By Mark Dingwall
This year’s Rangers AGM kicks off on Tuesday in New Edmiston House. That’s a new venue.
Over the years the venue has moved. In the early 80s before Souness arrived it was often held in the Members Lounge – the old one, not the expanded one we have today.
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It was also held at times in the Royal Scottish Automobile Club in Blythswood Square – and club Board meetings were held in there too. The Chartered Accountants Institute in St Vincent Street was another venue.
After Souness arrived the attendances soared and the venue had to be changed. In 1987 it was held in the Moir Hall (part of the Mitchel Library complex) – the crowds were so large members had to be accommodated in two overspill rooms – sadly, although those punters could hear the AGM proceedings there was no way for them to participate as no microphones were made available. The ensuing uproar made it’s way into the main hall and the meeting was abandoned to be reconvened later.
Since then other venues have included the Royal Scottish Concert Hall, the Armadillo and Ibrox itself – most notoriously climaxing with the “Spivs AGM” which saw the punters in the Broomloan Road stand and the embattled board members in a gazebo on the pitch.
Apparently the club records show between 600 and 800 normally turn up for the AGM – personally I think it’s higher and I estimate I’ve seen over 1,200 in the Armadillo – but that may be because of crowd spacing.
Tomorrow’s venue can seat around 800 and an overspill area is available in Bar 72 – if that’s needed let’s hope they have microphones available!
Make sure you get over in plenty of time.
