Born in Ayr in 1951, David Murray embarks on a career in business in his early 20s and forms Murray International Metals Limited in 1964. Over time, Murray expands his business interests into surface mining, property, venture capital and call centres
Following a serious car crash in 1976, Murray has both of his legs amputated. He experiences tragedy again in 1992 when his wife Louise dies of cancer and, in 2000, his Learjet crashes, killing a pilot and co-pilot, though he himself is not on the plane
Murray buys Rangers for �6m in 1988, months after having a bid rejected by Ayr United. The entrepreneur, pictured here with the then Rangers boss Graeme Souness, immediately sets out plans to develop Ibrox Stadium by expanding its capacity
Murray bankrolls the �1.5m signing of former Celtic striker Maurice Johnstone (left) in 1989. The high-profile signing of a Roman Catholic heralds the end of a controversial signing policy that dates back to before the Second World War
In April 1991, it is announced that Graeme Souness is to leave Rangers to accept the vacant Liverpool manager's job. It ends a highly successful partnership between Souness and Murray that yielded two Scottish Premier Division title wins
Graeme Souness' assistant, Walter Smith (left), is promoted to the manager's post and, within weeks, the former Dundee United player guides Rangers to a third successive league title with a dramatic last-day win over Aberdeen at Ibrox
The management team of Smith and Archie Knox (far right) oversee the Rangers team as they complete a record-equalling haul of nine successive top-flight Scottish titles. Celtic prevent number 10 with their 1997/98 triumph, after which Smith and Knox depart
During the 1990s, Murray continues to invest in the team with players like Brian Laudrup proving crucial to Rangers' domestic success, but the club struggle to make an impact in Europe, regularly being knocked out of the Champions League at an early stage
Dutchman Dick Advocaat becomes Rangers' first foreign manager in 1998 and the former Netherlands coach enjoys a highly successful first two years in charge, winning five out of six domestic trophies and registering some creditable results in Europe
Rangers break the Scottish transfer record with the �12m capture of Tore Andre Flo. The Norwegian struggles to live up to his price tag and the outlay adds to rising debts. Flo is at Ibrox for less than two years before joining Sunderland in 2002 for �6m
Martin O'Neill's arrival at Celtic halts Rangers' success and Dick Advocaat moves into a director of football role. But, before stepping down as manager, he and the chairman oversee the completion of Murray Park, a �15m training facility near Milngavie
Alex McLeish (centre) is prised from Hibernian to become the new Rangers boss in December 2001. The former Aberdeen player has mixed success in the role with two title triumphs and two trophyless seasons as the club wrestle with mounting debts
Murray steps down as Rangers chairman in 2002 and hands the role on to director John McLelland. Murray remains as majority shareholder under the new title of honorary chairman as he focuses on his other Murray International Holdings businesses
But, within two years, Murray resumes his post as chairman and soon underwrites a new share issue to reduce the club's debt and increase his stake in the club. Murray sets about continuing the drive to run the club on a much more prudent basis
Murray enlists Paul Le Guen as the new Rangers manager ahead of the 2006/07 season. At the time, it is seen as a major coup for the club given Le Guen's successful spell with Lyon. However, poor domestic results see Le Guen leave after seven months
Murray brings Walter Smith back to the club in an attempt to turn around the club's fortunes and backs the former Scotland manager with funds to rebuild the squad. Later in 2007, Murray receives a knighthood
Walter Smith's rejuvenated Rangers reach the 2008 Uefa Cup final in Manchester, where they lose 2-0 to Advocaat's Zenit St Petersburg. The occasion is marred by crowd trouble outside the ground days before Rangers lose the league title to Celtic
The decision to accept a Birmingham City bid for striker Kris Boyd in January 2009 provokes anger amongst the Rangers fans, who campaign for Murray to leave. In the end, Boyd turns down the move and Rangers then post a loss in their annual results
Months later, Rangers reclaim the Scottish Premier League title - a 14th top-flight success under Murray's stewardship. Now keen to sell the club, Murray announces in August 2009 that he is resigning as chairman but remains as majority shareholder
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