Two Rangers directors resign

17 October 2011 09:29
John Greig has ended an association with Rangers stretching back five decades after resigning from the Ibrox board.[LNB] Former captain and manager Greig quit as non-executive director, along with former chairman John McClelland in frustration at being marginalised since the takeover of Craig Whyte.[LNB]Their departures ultimately came as little surprise given the large turnover in personnel in the board since Whyte assumed control from Sir David Murray in May.[LNB]The pair were members of the independent board committee, set up to vet takeovers, which initially delayed Whyte's buyout and then expressed scepticism over his financial muscle hours after the deal was completed.[LNB]Only South Africa-based Dave King, who was previously linked with takeover attempts, remains from the Murray-era board.[LNB]However, the departure of Greig heralds the end of more than just a link with the Murray period.[LNB]The 69-year-old was voted the club's greatest ever player and is immortalised in statue outside Ibrox.[LNB]Greig made more than 750 first-team appearances for Rangers after his debut in 1961 and captained them to their only European trophy in 1972.[LNB]The former Scotland international rejoined Rangers as public relations officer in 1990 after quitting as manager in 1983 following a five-year spell when he won four domestic cups but failed to claim the league title.[LNB]Greig, who joined the board on Boxing Day 2003, today released a joint statement with McClelland, who served as chairman from 2002 to 2004, briefly outlining their reasons for resigning.[LNB]The statement, signed by both men and released through the Press Association, read: "These resignations have been communicated by letter to the chairman, Craig Whyte.[LNB]"They result from John McClelland and John Greig both being of the opinion that since the change of ownership they have been excluded from participating in corporate governance at the club.[LNB]"Therefore they have decided not to continue in their positions as non-executive directors."[LNB]News of Greig's departure came as a blow to John Macmillan, secretary of the Rangers Supporters Association.[LNB]Macmillan said: "It's pretty sad the way this has come about, and for them having to leave the way they have been forced into it, or appear to have been forced into it, is pretty disappointing.[LNB]"It's just unfortunate their careers, particularly John Greig's, have ended in this manner. Fans will be very disappointed over this."[LNB]Macmillan was concerned that a link with the past and the fans had gone.[LNB]"It's all new faces in there now," he said.[LNB]"I'm not saying that is necessarily a bad thing.[LNB]"Most companies, when a new man takes over, want to bring in new people, but it's just sad the way it has happened.[LNB]"John may not have had a great influence in the overall decision-making at the club, and maybe didn't have over the years, but there is no doubt he had some sort of say and he was always a link to the supporters.[LNB]"I had a lot of dealings with John Greig over a long number of years, as player, manager and director. It's sad that link is broken.[LNB]"You could go to John and he would listen to you. I'm not saying he would necessarily solve the problem for you but he would always try his best to do what he felt was right for the supporters and the club.[LNB]"He wasn't just a director, he was a supporter too, and these things are important.[LNB]"It was almost inevitable. It was more a case of when he would go not if, but it's sad the way it has happened."[LNB]Macmillan's organisation have yet to meet Whyte but the new owner is set to meet members of the Rangers Supporters Trust on Wednesday.[LNB]"It's early days for a judgement on Craig Whyte," he said. "It takes a little time to settle in."[LNB]Rangers, who are involved in two separate tax disputes with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, resulting from issues before Whyte took over, offered little comment other than to confirm both resignations had been accepted.[LNB]Eight board members have now departed since the Lanarkshire-born venture capitalist assumed control on May 6.[LNB]Donald Muir and Mike McGill, who were closely associated with Lloyds Banking Group, left on the same day.[LNB]Former chairman Alistair Johnston and Paul Murray, who launched a rival takeover bid, were removed later that month and Martin Bain and Donald McIntyre both resigned from the board after being suspended from their positions. Both have launched legal action against the club.[LNB]The board now comprises of chairman Whyte along with King, chief operations officer Ali Russell, director of football Gordon Smith and non-executive director Phil Betts.[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk