William Wilton
William Wilton was the first Manager of Rangers, his appointment coming on 27 May, 1899.
Born in Largs, Ayrshire, Wilton grew up there and later worked in Glasgow. He had developed an interest in the comparatively new game of association football, and in Glasgow was drawn to the exploits of Rangers. He paid his dues and became a Club member in September 1883. As a player, he never progressed beyond the second team(the Swifts), but his organisational skills were recognised and he was soon appointed match secretary to the seconds.
At this time, the position of Manager did not exist, the team is chosen by a selecting committee, whose proposals had to be ratified by the general committee. Notwithstanding his position as match secretary for the Swifts, Wilton was not on the selecting committee. Still, he was nonetheless an enthusiastic contributor to all aspects of the organisation of the Club. At the AGM in May 1889 he was put forward for the position of Match Secretary of Rangers and was elected with a large majority.
From Glasgow Green via Burnbank and then Kinning Park, Rangers had moved to a leased site at Ibrox in 1887, and it became apparent that the capacity of the ground was inadequate for the crowds being attracted. Wilton turned his attention to proposals for ground improvements, including a new 3,000 seat covered stand on the south side of the field. He also instigated the annual Rangers Sports. As the 1890s approached, when Rangers would be drawing crowds upwards of 20,000, they had become the foremost football club in Scotland.
The game in England had been legitimately professional since 1885, and a League structure in place since 1888. In March 1890, Wilton was elected to represent Rangers in discussions with other leading Scottish clubs on the formation of a League structure, which was ultimately agreed upon, Wilton assumed the role of secretary to the new organisation along with his duties at Ibrox. He also recognised that professionalism in the Scottish game must become inevitable, a position adopted by all but Queens Park of the League clubs. Wilton was authorised to put forward the concept to the Scottish Football Association and in 1893 the SFA agreed to legalise professionalism in the game.
Along with his organisational ability, Wilton’s man-management skills were well-documented. Whilst he could be compassionate in times of difficulty and would stand by his players, he could also be very strict if he felt a player had not behaved in the Rangers way. Standards had to be met, and there seems little doubt he was the instigator of the disciplinary code followed by successive managers.
In the first League Championship in 1890, Rangers finished on top, equal with Dumbarton, and after a drawn play-off the title was shared. At that time, the premier tournament was still the Scottish Cup, which Rangers finally won in 1894, the third time they had reached the Final, defeating Celtic 3-1.
Around this time, both Rangers and Celtic found that Income could be enhanced by letting out their grounds as a neutral venue for Cup-ties, and there was a collaboration between the clubs on the terms on which such arrangements would operate. This would lead to the view that they were in cahoots, and they would soon become known as the Old Firm. Ground improvements at Ibrox continued with the committee looking to secure an international fixture, and in 1897 this was achieved when Scotland met Ireland.
In 1898, Rangers landlords required part of the land occupied by the Stadium, but a further area extending westwards was made available to Rangers on favourable terms. This would mean the building of a new Stadium, and their architects submitted proposals for an 80,000 capacity ground at a projected cost of £12,000. The only way it seemed this could be financed would be by incorporating the Club as a limited liability company, and proposals to do so, with a share capital of £12,000, were put before the members and agreed at the AGM on 27 May, 1899, with William Wilton unanimously elected Manager and Secretary to the new Rangers Football Club Limited. He now devoted his energies entirely to Rangers. The season had finished with Rangers crowned League Champions having won all eighteen of their fixtures, the Invincibles.
Wilton’s main task at first was to oversee construction of the new Ibrox, with renowned stadium architect Archibald Leitch employed to draw up the plans. The new ground was opened on 30 December,1899, the existing large covered stand being relocated to the new site. Two new stands and a pavilion were then erected and high-banked wooden terracings on iron lattice framework were put in place at either end of the field. In their new ground, Rangers won four successive League titles, 1899 -1902, and Ibrox was chosen as the venue for the Scotland v England international 1902. It was also scheduled to host that year’s Scottish Cup Final.
