Source: Team_Talk
Duffy not interested in board role
Florida-based Glaswegian businessman Duffy, 42, has been in talks with a "handful" of other potential investors over the possibility of buying out majority shareholder Sir David Murray.[LNB]As well as underwriting the club's £31million debt, any consortium would establish a scheme which aims to recruit 45,000 supporters as members.[LNB]Each fan would pay £1,000 as a one-off joining fee, raising £45million, and an annual membership fee of between £50-£200.[LNB]Several successful European clubs - including Barcelona, Porto and Hamburg - are already run in this way.[LNB]Duffy told the Herald: "Once the proposal gets to the stage of acceptance and proceeds, my role is over.[LNB]"At that time there would be no need for any further assistance from me, the job will have been done.[LNB]"Although it would be a privilege, I have no interest in being on the board of Rangers. I would be doing the position an injustice as I would not be able to fulfil the obligations due to my other business interests and commitments."[LNB]Duffy accepts some fans may not be able to afford the one-off payment of £1,000.[LNB]He said: "We respect the fact that not everyone has cash in the bank, especially in this current climate.[LNB]"This is something again that has to be considered and we have proposed offering a finance package that can be paid in instalments, making it more affordable and available to as many supporters who sincerely wish to become an owner of the club."[LNB]Insisting his business plan was "malleable" if he failed to raise the full £45million he would be seeking, Duffy added: "I personally feel that Rangers have an unbelievable number of supporters globally, hundreds of thousands, and 45,000 is a very small percentage to rely upon."[LNB]Duffy, who has yet to hold talks with Murray over his proposal, believes any takeover should make convincing Walter Smith to stay on as manager a priority.[LNB]Smith's contract expires in January and Duffy said: "I personally think that Walter Smith will go down in history as one of the club's greatest ambassadors and managers.[LNB]"He has such a great bond and alliance with his players and I sincerely feel that he is the man for Rangers.[LNB]"I think that Smith should be given the respect that is deserved and one of the first ports of call, should this succeed, would be to sit down with the manager and discuss the proposals."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
