Glasgow marks the anniversary of the Ibrox disaster

Glasgow marks the anniversary of the Ibrox disaster

A ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the Ibrox stadium disaster was held in Glasgow prior to Rangers’

league match versus Kilmarnock.

Following an Old Firm match against Celtic, 66 Rangers supporters were killed in a throng on January 2, 1971.

At the time, the stadium was crammed with almost 80,000 people. Yesterday, hundreds of supporters watched from

behind crash barriers as current manager Philippe Clement and the club’s directors placed wreaths outside the

stadium in honor of the 53rd anniversary. Many of the supporters had their heads down.

“In memory of the 66 fans who tragically died at Stairway 13 on January 2, 1971,” is written on the memorial’s wall

plaque.

Rangers FC wreath had the simple message “Always remember’

Held annually, the event is held near the statue of Rangers great John Greig, who captained the team on the day of

the disaster. The stadium crush was the biggest sporting accident the UK had ever seen at the time.

he Rangers FC wreath bore the straightforward phrase “Always remember.”

A club representative wrote on social media: “We will always remember the people who left to support Rangers and

were never able to return home. In our hearts for eternity.” In addition to the 66 fatalities, there were over 200

injuries.

Before the 3pm kickoff inside the stadium, there was a minute’s silence after the 1.30pm service outside the

memorial. A lone piper played a lament on some of the video footage of the commemoration that Rangers also

uploaded online. The directors read aloud the names of the deceased during the service.

“On Tuesday, we mark 53 years since the Ibrox disaster on January 2, 1971, which resulted in the loss of 66

supporters and impacted many more,” the club wrote in a previous statement.

“This day remains an important part of our club’s history, as we remember those who were tragically lost in this and

previous events at Ibrox.” Five Fife school buddies were among the children who perished.

Nine-year-old Nigel Patrick Pickup from Liverpool was the youngest person to pass away.