The celebrations will begin outside the Stadium, with community engagement activities in Argyle Car Park opposite the Rangers Store from 12 noon, followed by the Pipes and Drums, 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland who will perform between 2pm and 2.30pm during the lead up to kick-off tomorrow.
A representative from each branch of the armed services will be present as the teams enter the pitch and personnel from the Royal Marines will abseil into the Stadium from the Sandy Jardine Stand, before handing the match ball over to the referee. A piper from the Army will also play pitch-side prior to kick-off with the Pipes and Drums providing a special performance on the pitch at half-time.
As well as welcoming around 220 troops to the stands, the club is also playing host to representatives from each branch of the armed services in the Directors’ Box.
Fans will be able to support Rangers Charity Foundation’s Armed Forces Fund via a can collection outside the stadium. This season the Fund is aiming to raise £15,000 to be split between three services-related charities – The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Rangers Manager, Steven Gerrard, said: “Last season I experienced my first Armed Forces Day at Ibrox and the atmosphere was fantastic. The fans really gave the troops a welcome to remember and it was a great occasion.
“On behalf of the club and the players I am delighted to welcome the three branches of the services back to Ibrox this year to celebrate their contribution and sacrifice on our behalf.
“I’m sure the fans will back the Rangers Charity Foundation’s can collection today in support of the Armed Forces Fund, which does some incredible work with services-related charities.”
Colonel Anthony Philips, British Army, added: “The Armed Forces Day at Ibrox is an event that service personnel always look forward to! The Club has always had a strong relationship with the three Services and over the last few years we have been impressed with its commitment to the Armed Forces - especially the tireless work the Rangers Charity Foundation does to raise funds for service and veterans’ charities.
“Indeed, that work has been recognised with Rangers and the Rangers Charity Foundation becoming the first football club and club charity to win an Employers Recognition Scheme Gold Award, due to their advocacy of the benefits of supporting the Armed Forces, Regulars, Reserves and Veterans communities - a tremendous achievement!
“Over 200 servicemen and women, from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Airforce will be in the stands and we fully appreciate the support that we get from the Club and the supporters. We look forward to the event and thank everyone for their continued support.”
Adrian Bell, chief executive of the RNRMC, said: “I would like to send our best wishes to everyone taking part in the Armed Forces Day celebrations at Ibrox. As a beneficiary of the special Armed Forces Fund this season, the support of the Rangers Charity Foundation is a tremendous boost for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, particularly for our work in Scotland where the serving Royal Navy and Royal Marines population is greater than in the other branches of the Armed Forces. We very much hope that our association with the Rangers Charity Foundation will enable us to continue to support all members of the Royal Navy family in Scotland past and present and provide them with the support which their service deserves."
Rangers FC and the Rangers Charity Foundation have a proud tradition of supporting serving personnel and veterans. The Foundation has donated over £190,000 in cash to armed forces and veterans’ charities to date, as well as significant in-kind support.
The club and Foundation are proud to assist the armed forces and veterans via a number of initiatives throughout the year. The Foundation’s Glasgow Veterans United programme, along with Glasgow’s Helping Heroes, ensures that veterans have the assistance they need to settle back in to civilian life.
A group of veterans from Walking With The Wounded were recently supported via the Foundation’s new Team Talk wellbeing initiative. Serving personnel are also able to buy tickets for home league fixtures at a reduced price (subject to availability).
The club and Foundation also advocates for the Armed Forces Covenant with business contacts and this type of support earned the club and Foundation an Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence, making them the first club and club charity in the UK to receive this accolade. We enjoy an official affiliation with HMS Defender and membership of Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association - the Foundation’s Director is a member of their Advocacy and Strategy Group.
Rangers face a top of the table clash with Hibernian tomorrow – and all the action is exclusively live on RangersTV!
A subscription to RangersTV starts from just £6 per month, and provides not only exclusive access to the club’s teams, but also original feature videos and documentaries, our incredibly popular Inside Ibrox and Away Days shows and our extensive archive of match action from through the years.
MyGers members will also be awarded 25 points for purchasing an annual standard subscription, and 40 for an annual unlimited subscription.