The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 1, 2017 Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 Who put the ball in the Rangers net? We've scored so many great goals (366) against the Rangers that, on a one-per-day basis, it'd take you until December 2018 to read about them all. As tempting as a prospect as that is, I've settled for revelling in 25-of-the-best, strictly one goal per player, chosen arbitrarily for reasons various. From 25 to 1, the flow builds towards the most meritorious; an excellent Xmas #1 is guaranteed this year. Enjoy! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 Who put the ball in the Rangers net? BILL SHANKLY 10.04.1944 Rangers [a] D3-3 (Southern League - game 30) Willie Sharp (1-0, 17 mins); Bill Shankly (2-0, 30 mins); James Colgan (3-0, 35 mins) The great Bill Shankly scored for Thistle against Rangers at Ibrox, and that seems like a mighty fine way to open our countdown. The hardy lad from East Ayrshire had made a bit of a name for himself in the 1930s, and with his hard-but-fair brand of tackling in the half-back role, he was an integral part of the Preston North End side which was re-establishing itself as a top-flight force in the English game, famously winning the FA Cup in 1938. It came as no surprise to observers that he achieved the ultimate accolade for a Scottish footballer when he captained his country against the Auld Enemy in 1941, and perhaps his very finest hour came at Hampden on 18th April 1942 when Scotland upset the odds to beat a very successful English side by 5 goals to 4, Bill notching Scotland’s 5th with an audacious lob from distance. It was a real coup for the Thistle when Shankly’s services were procured in the autumn of ’43, our North West Glasgow location placing us ideally as the local club to the Bishopbriggs RAF base where he was stationed. With the unpredictability of life during wartime, no-one knew for sure how long the arrangement would last, and it’s doubtful that anyone foreseen a 69 game stint in which Bill would score 11 goals for the Jags (2 of which came against Rangers), a terrific ratio for a half-back, and one which suggests he was comfortable at Firhill. Winning the Summer Cup with Thistle in 1945 was a major highlight – as was his goal at Ibrox the year before… With the citizens of the country on blackout orders between 9.45pm and 6.50am, weekday games, if they were played at all, were usually in the afternoon. Such was the case on Monday, 10th April, 1944, when Thistle made the short journey to Govan to fulfil our 30th and final engagement of that season’s Southern League campaign. Rangers were runaway winners of the League, and were renowned for their "iron curtain" defence at the time, so to secure a 3-3 draw at Ibrox was a very good result, albeit tainted by the fact that a 3 goal lead was squandered. Bill struck a free-kick in the 30th minute, which took a deflection off the man who would later emulate Shankly’s captaincy of the national team, George Young, en route to goal, putting Jags 2 nil in front. Cue manly handshakes all round – with none of that cuddly-toy apology nonsense to big Geordie I hope! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowenBoys Posted December 1, 2017 Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 Who put the ball in the Rangers net? We've scored so many great goals (366) against the Rangers that, on a one-per-day basis, it'd take you until December 2018 to read about them all. As tempting as a prospect as that is, I've settled for revelling in 25-of-the-best, strictly one goal per player, chosen arbitrarily for reasons various. From 25 to 1, the flow builds towards the most meritorious; an excellent Xmas #1 is guaranteed this year. Enjoy! Brilliant TJR. At last something to get me in the mood for Christmas. Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaty FC Posted December 1, 2017 Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 Love the "hard but fair tackling" comment. No doubt that would be an automatic red these days!