Scottish League 1 Rangers CEO Craig Mather "has left the Ibrox side" citing the "incessant attempts to destabilise the operations of the club" among the reasons for his "shock departure," according to Gregor Kyle of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. The news was confirmed to the stock exchange Wednesday morning, alongside the resignation of Non-Exec Dir Bryan Smart, with Mather leaving ''by mutual consent.'' The departures come just days after former Ibrox Dir Paul Murray won a “stunning victory” against the board at the Court of Session. Murray immediately "called for the heads" of Directors Mather and Brian Stockbridge (DAILY RECORD, 10/16). The SCOTSMAN reported Mather went on to say he regretted the ongoing boardroom battles, but insisted he had left the club on a solid footing despite the challenges posed. Mather: "Despite recent events and speculation, the facts of the matter are that the club is financially secure and in a far better place than it was a year ago. Unlike most football clubs Rangers has money in the bank, no borrowings and this season we have assembled a squad which is capable of progressing through the leagues" (SCOTSMAN, 10/16). REUTERS' Keith Weir reported Mather said he hoped his departure would end the "current hysteria" surrounding the running of Rangers. Mather, who said he had invested a million pounds in the club, "stepped in to replace Green initially on an interim basis and was confirmed in the role only three months ago." Green's departure "led to feuding between rival factions seeking to control the club." In a statement, Mather said, "My short tenure as chief executive has been beset by incessant attempts to destabilize the operations of the club, all done supposedly in the interests of Rangers" (REUTERS, 10/16). The BBC reported the boardroom departures of Mather and Smart "follow those" of Non-Exec Dir Ian Hart and Chair Walter Smith. And former Ibrox manager Smith has since urged the club to resolve its "boardroom turmoil" (BBC, 10/16).
