RC Hamilton
RANGERS FC 1898-99 - THE SEASON RANGERS WON EVERY LEAGUE MATCH -A WORLD RECORD IN SENIOR FOOTBALL
Back row J. Wilson (Trainer), James Henderson (President), Nicol Smith, David Crawford, Neilly Gibson, Matt Dickie, Jamie Stark, Bobby Neil, Jacky Robertson, Jock Drummond, William Wilton (Hon. Match Secretary) and A.B. Mackenzie (Committee)
Sitting John Campbell, Ian Graham, John "Kitey" McPherson, R. C. Hamilton (Captain), Finlay Speedie, Andrew Sharp and Alec Smith.
Inset Jamie Miller, David Mitchell, John Wilkie and Tom Hyslop.
There is a book recently published titled "The Official Rangers Hall Of Fame" written by Lindsay Herron which will make very interesting reading and I will definitely be getting a copy. It has a bit on each player that is currently in Rangers Hall of Fame. Several new entries are included every year after a panel judges possible players for entry. It is based on the following: 1 Service to the club, 2 Appearances made, 3 Honours won, 4 International caps gained whilst at the club and 5 Exceptional ability.
A club like Rangers has had many great teams and players. It therefore can be difficult to choose who should be in the Hall of Fame. There is however in my opinion a number of players who should have been automatic selections but have not yet been included. In any history of Rangers even a condensed one two teams are always mentioned. The 1972 European Cup Winners Cup winning side where every player who played in the final is in the Rangers Hall of Fame. The 1898-99 League Championship winning side that won every league match that season but who currently only have three players in the Hall of Fame. I think every player who created this World Record that stands 110 years later should be included. The majority of this team were not "one season wonders" and won the league the following three seasons. The 1898-99 team was filled with outstanding players but on this website I will concentrate on just one.
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R.C. HAMILTON
He was an ever-present , captain and top goalscorer of the 1898-99 side. Bob Hamilton's record with Rangers was outstanding by any standard.
1 Hamilton was Rangers top League goal scorer for nine consecutive seasons from 1897-98 to 1905-06. This is a record. (Jimmy Smith is second with seven seasons as Rangers top goalscorer.)
2 Out of these nine seasons as Rangers top goal scorer six of them he was also Scotland's top goal scorer as well. This is another record. (Henrik Larsson is second with him being Scotland's top division leading goalscorer five times)
3 Six out of these nine seasons he averaged more than a goal per match. What a tremendous record!
4 RC Hamilton has scored more goals in Old Firm matches than any player from either side. Having scored a record number of goals against our greatest rivals undoubtably would justify his place in a Rangers Hall of Fame in many Rangers supporters minds. His first game against Celtic was at Parkhead in his one season with Queens Park. I don't think he was too nervous as the score ended Celtic 0 Queens Park 4 with Bob scoring all four goals! I wonder why Rangers signed him shortly afterwards?
5 He won 4 Scottish League Championships and 2 Scottish Cup winners medals. As well as 4 Glasgow Cup, 3 Glasgow Charity Cup, 1 Glasgow League, 1 Glasgow International Exhibition Cup, 1 Inter-City League medals.
6 Hamilton won 11 Scottish international caps and scored 15 goals. He remained Scotland's top international scorer until 1929.
7 Bob Hamilton captained the side and scored 4 goals in Scotland's 11-0 victory v Ireland at Parkhead on 23 February 1901. This remains 108 years later Scotland's biggest ever international victory.
8 The following month 16 March 1901 Hamilton became the first Scottish player to score a hat-trick against the English League in a great 6-2 victory at Ibrox. There were seven Rangers players in the winning side.
9 Bob was a tremendous penalty box striker but was also famous for hitting long curling shots outside the box .
10 The current Ibrox was opened on 30 December 1899 and captain R.C. Hamilton took the first kick in an Inter City League match against Hearts.
Bob Hamilton is definitely one of the all time great strikers of Rangers playing in one of the all time great Rangers sides. Every member of that "four in a row" side should be in Rangers Hall of Fame.
I have almost completed a book about R.C. Hamilton's life story. There is still room however for additional information and photographs. Please send anything to jenkins55@btinternet.com that you may have. I hope to have the book published next year.
Robbie Jenkins