News
Celebrating Our True Blue Hero John
Tue 28th November 2023
We love celebrating our True Blue Heroes, and when we heard 86 year old John Paterson had taken part in our Sleep Outs by staying overnight in the Summer House in his garden, we wanted to hear all about it!
John is the oldest person ever to take part in our Sleep Out event and raised an incredible £1750 for the Foundation and our partners Glasgow City Mission and Simon Community Scotland!
A season ticket holder for decades, he of course turned to the Foundation when he decided to do something for charity.
“I always donate to things, I put money in boxes, but I thought to myself ‘I need to actually do something myself.’ I had always fancied doing the Sleep Out at Ibrox for the homeless and thought, if not this year, I might not make it at all.
“My family thought it would be risky if it was a particularly cold, frosty night so I opted for the ‘from home’ version and slept out overnight in the Summer House in the garden.”
John raised an incredible total by taking part in the challenge and is looking forward to coming along to a future True Blue Hero reception at Ibrox to receive his medal from a player. Ibrox is a very special place for John, having been hooked on Rangers since joining Alva and District Rangers Supporters Club at age 19.
“My family were not a football following one. My first contact came when I went to secondary school in Alloa and Bobby Brown was our gym teacher. I heard his chat with the boys about Rangers, which got me interested.”
John’s favourite players included Willie Waddell and Ronnie McKinnon, and in more modern times, Stuart McCall.
“I always believed that highly talented and skilful players had it easy. I admired guys who grafted and worked hard, like Stuart McColl and Clauda Reyna,” commented John.
“It was a great time when Graeme Souness and Walter Smith came to the club. We appeared to be flying in and signing star names weekly. This continued when Graeme left and Walter took over. Walter is my all-time greatest Ranger, and Ian Ferguson was also a favourite of mine.
“When Dick Advocaat arrived, the Dutch stars came, however Barry Ferguson showed that a home-grown lad could hold his own.
“In the current squad I like Ryan Jack, because he’s living the dream.”
We think we’re living the dream here at the Foundation to have such amazing supporters as John!
If you are interested in taking on a personal challenge and becoming a True Blue Hero, find out more HERE.
