THEY went from the stands to the streets and had their say. Now Rangers fans can make their voice heard at Ibrox and beyond.

The Light Blues support is vast in numbers and diverse in opinions. Consensus is not easily reached amongst any support on any issue and those that follow the Gers have had more reasons than most to be split over the years.

When it mattered, though, they came together as a collective force. Some, of course, did more than others but where a handful lead hundreds and then thousands followed.

Now, they have a chance to unite once again for the good of each other and Rangers. After four nightmare years, the dream could become a reality at Ibrox.

The formation of Club 1872 has brought together several fan groups, including the Rangers Supporters Trust and Rangers First, and given punters a single body to invest their money in and provide their backing to.

It is an organisation that has been required for some time, and one that has come about as the majority have put their allegiances to the RST or RF to one side. The small number that haven’t could now, for some reason, decide to watch on from afar.

Voting for the inaugural board opened on Thursday and the seven person top table will be announced a week today. The workload has been significant but, for those that gave up their time and put in the hours, the rewards will be worth it.

Yet more will have to be done to mobilise a greater percentage of a support that could easily become dormant as they witness the progress that has been made on and off the park in recent months.

The fear is that fans will drift away and focus only on the football when they see that their club is no longer in danger. Rallying to a cause is one thing, but retaining an interest in the financial figures, Stock Exchange announcements and boardroom politics is quite another.

A target of 50,000 members has already been set as they look to the continent - where tens of thousands put their money into their clubs every month - for inspiration and a model to follow.

It is only due to the events of the last few years that fan ownership has become a hot topic amongst the Light Blue legions. Even now it appears that it is not a realistic proposition.

But that is not necessarily a bad thing. Supporters should always be at the heart of their clubs, yet that does not mean that they are not the best people to run them.

All fans should have their views aired, shared and heard, though, and the power of a collective voice can be substantial at Ibrox and further afield.

The boardroom change of March 2014 would never have been possible without the money from Dave King and the Three Bears but the fans played their own part in ousting a reviled regime from office.

Club 1872 currently own a 6% stake in RIFC plc and have set a target of 25% plus one share to give them a level of influence that they have never had at Ibrox. After seeing Murray, Whyte and Green and Co. come and go, Rangers fans finally have an opportunity to become key players at Ibrox.

Money that is not spent on shares will be used for projects to enhance the match day experience and could become vital to the continued rebuilding job, while Club 1872 have already shown their willingness to stand up for their fellow fan when necessary.

The aim is to build a working relationship with the Ibrox hierarchy but its independence can never be in doubt. There will be no representative on the Gers board but the fans can now have their say at their club.