' Scottish Championship title push. The Ibrox side host the Jambos but cannot afford to let Robbie Neilson's men add to their already huge 13 point lead at the top of the table. Law, who scored a first-half winner as the Light Blues finally beat Alloa at the fourth time of asking on Saturday with a 1-0 success at the Indodrill Stadium, said: "The quality of player we have got, we know we should be doing a lot better than we have been doing. "There is no way we should be 13 points behind Hearts but we are. Unfortunately that is a huge gap to claw back but we will do our best to try and rein them in, starting on Friday night. "It's a must-win game. If we can get it back to 10, you never know." -
A Spain based motor tycoon who wants to buy Rangers is building a £5 million mansion close to Glasgow, The Sunday Post can reveal. Businessman Douglas Park, 64, has submitted plans to erect an eight-bedroom villa near Strathaven, 20 miles from Ibrox. Work is under way on the father-of-three’s new home, which will boast a spiral staircase, home office, gym and steam room as well as a gargantuan master bedroom, according to plans lodged with South Lanarkshire Council. Since separating from wife Isobel in 1999, the tycoon has spent most of his time in Spain. But sources say the car giant plans to move back to the UK – and to help seize control of Ibrox. Alongside George Taylor and George Letham, Park is a member of the so-called Three Bears, who announced on Hogmanay they had bought up 19% of the club. They are in pole position to take control of the side after a £36m bid package by American Robert Sarver was rejected. Last night a source said: “Things are going very well for Dougie. He’s Rangers daft and has flown all over Europe to follow the team. He is close to several Ibrox legends. It’s the same with his three sons. His business is thriving and has his sons help run it so he doesn’t need to be around as much. “He owns a house near the one he is building but it is far smaller and he’s rarely there. “Building this is different. It’s a sign he’s going to spend more time in Scotland – and that will hopefully involve playing a major role at Ibrox. They need him in the boardroom.” The Three Bears are reportedly in cahoots with former director Dave King, 59, who owns 15% of the club. Last night, Craig Houston, of Rangers supporters’ group Sons of Struth, said: “After the turbulent last few years we’d love to see Dougie Park in charge.” Park has built up his thriving business from humble beginnings. He is now recognised to be one of Scotland’s shrewdest businessmen with an estimated personal wealth of £78 million. He started in 1971 with a fleet of three buses, ferrying football fans all over Scotland. That led to contracts providing team coaches for Celtic and other clubs, including Rangers. As the empire grew, he diversified and now owns a large number of car dealerships, including the exclusive rights to sell McLaren and Maserati sports cars in Scotland. Mr Park was unavailable for comment last night. http://www.sundaypost.com/news-views...-park-1.781167
-
an "historic" debt going back to Green has been called in according to our main hater. A lot of speculation that it's for £6.5 million, and that it's owed to Ashley although neither the amount or who it's owed to were identified by him. Anyone got any idea ?
-
Radio Scotland - McLaughlin. Also conjecture that Ashlay will sell to ParkCo.
-
"Former Bayern Munich boss holds talks with consortium looking to gain control at Ibrox as he impresses with his blueprint for future of the club Felix Magath has joined forces with the Three Bears in a bid to force a regime change at Rangers. Record Sport revealed yesterday how the former Bayern Munich boss had bought one per cent stake in the cash crippled club. Magath held discussions with one of the key players in the Three Bears consortium after flying into Scotland last week." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/felix-magath-joins-up-three-4950904 Is it just just coincidence that Nerlinger, who has been so heavily linked with us recently is fairly close to Magath (I believe)? Nerlinger also scored against Magath's Stuttgart side when we beat them at Ibrox in 2003.
-
...as Trust increases Ibrox stake. The likelihood of a shareholder shoot-out has increased in recent days following the moves by Dave King and the Three Bears - a consortium comprising of Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor - that saw them separately snap up significant stakes in the Gers. The shares held between those two groups, supporters and other like-minded individuals and investors could be enough to oust the current board if an extraordinary general meeting is called. And Union of Fans spokesman Chris Graham knows the vote will make or break fans' ambitions of seeing their club wrestled away from the under-fire regime. He told SportTimes: "If it does go down to a vote, this is really the last chance for the club to end up back in the right hands. "It will be a straight battle between Dave King and the Three Bears on one side and the Easdales and Mike Ashley on the other. "There will be floating voters in between. There is only one side that will bring the fans back and if anyone is voting from a financial viewpoint then they really should be backing the Three Bears and King. "I would think the board would show a bit of common sense and it wouldn't get to an EGM but the longer it goes on and the more delays there are, it becomes more likely that is the way it will need to be resolved. "Between King and the Three Bears, they have 35% and they can rely on a reasonable percentage of the fan vote. "We will be doing our best to make sure fans use their shareholding, it could be worth a crucial few per cent. "I think there are enough unattached shareholders there who, having looked at the level of mismanagement and anger from fans, would take the common sense approach and see there is only one option here." While any move by King or the Three Bears to vote off the under-fire board would be welcomed by fans, it would not be the end of Rangers' current crisis. The Light Blues require immediate funding to see them through to the end of the month, and help them fulfil an assurance to the SPFL that they can see out the Championship campaign. Mike Ashley and American businessman Robert Sarver could yet do a deal to provide another quick cash fix to keep the lights on at Ibrox. Graham said: "There is no option now other than some form of short-term loan. "We would be extremely reluctant to see someone like Mike Ashley provide that because we have already see the cost of that in terms of his control of the board and everything else. "The board are not going to get a share issue away quickly enough to deal with the cash issues. "The Sarver bid is frankly a distraction right now. The board can't accept it, it is only the shareholders who can. "Given the determination of the Rangers men to get in there, I don't see why they would step aside to allow him to take up a majority shareholding. They have the means and the will to fund the club." If an EGM is called, the shares held by fans could prove decisive in swinging the vote and toppling the board. And the Rangers Supporters Trust have announced that they have increased their stake to more than 1% with the purchase of another 100,000 shares in RIFC plc. An RST spokesman said: "A recent influx of new members and contributors to Buy Rangers has allowed us to make this purchase and with the continued support of the Rangers community we hope to increase our shareholding further in the near future. "All funds from the sale of Red and Black and Lion Brand shirts have been retained for use in a future share issue. "We will continue to work closely with those pushing for change at Rangers and we would ask fans to visit http://www.therst.co.uk and help us to take back our club." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/fans-fear-egm-is-last-chance-to-rescue-rangers-as-trust-increases-193866n.115833069?
-
.............................
