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Cambuslang Rangers - A Brief History
Cambuslang Rangers were originally known as
"Leeside"and played on a park at the "Old Mill" in
Cambuslang which was better known in they days as "Mill Sheugh".
Leeside were also a Juvenile side. In 1892 Leeside joined the Junior ranks of
Football and then changed their name to Clyde Rovers. They entered the
Cambuslang and District League and they played in Red and White.
In 1899, the Club changed their name again only
this time they went from Clyde Rovers to the now Famous Cambuslang Rangers and
changed their colours to Royal Blue which we still play in to this present day.
The Clubs first ever President was a Mr James Morton who remained in the role
for five years, A local tailor by trade, he also secured a ground for the team
to play on.
Cambuslang Rangers then went on to join the
Glasgow and District Junior League in 1900-01 where they would play well-known
teams such as Parkhead and Maryhill.
Our first Success
Cambuslang's first trophy came in season 1901-02
when they won the Glasgow and District League. They repeated the League success
the following season. It was in 1904 that Cambuslang joined the Glasgow Junior
League and also moved to a new ground at Somervell Park on a rental basis, the
site was the property of Somervells, originally from Ayrshire. The first ever
game on the park was against local rivals Rutherglen Glencairn.
In 1908-09 Cambuslang Rangers were victorious in
the Glasgow Consolation Cup. Three years later the team won the Glasgow
Challenge Cup. In 1911, 1912 and 1916 the side were crowned Glasgow League
Champions.
In the season 1926-27 the club was said to be in
so much debt that it had to borrow £100 to sign a team, that same team went on
to have a great season reaching the final of the Scottish Cup and also winning
the Glasgow Challenge Cup. They also added the West of Scotland Consolation Cup
and the Eastern Charity Cup.
Ground Improvements
In January 1937, a new pavilion was built to replace
the old wooden one that was put up when the ground was opened. In the following
year Cambuslang won the Scottish Junior Cup for the first time when they
defeated Benburb, from Govan, in the Final at Celtic Park. They also won the
Eastern Section League and a year later won the Western Section League.
During the War
Following the outbreak of the Second World War in
1939, Cambuslang did not take part in active football until 1944. In December
1941 Cambuslang became the owners of Somervell Park having bought it from
Colvilles Ltd. The purchase left the team in debt, which was eventually cleared
by the Committee and Ladies through Fundraising and Social activities.
Cambuslang resumed playing football in season 1944-45 and again got to the
final of the Scottish Junior Cup but were defeated after protest by Burnbank
Athletic.
The Fifties
The fifties were not Cambuslang's most memorable.
In terms of trophies, Cambuslang won only the Eastern Charity Cup in 1952-53
and the North Eastern Cup in 1957-58. At the end of this decade Cambuslang
appointed, as Match Secretary, Davie McLaggan and this was to be the start of
something big for Cambuslang and the team started on the road to success by
winning the West of Scotland Cup.
The Sixties
In season 1960-61, Cambuslang won the League
Championship 'B' Division. In season 1963-64 and 1965-66 they won the Glasgow
Challenge Cup, that same season they also won the League Championship 'B'
Division. The following year they won the Glasgow Challenge Cup, the Pompey cup
and the League, becoming League Champions 'A' Division. After a break of 30 odd
years Cambuslang brought the Scottish Junior Cup back to Somervell Park in
season 1938-39 when they defeated Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 1-0 at Hampden Park,
Glasgow in the Final. In December 1970, Cambuslang Rangers formed the
Cambuslang Rangers Social and Recreation Club, better known today as Sweeper.
Extensive renovations were carried out on the Pavilion and a licensed premises
was opened.
The Good Times
Season 1970-71 saw the beginning of the Club's
greatest period in its history so far. Cambuslang defeated Newtongrange Star
2-1 at Hampden to win the Scottish Junior Cup. They also won the League
Championship 'B' Division, the Evening Times Trophy, the Sectional League Cup,
the Players No6 Gold Cup and the Dryburgh Cup. Cambuslang earned the title of
"Junior Side of the Century" in the eyes of a lot of Scottish
Newspapers, after they retained the Scottish Junior Cup in1971-72 with a 3-2
victory over Bonnyrigg Rose in the replay at Hampden after the two sides had
earlier drew 1-1. Cambuslang were the first team this century to win the cup
two years on the trot. They also won the League Championship 'A' Division, the
Evening Times Trophy, the West of Scotland Cup and the Players No6 Cup. More
success followed when player Willie McCallum was voted "Scottish Junior
Player of the Year"
Although Cambuslang reached the Final of the
Scottish Cup for the third year in succession in 1972-73, their chance of
creating history was thwarted at the hands of Irvine Meadow. They defeated
Cabuslang 1-0 after two drawn games. However success did not elude them as they
lifted the League Championship 'A' Division, the Evening Times Trophy and the
West of Scotland Cup. Cambuslang regained the Scottish Junior Cup when they
defeated Linlithgow Rose 3-1 in the Final at Hampden in season 1973-74, also
that season they lifted the League Championship 'A' Division, the Evening times
Trophy and the Players No6 Cup.
Recent Times
Cambuslang have failed to hit the dizzy heights of
the late 60's and early 70's and silverware has been hard to come by. The have
managed a couple of League Championships and a couple of Trophy's too. In
season 1989-90 the y lifted the Central League 2nd Division title
and in season 1990-91 they repeated the feat by winning the Central League 1st
Division. That same season they lifted the Evening Times Trophy after defeating
Pollok 2-0 at Shettleston and they lost out in the Final of the R&B Farquar
Cup when they were defeated 3-2 by Arthurlie at Newlandsfield, home to Pollok
F.C.
There latest Triumph came this season 2000-01
while under the Management of Andy Cunningham, they defeated Premier side
Shotts Bon Accord 1-0 in the Final of the Beaton's Coaches Sectional League Cup
at Firhill.
A full version of this piece can be found in the excellent
publication by
WILLIAM MILLER
Cambuslang Rangers
The Glory Years: 1971-1974
A look back in pictures
Click Cover
for Further details