THIS Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Scotland’s worst footballing tragedy.
On January 2, 1971, 66 supporters lost their lives in a crush at Ibrox stadium following a league match with Celtic.
Every year since, Rangers Football Club has marked the anniversary with a ceremony at the statue of John Greig – who was captain on the day – outside the ground.
The pandemic means a mass event to pay tribute to those who died and the 145 more who were injured cannot go ahead exactly as planned.
Ibrox Disaster: Glasgow first aider remembers tragedy 50 years on
However, the club is working on plans to mark the anniversary ahead of the Old Firm fixture on January 2.
A club statement on the website said: “At the time, the 1971 Ibrox Disaster was the worst disaster in British sport and its effects profoundly impacted not only Rangers, but Glasgow, Scotland and society as a whole.
“The memory of the supporters who passed away in 1971, plus the supporters who passed away in earlier Ibrox tragedies, have a special place in the Club’s history.
On the 50th anniversary of the 1971 disaster, we will come together to remember their lives and legacy.”
Managing Director Stewart Robertson confirmed a wreath would be laid at the statue and a minute’s silence will be held before kick-off.
He said: “The Ibrox Disaster was a very dark day in the club’s history, and it is one that we always make sure that we commemorate and mark in a respectful manner.”
Fans who were affected by the disaster can email alwaysremembered@rangers.co.uk to share their thoughts.
The tragedy was Britain’s biggest disaster at a football ground until 96 Liverpool fans tragically died at Hillsborough in 1989.
Thirty one of the victims at Ibrox were teenagers. The loss included many children, five of them schoolmates from the town of Markinch in Fife.
The youngest victim was a boy of nine, Nigel Pickup, who had travelled to the game from Liverpool.
One woman was among the fatalities. Margaret Ferguson, 18, from Maddiston, near Falkirk, had made a doll for the daughter of Rangers centre-forward Colin Stein and had delivered it to his home before Christmas.
A fatal accident inquiry found the 66 had died through being crushed or covered by the bodies of others.
The evidence suggested the accident was caused because at least one person fell or collapsed on the stairway when those who were descending were packed closely together and were being pushed downwards by the pressure of others above and behind them.
The tragedy led to huge changes in football stadia across the country.
It spurred the UK government into a review of safety at sports grounds and in February 1971, Scottish judge Lord Wheatley was asked to conduct an inquiry. It formed the basis for the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide), published in 1973.
All this week the Glasgow Times is bringing you the stories of the fans, players and first aiders, and of the relatives of those who lost their lives 50 years ago.
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