great AnswerThat's like being asked to pick a favourite child ffs, I'm picking all of them.
Regardless of colour ... Mark Walters is one of my favourite Rangers players of all time .... and I say that as someone who's idol (Coop) he replaced in the team
Was coming on to say thatMark Walters.
Mark walters was the best an amazing talent and humble human being!Since it’s black history month, it seems a good time to remember the black men who have contributed to our club over the years. I’m 36 so there’s some players I know of but don’t have much of a memory of (Such as Mark Walters), but I’ll go through just a few of the notable mentions.
Walter Tull - Long before even my grandmothers time, but Rangers first black player and the first black officer in the British Army. A genuine inspiration of a man who, given the time he lived in, must have worked incredibly hard to get to his position.
In my lifetime -
Rod Wallace - I remember being underwhelmed when Dick Advocaat was buying half the Dutch national team then signed some dude on a free from Leeds. Boy, was I wrong. 41 goals and 5 trophies in 2 years and was one of my favourite players around that time. Had a big Rod Wallace poster on my bedroom wall. You could have put him on your coupon to score every week in that first season.
Marvin Andrews - What more can I say? Admittedly not the best player, but a fantastic man and a great ambassador for our club. I’ve spoken to him a few times and a nicer man you could not meet. He’d climb Everest without a question if you told him it’d make £20 for charity. His speech at Ricksen’s funeral could have brought a tear to a glass eye.
Jean-Alain Bounsong - We only had him 6 months and I thought he was a genuinely world class defender who would walk into any squad in the world. Went on to do very well at Newcastle (and earned us a nice fee into the bargain), Jueventus and Lyon.
Ugo Ehiogu - Came in with Walter Smith and with Davie Weir, and rescued our defence. Also scored an overhead kick v the scum at a Parkhead. Also loved this quote….
"But going to a club like that we didn't even discuss a contract really. It was just, 'do you want to play for Rangers?' When Walter Smith is on the phone asking you that the answer is always yes.“
Jean Claude Darcheville - An integral part of our squad on the road to Manchester. Always liked him at Middlesbrough and didn’t know until years later that his wife and kids were killed in a car crash during his time there. His miss against Lyon was a blessing in disguise that year. I remember seeing him go mental in friendlies a few times too!
Daniel Cousin - His attitude at times was honking but on his day he was brilliant. I remember thinking Walter Smith was off his head starting Cousin and Miller v Celtic at Parkhead (Cousin having been out of favour for a bit, and Miller hadn’t scored for us yet) only for the pair of them to rip Celtic apart in a 4-2 win.
Sone Aluko - Again, another underwhelming signing who turned out to be outstanding. He had it all, skill pace and a penchant for spectacular goals - his opening goal in the 3-2 win over Celtic was one of my favourite ever goals.
James Tavernier - The Captain who I’ll be telling my grandchildren stopped the 10. Stayed with us through very testing times and scored a barrel load too. His contribution to Rangers, on and off the park, over the last 6 years have been priceless.
A few notable players who perhaps didn’t quite do so well for us were Basil Boli. I remember being really excited as he brought a lot of prestige with him but never seemed to settle with us and only stayed a year (I think). I was also excited when we signed Emerson. Not sure what happened under Big Eck but he never done anything of note other than scramble the ball across the line in a CL game v Panathanikos. Oddly, I seen him play in a CL game v Hearts a few years later for AEK Athens and he ran the show, couldn’t believe it was the same player.
Obviously there are literally dozens I’ve missed - even Aribo, Kamara from our current squad - but I’d be here typing all day otherwise. What day ye gents of FF? What black players, for you, have been important to Rangers over the years?
Same here, loved the big guy.Darcheville. Dont know why but always really liked him.
My thoughts as well.Mark Walters by a country mile.
When I was a kid I remember being undecided on who my favourite Rangers player was, it was between Coisty and Mark Walters. I think I used to change my answer every week when someone asked me. For me that speaks a lot about how good Walters was.
Close the thread.Mark Walters.
Not a fanNo Fanfan?
