RANGERS launch an investigation after it emerged Mike Ashley now owns the club badges

[pete 2,499]

RANGERS have launched an investigation after it emerged Mike Ashley now owns the club’s famous badges.

 

The recently installed regime was shocked after documents appeared on social media sites which appear to show that Ashley’s Sports Direct retail empire has taken control of all the club’s intellectual property - including club mascot Broxi Bear.

 

And interim chairman Paul Murray has demanded an immediate probe to discover how Ashley finally ended up with the club’s crown jewels.

 

In a statement a club spokesman confirmed to Record Sport: “The board is currently conducting a review of all contractual documentation but this particular issue has become a matter of urgency.”

 

On October 9 last year the Daily Record first revealed how the Newcastle United owner had brazenly attempted to get his hands on the historic crests in return for an emergency loan.

 

SNS/Craig Williamson Paul Murray has demanded an investigation

Paul Murray has demanded an investigation

 

His plan was blocked by former chief executive Graham Wallace and ex-director Philip Nash - who were then booted out of the boardroom a month later after Ashley demanded their heads.

 

Now the current regime suspect Wallace’s replacement, former Newcastle CEO Derek Llambias, may have played a key role in making sure Ashley got what he wanted just days before the old board was routed by shareholders at an EGM on March 6.

 

A source close to the Rangers regime said: “We are looking at the timing of this transfer and from what we can see already, it looks really odd.

 

“It’s fair to say the board has already come across a number of strange things as they review all of the paper work they’ve inherited.”

 

Business experts believe control of the famous badges could bring in millions of pounds in merchandising and Ashley could rake in even more by charging the club a fortune for their continued use on all official kit.

 

The news has stunned Murray and his new board who were completely unaware of Ashley’s grab until details of the transfer appeared on-line earlier this afternoon.

 

The government run Intellectual Property Office’s website shows that Sportsdirect.com is now the registered owner of all of the Ibrox club’s traditional emblems including the ‘Ready’ motto and the RFC crest.

 

The digital documents also confirm that transfer from Rangers Football Club Ltd to Sportsdirect.com Retail Ltd was fully assigned on March 25 - less than three weeks after Llambias and Barry Leach, a former Sports Direct boss, were booted out of power.

 

Ashley already controls 75 per cent of the club’s retail division as part of a deal struck with the old board when he provided them with more crisis cash in January.

 

We all new this months ago but Leach(I Think) denied it at the Question and answer night from the supporters group.

Edited April 9, 2015 by pete

[craig 5,195]

Wow. Simply wow. From soup to nuts we have been raped and pillaged. Incredible stuff which we can only hope is actionable.

[Little General 80]

The digital documents also confirm that transfer from Rangers Football Club Ltd to Sportsdirect.com Retail Ltd was fully assigned on March 25 - less than three weeks after Llambias and Barry Leach, a former Sports Direct boss, were booted out of power.

 

excuse my ignorance, but how is this scandal possible?

[ian1964 10,410]

Where is that article from Pete?

[Frankie 8,148]

excuse my ignorance, but how is this scandal possible?

 

Can only assume they put the process in action before they were suspended?

[Laudbertz 0]

Yet more astonishing but not that surprising news. How they can be so adamant they were working for the good of Rangers is beyond me.

[limeburner 0]

Buy Vuckic from Newcastle.Hmmm!!

I wouldnt bother .

Nothing to do with the lads ability obviously.

[der Berliner 3,240]

Maybe I am mistaken, but this was part of the 10m loan (as published by club and company to the stock market), of which 5m were drawn? Thus it was common knowledge that it would be the case up until the loan is repaid.

 

Murray just said that he's willing to (and will) speak to Ashley, saying that this is still a win win situation for both, should Rangers be successful.

[trublusince1982 243]

it was believed they had the licence not that they owned them. huge difference.

[pete 2,499]

Where is that article from Pete?

 

The Record