Beleaguered fans keep faith with beloved Gers
Pacemaker Press 14/2/2012 Rangers Football Club go into administration Ross Kennedy from South Belfast gives an opinion on Rangers Football Club going into administration - meaning the club will be docked an immediate 10 points in the Scottish Premier League Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
ULSTER-based Rangers supporters vowed to stick by their team as the football club officially entered administration yesterday.
Fans in Belfast were defiant that their favourite club would come through their current financial predicament, despite the negative headlines.
After filing legal papers signalling their intention to enter administration on Monday, the Glasgow club confirmed yesterday that they had appointed an administrator after a court petition was lodged by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The move automatically means that the current Scottish champions will be docked 10 league points, effectively handing this season’s title to arch rivals Celtic.
Speaking to the News Letter, fans at the Sandy Row Rangers Supporters’ Club expressed dismay at the state of their side’s off-the-pitch affairs but stressed they would stand by their team.
Club manager Warren Miller described the situation as “very sad”.
However he maintained – amid the current doom and gloom – there would be “light at the end of the tunnel”.
“We will never fold and there will always be a Glasgow Rangers as far as I am concerned,” he said.
While fearful that some of the team’s best players – including Northern Ireland international Steven Davis – may seek to leave the club, Mr Miller said local fans would still travel in large numbers to Ibrox.
“We don’t care what team they field because they are our team, Glasgow Rangers, and we will always support them. Should they put 11 kids on the pitch, we would still be over there supporting them.”
Echoing those comments, Ross Kennedy maintained fans would rally behind their team this weekend.
“I think you will see a bigger support than ever [against Kilmarnock],” he said.
“That is why Rangers exist – for their fans. We will not be put off by what happens.”
Reflecting on the club’s financial situation, the 29-year-old added: “It seems to have been a long time coming. I don’t think it was a shock but at the same time, for a team the size of Glasgow Rangers to go into administration, it is just unbelievable.”
Jim McKeown expressed his surprise at Rangers’ plight.
He said: “I always thought they were a well-off club. They and Manchester United used to be the richest clubs in Britain.”
James Younger admitted to not being a Rangers fan but still felt disappointment at the news.
“They used to be a big club,” he said.
Meanwhile, pensioners Billy Martin, 82, and William Kerr also offered their opinions.
Lifelong fan Billy said: “You have to blame the board, who else can you blame?”
William added: “I think they will be all right – the other clubs need them too much.”
Rangers had 10 days by law to appoint an administrator but their hand was forced by HMRC’s action yesterday.
Following legal debate at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, the court was told the administrators would be Duff and Phelps.
Rangers are also awaiting the verdict of a tax tribunal which could cost them £75 million.
Scottish sports minister Shona Robison described the development as a “concerning situation” for everyone involved in Scottish football.
She said: “Football is our national game and it is now for the administrators to take forward the process of assessing the business and securing an outcome in the best interests of the club, its staff, supporters and the game of football as a whole in Scotland.”
Strathclyde Police also said they were seeking urgent talks with the administrators over the club’s ability to pay for officers at future matches.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
