THE figures once made startling reading for William Cowie. Now he hopes there will be strength in numbers for Rangers.

For years, the Glasgow-based financial director pored through the books and feared the worst as the dark clouds hung over Ibrox.

On and off the park, the future is far brighter for the Light Blues these days. Supporters were integral to the change at boardroom level and have an opportunity to be key players going forward.

Read more: Matt Gilks - Rangers will relish Aberdeen clash after comfortable cup winGlasgow Times: Willie Henderson (right) and Alex MacDonald (left) join Rangers Managing Director Stewart Robertson to launch Club 1872

Cowie is one of 15 candidates that are standing for election to the board of Club 1872 and he is eager to play his part at the heart of the newly formed fan organisation.

He told SportTimes: “I paid into Rangers First and the RST but I wasn’t actively involved.

“I thought that was the best way to contribute and the money was going towards shares.

“I emailed Club 1872 saying what I do, explained that I am a qualified accountant and a financial director and what skills I have. I said that if they needed that expertise then I would be happy to help. I think I can help.

“In the last three years, the company I have worked for have merged and bought over three or four others. I brought all of that together.

“Club 1872 has a number of organisations coming together and I think I have got the skills to help.

“I am not a great public speaker. But I am good with systems, accounts and that kind of stuff and that is what I could bring to the board.

“It has been eye-opening what has been going on at Rangers. We have been through a few years of instability and poor financial controls.

“It was frustrating to see and it is sad when it is the club that you love but we are on the right track now thankfully.”

Read more: Matt Gilks - Rangers will relish Aberdeen clash after comfortable cup win

The formation of Club 1872 saw several Gers fan groups come together under the one umbrella as supporters joined forces earlier this year.

A target of recruiting 50,000 members has already been set as the organisation look to bring as many supporters on board as possible and give them a voice at Ibrox and further afield.

The money raised through monthly subscriptions will be used for buying shares and projects to enhance the match day experience for the Light Blue legions.

Club 1872 already own a 6% shareholding in RIFC plc and Cowie hopes that stake will steadily increase to give fans power at the top of the Marble Staircase.

He said: “We want to get to 25% plus one share and if we can get to that level, whether that is with 50,000 members or not, the events of the last few years won’t happen again.

“I know people need to sell their shares for us to get there but it is a realistic aim. If we can do that, we have a level of control in what goes on.

“I know a lot of supporters only want to watch the team but we can have a part to play beyond that.

“It is very important that Club 1872 is successful and I want to play a part in that.

“Look at clubs like Benfica and Hamburg with tens of thousands of members. We can do that as well. That would be an amazing achievement and the fans would have such a big say.

“You never know what will happen in the future and the fans have to be key players at the club.

Read more: Matt Gilks - Rangers will relish Aberdeen clash after comfortable cup win

“The shareholding, for me, is still the most important thing right now. We have a chance to get to that 25% plus one and it is a chance that we need to make the most of.”

Voting for the Club 1872 board will commence on Thursday, September 22 and a seven person top table will be elected. The process will be overseen by Supporters Direct Scotland and the results announced on Monday, October 3. The full list of candidates is:

SHANE NICHOLSON

Proposer: Ross McAdam

Seconder: Gordon Stewart

WILLIAM COWIE

Proposer: Gary Carmichael

Seconder: Frank Chalmers

ALEX WILSON

Proposer: Malcolm Murray

Seconder: James Brockbank

JOANNE PERCIVAL

Proposer: Gordon Dinnie

Seconder: George Letham

LAURA FAWKES

Proposer: Chris Graham

Seconder: Margaret Cowie

IAIN LEIPER

Proposer: Robert Marshall

Seconder: Steven Tyrie

STEVIE SINCLAIR

Proposer: Mark Campbell

Seconder: William Paterson

CRAIG HOUSTON

Proposer: William Cowie

Seconder: Stevie Sinclair

JAMES BLAIR

Proposer: Robert Marshall

Seconder: Richard Gough

JOHNATHAN MCGOOKIN

Proposer: Michael Hegan

Seconder: Ian Gilfillan

SCOTT MCCULLOCH

Proposer: Robbie McAllister

Seconder: Colin MacIver

JAMES DURRANT

Proposer: Gordon Phimister

Seconder: John Brine

KELLY JOHNSTONE

Proposer: Johnathan McGookin

Seconder: Fraser Munro

BRIAN DONOHOE

Proposer: Gregory Campbell

Seconder: Malcolm Murray

IAIN MARTIN

Proposer: Robert Marshall

Seconder: Richard Scott