FANS have welcomed James Easdale's resignation as a Rangers director as a major step towards changes in the corridors of power at Ibrox led by tycoon Dave King.
Mr Easdale, who was one of four directors who faced being voted off the board at an extraordinary meeting on March 6, decided to quit, indicating it was following opposition from Rangers fans.
The development came the day after the fans shareholder group Rangers Supporters Trust (RST) claimed they pierced the so-called Easdale block - a major chip held by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley in the Ibrox power battle.
The RST said it purchased 450,000 shares from Beaufort Nominees who hold the shares for the proxy block represented by bus tycoon Sandy Easdale, a director of club operating company subsidiary, The Rangers Football Club Ltd (TRFCL).
Fans have previously raised concerns that Mr Easdale, who owns McGill's bus company, has influence over 26 per cent of the shareholding and the voting rights at Ibrox.
That gives him power of veto over crucial decisions facing Rangers, despite not being represented on the board of the controlling holding company Rangers International Football Club plc.
It gives him and ally Mr Ashley far greater control over club's affairs, including decisions over major investments such as a share issue.
RST is supporting Mr King's move to oust the current directors, who are sympathetic to Mr Ashley, through a shareholders vote at a forthcoming extraordinary general meeting due to take place next month in Ibrox.
The move aims to replace them with Mr King, the former Blue Knight Paul Murray and John Gilligan, the one-time managing director of Glasgow brewer Tennent's.
Chris Graham of RST said Mr Easdale's resignation was an "overwhelmingly positive move" towards the changes demanded by Mr King.
"I think it is indicative of them seeing the writing is on the wall, to be honest," he said.
"We are moving towards the point where we have enough votes, but everyone still has to make their vote count.
"I think if James Easdale had bowed to fan pressure he would have gone a year go.
"But we are urging caution in a way. We don't want to take our foot off the gas."
Meanwhile the position of Mr Easdale's brother Sandy as chairman of Rangers' operating company board was plunged into confusion, when the club stated that David Somers had actually taken the position.
Latest TRFCL financial documents have Mr Somers signing off accounts as chairman of TRFCL, which oversees the day-to-day running of the club. And securities against Rangers assets handed over to Mr Ashley after providing an emergency loan have all been signed off by Mr Somers on behalf of TRFCL.
In response Rangers spokeswoman confirmed last night: "Yes David Somers is the chairman of The Rangers Football Club Limited. Sandy Easdale is a director of The Rangers Football Club Ltd."
But a spokesman for Sandy Easdale said that the club was wrong and that he remains as chairman with Mr Somers as deputy.
Rangers subsequently withdrew their earlier statement.
And Mr Somers said: "Sandy Easdale is chairman of RFC. I am merely the deputy chairman of this board. I believe my signature was on the accounts simply because Sandy, at that time, was unavailable. My apologies if there has been some minor confusion."
James Easdale, who has been involved with the club along with his brother since 2013, said of his resignation: "I drew great comfort from the shareholder votes in my favour at the AGM on 22 December - almost 90 per cent.
"However, it was clear that this cut little ice with the fans who attended Ibrox on that day.
"I personally feel to remain on the board even after securing shareholder backing once more would be a hollow victory for me without the fans' support to help the club go forward.
"I also want to dispel any remaining doubt that I received any remuneration from Rangers. I did not. Instead, I chose to work for free to benefit the club.
"I want to see Rangers flourish again with both fans and shareholders working in harmony."
Meanwhile the RST said it had taken a further 514,345 proxies in advance of the EGM, which now gave them voting rights over 4.4 per cent.
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