The Remarkable Rangers Story, 1873-1973.
IOO YEARS
This is not, and doesn't pretend to be, a full picture of the remarkable story of Rangers' first century.
The 100 years have been too full of success, disappointments and the occasional tragedy to allow such a
saga to be told in a few pages.
Equally, there have been so many great men who have guided the dub to glory, administrators as
well as players, that the roll call of honour would fill this souvenir programme alone.
What has been attempted is to convey in the space available a sense of the gradual development from
humble beginnings to the honour-laden present, and to portray some of the giants who have lifted the
dub to the peak in world football.
Some remarkable events may have been overlooked, or memorable characters forgotten. But in the two
other Centenary Celebration matches planned against old-time rivals Arsenal of England and Moscow
Dynamo of Russia there will be further opportunities to delve into the past and recount the exploits of
teams and individuals.
THE GLORY of Rangers'
first 100 years is there for
all to see in the record
books34 Scottish League
championships. 19 Scottish
Cup victories, 37 Glasgow
Cup wins, 32 Charity Cup
successes, seven League
Cup triumphs.
And, of course, the club are the current
European Cup Winners' Cup holders,
having won this major trophy in
Barcelona last May by beating Moscow
Dynamo 3-2.
However, the record books don't tell
THE STORY of Rangers, which is, in
every way, as interesting and com
pelling as the recital of success facts
and figures.
Cramming 100 years of history into
the space allotted in this souvenir
programme means, of course, that it is
very much an abridged version. For
those who want a fuller grasp of the
club's past then it is available in
Rangersthe New Era', the book-by
the late Willie Allison, which covers
extensively the period 1873 to 1 965-66.
The beginnings 100 years ago were
as humble in concept and surroundings
as today they are rich in tradition,
honour and success.
A group of young men, mainly from
Gareloch stopped at Glasgow Green
after a rowing session on the River
Clyde to watch a game of footballa
comparatively new sport at the time in
Scotland.
They took a liking to the sport, and
decided to form their own team. This
was duly done, but not before a bit of
searching for a name for the new team.
They played a game against Clyde on
July 15, 1873 under the name of Argyle,
but eventually decided to accept unani
mously the proposal put forward by
Moses McNeil, one of seven brothers
This was what the old Ibrox grandstand and pavilion
looked like almost 70 years ago! Although it wasn't on such
grand a scale as the present one, which was opened on
January 1. 1929, you can see it was just as popular.
