By Charlie Gaff
Chairman
Newmachar Red White And Blue
Rangers Supporters Club
Note: This is my personal version of our clubs history, apologies for any omissions or to anyone taking offence.
The Club was founded circa 1989 by medical staff, at the now disused Kingseat Hospital near Newmachar, north of Aberdeen. At first they travelled by cars and mini-busses but, soon pulled in like minded supporters from around Aberdeen. At this period in the clubs development, it was almost exclusively male adults who travelled, as most clubs, then were, a good old fashioned drinker’s bus. As the club grew, European trips became popular and were mostly organised by, Paul Munro and Rory. Paul soon came to be the main man and the club continued to grow despite an initial hiccup which, was down to an individual who, I have deliberately not named as, he is best forgotten. Paul and a few others picked up the reigns and thanks to a lot of help, both practical and financial from diehard members, we, were able to move onwards to bigger and better coaches.
Around 97/98 season myself and Campbell Clark took over the running of the club until tragic circumstances meant that Campbell would eventually move home to Glasgow leaving me in sole charge. Campbell continues to provide assistance and his vision of where the club should go, has a big bearing on where we are today. Without him, there would be no club. We both wanted a club where you could take your wife, daughter, granny or whoever and have a standard of behaviour, that wouldn’t cause embarrassment. I think in the main we have achieved our aim.
Getting to where we are today, a band ‘A’ club has not been easy to say the least, and the young Stoney crew were especially supportive and gave us the youthful outlook we required. Thanks here go to my young comrade, Robbie Hamilton, who now is an integral part of the committee. Help and guidance when I most needed it, was, and still is provided by, big Davy Gibson of Jimmy Clark Loyal and John Talbot of Alva and District. Two of the oldest and most respected Rangers Supporters Clubs. It is our honour and privilege to be associated with them.
We are also lucky to have a halfway stop which breaks up the journey to Ibrox. Thanks to Alan and Ian Bannerman and their staff at the Red House, we have enjoyed unrivalled hospitality, each and every time we’re there. Cheers. Getting us there, we now travel by luxury coach, thanks to Dagma, for putting us in touch with Graeme Keir who, not only is the MD of our bus company but also drives the bus with our club colours on. Nice one big fella. At present we have a healthy number of season ticket holders as members, both young and old (6 – 65) male and female, but alas, drink is not allowed on the bus……but we still manage to wet our whistles!
It is my hope that the club continues to thrive. Myself, Robbie, Brian and Eric will do, everything possible to ensure our continuing support of ‘The Rangers’ and our proud protestant heritage. To this end, it would be remiss of me, to not give a big thanks for help and friendship given by, the Calvay Social Club, by far the best place I have visited in all my years. Their generosity and general excellence has, served as an example to all our members.
In closing, I personally thank all our past members for their support and all current members for making every journey, win or lose a pleasure. Thanks to you all.
Thanks also go to, Tommy, Don and all the staff at Airth, Billy and Craig Stevens and all at Peterhead True Blues. Bobby Clifford, (Longest surviving member) Liz, (Long suffering wife) Claire, Pauline, and Elaine, (Raffles) Willie Henry, (Website compiler) John McCluskey (Bacon rolls)
* REST IN PEACE*
Caroline Clark
‘Sleeping with the angels in blue heaven’
