Club1872 become 2nd biggest shareholder as Mike Ashley leaves the building

[ian1964 10,724]

How the Lionbrand became the men who sold the jerseys during Rangers' stand-off with Sports Direct

 

Christopher Jack

 

AS a boardroom battle became a boycott, an idea turned into a business and a charitable cause. The Lionbrand were the men who sold the jerseys.

 

Rangers fans have been decked out in red, white and blue in recent years but it wasn’t replica shirts that were on their backs. Their club and a former hero benefitted, though.

 

The redrawing of the retail arrangement with Sports Direct this week has brought an end to a lengthy stand-off that left the man in the street torn yet united. The fans wanted to put their money into the club, but didn’t want to line Mike Ashley’s pockets at the same time.

 

Thousands would turn to the Lionbrand as their shirts became the viable alternative to the official merchandise that supporters refused to buy until a deal was done.

 

“When we first started off we thought we would sell about 100 strips but in the first weekend it was closer to 600,” Lionbrand founder Barrie Campbell told SportTimes. “That is when we realised what we had on our hands and it snowballed from there. “We knew pretty quickly that there was a chance to be seen as the viable alternative because it wasn’t going to be a short-term boycott when you saw how vigorously Sports Direct were going after Dave King and how entrenched the fans were. “We had to put a business plan in place and build a business to support a thousand strips per week. I do this in my spare time so it was pretty hectic.”

 

As Dave King outlined the new terms of the deal between Rangers and Sports Direct, he effectively fired the starting gun for the Light Blue legions.

 

Supporters flocked to the Megastore on Thursday morning as the boycott was called off and the tills rung once again.

 

It marked the end of hostilities between Ibrox and Shirebrook. It may not be the end of an era for Lionbrand, though.

 

“At the end of the day, I am delighted that the club have sorted out the deal and it will help us get back on a stronger financial footing,” Campbell said. “From our point of view, it might continue due to some of the feedback we have had on our leisurewear.

 

“We might not do strips but the business has grown over the last couple of years so hopefully that will continue so that we can donate more money to Fernando Ricksen and more profits can be put into Rangers or youth development.”

 

The new retail deal will see Rangers significantly boost their bottom line from merchandise sales after the Ibrox board saw their determination pay off.

 

Gers fans will be able to put their cash directly into the club once again but the Lionbrand has acted as a valuable middle man in recent years.

 

Campbell said: “We are spending roughly £25,000 per season on season tickets and £5,000 on match tickets that we give to charities and ex-servicemen and veterans to get them along to Ibrox. “We gave £1,000 to Ryan Baird’s family through his Supporters Club, about £6,000 to MND Scotland and done some fundraising for them and we donated towards the Rangers youth raffle fund and gave them Bar72 season tickets, which are £800 each.

 

“We gave the fans groups £39,000 before we started to donate the money directly to the club. It all adds up over the last couple of years. “I don’t make one penny from doing this. The suppliers’ costs are obviously covered but I am doing it in my spare time and for nothing and the support from the fans has been terrific.

 

“The feedback from the supporters has been pretty humbling to be honest. I have had a lot of people saying thanks and it has been really positive so I am grateful for their support.”

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/15367792.How_the_Lionbrand_became_the_men_who_sold_the_jerseys_during_Rangers__stand_off_with_Sports_Direct/

[Uilleam 5,948]

Love your quote there! Did you come to it through Springsteen or Pete Seeger?

 

Ry Cooder, as it happens.

 

[boabie 230]

Does club 1872 still have 8000 members joined up as of today? I heard 220 new members joined however we need at least 40-50,000 to match them in my view.

 

C1872 will have members at Ibrox prior to the match on Thursday actively seeking to recruit more guys.

[alexscottislegend 2,328]

Ry Cooder, as it happens.

 

 

Well, you got good musical taste!

[MacK1950 2,378]

There must be a big thanks given to the guys who ran the Lionbrand and donated so much to differing people and organisations.:thup:

[aweebluesoandso 290]

Never thought that my wee hairy body would be the second biggest shareholder in Rangers, thanks Club1872.

[colinstein 294]

there's an article in the Herald by Martin Williams. "Why Rangers might not have seen the last of Ashley" I can't read it. It's behind the paywall.

anyone ?

