Bain slams clubs against levy on ticket sales for Rangers' travelling support

13 April 2012

chief executive Martin Bain has hit back at clubs opposed to a levy on ticket sales for Old Firm fans visiting their grounds.

The Ibrox outfit begin their SPL campaign on August 9 at Falkirk, one of four teams which have so far refused to accept the planned five-percent charge.

Bain, who also announced record season-ticket sales and plans to improve Ibrox, is unrepentant over Rangers' and Celtic's stance. 

Travelling in numbers: Rangers fans at the City of Manchester Stadium for the UEFA Cup final

'It is incredulous that, despite our attempts to explain this rationally to other clubs, some of them continue to refuse to accept our approach,' he said. 

'Rangers supporters travel the length and breadth of the country, often paying premium prices for grounds which are often found lacking in their facilities.

'This is about our fans. I feel they more than pay their way in Scottish football and we want to alleviate some of the financial pressure.

'I am also disappointed at the other clubs' lack of understanding of our continual efforts to make it as easy as possible to distribute their tickets with minimal cost and effort on their behalf.

'We help to maximise ticket sales for SPL away grounds, to the region of £2.5million, but accept that this comes at a cost, hence our proposal.

'This would allow us to remove the costs currently borne by our fans.'

Bain hopes the clubs now selling tickets to Old Firm fans directly will enforce strict monitoring of purchasers by recording names and addresses.

The chief executive insisted efforts were continuing to strengthen Walter Smith's squad after revealing Rangers were on course to pull in a record 44,000 season-ticket holders.

Bain is also confident the new Ibrox playing surface will stand up to the rigours of a full season and revealed new LED advertising and scoreboards will be installed at the ground.

TV fans boxed out

Rangers fans are facing a TV blackout for tonight’s Champions League showdown
with Kaunas. Armchair supporters won’t be able to watch the second qualifying
round match against the Lithuanian champions, with the Ibrox side preferring to try to
increase slow ticket sales.

A BBC Scotland spokesman said: ‘We did put in a bid to show the match, but it wasn’t accepted.’

Setanta and Sky are showing friendlies involving Sunderland and Liverpool, respectively.

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