RAY Ranson last night broke his silence on his move to buy control of Manchester City.

The former Blues' defender insists he has more than enough financial clout to power a £90m takeover and keep the Premiership side in British hands.

Ranson, who is believed to have had discussions with chairman John Wardle around the turn of the year, had been considered the outside bet in the race to control the Blues.

Should he eventually beat off American and Thai opposition to gain control of a club that he insists is `engrained in his heart', the 46-year-old admits it will be the culmination of a life-long dream.

In the same way that he didn't waste passes during his two stays as City's first choice right-back, Ranson the hard-headed businessman is not one to carelessly throw away words.

But he is crystal clear that he is not in the market for City for short-term gain and has the club's continued progression way out on top of his agenda.

He stresses that he sees himself as a custodian of City and its values rather than the next possible owner.

"We are long-term investors," he said of his consortium.

"We are backed by a UK-based investment fund.

"What I want to do is build on the club's success since those days when it was yo-yoing between divisions. City is now an established Premiership side but have to be seen to be going forward.

"It is our ambition to be in Europe on a regular basis - a club the size of City should be in Europe.

Spur

"This bid is not a spur of the moment thing but has been a long-term ambition of mine since my playing days. I first contacted City in 2004 long before I was associated with a move for Aston Villa. Now I have the financial backing to be successful."

As a player Ranson spent as much time studying Lloyd's of London as he did Larry Lloyd of Liverpool and that has led to a successful business career and a bank of knowledge that he is adamant he can put to good use.

He has been busy networking behind the scenes of different clubs over the years and whilst not making extravagant promises has a sharp vision of what he wants to achieve if he gains control of the Blues.

"There will be team-building funds available," he declared - not knocking back the suggestion that it could be as much as £20m.

"There will be investment throughout the club both in the wonderful Academy and the first team. I am a product of the City youth system myself having first signed as a 14-year-old.

"We have to make sure that we build on the fine work that has taken place at Platt Lane. Bringing through youth team players and connecting with young fans is a subject close to my heart.

"It only seems five minutes ago that I was a player attending Junior Blues meetings on a Sunday morning.

"What Arsene Wenger has done at Arsenal has not been by luck.

"There is an infrastructure that has been put in place a decade ago and they are now leading from the front in terms of bringing young players through.

"City has huge potential on and off the pitch.

"I believe I am in a unique position to drive that forward having played the game at the top level and then never left it.

"My business is football. The timing of any takeover has to be right. We are keen to conclude a deal as soon as possible."

Ron Saunders

Ranson, who played under the management of Tony Book, Ron Saunders, Jim Smith and Kevin Keegan during his days in the top flight, was not about to be drawn on the future of Stuart Pearce and his coaching staff should he land the club.

"I am not going to talk specifically about a manager but I would employ the best coach I could find who buys into the long-term strategy of the club. Gone are the days when managers ran the club from top to bottom. Sir Alex Ferguson is the last of that breed.

"I have 30 years' experience in what is in a player's mind, how you look after players. I had a sports financing insurance business which I set up as a player in 1991.

"On my days off, I used to go down to London, into Lloyd's, instead of playing snooker and golf. The fans will also be vitally important. Engaging with them is high on the agenda and we will speak to any group of supporters when the time is right."

That would include the newly formed City Supporters Trust who have broadly welcomed Ranson's hat entering the ring.

"Let's make no mistake about it - these overseas guys are into it for one thing only, to make a return," said the St Helens-born Ranson.

"I am different from overseas investment. My aim is more long-term. It is not about building a club up and selling it in two years' time for a profit. I would like to channel all my experience into a club to see if I can implement my vision of how a 21st century club should be run.

"I have a fair understanding of how a club works from dressing room to boardroom."

Ranson and the fans are now awaiting the Blues' answer to his proposals with some interest.

*YOU can read his factfile below.

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