A wee bit late with this, but by the time we got back down the road, then back to work the following Tuesday morning, this is the first opportunity I've had to put my wee post together.
Myself and my wife did hospitality a couple of years back, pre-Covid, for my 54th birthday, so last weeks visit was slightly different, but just as enjoyable, under the circumstances.
We were in the Davie Cooper Lounge the last time and as Davie Cooper holds such a dear place in my heart, he was my hero as a young boy growing up in Wishaw and that warmth I have for Davie, I hope (I'm sure I have) I've passed it on to my son and it was only fitting that we celebrated his 21st birthday in the same way, in the Davie Cooper Lounge.
We got out to Ibrox at just after 12.30, the last time we did hospitality, I'm sure we got into the Main Stand at just after 12.30, but this time it wasn't until the 1pm mark. That half hour difference did make the pre match hospitality experience just that wee bit more rushed I felt, but nevertheless a most enjoyable afternoon was had.
The last time we were there it was as I said, pre-Covid and things were a lot more relaxed that time. No face masks etc and the ex-players that were there that day were far more approachable and up for a wee chat and photo etc. This time though, you just felt it was better to be polite and just acknowledge them and give them their space.
We were greeted at the entrance with a warm welcome and invited in to what has to be said, the most beautiful of entrances at any football stadium, we are so lucky to have a Main Stand with so much original character and beauty. It really is a fantastic feeling, even at the tender age of 56 to walk through the main entrance on a match day and go up the famous Marble Staircase.
As we walked in wee Alex McDonald (Doddy) was stood there and I just acknowledged him by saying, good afternoon Alex, like I said, with all this Covid business, I thought it best just to give a polite gesture of acknowledgement. As we went up the marble staircase, at the top was stood Derek Johnstone with the club historian David Mason and for the life of me, at the time his name went right out my head and as I acknowledged Derek, I embarrassingly just nodded my head in the direction of David.
We were ushered along the corridor to the Davie Cooper Lounge, passing the trophy room and with it's door ajar, there it was in all it’s glory, the League Title trophy, sitting majestically in it's trophy cabinet. What an absolute pleasure it was to finally see it back home.
We have all been through it, some more than others over the last ten + years, so to see that trophy, as I said sitting there majestically in all it's glory, what a tremendous feeling that was.
We got a nice welcome by the staff in the lounge and for the next 2 hours pre-match and for the 1 hour afterwards we were very well looked after by everyone, working so hard under the restraints that this Covid situation has put upon us all, in one way or another.
We were sat at a table for 6 and I have to say, the company we met last weekend were an absolute pleasure to be with. An elderly couple down from Lossiemouth and their son who was up from Bristol were in our company for the afternoon and as I said, what a fantastic afternoon we had. We had so much in common in relation to places we had lived and frequented it was uncanny as they say. Again, great company.
As for the hospitality experience, just like with our last visit in there, we found it to be excellent. The food was to the standard expected in the ambiance of the main stand at Ibrox on a match day. We had Scotch broth soup to start with, followed by a small but very tender joint of beef, that just fell apart and melted in your mouth, it was accompanied by tatties, neeps and gravy. Finished off with a passion fruit cheese cake. All carefully presented and as I said, all served in a way you'd expect from our club.
All washed down over the course of the afternoon with a good selection of alcohol..........
At halftime you had waiting for you a steak pie and the refreshment you ordered to go with it.
Excellent stuff all round.
The time flew passed though and before we knew it, it was time to proceed to our seats in the Main Stand for the unfurling of the League Flag and as with the game that followed, it was to a certain degree, a bit of an anti-climax. This League Title win meant so much after the last 10 + years. I just think there should've had more of an emphasis put on the celebrations. Not sure if Covid came into play here, but things were a little flat, it has to be said.
