Andy Mason backs Kelso and Clyde in fresh investments after role in Rangers takeover

Andy Mason, the Dubai-based entrepreneur who played a role in brokering the takeover of Rangers earlier this year, is making new financial and advisory commitments to two historic Scottish sporting institutions: Kelso Rugby Club and Clyde Football Club.

Mason has pledged a two-year, five-figure sum to Kelso to support matchday costs and youth coaching, while his sports advisory firm GHOST has signed a consultancy agreement with Clyde aimed at resolving the club’s long-running stadium and ground-sharing problems. Mason’s corporate technology business, DARK, will act as Kelso’s sponsor for the duration of the sponsorship.

Kelso, one of the oldest clubs in world rugby and a notable producer of Scotland internationals such as John Jeffrey, Alan Tait and Ross Ford, will receive the cash to help cover operational costs at Poynder Park and to bolster youth development across the Borders. Mason said the investment is philanthropic and not intended to purchase a stake in the club.

"Kelso is really close to my heart," Mason said, noting family connections to the area and a long personal interest in rugby. "It has produced some brilliant players, not only for Scotland, but some who have even gone on to play for the British and Irish Lions. I will open my contact book and see if I can raise a wee bit more money beyond what I have put in already, in a philanthropic capacity."

Michael Lyall, a Kelso RFC board member, welcomed the partnership. "We are delighted to be working with DARK and Andy. Any new sponsor is welcome for the club. You always need significant investment to keep improving the facilities and allow all of our players to flourish," he said.

At Clyde, Mason’s GHOST advisory team will apply his property and finance experience to the club’s ongoing search for a permanent home. Clyde were evicted from Broadwood Stadium in 2022 and have since been relocating, including a spell at New Douglas Park in Hamilton and prior ground-shares following the long-term loss of Shawfield in Rutherglen in 1986.

"My family were involved with Clyde many years ago when my grandfather actually put some money into the club," Mason said. "My Dad is 90 now and he has been to see Clyde in three Scottish Cup finals, going all the way back to the 1950s. The club should be based in Glasgow. That’s where Clyde’s roots are. The long-term objective is to get them back there on a permanent basis and at the same time support and assist where possible on philanthropic investment."

Andrew Clark, an associate director at Clyde, said the club is seeking new revenue streams and welcomed Mason’s involvement. "We are always looking for new ways to generate income and look forward to working closely with Andy and his team as they seek out fresh opportunities for the club," Clark said.

Mason’s involvement follows his publicised role in helping to broker talks that preceded a high-profile change of ownership at Rangers earlier in the year, when 49ers Enterprises took a controlling interest in the club. He said the new work with Kelso and Clyde is driven by family links and a desire to support grassroots sport rather than commercial return.

The interventions come amid wider concern about the pipeline of homegrown talent in Scottish rugby. Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has previously warned that the national team has become increasingly reliant on foreign-born players and has urged improvements to the domestic development pathway. Mason framed his Kelso commitment in that context, saying more funding to the club game is required to identify future internationals.

"We have reached an incredible level under Gregor Townsend, but the talent pool of homegrown players is incredibly limited," Mason said. "You have to invest in the grassroots game to give kids a chance. Otherwise, how do you find the next Finn Russell or the next Gavin Hastings?"

Kelso’s sponsorship will run for two seasons, with the immediate injection earmarked for matchday operations and youth coaching initiatives. Mason said he hopes his support will encourage other entrepreneurs to back local clubs across the Scottish Borders and beyond.

Clyde’s stadium situation has been a recurring issue for decades, with the club moving between grounds over the past 20 to 25 years. Mason said his expertise in real estate could help create a sustainable plan to return Clyde to Glasgow and stabilise the club’s finances.

Both moves were described by Mason as philanthropic efforts intended to nurture local sport rather than to seek commercial control. Club officials said the partnerships will be used to improve facilities and create opportunities for players while the advisory work aims to resolve longstanding logistical and property challenges that have affected both clubs’ ability to establish long-term stability.

The commitments mark a new phase of Mason’s involvement in Scottish sport after his earlier role assisting in high-level football ownership talks, and they underline the ongoing financial and infrastructural challenges facing historic community clubs in Scotland.