Graham Fyfe (1969 to 1976)
Joining Rangers in 1969, Graham signed from local side Bothwell Amateurs who at that time were run by prominent Glasgow lawyer, Joe Beltrami. On Beltrami's recommendation, Graham was soon fixed up on a deal at Ibrox.
As was common place for young players during that era, Graham was initially farmed out into the Junior leagues in order to gain some valuable experience, Ashfield being the selected destination on this occasion. With Rangers management and coaches keeping a close eye on him during his loan period, he would return after 12 months to join the full-time playing staff at Ibrox.
At just 18 years of age, Graham made his first team debut on 25th March 1970 as Hearts were defeated 3-2 at Ibrox. He would feature in three of the four remaining league matches of season 1969/70 and kept his place at the start of the following campaign.
Graham’s first goal came in a League Cup Section match at Fir Park as Motherwell were defeated 2-0 with Fyfe breaking the deadlock late in the game. Further League Cup goals would follow against Dunfermline Athletic and Hibernian, his double at Easter Road securing a 3-1 victory in the quarter final first leg in front of over 37,000 fans. The second leg would see a repeat of that scoreline with Fyfe again on target at Ibrox. Rangers would go on to win the competition, our first piece of silverware in over 4 years. Graham would find himself on the bench as Celtic were defeated by a solitary goal from a certain young Derek Johnstone.
A tricky and intelligent player, Graham did not lack skill and was capable of scoring eye catching and spectacular goals. Although he could play anywhere along the forward line, his favoured position was just off the main strikers.
Fyfe was a valued member of the victorious European Cup Winners Cup squad of 1972, featuring once in the run to Barcelona as Sporting Lisbon were defeated 3-2 at Ibrox in the Second Round, First Leg. He would make a further 13 League appearances during that same season.
Graham’s goals to game ratio was impressive, his most productive spell coming in April 1974 as he netted 7 league goals in 8 appearances.
In all, he scored 31 goals in just 66 starts (appearing on a further 24 occasions as a substitute).
With the title finally returning to Ibrox in 1975, Graham had again played his part, appearing in 10 league matches whilst scoring 4 times including a double against Partick Thistle (coming once again in a 3-2 victory).
Graham signed for Hibernian on April 7th 1976 in a deal which also saw Ally Scott leave Ibrox and head to Leith in exchange for Iain Munro.
His final appearance in blue had come at Tannadice, the day after Boxing Day, as both sides drew a blank.
Graham Fyfe died on April 19th 2022, aged 70.
by Rick Plews
