AS a nationalist and a Rangers supporter I am often disgusted at the behaviour of some of our so-called fans, and waving a Union Jack annoys me greatly. I wonder if these morons actually have politics in mind, or just make the colour association.
According to my ancient Wee Red Book, Rangers colours have been listed as blue, red and white for a long, long time, although red on the jersey was first seen in the mid- eighties. I have a photo of a young Ian Durrant with a thin red stripe across the chest. Prior to that socks were all red, red with a white top or (my favourite) black with a red top. I doubt if anyone was involved in Union Jackery in 1987.
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I have no idea if anyone in the Ibrox hierarchy is involved in promoting the Union this way today, but I am not alone in being a supporter of independence and Rangers. Landslide victories in Glasgow and across Scotland would not have been so emphatic had this not have been the case. On the other hand I have spoken to many Celtic supporters who are proud of Ireland’s struggle for independence but cannot bring themselves to support Scotland in the same fight to get out of the Union.
In short, please stop using stereotypes. Despite my Rangers allegiance, in politics we are on the same side!
Bob Ton
Angus
YOUR correspondent Richard Easson (Letters, May 28) seemed rather surprised by the fact that Rangers Football Club players wear black and red socks. He stated that back in the 1960s the club colours were solely blue and white and he seemed to think that the red in the socks was a recent innovation and may be part of some deliberate linkage from the club to associate it with the colours of the Union flag. I don’t know how well versed Mr Easson is with the history of Rangers Football Club but it may interest him to know that its players have worn black socks with red tops since 1904 (ie, the past 117 years). The reason for those particular colours is that back in the day they were the colours of the old Govan Burgh, where the club resides.
Jim Finlayson
Banchory
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