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggernaut Posted December 2, 2017 Report Share Posted December 2, 2017 In answer to the opening question..... my conditioned response is: "Charlie Charlie Smith." Even nearly half a century later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2017 Who put the ball in the Rangers net? CHRIS ERSKINE 15.09.2017 Rangers [h] D2-2 (SPFL Premiership - game 6) Blair Spittal (1-1, 50 mins); Chris Erskine (2-1, 60 mins) With Thistle playing their fifth successive season in the top-flight for the first time in nearly 40 years, only the lack of wins against the Old Firm is preventing the feel-good factor from soaring to the levels of the late 1970s. There have been some near misses, and it’s especially incredible that a win against Rangers has not been forthcoming, with leading positions having been surrendered regularly. Under the lights, we looked to be heading for a famous come-from-behind League victory on Friday, 15th September, 2017, as goals from Blair Spittal and Chris Erskine put Thistle 2-1 ahead, but eventually had to settle for a share of the spoils when our sometime Pelé was sent-off after a mis-timed tackle, and Rangers made the extra man count, coming back for the 2-2 draw. Still, it was simply marvellous to see one of Firhill’s most-loved sons get his first goal against Rangers, ghosting in at the back post to tap in an excellent delivery from the on-fire Blair Spittal, putting Jags 2-1 up. Normally, Squiddy would be running to the Jackie Husband stand to celebrate; this time his JHS-bound mission culminated in a big sssshhh to the antithesis of Jagskind. It’s all about those magic moments. Legend! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2017 In answer to the opening question..... my conditioned response is: "Charlie Charlie Smith." Even nearly half a century later! I'm confused. As far as I know, Charlie never scored against them. Geordie Geordie Smith? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggernaut Posted December 3, 2017 Report Share Posted December 3, 2017 I'm confused. As far as I know, Charlie never scored against them. Geordie Geordie Smith? Believe me, you are less confused than me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2017 (edited) Who put the ball in the Rangers net? ALEX TAYLOR 13.05.1995 Rangers [a] D1-1 (SFL Premier Division - game 36) Alex Taylor (1-1, 87 mins) They say lightning doesn’t strike twice, but try telling that to Alex Taylor who scored in 2-in-a-row against Rangers in 1995, both times with a late equaliser, both times earning a great point for Thistle, both games ending 1-1. Lambie thought well of Taylor at Hamilton, and eventually brought him to Thistle in the springtime of 1993. With his assured and skillful performances in midfield, he made a good contribution to the Jaggy cause, and top-flight safety was always secured during his spell at the club. Brilliantly, the last of his 10 goals was scored at Ibrox – in his last ever game as a Jag! The memorable strike was made on Saturday, 13th May, 1995, and to a certain extent, spoiled Rangers trophy presentation party, much to the delight of the big Thistle support in the 45,000 crowd. With Rangers having taken an early lead, Alex had a great first half effort which struck the post dead on, with the ‘keeper beaten. With that, he might have thought his big headline-making chance had passed, but later, with just three minutes left until the ceremonies, Thistle soured the champagne with a beautifully taken goal right in front of the Jags fans in the Damon Gray end. Stuart Ayton did well to hold off a challenge and teed the ball up for the incoming Alex Taylor who stylishly placed a right footed curler beyond the reach of the helpless sub goalie, Andy Goram. Rarely has a player left the Jags with a better final statement. Well done Alex! Edited December 4, 2017 by The Jukebox Rebel 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeanieD Posted December 3, 2017 Report Share Posted December 3, 2017 It was Stuart Ayton who teed him up. As I recall the main incentive to going to the match was to ensure that as many followers of the now defunct home club couldn't get into their party - it was a reasonable incentive and one which was, as noted above, very well supported. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy Posted December 3, 2017 Report Share Posted December 3, 2017 Bloody wonderful thread 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Rubble Posted December 3, 2017 Report Share Posted December 3, 2017 Alex Taylor had the misfortune to play in the same midfield as Albert Craig, Chic Charnley and Ian Cameron. Otherwise his contribution to the Jags would be much more prominently recognised. