31 Mar 2012 18:31:09
ED007, in pub at lunchtime and got into a discussion with rangers pals about their non Catholic signing policy. All 3 more or less denied this and asked for "written proof" of this policy. They also made point that the SFA at the time would not have allowed such a polcy. Kept being told Rangers signed "plenty of Catholic players" I told them of course the policy was "a nod and wink" as nothing could be put down on paper. I also could not believe how they were trying to rewrite their own club's history. When I got home I looked up some facts on internet and came up with a quote by the then Rangers chairman in 1967 matt taylor (I think) when asked about their not signing Catholics he said "Rangers were founded as a Protestant club, and it was their "tradition" and would lose them thousands of supporters if they lost their Protestant "identity"
Now thinking about it another big problem that SFA knew was wrong
with Rangers and again tacitly accepted it. It seems over the years SFA/Rangers have been in a "cosy, incestious" relationship. Timalloy {Ed007's Note - Between World War I and the 1980s, Rangers did not knowingly sign any Catholic players although there were a few. Prior to WW1 Pat Lafferty (1886), Tom Dunbar (1891–1892), J Tutty (1899–1900), Archie Kyle (1904–1908), Willie Kivlichan (1906–1907), Colin Mainds (1906–1907), Tom Murray (1907–1908), William Brown (1912), Joe Donnachie (1914–1918) and John Jackson (1917) all played for them (I am sure there are others).
Between WW1 and Johnston signing, the following Catholic players were signed, Laurie Blyth (1951–1952), Don Kitchenbrand (1955–1956), Hugh O'Neill (1976), John Spencer (1985–1992), again there will probably be others.
Although Taylor did say that, in the 70s (I think it was), Wille Waddel, Rangers General Manager at the time said, 'We will divorce ourselves from sectarian or religious bias in every aspect, no religious barrier will be put by this club regarding the signing of players'. There was an ongoing investigation by UEFA regarding their signing policy which instigated the signing of Johnston.}
Have a look at these quotes.
"When I came here in 1964, we had no Catholics," he said. "Not just the playing staff, anywhere. There was no bit of paper, it was an unwritten rule. David Murray changed that and it moved on significantly in 1989 when Maurice Johnston signed. You cannot clear up 80 years of sectarianism in eight months, but we are a huge way down the road."
Sandy Jardine
It was not until the 1960's that the burning issue of sectarianism reared its ugly head at Ibrox. A former player, Ralph Brand, made the sectarian policy at Rangers public knowledge and around this time the behaviour of Rangers fans was a real problem for the club. In 1963, Rangers fans jeered during the minute's silence for assassinated Catholic U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Then, in 1967, then vice Chairman Matt Taylor was questioned about Rangers no Catholics policy and he stated that he felt that they policy was 'part of our tradition....we were formed in 1873 as a Protestant boys club. To change now would lose us considerable support.'
Vice-Chairman Matt Taylor of Rangers from 1960s.
Jungle Bhoy.
ED007, Jungle Bhoy thanks for information, best line from one of Rangers buddies was at that time "there were no Catholic players GOOD ENOUGH to play for Rangers" honest, I had to go home and change my underpants.....
Maradonna, Cruyff, er sorry pals you are not good enough for our great Rangers team...
But as I keep coming back to one point, why did SFA allow this policy? Timalloy {Ed007's Note - That is one of the many unanswered questions from days gone by Tim. Hibs had a Catholic-only signing policy which the SFA had plenty to say about at the time. Thank God that the majority of us have moved on.}
Why are you so obsessed with Rangers?
Obviously your "Rangers pals" were a little naive,and not that bothered about something that happened over 40 years ago, but you obviously are, when you spent a Saturday researching the Rangers, Yeah that is moving on isn't it? Never mind at least you got clean undercrackers on now. - Stevie-A-Bear
Ach Stevie..i'm sure it was a bit of banter with his pals, as you do ! You're on the Celtic pages asking why 'so obsessed with rangers' eh ? Mrs E
"Banter" So he wasn't really down the pub with his Rangers pals then?
Yes, i'm on both sites regularly,something wrong with that Mrs E?
There's nothing wrong with it lol. It was you that asked why 'so obsessed with rangers'. He was having the bit of banter down the pub..something wrong with that ? Mrs E
Okay Mrs E, not biting lol, but did you actually read Thimalloy's post? Too factual to be banter,and he's not posted on other side either, which is unlike our "Tim" So i'm not weaing the banter excuse - Stevie-A-Bear
Mrs E, no matter what you try and say they will twist it to suit themselves. I actually feel sorry for the genuine Rangers fans, their own "Rangers minded" men have been the ones who have sold all the decent fans down the river. The press also, by keeping silent have not helped the fans either. Maybe liquidisation is best all round, if decent honest Rangers men then take over the club. Timalloy
PS Mrs E we got our Thai Tims tickets during the week, cannot wait to see them... LOL
Hi Timalloy. What exactly are we "Twisting to suit" ourselves?
Stevie-A-Bear
Do Catholic schools employ teachers of other religions ie Protestant? {Ed001's Note - the primary school I went to was catholic, it had other religions amongst the teachers. I doubt they would be allowed to choose anyway in this day and age.}
For goodness sake, what a ridiculous question..only in the West of Scotland would this question be asked. Its the Local Council that does the employing, check their websites. Mrs E
Has Tim touched a nerve Stevie ? everyone knows all about Rangers' signing policy before Souness signed Mo Johnston (And even that was done to rub Celtics' noses in it) the late great Jock Stein when he was Celtic manager once said if he wanted 2 players , one a catholic and one a protestant he'd sign the protestant first , because Rangers wouldn't sign the catholic and he could go back and get him later , and i think you'll agree his record on signings was not to shabby , these things happened and its something that is not good to have on your clubs cv .
The great Jock stein was also informed by a fan of our infamous rivals that we only won the European Cup cause we had 5 protestants in the team, his reply? We'll you've got eleven and you haven't won it! Brilliant
DazzaBhoy
LOL. That's a belter DazzaBhoy, i honestly hadnae heard that one before.
See to be honest, Thimalloy actually got half his info affa summit ah posted the other day, so in some respect's it's a bit of a compliment, but naughty Timmy you tried to steal all the glory for yourself. At least i apologise tae wee Pat when his copyright get's infringed. lol
Stevie-A-Bear