Yarrow fan remembered on anniversary of Scottish football's worst disaster
David Knox • Published 4 Jan 2011 09:19
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RANGERS Football Club played host to families who lost loved ones 40 years ago in the Ibrox disaster of 1971.
A total of 66 supporters died during a crush on Stairway 13 of the Glasgow stadium at the end of an Old Firm match with Celtic.
And amongst the guests of honour for the Memorial Service will be the current Selkirk Football Club chairman Jim Moody.
The brother of Jim's late step-mother, Elizabeth Thomson, was amongst the Rangers fans who died. Walter Raeburn was born and raised at Tinnis Farm in the Yarrow Valley.
Despite being born with learning difficulties, which led to him spending much of his life in hospital units, Walter followed Rangers all of his life with a passion.
And he rarely missed a match at Ibrox.
Jim recalls: "Walter spent much of his life in hospitals around Edinburgh but was always allowed out for Rangers games. It was his one outlet - every Saturday when Rangers were at home he'd be away to Ibrox."
It was widely believed at the time that a late Rangers equaliser from Colin Stein led to departing fans attempt to return to the ground and cause the crush. But an inquiry found that all supporters were heading for the exits when the disaster happened.
The Ibrox disaster brought together both side's of football's most bitter divide - as a few months later both Celtic and Rangers formed a select team to play Scotland at Hampden in a benefit match for the grieving families.
Rangers players also attended the funerals of the disaster victims - with John Greig and Sandy Jardine travelling down to the small Yarrow Kirk graveyard.
Mr Moody continued: "I remember being at Walter's funeral at Yarrow Kirk with my father and the Rangers players were there."
Rangers manager Willie Waddell contacted the families of all 66 victims to ask permission for his players to be present at the burials. Recalling the disaster, then captain John Greig said: "I think I can say, probably on behalf of everybody here at Rangers, that will remain the saddest day not only in our life-span, but ever in the history of the club.
"Willie Waddell contacted all of the bereaved families to ask permission for players and officials from the club to attend each and every one of the funerals. It was an absolutely horrendous time because each individual at the club felt it had happened to their own familes.
"From a personal point of view, it's something I'll never forget. It's always at the back of my mind when I take people around the new stadium we have rebuilt, that it has been built in memory for those unfortunate supporters and their families. I sincerely hope that we never see the likes of that day at Ibrox or any other ground again."
The 40th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster was commemorated with a special service at the ground on Monday - where both John Greig and Sandy Jardine laid wreaths at the memorial.
The anniversary was also marked on Sunday with a minute's silence at the Old Firm match at Ibrox.
Mr Moody, who was accompanied at the memorial ceremony by his daughter, Tracey Biggs, added: "Rangers invited family members of everyone who lost their lives to the commemorative ceremony on the Monday, and they also sent tickets with an invite to attend the Old Firm game.
"It's comforting to know that Rangers haven't forgotten the 66 fans, including Walter, who lost their lives that day."
Walter Raeburn was 36-years-old when he died.
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 04 Jan 11
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