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2017 Who put the ball in the Rangers net? WILLIE MILLER 13.10.1934 Rangers [n] W1-0 (Glasgow Cup Final) Willie Miller (1-0, 58 mins) What this countdown really needs is a bit of silverware; enter Hampden stage left, Willie Miller. Several seasons a Jag, the Camelon-born inside forward was playing his last season with the club. Willie clocked up 156 appearances in his time, with many important goals to his credit, but perhaps none more so than his strike on Saturday, 13th October, 1934. That day, in front of 27,834 (a turnout affected by the heavy rain) he scored the only goal of the game in the Glasgow Cup Final at the national stadium. Rangers, the current Scottish champions, must have thought they had done all the hard work by beating Celtic in the semi-final, but they found Donald Turner's Jags too tough a nut to crack. The crucial counter in this hard-fought contest came in the 58th minute, as the conditions worsened. Willie, who had forced Jerry Dawson into a splendid save just 60 seconds earlier, had another go from 22-yards out. This time, luck was on his side; his shot took a deflection off half-back Jimmy Simpson, and Dawson was unable to adjust his feet. Thus, history was made, and Thistle finally took custody of a much coveted trophy which had eluded them for nearly 50 years. Sadly, the audio transcripts for this match, if they ever existed, will long-since have perished, so we shall have to use our imagination to relive what was sung down Mount Florida way that day. I'd rather like to think that Maurice Parry had introduced the Cwm Rhondda tune to the great Jaggy repertoire some 20-odd years earlier, and that our witty Great Grandads were in good form, singing and dancing in the rain… altogether now… ♪ Are you Benburb? Are you Benburb? Are you Benburb in disguise? ♫ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggernaut Posted December 4, 2017 Report Share Posted December 4, 2017 A question: when did supporters singing and chanting at football matches start up? It was certainly established by the early to mid-60s when I got introduced to Firhill. Did it start in the 50s? Earlier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2017 I think it goes back longer than we think, but in a different way. Back in 1897, after our first-ever top-flight game, it was reported that Thistle fans left Meadowside "singing and dancing" after defeating Hearts (Scottish champions) 3-2. It was reported that we sung "Will ye no' come back again" in the last game at Meadowside, back in 1908. Community singing was big in the 1920s, and this excellent phonographic evidence exists: There were a few reported instances of such activity at Firhill at that time; a Stenhousemuir Scottish Cup game "with community singing sponsored by the Evening Times" sticks in my mind. I think the laddish modern-day version can be linked to the birth of rock n roll and the related emergence of youth culture, so I'd guess it'd be the 1950s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Dastardly Posted December 4, 2017 Report Share Posted December 4, 2017 Great thread and I'm looking forward to the next 21 instalments 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggernaut Posted December 4, 2017 Report Share Posted December 4, 2017 Thanks, TJR. Interesting. I've wondered in the same way about supporters' scarves; crowd pictures as recent as the 50s show almost nobody wearing a scarf. Wearing replica shirts is even more recent, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Rubble Posted December 4, 2017 Report Share Posted December 4, 2017 Here you are Jaggernaut: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/10904012/Meet-the-man-who-created-the-replica-football-shirt-market.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2017 Great thread and I'm looking forward to the next 21 instalments 'ats the game! Looking forward to reading half of it myself, mainly due to the fact that it's not written yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2017 Who put the ball in the Rangers net? DOUGIE SOMNER 05.11.1977 Rangers [a] D3-3 (SFL Premier Division - game 12) Dougie Somner (1-0, 14 mins); Jim Melrose (2-0, 16 mins); Ian Gibson (3-2, 50 mins) ♪ We've got Dougie Somner, number nine, we've got the best team in the land ♫ < Who remembers that one then? Bertie’s Jags were on a great run in the autumn of '77, and were 4 League wins on the trot going into this one. Commentators were talking seriously about the Maryhill Magyars once again being contenders for a continental jaunt in 1978-79, and after 16 minutes of this Premier Division encounter, that talk was underlined in action, as Thistle rocked Ibrox with two goals in two minutes by Dougie Somner and Jim Melrose. Just one month earlier, Dougie had done the Celtic over, securing a 1-0 win at Firhill, and, for a long while, it really was game on for a mighty Old Firm double. Much of Thistle’s success at this time was down to our strong and deadly number nine; eventually the big guy ensured his Thistle legend status by reaching the 100 goals milestone, 5 of which came against Rangers. Of his opener, the Evening Times wrote: “Whittaker went on the overlap in 14 minutes and won a corner. Craig’s kick came over and was punched out to the feet of Mackie. The full-back crashed in a vicious shot and DOUG SOMNER deflected it high into the net.” This set the tone for an unforgettable and pulsating encounter; the proverbial six goal thriller. Post-match, Jock Wallace was full of praise for Thistle: “They put up a tremendous show, it was skill and organisation against organisation and skill.” Such was the excitement amongst the faithful on the terraces that Dad lost his car keys, and we all had to sit around shivering until deep into the evening when it was finally sorted by the breakdown bloke. We’d do it all again though, hell yeah! Those tuning in to Sunday Scotsport at 4.15pm were in for a treat. We can only live in hope that, one of these days, a tape might just surface... