'One great team
after another'
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possessed, were to win 11 League titles,
the Glasgow Cup 10 times and the
Charity Cup nine times. But the 'Scottish'
always evaded them.
There was the final of 1909 in which
the Cup was withheld after fans rioted at
Hampden following a draw in the
replay between Rangers and Celtic (the
supporters thought there should have
been extra time, not a third game).
Then in 1911 12 when Rangers were
trailing 3-1 to Clyde at Shawfieldfans
invaded the field 1 5 minutes from time
and the game was abandoned and Ran
gers withdrew from the competition.
In 1914 Rangers' trainer at that time,
James Wilson died, and Bill Struth was
brought from Clyde to take over the
job. Six years later when the first
Ibrox manager, William Wilton, died in
a drowning accident Struth, a former
sprinter was given the job of managing
the club. He became one of the legends
of football.
William Wilton's connection with the
club covered 31 great years. Bill Struth's
reign as manager and director manager
spanned 34 years.
And the record of accomplishment
under his control is stupendous
18 League championships, 10 Scottish
Cups (twice won three years in a row),
18 Glasgow Cups and 20 Charity Cups
as well as the Victory Cup in 1946.
During those years Rangers produced
one great team after another, and a
succession of international stars
Andy Cunningham, Alan Morton, Davie
Meiklejohn, Bob McPhail, Sandy Archi
bald, Jerry Dawson, Dougie Gray, Alex
Venters, Bobby Brown, George Young,
Willie Woodburn, Willie Thornton, Willie
Waddell, Johnny Hubbard, Ian McColl.
continued overleaf JERRY DAWSON The
'Prince of Goalkeepers' as he
was known in his great
playing days.
The first European team ever to come to IbroxSportsklub
Rapid of Austria. That was in 1933. Here some of the great
Rangers players of all time pose with the Austrians for a historic
picture. The Ibrox Men are, back row—Bob McPhail, Jerry
Dawson. Middle row—McDonald, Marshall, Smith, R. Hamilton,
Archibald. Front row—English, Gray, Meiklejohn, Brown. The
game ended in a 3-3 draw.
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It would be impossible to name all the
great players who carried Rangers to one
success after another in that golden era.
The team of 1920-21 went through
60 League games with only one defeat
on the way to the championship.
Indeed, in the period between the two
world wars, the flag was brought to Ibrox
FIFTEEN times in 21 years.
Twice—in 1929-30 and 33-34—the
team swept the board, winning every
trophy available. It was the richest
period in the club's historyin many
senses. The official record attendance
was set in a match against Celtic on
New Year's day in 1939118,561
spectators crushed into Ibrox to see the
Light Blues win 2-1
After the war, Rangers picked up
where they left offwinning the first
championship when play was resumed
and also the League Cup for the first
time and the Charity Cup.
The honours piled up under manager
Struth, who was called a dictator by
many but won only admiration, and
respect from the men under him. As
thorough in his dress as his approach
to the game of football he had a dozen
suits, shirts and shqes in his wardrobe
at Ibrox.
Before he retired on April 30, 1953
Rangers had added three more League
titles, four more Scottish Cup wins, two
more Glasgow Cups and another three
Charity Cups.
