THE Union of Fans is set to appeal to the Rangers board not to sell Ibrox and Murray Park one last time.

The SPFL League One champions yesterday ended weeks of speculation over how many fans had signed up for the 2014/15 season.

In an announcement to the stock exchange at 7am, they confirmed that "approximately 17,000" had been sold.

That is around half the number that bought season books for the Third Division and League One campaigns in the last two years.

The Union - an umbrella group comprising six supporters organisations - has been urging fans to withhold their cash in return for guarantees over the stadium and training ground.

And they have now claimed the number of renewals show the majority of supporters have no faith in the current board.

They also revealed they will use the pledges they have received to try and safeguard the future of Ibrox and Murray Park one last time.

The statement read: "It is now obvious that a clear majority of fans have rejected Graham Wallace, Norman Crighton, David Somers, James and Sandy Easdale and their running of the club.

"We will now make one final attempt to engage with the board and see if they wish to secure the money committed to the Ibrox 1972 fund by providing a legally binding pledge that they will not sell Ibrox or Murray Park.

"They are well aware that such a pledge would greatly increase the level of renewals and we would once again question why they refuse to provide it.

"If they refuse to engage or refuse to provide such a pledge then we will recommend to fans that they continue to support the team, but only on a game by game basis.

"We are aware however that many fans simply will not return to Ibrox until there is a change in the power base at the club.

"That is a matter for individuals as it always has been and we fully understand that position given the level of mistrust of this board. We will continue to raise issues and provide fans with honest and accurate information."

The statement continued: "The Union of Fans has at all times attempted to give fans an accurate picture of the level of season ticket renewals and the issues facing the club.

"We hope that fans can now see that we have been accurate and honest with those figures at all times.

"It has been a hugely difficult decision for our loyal fans to decide not to renew but it is a decision that they can now see is supported by a majority of their fellow supporters."

Meanwhile, Rangers yesterday confirmed that midfielder Kyle Hutton had signed a new one year contract with the Ibrox club.

Hutton, who recovered from a broken leg last season, was out of contract after his previous deal expired at the end of the 2013/14 campaign.

The news comes just days after Darren McGregor and striker Kenny Miller both joined.