steelworker

1961. Scottish Cup Replay at Ibrox. Rangers 2 - Motherwell 5.

It's also a done deal if Celtic beat Dundee on Tuesday. We're 4th. To finish 7th, three teams will have to catch us.

My first Motherwell game was against Third Lanark at Fir Park, before the new stand was built. Yes, the POD. It used to be new ! I had to wait until 1991 and the Cup win before I saw my team even qualify for Europe. That was after I saw us gubbed 6 and 8 nothing by Aberdeen and Morton in the 1970s and 80s.. And there are people here, moaning about revenues. Incredible. Europe ? Bring it on !

No' a bad team. But I feel sorry for you guys. There is no Aitken, Martis, McCann, Hunter, McSeveney, Weir or St John. Dear Oh Dear.

Wrong. "Airdrie" meaning "Airdrieonians" did NOT buy Clydebank, Jim Ballantyne did. If I were a Rangers fan, (heaven forbid) and I won a few quid in the Lottery and bought Ross County, changed the name to Rangers and played at Ibrox, would you say "Rangers" bought Ross County ? I mean it would make good business sense, so that the legions of fellow christian hating gers fans would come into the stadium singing their hymns of hate, but would it be true ? The following is a quote from Wikipedia (which disnae mean it's wrang) - "Ballantyne went on to complete a buy-out of the ailing Second Division side Clydebank[7] and with SFL approval the club was relocated to Airdrie,[8] the strips were transformed to resemble that of Airdrieonians, and the name was changed to Airdrie United. While this means that the club is therefore officially a continuation of Clydebank it is almost universally accepted as a reincarnation of Airdrieonians, with Clydebank having been reformed by supporters groups and entering into the Scottish Junior League." I repeat "Officially a continuation of Clydebank !" But "universally accepted as a reincarnation of Airdrieonians." We are being primed to accept a doppelganger Rangers, a lookalike who will bring in their legions of followers willing to be duped into thinking their club has survived. Now, Gers fans, directors and chairmen can't have it both ways. Either they wipe the slate clean and start again in the 3rd Division, which is the dignified and honest way for such an institution to behave, OR they are the successors to the financial dopers, who have cheated all of us out taxes and an honest level playing field. Remember they have to face an inquiry into double payments and taking the SFA to court among others things. They must accept the punishment due. If they want to hold on their history, they must inherit responsibility for their obscene historical malpractices as well. They CANNOT be separated, anymore than sporting integrity and our sustainable future. If the "Rules" don't permit it because they haven't been written, then apply "principles" of morality and decency. Whatever the "rules" say, the fans have it in their power to influence the decision making. Without us, there is no game. Simple. Want to disagree with that ?

In that case, I stand corrected. That was my (mis)understanding. But my original point about a new Rangers company stands. They start again. In Division 3. And with no trophy record.

No, I don't agree with your analogy with Airdrieonians. They didn't buy Clydebank. They went bust. Finished. Dead. Buried. They couldn't buy a packet of fags. So, there was this empty football stadium called the Shyberry Excelsior with nobody to play in it. Clydebank, who were then 2nd Division (I think) were looking for somewhere new to play. It made perfect sense for them to play at Airdrie. They then rebranded themselves and played in Diamonds to secure the allegiance of the support of the former club who played in that stadium. Now, remember Clydebank hadn't done anything wrong and didn't face any sanctions, nor should they have done. They just kept on playing at the level they had been at. But in a new strip. Notice they acquired Airdrieonians' colours and something approximating their name, but they didn't acquire their record of winning trophies or anything like that - (if Airdrieonians ever won a trophy.) So, if Cowdenbeath, or Ross County or St Mirren decide to play at Ibrox, in blue, and call themselves Rangers, basically they can. And without sanctions. THEY haven't failed to pay their taxes. THEY are just another innocent football club, taking advantage of a commercial opportunity. And they would continue playing at whatever level they had achieved. On the other hand, if no existing club does a Clydebank, then the new company calling itself Rangers must take their chances with Gala Fairydean, Forres Mechanics and whoever else wants to join the SFL. Chances are that with a large support and stadium, they would be admitted but at the bottom rung, like any other new entrant. That is only proper and fair. And without any further sanctions. They have just come into existence. How can they be guilty of anything ? But if they are to be re-admitted straight into the SPL, then my days at any football match are numbered. I hope a vast number of fans agree with me. If Dundee Utd open their league campaign at say Paisley or Motherwell, in front of an empty stadium, then the baw will be seen to be burst. I keep hearing how much the diddy teams need the Old Firm. Well, they need us too. No supporters = no league = no business at Ibrox, Parkhead or anywhere else. I hope a Campaign for SPL Justice starts and demands that Rangers are treated as they should be. Starting Monday when the fixture list is announced. They do NOT exist and should NOT be listed in the fixtures, nor have an SPL vote. Instead Club 'X' should be listed until such time as it has been decided who should replace the club who used to be called Glasgow Rangers, hopefully Dunfermline or Dundee. Rangers are DEAD. An ex-football club. Gone with the likes of Airdrieonians and Gretna FC and Third Lanark. That is a bald fact, no matter how their fans and would-be chairman would like to dress it up.

I was there that night. Wednesday 13 April 1977, Well 3 Celtic 0. Roy Baines was in goal for Celtic and said " I was glad when the final whistle went. I sensed Andy was going for his hat trick."

My Dad saw the Well become champions. We were never out the top three in a decade around the thirties. My mother took me to see the 1952 Cup winning team at Motherwell Cross. Remember all those black and white photos ? I WAS THERE. Of course, I was only 3 months old but my mither ayways said, " Mind son, you SAW the 1952 team, cos' Ah lifted ye up to look at them. It wisnae easy but if onybody ever denies it ... they're lying." First game I remember was against Thirds ( Third Lanark) at the OLD Fir Park Main Stand. Ancell Babes, Willie Pettigrew, Dougie Arnott, and the great Faddie all followed. AND I saw TWO Cup winning teams (but I remember the 1991 ones better !!!!) It has been a roller coaster with ups and downs, but I wouldna huv it ony other wey. C'mon the Well !