Season 1954-55 was a disappointing one for Rangers. Knocked out early in both Cup competitions and too inconsistent in the league to mount a serious challenge, finishing 3rd behind winners Aberdeen.
As if to sum up the misery of the season, on April 2nd 1955 Rangers travelled to Pittodrie and were comprehensively beaten by 4-0. This was to be the last competitive appearance of the legendary right winger Willie Waddell. But no matter the way his career ended, this was a man who belongs at the very top table when we debate the Greatest Ever to represent the club.
His playing career was entirely at Ibrox, save a short spell on loan to junior club Strathclyde Juniors when aged 16.
Debut at 17 against Arsenal. First goal at 17, against Hibs in October 1938.
Including wartime, 546 appearances with 140 goals. Only 15 of these goals were penalties.
Never booked or sent off.
18 Scotland caps with 6 goals, the star if a famous win at Wembley in 1949
4 league titles plus 7 more in wartime.
2 Scottish Cups.
Scorer of a last day goal in 1953 to win the title on goal average.
Regarded as one of the best crossers of the ball in Scottish football history, his partnership with centre forward Willie Thornton is legendary.
Unlucky in Cup finals, he missed 2 winning League Cups and 2 winning Scottish Cups through injury. Willie Waddell was a genuine superstar of post war Scottish football.
Then add to all this what he achieved after his playing career.
Manager of Kilmarnock when they won their only ever Scottish championship title (another last day triumph on goal average).
A highly successful journalist.
Then returned to the club he loved in 1969 as manager.
Broke our barren trophy run in the famous 1970 League Cup final
Manager at our lowest time, the 1971 disaster, when he was a figurehead of dignity.
Manager in our greatest day just a year later, leading Rangers to a European trophy.
Then General Manager who was determined to turn Ibrox into a seated stadium where disaster couldn't happen again.
And who argued with UEFA to reduce our ban after the Barcelona final.
Vice chairman for 4 years.
A club board member till he passed away aged 71 in 1992.
He could be uncompromising and even cruel.
His managerial record against Celtic was awful.
A man nowhere near perfect, but what couldn't be argued was his absolute love of Rangers and our traditions, and his pride in the Royal Blue shirt. A real Son of Struth.
And he gets the highest compliment I have. My dad voted for him as The Greatest Ranger.
As if to sum up the misery of the season, on April 2nd 1955 Rangers travelled to Pittodrie and were comprehensively beaten by 4-0. This was to be the last competitive appearance of the legendary right winger Willie Waddell. But no matter the way his career ended, this was a man who belongs at the very top table when we debate the Greatest Ever to represent the club.
His playing career was entirely at Ibrox, save a short spell on loan to junior club Strathclyde Juniors when aged 16.
Debut at 17 against Arsenal. First goal at 17, against Hibs in October 1938.
Including wartime, 546 appearances with 140 goals. Only 15 of these goals were penalties.
Never booked or sent off.
18 Scotland caps with 6 goals, the star if a famous win at Wembley in 1949
4 league titles plus 7 more in wartime.
2 Scottish Cups.
Scorer of a last day goal in 1953 to win the title on goal average.
Regarded as one of the best crossers of the ball in Scottish football history, his partnership with centre forward Willie Thornton is legendary.
Unlucky in Cup finals, he missed 2 winning League Cups and 2 winning Scottish Cups through injury. Willie Waddell was a genuine superstar of post war Scottish football.
Then add to all this what he achieved after his playing career.
Manager of Kilmarnock when they won their only ever Scottish championship title (another last day triumph on goal average).
A highly successful journalist.
Then returned to the club he loved in 1969 as manager.
Broke our barren trophy run in the famous 1970 League Cup final
Manager at our lowest time, the 1971 disaster, when he was a figurehead of dignity.
Manager in our greatest day just a year later, leading Rangers to a European trophy.
Then General Manager who was determined to turn Ibrox into a seated stadium where disaster couldn't happen again.
And who argued with UEFA to reduce our ban after the Barcelona final.
Vice chairman for 4 years.
A club board member till he passed away aged 71 in 1992.
He could be uncompromising and even cruel.
His managerial record against Celtic was awful.
A man nowhere near perfect, but what couldn't be argued was his absolute love of Rangers and our traditions, and his pride in the Royal Blue shirt. A real Son of Struth.
And he gets the highest compliment I have. My dad voted for him as The Greatest Ranger.
