Scottish Championship side Rangers Chair David Somers "has officially quit his post" just days before the club’s Ibrox EGM, citing "personal attacks" and his "army of critics" in his resignation statement, according to Gregor Kyle of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. The move "was announced in a 7am statement to the London Stock Exchange" Monday morning and follows Dir James Easdale’s "surprise departure" on Friday. Somers’ departure indicates that investor Dave King and his associates "are on the verge of ousting the current board at this Friday’s general meeting at Ibrox stadium." He "was a contentious figure within an embattled board and provoked the wrath of the Rangers support with his provocative approach at the club’s most recent AGM." Somers said in a statement, "At the risk of antagonising my army of critics I would point out that Rangers managed to pay its bills and avoid going under during my tenure" (DAILY RECORD, 3/2). In London, Roddy Forsyth wrote the deadline for proxy votes to be received "falls on Wednesday morning, but the beleaguered Rangers plc board has accepted that King -- himself a former Ibrox director -- will be in charge after Friday’s extraordinary general meeting." Both sides "have crunched the voting numbers and have arrived at the conclusion that his victory is inevitable, raising the question of whether or not there will be any need for the meeting to go ahead" (TELEGRAPH, 3/1). Also in London, John Aglionby wrote Somers "quit with a vicious swipe at the boardroom infighting." Somers: "I have worked in the City of London, the world’s greatest financial center, for decades and enjoyed considerable success. When I was approached about the chairmanship of Rangers, friends warned me that the world of football has different rules and codes of behavior. I now know that is a gross understatement. I am a non-confrontational man and have always tried to bring harmony to boardrooms and with stakeholders" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 3/2). The BBC's Chris McLaughlin reported in a "damning statement," the Rangers Supporters Trust said Somers' comments were "entirely in keeping with his behaviour" during his tenure. It said, "His lack of ambition or ability, rampant self interest, contempt for shareholders and fans, and disastrous dearth of understanding of the position of responsibility he held will be his legacy. He will be remembered as one of the most inept and embarrassing chairmen of our wonderful sporting institution." And the fans' group has called for the remaining directors, Derek Llambias and Barry Leach, to "follow Mr. Somers out of the door" (BBC, 3/2).
