David somers rangers biography of christopher

Rangers have announced non-executive chairman David Somers has resigned from the club's board of directors.

The 7 a.m. statement to the Stock Exchange followed speculation on Sunday night which suggested the 66-year-old -- a deeply unpopular figure with fans -- was ready to walk before he was pushed out of the club at a general meeting on Friday.

His departure leaves the Ibrox club with just two board members, chief executive Derek Llambias and finance director Barry Leach -- both of whom can expect to be swept out of the club when shareholders vote later this week.

James Easdale -- brother of investor and football board chairman Sandy -- resigned his directorship last week in the face of growing fan opposition and the signs are now clear that the man who called the general meeting, Dave King, is on the verge of grabbing control of the Glasgow giants.

In his resignation statement, Somers said: "I have resigned as Chairman of Rangers International Football club plc. I have worked in the City of London, the world's greatest financial centre for decades and enjoyed considerable success.

"When I was approached about the Chairmanship of Rangers, friends warned me that the world of football has different rules and codes of behaviour. I now know that is a gross understatement.

"I am a non-confrontational man and have always tried to bring harmony to boardrooms and with stakeholders.

"At the risk of antagonising my army of critics I would point out that Rangers managed to pay its bills and avoid going under during my tenure.

"These critics might not agree with how we achieved this. I look forward to alternative solutions from whoever is running the club in the future.

"Despite the personal attacks on me from various sources I genuinely wish the club the very best in the future and I am confident that with such a passionate and vociferous fan base they will be restored to their former glories."

Somer

David Kelly Somers, age 61, died at his home on August 26, 2017. 

He was born on June 2, 1956 at South Lincoln Hospital in Kemmerer, WY.; the son of Wesley G. & LaRae (Bigler) Somers.  

Kelly graduated from Kemmerer High School in May of 1975.  He lettered all four years in football and was selected for the first Shriners football game.  The Kemmerer Ranger football team went on to an undeafeted season and won the conference championship.  

Kelly was employed at the Kemmerer Coal Mine for forty one years.  

He was preceded in death by his father, Wes Somers, his mothers parents, Arnold and Luella Bigler, and his fathers parents, Dick and Florence Somers.

He is survived by his son, Dru Somers, of Dayton, Washington, his mother, LaRae Somers, of Kemmerer, WY.; a brother, Rick (Ronnie) Somers, of Kemmerer, WY.; sisters, Kim Somers, and Pam Somers, both of Cheyenne, WY.; two nieces, Chris (Jake) Rees, of Mountain View, WY.; and Lindsey Somers, grand nephew, Jackson Rees, and a grand niece, Olivia Rees.

A private celebration of Kelly’s life will take place at a later date.

Somers has already begun the process of interviewing potential replacements for former chief executive Craig Mather, who resigned last month and more board members could be added before the AGM.

Now McColl's group has reiterated its desire to discover if former chief executive Charles Green is still involved with shareholders Blue Pitch Holdings and Margarita holdings, in addition to requesting answers about the club's "poor financial performance".

The company reported a £14m operating loss for the 13 months to June.

"We note the appointment of David Somers as acting chairman of Rangers International Football Club with bemusement," said a statement from McColl's group.

"His gushing praise of the history of the club has been done by many characters in this revolving-door regime.

"The fans are well aware of their history and instead need to hear answers to the questions they ask vocally at every game about investors' identity, Green's involvement and poor financial performance.

"Last year's prospectus promised a high level of corporate governance. The result has been a disgrace.

"Mr Somers says he stands for corporate governance. As none of us know Mr Somers, we have asked Daniel Stewart for an introductory meeting.

"Our group is ready and fully equipped to rebuild the club financially and morally and, although we are being pressed by shareholders to call for a general meeting, we will wait in the interests of the dwindling cash balance.

"We and they, however, will not stand for further appointments pre-AGM."

Malcolm and Paul Murray will meet with representatives of Rangers fans' groups before Saturday's home game against Airdrieonians.

David Somers (born September 1948) is a chartered accountant and Pension Fund manager. From 2013 to 2015 he was the Chairman of Rangers Football Club.

Career

Somers is a chartered accountant and is a non-executive director of ACE Europe Life which is part of the ACE Group of insurance and reinsurance companies. Somers was also a non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee of Europe Arab Bank, he is the Independent Trustee & Chairman of the Investment Sub Committee at Fujitsu Technologies International Pension Plan and the Chairman of the Investment Committee at TCF Investment Managers Ltd.

Somers is the former chairman of Rangers Football Club. His appointment was announced on 7 November 2013 and it was ratified at the club's AGM on 19 December 2013. Somers left the board on 2 March 2015, before Dave King's takeover.

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