The Moonlighter

Just recently we launched our first batch of Founders Trail dates for 2018. What then happened over a period of a few weeks is just astonishing. SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY SOLD OUT SATURDAY 27TH JANUARY SOLD OUT SUNDAY 4TH FEBRUARY SOLD OUT SUNDAY 18TH FEBRUARY SOLD OUT SUNDAY 18TH MARCH SOLD OUT SUNDAY 1ST APRIL SOLD OUT SUNDAY 8TH APRIL SOLD OUT The incredible continued support for the Founders Project has once again totally blown us away and for this we thank you sincerely. A new Tour date will be launched on the 26th December with many more added throughout 2018. Thank you. Iain and Gordon.

Still plenty of time to order your Founders Trail merchandise for Christmas.

Earlier this year we located the final resting place of Rangers great Alan Morton at New Monkland Cemetery in Glenmavis. It was clear that someone was regularly leaving flowers so we left a note in a water-proof bag regarding the on-going Restoration Project. Incredibly a full 7 months later we were overjoyed earlier this week to receive a call from the Niece and Great Niece of the great Alan Morton who had read our note. We’re delighted to say that the family have granted us permission to carry out the Restoration work on the plot which will commence early next year. Alan Morton. 24th April 1893-14th December 1971. Alan Morton was born at Skatterig Farm in the Anniesland Cross area of Glasgow. He grew up in Airdrie, where his family relocated due to his father's work. After leaving Airdrie Academy he had an unsuccessful trial with Airdrieonians. Consequently, he entered studies to become a mining engineer while playing with Queen's Park. Once fully qualified in 1920 he turned professional, becoming Bill Struth's first signing as manager of Rangers, but only on the proviso that he could maintain his position as a mining engineer. Morton only measured 5 ft 4 inches in height but his talent lay in his physical balance, speed and thought. As a result of this association, Mr. Struth's intuitive training and the combination of an array of internationals (not least Bob McPhail and David Meiklejohn), Rangers enjoyed a sustained period of success. Highlights included the famous 1928 Scottish Cup triumph against Celtic in which Rangers ended a 25‑year wait to win the Cup 4‑0. In addition to this Alan Morton went on to receive winner's medals as Scottish Football League champion in 1921, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931, and as a Scottish Cup winner in 1930; he received runners-up medals in 1921, 1922, and 1929. He made his debut for Rangers against Airdrieonians on 17 August 1920, and played his last game against the same opposition on 7 January 1933 (in which he scored). "The Wee Blue Devil", as he was nicknamed, played 470 times for Rangers and scored 109 goals. Morton's dress was as precise as his play. He was a familiar figure strolling down Paisley Road West towards training at Ibrox sporting a bowler hat and umbrella (as befitted a professional gentleman of the time), which caused locals to dub him "The Wee Society Man" . Morton had already been capped while an amateur before joining Rangers and would go on to play in every international against England, from 1920 to 1932 bar the fixture at Old Trafford in 1926, eventually winning 31 caps. It was in the 1928 full international in London where Alan Morton, as part of an under-rated Scottish side that beat England 5‑1 in driving rain to record a famous triumph, earned the moniker: "Wembley Wizard". After retiring Morton’s impact was felt as an administrator, becoming a powerful figure within Scottish sport. He was appointed to the Rangers board and he remained there until the year of his death. Today a portrait of Alan Morton in his Scottish strip stands proudly at the top of the marble staircase at Ibrox's Main Stand, such is his enduring stature at our club.

We're receiving a lot of emails and calls from people concerned that if they order an item it may not arrive in time for Christmas Day. All orders placed are posted out within 24 hours. The final posting date for our merchandise is Thursday 21st December. Our range of merchandise is here on our website. https://www.thefounderstrail.co.uk/shop

Would all who have reserved seats please note that due to a fixture change this Tour will now operate on Saturday 27th January. All passengers will be notified via the email address that the original booking was made from. We can only apologize for any inconvenience that this may be cause but unfortunately it is outwith our control. If you have any questions please call us on 0790 2855536.

Our full range of merchandise is here on our website. https://www.thefounderstrail.co.uk/shop

Last Saturday evening we presented the Founders Story at the Argyll Bowling Club for the Campbeltown Loyal RSC. At the end of the evening our Restoration donations bucket was passed around the hall and the incredible amount of £220.47 was raised. We'd like to thank everyone who attended for their generosity , this will help to ensure that our work continues over the coming months Thank you.

With Christmas fast approaching get yourself wrapped up in one of our trendy popular scarves which are designed on the original colours of the Club and in turn support the Founders Trail. They are only £12.00 (+ £3.00 P&P) and can be purchased directly here on our website https://www.thefounderstrail.co.uk/shop

A Bear reviews the Founders Trail. http://www.rangersnews.uk/columnist/following-footsteps-giants-i-walked-path-great-pioneers/?utm_content=bufferdfa47&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

This coming Saturday folks. Tickets are £5 and can be purchased from Callum Semple at semple.buchan@btconnect.com

Last Saturday we were joined on the Founders Trail by 33 members of the Grangemouth RSC. At the end of the Tour they donated £100 to the Restoration of Rangers Graves Project. We’d like to thank them for their overwhelming generosity. Thank you.

Would all who are booked on tomorrow’s Tour please note that there will be a Founders Trail welcome desk available within the Ibrox Megastore from 11.15am prior to our 12pm departure directly across from the Megastore This will give us an opportunity to greet you, check you from our loading chart and distribute our travel packs. Parking is available throughout the day around Ibrox Stadium. If you have any questions before the tour please don't hesitate in contacting us on 0790 2855536.

