Chairman Vows To Protect Club's Heritage

Jan 6 2008 By Kevin Turner

Ibrox Reborn Chairman Promises Rebuilt Stadium Will Stay True To Tradition

RANGERS last night vowed to protect the club's heritage after the secret plans for New Ibrox were revealed.

Sir David Murray stressed the iconic red brick front will be kept if the s700million rebuild plan goes ahead.

His statement said: "There are currently three strategies - one which includes the total rebuilding of Ibrox Stadium with the retention of the brick facade."

The facade is at the front of the Main Stand - the Bill Struth Stand - on the south side of the stadium on Edmiston Drive.

It is hailed as one of the greatest works of stadium architect Archibald Leitch.

An insider at the club - whose motto is Aye Ready - said: "To many fans the red brick facade is Ibrox and that and other important parts of our heritage will be protected under any plans."

Stadium expert Simon Inglis, who has written several books on football grounds, said: "Glasgow was home to the world's first specialist football ground designer, Archibald Leitch.

"He was 20th century football's most prolific and influential stadium designer.

"Ibrox was his greatest work, still resplendent today in its red brick glory under a modern mantle of glass and steel."

When the Main Stand and facade were completed in 1929 Ibrox was one of Britain's largest grounds, with a capacity of 139,940, second only to Hampden Park.

Leitch, a lifelong Gers fan, was born in Glasgow and originally worked designing factories. The Main Stand was his second commission at Ibrox - his first job in football was building the original timber stadium in 1899.

But tragedy struck when, during the annual Scotland-England match in 1902, a beam snapped and 26 people died.

Leitch was so upset he oversaw the repair work free of charge.

The ground's name was officially changed from Ibrox Park to Ibrox Stadium in 1997.

The Copland Road Stand to the east, traditionally the 'Rangers end', was completed in 1979. The Broomloan Stand, to the west, was finished in 1980 and the Govan Stand, to the north, in 1981.

Ibrox was named a Category B listed building in 1987.

Its capacity is 50,411 - the third biggest stadium in Scotland behind Celtic Park and Hampden.

Murray ' '

'To many fans the red brick facade is Ibrox and that will be protected under all these plans'

A club insider

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