Club 1872 statement

[mdingwall]

He also has direct experience of helping supporters trusts put together a plan for fan ownership.

You don't need to like him as a person. It would be foolish to ignore his relevant experience.

He's a dirty, filthy, treacherous cunt.

 

[iaatpies]

He's a dirty, filthy, treacherous cunt.

He was brought in from nowhere by another Rangers fans group. That was never going to end well.

You use him for advice on how to structure supporter ownership groups and how to put together a proposal for a fan share purchase. You involve him for a specific and limited purpose. You thank him for that knowledge and experience and you send him on his way. It would be foolish not to consider using a consultant with relevant experience simply because you may personally believe that he's an arsehole.

Thats what he can offer. Relevant knowledge and experience that helps you achieve what you want to achieve. You don't give him a seat on the board or have him front a fan buyout bid. For me C1872 should be set up as a community interest company with clear articles of association, full transparency and an asset lock on any money that it raises. Would you ignore the experience of somebody who has been involved with that because he happens to be a cúnt? Seems wasteful not to take advantage of relevant experience.

Same reason that you talk to the Foundation of Hearts and Well Society people. Same reason that you reach out to the folk at Hamburg and try to learn from how they operate their model.

 

[mdingwall]

He was brought in from nowhere by another Rangers fans group. That was never going to end well.

You use him for advice on how to structure supporter ownership groups and how to put together a proposal for a fan share purchase. You involve him for a specific and limited purpose. You thank him for that knowledge and experience and you send him on his way. It would be foolish not to consider using a consultant with relevant experience simply because you may personally believe that he's an arsehole.

Thats what he can offer. Relevant knowledge and experience that helps you achieve what you want to achieve. You don't give him a seat on the board or have him front a fan buyout bid. For me C1872 should be set up as a community interest company with clear articles of association, full transparency and an asset lock on any money that it raises. Would you ignore the experience of somebody who has been involved with that because he happens to be a cúnt? Seems wasteful not to take advantage of relevant experience.

Same reason that you talk to the Foundation of Hearts and Well Society people. Same reason that you reach out to the folk at Hamburg and try to learn from how they operate their model.

You don't use him for nothing.

He tried similar tactics at various other clubs to make himself the face of their campaigns.

His "organisation" is an illusion - it's so-called 70,000 members are in fact those who sign up to various forums and facebook pages who then say they support it.

 

[Barbarossa]

The lack of transparency here to C1872’s members is astounding.

That doesn’t bode well for the future.

I like the model but, I’m not sure they have the right people in place. Most of these directors, past and present have been involved in blazer chasing and in-fighting for longer than I can remember.

 

[jf1960]

I think I'm gonna wait to see what Rangers say before I commit

 

[deedle]

Given the sums involved, for this to succeed Club 1872 surely has to attract figureheads who would gain the trust of the entire support.

I don't think Club 1872 has that at present.

 

[Pandamonium]

Goodwin? I'm out. Wish them all the luck but he is just an oxygen thief. I can't remember him being succussful in anything he has got his hands on.

 

[Big D]

I know this has probably been asked and answered elsewhere, but there are so many threads and posts it would be a needle in a haystack search, so if someone can indulge me I'd appreciate it.

It's a long term thing, but what happens when the 20,000 'legacy members' start to die off? Obviously the shares stay with Club1872, so do the voting rights just go to an ever dwindling list of remaining legacy members? Also, what happens if the circumstances are right, or simply dictate it necessary, for Club1872 to sell? Say that's in 10 or 15 years time. Some members will have died off, others will have changed contact details etc, so what happens to the multi-millions? Not looking to stick a spoke in the wheels, just genuinely curious.

 

[iaatpies]

I know this has probably been asked and answered elsewhere, but there are so many threads and posts it would be a needle in a haystack search, so if someone can indulge me I'd appreciate it.

It's a long term thing, but what happens when the 20,000 'legacy members' start to die off? Obviously the shares stay with Club1872, so do the voting rights just go to an ever dwindling list of remaining legacy members? Also, what happens if the circumstances are right, or simply dictate it necessary, for Club1872 to sell? Say that's in 10 or 15 years time. Some members will have died off, others will have changed contact details etc, so what happens to the multi-millions? Not looking to stick a spoke in the wheels, just genuinely curious.

Ideally you set C1872 up as a community interest company with legal limitations on what they can do with the assets they own - primarily how they could sell their block of shares.

 

[Northampton_Loyalist]

Ideally you set C1872 up as a community interest company with legal limitations on what they can do with the assets they own - primarily how they could sell their block of shares.

C1872 IS a CIC.

https://club1872.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Constitution-1872.pdf

Or rather, they have a published and freely available CIC constitution.


Edit to be a little clearer.

