Bury rubbish Rangers takeover suggestions

Rangers fans take part in a demonstration at Ibrox on Saturday (PA)

Bury have poured cold water on suggestions they could be bought by Rangers as part of a plan for the Glasgow giants to ply their trade in England.

Reports today claim Charles Green's consortium, who took over the Light Blues last week, have looked into the possibility of acquiring the npower League One side.

The plan would then apparently be for newco Rangers to take up Bury's fixtures for the forthcoming campaign, while continuing to play their home games at Ibrox.

Both Rangers and Celtic have expressed an interest in switching south of the border in the past, but such a move would need the approval of the football authorities and has also not gone down well with Gigg Lane chiefs.

Responding to media reports over the last 24 hours, a statement from Bury's board of directors read: "Whilst investment into Bury Football Club is always welcome, any offer of investment will only be viewed at taking the club forward in its only one guise possible - based in the town of Bury, and as Bury Football Club.

"Bury FC is a proud historical club and, as such, proudly represents the town, community, people and, above all, supporters of Bury.

"The directors of Bury FC place the integrity and morality of the club, and football as a whole, way above and beyond any possible financial gain and, as such, wish to reassure all Shakers fans of this fact."

While Bury look forward to opening the season with a home game against Brentford, massive uncertainty continues to surround Rangers.

Green will discover on July 4 whether his newco will be granted entry into the Scottish Premier League when the 12 member clubs - including oldco Rangers - meet to vote on the issue. An 8-4 majority is required.

Reports today claim the Scottish Football League could be willing to accept Rangers into the Irn-Bru First Division - rather than the Third Division - in return for a revamp of the league structure that would eventually lead to a merger between the SPL and SFL.

Green and his investors completed the purchase of the business and assets of Rangers last Thursday for £5.5million after failure to secure a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) in order to exit administration consigned the club to liquidation.

PA