This Christmas treat the Bluenose in your life to a Founders Trail and Ibrox Stadium Tour Gift Voucher. The Gift Vouchers are without limit of time and reserve a seat on any Founders Trail and Ibrox Stadium Tour of your choice(allowing for availability). Adults £25 Senior Bluenoses and Wee Bears ( under 16) £18 +£1 P+P per order Gift Vouchers, which can be purchased here on our website, are posted out on the day of purchase. https://www.thefounderstrail.co.uk/shop

Earlier today we took a group of visitors from North America around Glasgow on the Founders Trail. Over the last week their children have been on a coaching course at Auchenhowie so we were asked by the Club to take them on the Tour and let them experience our unique and wonderful story. This was our first venture with the Rangers Overseas Development Project and a great day was had by all, although we were a little down on expected numbers due to the weather. Over the coming months we’ll be taking many more overseas groups on the Trail of our Founders. This incredible story of a group of Scottish kids who came to Glasgow and formed what was to become the world’s most successful football club is wonderful PR for our Club and it’s one that we’re now getting the opportunity to share with people from around the Globe.

Last Friday evening we presented the Founders Story at the 173 Social Club for the Largs RSC and friends. At the end of the evening our Restoration donations bucket was passed around the hall and the wonderful amount of £164.86 was raised. We'd like to thank everyone who attended for their generosity , this will help to ensure that our work continues over the coming months Thank you.

Would all who are booked on tomorrow’s Tour please note that there will be a Founders Trail welcome desk available within the Ibrox Megastore from 11.15am prior to our 12pm departure directly across from the Megastore This will give us an opportunity to greet you, check you from our loading chart and distribute our travel packs. Parking is available throughout the day around Ibrox Stadium. If you have any questions before the tour please don't hesitate in contacting us on 0790 2855536.

Join us and hear the greatest story never told........until now.

We still have plenty of hats in stock,they are only £10.00 (+£2.00 P&P) and can be purchased here on our website. https://www.thefounderstrail.co.uk/shop All orders are posted out within 24 hours.

Last Friday night we presented the Founders Story at the Railway Tavern in Bathgate for the Union Jack RSC. At the end of the evening our Restoration donations bucket was passed around the pub and the wonderful amount of £104.28 was raised. We'd like to thank everyone who attended for their generosity. Thank you.

Tomorrow we’ll be delighted to be joined on the Founders Trail by the members of the Gartcosh Loyal RSC in what is this their 70th year. They’ve reserved every seat on the coach and we’d like to thank them for supporting the project in such great numbers. If your Supporters Club would like to Follow Follow in the footsteps of our Founders then please send an email to thefounderstrail@gmail.com or call us on 0790 2855536.

Born 18th February 1860 at Shandon on the Gareloch Died 31st August 1898 Terregles Avenue Glasgow. Alex Vallance gave the Club many years of great service. He joined Rangers in 1873 when he moved to Glasgow to start his engineering apprenticeship (we have records of him keeping goal for the second eleven when only 14 years of age). He was also the younger brother of Rangers legend Tom. Alex would go on to be captain of Rangers and was a player in that first Rangers team to win a Trophy, the Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup in 1879. https://www.thefounderstrail.co.uk/the-rangers-first-trophy It was 16 year old Alex Vallance who proposed in 1876 that the club move from Burnbank and take the lease for ground at Kinning Park. Alex was well placed to see the advantages of the move the south of the river as he like his brother Tom were apprentices in the Clutha Iron Works with P&W McLellan. Rangers would remain at Kinning Park for 11 years before moving along Paisley Road to the Ibrox area. The closing of Kinning Park 26th February 1887. Alex is the large guy sat on the ground in front of his brother Tom who has his foot on the ball. As a young man Alex would give diving lessons into the Gareloch from the Hydropathic Hotel, today it’s the Faslane Naval Base. In 1884 Alex issued a challenge to all of Scotland for the All-Round Amateur Championship for 12 events, his opponents having the privilege of selecting the 6 events to be contested. His challenge was never accepted. During the 1890’s Alex was mine host at the Red Lion Pub at 84 West Nile Street Glasgow, today it’s The Courtyard Bar. We recently discovered the final resting place of Alex Vallance in the town of Helensburgh and yesterday the stone on his plot was cleaned. Unfortunately Alex’s stone hasn’t responded as well to the blast cleaning as others we’ve restored as it’s made of sandstone and well over a century old. Today we remember Alex Vallance.

We still have plenty of our popular scarves left in stock. They are only £12.00 (+ £3.00 P&P) and can be purchased directly here on our website https://www.thefounderstrail.co.uk/shop

A wee reminder about this event folks

Would all who are booked on Sunday’s Tour please note that there will be a Founders Trail welcome desk available within the Ibrox Megastore from 11.15am prior to our 12pm departure directly across from the Megastore This will give us an opportunity to greet you, check you from our loading chart and distribute our travel packs. Parking is available throughout the day around Ibrox Stadium. If you have any questions before the tour please don't hesitate in contacting us on 0790 2855536.

Due to overwhelming demand our Tours continue to sell out very quickly. We thank you for your continued support. These are currently our future Tour dates and availability. SUNDAY 5TH NOVEMBER SOLD OUT SUNDAY 19TH NOVEMBER SOLD OUT SATURDAY 25TH NOVEMBER SOLD OUT SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY SOLD OUT SUNDAY 28TH JANUARY SUNDAY 4TH FEBRUARY SUNDAY 18TH FEBRUARY SUNDAY 18TH MARCH SUNDAY 1ST APRIL SUNDAY 8TH APRIL Adults £25 Children (under 16) and Senior Citizens £18 Group discounts are available upon request. Reserve your seat now here on our website https://www.thefounderstrail.co.uk/book-online For further information phone: 0790 2855536.