Can you imagine if stats were compiled back then in terms of goals and assists?Mark Walters.
One of my heroes growing up. Absolutely unplayable on his day.
Would have been a club legend if he'd stayed another few years
What ever happened to Dale Gordon ?Since it’s black history month, it seems a good time to remember the black men who have contributed to our club over the years. I’m 36 so there’s some players I know of but don’t have much of a memory of (Such as Mark Walters), but I’ll go through just a few of the notable mentions.
Walter Tull - Long before even my grandmothers time, but Rangers first black player and the first black officer in the British Army. A genuine inspiration of a man who, given the time he lived in, must have worked incredibly hard to get to his position.
In my lifetime -
Rod Wallace - I remember being underwhelmed when Dick Advocaat was buying half the Dutch national team then signed some dude on a free from Leeds. Boy, was I wrong. 41 goals and 5 trophies in 2 years and was one of my favourite players around that time. Had a big Rod Wallace poster on my bedroom wall. You could have put him on your coupon to score every week in that first season.
Marvin Andrews - What more can I say? Admittedly not the best player, but a fantastic man and a great ambassador for our club. I’ve spoken to him a few times and a nicer man you could not meet. He’d climb Everest without a question if you told him it’d make £20 for charity. His speech at Ricksen’s funeral could have brought a tear to a glass eye.
Jean-Alain Bounsong - We only had him 6 months and I thought he was a genuinely world class defender who would walk into any squad in the world. Went on to do very well at Newcastle (and earned us a nice fee into the bargain), Jueventus and Lyon.
Ugo Ehiogu - Came in with Walter Smith and with Davie Weir, and rescued our defence. Also scored an overhead kick v the scum at a Parkhead. Also loved this quote….
"But going to a club like that we didn't even discuss a contract really. It was just, 'do you want to play for Rangers?' When Walter Smith is on the phone asking you that the answer is always yes.“
Jean Claude Darcheville - An integral part of our squad on the road to Manchester. Always liked him at Middlesbrough and didn’t know until years later that his wife and kids were killed in a car crash during his time there. His miss against Lyon was a blessing in disguise that year. I remember seeing him go mental in friendlies a few times too!
Daniel Cousin - His attitude at times was honking but on his day he was brilliant. I remember thinking Walter Smith was off his head starting Cousin and Miller v Celtic at Parkhead (Cousin having been out of favour for a bit, and Miller hadn’t scored for us yet) only for the pair of them to rip Celtic apart in a 4-2 win.
Sone Aluko - Again, another underwhelming signing who turned out to be outstanding. He had it all, skill pace and a penchant for spectacular goals - his opening goal in the 3-2 win over Celtic was one of my favourite ever goals.
James Tavernier - The Captain who I’ll be telling my grandchildren stopped the 10. Stayed with us through very testing times and scored a barrel load too. His contribution to Rangers, on and off the park, over the last 6 years have been priceless.
A few notable players who perhaps didn’t quite do so well for us were Basil Boli. I remember being really excited as he brought a lot of prestige with him but never seemed to settle with us and only stayed a year (I think). I was also excited when we signed Emerson. Not sure what happened under Big Eck but he never done anything of note other than scramble the ball across the line in a CL game v Panathanikos. Oddly, I seen him play in a CL game v Hearts a few years later for AEK Athens and he ran the show, couldn’t believe it was the same player.
Obviously there are literally dozens I’ve missed - even Aribo, Kamara from our current squad - but I’d be here typing all day otherwise. What day ye gents of FF? What black players, for you, have been important to Rangers over the years?
There are very few players who could get you out of your seat as often as WaltersCan you imagine if stats were compiled back then in terms of goals and assists?
His stats would be incredible and how do you measure the entertainment he provided?
Olivier Bernard.
Balogun and Cousins definite starters for me.We can almost definitely pick a Black XI now:
Am I right in thinking Beasley also played LB sometimes? Could put him in for Bassey.
