News

Armed Forces Day at Ibrox this Saturday

Thu 7th September 2017

The Rangers Charity Foundation’s Armed Forces Partnership will benefit from a collection at this Saturday’s Armed Forces Day at Ibrox.

Rangers will welcome over 200 armed services personnel on Saturday as part of the Club’s annual Armed Forces Day celebrations to honour the brave men and women of the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.

Armed Forces Day celebrations will kick off outside the Stadium before the match with community engagement activities in the Argyle House Car Park from 1pm. The 7 Scots (Pipes and Drums) Band will perform in the Fan Zone between 2pm and 2.30pm and will also entertain the crowd at half-time.

Fans will have the opportunity to contribute to a bucket collection at the turnstiles in aid of the Foundation’s Armed Forces Partnership which this season is supporting AA Veterans Support in Northern Ireland, the Coming Home Centre in Govan and Erskine.

A representative from each branch of the armed services will lead the teams out onto the pitch prior to kick-off and personnel from the RAF will abseil into the Stadium from the Sandy Jardine Stand and hand the match ball over to the referee.  A lone piper from the RAF will also play pitch-side prior to kick off.

As well as welcoming over 200 troops to the stands, the Club is also playing host to representatives from each branch of the armed services in the Directors Box. At half-time, Club and Foundation representatives will carry a Rangers Armed Forces Day banner on to the pitch escorted by 12 uniformed armed services representatives.

Rangers Manager Pedro Caixinha said: “This will be my first Armed Forces Day at Ibrox and I am looking forward to seeing so many serving personnel inside the Stadium.

“Armed Forces Day is a great opportunity for everyone at the Club to show their appreciation to all serving men and women and I am sure it will be another terrific atmosphere throughout the afternoon. I hope everyone involved has a day to remember.”

Col C P Wallace, Deputy Commander, HQ 51 Infantry Brigade & HQ Scotland said: “It is fantastic to see Rangers Football Club continuing their support for the Armed Forces as can be seen this match day. It is really important to us, the serving community, to know that we have the backing of such a vibrant organisation.

“I would like to make a special mention to the Rangers Charity Foundation who make such a wonderful contribution each year to the service charities.  On behalf of all servicemen and women in Scotland, thank you.”

Rangers Managing Director Stewart Robertson commented: “This year Armed Forces Day comes on the eve of the Club and Foundation receiving the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award from the Ministry of Defence for our continued support of the Armed Forces, including our commitment to holding an Armed Forces Day event at Ibrox and our signing of the Armed Forces Covenant along with the Foundation.

“It’s great to receive this recognition for our contribution, and all the work the Rangers Charity Foundation does with so many services related charities and in the community with veterans.”

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