The Moonlighter

No, but please feel free to stick your head out of the sky light.

When the Founders Trail was established back in 2009 we decided that hiring one of the the City Sightseeing Open Top bus for the Tours would be a novelty and a natural way to take our story around the streets of Glasgow. This was a relationship that has served both us and and the Bus Company well over the last seven years. The attraction for us was the capacity of the bus which has 76 seats. Unfortunately due to a reduction in their fleet size the City Sightseeing Company struggled last summer to cover our ever increasing number of Tours. I spoke with them again in December of last year and wasn't surprised to hear that they couldn't give us a guarantee to cover the Founders Trail during the ''peak months'' of 2016. With this is mind i met with Rangers Director Graham Park at Ibrox in January and he confirmed that Parks of Hamilton has a 70 seat coach which they would be delighted to hire out for the Founders Trail and Ibrox Stadium Tours. This will be in operation from our next Tour on Sunday 13th March Myself and my colleague Gordon have been to see the Coach which will more than meet our requirements going forward.

A huge thanks to everyone who joined us on the Founders Trail and Ibrox Stadium Tour yesterday. A cracking day out in glorious sunshine. Our next Tour dates are as follows. Sunday 13th March( SOLD OUT ) Sunday 3rd April Sunday 24th April.( SOLD OUT ) Sunday 15th May Saturday 11th June Sunday 10th July. To reserve your place please send an email to thegallantpioneers@googlemail.com For further information call us on 0790 2855536.

We have a signed ball up for grabs today at our stall. For an opportunity to win this fabulous prize please drop in to the Ibrox Primary School between 12pm and 2.30pm and purchase a raffle ticket. All proceeds will go the the Rangers Grave Restoration Project.

UPDATE. Would all who are booked on Sunday's Tour please note that the Founders Trail welcome desk will be situated in Bar 72 West rather than East. This is to the right as you reach the top of the stairs or exit the lift. We will have staff on hand to direct you.

Would all who are booked on the Tour please note that there will be a Founders Trail welcome desk available within Bar 72 East at Ibrox Stadium from 11.15am prior to our 12pm departure from outside of the Ibrox Megastore Access to Bar 72 is via the main entrance to Argyle House .A staff member will be in the area to give directions . This will give us an opportunity to greet you and check you from our loading chart and to distribute our travel packs. Parking is available throughout the day around Ibrox Stadium. If you have any questions before the tour please don't hesitate in contacting us on 0790 2855536.

We'll have copies of the Gallant Pioneers Book ( Updated ) with us on Saturday, they are all signed by author Gary Ralston.

We're delighted to announce that we'll have an information point set up within the Ibrox Primary School this Saturday prior to the St.Mirren match at the RST pop up shop. We'll be there from 12pm until 2.30pm. Please drop in for a chat if you'd like any information on the Founders Tour, the Rangers Graves Restoration Project or our Founders Presentation nights. We'll also have a full range of our merchandise available including : Gallant Pioneers Books Polo Shirts Tshirts Badges Founders Trail and Ibrox Stadium Tour Gift Vouchers. http://www.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/Merchandise.html

Last Sunday the 14th February at Craigton Cemetery Glasgow we located the final resting place of Rangers player James Watt. James was a member of the legendary 1877 Scottish Cup Final team. As part of the Rangers Graves Restoration Project James’s plot will be restored to it’s former glory. Updates on all progress will be posted. James Watt was a good club man. Goalkeeper in the 1877 Scottish Cup Final side , he was a fine last line of defence. He lost his position to the hugely talented George Gillespie when Gillespie decided playing outfield was a wee bit on the rough side for him ! In the 1879/80 SFA Annual James was described as “a goalkeeper of considerable promise”. A year later he was in the list of those “now retired”! On at least two occasions he had played outfield. President in 1876 – 1877, he also served the Club as Honorary Treasurer in 1878 – 1879 and 1879 – 1880. It was in this capacity he joined club captain Tom Vallance in leading Rangers’ protest to the SFA after the 1879 Scottish Cup Final. (In the drawn match with Vale of Leven, a Willie Struthers goal was disallowed by the referee. Rangers argued it should have stood.) James was a machinery merchant, a partner in Dimmack and Watt, iron and steel merchants. Sadly, like three of his colleagues, Peter Campbell, Sandy Marshall and William Dunlop, he did not live to be present at the 1877 Cup Final anniversary dinner of 1898. James had died a few weeks earlier on 22 March aged 38. He had suffered from heart disease. James Watt and the Rangers Tug of War Team 1880. http://blog.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/wp/?p=804 If you’d like to donate to the Restoration Project please follow the link. PAYPAL LINK. - https://www.paypal.com/sendmoney ***Follow the link and add following email address along with donation – sonsofstruth@aol.co.uk

Only£13 ( Incl. P+P). We have copies of The Updated Gallant Pioneers book all signed by author Gary Ralston now available . All chapters have been updated since the original book was released in 2009. An additional chapter on the story of the Founders Trail has also been added. It's a must read for all True Blues ! To obtain a copy please send an email to thegallantpioneers@googlemail.com and we'll have your book posted the same day.

