RANGERS fans are set to honour Ryan Baird, 39, who died on Saturday when a coach carrying fans to Ibrox crashed in Ayrshire, by holding a minute’s applause at the 39th minute of the club’s next home game.
The suggestion began on social media and was so widespread last night that it looks bound to happen. The club has not yet announced what tribute will be paid to the fan, but the wearing of black armbands seems certain.
Baird was originally from Magheramorne in Larne, Northern Ireland, but had been living in Sanquhar in Dumfries and Galloway. He is survived by his partner, two adult sons as well as two brothers and two sisters.
His brother John said on social media: “Our family would like everyone to pray for the rest involved in the accident and hope they make a full and speedy recovery and make their journey home.
“No one should head off to a match and not return home, doesn’t matter who they support.”
Also paying tribute yesterday was Richard Todd chairman of Larne Glasgow Rangers Supporters Club, where Baird had been a long-term member.
He told UTV: “We couldn’t believe it when we first heard. It’s just totally shocking for this to happen to any football fan, but for it to happen to somebody so close to us all is just unbelievable, I just can’t take it in.
“I’ve been friends with him for a number of years so it’s on a personal level as well.
“It’s a sad loss of a good friend. Ryan was very bubbly, he was the life and soul of any night out or trip to a football match, a very sociable guy.
“We’d actually spoken to Ryan on Thursday night and we’d arranged to meet him on the Saturday after the match.
“One of the first people who contacted me yesterday is a local Celtic fan. He said he would like to help out in any way he could and passed on his sympathies to the family.
“So as much as Celtic and Rangers fans do get very badly criticised in the press, that’s a small minority, and in situations like this, people do come together, the football rivalries are definitely put to one side.”
The coach was taking the Nith Valley Loyal Rangers Supporters’ Club to Ibrox Stadium, where Rangers beat Partick Thistle 2-0 in the Scottish Premiership. The crash happened at 1.15pm on the A76 by the Crossroads Roundabout near Kilmarnock.
Police Scotland said a further 18 people were taken to hospital, where three remain in a serious condition. Those seriously injured were a 64-year-old woman and two men, aged 19 and 61.
Baird’s partner Sarah Hughes, paid tribute to him, saying he had loved the club.
She posted a poem on Facebook which began: “You wake up and plan what you are doing today But never do you think, it will end this way No more laughing or teasing or having fun As our club returned to today, missing a son”.
Rangers FC said it was “deeply saddened” by the crash, adding: “Our profound condolences go to the gentleman who has died and our thoughts are with his family.
“We are also thinking of those who have been injured and taken to hospital.”
Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson said: “Everyone at the football club and every member of our Rangers family is thinking of all of those caught up in this terrible accident.
“Clearly this is a deeply distressing time and the board extend our deepest sympathies and concerns.”
Rangers assistant manager David Weir said he was sure the club “will be very supportive in regards to anything they can do to help the situation”.
Celtic also passed on their condolences in a club statement, saying: “In relation to news of today’s accident involving Rangers supporters on their way to the match, everyone at Celtic sends our sincere condolences following the death of a supporter.”
Police Scotland said last night: “A report will be prepared for the procurator fiscal.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here