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggernaut Posted December 5, 2017 Report Share Posted December 5, 2017 Here you are Jaggernaut: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/10904012/Meet-the-man-who-created-the-replica-football-shirt-market.html Thanks Barney.... Unfortunately, "Sorry -- Server Error." Will try again later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2017 Who put the ball in the Rangers net? BOBBY HOWITT 29.09.1952 Rangers [n] W3-1 (Glasgow Cup Final) Bobby Howitt (1-1, 43 mins); Bobby Howitt (2-1, 67 mins); Johnny MacKenzie (3-1, 89 mins) This rocket-shot starlet of Davie Meiklejohn's highly successful team gave 7 seasons of great service to the Thistle cause as an inside forward, before going on to have a decent career which ended with an English Second Divison title with Stoke City as a player in 1962-63, and a Scottish Second Division title with Motherwell as a manager in 1968-69. Nothing phased Bobby - his first goal for Thistle came in the Glasgow Charity Cup Final against Celtic at Hampden Park in May '49, and the press were full of praise for the cool-headed teenager. Another one of the many highlights in his happy days as a Jag came at Hampden Park on Monday, 29th September, 1952, as 46,435 bore witness to Thistle lifting the Glasgow Cup for only the third time in their history. It was the 23-year-old Bobby Howitt who turned out to be the hero of the hour, equalising just before half-time and putting Thistle ahead midway through the second half. His wing partner, the late great Johnny MacKenzie, sealed the victory close on time to secure the Cup. “Howitt’s leading goal was brilliantly made and taken. He ‘dummied’ Little from Thomson’s throw-in and, veering to Woodburn’s right, shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area – again with his left foot.” (The Glasgow Herald) Rangers, not for the first or last time, had been well and truly Howittzered. Go on Bobby! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 Who put the ball in the Rangers net? KRIS DOOLAN 07.05.2017 Rangers [h] L1-2 (SPFL Premiership - game 35) Kris Doolan (1-0, 14 mins) Having made a conscientious decision to refuse offers to play elsewhere, Kris Doolan has sacrificed an extra couple of quid in exchange for personal happiness in his working environment, and the opportunity to indelibly stamp his achievements in the history books forever. It’s an admirable decision, and one which looks to be wiser with every passing year, as the number nine continues his relentless ascent up into the highest echelons of the all-time Partick Thistle goal-scorers charts. We’re still talking about Willie Paul more than 100 years later, and I’m sure future Jaggy generations will be doing the same with Kris Doolan into the next century. Three goals against Rangers have contributed towards his legendary status within the walls of Firhill, but what a pity they’ve all been defeats. This entry is one example where the player’s general credentials are enough to outweigh such disappointments. A 90th minute equaliser in the League Cup Quarter Final of September 2017 vies hard for inclusion, but his opener in a Firhill League encounter on Sunday, 7th May, 2017, is the better goal. Rippling the net at 12:29pm, it’s the earliest on the clock in Doolan’s extensive goals portfolio. And what a joy to behold it was. An unidentified flying object (formally measured as 1.2 Km in height by the official SPFL satellite) was controlled from out of the sky by Doolan. Turns out it was actually the match ball, which he then held up brilliantly before laying it off to the supporting Stevie Lawless, making a run down the left on the main stand side. Stevie jinked past one and played a beautiful cross-field pass with the outside of his left foot, finding the overlapping Christie Elliott who was bombing down the right wing in front of the JHS. Six yards from the bye line, Christie zipped in a cross precisely, and the masterly box sense of Kris Doolan ensured that the invitation was timeously received with the respect it deserved, his diving bullet-header leaving Wes Foderingham with absolutely zero chance of a save. Truly, an awesome team goal. Right there, right then Thistle were riding as high as Jags fans can care to remember in recent decades. We were closing out the season as a Top 6 side, and played Rangers off the park in that first half. Dreamland! (It was good while it lasted anyway.) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2017 (edited) Who put the ball in the Rangers net? ALEX WRIGHT 10.10.1953 Rangers [n] W2-0 (League Cup Semi Final) Alex Wright (1-0, 34 mins); Bobby Howitt (2-0, 44 mins) It was Davie Meiklejohn, in my opinion Thistle's greatest-ever manager, who set Alex on his way. The boss of bosses was canny, and knew exactly what he was doing when he thrust the just-turned-18-year-old Alex Wright into the Thistle team for a hot debut in front of 50,000 at Ibrox in January '49. Jags drew 2-2 that day; Alex wasn't entirely comfortable, but what a way to learn your trade. Today's featured goal was a biggie - the League Cup semi-final of season 1953-54. Alex, who would eventually rack up 355 appearances for Thistle was, by now, a 22-year-old "seasoned pro", and certainly knew what to expect on these occasions. He played on the inside of Jimmy Walker on the left wing on the day. With the wind tearing at the Hampden corner flags, the Evening Times reporter was sure that whoever won the toss had one foot in the final. Jimmy McGowan duly did the bizzo and yer man at the Times was proven right! Shooting towards the “Celtic end” in the first half, Thistle took full advantage of the strong easterly wind, and near to the half-time whistle Bobby Howitt secured a 2 goal advantage. Bobby's had his turn in the countdown though and, besides, Alex Wright's opener was the best of the two goals: “In 34 minutes, Thistle struck, and a stirring goal it was. From 25 yards, McKenzie at midfield let the ball rip. It crashed on to Niven’s left-hand post and came out to WRIGHT, standing on the penalty spot. Wright brought the ball under control and lost no time releasing the shot. Again the ball hit the post, but on the inside from where it glanced into the net.” Davie Meiklejohn’s Thistle were on their way to their first-ever League Cup final. Meanwhile, over at Tynecastle, East Fife were edging out Hibernian in a five goal thriller. It was to be an unusual League Cup Final this year; Partick Thistle versus East Fife. National glory beckoned for one of the lesser lights… Like Bobby Howitt, Alex was another Meiklejohn-inspired protégé who went into management, taking the reins at St Mirren, Dunfermline Athletic and Dumbarton, where he was responsible for introducing young Murdo MacLeod into the Scottish football scene. We'll no' hold it against him, eh? Edited December 8, 2017 by The Jukebox Rebel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted December 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 Who put the ball in the Rangers net? DAMON GRAY 19.03.2008 Rangers [a] D1-1 (Scottish Cup Quarter Final) Damon Gray (1-0, 67 mins) With Walter Smith’s all-conquering side gunning for an unprecedented quadruple, Thistle’s run in the 2007-08 Scottish Cup looked set to end at the Quarter Final stage when we were drawn to play at Ibrox. On the night of Wednesday, 19th March, 2008 Ian McCall’s side proved to be stubborn opponents, eventually being disappointed in only coming away with a 1-1 draw and a replay. For a brief moment midway through the second half, a dream run to Hampden seemed like a very real possibility, courtesy of our tricky wee on-loan Geordie from Hibernian. Just 11 months earlier, he had made his Hibs debut in a Scottish Cup semi-final tie against Dunfermline at Hampden Park, and he did his utmost to make it a memorable double... With the deadlock unbroken in the 67th minute, Gary Harkins played a clever ball down the right-hand side of the box, and a perfectly-timed run by Damon Gray gave him a one-on-one opportunity against Allan McGregor in the Rangers goal. With vison and skill, Damon lifted the ball from a tight angle in precisely the right way to evade the best efforts of the advancing ‘keeper, and the ball nestled in the back of the Rangers net, sparking wild scenes of celebration amongst the huge Thistle contingent behind the goal, matched equally by virtually the entire Thistle team who moved in, themselves ecstatic to be received in a mass of red n yellow adulation. Referee Iain Brines also got into the spirit by waving a yellow card at Damon in celebration. What a guy. From that night onwards, every Thistle fan can instantly visualise the “Damon Gray end” in conversations relating to Ibrox. Unforgettable! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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