AS a boardroom battle became a boycott, an idea turned into a business and a charitable cause. The Lionbrand were the men who sold the jerseys.

Rangers fans have been decked out in red, white and blue in recent years but it wasn’t replica shirts that were on their backs. Their club and a former hero benefitted, though.

The redrawing of the retail arrangement with Sports Direct this week has brought an end to a lengthy stand-off that left the man in the street torn yet united. The fans wanted to put their money into the club, but didn’t want to line Mike Ashley’s pockets at the same time.

Thousands would turn to the Lionbrand as their shirts became the viable alternative to the official merchandise that supporters refused to buy until a deal was done.

“When we first started off we thought we would sell about 100 strips but in the first weekend it was closer to 600,” Lionbrand founder Barrie Campbell told SportTimes. “That is when we realised what we had on our hands and it snowballed from there.

“We knew pretty quickly that there was a chance to be seen as the viable alternative because it wasn’t going to be a short-term boycott when you saw how vigorously Sports Direct were going after Dave King and how entrenched the fans were.

“We had to put a business plan in place and build a business to support a thousand strips per week. I do this in my spare time so it was pretty hectic.”

As Dave King outlined the new terms of the deal between Rangers and Sports Direct, he effectively fired the starting gun for the Light Blue legions.

Supporters flocked to the Megastore on Thursday morning as the boycott was called off and the tills rung once again.

It marked the end of hostilities between Ibrox and Shirebrook. It may not be the end of an era for Lionbrand, though.

“At the end of the day, I am delighted that the club have sorted out the deal and it will help us get back on a stronger financial footing,” Campbell said.

“From our point of view, it might continue due to some of the feedback we have had on our leisurewear.

“We might not do strips but the business has grown over the last couple of years so hopefully that will continue so that we can donate more money to Fernando Ricksen and more profits can be put into Rangers or youth development.”

The new retail deal will see Rangers significantly boost their bottom line from merchandise sales after the Ibrox board saw their determination pay off.

Gers fans will be able to put their cash directly into the club once again but the Lionbrand has acted as a valuable middle man in recent years.

Campbell said: “We are spending roughly £25,000 per season on season tickets and £5,000 on match tickets that we give to charities and ex-servicemen and veterans to get them along to Ibrox.

“We gave £1,000 to Ryan Baird’s family through his Supporters Club, about £6,000 to MND Scotland and done some fundraising for them and we donated towards the Rangers youth raffle fund and gave them Bar72 season tickets, which are £800 each.

“We gave the fans groups £39,000 before we started to donate the money directly to the club. It all adds up over the last couple of years.

“I don’t make one penny from doing this. The suppliers’ costs are obviously covered but I am doing it in my spare time and for nothing and the support from the fans has been terrific.

“The feedback from the supporters has been pretty humbling to be honest. I have had a lot of people saying thanks and it has been really positive so I am grateful for their support.”