johnnyk 158 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Rangers could be under new ownership within weeks, it was revealed last night, when David Murray announced his 20-year reign as Ibrox Godfather was finally over. It is no secret that Murray is willing to sell his majority shareholding and the events of late yesterday afternoon may now speed the process of change at the top for Rangers. His decision to step down and hand over control to US-based Alastair Johnston, who will become chairman, was made to the Stock Exchange around 4pm and signalled the end of two decades of always colourful and sometimes controversial leadership of one of Europe's biggest clubs. Various names have been linked with possible Ibrox takeovers. But so far no one has come forward with the kind of money that would interest either Murray or the club's bankers who are desperate to have the club's debt wiped from their ledgers. However, with Murray stepping away from the front line one or twowhohave been watching and waiting couldn ow be encouraged to break cover. There have been rumours over the last few years that wealthy West of Scotland businessmen were joining forces to buy out Murray but as yet no consortium has made a serious play. Also, some believe a non executive Ibrox direct, a Scot who lives in South Africa, could be interested in investing further - he put in �£20m nine years ago - and he could now be tempted. King could certainly afford it but Murray himself has had enough after 20 years firing and dodging bullets in equal measure. There is no doubt he would like to unburden himself of his interest although he stressed last night he will always remain a supporter of the club he has led on a rollercoaster adventure. Murray said: "This is one of the greatest clubs in the world and I am immensely proud to have been involved with it. "It has been a long, long journey but one I have enjoyed although I must say it is time to get out. "It hasn't been easy but I can leave knowing I always didmy best for Rangers. Nothing is forever and it is time to go but my wish for Rangers is that they continue to build and go from strength to strength. "Alastair will bring a new dimension, a new perspective to the club. "He is a good and very experienced man with more of a global view on sport because of his work with IMG. "I fear I have neglected other commitments and personal interests for too long because running a club as big as Rangers demands a great deal. "It is intense, the phones never stop ringing and what I want now is to be able to get through a hard-working week and be able to sit back and enjoy the weekend. "Twenty years is long enough and perhaps I should have done this sooner, but the decision to step away mightnowfreshen up debate and interest about someone else buyingmy shareholding . "I haven't been dishonest with the fans. I've said I would sell and it remains true any offers will be looked at very closely. "But I must salute Rangers fans. They have been largely supportive and understanding throughout and I thank them for that. "It has been a long and at times bumpy road and the time is right to step down with Rangers champions of Scotland again and about to play in the Champions League . "Overall I'd say we've done pretty well and all of us, fans and directors as well as the players whohave been part of the last 20 years, can rightly be proud of what's been achieved. "But my decision has been made and right now my emotions are mixed. I am both sad and happy, but it is time for change." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2009/08/27/sir-david-murray-races-to-find-new-rangers-owner-after-announcing-departure-from-ibrox-86908-21627312/ 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 We need to be careful that someone doesn't take control of our club and run us into the ground. That's my main fear! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon 0 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 You should post the Souness article aswell Johnny. May not go down to well with some of the views on here though..... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,612 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 It's a crap article. The only name they dredge up is Dave King, who is having major problems with the South African tax authorities and is extremely unlikely to invest any further cash in the club. Uninformed speculation at its worst. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,552 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Yep, we can expect lots of uninformed crap over the coming days as the media fight each other for the scraps... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest enigmablue Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 "It has been a long and at times bumpy road and the time is right to step down with Rangers champions of Scotland again and about to play in the Champions League" No call me a cynic but perhaps he knows we might get skelped in the CL and he's just not got the stomach for it as the fans would surely be calling for his head if we got rumbled big time. I'm not usually this overly negative but i simply don't trust the man anymore. Ps a good draw and we've as good a chance as anyone! No easy teams anymore in the CL no matter what anyone says. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCF2008 0 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank David Murray for all the good times. Now if he can just do us all one last favour when he does sell and take Martin Bain with him 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraser54 0 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Sir David has done alot for this club and every fan should appreciate what he has done, i have no doubts that Murray will sell to the correct person. Only if this happened at the start of the transfer window so we could get a couple of players in, awk well im sure our squad is strong enough and whenever someone buys Sir David's shares they will be pleased with their purchase ! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calscot 0 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 "the club's bankers who are desperate to have the club's debt wiped from their ledgers." This just sounds like nonsense. Unless they think Rangers are a very bad credit risk or know about some future financial meltdown, why would the bank want to lose such a lucrative customer with a strong financial backing? Banks make money by charging interest and Rangers pay plenty of it. The club are pretty good customers and I've not heard of the club missing payments or defaulting. The debt while high, seems just within the bounds of manageability for the club's income. I think, any pressure from the bank in reality will be to get the debt down to a more comfortable level - a level that is reasonably safe from potential financial disasters which could lurk around the corner. I think they would also like to see the club run in a more fiscally prudent manner where the debt does not leap from �£6M to �£30 in a couple of years. The banks are not our to cut off their noses to spite their faces nor kill the geese that lay the golden eggs. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maineflyer 0 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Journalistic garbage. The coming weeks will be dreadful, with journos and Murrayites climbing over each other the lick the blowhard's arse. The bandwagon had better have strong axles. As an act of self-promotion this actually takes some beating. Not many manage to get such accolades in memoriam while still shafting their mourners. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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