RST involved in new takeover bid?

[wabashcannonball 0]

I know RBR I just can't stop diggin, still it is good for my prize roses...

[Frankie 8,882]

Very interesting...

 

Story in today's Sun counters the Trust press of yesterday somewhat but it is certainly positive that we seem to have some different offers being debated.

 

As always without any meat on the bones, we can only speculate while maintaining a watching brief.

Edited March 29, 2010 by Frankie

[Frankie 8,882]

In the Daily Record, Trust chairman confirms nothing has been sent to Rangers...

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2010/03/29/mystery-tycoon-in-talks-with-rangers-supporters-over-ibrox-takeover-86908-22146012/

[Frankie 8,882]

Do any of our resident RST board members wish to comment on the story?

 

Appreciate it is at an early stage but would also appreciate an outline on what you're trying to achieve here. What kind of figures are we talking about? What analysis has gone (or will go) into prospective take-up - i.e. canvassing fans etc?

[ian1964 10,861]

Rangers Supporters' Trust confirmed it is working on an "exploratory document" with the aim of taking over Sir David Murray's majority shareholding.

 

Any RST plan would involve some degree of fan ownership but would need to be underwritten by either a wealthy individual or consortium.

 

And the Trust has been in detailed discussions with a third party.

 

But RST spokesman David Edgar said: "At this point, it's an exploratory document only."

 

Holders Rangers lead the Scottish Premier League and have already won the Co-operative Insurance Cup but are �£31m in debt.

 

This is another step towards what the trust has been working on and continues to work towards, which is full supporter ownership

 

Rangers Supporters Trust spokesman David Edgar

 

Responding to reports of talks between the Trust and a multi-millionaire businessman, Edgar stressed: "We can't comment on speculation over any names mentioned with regard to underwriting or backing the scheme.

 

"And we stress that all discussions must remain private and are at a very early stage."

 

Edgar described talks both with the club and potential backers as "positive" but insisted it was "too early to say" whether the RST proposal would ultimately end in a takeover bid.

 

"Rangers find themselves in extraordinary circumstances and, at the moment, it's pertinent to assess all options," he said.

 

"Anything the Trust does, we study to make sure it's viable before we go down that path."

 

London-based property tycoon Andrew Ellis was this month revealed to be considering a bid for Rangers.

 

Edgar insisted Ellis' interest had no effect on the Trust's plans, adding: "At the moment, discussions are ongoing with all parties who would be involved with the scheme.

 

MY SPORT: DEBATE

Give your reaction to the fans' proposal

 

"This is another step towards what the trust has been working on and continues to work towards, which is full supporter ownership. It hasn't come about overnight."

 

Last year, the RST invited representatives of Espanyol and Hamburg to Ibrox to discuss their members-run models.

 

Rangers have been working to a business plan in conjunction with Lloyds Banking Group since Murray stepped down as chairman in August.

 

The influence of Lloyds has sparked protests from supporters at some matches this season.

 

Manager Walter Smith and his backroom staff have been working without contracts since January in a bid to ease the financial pressure on the club.

 

The Ibrox boss has also not recruited any new players, apart from on loan, since August 2008.

 

The Beeb

[stewarty 2,123]

From BBC News:

 

  Quote

Supporters could be given the chance to buy a stake in their club under radical proposals expected to be put forward by Labour in their election manifesto.

 

The party wants fans to have a bigger say in how clubs are run amid current concerns about debt in football.

 

That could include fans being offered a chance to buy a 25% stake in a club.

 

BBC sports editor David Bond said: "There's a feeling that football isn't quite working and that fans are getting a bit of a tough deal."

 

Government lawyers are trying to work out how to make the proposals work within the existing structure of the game.

 

The initiative comes amid increasing concern about the degree of debt at some Premier League clubs; foreign ownership of teams; and the perceived low levels of commitment from shareholders with little affinity with the clubs.

 

606: DEBATE

Have your say on the proposal

The government is also said to be looking at an overhaul of the governance of football.

 

The Conservatives dismissed the proposals as a "gimmick" ahead of the general election, which is expected to be on 6 May.

 

Shadow sports minister Hugh Robertson said there were easier ways of increasing supporter influence in clubs such as by insisting on all clubs having at least one director to represent supporters.

 

"After 13 years of inactivity by the government on this issue this has all the hallmarks of a pre-election gimmick," said Robertson.

 

"There are massive, massive implications for company law and insolvency law."

 

Robertson said changing the rules on governance to increase supporter influence at clubs would be quicker and easier to implement.

 

Liberal Democrat shadow culture, media and sport secretary, Don Foster said:

 

"Supporter ownership is a nice idea but will be nothing more than a pipe dream for most fans.

 

"We urgently need a radical overhaul of the FA to better represent supporters and act in the interests of the game.

 

"Ministers need to promise to look at other issues of desperate importance to fans, like ticket prices, safe standing and facilities for disabled supporters."

 

[Rangers Football Club 0]

SMITH says Gers should be open to fans' takeover proposals

 

  Quote

WALTER SMITH has admitted he is open to a potential fans' takeover of Rangers in the coming months.

 

The Ibrox boss responded to news that one supporters group has confirmed it is exploring plans to buy out major shareholder Sir David Murray's stake in the club.

 

Moves by the Rangers Supporters Trust are at a very early stage and it seems they would require a wealthy individual or consortium to underwrite the scheme.

 

But given similar projects have been successful elsewhere in Europe, including in Spain and Germany, it is something the manager feels should be looked into and considered.

 

Smith, speaking about the idea which it is reported would involve 20,000 fans paying �£1,500 each over five years, said: "Everything at the present moment is worth looking at.

 

"That situation seems to be in place at a fair number of clubs across Europe, although I don't know a great deal about it.

 

"The reports that were in the newspapers this morning were sketchy with regards to what it fully entails.

 

"But it's one of those things which, like anything else at Rangers just now, can't be ruled out.

 

"It seems to work in a lot of places elsewhere and at big clubs so whether we can bring that to a Scottish club would be an interesting factor."

 

Link

Edited March 29, 2010 by Super_Ally

[Bluedell 6,053]

  Frankie said:

Do any of our resident RST board members wish to comment on the story?

 

Appreciate it is at an early stage but would also appreciate an outline on what you're trying to achieve here. What kind of figures are we talking about? What analysis has gone (or will go) into prospective take-up - i.e. canvassing fans etc?

 

It would certainly be helpful if the RST could confirm to its members whether there was any truth to these rumours and where exactly they are with it, rather than us having to rely on different versions appearing in the press.

[plgsarmy 111]

  Bluedell said:

It would certainly be helpful if the RST could confirm to its members whether there was any truth to these rumours and where exactly they are with it, rather than us having to rely on different versions appearing in the press.

 

There is a press release being prepared.

[Frankie 8,882]

plgsarmy:

 

With the manager and club tacitly backing this today can we assume the Assembly are also closely involved but can't comment officially due to their ties with the club?