More ructions at Rangers as directors quit
There were further ructions at Rangers yesterday as directors Paul Murray and Barry Scott departed the board of Rangers International Football Club PLC (RIFC).
The news came only 24 hours after Graeme Murty was sacked as manager with only three games left of the league season and amid attempts to recruit former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard as his replacement.
These latest events leave the current RIFC board now comprising chairman Dave King, deputy chairman Douglas Park, Alastair Johnston, John Bennett and Graeme Park, Douglas’ son.
A statement praised Murray for playing “an important role” in helping restore the club “to the hands of those who have its best interests at heart”.
It is understood Murray, who returned to the board three years ago, felt he had been sidelined in recent times. Douglas Park was appointed deputy chairman last month and is known to have struck up a close working relationship with King.
The news has created room for two more nonexecutive directors on the board, with King having talked in the past of wanting female representation.
It is understood the resignation of the two directors is not linked to Murty’s exit although Murray was a
strong advocate for giving the interim manager the job until the end of the campaign, a decision that was announced in December. Nor is their departure thought to be associated with King’s problems with the Takeover Panel.
The Ibrox owner is subject to a legal bid by the Takeover Panel to force him to make an £11 million offer for the bulk of the club’s shares. King claims the funds are in place and one of his companies is seeking government approval to move such a large sum from South Africa to the UK.
Rangers confirmed what was described as “the resignation” of Murray and Scott yesterday in a statement which said: “Paul has been a director since March 2015 and played an important role at that time in helping oust the previous board and restore the club to the hands of those who have its best interests at heart. Paul has served with distinction as a director since that time and all at Rangers are very grateful for his efforts. We look forward to welcoming him again as a supporter.
“Barry joined the board more recently and his enthusiasm and drive were welcome. the board knows it will continue to enjoy his support and appreciates the commitment he has shown to the club.”
It’s not the first time Borders-based Murray has departed the board of Rangers. He was removed along with Alastair Johnston in 2011 after opposing Craig Whyte’s buy-out amid doubts about the businessman’s wealth.
King’s association with Murray goes back to David Murray’s time at the club, when both men were on the board. He was glowing about Paul Murray’s efforts after the club entered administration in 2012, saying: “Paul is a very smart businessman of undoubted integrity and a man who holds all that is sacred and traditional at Rangers football club very close to his heart. He is exactly the type of man the club needs at this time.”
Scott, meanwhile, joined the board last year. The Hong Kong-based businessman was part of the group contributed £6.5m in loans to the club in 2016.