Popular Post D'Artagnan 173 Posted July 14, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 14, 2018 (edited) A quick trawl through online dictionaries provides a variety of similar and succinct definitions for “Lifeblood”. “a vital or life-giving force or component” “the indispensable factor or influence that gives something its strength and vitality” “the thing that is most important to the continuing success and existence of something else” RSC’s are not comprised of people who view themselves as “uber fans”, who consider themselves better or more deserving than others, they are just a group of bears who, most probably for geographical reasons, have aligned themselves together with the common purpose of following and supporting the club we love. They have evolved significantly since the days of their forerunner – the brake club, a name given honouring the mode of transport. A brake was large horse drawn carriage which could transport 20-30 people and brake clubs often had their own distinct banner in much the same way our modern RSC’s have their distinct logos. What a sight to behold that must have been! With the development of both motorised transport and the railways the days of the brake as a form of transport were numbered, but not so the recognised value of Rangers fans uniting together with the common purpose of following and supporting the club they loved. The modern-day RSC is a vital component part of the Rangers community with many more far reaching benefits than just transport. It serves to bring together like minded Rangers supporters who otherwise would have been strangers. I have in my phone 23 names which would not had been there had I not joined my local RSC. These are guys I speak with, rip the piss out of (always reciprocated) and socialise with on an almost daily basis. Our local RSC is effectively networking, bringing together people with a shared mission and vision. Collectively it serves to ignite the flames of passion for our football club. It is vital, it is strength giving and it is indispensable. Networking with other RSC’s is a further benefit, and on several occasions now we have enjoyed the hospitality of our friends in the Toryglen True Blues. Their passion and desire for our club is epitomised on the Rangers website “Buses leave 20 Social Club, Rutherglen for every Rangers game in Scotland and to every away European game that is reachable by bus” One can almost feel the “come hell or high water” oozing out of that! For a club which draws its support from all over Scotland and beyond the local RSC serves as the focal point for the Rangers diaspora, and one only has to look at the incredible work and achievements of the Plymouth True Blues, @ThePTBs1988 for those on twitter, as a shining example. Of course, irrespective of the many collateral benefits of an RSC, transport to and from games remain their primary function. The local Rangers Supporter Bus provides not only an essential service, but also by their character and nature, an indispensable service. They bridge the gap in the lack of provision afforded by public transport. With their localised pick ups and unique dropping off points they can make the difference between success and failure in our desire to follow Rangers, particularly for those who find themselves less able these days. In short, they offer affordability and accessibility. It is probably no co-incidence that the largest RSC in the world is in the far-flung regions of Lewis & Harris. As an RSC member I consider myself no better nor deserving than the bear who jumps in his or her car and makes the solitary journey to watch our beloved team. Having done that for many a year myself, I have the utmost respect for them. But having joined my local RSC, the energy, vitality and sense of belonging it provides is a drug of addiction I couldn’t be without. Our RSC’s are our lifeblood in so many ways – let’s make sure we sustain them. Edited July 14, 2018 by D'Artagnan typo 10 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo79 15,299 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 I've been going with my local RSC since the early 90s and have continued, despite moving away. Still see the same faces I did 20 odd years ago and have some good memories. Strangely, most of the memorable incidents are from those first couple of years. I remember a bloke got off for a piss when we were on our way to the Piggery for a final (Hibs or Aberdeen) and we saw the police approaching him, so were pointing and telling him to get a move on. He thought we were waving at him, so waved back, smiling...whilst the police tapped him on the shoulder. RSCs are vital for many of us and are also hugely important to ensure the big crowds continue. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinstein 294 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 I'm surprised at the meaning of "brake" club because I've seen photos of an old banner that's got Kinning Park Brake club on it. Why would these guys have needed any transport to Ibrox 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott7 6,173 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 4 minutes ago, colinstein said: I'm surprised at the meaning of "brake" club because I've seen photos of an old banner that's got Kinning Park Brake club on it. Why would these guys have needed any transport to Ibrox parkhead, Shawfield, Cathkin, Firrhill maybe. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaspard 562 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 Well done Dart, good piece and of course topical. RSCs are still the lifeblood and a cohesive force throughout the Rangers global community. there appears to be very little unity anywhere else nowadays, any moves or machinations attempting to use the RSC system to create virtual or pseudo clubs for whatever reason should be exposed and resisted. CS, regarding KP Brake club, probably pre-Ibrox but I would assume the brake was used to take the KP lads to away games. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinstein 294 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 1 hour ago, Scott7 said: parkhead, Shawfield, Cathkin, Firrhill maybe. yes of course...obvious when you think about it 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tannochsidebear 2,429 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 The OP is of course absolutely spot on. Now in my 30th year with my RSC, the friendships, camaraderie, stories, great times we have had over the years have been incredible. These are repeated in RSC's all over the country, and indeed the world. The primary objective of course is to provide transport to enable supporters to attend Rangers games wherever they may take place. In these days of all-ticket games (it wasnt always like this!), it is getting more and more difficult to get enough tickets to fill buses and keep the RSC's economically viable. More and more rely on fundraising to make ends meet, with dances, totes, lottery, sportsmans dinners, etc taking place to boost coffers enough to keep buses on the road. A real shame therefore that the management at the club involved with ticketing and RSC's dont seem to share the sense of worth for RSC's that they deserve. Continual reductions in RSC ticket allocations, and basically no support for them at all, means that more and more are having to give up, merge or reduce buses to minibuses or cars. So much could and should be done to support this "lifeblood" of the support and the club, and I have written about it several times over the years with lots of ideas as to how to improve matters, but the club only seem interested in talking to RSC's when there is a problem within the support that they need help with. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranger_syntax 4,424 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 3 hours ago, colinstein said: I'm surprised at the meaning of "brake" club because I've seen photos of an old banner that's got Kinning Park Brake club on it. Why would these guys have needed any transport to Ibrox Probably the same reason as all the people catching the bus or taking taxis from Kinning Park in the present day. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinstein 294 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 what you on about ? KP is about 10 mins walk from Ibrox 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo79 15,299 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 Did people not go to away games in 19th century? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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