Once again due to overwhelming demand we're delighted to add another date to this years Tour programme. The first batch of Founders Trail and Ibrox Stadium Tour dates for 2016 are as follows: Sunday 28th February ( SOLD OUT ) Sunday 13th March( SOLD OUT ) Sunday 3rd April Sunday 24th April.( SOLD OUT ) Sunday 15th May Saturday 11th June Sunday 10th July. Join us on a journey of discovery back to 1872 when The Rangers were just the dream of a group of young kids who gathered on Fleshers Haugh. They had no ball, no football kit and used a bush on the Glasgow Green as a changing room. Their Club, which they nurtured, was to become the world's most successful and it all happened on the streets of Glasgow. Our day begins at the Founders Trail welcome desk which is located within Bar 72 East at Ibrox Stadium from 11.15am on the day of the Tour prior to our 12pm departure from outside of the Ibrox Megastore Our journey takes us to the area of Fleshers Haugh where The Rangers played their first ever match, we also visit Glassford Street, Union Street, Berkeley Street, Burnbank, Kinning Park, Craigton Cemetery and many other places of interest before finishing off our day with a tour of our magnificent Ibrox Stadium. During our journey we have a 30 minute break at the Partick Bowling Club which is in the shadow of the historic West of Scotland Cricket Ground which was the scene of the Rangers first ever Scottish Cup Final in 1877. It gives everyone a chance to unwind, grab a beer or soft drink and a bite to eat at a beautiful and historical setting. Adults : £22 Children (under 16) and Senior Citizens £16. Group discounts are available upon request. To reserve your seat just send an email to : thegallantpioneers@googlemail.com For further information phone : 0790 2855536 An insight into our research can be found here on our website. http://www.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/ Access to Bar 72 is via the main entrance to Argyle House . This will give us an opportunity to greet you and check you from our loading chart. Parking is available throughout the day around Ibrox Stadium. If you have any questions before the tour please don't hesitate in contacting us.

Our first Founders Trail of 2016 will be on Sunday 28th February and we're delighted to add two new locations , both properties sit just off Paisley Road West. James '' Tuck '' McIntyre 13 Walmer Crescent 1899 . Here's James with Tom Vallance. James McIntyre Played for Alexandra Athletic for three years before joining Rangers in 1880.* He represented Glasgow against Sheffield (twice), London (twice), Lancashire, Edinburgh & Birmingham.* Capped against Wales in 1884.* Played for Rangers for 12 years and captained the side for a while. He was Convener of the Ground and was also on Selection Committees.* He opened Tuck's Bar at Paisley Road Toll in 1897 which is now The Angel. William '' Daddy '' Dunlop. 4 Edwin Street ( Formerly Havelock Terrace) 1891. William Dunlop was a member of the 1877 team. A profile on William Dunlop. http://www.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/...True-Blue.html

I do indeed and good to hear from you .

Thanks for posting the link mate , much appreciated .

Cheers....and it's Iain.

Due to overwhelming demand we're delighted to add another three dates to this years Tour programme. The first batch of Founders Trail and Ibrox Stadium Tour dates for 2016 are as follows: Sunday 28th February ( SOLD OUT ) Sunday 13th March( 5 seats remaining) Sunday 24th April.( SOLD OUT ) Sunday 15th May Saturday 11th June Sunday 10th July. Join us on a journey of discovery back to 1872 when The Rangers were just the dream of a group of young kids who gathered on Fleshers Haugh. They had no ball, no football kit and used a bush on the Glasgow Green as a changing room. Their Club, which they nurtured, was to become the world's most successful and it all happened on the streets of Glasgow. Our day begins at the Founders Trail welcome desk which is located within Bar 72 East at Ibrox Stadium from 11.15am on the day of the Tour prior to our 12pm departure from outside of the Ibrox Megastore Our journey takes us to the area of Fleshers Haugh where The Rangers played their first ever match, we also visit Glassford Street, Union Street, Berkeley Street, Burnbank, Kinning Park, Craigton Cemetery and many other places of interest before finishing off our day with a tour of our magnificent Ibrox Stadium. During our journey we have a 30 minute break at the Partick Bowling Club which is in the shadow of the historic West of Scotland Cricket Ground which was the scene of the Rangers first ever Scottish Cup Final in 1877. It gives everyone a chance to unwind, grab a beer or soft drink and a bite to eat at a beautiful and historical setting. Adults : £22 Children (under 16) and Senior Citizens £16. Group discounts are available upon request. To reserve your seat just send an email to : thegallantpioneers@googlemail.com For further information phone : 0790 2855536 An insight into our research can be found here on our website. http://www.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/ Access to Bar 72 is via the main entrance to Argyle House . This will give us an opportunity to greet you and check you from our loading chart. Parking is available throughout the day around Ibrox Stadium. If you have any questions before the tour please don't hesitate in contacting us.