Ashley doubles his stake in Rangers

all good news for us....

http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/u...ubles-his-stake-in-rangers-with-4-26m-shares/

Mike Ashley, the Sports Direct tycoon and Newcastle United owner, has emerged as the mystery buyer behind the purchase of a 5.23% stake which was completed on his behalf by Paris-based BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC.

According to share information on the Rangers International Football Club plc website, Ashley is now the third largest shareholder behind Laxey Partners (16.32%) and Artemis (9.95%), although football club director Sandy Easdale holds voting rights of more than 26% of the shares.

Ashley's move comes weeks after he stated to the London Stock Exchange that he was not taking part in a share offer which was open to all existing Rangers shareholders. The board had hoped to raise about £4million but fell almost £1million short, with half of the new income quickly going out of Ibrox to repay loans.

Ashley bought his latest batch of shares for 20p each - the same price at which they were on sale for in the open offer.

Speculation surrounding his intentions for Rangers, and the possible problems caused by football rules regarding influence at more than one club, forced Ashley to reaffirm his commitment to Newcastle last month.

A club statement on 12th September added: "For the avoidance of doubt, this means that for the remainder of this season and at least until the end of next season, Mike Ashley will not, under any circumstances, sell Newcastle United at any price."

 

It brings forward his departure, that's all.

 

Slowly but surely his Master Plan is taking shape.

Knowing our luck, Rangers will screw it up in the Scottish Championship, miss out on Promotion and we'll be stuck with him an extra year or two.

 

Doubling his stake from £1 to £2 is nothing to write about.

 

They are one of the biggest clubs in Europe/Global lads. If run right as Fatty does he will clean up. Bought Toon = make profit= buy Glasgow Rangers with profit (for nowt)….. he is not so daft.