The Family of George Gillespie Have Contacted The Founders Trail.

[The Moonlighter 3,624]

Last week we were absolutely thrilled to receive an email from the Granddaughter of Rangers player George Gillespie.

George joined Rangers in 1875.

The family were researching his story and found themselves on our website.

They’re coming from British Columbia in Canada to visit Glasgow at the end of this month and we’ve arranged to meet and  take them around town  telling George’s wonderful story.

We’ll visit Burnbank, Kinning Park, West of Scotland Cricket Ground, George’s house  on Radnor Street, his Pub in Finnieston which today is the Tap House, his final resting place in Lambhill Cemetery and take them on a Tour of Ibrox Stadium.

It’s these events which makes working on the Founders Project a real joy.

George Gillespie.

George was a member of the legendary 1877 Scottish Cup Final team and gave great service to the Rangers.

He started his career as an outfield player but is remembered more for his goalkeeping skills. He appeared for Scotland 7 times during his playing career, never on the losing side. 

He was a very successful business man in the license trade.

George lived at Radnor Street facing Kelvingrove Park and sadly passed  there in 1900.

[plumbGER 24,518]

Superb, Georges family will be overwhelmed by this when they visit! Great work as always.

[roboscot 1,176]

Excellent stuff @The Moonlighter

[The Moonlighter 3,624]

33 minutes ago, plumbGER said:

Superb, Georges family will be overwhelmed by this when they visit! Great work as always.

There's a wonderful but unfortunate story about George which we tell during the Founders Trail, we won't be missing them with this! 

Back in the early years of football both competing teams would put forward an individual to act as umpire, this was before referees were established in the game. 

On one such occasion before a tie at Dumbarton Tom Vallance’s Rangers team-mates, led by George Gillespie, asked him to step down as they felt he’d be too honest. 

Tom stepped down alright, he resigned on the spot from the Club.

George Gillespie later issued Tom Vallance with a full apology and he returned to the Club.

[Geo17 1,388]

Brilliant. Imagine being taken to ibrox to be shown what your ancestor had a major had in creating. 

[plumbGER 24,518]

20 minutes ago, The Moonlighter said:

There's a wonderful but unfortunate story about George which we tell during the Founders Trail, we won't be missing them with this! 

Back in the early years of football both competing teams would put forward an individual to act as umpire, this was before referees were established in the game. 

On one such occasion before a tie at Dumbarton Tom Vallance’s Rangers team-mates, led by George Gillespie, asked him to step down as they felt he’d be too honest. 

Tom stepped down alright, he resigned on the spot from the Club.

George Gillespie later issued Tom Vallance with a full apology and he returned to the Club.

If only we had that problem with officials today

Stories like this are fantastic to read, a break from the modern day hysteria on other threads.

I still haven't been on the founders trail but should be booking in the near future as my son has been asking about it.

[Ivybank 4,580]

Great story

[quabba 440]

Brilliant mate, keep up the good work.

I took my dad and father in law on the trail and thoroughly enjoyed it, you guys know your stuff.

I would encourage all rangers fans to go, brilliant day out

[ritchieshearercaldow 22,137]

Great stuff, I'm surprised the granddaughter's parents hadn't informed them of her Grandfathers proud history but then maybe she never had time to ask them or was adopted.

[dougie76 15,359]

Hat's off to you?

[With Heart and Hand 8,949]

Well done lads, thats what its all about, telling our great story to the world. Yous are a credit to the Club and the fans

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

The Founders Trail could do their very own "Who Do You Think You Are" programme. 

[The Moonlighter 3,624]

George was quite a character.

In the early years of association football there weren’t contracts like today where players would be tied to one Club.

George played on many occasions not only for Rangers but Queens Park.

He would decide some weekends on which team to turn out for based on what Club sent a carriage to his house to pick him up!
 

[Gazza2258 478]

54 minutes ago, The Moonlighter said:

George was quite a character.

He would decide some weekends on which team to turn out for based on what Club sent a carriage to his house to pick him up!
 

 The original Ronaldo.  

[ritchieshearercaldow 22,137]

Tom Vallance wouldn't fit in with the present day Refs then.....too honest.

[The Moonlighter 3,624]

The closing of Kinning Park 1887.

George is sat on the ground far left.

[The Moonlighter 3,624]

2 hours ago, ritchieshearercaldow said:

Tom Vallance wouldn't fit in with the present day Refs then.....too honest.

Tom Vallance resigned from the Club because of that request to stand down.

The very integrity of the Club was being tested by our own players.

We have much to thank the likes of Tom Vallance for.

 

[The Moonlighter 3,624]

Earlier today we met with George Gillespie’s Granddaughter Barbara and her husband Emile.

We took them around Glasgow visiting various locations linked not only with George’s Rangers career but also his life.

We visited his house on Radnor Street , his Pub in Finnieston, and our grounds at Burnbank, Kinning Park and First Ibrox.

After paying their respects at George Gillespie’s final resting place at Lambhill Cemetery we took them on a Tour of Ibrox Stadium and finished off our day with lunch in the Argyle House restaurant.

It was a privilege to spend the day with Barbara and Emile and to give them an insight into George’s life and the early years of our Club.

We also managed to help each other, through our research, place more pieces into the wonderful tapestry that is Rangers Football Club.

They are now honorary members of our worldwide Rangers Family, brought back into the fold, and head off home to Canada with copies of our Gallant Pioneers book and of course Founders Trail scarves as reminder of their visit to Glasgow and their bond with the Rangers.

 

Haste Ye Back.

 

[mearns loyal 2,714]

Wonderful ...

[RangersMedia 35,961]

Absolutely outstanding work everyone who helps make this kind of thing happen. Hats off to you 

[Ivybank 4,580]

What a story, fantastic?

[Gordy 346]

Well done and thanks for keeping the story of how our wonderfull club was founded and those who played their part in our early days alive

[Loyaleastend 3,260]

a joy to read, and what a wonderful experience for them, well done all involved.

[siddiqi_drinker 14,635]

Fantastic work - well done all concerned.

[KaiserJon 12,393]

Top work to all involved.