The Bobby Neill Restoration. Update.

The Bobby Neill Restoration. Update.

Earlier this year we had the pleasure of restoring the final resting place of Rangers great Bobby Neill.

Last weekend his Great Grandson made contact with us and asked if we could take him and his wife to the plot in Lambhill Cemetery Glasgow to allow them to pay their respects.

It was a pleasure to meet them both after they travelled from Derbyshire and as a wonderful bonus they brought Bobby Neill’s Scotland badge from the jersey that he wore in 1896 against Wales when he scored twice in a 4-0 victory.

R. G. Neill was a centre half back born in the Calton area of Glasgow, he was an ever present in the 1899 invincible season, his penalty conversion with the last kick of the game at Easter road kept the 100% run alive.

While at our Club Robert won four League Titles, one Scottish cup, three Glasgow Cups, two Merchant Charity Cups, one Glasgow league, one Glasgow International Exhibition cup and two Scotland caps with two goals both against Wales in 1896.

He had seven full seasons at Ibrox and also scored a penalty v Celtic in the Glasgow International exhibition cup final of 1901.

Neill briefly moved to Airdrie but decided to seek his fortune in Canada, giving up football and emigrating to Montreal in 1904. In 1909, the Montreal Daily Witness published an article on him as he occasionally turned out for local sides, and in his interview he stated "I played football for many years,the dear old Glasgow Rangers was my team"..

Neill returned to Scotland, becoming a restaurant owner in Govan. Sadly, he took ill in early 1913, and passed away suddenly on March 2nd aged only 37.

If you like to donate to our Restoration Project please do so here on our website. Thank you.

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