Rangers help British Legion club

BlueMeanie

Well-Known Member


THE last British Legion club in Glasgow is looking for football fans to help it in its fight to keep it open.

The branch in Knightswood has suffered from falling numbers and is facing rising costs to keep its club going.

It has been granted permission to hold a bucket collection outside Ibrox when Rangers play their home leg of their Europa League qualifying tie next week.
It hopes that fans will want to help out and donate cash to keep a long-standing ex-forces tradition alive in Glasgow.
The club is also looking at setting up a crowdfunding initiative on JustGiving to help raise cash.

Barclay McCran, Branch President, said they want to save the last Legion club in the city.
He said: “It is an appeal to save the club which is in danger of closing through a lack of income.
“We don’t want it to close. It is the only one left in Glasgow.”
He added: “I want to thank Rangers for allowing us to hold the collection.”

He said the club is a lifeline for many ex-servicemen and women and for many older people in the community.
Mr McCran would also like to see more people apply to join as members and see what facilities the club has.
The British Legion Club is open to anyone and anyone in the Glasgow area can join.

The Knightswood Royal British Legion club is in Cairntoul Drive, Knightswood, and is close to Garscadden Railway Station
The Knightswood branch has been open since 1944 and has had thousands of members over the years. But from a high of almost 2000, it is now down to around 230.
Changing patterns of social life and fewer ex-service personnel has led to a drop in membership.
There are 160 Branches of the Royal British Legion across Scotland and 60 associated clubs.
It was established in 1921 when charities formed to help soldiers from the First World War amalgamated.
 
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Speaking on my own behalf, as a member I'd appreciate it greatly (as clearly would the club and my fellow members) if any bears with a few spare coins could donate something to help keep this fine establishment open. It's a lovely club inside and more importantly, it gives ex servicemen a hub to socialise. Anyone in the area (or beyond) that wishes to join I would encourage to do so, let's keep alive something to be proud of.
 
Speaking on my own behalf, as a member I'd appreciate it greatly (as clearly would the club and my fellow members) if any bears with a few spare coins could donate something to help keep this fine establishment open. It's a lovely club inside and more importantly, it gives ex servicemen a hub to socialise. Anyone in the area (or beyond) that wishes to join I would encourage to do so, let's keep alive something to be proud of.
Do you know what kind of target they need to ensure it stays open ?
 
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Speaking on my own behalf, as a member I'd appreciate it greatly (as clearly would the club and my fellow members) if any bears with a few spare coins could donate something to help keep this fine establishment open. It's a lovely club inside and more importantly, it gives ex servicemen a hub to socialise. Anyone in the area (or beyond) that wishes to join I would encourage to do so, let's keep alive something to be proud of.

I will definitely contribute to the collection and I will mention it to my mates who I am going to the game with as well to help spread the word.
 
Not entirely sure mate, I can have a word and see if there are any specific figures but in general the club needs members in general mate, it's a sadly under used commodity.
I've no idea how much next week's collection could raise. But maybe a donation of say £1 from, say, 20,000 fans should be achievable - I think.

I just hope whatever is needed can be achieved because it is a great cause.

Spread the word and dig deep bears.
 
Been in a few times as had relatives who used the club as their local. When they passed away the bun fights were held there. Not a bad we club and would be sad to see it go.
 
Hard to believe there is only one Legion in Glasgow, there are five in Angus alone and I know the Arbroath and Carnoustie ones certainly do reasonably well.
 
Surely a few RSC’s can book to go in there before home games and get them some much needed money?

Maybe have a different RSC in each week?
Good shout, there must be some buses that could spend an hour or so there before heading to Ibrox, or even afterwards? I'm sure the Bears will support the collection on Sunday and provide a bumper sum for such a worthy cause.
 
I was looking to join an RBL in Glasgow and my local in the Mearns meets once a month (posted on here a wee while ago to see if things were still active and encouraged) I’m happy to boost to the posh side of Glasgow now and then. I’m Ex-REME and my brother in law Ex Royal Signals. If anybody can PM me contact details then I can take it from there? Arte et Marte
 
I think this has the potential to flourish. I like many people are proud to be Scottish and British. This institution has the appeal to attract many people like myself.

Whilst watching and enjoying my local Orange Parade last weekend it got me thinking that there needs to be an organisation for people like myself who are proud to be both Scottish and British but non religious and therefore can't be involved with OO for that fact.

I will be donating and will look into membership to keep the Union Flag flying.

