Our Gallant Pioneers.

[The Moonlighter 387]

The following is a very touching poem sent to us by fellow Rangers supporter ItsInTheNet.

 

The Gallant Pioneers / Founders Trail

 

It was the turn of the year in Eighteen Seventy-Two

When four young men who were steadfast and true

Walked through West End Park and spoke of their dream

To fashion and form their own football team

 

They were named Peter and Moses McNeil of Rosneath

Alongside Peter Campbell and William McBeath

Tom Vallance would soon join them to captain the side

As they began to play football with passion and pride

 

No obstacle deterred those bold Pioneers

They refused to give up as they sweat blood and tears

Until that blest day upon Fleshers Haugh

The Rangers were born in wonder and awe

 

On that historical date on that Spring day in May

Callander were the team the Rangers did play

The team thrived and grew against all the odds

As they delivered their fates into the laps of the gods

 

From such humble beginnings rose this glorious story

Of our dear club's rise to fame and world renowned glory

For it was planned in the heavens from the day of it's birth

That the Rangers would be known in the four corners of earth

 

Their names we shall honour, their memories we shall hail

As we retrace their footsteps on the club's Founders Trail

Thank you Gordon Bell, thank you Iain McColl

For making our history a pathway for all

 

Restoring the gravestones from morning 'til night

The results are a sacred and beautiful sight

Engraving the names in marble and stone

You know who you are, you are one of our own

 

Now our footprints can merge with those gone before

In passion and love for our Founders of yore

Ne'er shall we forget the price that they paid

As we build upon the foundation they laid

 

As all great men do they knew heartbreak and sorrow

But the tears that they shed are our hope for tomorrow

The trumpets were sounded as they entered God's rest

For those Gallant Pioneers were simply the best

 

So look down from Heaven, look down with pride

On the team that you formed on the banks of the Clyde

We will never forget through the passage of years

You four Angels of Ibrox, The Gallant Pioneers

 

ItsInTheNet

[pete 2,499]

Excellent. Gave me a lump in my throat.