Rangers 1951-72: Through the Pages of Charles Buchan's Football Monthly

In this meticulously curated collection, Andrew Dolloway transports readers to a transformative era in Rangers Football Club's storied history, viewed through the prestigious lens of Charles Buchan's Football Monthly. The timing of this compilation couldn't be more fitting, as it captures what many consider to be one of the most significant periods in the club's evolution.
Charles Buchan's Football Monthly, launched in September 1951, wasn't just another sports publication – it was the self-proclaimed "greatest soccer magazine in the world", and few would have disputed that claim. The magazine's commitment to providing "a publication worthy of our national game and the grand sportsmen who play and watch it" makes it the perfect vehicle for chronicling this golden age of Rangers football.
What makes this book particularly compelling is its ability to capture the zeitgeist of post-war Scottish football. Through contemporary match reports, interviews, and photographs, readers experience the raw emotion of an era when football served as a vital escape from the lingering effects of rationing and post-war austerity. The book's greatest strength lies in its authenticity – these aren't retrospective accounts but real-time observations from one of football journalism's most respected voices.
The featured players are a veritable roster of Rangers legends. The book gives particular attention to the artistry of Jim Baxter, who would become one of Scotland's most celebrated footballers; the reliability of Sammy Cox; and the precision of Johnny Hubbard. These weren't just players; they were architects of Rangers' success during a period that would culminate in the club's crowning achievement – their first European Cup Winners' Cup victory in 1972.
Dolloway has done more than just compile articles and images; he's created a time capsule. The book's chronological arrangement allows readers to trace the club's evolution through both triumphs and challenges. The contemporary photography, preserved in its original context, offers an unfiltered glimpse into the atmosphere of match days at Ibrox, where massive crowds would gather despite the economic hardships of the time.
While the book will naturally appeal most to Rangers supporters, it offers valuable insights for anyone interested in British football history. The social context of the era is ever-present, making it as much a historical document as a sports book. Through these carefully selected pieces from Football Monthly, we see how the game both reflected and influenced the broader society of the time.
For modern fans accustomed to instant replays and social media analysis, this book serves as a reminder of how football journalism once operated – with thoughtful, detailed writing and carefully composed photography telling the story of each match and season. It's a testament to both the quality of Charles Buchan's publication and Dolloway's curatorial skill that these decades-old articles remain so engaging today.
The only minor criticism might be that readers unfamiliar with the era might benefit from more contemporary context between the reprinted articles. However, this is a small quibble in what is otherwise an excellent compilation that serves both as a valuable historical record and an engaging read for football enthusiasts.
Rangers 1951-72 is more than just a collection of archive material – it's a window into a defining period of one of football's most storied clubs, told through the pages of one of the sport's most respected publications. For anyone interested in the history of Scottish football, or simply in how the beautiful game was covered during this pivotal era, this book is an essential addition to their library.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 
Published: November 23, 2018
Price: £19.99
Hardcover: 156 pages