THE author of a new book featuring the last words of Fernando Ricksen has praised the tragic star for agreeing to leave a final message for Rangers fans.
Today The Evening Times will publish in full the foreword of 10 Matches 10 Players which was written by the late footballer in August - a month before his death.
Fernando died aged 43 on September 18 after a six-year battle with Motor Neurone Disease, and now author Stuart Thomson has spoken of his special contribution in the book.
He said: “It was a nice touch for him to agree to do it.
“I first met Fernando through my mate Stan Gordon, who manages the Rangers legends. I did a fundraiser at the Union Jack Club in London in October 2015.
“Fernando came down and there were 150 Rangers fans in the club. He could walk and talk at that point – but there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
“I went to see him at St Andrew’s Hospice, I penned something for him and he agreed to do it very kindly.
“Sadly he later passed away, I went to his funeral because I wanted to pay my respect. He really suffered in the end.”
Lifelong Rangers fan Stuart, who now lives in West Sussex after leaving Scotland in 1994 for a career in the health service in London, penned his first book on the Light Blues after discovering publishers Black 33 were planning similar projects for other football clubs in the UK.
Stuart, 56, said: “I have never written a book in my life but the publisher had an idea of doing a series of football books, 10 matches 10 players, for any team.
“I am a Rangers fan and I was happy to write it.
“It is the first book of the series which gives me a bit of personal pride because I came late to the discussion but managed to get the Rangers one out first.
“I took early retirement and started doing some unofficial Rangers charity events and legends games about five years ago.
“I just got to know the players and the ten I approached were fantastic, every one of them gave their time.”
The book features each of the club legends talking about their favourite match with Derek Johnstone, Willie Johnston, Tam Forsyth, Alex MacDonald, Ian Durrant, Andy Goram, John Brown, Marvin Andrews, Barry Ferguson, and Nacho Novo all contributing.
Stuart said: “We wanted to speak to players who played at the club over 30 years from 1972 to 2008.
“I spoke to each of them about the lead up to the game and then some anecdotal stuff about playing for Rangers.”
He added: “I enjoyed writing the book and it has filled my appetite to do it again.
“It was emotional with all the history attached to it.
“I live by the sea down the south coast and I spent most of the summer in the garden writing it. It was the best summer I have ever had.”
The book is available at official Rangers Football Club stores and online but Stuart will be doing a signing with Andy Goram in the Forge Market on December 12 and 13 from 11 am.
A percentage from each sale of the book will also go to the ex-Rangers players' benevolent fund.
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