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Rangers F.C.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rangers F.C.

Full name	Rangers Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Gers, Teddy Bears, Light Blues
Founded	1873[1]
Ground	Ibrox Stadium (Capacity: 51,082[2])
Chairman	Sir David Murray
Manager	Walter Smith
League	Scottish Premier League
2007–08	Scottish Premier League, 2nd
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Rangers Football Club are an association football team based in Glasgow, Scotland, who currently play in the Scottish Premier League. They have won a world record 51 league titles,^[3] and have won more major trophies than any other football club in the world.^[4] The club are nicknamed the Teddy Bears, from the rhyming slang for Gers, which in turn is short for Rangers, and the fans are known to each other as "Bluenoses". The club's correct name is simply Rangers F.C., although they are sometimes referred to as Glasgow Rangers for European matches to avoid confusion.^[5]

Rangers' players and fans today are multi-national and of various religions, although the club have traditionally been identified with and favoured the Protestant and Unionist community of Scotland, as well as the Unionist community in Northern Ireland. For most of their history, Rangers have enjoyed a fierce rivalry with their cross-city opponents Celtic,^[6] and the two, together, are known as the Old Firm.

The club's home is the all-seated 51,082-capacity Ibrox Stadium in south-west Glasgow.

History

Main article: History of Rangers F.C.

Formation and early years

The four founders of Rangers - brothers Moses and Peter McNeil, Peter Campbell and William McBeath - met in 1872 and named their team after an English rugby club upon seeing the name in a book.^[7] In May of that year the first match was played, a 0–0 draw in a friendly against Callander F.C. on the public pitches of Glasgow Green. The only other match played that year was another friendly against a team called Clyde (not the present-day Clyde) resulting in an 11–0 victory and featuring the debut of the club's blue strip.^[8] The official founding of Rangers is recognised as taking place in 1873, when the club held its first annual meeting and staff were elected. The first season's fixtures were all friendlies, as the deadline for joining the Scottish Football Association had been missed, meaning the team did not take part in the inaugural Scottish Cup.^[8] By 1876 Rangers had their first internationalist, with Moses McNeil representing Scotland in a match against Wales, and by 1877 Rangers had reached a Scottish Cup final. The first ever Old Firm match took place in 1888, the year of Celtic's establishment. Rangers lost 5–2 in a friendly to a team largely comprised of "guest players" from Hibernian.

The 1890–91 season saw the inception of the Scottish Football League, and Rangers were one of ten original members. By this time Rangers were playing at the first Ibrox Stadium. Rangers' first ever league match took place on 16 August 1890 and resulted in a 5–2 victory over Heart of Midlothian. After finishing equal-top with Dumbarton a play-off was held at Cathkin Park to decide the who would be champions. The match finished 2–2 and the title was shared for the only time in its history, the first of Rangers' world record 51 championships.^[8] Rangers' first ever Scottish Cup win came in 1894 after a 3–1 victory over rivals Celtic in the final. By the turn of the century Rangers had won two league titles and three Scottish Cups.

1919–1939 The Struth Years

The 1919/20 season heralded the dawn of a new era for Rangers as manager William Wilton and number two William Struth initiated a Rangers dominance that was to last until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. Though winning this season with 31 wins out of 42 games and scoring 106 goals, it was overshadowed by the subsequent death of manager, William Wilton. Taking over the manager's mantle, William Struth guided Rangers to a further 14 titles before the war. This period was also noteworthy for the attendances. On the 2 January 1939 a British league record was broken as 118,567 fans turned out to watch Rangers beat Celtic in the traditional new year holiday old firm match.^[9]

1970s

The 1971 Ibrox disaster overshadowed what happened on the pitch to a large extent in the early 1970s. On 2 January 1971, in the final minutes of the New Year's Day Old Firm game with the score set at 0–0, Jimmy Johnstone scored for Celtic. Within seconds Colin Stein had equalised for Rangers. As the 80,000 strong crowd was trying to disperse at full time, many fell down the stairway at the Copland Road end of the ground. Their momentum led to large scale crushing and 66 people died. It was initially thought the crush was caused by Rangers fans rushing back up the stairwell after the equaliser;^[10] however, a later enquiry said that the crush was likely to have happened ten minutes after the final whistle and to have been triggered by someone falling on the stairs.^[10] A benefit match to raise funds for the victims' families took place after the disaster. A joint Rangers and Celtic team took on a Scotland XI at Hampden watched by 81,405 fans.

