The Widow's Son

Rangers vs. Third Lanark, early to mid 1950's. Don't remember too much. First clear memory of watching Rangers is the 1957 League Cup Final. Forget the score.

Early kick off (3.30 am on the Pacific) means an early night beforehand. Cup of strong coffee to start and may well have a breakfast at half-time depending on how the game is going. Don't normally listen to flute concertos prior to the game but this time, I may well do as I sit and reflect and say the Lord's Prayer. Perhaps a choral piece too - there is a varied selection to choose from. You never know, I may even have a second cup of coffee if the game is going well.

Can't beat a good lodge Burns supper.

I'm sure quite a few of us know of rabid bears who stopped going to see Rangers for any number of reasons. Finances, marriage and family, lack of interest, team going through a lean spell - I've heard it all and perhaps you have too. What could fill the hole in their lives when they leave? Not sure if hobbies like gardening or jogging could ever compensate. I've met a few of them abroad and perhaps they have good reason since they live so far away. Don't think I could ever turn my back on my team.

Brought back a lot of memories of visits when I used to fly to Scotland regularly. Don't visit licensed premises any more.

I've met a few through the years - quite a few brethren too - who like the green and white. While I try to be fair and broad-minded about the matter, it's still very hard for me, a fan who is in his 70's and remembers a time when never the twain would meet. It's a different world these days.

Playing for the jersey is a popular choice and brings back so many good memories for us all especially bears of a certain vintage. But it's an outdated liability. I'd play for the jersey and captain our heroes and so would you. But we're crap and the game has changed. Meanwhile, celtic are captained by Scott Brown, a Rangers fans from childhood. Other captains of theirs include Bro. Bertie Peacock, Danny McGrain, Kenny Dalglish and various others who did not quite fit their traditional profile. So this seems to be the direction forward.

Last time I checked, the Daily Record wasn't on sale in Vancouver. It was a bigger world then without the internet and loyal fans depended on short wave radio and the odd newspaper clipping.

Still recall reading in the DR sent by a friend, long-time bears who vowed never to return to Ibrox when Mo was signed in 1989. I wonder if they ever returned or if they were lost to the game. Come to think of it, I don't know how they would spend their Saturday/Sunday afternoons and increasingly Friday evenings. There's always hill-walking or evening classes.

He was such a joy to watch as a young player, full of running and skill. When you watch old footage, you can appreciate what a talent he was from a country that hasn't produced much talent in recent time. I was amazed to see that he was on the small side on the rare occasions I saw him in person. Could have been one of the greatest were it not for a crude tackle that day at Pittodrie. Not sure where he is these days but I hope that he's well and happy.

Enjoyed some NYC hospitality on the upper east side of Manhattan some years ago. Early kick off, small crowd but some staunch fans. Drank coffee in the bar but friendly bears. Clean and Sober Loyal

Do you win a cap for every appearance for the national team? Or is it just the big games? You see these wee velvet items with tassels and stitching in photos but I've never discovered how they are issued or who issues them? Mind you, as my name suggests, I've seen a few velvet items with tassels attached and ribbon, lace and tape on. And is there a bonu$ for playing for your nation?

Mabozza Ritchie, the brother of Billy.

Sadly don't remember too many of these - too many years, too many beers. Remember a 1-0 victory at celtic Park when Jimmy Millar, a fave of mine, scored a very, very late goal. Think that it was our fifth Old Firm victory in a row, something that doesn't seem to happen much these days. Niven, Shearer and Little; Davis. Patterson and Stevenson; Brand and Baird; Wilson and Hume. January 1st, 1960. Don't recall Stevenson and Hume too much. Can any seasoned Bear elaborate on their Ibrox careers? It's beyond the length of my cable-tow at this point.

Loved reading the responses to this post. Sometimes when you live away from Scotland and come from another time period, you tend to think that the fans are not as strong or staunch as they were in your day. No evidence of this in these posts.

Many years ago, I attended a funeral in Scotland - paid my respects at the home of the deceased and his family were big bluenoses. There was a Rangers scarf in the coffin. The deceased also wore a lodge tie and a Rangers lapel badge a Just a quick question: does this still happen in auld Scotia? Somehow it seems to belong to a different age and yet it's comforting for us auld yins. Apologies beforehand if this brings up sad memories for anyone.

Some years ago, Stuart Daniels found a picture of a young boy who was mentally challenged with Paul McStay. It had obviously been lost on bus that had been hired by a celtic Supporters Club and subsequently used by the KPL. Stuart returned the picture to the young man who had lost it via the pages of The celtic View with a very warm greeting. I was moved at the time and still feel it was a wonderful gesture ......... by a legendary bear.

I was hoping for a better fight than we gave them. They're not that good and we're not that bad.

We're a little better than we were although not as good as we will be. I got that sinking feeling twenty minutes in or so and knew we'd be lucky to get out of town with a point. Not the maulings we've had in the recent past but we are still second best. I'd like to look for some improvements but don't see too many. Best be patient because it'll be some time before we can think of dethroning them.

For all the younger bears: don't you just love being in the company of older bears at the game, in the pub/club/lodge? The stories, the patter, the arguments and discussions. I always did as a younger man - Colin Stein couldn't lace Jimmy Millar's boots or Ralph Brand's either; Bobby Brown was a much better goalie than Billy Ritchie; Bobby Collins was good enough to play for us; how good was Don Kichenbrand? These are some of the issues that were raised and argued about in my day. And I loved it all, hearing the old-timers have their say. Nostalgia ain't what it used to be loyal.

Provan is an honest professional and tells it like it is. He's been commenting for a good while and on the - rare - occasions that I tune in to his commentary, I always enjoy it. Fenian? Nah. If you read his chapter in "It's Rangers For Me", you'll find out his origins. Apparently his dad told him always vote Labour and support Rangers - in later life, he went the other way on both.

Maybe some folk tunes should be piped into the dressing rooms and lyric sheets distributed to the team prior to. Maybe even some fine musicians could volunteer to give a flute concerto to the team prior to. That's what puts so many in the mood.

I'll cheer him on. It takes far too much time and energy to hate, to nag, to constantly recall. Glad you're back, keeper.

Apparently both went to an Old Firm game circa. 1968 at Parkhead (we lost 3-1) and cheered when Rangers scored. And both were celtic signings at the time.

Never knew that KD trained with us. I read that his Rangers here was one Don Kichenbrand.