THE Rangers Supporters Trust have urged fans to stand firm in their battle with Sports Direct and businessman Mike Ashley following the release of the Light Blues’ accounts.

The Evening Times revealed yesterday that Sports Direct sent a legal letter to Rangers claiming their trademark rights had been infringed by the sale of a season ticket card holder by the Sons of Struth that raised money for the Rangers Former Players Benevolent Fund.

Supporters are continuing to boycott stores of the Ashley-owned firm and are refusing to buy official Gers merchandise due to the deals in place.

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Rangers’ latest set of financial figures were made public this morning and a spokesman for the RST told SportTimes: “I would like to think we are at the stage now where the vast majority of supporters are aware of the issues with Sports Direct and the fact that the club is receiving a pittance from the deal that was put in place by Charles Green and Mike Ashley.

“Now, though, it is not just a bad commercial relationship, it appears to be an openly hostile relationship between Rangers and Sports Direct.

“We understand the pull of wanting to buy official merchandise but we would still say ‘don’t buy from Sports Direct or club stores at the moment’. It is not worth it.

“You are effectively bolstering the Sports Direct position and it is not a helpful thing to do just now, no matter how unpalatable that might be.

 

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“Once again, we expect to see that the club receives very little from the merchandise contracts. It is not something that will be resolved easily.

“The message is really simple and that will continue. It is not just Rangers fans that are realising that, either.”

A High Court injunction prevents Rangers from releasing details of the controversial contracts but chairman Dave King launched a scathing attack on Sports Direct last week as he vowed to ensure the company are ‘legally and financially held accountable for its failures’.

King and the Three Bears – Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor – have all reaffirmed their financial commitment to Rangers and the scale of the task ahead will become clearer when the latest set of numbers are revealed.

Glasgow Times: 08/06/15 IBROX - GLASGOW Rangers Chairman Dave King speaks to the press at Ibrox as he launches the 2015/16 season ticket renewals campaign. (38331684)

The Trust spokesman said: “Dave King and the board have been very clear about the fact there is a shortfall and that they will plug the gap.

“The planned share issue has obviously been postponed due to the court cases and the loans will now be converted into shares. From the statement the other day, everyone appears to be quite comfortable with that.”