03 August 2005
Rangers Supporters Trust XI defeats Borussia Mönchengladbach supporters in friendly match

On the morning of the Borussia Mönchengladbach friendly, 12 hardy souls from the RST turned up to play a friendly match against a group of BMG fans who had travelled over to support their team at Ibrox. The game was played at the complex opposite the main stand and proved to be an enjoyable experience for the Trust team.

With our captain calling off on the morning of the game due to food poisoning - the previous night’s kebab coming back to haunt him - our brave boys took the pitch without leadership. Unlike the German lads, who took the field without sleep. The German captain was heard to say that most of them had only just stopped drinking and in the early stages of the game this was apparent.

Prior to the kick off two bus loads of supporters arrived, put up their banners around the perimeter fence and proceeded to finish the drinking session they had started on arrival in Scotland. To take 300 fans to an away friendly match between two sets of supporters is surely over and beyond the call of duty.

So to the game , Rangers started the game brightly and created a number of chances, all spurned by ageing strikers in need of hip replacements and a first cigarette of the day, although one effort struck the bar with the keeper standing helpless. The first goal arrived after 15 minutes when from a through ball, Red White and Ajax lobbed the large German goalie. His celebratory T-shirt was soon revealed bearing the legend: “Payback for Munich `74 Cruyff Loyal”. The second goal followed soon after when a piledriver from outside the area by Smiff left the keeper with no chance.

The RST were now playing some great possession football and the opposition looked in need of oxygen, it was no surprise when RST drove home number 3, again beating the keeper from some distance. Just before half-time Smiff notched his second and Rangers fourth.

Half-time: RST 4 BMG 0

Despite a half time team talk by the RST manager that would have put Lord Haw-Haw to shame ( He told the team to relax and let the opposition score) Rangers set out with intent in the second half but found that BMG had found some substitutes who were sober. It came as a surprise though when, from their first attack of the game, the Germans grabbed a goal back. Failure to clear the lines in defence allowed the German forward to volley past Craigie in goal. This seemed to spur the RST on and normal service was soon resumed when RWA managed to get his head on a corner to beat the stranded keeper for number five. Around this point big Eck was seen going into Ibrox, the cries of ‘any chance of a game’ from the RST boys were greeted with a cheery wave . BMG decided to throw on a secret weapon; a long blond haired midfield dynamo-ess who promptly nutmegged one of the RST midfielders, lucky for him I can’t remember who it was!

As the game was entering the last 15 minutes Rangers sealed the victory with an easy tap-in at the back post from The Scotty. This was to be his last involvement in the game as his number was held up at the side of the park midway through his celebration of his first goal since 1979. He cut a forlorn figure trudging off the park on his 63rd birthday; surely we’ll never see his likes again. With time fast running out and the referee wanting to collect his match fee and head for the pub, Rangers scored their final goal of the game. Bluemagoo won a throw in near the half way line and seeing Red White and Ajax in the clear took the quick one, RWA chipped the last defender, rounded the keeper and slipped the ball into the empty net. Why didn’t you come over and watch Eck ?

The last kick of the ball went to the Germans, who from another goalmouth scramble managed to pull yet another goal back, even though the referee was unsighted and the ball still had about three yards to go before it crossed the line.

Full-time: RST 7 BMG 2

The game was played in great spirit and both teams enjoyed themselves. The offers to swap shirts with the blond lassie were politely turned down.

All credit to the German players for making a game of it and to their fans for creating an atmosphere around the park.

Hopefully the return leg won’t be too far away.

Match Report: Red White and Ajax

03 August 2005
Trust Welcomes David Murray Statement

The Board of the Rangers Supporters' Trust welcomes Mr Murray's article in the Rangers News this morning and believes such a statement is overdue.

We understand the Chairman's reluctance to name specific journalists but many of our members and the wider Rangers family understand who this initiative is aimed at. The Trust Board intends to issue detailed advice containing examples of the sort of coverage referred to.

