Bluedell 5,348 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 MALCOLM MURRAY, Chairman of The Rangers Football Club, issued the following statement today. "On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to clarify a number of issues that have added to the Club's difficulties this week. "Events have triggered a frenzy of emotion around the Club to the point where the only people who stepped up to buy the Club and begin the long and arduous task of restoring and rebuilding Rangers are now being vilified by people who claim to have the interests of the Club at heart. "This is deeply depressing and such factionalism can only undermine efforts to make Rangers once again the great sporting institution is has been for generations. "As the new Board of Directors, we fully understand the anxiety of supporters given what has happened in the past and I wish to address all the key issues and present the facts of the matter. League status "The Executive Team are working tirelessly to resolve the issues with the SFA, SPL and SFL. We will update supporters as soon as possible and we understand a poll of supporters' opinions is about to be launched. Financial position "The Club is funded by the new owners and working capital is in place for the foreseeable future.Staff and players were paid this month as normal and will continue to be while the Club operates and functions normally. "We are raising additional funds as we said that we would and the board are working to find a way to allow supporters the opportunity to invest.More details will be available in the near future." "There is no doubt, however, that any boycott of season ticket sales can only harm the Club and the manager Ally McCoist and ultimately the supporters. Such action would only serve to help destroy the very institution that is so dear to us. Investment "As has been stated previously, a consortium of investment funds and individuals invested in the acquisition and funding of Rangers. "The consortium includes, Zeus Capital, Chris Morgan, a UK-based businessman representing family trusts; Glenmuir, the renowned Scottish clothing company, Alessandro Celano of Blue Pitch Holdings, Jude Allen, Mazen Houssami, Elias Kaisar and Mr Jean Haddad. "The provenance of all investments made in Rangers is being made now to the SFA and all directors of Rangers will be required to pass the SFA's fit and proper persons test. I also accepted the chairmanship of the Club on the basis that the highest standards of corporate governance would be implemented by the Board. The Board has also provided information to the Rangers Fans Fighting Fund. "At the outset the investors agreed that Rangers would be a long-term strategic investment and there is no intention of selling the Club. "That said, the Board is committed to broadening the investment base and from the outset made clear that no individual investor should own more than 10-15%. In the coming weeks we will be announcing details of how fans can invest in the Club and fan ownership is one of the cornerstones of our philosophy. "Anyone with Rangers best interests at heart is welcome to invest or come and talk to us. Last year I attended the 50th anniversary of the London Rangers Supporters Club where John Brown was an excellent guest speaker. He has my number and, if he has investors, we welcome them and do not see why they have to be separate to our current long-term investors. All fans and potential investors should pull together in difficult times. "It also remains our firm intention to re-list Rangers as a publicly quoted company on an appropriate stock exchange at the earliest opportunity. Season tickets "The Club has new banking facilities in place and, as stated a number of times previously, all season ticket money will only be used for the benefit of the Club and its operations. Further information for season ticket holders was published on the website last week which included details on payments. "Rangers has a loyal and extensive season ticket holder base and we would urge all fans to renew their books. In this aspect, the ownership of the Club is irrelevant. Season ticket sales are the largest single source of income for the Club and only the Club and the team will suffer if it is withheld. The money does not go to Charles Green, Malcolm Murray or any investor - it goes to Rangers. Asset ownership "All the assets commonly associated with the football club - Ibrox, Murray Park, the Albion car park, staff, players etc - are the property of The Rangers Football Club, which at present is registered as Sevco Scotland Ltd until a name change is given formal approval. "Sevco Scotland was formed to ensure that if the formation of a new company was required in the event of a CVA being rejected, then the Club's corporate entity would be a Scottish registered company as it has always been. "For the avoidance of doubt, Craig Whyte has NO involvement with the Club, in Sevco, The Rangers Football Club or any other of the consortium members. Indeed, measures have been implemented to ensure that Mr Whyte could not return to the Club in any way which is in compliance with the SFA's ruling on his participation in Scottish football. Players "It was extremely disappointing that a number of players have chosen to leave the Club. "It was disrespectful to everyone at Rangers and to the fans not to be honest about the financial gain they will receive in return for walking away from the Club that has supported them over many years. "Let's be clear, the clauses they and their agents negotiated in return for the temporary wage cut during administration, would have enabled them to easily move on from Rangers with our blessing. Their actions have deprived the Club of significant transfer fee income. "The rest of the staff at Ibrox and Murray Park have got on with the job asked of them and it is extremely encouraging to see other players who were due back at Murray Park today, arrive as planned. "As a lifelong fan, I would personally like to thank those players and staff for their loyalty and commitment to the Club and I look forward to meeting the squad when they are all back from their holidays. Summary "The consortium that has purchased Rangers wishes to see to the Club restored and rebuilt. We want to see Rangers be great again. "The consortium is not the villain of the piece, nor is Charles Green. They are the only people who stepped up to buy the Club. "What happened under Craig Whyte was horrendous and should never be repeated and I will do everything in my power as Chairman to ensure it doesn't happen again. "I have been a Rangers fan all my life and a season ticket holder for many years and accepted the position of Chairman with the sole aim of helping steer this great club back to a solid financial footing and future success on the pitch. "The vicious and gratuitous blood lust of recent times must end not only for Rangers sake but for Scottish football too. Certain individuals must ask some searching questions of themselves as to what their true motives have been over the last few months and as to whether they really have the best interests at heart of the Club they claim to love and support." 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,348 Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Seems a fair enough statement to me. Hopefully we can now move forward. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 0 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Good statement. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waltersgotstyle 297 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I would urge everyone to get behind the current owners. I understand we are sceptical but in truth anything other than our support would be detrimental to the club going forward. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amms 0 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 On first reading I don't have too many complaints with his statement, I wish he'd made it sooner. The investors names don't mean much to me and I'd like to know how they intend to make money but this is a step in the right direction. Keep us informed, tell us the truth and most will allow them to get on with it. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigy 0 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 They intend to make money through the share issue i'd imagine. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Yep, good statement. Hopefully we see more such statements and the transparency promised. Until we know what is happening with SPL/SFA/SFL I understand that is very difficult to do. But this statement is a step in the right direction for sure. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,348 Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 They intend to make money through the share issue i'd imagine. If it's new shares being issued then the cash will go to the club rather than the investors. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanAllan 0 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Good statement, well said and to the point. Can we please, please just get on with being a football club again, back the club support the team. For all the Rangers men you want to make sure it's getting done right, then get your hand in your pocket invest in the club and help it from the inside instead of sniping from the side lines. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,430 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I am truly at my wits end here,I must be thick as feck!,I really don't know who to believe anymore. I honestly don't see what Green has planned and what he has done wrong, as much as I love and respect John Brown for his services as a player I just don't know if I want to back him either? Wake me up when this is all over! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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