Gough hoping to become voice of Rangers fans

Former Ibrox captain Richard Gough has put himself forward for election for the board of the Rangers First supporters' group.

Gough, who acts as a "global ambassador" of Rangers, is among 23 candidates for a seat on the five-strong board of the shareholding group, which owns a 3.5 per cent stake in the club and has more than 14,000 contributors.

Gough has backed proposals to merge Rangers First with several other fans' groups to form a unified Rangers Support organisation that will work closely with the club.

The 53-year-old, a friend of Rangers chairman Dave King, said: "I believe in the Rangers Support proposal but it is not me who will decide. My role as a director of Rangers First would be to give our members that chance.

"By putting members at the heart of the new group and that group at the heart of our club, we can ensure the events of the last few years are never repeated.

"Our crowd supported me on the playing field. They protected our club in its darkest days. I have faith they will always stand up for the values and desire for success that make Rangers Football Club special."

Rangers company secretary James Blair, one of the main instigators of the group and its solicitor, has also put his name forward.

Blair said: "I want to see Rangers First work with our club to create a supporters' organisation that can create something new and unique in British football. A genuine mass participation supporters group that will provide our club with a competitive and financial advantage over its rivals."

However, five candidates including Brian Donohoe, the former Labour MP for Central Ayrshire, have signed a series of pledges which stress the independence of Rangers First.

They want to continue growing the shareholding and vow that no Rangers First director "should receive any remuneration from Rangers Football Club be it directly or indirectly through their employer. This can lead to conflict of interest."

The pledges, also signed by current Rangers First director Andrew McLintock, founders Ronnie Johnston and Graham Campbell, plus Marc Alexander, also state: "Rangers First should be an independent community interest company, happy to assist the club but able to be the eyes and ears of the ordinary fan and take an independent stance where the members feel it is necessary, to protect the club."