TheMoonlighter

1894 saw the Rangers at long last get their hands on the Scottish Cup which had evaded them for 20 years. They defeated Celtic 3-1 in the Final played on 17th February 1894. Reports of the time state the following : 'From all over the United Kingdon and Ireland came telegrams of congratulations upon the Club's first Scottish Cup Triumph. Mr JB Sliman President of the SFA spoke of the pleasure it afforded him in handing over the cup to a Club such as the Rangers'. The presentation took place at a jolly social function in the Alexandria Hotel Glasgow. Celtic's players and officials were strongly represented and paid many warm hearted compliments to their victors' Here's a pic of the President and Committee with the Trophy. Far left is Tom Vallance, the kid who was present when it all started on Fleshers Haugh in 1872. Wonderful. Here's the Alexandra Hotel where the Rangers were presented with our first Scottish Cup. The magnificent building sat on Bath Street, it's now sadlly gone and is currently a Fitness Centre ( just up the hill from British Home Stores). We cover this location during the Founders Tour.

Thanks. It may well have disappeared years ago as is so often the fate of many locations that we try to track.

Any Bears on here from Newmilns ? We've got our hands on the following. On Saturday 19 May 1877, Rangers played a match in Newmilns in aid of the unemployed of the village. Their opponents were an “amalgamated Winton and Portland team” and the game was played at the Nursery Park ground. Rangers won 4-0. We'd love to know if the Nursery Park mentioned is still there.

22 Paisley Road West as the ad confirms was Tom's Restuarant The Club, it's now La Fiorentina. 2 Lendl Terrace , which was his home, is now 282 Paisley Road West , it's directly across from the old Clachan Bar. We paid a visit yesterday during our research for this years Tours.

It looks like Tom's lost his dog and his holiday home on Arran is up for rent. http://blog.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/wp/

Some may not have to bother dressing up.

There are that many graves now being located around the city that it may well be the case that we'll run a guided tour ( a wee bit morbid i know ) during the summer if we get enough interest.

As a result of our on-going research we're pleased to announce that over the last few weeks we've managed to locate the final resting places of more of the men who helped shape our wonderful club. Details are as follows. Chairmen. Mr James Henderson 1899-1912. Cathcart Cemetery. Mr John Ure Primrose 1912-1923 Mr Primrose actually became a member of the Club in 1887. He was Honorary President of the Club from 1888.Eastwood Cemetery. Mr Joseph Buchanan. 1923-1932. Mr.Buchanan was Chairman when our magnificent Main Stand opened in 1929. Craigton Cemetery very close to Mr.Struth. Mr William Craig. 1923-1924. Mr.Craig lies next to our first manager William Wilton and RS McColl.Cathcart Cemetery. John McPherson. A Rangers great, joined the Club in 1890, was a director from 1907-1926.Craigton Cemetery. We're currently writing a piece on each of these gentleman and it is our intention to run a feature on our website once this is complete in the near future. Even more pieces of our glorious past are falling into place folks.

I've researched and asked many about the likelihood of what song/songs would have been sung. 'The Bonnie Wells o' Wearie' continually crops up.

No there were older brothers William and Alex. William drowned in an accident in the German port of Gestenmonde. Alex also died young at the age of 28 from TB, both were engineers.

John and James Campbell, both brothers of our founder Peter, played for the Rangers during our early years.

The Club connection with The Marquis of Lorne is covered during the Founders Trail, as you say it's fascinating. There was a link between the Marquis and Peter Campbell's family. It was very much the done thing for people of prominance to be linked with the new sport sweeping the country which was Association Football. Gary Ralston also has the story and the Marquis of Lorne's marriage to Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Loiuse within his book. http://www.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/The-Gallant-Pioneers-by-Gary-Ralston.html

Tom Vallance due to his stature and undoubted skill was installed as Club captain taking over from Peter McNeil. Peter was to find that his strengths and skills lay in the administration of the Club and the SFA.

The report in the North British Daily Mail read as follows. ' The second annual 'conversazione' of the members and friends of the Rangers Club was held in the Queens Rooms on the evening of wednesday 1st December 1875. The chairman Mr.Peter McNeil, gave a very interesting address giving a sketch of the club since it's formation. Mr.Vallance ( captain) also gave a short address. The proceedings of the evening were greatly added to by several of the ladies and gentlemen present giving a few songs and recitations'. The Queens Rooms stands at the corner of La Belle Place and Clifton Street looking on to Kelvingrove Park. This location will be added to this years Founders Trail.

It's heart-warming and thought provoking to begin our day on the spot at Fleshers Haugh where it all began and then take the journey all the way to our magnificent Ibrox Stadium. to http://www.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/The-Founders-Trail-&-Ibrox-Stadium-Tour-2011.html

All who purchased Christams cards , vouchers and made advanced bookings have been emailed today with Tour details. Thanks again.

I didn't get a copy mate. I'll pick one up at the weekend. Thanks.

We're delighted today to launch the Founders Trail and Ibrox Stadium Tour programme for Spring 2011. We recently had a couple of very positive and productive meetings with the Club ( at their request) and we can look forward to the Founders Tour package being promoted in the Club publications. All travel and booking details are in here folks. http://www.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/The-Founders-Trail-&-Ibrox-Stadium-Tour-2011.html We look forward to sharing our unique story with you this year.

After playing a series of matches around the country, it was deemed that due to great expense the proposed Tour would have to be cancelled. The last article from February 1881 gives a list of acccounts by Treasurer Tom Vallance. The money raised was spread among various charities including £10.10s to the Tay Bridge Fund. The Tay Bridge disaster had occured in 1879.

What follows is details of an astonishing initiative led by our own Tom Vallance and our first patron The Marquis of Lorne to taks a Scottish Select side on a tour of America and Canada in 1879. We hope that you enjoy. http://blog.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/wp/

We were recently contacted by the Marco Polo Tourist organisation in Germany. Details in here. http://blog.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/wp/

Very moving.

Earlier this month saw us launch the Founders Trail Christmas Package. We gave you the opportunity to give as gifts this Christmas a Founders Christmas card and Voucher which secured a seat on next years Founders Trail and Ibrox Stadium Tour ( dates to be announced soon ) As the last of the of the post went out yesterday we've sent out to you an astonishing 78 Christmas Packages. The equivilant of a full bus. We're absolutely thrilled. Gary Ralston olso very kindly offered signed and dedictaed copies of the Gallant Pioneers 1872 book. We've sent out almost 60 books over the last 3 weeks. 2011 will see our wonderful and unique Founders story going out and touching even more people than we could have ever imagined at the start of the project. Our four kids will continue to be celebrated and honoured. A very happy Christmas to all . Thank you.

The 'Mostre Concerts' referred to in these articles were essentially fund-raisers for the Club. Here's the actual ad for the concert, chaired by Tom Vallance, held to help finance the move along PRW from Kinning Park to Ibrox in 1887.

The latest installment in our series. http://blog.thegallantpioneers.co.uk/wp/