Eye of the Tiger

Ian Stewart

Description

Eye of the Tiger is the story of one of the most legendary figures in Glasgow Rangers' rich history, a man who epitomised what it meant to be a Ranger. Jock Shaw was a no-nonsense full-back whose fierce, uncompromising tackling earned him the nickname 'Tiger' from club supporters. He joined the Gers from Airdrie in 1938 for GBP2,000 and was a key figure in the Ibrox defence in the immediate post-war years. That defence was dubbed the 'Iron Curtain' because it seemed as unyielding as the barrier that divided Europe at the time. The book charts Jock's extraordinary journey from the coal pit at Bedlay (Annathill) to becoming Rangers' first treble-winning captain. His signing for Rangers started a remarkable association with the club, which lasted over 40 years and saw him serve as team captain, third-team coach and groundsman. He also captained Scotland and shared the distinction of beating England with his brother David. Ian Stewart worked with Tiger Shaw's family to bring you the inside track on his life and career.

Sujets

• Escocia
• Scotland
• Glasgow

Informations

• Publié par: Pitch Publishing Ltd
• Date de parution: 11 octobre 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781801500388
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

First published by Pitch Publishing, 2021
Pitch Publishing
A2 Yeoman Gate
Yeoman Way
Durrington
BN13 3QZ
www.pitchpublishing.co.uk
Ian Stewart, 2021
Every effort has been made to trace the copyright.
Any oversight will be rectified in future editions at the earliest opportunity by the publisher.
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A CIP catalogue record is available for this book from the British Library
Print ISBN 9781785319907
eBook ISBN 9781801500388
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Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Foreword
Eye of the Tiger - The Life and Times of Rangers First Treble-Winning Captain, Jock Shaw
Birth
From Bedlay to Broomfield
Struth and Ibrox Come Calling
A First Title
War
A New Look League
The First Clean Sweep
Season 1942/43 to the end of the war
War Ends and the Dynamos Visit, Season 1945/46
Reconstruction
Changing World
Season 1946/47 and the Iron Curtain
Jousting with The Hibees
The Tiger and the Pig
Season 1948/49 - The First Treble
The End Is Nigh
Planning for the future
The Last Hurrah
Brothers in Arms
Scotland and the Annathill Defence
Life after Playing
Baillieston
The Thirds Coach
Ground Staff
Retirement
Death and Legacy
Playing Record
Bibliography
Photos
Dedication
To the memory of Adrianna Haxton, the brightest star in the sky. There is not a day goes by I don t think about you. Grandpa x
Acknowledgements
I WOULD like to thank the Campbell and Shaw families for their co-operation writing this book. With special thanks to Elaine and Margaret.
I would also like to thank all those who helped me with research and information, in no particular order: Robert McElroy, Craig Innes, David Leggat, Frank Bennett, Neil Stobie, Ian Manson, Tom Purdie, Maggie McGinty, Archie Wiseman, Ian Manson and the late great Bobby Brown.
I would also like to thank Donald Caskie, Ewan Gibbs, Robert McElroy, Archie MacPherson and David Leggat for material used in the book, along with DC Thompson and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser.
Thank you to Paul and all at Pitch Publishing for your support.
Finally, Yvonne - thank you for your patience and support, as always.
Introduction
IN 2013 Yvonne and I were looking to downsize, as only our youngest daughter Iona remained at home. Our house on the Southside of Glasgow sold far quicker than we ever imagined, so the race was on to find our new home.
So it was, more than anything, that we stumbled across Glenboig. I actually at first got it confused with Glenbuck in Ayrshire where the great Bill Shankly was from.
First impressions were that it was a lovely village with a pub only five minutes walk from the house, commuting to Glasgow was no problem for work and there was a good school.
So, in August 2013 we moved to The Boag .
I had an amusing encounter shortly afterwards with one of the parents of Iona s classmates. He asked would I be going to the pub to watch the football. I asked if, as a Rangers supporter, would I be in a minority, to be told there would need to be more than one of you to be described as a minority . Not quite true as it so happens, as I was about to find out, but it made me laugh.
After Mr Struth: The Boss was published in 2013, I contemplated what or who the subject for my next book would be.
The answer was staring me in the face, as not long afterwards I found out a bona fide member of Rangers Royalty had lived in my new home village.
Jock Tiger Shaw was one of my father s favourite players, and whenever Rangers were struggling or not quite putting in the effort you would expect he would invariably say, Ah he s no Tiger Shaw.
So, this takes us to where we are, and the publication of this book. I enjoyed writing it immensely and hope you equally enjoy reading it. I especially hope that is true for the Campbell and Shaw family: I really hope I have done the great man proud and this meets with your approval.
So, as Mr Struth used to say to Tiger, Lead them out captain.
Foreword
I WAS both proud and privileged to not only play for Rangers, but captain the club from 1990-1998.
