THE poll is open and the votes are being cast. By Sunday evening, the Rangers family will either be united as one or remain separated as several groups. The coming days will determine if fans want to come together under the ‘Club 1872’ banner and here, SportTimes looks at what the new organisation would be, and what it would mean, for the Light Blue legions.

WHAT IS CLUB 1872 AND WHY HAS THE PROPOSAL BEEN MADE?

AFTER playing their own parts in forcing boardroom change at Ibrox 12 months ago, the various Gers fans organisations could now come together under one umbrella and streamline the support into what they describe as a “pioneering scheme for a British football club”.

In the information document released this month, the core principles of Club 1872 are named as independence, shareholding, financial contribution, standing up for supporters and engagement.

It is seen as a chance to pool resources and build on the success that the Rangers Supporters Trust and Rangers First, the largest fan ownership group in the UK, have had to date.

Club 1872 will be run in a similar way to the schemes already in place and will collect monthly subscriptions from members. Targets of 50,000 members have already been set, while acquiring a 10% stake in RIFC plc is also one of the first aims of the new organisation.

IF IT GOES AHEAD, WHAT WOULD IT MEAN FOR THE EXISITING FAN GROUPS?

A majority backing from each organisation involved is required for the formation of Club 1872 and that would then see the Rangers Supporters Assembly and Rangers Fan Board dissolved.

Members of the RST and RF will be migrated over to the new organisation and fans who currently pay monthly subscriptions will become members of Club 1872. No further funds will be collected through the BuyRangers scheme and shares held by the RST will also transferred over.

The same process will be followed for supporters who pay into RF and those who have life memberships of RF, or the RST, will become life members of Club 1872.

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WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE MONEY ALREADY HELD BY THE RST AND RF?

BETWEEN them, the RST and Rangers First currently have around £800,000 in cash and that will continue to be ring-fenced for the purpose of buying shares in RIFC plc either through a share issue or via market purchases.

Members could also consider a loan to RIFC plc on the same terms as have been provided by other shareholders or lenders, with that loan being repaid to allow it to be converted into an equity shareholding at a future date. That proposal would be subject to a vote.

HOW WILL CLUB 1872 BE CONSTITUTED AND WHEN WILL IT BE UP AND RUNNING IF GIVEN THE GO AHEAD?

THE Rangers First 2014 CIC will be used as the shareholding vehicle, the Rangers Supporters Trust CIC will be used for projects, while Club 1872 Limited will control ownership of Club 1872 IP and other assets other than shares.

The two other entities involved will be Supporters Voice Limited that will deal with communication and Rangers Supporters Clubs, including NARSA and ORSA, for RSC liaison and support.

It is expected that the first Club 1872 board would be in place within three months if the proposal gains the required backing from fans.

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WILL THE NEW ORGANISATION BE INDEPENDENT FROM THE CLUB?

YES, and it has to be. Legally, Rangers cannot provide financial support to Club 1872 but it is hoped there will be a strong working relationship between the group and the Ibrox board.

The new organisation will be run by the fans and for the fans as they look to increase their say in how Rangers will operate going forward and look after the interests of supporters.

Rangers will have no say in what decisions are taken, though. The independence of Club 1872 has been stressed throughout all the discussions leading up to the publication of the blueprint and vote from fans.

HOW WILL THE MEMBERS OF CLUB 1872 BE REPRESENTED AND HOW WILL DECISIONS BE TAKEN?

THE organisation will operate on a one member, one vote basis no matter what level of monthly subscription members pay.

The proposal at present is for a seven person board to be elected on an annual basis to oversee the running of Club 1872, but members could choose to alter that number if they wish.

A working group comprising of elected members of the RST, RF, the Rangers Supporters Association, Rangers Assembly, and Fans Board will manage affairs until directors are elected.

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INCREASED FAN INFLUENCE AT RANGERS?

IT is hoped that the creation of the new group will help attract supporters that have so far chosen not to join the RST or RF and Club 1872 will allow fans to put cash towards projects other than buying shares.

A target of 25% plus one of RIFC plc shares has been set to give Club 1872 a key voice in the decision making process at Ibrox in the future. Fan ownership remains one of the central pillars of the organisation.

With the Rangers support together under one group, Club 1872 will be able to communicate closely with the Ibrox board to raise issues of importance to fans and significant sums of cash could be raised for a range of uses that could benefit the club and supporters.

HOW WILL MONEY RAISED FROM MEMBERS BE SPENT?

MEMBERS will have a choice of three subscription levels of £5, £10 or £18.72 per month and have a chance to specify what percentage of their cash is put towards share buying or other projects.

It has been proposed that 47.5% of money goes towards shares, 47.5% towards Club 1872 projects and the rest to administration costs to deal with member queries and the running of the organisation.

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WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS COULD THE MONEY COLLECTED BE USED FOR?

IDEAS such as a club museum or a fan zone at Ibrox have already been put forward and the funds raised through donations will be put towards schemes for the benefit of Rangers and the Rangers community.

While this cash could also be used for shares, it is not anticipated that it would be given to Rangers for working capital purposes and all proposals will have to be voted through by members.

WILL CLUB 1872 HAVE AN INPUT ON OTHER MATTERS?

AS well as being a point of contact for supporters and being in communication with Rangers, Club 1872 aim to have a public voice to raise concerns fans have.

In the proposal, it is stated the group will look to put across a ‘coherent and positive’ message, with the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act one area where fans could look to have their say heard.