As for the game, well the game is called football, I don't think Motherwell have grabbed the concept of the word football. It was clear from the off that it would be 10 men behind the ball, with them trying to get something on the break and unfortunately for us they did, but for me the blatant time wasting that started after only 20 mins and continued for the next 70 mins, was just so pathetic to say the least.
Anyway, at full time, we went back to the lounge and as we had put our names forward to have a look around the Trophy Room, it was our turn to go down. And as I've said, seeing the League Title trophy back in Ibrox, well that made up for the result to a degree, it was a superb feeling seeing it there, it really was. Our trophy room is an Aladdin’s cave of treasures and there is just too much to take in, in a short space of time. I've been in there on a few occasions and it's always the same, never enough time to fully appreciate it.....
We returned to the lounge just as the 1980’s Ian Ferguson was finishing his address and with that, it was time to say our good byes to the splendid company we had shared our day with.
Doing hospitality at Ibrox and especially in the Main Stand, is something every Rangers supporter should try to do, we've done it twice now and even with the Covid restrictions this time, we thoroughly enjoyed another excellent day.
And our day was topped off by Big Marvin Andrews. As we came down the marble staircase, he was sat on the long bench to the left and no sooner had I asked, is it ok to get a photo, he was up, face mask off and the resulting photo is below. Thanks for taking the time Marvin to give us another great memory of our day.
Again, excellent stuff from the big man.
And with that, we exited Ibrox with again some great memories that went a long way in making sure our sons 21st birthday celebrations will live long in the memory.
We all say it, but it is true, there is no other football club like the Glasgow Rangers. (The Rangers.)
With that, we made our way down to the Louden and in the process caught Stevie G making his way to his car, signing a few autographs along the way. After the Louden we went in a couple of other pubs along Paisley Road West, before it was time to call for a taxi to take us back to our hotel. Our son was staying with a good family friend and he headed off back there to enjoy the rest of his night with our friends son and his mates that were also at the game earlier.
Myself and my wife finished off the day with a wee night cap in preparation for our journey back to Southampton in the morning, safe in the knowledge that we'd had a great day, regardless of the frustrating 1-1 draw.
Please see a few photos of our day below.
Myself and my wife did hospitality a couple of years back, pre-Covid, for my 54th birthday, so last weeks visit was slightly different, but just as enjoyable, under the circumstances.
We were in the Davie Cooper Lounge the last time and as Davie Cooper holds such a dear place in my heart, he was my hero as a young boy growing up in Wishaw and that warmth I have for Davie, I hope (I'm sure I have) I've passed it on to my son and it was only fitting that we celebrated his 21st birthday in the same way, in the Davie Cooper Lounge.
We got out to Ibrox at just after 12.30, the last time we did hospitality, I'm sure we got into the Main Stand at just after 12.30, but this time it wasn't until the 1pm mark. That half hour difference did make the pre match hospitality experience just that wee bit more rushed I felt, but nevertheless a most enjoyable afternoon was had.
The last time we were there it was as I said, pre-Covid and things were a lot more relaxed that time. No face masks etc and the ex-players that were there that day were far more approachable and up for a wee chat and photo etc. This time though, you just felt it was better to be polite and just acknowledge them and give them their space.
We were greeted at the entrance with a warm welcome and invited in to what has to be said, the most beautiful of entrances at any football stadium, we are so lucky to have a Main Stand with so much original character and beauty. It really is a fantastic feeling, even at the tender age of 56 to walk through the main entrance on a match day and go up the famous Marble Staircase.
As we walked in wee Alex McDonald (Doddy) was stood there and I just acknowledged him by saying, good afternoon Alex, like I said, with all this Covid business, I thought it best just to give a polite gesture of acknowledgement. As we went up the marble staircase, at the top was stood Derek Johnstone with the club historian David Mason and for the life of me, at the time his name went right out my head and as I acknowledged Derek, I embarrassingly just nodded my head in the direction of David.
We were ushered along the corridor to the Davie Cooper Lounge, passing the trophy room and with it's door ajar, there it was in all it’s glory, the League Title trophy, sitting majestically in it's trophy cabinet. What an absolute pleasure it was to finally see it back home.