 

[Ali.f]

Paid into RST then transferred into club1872. Kept my subs the same. I'm not sure I will move onto the legacy scheme. Thing is, as I have paid in for years, more than £500,I am concerned that in future legacy members might be viewed as a level above people like myself who pay monthly and have done for years. I would like some clarity about levels, benefits etc and if there will be any plans to have a tiered membership plan eg bronze gets you this, silver something different etc

 

[Big D]

Ideally you set C1872 up as a community interest company with legal limitations on what they can do with the assets they own - primarily how they could sell their block of shares.

Thanks mate. Appreciate it.

 

[iaatpies]

C1872 IS a CIC.

https://club1872.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Constitution-1872.pdf

Or rather, they have a published and freely available CIC constitution.


Edit to be a little clearer.

What they say and what they do need to be 100% aligned.

They need to be 100% verifiably a community interest company and they need to be run as such.

Company number.
Directors.
Articles of association.
Community purpose.
Asset lock.
Operating limitations.

All of it. The whole thing. That document is only good if they've actually implemented it and if members know about it.

 

[iaatpies]

I'll also add that whilst Club 1872 Shares Community Interest Company is a community interest company,

CLUB 1872 LIMITED

and

SUPPORTERS VOICE LIMITED

Aren't.

Thats a massive transparency issue.

 

[Slim Jim]

Club1872 saying over 1000 fans have joined legacy membership in 24 hours.

 

[Slim Jim]

Club 1872 Welcomes Over 1000 Legacy Members Dear Member, We are delighted to bring you the news that on day one of our Legacy Campaign, we welcomed over 1000 legacy members who each committed to helping to fund our purchase of Dave King's entire shareholding in RIFC. This is an incredible response from the Rangers support and we extend our thanks to our new members and to those existing members who've switched to legacy donations in the past 24 hours. We have been inundated with emails and social media enquiries. If you have been in touch and not yet received a response, please bear with us as we work through our messages to answer questions from existing members and those interested in joining us. In the meantime, many of your questions have been addressed on our website https://club1872.co.uk/club1872-legacy/ https://club1872.co.uk/club1872-legacy/phase-one/ https://club1872.co.uk/club1872-legacy/phase-two/ https://club1872.co.uk/faqs/ https://club1872.co.uk/news/dave-king-agrees-to-sell-entire-shareholding-to-club-1872/ And the various sign-up options for legacy memberships are set out here https://club1872.co.uk/join-us/ We are updating our FAQs as more questions come our way, so if there's anything that isn't clear or that hasn't been addressed already, please do get in touch and let us know. You can help us grow our membership and move further towards our target by sharing Club 1872 news with friends and family and encouraging them to join. Please also share the extensive, positive coverage of our campaign that's been in the media, such as this article by Glasgow Times columnist, Chris Jack https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/spor...Ibrox-fans-must-protect-club-1872-share-deal/ You can hear directly from Dave King and Club 1872 Director, Laura Fawkes on the 4 Lads Had a Dream podcast next week. Thank you for your continued support. Club 1872

 

[sheabo]

​ Club 1872 Welcomes Over 1000 Legacy Members Dear Member, We are delighted to bring you the news that on day one of our Legacy Campaign, we welcomed over 1000 legacy members who each committed to helping to fund our purchase of Dave King's entire shareholding in RIFC. This is an incredible response from the Rangers support and we extend our thanks to our new members and to those existing members who've switched to legacy donations in the past 24 hours. We have been inundated with emails and social media enquiries. If you have been in touch and not yet received a response, please bear with us as we work through our messages to answer questions from existing members and those interested in joining us. In the meantime, many of your questions have been addressed on our website https://club1872.co.uk/club1872-legacy/ https://club1872.co.uk/club1872-legacy/phase-one/ https://club1872.co.uk/club1872-legacy/phase-two/ https://club1872.co.uk/faqs/ https://club1872.co.uk/news/dave-king-agrees-to-sell-entire-shareholding-to-club-1872/ And the various sign-up options for legacy memberships are set out here https://club1872.co.uk/join-us/ We are updating our FAQs as more questions come our way, so if there's anything that isn't clear or that hasn't been addressed already, please do get in touch and let us know. You can help us grow our membership and move further towards our target by sharing Club 1872 news with friends and family and encouraging them to join. Please also share the extensive, positive coverage of our campaign that's been in the media, such as this article by Glasgow Times columnist, Chris Jack https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/spor...Ibrox-fans-must-protect-club-1872-share-deal/ You can hear directly from Dave King and Club 1872 Director, Laura Fawkes on the 4 Lads Had a Dream podcast next week. Thank you for your continued support. Club 1872

​

That is tremendous. Although there is the issue that the majority of this will be the ‘low hanging fruit’ so to get to 20 000 they will need to really up the ante over the next few months.