Foderingham
Tavernier Goldson Andrews Bassey
Kamara Aribo Walters
Roofe Morelos Wallace
Other honourable mentions from my time:
Cousin
Ehiogu
Balogun
Latapy
Defoe
Edu
Could easily also go for:
Fod
Goldson Ehiogu Andrews
Tavernier-------------------------Beasley
Kamara Walters
Roofe Morelos Wallace
Great post but is Alfie self identifying as white now?Since it’s black history month, it seems a good time to remember the black men who have contributed to our club over the years. I’m 36 so there’s some players I know of but don’t have much of a memory of (Such as Mark Walters), but I’ll go through just a few of the notable mentions.
Walter Tull - Long before even my grandmothers time, but Rangers first black player and the first black officer in the British Army. A genuine inspiration of a man who, given the time he lived in, must have worked incredibly hard to get to his position.
In my lifetime -
Rod Wallace - I remember being underwhelmed when Dick Advocaat was buying half the Dutch national team then signed some dude on a free from Leeds. Boy, was I wrong. 41 goals and 5 trophies in 2 years and was one of my favourite players around that time. Had a big Rod Wallace poster on my bedroom wall. You could have put him on your coupon to score every week in that first season.
Marvin Andrews - What more can I say? Admittedly not the best player, but a fantastic man and a great ambassador for our club. I’ve spoken to him a few times and a nicer man you could not meet. He’d climb Everest without a question if you told him it’d make £20 for charity. His speech at Ricksen’s funeral could have brought a tear to a glass eye.
Jean-Alain Bounsong - We only had him 6 months and I thought he was a genuinely world class defender who would walk into any squad in the world. Went on to do very well at Newcastle (and earned us a nice fee into the bargain), Jueventus and Lyon.
Ugo Ehiogu - Came in with Walter Smith and with Davie Weir, and rescued our defence. Also scored an overhead kick v the scum at a Parkhead. Also loved this quote….
"But going to a club like that we didn't even discuss a contract really. It was just, 'do you want to play for Rangers?' When Walter Smith is on the phone asking you that the answer is always yes.“
Jean Claude Darcheville - An integral part of our squad on the road to Manchester. Always liked him at Middlesbrough and didn’t know until years later that his wife and kids were killed in a car crash during his time there. His miss against Lyon was a blessing in disguise that year. I remember seeing him go mental in friendlies a few times too!
Daniel Cousin - His attitude at times was honking but on his day he was brilliant. I remember thinking Walter Smith was off his head starting Cousin and Miller v Celtic at Parkhead (Cousin having been out of favour for a bit, and Miller hadn’t scored for us yet) only for the pair of them to rip Celtic apart in a 4-2 win.
Sone Aluko - Again, another underwhelming signing who turned out to be outstanding. He had it all, skill pace and a penchant for spectacular goals - his opening goal in the 3-2 win over Celtic was one of my favourite ever goals.
James Tavernier - The Captain who I’ll be telling my grandchildren stopped the 10. Stayed with us through very testing times and scored a barrel load too. His contribution to Rangers, on and off the park, over the last 6 years have been priceless.
A few notable players who perhaps didn’t quite do so well for us were Basil Boli. I remember being really excited as he brought a lot of prestige with him but never seemed to settle with us and only stayed a year (I think). I was also excited when we signed Emerson. Not sure what happened under Big Eck but he never done anything of note other than scramble the ball across the line in a CL game v Panathanikos. Oddly, I seen him play in a CL game v Hearts a few years later for AEK Athens and he ran the show, couldn’t believe it was the same player.
Obviously there are literally dozens I’ve missed - even Aribo, Kamara from our current squad - but I’d be here typing all day otherwise. What day ye gents of FF? What black players, for you, have been important to Rangers over the years?
Alfie has sometimes dragged us along single handedly to our place back at the top, despite some sub-standard players in some of our teams. Alfie closely followed by Tav simply because he more than any other gave us our pride back. He single handedly started battering the scvm after years of laying down to them.Good thread. Mark Walters Gets my vote. You mentioned Tav and stopping the 10 OP. For me it wasn’t about stopping a fake 10 but about regaining our rightful place and getting 55 after our tribulations. Best ever title in my opinion.