[Uilleam 5,948]

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15368546.Why_it_may_not_be_the_end_of_Mike_Ashley_s_association_with_Rangers/

 

Why it may not be the end of Mike Ashley's association with Rangers

Martin Williams @MWilliamsHT

Senior News Reporter

 

 

FAN groups hope the ending of Mike Ashley's direct involvement in Rangers following his share sale for £2 million will usher in a new era for the club.

 

The Sports Direct and Newcastle United supremo, who was the third biggest shareholder in the Ibrox club, sold his 7.3m shares to fans group Club 1872 and Julian Wolhardt, the chief executive of Dehong Capital Partners - a Hong Kong based private equity firm.

 

The move sees Club 1872 become the second largest shareholder in Rangers International Football Club with 10.71% of the club.

 

 

The Herald understands that the club have not ruled out continuing commercial association with Sports Direct after a newly re-drawn merchandise agreement ends at the end of next season.

 

Mr Ashley sold just two days after Rangers chairman Dave King announced a truce with the tycoon over the sales of its merchandise in a move he described as "the single most important thing since regime change".

 

It is understood the sportwear tycoon has made no more than £1m from the sale.

 

Mr King who took control of the club three years ago, said the new one year commercial deal with Sports Direct involves at least a share of net profits through their stores, megastore and webstore.

 

 

It came after a series of rows which ended in the courts over the amount Rangers were making from the sales of merchandise - said to be just 4p in the pound - that led to a fans boycott of kit sales. It was described by Mr King as a "toxic and acrimonious" relationship.

 

HeraldScotland:

 

The agreement ripped up the old seven-year deal with Sports Direct to be replaced by a new one which lasts till the end of next season, taking the club to the end of its five year shirt deal with Puma. It is estimated it could net Rangers an additional £5million a year via a huge increase in shirt sales.

 

Rangers had said it meant the end of the Mike Ashley-controlled merchandising arm Rangers Retail, with the club now dealing directly with the sports retailer and that "by far the largest benefit of [the new deal] is going back into the club and in particular to the football squad".

 

 

After the truce was announced Rangers fans flocked back to Sports Direct shops and club stores in their droves to snap up replica shirts which had been reduced in priced to around £20 before the agreement was announced.

 

Drew Roberton, the general secretary of the Rangers Supporters Association, said he would not object to further involvement by Mr Ashley if the next year proves profitable for the club and Sports Direct.

 

"We hope now that everyone moves forward in a positive manner," he said. "If we are sharing the profits now, it might not necessarily be the end of an association with Sports Direct. We have to see how it goes.

 

"Maybe if Rangers are successful, Mike Ashley will see just now just how much money can be generated by the club."

 

He said it was "unfortunate" that the money from the share purchase by shareholder group Club 1872, would benefit Mr Ashley, rather than the club.

 

Club 1872 said: "We are delighted that our members’ support for Club 1872 has brought us to a point where we can acquire these shares and complete the process of restoring control of RIFC to those who view the footballing success of Rangers FC as being just as important as RIFC’s careful stewardship financially."

 

Some hardcore fans who took part in the Ashley boycott have vowed they will still not set foot in Sports Direct-controlled stores, despite the truce.

 

 

One said: "People have been saying that we cannot beat Mike Ashley. He is a billionaire. We just did. This is the way it was always going to end."

 

With Ashley out the picture, the last remaining obstacle to a rights issue to raise money is also effectively gone, and Mr King has indicated his interest in this.

 

 

It is believed the board could call an EGM to push through plans to raise £16m to pay off loans from King and shareholders Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor.

 

During what was one of the most troublesome period of the club's history, secured and then after a fans furore gave up his rights to rename Ibrox, bought for £1.

 

His control over the club's joint venture with Sports Direct over merchandising caused the biggest stink amongst supporters. The Rangers Supporters Trust even launched an alternative shirt for fans as they took on Mr Ashley in the war over Rangers Retail - and said all profits would be ploughed back into an increased shareholding in their club.

Edited June 24, 2017 by Uilleam

[der Berliner 3,747]

It is believed the board could call an EGM to push through plans to raise £16m to pay off loans from King and shareholders Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor.

 

Hm, somehow I seem to remember that these fellows actually wanted to have their loans turned into shareholding - or something like that - rather then getting (all of) their money back?

[MacK1950 2,378]

How can Rangers Supporters Assoc. be seen as speaking for the club re Ashley/. IMO the years deal was to save face on both sides and to enable us and SD to get rid of the stockpile of strips and at the end of the period I expect SD to ride off into the sunset.

Hopefully the board will now confirm that we are able to lose the unsightly SD name from the positions in the ground.