I had grown up in South Africa, hearing tales about Scottish football from my father and his Scottish friends in Johannesburg. I heard all about the passion for the game and Rangers were the team I wanted to play for.
Luckily, I was able to fulfil that dream and also be incredibly successful in doing so.
When I joined the club in 1987, I very quickly became aware of the standards expected at Rangers, and the crucial role the captain of the club fulfilled. I also knew that the jersey of the captain, in particular, was a heavy one to fill, as among those who had gone before me and who had worn the jersey with pride were Terry Butcher, John Greig, Bobby Shearer, Eric Caldow, George Young and Jock Tiger Shaw.
All of these men epitomised what it meant to be a Ranger - those qualities you needed in the marrow so to speak - leadership, dignity, a never-say-die attitude, will to win and fair play.
I know from speaking to folk around Ibrox, and indeed to Jock himself over the years, that he had these qualities in abundance, and I also know how much he loved the club. Next to his family, Rangers were his life.
For me in particular he was generous with his time and was always available for advice.
He spent 42 years of his life working for Rangers in various roles and gave his all to each one, whether it was as a left-back or groundsman.
He was one of the first three players to be inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame, in 1999, which gives you some sense of the esteem in which he was held.
Jock Tiger Shaw was a true Rangers legend and I was extremely humbled and honoured to follow in his footsteps.
Richard Gough
March 2021
Eye of the Tiger - The Life and Times of Rangers First Treble-Winning Captain, Jock Shaw
THIS IS the story of one of the most legendary figures in Rangers long history, someone who epitomised what it meant to be a true Ranger. It could be argued he was a man carved in the image of his manager Bill Struth.
This is not just the story of a football player but an insight into life in the industrial central belt of Scotland, straddling two world wars and without the riches today s footballers enjoy.
John (Jock) Shaw was born in Annathill on 29 November 1912.
Jock was a no-nonsense full-back whose fierce uncompromising tackling earned him the nickname Tiger from the club supporters. He joined from Airdrie in 1938 for 2,000, having started his senior career there five years previously, after signing from junior club Benburb.
He was a key figure in the Ibrox defence in the immediate post-war years. That defence was dubbed the Iron Curtain because it was seen as being as unyielding as the barrier which divided Europe at this time. When he signed for Rangers, it started a remarkable association with the club which lasted over 40 years and saw him serve as team captain, third-team coach and groundsman. Tiger also captained Scotland and he and his brother David filled the full-back roles in the Victory International win over England in 1946.
This is the story of a man absolutely dedicated to his trade in general and Rangers in particular: a very humble man, despite his achievements, and one who was held in the highest esteem by the football fraternity and the local community where he stayed in Glenboig, North Lanarkshire.
The book will describe his career from the humble beginnings, turning out for Annathill Guild, to treble-winning Rangers captain and captain of his country three times against England.
It will also look at his role in the community and his Glenboig village shop. I have spoken at length with surviving family to give me an insight into the man, not just as a professional sportsman but as a husband, father and papa.
It says much for the esteem in which he is held that he was one of the first inductees into the Rangers Hall of Fame after over 600 games for the club.
When he passed away in June 2000, Ally McCoist, despite being busy abroad on European Championship TV duty, returned for the day to Scotland to attend the funeral and pay his respects to someone he held in the highest regard.
The following words were printed on the back of his funeral service: If the captain is the man he should be, the example he sets can be of priceless value. Rangers are fortunate in having had John (Jock) Shaw, the type of leader who fulfils the essentials - never-say-die, fair to all (opponents and team-mates alike), quietly proud in victory and no bitterness in defeat.
A fitting epitaph to a true member of Rangers Royalty.
Birth
ON FRIDAY, 29 November 1912 at 11.50 am, John Shaw arrived into the world - the first child of David and Alice Shaw. Four years later the family was increased by the addition of brother David, on 5 May 1916, then later by another brother, Charlie.
There was nothing of particular significance which happened on the day of John s birth, but this year was the year the Titantic sank and the Pulitzer Prize was introduced.
Rangers sat atop the Scottish League, which they would eventually win by four points from Celtic, though the following day they would succumb 0-2 to Falkirk at Brockville.
John, henceforth to be referred to as Jock, was born into the mining community of Annathill and the adjacent Bedlay Colliery, a harsh and tough life, and his father David was a miner.
Annathill early y