FORMER Irvine MP Brian Donohoe has quit as a director of a Rangers fan group – over four months after being elected.

The ex-Labour politician has resigned from the board of Rangers First after disagreements about governance.

Rangers First was formed two years ago in order for fans to purchase shares in the football club which would lead to having fans sit on the club board.

The group have a 3.2 per cent stake in the club having raised enough money from their 14,000 contributors.

But Mr Donohoe, a life-long Rangers fan, has this week voiced his concerns about the running of the group.

He is concerned that the group do not have approved minutes, a register of members, a constitution or office bearers.

In his resignation letter, Mr Donohoe said: “I would like to end my tenure as a director of Rangers First, having come to the conclusion that my professionalism in the fields that I thought would be useful to the members, are patently at odds with the direction of the organisation. 

“There has been very poor governance over a long period and I can see no sign of that changing to the benefit of the members.

“I have not taken this decision lightly, but as someone with no self-interest other than ensuring the club never again goes through the torture of the past five years.

“I hope that my decision may lead to a board being elected to Club 1872 that is professionally equipped safeguarding the club’s future for its long-suffering supporters.”

Speaking to the Times after his resignation, the former Central Ayrshire MP added: “I was there to buy shares and to save ourselves from ever being in the position where we were in with the likes of Mike Ashley and Craig Whyte. That was my sole purpose.

“I worry about the fact members who joined who may even be contributing to the new organisation for purposes that are part of the CIC (Community Interest Company).

“I don’t know what it is they are gaining from this organisation, there’s nothing I can see that gives me any confidence that they have gained anything.”

A spokesperson for Rangers First said: “Rangers First has always been guided by the wishes of its members who voted overwhelmingly on three separate occasions to bring all the fan groups together into Club 1872.

“Perhaps this adherence to democracy did not suit everyone and it is true that some were acting in self-interest and contrary to the wishes of members.

“Thankfully, however, they have removed themselves and we can now proceed unobstructed with the business of uniting all Rangers fans together with Club 1872.”