Tribute to Barrhead victims of Ibrox disaster

Close pals Hugh Addie, then 30, and Alex McIntyre, then 29, went to cheer on their beloved Rangers at home to Old Firm rivals Celtic on January 2, 1971, but never returned.

Fifty years on from that dreadful day, a headstone has now been put in place at Neilston Cemetery for family and friends to visit and pay tribute.

The move is part of a project by Rangers fan and historian Iain McColl to restore the graves of all 66 victims of the Ibrox disaster – the worst footballing tragedy in Scottish history.

Both Hugh and Alex were cremated following funeral services in Paisley.

Until this month, there was no stone marking their death in the community where they were born and brought up.

However, thanks to money donated by Rangers fans from across the world, both families now have a memorial to remember them by.

Hugh Addie was just 30 when he died

Hugh’s son Gordon Addie, 54, told the Barrhead News: “The headstone has only been up a few weeks but there has already been a tremendous response.

“When a photograph was posted on a local Facebook page, there were more than 100 responses from people who had known my father and Alex.

“Both men were born and brought up in Barrhead and were lifelong Rangers fans.

“I remember little of the day itself, apart from it was very foggy.

“From what I’ve been told, a lot of people at the time didn’t learn about what had happened until they got home later that night.”

Gordon admits his dad’s death had a devastating impact on his family.

“My sister Alison was only two at the time,” he said. “After dad was killed, things were tough for my mother Mary, who had become a single parent.

“Alex’s wife Helen, who is still alive, had three kids under the age of three, so it was even worse for her.

“Mum remarried in 1975 and Helen was her bridesmaid.

“We were all close at the time and the families have kept in touch over the years.”

Mary passed away in May, at the age of 82, before getting a chance to visit the new memorial.

Gordon, who is a taxi driver, said: “I spoke to Iain last year and mentioned there was no memorial or headstone for my dad and Alex. He got back to me in October and asked if I wanted something done.

“Both families agreed and the council gave us a plot at Neilston Cemetery.

“Iain was able to pay for the stone and also its future upkeep from all the money that had been raised.”

The memorial was erected by a stonemason on the morning of December 5 and both families were then able to visit it at lunchtime.

Gordon added: “I’ve actually found out more about my dad through the setting up of the memorial and speaking with family and friends than I knew previously.

“For example, I only learned recently that Rangers players had attended the funerals of both my dad and Alex.

“It wasn’t something that was talked about as I was growing up, probably because no-one wanted to upset my mother.

“She never said anything about what had happened to dad but I knew she didn’t like New Year for obvious reasons.

“Over the years, I’ve picked up bits and pieces from people I’ve met or what I’ve read or seen on television.”

Gordon has kept the proud Rangers supporting tradition going in his family.

He added: “With what happened to my dad, I was never going to be anything else.

“My stepfather took me to my first game when I was 14, although I wasn’t allowed to go to my first Old Firm game until later.”

Gordon regularly went to Rangers games with his 25-year-old son Mark before the coronavirus pandemic.

He added: “Mark and I are both going to the cemetery before the game with Celtic on January 2 to lay some flowers.

“The families are very grateful to Iain for all the work and to the fans who donated their money.”

Iain launched the Restoration of Rangers Graves Project in 2014 to repair the resting places of those who died in the crush on Stairwell 13.

Officials examine the torn and twisted railings of Stairway 13 after the tragedy

Since then, more than £20,000 has been donated by supporters across the world to pay for the refurbishment of plots and headstones.

To date, 21 restorations have been carried out on graves of those who died in 1971.

In cases where there is no stone, the fans organisation have paid for new tributes, like the one to Hugh and Alex.

Iain said: “Hugh and Alex were just like the rest of us going to the football that day to support their team but they didn’t come home to their families.”

More than 200 supporters were also injured at Ibrox in what was the worst disaster at a football ground until 96 Liverpool fans were tragically killed at Hillsborough in 1989.

Supporters were crushed to death as they tried to leave the stadium on a stairway near the Copland Road end of the ground as the Old Firm match was drawing to a close.

The clubs are due to play again on Saturday.

Rangers will mark the 50th anniversary of the tragedy with a minute’s silence and the laying of a wreath at the statue of former player and manager John Greig.