Alistair Dawson (1975 to 1987)

At the age of just 16, Ally Dawson joined Rangers in 1975 straight from school’s football where he had featured in the Paisley & District league whilst starring for youth side Eastercraigs.

A pupil at Johnstone High, Ally arrived at Ibrox on an ‘S’ Form and soon found himself in the away dressing room under the watchful eyes of Stan Anderson and Joe Mason in the Rangers Reserves. Cleaning the boots of Peter McCloy, John Greig, Tom Forsyth and Sandy Jardine, it was not long before the young full-back was elevated to first team status.

Four days after leaving School, Dawson was part of Jock Wallace’s squad which toured Canada, Australia and New Zealand and featured in four games.

Ally's first team debut came in the Glasgow Cup on 2nd September 1975 as Queen’s Park were defeated 3-0 at Ibrox. He would make 11 appearances during his first 3 seasons, going on to truly establishing himself in the first XI under John Greig during season 1978/79. Promoted to the starting line up (ahead of Alex Miller) for the trip to Pittodrie on 18th November 1978, and Gers secured a hard fought point (in a 0-0 draw) and Alistair never looked back.

Despite suffering a fractured skull in a later Club tour of North America, Ally displayed the spirit that was always evident on the pitch to bounce back and, at the tender age of 23, would go on to captain the side to Scottish Cup success in 1981. It was an incredible moment for the lifelong Rangers supporter, coming from a family with close links to the Club.

Ally would win 2 Scottish Cups and 4 League Cups during his time at Rangers, making 316 competitive first team appearances whilst scoring 7 goals. A full-back who could play on either flank, Ally was also comfortable in the centre of defence where he performed in the 1986 League Cup Final win over Celtic. This secured Graeme Souness his first major honour as Rangers boss and although Ally would move on at the end of that season, he did so with the very best wishes of everyone at Ibrox.

Having established links in Maltese football, Ally eventually returned to Scotland where he managed Hamilton Academical for several years.

A Rangers Hall of Fame inductee, it has always been clear just how proud Ally was to pull on the famous blue jersey. “I was fortunate enough to play for the Club I loved and had supported as a boy. It really doesn’t get much better than that”.

Ally remained a huge part of the Rangers family, helping to bring through countless youngsters during his time as Gers youth coach and, latterly, meeting thousands of fans in the hospitality suites in and around the stadium. A real gentleman, Ally was an enormous credit to the Club in all that he did.

A keen supporter of the Boys Brigade, with whom he retained an active involvement in his home town of Johnstone after joining Rangers, Ally continued to invest time in others throughout his life. A stalwart of Street Soccer Scotland, Ally coached the Scottish team to triumph in the 2011 Homeless World Cup in Paris, mentoring and inspiring many involved.

It was with deep sadness when, following illness, Ally died on 26th July 2021 at the age of 63. His absence on an Ibrox matchday remains a deep loss to all.

by Rick Plews