Partnership of investors is the best hope for Rangers

“It is when there is a lack of transparency that problems can occur.”

We have been hearing a lot about fan ownership recently.

Hearts, Hibs and Rangers have all been in the news and there has been a lot of debate about the potential benefits and pitfalls for clubs involved.

There are two distinct types of fan ownership.

In the first, a wealthy supporter bankrolls his, or her, team out of love.

The perfect example would be the late Eddie Thompson at Dundee United.

Eddie was a great backer of the Tangerines, who used to take his place among the travelling support when they were away from home.

But I think I am right in saying he would have felt the pressure to make sure the side was the very best it possibly could be.

Even to the extent of spending more on players than was perhaps advisable at times. In all cases, the business model has to be sustainable.

It is precisely because of the problems at Hearts and Rangers we have seen the movements to bring in the second type of fan ownership.

This is where supporters group together to provide collective backing, whether financial or skills. The most famous example is at Barcelona, where the club is owned by the support.

It can work very well. You just need to look at the backing Hearts and Rangers received from appeals to their support at their times of greatest need to see the potential there is there.

I have consistently stated my view that Rangers’ best hope is for the club to be run by a partnership of investors, and I would certainly like to see a fans element involved.

Ideally, this would involve fans playing an active part in the business by investing funds.

However, even if we were just talking about a supporters’ representative on the Board, it is vital. They can then report back to fans groups.

That would allow them to see the figures and, through that access, be able to reassure fellow supporters everything is being properly run. Or, if such information is not forthcoming, demand it be made available.

I know from my own experience at Rangers prior to the dark days of 2012 and beyond it is when there is a lack of transparency that problems can occur.