We have all been through it, some more than others over the last ten + years, so to see that trophy, as I said sitting there majestically in all it's glory, what a tremendous feeling that was.
We got a nice welcome by the staff in the lounge and for the next 2 hours pre-match and for the 1 hour afterwards we were very well looked after by everyone, working so hard under the restraints that this Covid situation has put upon us all, in one way or another.
We were sat at a table for 6 and I have to say, the company we met last weekend were an absolute pleasure to be with. An elderly couple down from Lossiemouth and their son who was up from Bristol were in our company for the afternoon and as I said, what a fantastic afternoon we had. We had so much in common in relation to places we had lived and frequented it was uncanny as they say. Again, great company.
As for the hospitality experience, just like with our last visit in there, we found it to be excellent. The food was to the standard expected in the ambiance of the main stand at Ibrox on a match day. We had Scotch broth soup to start with, followed by a small but very tender joint of beef, that just fell apart and melted in your mouth, it was accompanied by tatties, neeps and gravy. Finished off with a passion fruit cheese cake. All carefully presented and as I said, all served in a way you'd expect from our club.
All washed down over the course of the afternoon with a good selection of alcohol..........
At halftime you had waiting for you a steak pie and the refreshment you ordered to go with it.
Excellent stuff all round.
The time flew passed though and before we knew it, it was time to proceed to our seats in the Main Stand for the unfurling of the League Flag and as with the game that followed, it was to a certain degree, a bit of an anti-climax. This League Title win meant so much after the last 10 + years. I just think there should've had more of an emphasis put on the celebrations. Not sure if Covid came into play here, but things were a little flat, it has to be said.
As for the game, well the game is called football, I don't think Motherwell have grabbed the concept of the word football. It was clear from the off that it would be 10 men behind the ball, with them trying to get something on the break and unfortunately for us they did, but for me the blatant time wasting that started after only 20 mins and continued for the next 70 mins, was just so pathetic to say the least.
Anyway, at full time, we went back to the lounge and as we had put our names forward to have a look around the Trophy Room, it was our turn to go down. And as I've said, seeing the League Title trophy back in Ibrox, well that made up for the result to a degree, it was a superb feeling seeing it there, it really was. Our trophy room is an Aladdin’s cave of treasures and there is just too much to take in, in a short space of time. I've been in there on a few occasions and it's always the same, never enough time to fully appreciate it.....
We returned to the lounge just as the 1980’s Ian Ferguson was finishing his address and with that, it was time to say our good byes to the splendid company we had shared our day with.
Doing hospitality at Ibrox and especially in the Main Stand, is something every Rangers supporter should try to do, we've done it twice now and even with the Covid restrictions this time, we thoroughly enjoyed another excellent day.
And our day was topped off by Big Marvin Andrews. As we came down the marble staircase, he was sat on the long bench to the left and no sooner had I asked, is it ok to get a photo, he was up, face mask off and the resulting photo is below. Thanks for taking the time Marvin to give us another great memory of our day.
Again, excellent stuff from the big man.
And with that, we exited Ibrox with again some great memories that went a long way in making sure our sons 21st birthday celebrations will live long in the memory.
We all say it, but it is true, there is no other football club like the Glasgow Rangers. (The Rangers.)
With that, we made our way down to the Louden and in the process caught Stevie G making his way to his car, signing a few autographs along the way. After the Louden we went in a couple of other pubs along Paisley Road West, before it was time to call for a taxi to take us back to our hotel. Our son was staying with a good family friend and he headed off back there to enjoy the rest of his night with our friends son and his mates that were also at the game earlier.
Myself and my wife finished off the day with a wee night cap in preparation for our journey back to Southampton in the morning, safe in the knowledge that we'd had a great day, regardless of the frustrating 1-1 draw.
Please see a few photos of our day below.