Frankie 8,552 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 In a UK first, Rangers Football Club has donated over 1,200 tickets to members of the Armed Forces for the Clubââ?¬â?¢s Champions League tie against Unirea Urziceni at Ibrox Stadium next Tuesday (20 October, 2009). Having received confirmation from the Romanian side that they would not be taking up their allocation in the traditional away section, the Club has taken the unprecedented decision to offer this area of the ground to soldiers from The Army in Scotland in honour of their service to their country. Rangers Chief Executive Martin Bain joined Manager Walter Smith, Brigadier David Allfrey, Commander 51 (Scottish) Brigade and soldiers from 51 (Scottish) Brigade, at Ibrox today (Thursday, 15 October 2009) to hand over the Champions League tickets worth almost Ã?£50,000. The initiative is believed to be the first time a UK football club has donated an entire section of its ground to serving members of the Armed Forces and it follows a number of previous visits to Ibrox and Murray Park by members of the Army and Royal Marines. Martin Bain commented: ââ?¬Å?This football club is totally committed to supporting and recognising these brave individuals. Once we learned Unirea would not be taking up their allocation in the away section at Ibrox we immediately thought of donating the tickets to The Army in Scotland. We all owe the members of the Armed Forces a huge debt of gratitude and our fans will give them a wonderful and deserved reception when they attend our European tie next Tuesday." Walter Smith commented: ââ?¬Å?Footballers are often regarded as heroes but the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces are the true heroes in life and it will be our pleasure to welcome them to Ibrox." Brigadier David Allfrey, Commander 51 (Scottish) Brigade, commented: ââ?¬Å?Wow! This is an extraordinary gesture by any standards! Football is a major passion across the Army and Scottish soldiers all have strong allegiances. Even Celtic fans across the Brigade have been taken aback by Rangers generosity! ââ?¬Å?An evening at Ibrox is a wonderful opportunity for Rangers fans in the Army ââ?¬â?? along with many others who just enjoy the game or perhaps those who have never seen a game at this level before ââ?¬â?? to watch two of the best teams in Europe in an iconic stadium. We are all hugely appreciative of Rangers generosity and wish them well representing Scotland in the Champions League." Andy Kerr, President of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, commented: ââ?¬Å?I am delighted that the Club has made this generous gesture to our Armed Forces personnel. The soldiers that attend the match will receive a fantastic welcome from the Rangers fans." In recent months, the Rangers Charity Foundation has worked closely with veteransââ?¬â?¢ charities Poppyscotland and Erskine while the Club invited members of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland and Royal Marines from 45 Commando ââ?¬â?? who had just returned from front line duty in Afghanistan - to SPL matches at Ibrox. In addition, Scottish soldiers based in Germany have been invited to Rangers training sessions both during pre-season tours and before European matches in the last couple of years. An excellent gesture from the club - I'm sure all these heroes will enjoy Walter Smith's 4-5-1 against the Romanian's next week. If we don't win may I suggest they take our players on a few weeks PT at their base... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangers Football Club 0 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 GERS donate 1,200 seats to forces heroes for Unirea match at Ibrox More... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 More excellent work from the club in this regard. No doubt Shroomz (or is that Gribz) pal Mr Speirs will be penning an article praising Rangers as we speak. :fish: 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 846 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Nice gesture, but I dont see why armed forces get singled out as hero's. There are surgeons and doctors etc saving people's lives on a daily basis and nurses wiping old granny's back sides for peanuts and i dont see them get much rewarding. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,552 Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 Nice gesture, but I dont see why armed forces get singled out as hero's. There are surgeons and doctors etc saving people's lives on a daily basis and nurses wiping old granny's back sides for peanuts and i dont see them get much rewarding. Good point but they haven't been putting their lives on the line like the troops often do... Maybe an interesting concept to approach Rangers and see if they'll set aside further dedicated seating for special cases submitted to the club? Carers, doctors, nurses, teachers etc who deserve a bit of free R&R... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Handicapped children ? The less fortunate ? Abused kids ? Firemen ? Plenty of worthwhile causes, but in times of war (justified or not) the armed forces are more likely to get benefits than others. Good point though Gribz as there are plenty of others who do indeed deserve a freebie. Would be nice if we werent the only club in the country (Hibs excepted as they HAVE done something similar) to show such generosity. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maineflyer 0 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Well done to the club for this although I also agree with the point made above by Gribz. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Cole 0 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I'd rather wipe a granny's arse than be shot at. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,552 Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 So would Wayne Rooney... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Cole 0 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 On the other hand, I'd rather be shot at than look like Wayne Rooney. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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