THE TRACK witnessed a historic moment yesterday as Bels bought Rangers’ share of the Amalgamated Football Committee. After months of negotiations, the papers were finally signed on the pitch by Andy Robert and Hilary Sarre of Bels and Mac Gallienne and Lorraine Ellis of Rangers.

Bels take full ownership of the island’s premier football ground and with it sees the end of a partnership that has lasted more than 50 years.

‘I’m just as ecstatic as when we won the Priaulx and Upton last year,’ said Bels president Sarre just after putting pen to paper.

‘This is the result of 106 years work. Now we are a club of status and with our assets we are now classed as a big club.

‘This is a terrific moment. I’ve been a delegate or secretary of the Amalgamated for over 25 years and with the Track now in the hands of a single club, Belgraves can concentrate on making progress off the pitch.

‘With Rangers having moved their games to St Andrew’s over the last couple of years the time was right for both clubs to get this deal done and to move forward. We wish Rangers well with their future plans,’ added the Bels supreme.

To celebrate the occasion a bottle of champagne that had sat in the Bels’ trophy cabinet for 16 years and given them to them after they had won a tournament in Rennes in 1991 was opened and the future of both clubs toasted to.

Both parties declined to comment with regards to the price of the sale, but Rangers are not proposing to sit on their laurels and a healthy bank balance.

‘I’ve thought about this when I came to Rangers four years ago, to establish ourselves with some independence,’ said Rangers’ coach Gallienne.

‘I’m pleased it’s finally come around. It’s rattled a couple of cages as it’s a fine playing surface, but we are going to have work tirelessly to get something to match up to it.

‘The deal has taken some time to complete but we are now looking forward to putting the future plans of Rangers in motion. It is a positive move for us and allows us to demonstrate how passionate we are as a club to progress.’