Rangers History William Wilton and Largs RSC

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Rangers legend William Wilton remembered by Largs supporters' club​

By Calum Corral @CalumCorralSenior Reporter
12810353

A PAINTING of a Rangers legend commissioned by the Largs Rangers Supporters' Club will go on display at Ibrox for fans from across the world to admire.

Members have paid for a special artwork to be created of the William Wilton - who hailed from the town - to mark 100 years since his passing.

With the agreement of the club, they commissioned renowned portrait artist Helen Runciman to create the work which will be placed in the William Wilton room at Ibrox.

Wilton was the first manager of Rangers Football Club, serving the club in the role from June 1899 until his death in 1920.

Iain Steele of Largs RSC, which has in excess of 100 members in the town, said: "We have been working on this for some time, and it is coming together a wee bit later than we would have liked. We had hoped to have it ready in time to celebrate the centenary of William's death in May 2020, but due to Covid-19 it had to be delayed.

"It is fantastic that we have managed to achieve this. We are very proud of William's connection to Largs and the important role he played in the formation of the football club that we know today.

"We want to ensure that his legacy will never be forgotten and Rangers FC have been fully supportive of the project."

There will be prints of the artwork available for members, collectors and friends of the club to purchase too, with all the monies raised from their sale donated to charities of the Largs RSC's choice.

The Wilton family moved to Largs in 1851 where William's father worked as a stonemason while his mother as a weaver.

The Rangers great was born in Nelson Street and christened in the original St Columba’s Parish Church, where he later married wife Catherine in 1893.

He was a school teacher in the town at the former Brisbane Academy before becoming involved with Rangers. Wilton joined the club in September 1883 as a player but never progressed beyond the second string, however, his administration skills soon came to the fore and the Largs man became secretary to the club's youth team and reserve sides.

He was also on the special committee that masterminded the club's move from Kinning Park to the first Ibrox ground in 1887 and when the club became a limited company in 1899, Wilton was appointed manager.

Under Wilton's stewardship, Rangers won eight league championships a Scottish Cup, nine Glasgow Cups and seven Charity Cups. In his final season as manager the club won its tenth league championship.

Rangers also achieved the first ever 100 per cent league record under him too, winning all 18 games and scoring 79 goals in 1898-99.

Mr Wilton tragically died in a boating accident at Gourock in 1920, his body once recovered was brought to Glasgow by train. He was buried at Cathcart Cemetery in Glasgow.
 
Is there anything which commemorates his drowning (in the form of a stone/ plaque / etc) at Gorouck?
 

Rangers legend William Wilton remembered by Largs supporters' club​

By Calum Corral @CalumCorralSenior Reporter
12810353

A PAINTING of a Rangers legend commissioned by the Largs Rangers Supporters' Club will go on display at Ibrox for fans from across the world to admire.

Members have paid for a special artwork to be created of the William Wilton - who hailed from the town - to mark 100 years since his passing.

With the agreement of the club, they commissioned renowned portrait artist Helen Runciman to create the work which will be placed in the William Wilton room at Ibrox.

Wilton was the first manager of Rangers Football Club, serving the club in the role from June 1899 until his death in 1920.

Iain Steele of Largs RSC, which has in excess of 100 members in the town, said: "We have been working on this for some time, and it is coming together a wee bit later than we would have liked. We had hoped to have it ready in time to celebrate the centenary of William's death in May 2020, but due to Covid-19 it had to be delayed.

"It is fantastic that we have managed to achieve this. We are very proud of William's connection to Largs and the important role he played in the formation of the football club that we know today.

"We want to ensure that his legacy will never be forgotten and Rangers FC have been fully supportive of the project."

There will be prints of the artwork available for members, collectors and friends of the club to purchase too, with all the monies raised from their sale donated to charities of the Largs RSC's choice.

The Wilton family moved to Largs in 1851 where William's father worked as a stonemason while his mother as a weaver.

The Rangers great was born in Nelson Street and christened in the original St Columba’s Parish Church, where he later married wife Catherine in 1893.

He was a school teacher in the town at the former Brisbane Academy before becoming involved with Rangers. Wilton joined the club in September 1883 as a player but never progressed beyond the second string, however, his administration skills soon came to the fore and the Largs man became secretary to the club's youth team and reserve sides.

He was also on the special committee that masterminded the club's move from Kinning Park to the first Ibrox ground in 1887 and when the club became a limited company in 1899, Wilton was appointed manager.

Under Wilton's stewardship, Rangers won eight league championships a Scottish Cup, nine Glasgow Cups and seven Charity Cups. In his final season as manager the club won its tenth league championship.

Rangers also achieved the first ever 100 per cent league record under him too, winning all 18 games and scoring 79 goals in 1898-99.

Mr Wilton tragically died in a boating accident at Gourock in 1920, his body once recovered was brought to Glasgow by train. He was buried at Cathcart Cemetery in Glasgow.
Brilliant work.
 
What a great tribute to William Wilton by Largs RSC. I love how Helen Runcimans portraits reflect so much more than the central subject.
Well done to all involved in this.
 
Great stuff Largs RSC. I always enjoyed going to games on the Largs Bus when I lived in Fairlie, late 60s early 70s.
 
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