In 1972, Rangers beat Dynamo Moscow to win the Cup Winner's Cup, their first and only European trophy to date. Captain John Greig received the trophy in a small room within the Nou Camp due to a pitch invasion by Rangers fans.^[11]

Nine in a Row

Every year from 1988–89 season until the 1996–97 season, Rangers won the league title. This 9 in a row achievement meant that they equalled Celtic's record. The first three of these seasons the club was managed by Graeme Souness, the later six under the stewardship of Walter Smith.

Under Paul Le Guen

Card display at Ibrox to welcome Paul Le Guen.

Paul Le Guen replaced Alex McLeish as manager after season 2005–06.

The season started poorly for Rangers, with a number of losses and draws against teams lower in the league, as well as their being knocked out of the League Cup by Division One side St. Johnstone. Rivals Celtic built a lead at the top of the table, while Rangers fought for second place alongside Hearts and Aberdeen. The first Old Firm match of the season resulted in a 2–0 defeat; the second - at Ibrox - was a 1–1 draw.

In the UEFA Cup Rangers became the first Scottish side to qualify for the last 32 of the competition in its current format.

There had been rumours during the season of disharmony at Rangers, between Scottish and foreign units, with players including captain Barry Ferguson disapproving of Le Guen's strict disciplinarian stance.^[12]. It was announced on 4 January 2007 that Le Guen had left Rangers by mutual consent.^[13]

Walter Smith's return (2007–present)

On 10 January 2007, it was announced that former manager Walter Smith was the new manager of Rangers, with Ally McCoist as assistant manager and Kenny McDowall as first-team coach.^[14]

The early season priority, qualification for the Champions League group stage was secured after aggregate victories over the champions of the Montenegrin and Serbian leagues, FK Zeta and Red Star Belgrade respectively. The campaign started well for Rangers with two victories but ultimately they did not progress from the group stages. But the adventure continued as they progressed to the final of the UEFA Cup, defeating Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina along the way. The final was against Zenit St. Petersburg who are managed by former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat. They lost that match 2–0, amid serious disturbances caused by some supporters. Video evidence was released by the Greater Manchester Police of Rangers fans attacking officers in Manchester City Centre following the defeat.^[15]

The 2008–09 season saw Rangers make a below-par start to their UEFA Champions League campaign as they drew 0–0 at home to the Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas. The away leg ended in a 2–1 defeat, having taken the lead through Kevin Thomson Rangers were beaten by a free-kick from Nerijus Radžius and a late header from Linas Pilibaitis.

Club colours and crest

Crest worn from 1990–1994

The club colours of Rangers F.C. are royal blue, white and red.

The team's home strip invariably features a royal blue shirt (often with white and/or red trim). Traditionally this is accompanied by white shorts (often with royal blue and/or red trim) and black socks with red turn-downs.^[16] However when wearing the 'home strip' Rangers will occasionally alter the shorts and socks, sometimes replacing the black socks with white ones; or replacing the white shorts and black socks combination with royal blue shorts and socks.

The basic design of Rangers away strips has changed far more than the traditional home strip. White and red have been the most common predominant colours for Rangers alternate strips, though dark and light blue have also featured highly.^[17]

In recent years, Rangers have also introduced a third kit.^[18] This is usually worn if both the home and away kits clash with their opponents. The colours used range from light blue to red to a very controversial orange (called tangerine by the club).^[19]

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

Rangers' third kit (2007–08)

Old Firm and sectarianism

Rangers' fans demonstrating their support by waving a Union Flag.

See also: Sectarianism in Glasgow

The club's most distinct rivalry is with Celtic, the other major football club based in Glasgow; the two clubs are collectively known as the Old Firm. Rangers' traditional support has largely come from the Protestant Unionist community.

During the late 19th century, many immigrants came to Glasgow from Ireland. This was around the same time that both Old Firm clubs were founded (Rangers in 1873 and Celtic in 1888). Rangers came to be identified with the Scottish Protestant community. Until Graeme Souness signed former Celtic player Mo Johnston, in 1989, Rangers were said by him to have had an "unwritten policy"^[21] of not signing any player who was Catholic;^[22] although Johnston was by no means the first Catholic to sign for the club,^[23] he was the first openly Catholic, high-profile player to sign for them since World War I.^[24]

In recent times, both Rangers and Celtic have taken measures to combat sectarianism. Working alongside the Scottish Parliament, church groups, pressure groups such as Nil by Mouth, schools and community organisations, the Old Firm have endeavoured to clamp down on sectarian songs, inflammatory flag-waving, and troublesome supporters, using increased levels of policing and surveillance.^[25]

In 2002 the club dropped their controversial orange away strip after a "furious debate over whether Rangers were profiting from their sectarian overtones."^[26] Anti-sectarianism campaigners and politicians had criticised the club's decision to market an orange shirt, as the colour is associated with the Orange Institution.

