WHAT’S GOOD?
It’s very well-designed, there’s consistently good photography, it’s all nicely set-out and, umm, it smells lovely. Olfactory considerations aside, the price is competitive and it is obvious that those involved on the writing side are committed and capable.
WHAT’S INTERESTING?
The interviews with all the main men at Ibrox: Ally McCoist, Gordon Smith and Ali Russell are all quizzed on their plans for the future. Also, the feature on Auchenhowie (note to employees – he’s gone) is a nice mix of fun facts, serious pride, and an attempt to explain how the facility works and what the future holds. It’s also heartwarming to read more about what the Club does for charity and how we, as fans, can get involved.
WHAT’S THE BEST BIT FOR ME TO FLICK STRAIGHT TO?
Possibly the ‘Pro Zone’ – a section where Club employees offer tips on training, nutrition, tactics and the delicate nature of how players deal with injuries: all genuinely illuminating and something to build on in subsequent issues.
IS IT UP-TO-DATE?
There’s a short interview piece with new signing Juan Manuel Ortiz and some detailed previews of the Blackpool, Linfield and Chelsea games but it’s obvious that the magazine will succeed or fail based on the quality of its features, the ability to offer a genuine insight into matters at the club, and the ingenuity of the editorial team in establishing and refining the content from month-to-month.
The Rangers News – with its weekly round-ups and ability to be both immediately pilfered for quotes and to suffer the fate of addressing what rapidly become yesterday’s talking-points – lost its way in an era where people have so many options at their fingerprints and instant access to forums and multiple sources to drive the agenda and passage of information into FACT.
WHAT’S A BIT DULL?
Editor Lindsay Herron’s column is a little tame and both this and the regular contribution from Andrew Dickson will no doubt improve as the issues find their rhythm. Here, there’s more than an understandable whiff of the old Rangers News approach and self-defensive tone. Other than that, there’s little to offend: if only the magnificent Tom Miller’s season preview was available as an audio file.
IS BIG LEE IN THE NEW RANGERS MONTHLY?
YES! Proudly displaying the new Red, White and Blue jersey on p14, Lee is also the first of the squad to offer ‘A view from the dressing room’. It, and the accompanying picture, is reason enough to splash out the £3.75 cover price. In addition, if you add up the numbers within Lee’s scribble and divide them by his squad number you get...well, you try it at home. ;)
ARE THERE ANY LOLCATS?
No. This is a serious weakness.
But we do get treated to a worthwhile and warm appreciation of Travis and his handler Scott Cunningham, whose TravisTrek work over the years has been a source of inspiration and encouraged some remarkably generous fundraising efforts.
ARE THERE ANY HOT BURDS?
There are pictures of Herron although he’s not a lady (in public at least) but fear not: we have a version of the popular ‘Blue Belles’ feature. An Alloa-based, part-time fitness instructor and young Slovak named Nikola Bonava sets the standard.
DON’T BE SEXIST: IS THERE ANYTHING FOR ‘THE LADIES’?
Next month’s edition promises an update on the Rangers ladies, but we at FF know all too well that ladies are serious, sincere fans and don’t need cheap thrills to maintain their interest. So...there’s a picture on p85 of four naked (from the waist up) men; p79 has Mr. Whittaker raising his jersey to display his fine abs and tan; and p40 has a fine image of Andy Little adjusting his inside trouser-leg.
CAN I BUY THIS IF I DON’T LIVE IN WEST CENTRAL SCOTLAND?
You can order a subscription by telephone – call 0871 702 1972 (option 7) or go to the official Club website. Some initial feedback suggests availability in major newsagents – such as WH Smith – is a little patchy, even within Scotland. Those who are far afield possibly need to be well-heeled to consider the shipping: a sub will set you back over £80 (in equivalent currency). We are sure that as the enterprise develops circulation growth and distribution will be a more focused priority, and one area for consideration must surely be a version for tablets, iPad, etc.
WHO IS THIS MAGAZINE AIMED AT?
Quite probably Rangers fans are its core audience. But within the broad church one has to try to please a number of (passionate and undeniably very irritating) groups: people who want to know Kyle Lafferty’s favourite colour mixing with those who enjoy the tactical musings, all the while getting ready to take cover when the history buffs make their pleas for a little on the Glasgow Merchants’ Charity Cup games from before the Great War. A historical column or regular feature would surely be well-received (many feel that the Club has not done enough to promote and to publicise the amazing history of The Rangers) and should the Rangers Monthly maintain a generous ninety-six page format there is certainly room for some consideration of matters in black and white.
WILL THIS WORK?
Well, that’s partly up to you. The first edition is certainly encouraging and in the preview for the second Rangers Monthly (available August ninth) much is made of a forthcoming feature called ‘The Enclosure’ – “dedicated to the hundreds of thousands of Rangers fans across the world.” Leaving aside the numbers, the team want your tales from your life supporting the World’s Greatest Club. Each month there will also be a profile of individual fans and supporters clubs and a new section called ‘Ask Ian’, wherein Mr. Durrant will hopefully find something interesting to say.
editor@rangers.co.uk is your way of getting involved.
One down: Hopefully many more to come.