The 3rd Semi Annual Gersnet Dinner with Guest, Rangers Historian, Robert McElroy

[chilledbear 16]

Gutted I missed this and the game. Hope everyone had a good time. Will definitely make the next one.

 

Feel really sorry for Alan here he's had a mare organising this one.

 

No answer, must have been a good night.

[Bluedell 5,329]

No answer, must have been a good night.

 

Yes, great night. Thanks to BH for organising and to the Rangers Historian for giving an informative talk about the club during the war years.

[rbr 1,247]

Great wee night , good food and great company ,good to put faces to user names . Many thanks to BH for all the organising , can't wait for the next one , gunslingers has to wear a mankini as a forefeit lol

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Lol that would scar you for life.

[simplythebest 0]

I had plans for you as well GS!

[Bearman 9]

What was the grub like lads? Hope you all had a great night, would be interested in how it all went.

 

The war years! What's the story of our 8-1 win against those who are always cheated never defeated? Not much info about this resounding victory on Google sadly.

 

Again, hope you guys had an enjoyable night and well done to the trusty BH for organising. Admirable effort from that man, nothing but respect for him!

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Gutted mate.

[Steve1872 4]

What was the grub like lads? Hope you all had a great night, would be interested in how it all went.

 

The war years! What's the story of our 8-1 win against those who are always cheated never defeated? Not much info about this resounding victory on Google sadly.

 

Again, hope you guys had an enjoyable night and well done to the trusty BH for organising. Admirable effort from that man, nothing but respect for him!

 

In 1939 football stopped after the outbreak of World War II. However, it returned in a slightly altered fashion soon after as the authorities attempted to make everyday life as normal as possible despite the war effort.

 

Crowds were restricted in size, the competitions were restructured and players were often unavailable, meaning teams on occasion had to play with less than eleven men and sometimes required 'guest` stars (the great Stanley Matthews appeared in a Rangers shirt for two matches.) But, for many clubs, some semblance of normality returned to Scottish football.

 

Division A had been suspended five games into the 1939/40 season with Rangers sitting top by a point, unbeaten and with only three goals conceded. When league football returned, the Scottish clubs were split roughly into 'East and North-East` and 'West`, with the latter featuring Bill Struth`s Rangers.

 

The first season of wartime football saw Rangers lift the Western Division title, eight points ahead of runners up Queen of the South with Falkirk claiming the East and North-East division over second placed Hearts.

 

The Edinburgh clubs were none too happy at missing out on games against the big clubs from the West of Scotland and the league structure was changed again, with clubs split between the Southern League and the North-Eastern League. Rangers fielded a reserve side in the North-Eastern league and were victorious in the first season, making it a unique double at Ibrox.

 

The 'Gers went into the Ne`er Day Old Firm game in 1943 on the back of six consecutive victories against Celtic across all competitions since September 1941. Despite this form, it would have taken a very optimistic supporter to predict the outcome of the first derby of 1943.

 

The Evening Times wrote on January 1st:

 

"CELTIC PLAYERS ORDERED OFF"

 

"The Rangers-Celtic match at Ibrox to-day did

not pass without the customary sensations associated with the fixture.

 

"At the beginning of the second half Young scored an extraordinary goal for Rangers from midfield. Celtic protested, and as a result of some wordy warfare with the referee Malcolm McDonald was ordered off.

 

"A few minutes later, Lynch, the Celts` right half, was also dismissed following a reprimand from the referee.

 

"The crowd, which was in the region of 30,000 was well behaved and quite unaffected by the scenes on the field."

 

 

Rangers were a goal up inside half a minute when Waddell crossed for Jimmy Duncanson, who scored from ten yards. Waddell netted from the edge of the box on five minutes with a screaming shot but after ten minutes Celtic had pulled a goal back.

 

The report continued:

 

"Tradition reared its head when McDonald had his name taken for saying something. The referee took his gloves off to perform the ceremony."

 

An outstanding header from Torry Gillick almost brought a third goal for Rangers but the sides went in 2-1 at the break.

 

Gillick did score Rangers` third just after half time after a mix up in the Celtic defence before George Young scored with a spectacular shot.

 

"Young, from the centre of the field, let go a long go-as-you-please ball which flew gaily past everybody until it found a refuge in the net behind the bewildered Miller.

 

"Celtic protested strangely, apparently on grounds that a Rangers forward was offside.

 

"In the process McDonald was ordered off. Five minutes later Lynch followed McDonald to the pavilion afterwards with the referee."

 

Rangers` fifth goal, scored by Waddell on 70 minutes, was followed by a penalty from Young after Dornan fisted the ball over the bar from Gillick`s header.

 

Gillick scored rangers` penultimate goal five minutes from the end before he completed his hat trick with the eight of the day.

 

Malcolm McDonald was subsequently banned until August and given a fine of £10. Matt Lynch was suspended until March and fined £5. The teams that day were:

 

Rangers: Dawson, Gray, Shaw, Little, Young, Symon, Waddell, Venters, Gillick, Johnston, Duncanson.

 

Celtic: Miller, McDonald, Dornan, Lynch,

Corbett, Paterson, Delaney, McCauley, Airlie, McGowan, Duncan.

 

 

The Rangers XI from the 8-1 game featured some of the great names from Ibrox history. The side included two future managers - Scot Symon, Bill Struth`s successor who lead Rangers to six League titles, five Scottish Cups, four League Cups and two European finals, and Willie Waddell who, in a 50 year career served Rangers as an outstanding player, manager, general manager, managing director, director and vice-chairman. He also, of course, lead the club to the 1972 European Cup-Winner`s Cup.

 

Aside from two future managers, this Rangers team also included the longest-serving Rangers player in history. In a career that spanned 22 years, Dougie Gray played in no less than 940 games for Rangers and is, without doubt, one of Bill Struth`s greatest signings.

 

This side also featured two of Rangers` great captains. With the likes of Tom Vallance and David Meiklejohn previously leading the 'Gers, George Young lived up to the idea of being a colossus both on and off the park - a born leader and a legendary captain for both club and country. Jock 'Tiger` Shaw was a short but fearless full back that continued playing for Rangers until he was 42 years old.

 

Having had the privilege of speaking to supporters that attended this match, the notion that wartime football was "unofficial" doesn`t sit easy with them. All sides were crippled to some extent during the war but football certainly didn`t lose its competitive edge. Speaking to a Celtic fan that was amongst the crowd that day he replied simply: "Unofficial? It didn`t bloody feel unofficial on the walk home!"

 

Read more: http://www.rangers.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=507374#ixzz3aR30F0bC

...................

[rbr 1,247]

I had plans for you as well GS!

 

Try reading that , but think of Hannibal lecter saying it lol

[forlanssister 3,050]

Apologies for the hasty departure, had intended to stay at least another hour but que sera,sera.

 

Don't fret I'll return the cutlery on Wednesday!....

 

Good to see all and once again sorry for the short stay.