On 12 April 2006, following an investigation into the conduct of Rangers supporters at both legs of their UEFA Champions League tie against Villarreal CF, the Control and Disciplinary Body of UEFA imposed a fine of £8,800 on Rangers following the improper conduct of some of their supporters, notably the smashing of a window of the Villarreal CF team bus at the second-leg match in Spain on 7 March.^[27] However, UEFA declared the Rangers fans not guilty of alleged discriminatory chants.^[27] UEFA challenged the ruling, and their Appeals Body partially upheld it,^[28] fining the Ibrox club £13,500 and warning them as to their responsibility for any future misconduct.

On 9 June 2006, Rangers, in conjunction with representatives from several supporters clubs, announced that they would comply with three UEFA directives:

• The club were "ordered to announce measurable targets in order to reduce sectarian behaviour amongst its supporters".
• The club were "to control their anti-sectarian activities by producing comprehensive statistics that are communicated to the public".
• The club were "to make a public address announcement at every official fixture, be it international or domestic, stating that any sectarian chanting and any form of the song 'Billy Boys' is strictly prohibited".^[29]

Despite these measures, UEFA indicated that they will launch another investigation after Rangers fans clashed with riot police and were filmed making sectarian chants during the defeat by Osasuna in their UEFA Cup match in 2007. The Rangers Supporters Association secretary indicated his belief that a small minority of fans are to blame, suggesting "it doesn't matter how often they are told [to stop sectarian chanting], some people will just not listen."^[30] In September 2007, UEFA praised Rangers for the measures the club has taken against sectarianism.^[31]

In 2008, Rangers fans' singing of the Famine song, containing the lyrics "The famine's over now / Why don't you go home", caused controversy. The football club urged fans to stop singing the song, and warned they could be arrested for it.^[32] Subsequently the song was condemned as racist by anti-racism group Show Racism the Red Card^[33] and described as "vile, vicious and racist" by Celtic chairman John Reid^[34] and complaints prompted Irish diplomats to contact the Scottish government. The Rangers Supporters Trust, however rejected claims that the song was racist, saying it was a "a wind-up, however distasteful, aimed at Scottish Celtic fans".^[35] In November 2008, a fan was found guilty of a breach of the peace (aggravated by religious and racial prejudice) by singing the song during a game on 9 November against Kilmarnock. ^[36]

Stadium and training facility

Main articles: Ibrox Stadium and Murray Park

The facade of the Bill Struth Main Stand

The club used a variety of grounds in Glasgow as a venue for home matches in the years between 1872 and 1899. The first was Flesher's Haugh, situated on Glasgow Green, followed by Burnbank in the Kelvinbridge area of the city, and then Kinning Park for ten years from the mid-1870s to the mid-1880s. From February of the 1886–87 season, Cathkin Park was used until the first Ibrox Park, in the Ibrox area of south-west Glasgow, was inaugurated for the following season. Ibrox Stadium in its current incarnation was originally designed by the architect Archibald Leitch, a Rangers fan^[37] who also played a part in the design of, among others, Old Trafford in Manchester and Highbury in London. The stadium was inaugurated on 30 December 1899, and Rangers defeated Hearts 3–1 in the first match held there.

Since 1899, two major disasters have taken place at the stadium. The first occurred in 1902 during a Scotland vs England international match, when a section of terracing collapsed, leading to the deaths of 26 people and over 500 injuries. The second disaster took place in 1971, during the traditional New Year's Day Old Firm match-up. As the crowd were leaving the match, barriers on the stairway to the rear of passageway 13 at the Copland End collapsed, causing a crush and resulting in the deaths of 66 people, with over 200 injuries. This led to a major redevelopment of Ibrox, overseen by the general manager Willie Waddell. After its conversion to an all-seater stadium, Ibrox was awarded UEFA five-star status.^{[citation needed]}

Rangers' under-19 team warming up at Murray Park before a game

The stands in Ibrox are: The Bill Struth Main Stand (south; three tiers; the top one known as the Club Deck), Govan Stand (north; two tiers), and the Copland (east) and Broomloan (west) Stands (both two tiers), which are behind the goals. In addition to these, there are also the East and West Enclosures (in the lower tier of the Main Stand), and the two corners adjacent to the Govan Stand are filled in. As a result of work completed in the summer of 2006 to make the Bar 72 area situated in the Govan Stand, the total capacity of Ibrox is 51,082.^[2] On 22 August 2006, Rangers announced that the Main Stand would be renamed The Bill Struth Main Stand in September 2006 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of their former manager, who served Rangers for 34 years.^[38] There are currently plans underway for a redevelopment of Ibrox stadium which could result in Ibrox being rebuilt as a 70,000 seated stadium - which would make it the second largest club football stadium in Britain after Old Trafford. The official Rangers Website was quoted as saying: "We are analysing three strategies which would enhance the development of the existing outline planning proposals for the Hinshelwood area to the south of the stadium. One of the strategies includes the total rebuilding of Ibrox Stadium while retaining the brick facade, the tradition and the integrity of the Bill Struth Main Stand".^[39]