The Scotland v England match took place on 5 April, 1902 with a crowd inside the ground estimated at somewhere around 68,000. About 30 minutes into the match, there was a a collapse of a section of the west terracing causing a hole some 20 yards long to open, with hundreds of spectators falling 40 feet into the void below. The death toll was 26, with over 500 injured. To avoid the risk of panic or rioting, the game was played to a conclusion.
Rangers recognised that major reconstruction work was required to improve spectator safety after this first Ibrox Disaster and in order to finance the work all their professional players were put up for sale. Rangers would not win another League title until 1911, although they showed great resilience to win the 1902/03 Scottish Cup. In 1904, Rangers secured the purchase of the Ibrox site and commenced reconstruction of the ground, removing the wooden terracing and replacing with massive earth banking.
Success on the field of play was elusive in that period of turmoil for Rangers, but they did battle through to the 1909 Scottish Cup Final where they would meet Celtic. The game was drawn, the match replayed and after 90 minutes the teams were still tied. Expecting extra time and a conclusion, supporters rioted at the prospect of yet another replay, many suspecting that the two Clubs were seeking another pay-day. In the aftermath, it was agreed that the Cup be withheld.
Whilst Wilton was involved in player acquisition and team selection, preparing the players for matches was the domain of the trainer. In 1914 the loyal old trainer, James Wilson, died and his replacement was William Struth of Clyde.
In that year, Britain entered the First World War and with many players away fighting for their country, Wilton was often left only with youngsters to fill his depleted squad. Nonetheless, Rangers did manage to take the 1917/18 League title, their first for five years. Wilton was give a benefit match in season 1918/19 recognising his 30 years of service, and some 20,000 watched Rangers defeat Everton.
The following Season, Rangers continued their march to the top of Scottish football by clinching the League title with a draw at Dumbarton on 28 April, 1920. It was to be William Wilton’s last title. A weekend guest on board a yacht in Gourock harbour, he was drowned on 2 May,1920 whilst trying to scramble ashore as the vessel was battered by gales. Under his stewardship Rangers had won 10 League titles and 4 Scottish Cups.
by David Plews
William Wilton
William Wilton was the first Manager of Rangers, his appointment coming on 27 May, 1899.
Born in Largs, Ayrshire, Wilton grew up there and later worked in Glasgow. He had developed an interest in the comparatively new game of association football, and in Glasgow was drawn to the exploits of Rangers. He paid his dues and became a Club member in September 1883. As a player, he never progressed beyond the second team(the Swifts), but his organisational skills were recognised and he was soon appointed match secretary to the seconds.
At this time, the position of Manager did not exist, the team is chosen by a selecting committee, whose proposals had to be ratified by the general committee. Notwithstanding his position as match secretary for the Swifts, Wilton was not on the selecting committee. Still, he was nonetheless an enthusiastic contributor to all aspects of the organisation of the Club. At the AGM in May 1889 he was put forward for the position of Match Secretary of Rangers and was elected with a large majority.
From Glasgow Green via Burnbank and then Kinning Park, Rangers had moved to a leased site at Ibrox in 1887, and it became apparent that the capacity of the ground was inadequate for the crowds being attracted. Wilton turned his attention to proposals for ground improvements, including a new 3,000 seat covered stand on the south side of the field. He also instigated the annual Rangers Sports. As the 1890s approached, when Rangers would be drawing crowds upwards of 20,000, they had become the foremost football club in Scotland.
The game in England had been legitimately professional since 1885, and a League structure in place since 1888. In March 1890, Wilton was elected to represent Rangers in discussions with other leading Scottish clubs on the formation of a League structure, which was ultimately agreed upon, Wilton assumed the role of secretary to the new organisation along with his duties at Ibrox. He also recognised that professionalism in the Scottish game must become inevitable, a position adopted by all but Queens Park of the League clubs. Wilton was authorised to put forward the concept to the Scottish Football Association and in 1893 the SFA agreed to legalise professionalism in the game.
Along with his organisational ability, Wilton’s man-management skills were well-documented. Whilst he could be compassionate in times of difficulty and would stand by his players, he could also be very strict if he felt a player had not behaved in the Rangers way. Standards had to be met, and there seems little doubt he was the instigator of the disciplinary code followed by successive managers.
