Emirates Weekend
DEREK FERGUSON ANDY GORAM
It was some weekend despite the Arsenal result! The London Branch were honoured to have Rangers supporters attending their "Rangers Only" venues from all over the UK and some from Canada. The weekend started for the early arrivals at the "Cock Tavern" on the Friday night. I had only went along there to pick up a couple of things for the "Woodstore" the following day. There was a much bigger crowd there than I expected and the party had begun! The "Woodstore" opened up at 11.00 on Saturday and gradually got busier the nearer to kick off it got. It was after the PSG match that we got really stretched with loads of people who got my mobile number leaving texts asking for tickets for the Derek Ferguson and Andy Goram visit and talk in the evening. I am pleased to say we managed to accommodate everyone.
Prior to Derek and Andy arriving we had esteemed guests coming through the doors. Bobby Watson who was a goalkeeper at Ibrox from 1970 to 1973 arrived with his partner Teresa as guests of the London Branch. Dave Smith a member of Rangers 1972 European Cup Winners Cup winning team was there. I considered Dave man of the match in the final in Barcelona. In Dave's party was Melanie Neef daughter of another Rangers goalkeeper Gerry Neef. Gerry was at Ibrox between 1968 to 1973. Melanie herself is quite a sports personality having been a top class 400 metres runner representing Great Britain in the World and European championships plus running for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games. Only injury prevented her running at the Olympics.
Then the guest speakers arrived to a tremendous ovation from the big crowd. Derek and Andy were great with lots of interesting and funny tales of their time playing for Rangers. The obvious passion they both still showed for the club they played for went down very well. Derek answered perhaps the predictable question regarding his brother Barry's recent departure from Ibrox. Barry may now be with Birmingham City but it is clear where his loyalties lie!
Both Derek and Andy were keen to sign autographs and have pictures taken with supporters of all ages. There was also a football auction and raffle which were popular. You would be thinking that after this they would need a bit of a rest but no they went from the "Woodstore" to our other venue the "Cock Tavern" to do it all over again. What professionals! In all events there are some unsung heroes and I would like to thank John McEwan for being compere at both shows with Derek and Andy and for doing a lot of hard work behind the scenes to ensure they could both make it.
The "Woodstore" bar was very busy and everyone appeared to be having a great time with many people meeting old friends and making new ones.We still had Sunday to go!
The Blackpool True Blues asked if we could ask the bar to open early for Sunday breakfast which we arranged. Their coach was there before the bar opened at 11.00! We had the supporters from the night before but also sizeable numbers from Rangers supporters clubs in Yorkshire and Derbyshire who had just arrived that morning. It was very lively!
After the Arsenal match officially the "Woodstore" was no longer a "Rangers Only" bar as we predicted a number would be returning home that evening. It might as well have been as only four non Rangers supporters were drinking there! In common with the great atmosphere there some Rangers supporters invited an Arsenal supporter and his girlfriend to join their table. I was drinking with Chris Gibb another London Branch member with the bar now half empty. One member of staff came over and shook my hand and thanked me for a great weekend and said everybody behind the bar felt part of the party. This pleased me greatly but I said that Ali and all her bar staff should take some of the credit as it was always service with a smile despite how busy it was. The people who created the fantastic atmosphere was the visiting Rangers supporters.
I would like to thank every one of you for making the weekend such a great success.
Robbie Jenkins