Rangers training facility is located in Auchenhowie, near Milngavie in Glasgow. The facility is known as Murray Park after chairman Sir David Murray. It was proposed by then-manager Dick Advocaat upon his arrival at the club in 1998. It was completed in 2001 at a cost of £14-million. Murray Park is the first purpose-built facility of its kind in Scotland, and incorporates features including nine football pitches, a state of the art gym, a hydrotherapy pool, and a video-editing suite. Rangers' youth teams are also accommodated at Murray Park, with around 140 players between under-10 and under-19 age groups using the training centre.^[40] Various first-team players have come through the ranks at Murray Park, including Chris Burke, Stevie Smith and Charlie Adam. International club teams playing in Scotland, as well as national sides, have previously used Murray Park for training, and Advocaat's South Korea team used it for training prior to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Players

Current squads

First-team squad

As of 1 January 2009.^[41]

No. Position Player 1 GK Allan McGregor 2 MF Maurice Edu 3 DF David Weir (Vice-captain) 4 MF Pedro Mendes 5 DF Saša Papac 6 MF Barry Ferguson (Captain) 7 MF Brahim Hemdani 8 MF Kevin Thomson 9 FW Kris Boyd 10 FW Nacho Novo 11 MF Charlie Adam 12 MF Lee McCulloch 14 FW Steven Naismith 15 MF Alan Gow

No. Position Player 16 GK Graeme Smith 18 FW Kenny Miller 20 MF DaMarcus Beasley 21 DF Kirk Broadfoot 22 DF Andy Webster 23 DF Christian Dailly 24 DF Madjid Bougherra 25 GK Neil Alexander 26 DF Steven Smith 27 FW Kyle Lafferty 28 DF Steven Whittaker 31 MF Aarón (on loan from Valencia) 35 MF Steven Davis 37 FW Andrius Velička

Players out on loan

No. Position Player 40 GK Lee Robinson (on loan to Queen of the South until 31 May 2009) 42 DF Alan Lowing (on loan to Clyde until 31 January 2009) 43 FW Steven Lennon (on loan to Partick Thistle until 26 January 2009) 45 FW Rory Loy (on loan to Dunfermline Athletic until 31 January 2009) 46 MF Dean Furman (on loan to Bradford City until 31 May 2009) 47 DF Jordan McMillan (on loan to Hamilton Academical until 31 May 2009) 48 DF William McLachlan (on loan to Airdrie United until 26 January 2009) 52 FW Andrew Shinnie (on loan to Dundee until 26 January 2009) 55 DF Steven Kinniburgh (on loan to Queen of South until 26 January 2009) 80 GK Mark Weir (on loan to Kilmarnock until 31 May 2009)

Reserve and Youth squad

For Rangers' reserve and youth squads, see here.

2008–09 transfers

For a list of Rangers' 2008–09 transfers, see here.

Notable players

Main article: List of Rangers F.C. players

Internationalists

For a list of Rangers' past and present international players, see here.

Team managers

Main article: List of Rangers F.C. managers

Non-playing staff

Records

Main article: Rangers F.C. records

Club

Individual

All players are from Scotland unless otherwise stated.

Managerial

Name	League	SC	LC	EC	Total
Wilton, WilliamWilliam Wilton	8	1	0	0	9
Struth, BillBill Struth	18	10	2	0	30
Symon, ScotScot Symon	6	5	4	0	15
White, DavidDavid White	0	0	0	0	0
Waddell, WilliamWilliam Waddell	0	0	1	1	2
Wallace, JockJock Wallace	3	3	4	0	10
Greig, JohnJohn Greig	0	2	2	0	4
Souness, GraemeGraeme Souness	3	0	4	0	7
Smith, WalterWalter Smith	7	4	4	0	15
Advocaat, DickDick Advocaat	2	2	1	0	5
McLeish, AlexAlex McLeish	2	2	3	0	7
Le Guen, PaulPaul Le Guen	0	0	0	0	0

Honours

Main article: Rangers F.C. honours

League

Scottish League championships (51)

1891, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1918, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005.

Cups

Cup Winners' Cup winners (1)

1972

Scottish Cup winners (32)

1894, 1897, 1898, 1903, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2008.

League Cup winners (25)

1947, 1949, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008.

Europe

Main article: Rangers F.C. in Europe

References