Rangers have unveiled a £6million plan to drastically upgrade disabled facilities and increase the overall capacity at Ibrox.
But boardroom chiefs fear fan group Club 1872’s decision to vote against a motion that allows the Light Blues directors to issue new shares could scupper their ambitious project. The Gers hierarchy pledged at last year’s AGM to improve provisions for wheelchair-bound supporters following years of complaints about poor vantage points and the exposure to the elements disabled fans are forced to endure on matchdays
Now they look set to follow through on that promise after returning to the SEC Armadillo for this year’s shareholder summit with a slick video presentation laying out their blueprints. The project would see a total of 162 new wheelchair accessible positions - as well as new toilets and lowered concession counters - fitted round the Broomloan, Sandy Jardine and Copland Road stands.
However, the works would require the removal of just over 1000 seats currently held by season ticket holders, costing the club £500,000 a year in ticket revenue. To make up for that loss, Gers chiefs have drawn up plans to add an additional 900 seats at the front of the top tiers on both stands behind the goals.
That would see the ground’s current capacity of 50,800 expanded by another 700 seats.
The upgrades could begin as soon as the summer but would require the club’s squad of financial backers to pick up the tab.
However, RecordSport understands the decision of Club 1872 to join former chairman Dave King in rejecting resolution 8 - a motion that allows the board to issue new shares to hand-picked investors - has frustrated the Ibrox higher-ups.
They fear it will be impossible to raise the cash required to complete the project if the knife-edge vote - which requires 75 percent approval - does not go through and they are blocked from generating fresh finance. Combined, the fan group and King - the club’s largest single shareholder - control a stake in the club worth around 20 percent.
Both have also voted against chairman Douglas Park’s re-election to the board, although he’s expected to survive given only a simple majority is needed to keep his seat. Results of the vote are expected to be announced soon.
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