RANGERS FIRST have increased their shareholding at Ibrox ahead of the make-or-break Light Blues General Meeting.

The fan ownership group have seen support steadily increase in the last few weeks as thousands of new members have signed up.

After making another share purchase in recent days, they now own 1.4% of Rangers International Football Club plc and hold 1.14million shares in the company.

Alongside the Rangers Supporters Trust, which operate the BuyRangers scheme, RF are poised to vote against the under-fire board at the GM on March 4.

Former Ibrox director Dave King, Paul Murray and John Gilligan are seeking to overthrow the Gers hierarchy and were bullish about their chances of success when they addressed the media in Glasgow last week.

And nine-in-a-row legend Richard Gough, who is an RF member, is eager for the fans to play their part in ousting the beleaguered board.

He said: "I congratulate everyone at Rangers First for reaching this impressive total in such a short space of time. Every vote will count at the forthcoming General Meeting and I urge all supporters and shareholders to back fan ownership groups and vote for Dave King."

Gough joined former team-mate John Brown and Gordon Smith, the former Ibrox striker and Director of Football, in Glasgow yesterday to meet supporters before the Scottish Cup clash with Raith Rovers.

After years of turmoil off the park, the Light Blue legions hope the end is in sight for the current regime, who have come under huge pressure in recent months.

Brown has been an outspoken critic of the board for several years and has issued another rallying call to the rank and file ahead of the crunch shareholder showdown in London next month.

Bomber said: "Rangers fans around the world want their club back and Rangers First deserve great credit for buying so many shares in recent months. This 1.4% stake will be crucial at next month's General Meeting and I am sure all fans will continue to back Rangers First."

The King alliance require a majority of the votes cast at the GM to take their seats at the Ibrox top table and force out chairman David Somers, chief executive Derek Llambias, Barry Leach and James Easdale.

The shares held by supporters are likely to prove crucial if the King plan is to succeed and thousands of fans have signed up to play their part.

There was a sea of empty seats for the Raith tie yesterday as fans continue to vote with their feet and stay away in protest at the Ibrox hierarchy.

The battle against the board has brought large sections of the fanbase together and Smith hopes they will continue to unite in their numbers.

He said: "The last three years have been difficult for all supporters but Rangers First have shown there is a genuine appetite for fan ownership and this 1.4% stake in the club gives them an important voice.

"I have no doubt their numbers will continue to grow beyond the 7,500 members they already have and they can have a big say in the running of their club in the future."