Non-league football: Stafford launch cash appeal
The club's board want 250 people to donate £200 apiece to help keep the club afloat.
Secretary Mike Hughes insisted: "We are not crying wolf, we are just being honest with people. We are optimistic we can still turn things around, but we do need help.
"We have a cash flow problem and we need help to see us into the new season."
Directors say they have no option but to beg for help after the club's bank refused them funding.
Rangers have until July 7 to secure sufficient funding to satisfy all requirements for participating in Blue Square North next season.
A club statement said: "The board realises that in the current economic climate £200 is a lot of money to find, but would hope that friends or families could club together to find the funds.
"If this initiative fails, the consequences could be dire."
The proposal would see £200 being loaned by individuals to the Marston Road club for an unspecified period of between one month and five years.
A weekly draw for £200 will then be made over the next 250 weeks to repay each contributor one by one.
Hughes stressed all money would be treated as a loan and would be repaid. He added: "I'm pretty confident there are enough people out there who are not going to let this club die. We are aiming for 250 people, but if it is less than that, then so be it. We just want as many as possible to help us."
Hughes also contacted nearby professional clubs to try to fix up a lucrative pre-season friendly, including Stoke and Aston Villa, but only Port Vale were able to help.
Rangers, who were formed more than 130 years ago, twice won the FA Trophy at Wembley when the club was an acknowledged powerhouse in non-league football.
Anyone wishing to help is urged to call (01785) 602430.
MARTIN SPINKS
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