Well done Rangers and good luck to The Knightswood British Legion.
 
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I've no idea how much next week's collection could raise. But maybe a donation of say £1 from, say, 20,000 fans should be achievable - I think.

I just hope whatever is needed can be achieved because it is a great cause.

Spread the word and dig deep bears.
Sorry mate but you are dreaming if you think there will be 20k raised.

From memory some of the more popular charities raise around 6K maximum and that's on a Saturday with a capacity crowd.
 
Temple Loyal have posted this on their WhatsApp ;

Hi Everyone Erskine are holding a night in the legion knightswood on the 4th of October it's £5 a ticket money spent on the night will help both organisations if anyone is Intrested let me know to sort tickets cheers
 
Lived in Holehouse a few streets up and fancied a pint without bussing it to partick around 5 years ago. I got grilled at the door if I was member or knew anyone that was, I didn't and had to leave.

I hope some rules have been relaxed and they keep going. I haven't bothered since.
 
Lived in Holehouse a few streets up and fancied a pint without bussing it to partick around 5 years ago. I got grilled at the door if I was member or knew anyone that was, I didn't and had to leave.

I hope some rules have been relaxed and they keep going. I haven't bothered since.
My old Street ,when we were growing up "The Legion" was out of bounds for us ,we were not encouraged to visit ,they didn't want youngsters in the Club .
 
Been in it many a time in bygone days of yore. My uncle and his mates were never out of it.

RIP - Jumbo !
 
My old Street ,when we were growing up "The Legion" was out of bounds for us ,we were not encouraged to visit ,they didn't want youngsters in the Club .

Not sure what age you are but it rings true years ago. The place is dying on its arse, there was 4 people visible through the window as I was asked to leave. It wasn't a busy period either, a Tuesday late afternoon.

I hope they manage to attract new custom by opening up a bit more.
 
Not sure what age you are but it rings true years ago. The place is dying on its arse, there was 4 people visible through the window as I was asked to leave. It wasn't a busy period either, a Tuesday late afternoon.

I hope they manage to attract new custom by opening up a bit more.
I'm 56..I lived in Knightswood until I was 25.
 
I was looking to join an RBL in Glasgow and my local in the Mearns meets once a month (posted on here a wee while ago to see if things were still active and encouraged) I’m happy to boost to the posh side of Glasgow now and then. I’m Ex-REME and my brother in law Ex Royal Signals. If anybody can PM me contact details then I can take it from there? Arte et Marte
If no one gets to you by tomorrow morning mate let me know and I'll forward on details.
 
Speaking on my own behalf, as a member I'd appreciate it greatly (as clearly would the club and my fellow members) if any bears with a few spare coins could donate something to help keep this fine establishment open. It's a lovely club inside and more importantly, it gives ex servicemen a hub to socialise. Anyone in the area (or beyond) that wishes to join I would encourage to do so, let's keep alive something to be proud of.
I used to work as a barman in there 37 years ago just after my daughter was born, my God, how time flies.
It was a brilliant club back then
 
My old Street ,when we were growing up "The Legion" was out of bounds for us ,we were not encouraged to visit ,they didn't want youngsters in the Club .
My home town legion closed because they kept refusing to let people use the hall like local keep fit classes or other local events who would have been happy to pay for use, instead the old codgers on the committee stuck to their guns and it is now boarded up and empty
 
Whilst watching and enjoying my local Orange Parade last weekend it got me thinking that there needs to be an organisation for people like myself who are proud to be both Scottish and British but non religious and therefore can't be involved with OO for that fact.
I agree, I’m non-religious but I feel there is no organisation that you can be apart of that has a Scottish/British background.
 
Not sure what age you are but it rings true years ago. The place is dying on its arse, there was 4 people visible through the window as I was asked to leave. It wasn't a busy period either, a Tuesday late afternoon.

I hope they manage to attract new custom by opening up a bit more.
And therein lies the problem. I went in occasionally with my old man as that was the only way to get in, this despite pretty much all the regular Saturday crowd knowing my face. When the the sky sports costs went through the roof for pubs and clubs they got shot of that and that affected their trade as well.
 
Legion clubs have to diversify to survive. Legion Scotland take about 70 % of membership monies leaving the clubs to muddle through on the rest. My own club is doing OK but relies on funerals, christenings and parties to keep the wolf from the door. The other problem clubs have is lack of new younger members, because of legion clubs being seen to be an older man's domain. Associate membership is the only way to survive.
 
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