Gordon Semple has passed away - FF legend and co-founder of the RST

[der Berliner 3,457]

... perhaps better known to FFers as Number_Eight.

 

Here is Mark Dingwall's note from FF:

 

Number_Eight has passed away

 

Sadly, Number_Eight aka Gordon Semple, has passed away after a year-long struggle with brain cancer. Roughly nine months of improvement were followed by a relapse.

 

Gordon wrote for the Follow Follow fanzine and this website for many years and along with Colin Glass was - I consider - one of the two founders of the Rangers Supporters Trust. The two of them talked and worked on it and then when there was a Supporters Direct conference in Tynecastle invited me along and thereafter the plans to launch the RST were laid.

 

Gordon would serve for many years on the RST Board and in parallel kept up a barrage of well-written articles in the fanzine and latterly online. Talking to one of his sons earlier this evening we laughed at the difficulty of moving Gordon’s opinions once he had made his mind up on a topic!

 

After making his contribution to the RST he still wrote and campaigned - I recall a few lonely protests in the David Murray days when Gordon was one of the few faces who kept up the struggle. He never wavered in doing what he thought best for the club.

 

He was a devoted family man to his wife and four kids. Well-kent around Bearsden and in the taxi trade. He’ll be sadly missed.

 

The family will inform us of funeral arrangements as they become available.

 

Goodbye old pal.

 

Sleep tight, fellow Bluenose!

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Something of a legend. Will be missed.

 

 

[BEARGER 1,829]

Gordon was one of the more reasonable posters on FF also one of the best, really enjoyed reading his articles and posts. Sat with him at a RST dinner a good few years ago, nice person.

[boabie 230]

I left FF many many years ago but recall that No8 was the first guy to welcome me to that forum when I joined.

Sad news.

[Frankie 8,279]

Sad news. I met Gordon a few times and although I didn't know him all that well, it's always sad to see a good bear leave us.

 

Condolences to his friends and family.

[aweebluesoandso 290]

Sad news, never knew Gordon although i was a member the RST, wish there was more of his type fighting for fan ownership. RIP

[Bluedell 5,413]

I don't think I ever met him. Although I disagreed with much he posted, his contribution towards fan organisations and fan representation is unquestionable and the new Club 1872 is part of his legacy.

 

RIP.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Had an encyclopedic knowledge of rangers as well.