robg58 319 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 It's not often that a reserve football match in the fourth tier of football can get a higher attendance than some first-team games in a nation's top division, but that is what happened when Rangers reserves (the 'Swifts', as they are known) lifted the Scottish football league reserve title on Tuesday night with a 2-0 victory over Queen's Park.Of course, in the Rangers' 141-year history, it will barely register as a footnote of a footnote. But it was a small moment of positivity for a fan base who have suffered so much in the past 12 months. Not because of the 'trophy' win, as that is not important, but because the club have shown they have a few youngsters who will add something to Rangers in the future, or if they don't make it at Ibrox, will add to the wider tapestry of Scottish football.Some of the guys playing on Tuesday have already broken into the first team, and it showed. Robbie Crawford was a class above the rest, while Tom Walsh had moments of brilliance and Fraser Aird scored the first with a mature finish. It wasn't a classic performance, but the boys played the game properly with the ball on the deck. There was no immature kick and rush football.But like the rest of this season, it is not so much about what happens on the pitch, but what goes on off it that will stay in the memory. Seeing so many youngsters with their drums, flags and banners while jumping about in unison singing their songs is important for the future of the club. The big worry over the summer was the financial meltdown would see some fans walk away and the Light Blues could lose a generation of supporters.That Rangers now have the 13th highest league attendance in the whole of Europe while playing in Scotland's worst league is a testament to what the football club means to those who 'follow follow'. Ironically, instead of turning people away, the crisis might have worked in the opposite direction.It's noticeable to all those who regularly go to Ibrox that there has been an uptake in families and children going to matches. This can be explained with lower prices for youngsters and the desire for parents to ensure their kids appreciate something so nearly lost.For this reason, it isn't just the young who have turned up week after week in sunshine, rain or snow. On Tuesday I was sitting beside an older gentleman who was telling me he had been going to Ibrox for 60-plus years. He spoke about Jim Baxter, Ralph Brand and Willie Henderson and told me he couldn't believe Rangers were in the Third Division, but he was proud of the way the support had reacted.And it was this person who had the misfortune to sit a few rows behind the 'ultra' groups who like to stand the whole match with their huge flags. When the game started he asked those in front if they could please sit down because he couldn't see the field. He said this to teenagers who had previously been loudly laughing and joking in the way teenagers do, and it doesn't matter where you are in the world people that age can be unknowingly selfish: “Why should we sit down?" they might ask, "We are only trying to enjoy ourselves?"This could have happened -- but it didn't. Instead they apologised, sat down or stood to the side, and for the rest of the match one of the youths kept turning around and asking the older fan if he could still see. It was a nice touch and for a brief moment it showed what football is all about. It is not merely the neutral love of a sport, but a shared identity from generation to generation.After the financial disaster of 2012, the only reason Rangers are still here is because of fans like the older gentleman who will never give up on his team. And although they don't know it yet, the future will belong to those young Light Blues, on and off the field, for whom it never occurred to do anything else but follow their club no matter where it takes them.http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/rangers/id/3717#?cc=5739 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christchurch Rangers 1,229 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 nice onealways like reading his blog Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluepeter9 5,167 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Thats a great wee article! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kai_Johansen 978 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Excellent read. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
soulboy 2,520 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Brought a lump to my thrust reading that . Great article Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimfanciesthedude 24,768 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Imagine a story like that being publish by jackson or spiersNah neither can i Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
centenarystand 2,227 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 What would it be like to live in a country with unbiased journalism such as this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWR1979 1,970 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Good article,Enjoy reading John's blogs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwhiteandblue 3,330 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 One of the best articles I have ever read. Brilliant. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwhiteandblue 3,330 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 What would it be like to live in a country with unbiased journalism such as this.unbiased? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straight-Edge-Loyal 6,696 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 That's an excellent article full praise to the writer Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalbluebell 38 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 A lovely, positive article about our Club and fans. Thanks to the author. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabudr4 5 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Excellent article. Great turn out from the Fans. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bombaybadboy08 15,660 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 John's the best Rangers blogger out there by a considerable distance.Brilliant. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastrax 274 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Fantastic article together as one, No Surrender Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwhiteandblue 3,330 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 John's the best Rangers blogger out there by a considerable distance.Brilliant.Totally agree, bang on every time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrottonLoyal 3 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Fantastic post, well written and emotional.WATP and always will be! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBluebells 6,898 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Great read Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamie 4,851 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 John's the best Rangers blogger out there by a considerable distance.Brilliant.Was John not on here a while ago saying he was thinking of ending his blog?There was definitely a espn blogger who said this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamie 4,851 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Look at the comments.A guy call Hogeybear92 absolutely bitch slaps a tim. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Blue_Flash 390 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 It is a not a bad piece, however the line"...Not because of the 'trophy' win, as that is not important..."I was there on Tuesday, it was a great turnout, great atomsphere and was really good to see the boys win. I'm sorry but the trophy was important, it was important to everyone it showed we are unbreakable and it meant alot to the reserve players who won it and I am sure the fans, and to Tommy Wilson. It has been a while since we have won a reserve league, I mean Celtic's reserves don't even really have a league after it was abolished by the SPL, so for our team to go out and win it, it was an important trophy, and a real sign of we are coming back bigger,better and stronger. I YOU RANGERS Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEFTONG 60,379 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Great article, but I also attended the game to specifically watch us win a trophy. How much of a surprise was it to read the comments section where the Obsessed Lurk round every corner, still spouting lies and half truths!!. I BLAME THE SCHOOLS/UPBRINGING(dragged up).. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joker69 60 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Another fantastic piece by Mr Gow does the club proud. Get following him on twitter if you have it.WATP Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Rz 35 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Looking at the comments reminded me why I chose to join this site. The mere mention of us sparks the idiots off with their pish. Credit to Hogeybear.Thanks for posting that Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilstonloyal 186 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Says it all. It's not often that a reserve football match in the fourth tier of football can get a higher attendance than some first-team games in a nation's top division Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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