Scottish Championship side Rangers Chair David Somers on Tuesday "hit back at his club's own fans by insisting categorically he has no plans to sanction the sale of Murray Park," according to Keith Jackson of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. Following a statement from supporters' coalition group the Union of Fans which "accused the under-fire regime of plotting to raise emergency cash by flogging off the club's prized assets, including the training facility at Auchenhowie," Somers "made the board's position clear." While "declining to be interviewed on the matter," he insisted that no "sale and leaseback" deals have been discussed. Somers: "There is a great deal of nonsense being written about possible sales of Rangers assets. The board has never discussed the sale and/or leaseback of any Rangers asset. Nor do I expect us to do so" (DAILY RECORD, 7/30). In Glasgow, Michael Grant opined there is "no clarity over what Murray Park would sell for." It has "no value as a going concern." A sale price would be "entirely dependent on whether planning permission could be granted for housing or commercial development on the land." Would a developer be prepared to buy it now and "sit on it for five years, maybe more, on the assumption that eventually it could be used for a highly lucrative housebuilding project?" The "risk" to Murray Park may prove to be "entirely hypothetical." But there has been "suspicion and prevarication about it for months and no amount of statements have so far brought clarity to its place as a pawn on this chessboard." Rangers "need money from somewhere." Murray Park has become a "weapon for supporters who believe there are far bigger issues at stake: the credibility and trustworthiness of the board, and the survival of the club" (HERALD SCOTLAND, 7/30).
MEMBERSHIP OFFER: Also in Glasgow, Grant reported in a separate piece Rangers "launched an attempt to boost season-ticket numbers by introducing a 'club membership' scheme and announcing that all season-ticket holders would automatically receive free founder membership." The scheme will enable members to "apply for a place on the new Fans Board, announced by the club earlier this month and to vote in Fans Board elections." Various members-only initiatives and benefits will apply. Non-season ticket holders "can buy membership on the Rangers website" at £24.99 ($42.26) for adults and £14.99 ($25.35) for juniors (HERALD SCOTLAND, 7/30).