We would urge all our members - indeed anyone interested in objectivity and high standards of journalism - to reconsider their commercial support for those newspapers and radio stations responsible for petty, personalised attacks and vendettas against Rangers FC and Rangers supporters.

From Rangers.co.uk By Chairman David Murray

"I WAS a proud man on Sunday afternoon as I unfurled the SPL Championship flag ahead of our opening fixture against Livingston because it represented a major triumph for our great club that was achieved against the odds.

From the beginning of the 2004/05 campaign until virtually the final kick we were continually criticised in certain sections of the press and media on a variety of topics and a lot of it was very personal and, I believe, unnecessary.

Manager Alex McLeish was savaged, individual players were abused and the Club was continually made a target by certain individuals. I also bore the brunt of critical attacks.

I know this is an issue which infuriates Rangers supporters and I have a suggestion for them today which I hope they will consider.

I have literally received thousands of emails and letters from supporters who want to know why we do not take action against people who unfairly and continuously put the boot into Rangers in an effort to gain notoriety.

At every meeting I have had with supporters, sponsors or investors it is the same theme: 'Why do you let these people get away with it?'

Many of you have asked me to take action. You have suggested that I no longer make the culprits and their newspapers welcome at Ibrox and I stop them from attending press conferences.

I can understand why so many of you feel that way because some of the things that are written are so blatantly unfair and unjustified.

The thing is, I do not want to make martyrs of these people who seem intent on hammering Rangers at every opportunity without any apparent justification.

These people want me to react and they want you, the supporters, to react. If we do so it gives them credence and I, for one, am not willing to do that.

They want me to ban them because it will give them a badge of distinction.

We as a Club have written to editors seeking explanations and we have had meetings with some of them but these actions appear to have been in vain. Similar attacks and unfair criticism have followed.

The answer is simple. If you do not like what certain journalists are writing then stop buying their newspapers.

They can scribble away to their hearts' content, but if the product starts to lose sales then maybe their editors will begin to take note of the reason why.

We live in world where we believe in the democracy and freedom of the press, but some of the personal attacks on Rangers people have been way over the top - and they know it.

Don't be fooled by the occasional positive article which must have been hard for them to write.

It may seem unusual that I should choose this moment to go public on this subject, but I know that it is an issue which is very emotive among fans and needs addressed.

Yes, we can make a difference. Stop buying newspapers who, in your opinion, unjustly attack us and maybe the perpetrators will think twice.

THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE."

04 August 2005
Ipswich Loyal RSC now hosted by the Trust

As part of our free hosting programme we would like to announce our first RSC to be hosted by the Trust.

The Ipswich Loyal RSC are a brand new club currently registering with the Supporters Alliance. They have just 12 members initially but are looking to increase this number. There are other Rangers supporters in the area but need to make them aware of the club, hence the valuable exposure a free RST associate website can give them.

The club hope to meet for every televised Rangers game in local Ipswich pubs and already have one pub willing to let them borrow a private room for their meetings. Over time, they will also be looking to run buses to Rangers games for members to attend.

If you would like your RSC's website to be designed and/or hosted by the Trust, please contact us now. Thus far we've had interest from all over the world and we look forward to hearing from even more clubs!

15 August 2005
Blue Spirit Issue 9 Available for Download

The brand new issue of the Rangers Supporters Trust newsletter, Blue Spirit, can now be downloaded by clicking on the link below. Members can also expect a hardcopy to arrive in the mail shortly.

Download Blue Spirit 9 here (.pdf file 200K)

23 August 2005
AGM Reminder

Just a reminder to all members that this Saturday's AGM is only open to members who have renewed for this year.

However you can both renew and join on the day. We do ask though, that if you are taking this option that you arrive early to allow us to process your renewal/application.

Please note the AGM will take place on Saturday 27 August in Partick Burgh Halls from 10.30am (for a 11am start) till 2pm (Rangers play Hibs at Ibrox that day KO: 3pm).