The Rangers Trail - Walk In The Footsteps of Legends

Last updated : 22 July 2009 By Le Bluebear

Graves, homes, old grounds and meeting places are all included.


You click the badge associated with the place you want to 'visit' and the programme then zooms in on it and pops up a photograph and a commentary on the significance of it in the Rangers story.


You can download the files here:-


http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8I8CS8JY

Download the zip file and you will find maps and paragraphs that will 
guide you round the trail. Also included is a map that can be loaded 
into Google Earth (instructions are include). When using the Google 
Earth file switch off '3d buildings' from your settings.




USING GOOGLE EARTH

You need to download and install Google earth to use the main file.

It's easy! Just click here - http://earth.google.com/ - and follow the instructions.


If the screen seems a little crowed with the Rangers links in the Glasgow area use the controls on right-hand side of the screen to zoom in and the link buttons will spread out over the map.



GLASGOW WALKING MAPS

Once you have downloaded the Rangers Trail folder click on the file titled The Rangers Founders Project and the programme will load.


Also included is a "Tours and Maps" folder which includes the info below which is more Glasgow based.


If you'd like to go on a walking tour PM Le Bluebear here - http://forum.followfollow.com/member.php?u=25343



The Rangers Trail

1. Flesher's Haugh. Birthplace of Rangers Football Club. The Club played its first game here in May 1872, a 0-0 draw with Callander, and stayed for three years. Peter McNeil had to arrive several hours before kick-off every Saturday and claim a patch of the recreation ground on which his team could play.

2.Clyde Amateur Rowing Club Boathouse. The original boathouse that our Founders would have used in the early 1870s. It was situated almost directly across from the current location.



3. 40 Hutcheson Street, Site of The Metropolitan Restaurant owned by Tom Vallance.
'Honest Tom' hosted a 21st Anniversary celebration here in 1898 toasting our first appearance in the Scottish Cup Final in 1877. He told players from both clubs: "The same spirit that characterised football in the old days has gone. It has been reduced to a purely mercenary matter."

4. 89 Glassford Street, Ancell's Restaurant. Rangers held many after match functions here, most notably in August 1887 when Peter McNeil gave a speech after the match against 'The Invincibles' of Preston North End to celebrate the opening of the first Ibrox Park.

5. 36 Buchanan Street. Ferguson and Forrester's.Rangers held a dinner here on Monday April 9th 1923 to mark the Club's jubilee. Diners tucked into a feast that included saumon bouilli, sorbet au mandarin and cour de filet de boeuf.

6. House of Fraser, Buchanan Street. Originally built in the 19th century for Stewart and McDonald, retail giants and supporters of Rangers in the early years. John McNeil, father of Peter and Moses, was gardener for John McDonald at Belmore House, where Moses was born in 1855. It is now part of the Faslane Naval base.

7. 91 Union Street. site of the second H and P McNeil sports outfitter store. Harry and Peter moved here in 1883 and stayed until the business closed circa 1896.

8. 21-23 Renfield Street. Site of the original H and P McNeil sports outfitters. They provided kits for all sports and all teams throughout Britain and were also official outfitters to the Clydesdale Harriers.



SUBWAY to St.Georges Cross

9. 29 Baliol Street. Moses was living here in 1901, when it was known as Stanley Street, as a lodger. He was listed in the census as a brush and oils salesman.

10. Burnbank. Rangers moved here in 1875 and stayed for one year. Rangers originally shared the recreational space with rugby club Glasgow Accies. The Caledonian Cricket Club also played on the site.

11. 32 Gibson Street (three up, first door, name on door). Peter McNeil and his family moved here circa 1897 as his mental decline became more marked. Wife Janet was forced to take in lodgers in a bid to pay the £25 a year rent. It was Peter's last address in Glasgow before his move to Hawkhead Asylum.

12. Kelvingrove Park. Known as West End Park in March 1872 when the idea to establish a club, to become to be known as Rangers, was discussed by Moses and Peter McNeil, Peter Campbell and William McBeath.



13. 37 Bentinck Street. Peter McNeil and family living here in 1891.

14. 169 Berkeley Street. Elizabeth McNeil, sister of Peter and Moses, ran a home from home for her brothers and her friends from the address for many years. Moses, Peter and William all stayed here, has did John and James Campbell, brothers of Peter. It was to here the McNeils' parents, John and Jean, returned in the late 1880s before their deaths in 1890.

15. 17 Cleveden Street. Elizabeth, Peter, James, Harry and William McNeil were all living here in 1871. In the same close also lived William McBeath, his sister Jane and their mother, also Jane.


BUS - # 9 or 62 to Partick from St.Vincent Street at St.Vincent Terrace.

16. Hamilton Crescent. West of Scotland Cricket Club. Scene of our first Scottish Cup Final on the 17th March 1877 v Vale of Leven which ended in a very controversial 1-1 draw. The first replay on April 7, which ended in the same scoreline, was also played here. The games drew incredible crowds of 12,000 and 15,000. The third match was played at the first Hampden Park and was won by the men from Alexandria, 3-2.


SUBWAY- to Cessnock and a BUS # 3,9,54,55,56 to Craigton Cemetery.

17. Craigton Cemetery. Legends of Rangers are buried here, including Bill Struth and Peter and Willie McNeil. The McNeils' parents, John and Jean, are also buried in the same lair as their sons. In plots either side lay two other McNeil brothers, James and Alexander, and their families.