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The Restoration of Rangers Graves Project. Alan Morton( Update).


The Moonlighter

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Earlier this year we located the final resting place of Rangers great Alan Morton at New Monkland Cemetery in Glenmavis.

 

It was clear that someone was regularly leaving flowers so we left a note in a water-proof bag  regarding the on-going Restoration Project.

 

Incredibly a full 7 months later we were overjoyed earlier this week  to receive a call from the Niece and Great Niece of the great Alan Morton who had read our note.

 

We’re delighted to say that the family have granted us permission to carry out the Restoration work on the plot which will commence early next year.

 

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Alan Morton.

 

24th April 1893-14th December 1971.

 

Alan Morton was born at Skatterig Farm in the Anniesland Cross area of Glasgow.

 

He grew up in Airdrie, where his family relocated due to his father's work. After leaving Airdrie Academy he had an unsuccessful trial with Airdrieonians. Consequently, he entered studies to become a mining engineer while playing with Queen's Park. Once fully qualified in 1920 he turned professional, becoming Bill Struth's first signing as manager of Rangers, but only on the proviso that he could maintain his position as a mining engineer.

 

Morton only measured 5 ft 4 inches in height but his talent lay in his physical balance, speed and thought.

 

As a result of this association, Mr. Struth's intuitive training and the combination of an array of internationals (not least Bob McPhail and David Meiklejohn), Rangers enjoyed a sustained period of success. Highlights included the famous 1928 Scottish Cup triumph against celtic in which Rangers ended a 25‑year wait to win the Cup 4‑0.

 

In addition to this Alan Morton went on to receive winner's medals as Scottish Football League champion in 1921, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931, and as a Scottish Cup winner in 1930; he received runners-up medals in 1921, 1922, and 1929. He made his debut for Rangers against Airdrieonians on 17 August 1920, and played his last game against the same opposition on 7 January 1933 (in which he scored). "The Wee Blue Devil", as he was nicknamed, played 470 times for Rangers and scored 109 goals. 

 

Morton's dress was as precise as his play. He was a familiar figure strolling down Paisley Road West towards training at Ibrox sporting a bowler hat and umbrella (as befitted a professional gentleman of the time), which caused locals to dub him "The Wee Society Man" .

 

Morton had already been capped while an amateur before joining Rangers and would go on to play in every international against  England, from 1920 to 1932 bar the fixture at Old Trafford in 1926, eventually winning 31 caps.

 

It was in the 1928 full international in London where Alan Morton, as part of an under-rated Scottish side that beat England 5‑1 in driving rain to record a famous triumph, earned the moniker: "Wembley Wizard".

 

After retiring Morton’s impact was felt as an administrator, becoming a powerful figure within Scottish sport.

 

He was appointed to the Rangers board and he remained there until the year of his death.

 

Today a portrait of Alan Morton in his Scottish strip stands proudly at the top of the marble staircase at Ibrox's Main Stand, such is his enduring stature at our club.

 

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