In the first League Championship in 1890, Rangers finished on top, equal with Dumbarton, and after a drawn play-off the title was shared. At that time, the premier tournament was still the Scottish Cup, which Rangers finally won in 1894, the third time they had reached the Final, defeating Celtic 3-1.
Around this time, both Rangers and Celtic found that Income could be enhanced by letting out their grounds as a neutral venue for Cup-ties, and there was a collaboration between the clubs on the terms on which such arrangements would operate. This would lead to the view that they were in cahoots, and they would soon become known as the Old Firm. Ground improvements at Ibrox continued with the committee looking to secure an international fixture, and in 1897 this was achieved when Scotland met Ireland.
In 1898, Rangers landlords required part of the land occupied by the Stadium, but a further area extending westwards was made available to Rangers on favourable terms. This would mean the building of a new Stadium, and their architects submitted proposals for an 80,000 capacity ground at a projected cost of £12,000. The only way it seemed this could be financed would be by incorporating the Club as a limited liability company, and proposals to do so, with a share capital of £12,000, were put before the members and agreed at the AGM on 27 May, 1899, with William Wilton unanimously elected Manager and Secretary to the new Rangers Football Club Limited. He now devoted his energies entirely to Rangers. The season had finished with Rangers crowned League Champions having won all eighteen of their fixtures, the Invincibles.
Wilton’s main task at first was to oversee construction of the new Ibrox, with renowned stadium architect Archibald Leitch employed to draw up the plans. The new ground was opened on 30 December,1899, the existing large covered stand being relocated to the new site. Two new stands and a pavilion were then erected and high-banked wooden terracings on iron lattice framework were put in place at either end of the field. In their new ground, Rangers won four successive League titles, 1899 -1902, and Ibrox was chosen as the venue for the Scotland v England international 1902. It was also scheduled to host that year’s Scottish Cup Final.
The Scotland v England match took place on 5 April, 1902 with a crowd inside the ground estimated at somewhere around 68,000. About 30 minutes into the match, there was a a collapse of a section of the west terracing causing a hole some 20 yards long to open, with hundreds of spectators falling 40 feet into the void below. The death toll was 26, with over 500 injured. To avoid the risk of panic or rioting, the game was played to a conclusion.
Rangers recognised that major reconstruction work was required to improve spectator safety after this first Ibrox Disaster and in order to finance the work all their professional players were put up for sale. Rangers would not win another League title until 1911, although they showed great resilience to win the 1902/03 Scottish Cup. In 1904, Rangers secured the purchase of the Ibrox site and commenced reconstruction of the ground, removing the wooden terracing and replacing with massive earth banking.
Success on the field of play was elusive in that period of turmoil for Rangers, but they did battle through to the 1909 Scottish Cup Final where they would meet Celtic. The game was drawn, the match replayed and after 90 minutes the teams were still tied. Expecting extra time and a conclusion, supporters rioted at the prospect of yet another replay, many suspecting that the two Clubs were seeking another pay-day. In the aftermath, it was agreed that the Cup be withheld.
Whilst Wilton was involved in player acquisition and team selection, preparing the players for matches was the domain of the trainer. In 1914 the loyal old trainer, James Wilson, died and his replacement was William Struth of Clyde.
In that year, Britain entered the First World War and with many players away fighting for their country, Wilton was often left only with youngsters to fill his depleted squad. Nonetheless, Rangers did manage to take the 1917/18 League title, their first for five years. Wilton was give a benefit match in season 1918/19 recognising his 30 years of service, and some 20,000 watched Rangers defeat Everton.
The following Season, Rangers continued their march to the top of Scottish football by clinching the League title with a draw at Dumbarton on 28 April, 1920. It was to be William Wilton’s last title. A weekend guest on board a yacht in Gourock harbour, he was drowned on 2 May,1920 whilst trying to scramble ashore as the vessel was battered by gales. Under his stewardship Rangers had won 10 League titles and 4 Scottish Cups.
by David Plews
