100 years on from winning a gold medal at the 1924 Paris Olympics we remember renowened athlete Eric Liddell who was a friend of Bill Struth and Rangers throughout his career.
SPORT on a Sunday is now very much a part of life in this country. However, there was a time, not so long ago, when the puritanical attitudes of the authorities would have looked dimly upon the very idea.
Indeed, in September 1887, five young Glasgow lads were fined half a crown each for playing football on the Sabbath!
Even in the 1920s the newspapers frequently highlighted instances of young men being charged for playing the game, blind to prohibition notices. However, whilst in these times when the authorities often took a dim view of football on a Sunday, there were others who resisted the very idea for reasons of faith.
It was an issue that touched Rangers back in 1928 when one of our great players of yesteryear, Bob McPhail, wrestled with his conscience as the club toured North America.
One match, against Fall River, was scheduled to be played on a Sunday. Before McPhail left Scotland, his father, a church elder, had asked his son to respect his Christian values and not to play on the Sabbath.
Manager Bill Struth was entirely respectful of McPhail’s decision and told the youngster, “If that’s what your father told you to do and that’s the way you feel about it, then I’ll leave you out. I understand.” McPhail was duly left out of the side but reinstated in the next match when he scored a hat-trick!
Although not a particularly religious man himself, ‘The Boss’ was principled and was a great friend of Eric Liddell who is perhaps the most celebrated case of a man putting his Christian beliefs before his sport.
Eric Liddell is a popular name around Rangers’ historical circles, although he never kicked a football in earnest. He played rugby for Scotland but it was in his athletics that he found true fame and widespread respect. In 1981 his life story was popularised in the award-winning movie ‘Chariots of Fire’.
The athlete was British champion at the 100 yards, 200 yards and 440 yards going into the Paris Olympics of 1924. However, in the months leading up to the games, the schedule was released indicating the heats of the 100m would be run on a Sunday.
Although he was denying himself a clear opportunity of a gold medal, Liddell remained true to his principles and declined to run on the Sabbath.
Knowing he would be unable to compete in the 100m, he trained in the weeks leading up to the competition to improve his performance in the 400m.
He came away with the gold in a European Record time. Before he took to the track that afternoon, Liddell was handed a note from one of the team’s masseurs.
It read, "In the old book it says: 'He that honours me I will honour.' Wishing you the best of success always." It was the final piece of inspiration the man they would call ‘The Flying Scotsman’ needed to drive him to gold.
Bill Struth, a former professional athlete of some renown himself, was a great proponent of athletics at Ibrox, enticing the world’s best athletes to run at the stadium.
Liddell was top of his invitation list and the athlete was to become a regular visitor to the Rangers Sports, first appearing and winning the 100 yards in the 1921 games.
He appeared at the ground in the next three years events, making his final appearance in 1924 in the 440 yards with a victory – just four weeks after his Olympic success. He left the stadium to a standing ovation.
Liddell left Scotland the following year to work as a missionary in China, but returned on vacation six years later. He had been born in Tianjin and the Far East had remained a draw upon his missionary work.
On his return to Scotland in 1931, he delivered many sermons on his work in China. It was at this time that he caught up with Struth once again. The Rangers manager afforded Liddell membership of the Rangers Football Club and the opportunity to use the track facilities at Ibrox any time he wished.
He was invited to the ground where he met up with the team and Struth warned them to be on their best behaviour and to mind their language in from of this eminent athlete!
Liddell was there to work in an attempt to regain his track fitness and a contest was arranged over 440 yards with Rangers’ fastest player over the distance – Sandy Archibald. To everyone’s surprise, Archibald prevailed, although Liddell was hardly at his peak.
It is often claimed that Liddell was a Rangers fan.
Undoubtedly, the bond he formed with Struth and, latterly, the players would have encouraged favour in the club, but his interest in sports came from athletics first and foremost.
Sadly, some time after his return to China, Liddell would find himself caught up in the war and he ended up in a Japanese internment camp. It was there that he died of natural causes in 1945 at the age of just 43.
Bill Struth was one of the speakers at a Memorial Service for Liddell, held in Glasgow’s Dundas Street Congregational Church, also attended by director and former player Alan Morton.
It was the church where his father, a minister, had once served and where Liddell himself delivered sermons. Struth said of Liddell, “He put aside a career of brilliance and affluence to serve his master in the most practical of all forms of Christianity. He honoured sport rather than sport honouring him.”
However, perhaps the most telling words from Struth and his perception of Liddell came at the end of his eulogy, “In these days of exaggerated hero-worship and publicity for sports champions, Eric Liddell’s example reminds us to put things in their proper perspective.
"Sport to him was sport – not the be-all and end-all – and success in it did not prevent him from picking out the things spiritual from the things temporal.”
Sport on Sunday is very much part of life nowadays and accepted by most with deeply religious convictions. However, these reflections on Liddell and Struth provide an insight to the true essence of sport and the convictions of a man who believed he had a higher calling.
Eric Liddell is just one remarkable athlete who competed at Ibrox throughout it's 125 year history and you can find out more about him and others in the Rangers Musuem.
The Rangers Museum is an exciting and immersive experience for all.
The museum showcases the rich history of the club, with exhibits ranging from the team’s beginning to their most recent victories, telling the story of Glasgow and Scotland through the history of the club.
RANGERS MUSEUM & STADIUM TOUR (60-90 minute guided tour & museum access)
Experience the magic of this world-famous stadium with your very own ‘access all areas’ pass.
Within the museum, you will be able to see iconic items from over the last 151 years and even test your skills with interactive activities.
STADIUM TOUR (60-90 minute guided tour)
Starting your tour at Edmiston House, you will experience the magic of this world-famous stadium with your very own ‘access all areas’ pass.
On the tour you will get exclusive access to the dressing rooms, climb the marble staircase, run down the tunnel and explore the illustrious Trophy Room.
On Saturday 13th July, we also have a real treat, where fans can enjoy a special Legends Tour with Hall of Fame defender John Brown - with fans attending able to grab a discount on the fabulous Ibrox Restaurant - BOOK HERE.