Fans group pays tribute to King

Rangers fans have issued a vote of thanks to departing chairman Dave King.

Johanesburg-based King announced on Friday he had vacated his Ibrox throne to focus on guiding his South African businesses through the coronavirus crisis, leaving it to Douglas Park to lead the Gers board on an interim basis.

The Castlemilk-born tycoon proved to be a controversial figure during his five-year reign.

But fan group Club 1872 say they will not forget his role in wresting control away from the loathed Mike Ashley-backed regime previously in charge at Ibrox.

In a statement, the group –the fourth biggest shareholder in the club – said: “Rangers supporters and everyone connected to the club owe a huge debt of gratitude to Dave King for stepping up, along with other current investors, at a time when our football club was in great danger from a group of people intent on running it into the ground.

“Had it not been for his decisive action the outlook for Rangers would have been very bleak.”

King along with his allies Park, George Taylor and George Letham – known as the Three Bears – seized control in 2015.

Tangible success, however, has yet to materialise with the appointments of Mark Warburton and Pedro Caixinha as manager both ending in failure.

King then lured Steven Gerrard to Glasgow in 2018 to lead the transformation of Gers’ on-field fortunes.

The statement continued: “Whilst others outside of the Rangers family might see fit to debate his tenure as chairman it is absolutely clear to those who matter most that he saved our football club and will forever be remembered for doing so.”