 

[Le Capitan]

How long until Richard Gough is wheeled out to drum up support for this?

Club 1872 isn't credible enough to run this in any way, shape, or form.

 

[immortal7]

Chris Jack's piece today:

THE message of 'never again' was key to Dave King six years ago. On Tuesday night, he emphasised it once more and ensured the words would be backed up by actions.

His decision to sell his major shareholding in Rangers to Club 1872 is his final parting gift to supporters. It will be King's legacy at Ibrox.

King's work rebuilding Rangers is done and now he has the chance to leave the club, his club, to those that will care about it most. Rangers will rest in the hands of the fans.

The cost to Club 1872 will be around £13million but the opportunity they now have is priceless. It is now or never, a once in a lifetime moment to preserve and protect their club for generations to come.

If King had wanted to cash in to the highest bidder, he would have been able to sell his 20.37 per cent stake for considerably more. Indeed, he believes the shares are currently worth around 50p each, which could see him recoup up to £33million if an alternative buyer was to be found at a higher level.

But his relationship with Club 1872 and his belief that supporters should have a key stake in RIFC plc is behind his decision to give the fan organisation the first chance to acquire his stake.
It will make Club 1872 - currently the sixth largest shareholders at Ibrox - by far and away the largest stakeholders in Rangers.

For comparison, chairman Douglas Park currently holds around 12 per cent of the shares, while long-term investor George Taylor has just under 10 per cent. Stuart Gibson, who invested £5million as part of a share issue earlier this year, has a seven per cent holding and the likes of Julian Wolhardt, John Bennett, Barry Scott and George Letham make up the remainder of the key money men at present.

The crucial number for Club 1872 here is 25. That is the percentage they have worked towards achieving since their formation and the purchase of King's 66 million shares will take them beyond that significant threshold.

That gives them the power to veto boardroom decisions and ultimately ensures Rangers will never again be owned by a single individual. If anyone fails to see the significance of that, then they have extremely short memories.

There will be those that rightly say they have full trust in the current Rangers board and complete faith that they will always do right by the club given their financial and emotional investments. Their generosity and their feeling for Rangers cannot be questioned and those that continue to fund their club deserve enormous gratitude from their fellow supporters.

But the Ibrox crowd cannot be complacent and it would be reckless to not make the most of the opportunity that King has given them and secure the long-term future of Rangers.

The intentions of those that make the decisions and that sign the cheques are not in doubt, but this deal is about life after this current regime and Rangers fans know better than most that nothing stays the same forever.

With 25 per cent of the shares under the control of Club 1872, the heartache of 2012 cannot be repeated. There can be no Craig Whyte like figure, no one-man wrecking ball at Ibrox.

If that is not a reason to complete this deal, then what is?

King has now made the dream a reality. Think back to the dark days of 2012, to the times where fans were fearing for the very existence of their club, their institution, rather than thinking of European runs and title wins.

In 1996, there were few dissenting voices towards Sir David Murray. Come 2006, his stewardship was under serious scrutiny and by 2016 his reputation was in tatters.

Things change in football and in business but Rangers fans must always be the one constant.
Increasing their influence is no condemnation on those at Ibrox. Instead, it is confirmation of the supporters' loyalty to Rangers and a chance to secure it for the next generation of fans.

Rangers must become self-sustaining financially and the need for external investment has to lessen in the coming years. Rather than benefactors plugging gaps, revenues will continue to rise and prize money and player trading will become more significant parts of the business model for Rangers.
This arrangement is not about fan ownership, it is about fan influence. Given everything that they have gone through and everything they have done for their club, it is only right that the Rangers support have their voice heard and this deal, with a boardroom seat surely set to follow, provides them that opportunity going forward.

King's shareholding gave him a degree of power and leverage whilst he was chairman, but he didn't singlehandedly run Rangers and that is not what Club 1872 will do either.

This isn't a novelty scheme where punters pick the colour of the strips and decide who the new manager is going to be.

Football decisions will be made by the football department and business decisions made by the executive team. For once, though, the fans can have a seat round the boardroom table rather than be left pointlessly peering in from the outside.

The bill of £13million is significant and only time will tell if it is achievable. New 'legacy' memberships have been launched as fans are asked to donate £500 either as a one-off or via monthly payments and King's shares will be sold off in tranches over the next three years.
With around 20,000 members required, it is a big ask for Club 1872 to treble their support and raise the funds. But it is now or never and the backing of King stands as a vote of confidence in the organisation and fan base.

Dave King helped save Rangers. Now is the time for fans to protect Rangers.

You'll note that there are no quotes at all from the club, and that the manager said he hadn't been informed before the announcement was made.