Source: Team_Talk
Gers fans unite over ownership
The four groups on Wednesday appealed to "fans around the world to consider playing their part in changing the ownership of the club".[LNB]The Rangers Supporters Assembly, Rangers Worldwide Alliance, Rangers Supporters' Trust and Rangers Supporters Association also invited potential large-scale investors to discuss their interest.[LNB]The fans representatives have been looking into ways of helping the club's financial plight since it emerged that Lloyds Banking Group had placed a representative on the board.[LNB]The joint statement was released on the day before Rangers announce their annual figures, with the debt expected to be confirmed as about £30million.[LNB]Majority shareholder Sir David Murray has put his stake in the club up for sale and the supporters groups are eyeing a rare opportunity to influence the running of the club.[LNB]The statement read: "The organisations are considering the options open to fans to invest in the club on a massive scale and on an accountable basis.[LNB]"We are considering various options for this - whether on our own or in partnership with others.[LNB]"We intend that the future of the club will never again be reliant on the goodwill of a bank or any individual.[LNB]"One option we are currently discussing with advisors is the changes necessary to turn the trust's Gersave scheme into a suitable vehicle for the gathering in of funds.[LNB]"However, any form of investment will only take place on the basis of the suitability of the terms gained in negotiations.[LNB]"Rangers as a club cannot continue in the current state of limbo with the threat of[LNB]being run by the Lloyds Banking Group.[LNB]"To move things on before the January transfer window we are formally inviting any potential credible investors to discuss their plans for the club with us.[LNB]"Rangers fans are by far the biggest financial investors in the club.[LNB]"We are determined that the club will continue to flourish and never again will it run the risk of falling into the hands of a bank.[LNB]"We call on fans to be patient but to unite behind sensible proposals we hope to recommend to them over the coming months."[LNB]The Rangers Supporters' Trust have arranged for representatives from Hamburg and Espanyol to give presentations on both clubs' members-run models at the annual GersPride conference at Ibrox on Saturday.[LNB][LNB]
