The Restoration of Rangers Graves Project and David Crawford Rangers Football Club 1894-1903

As we continue our Restoration of Graves Project we managed to locate the final resting place of Rangers player David Crawford, sadly at rest in an unmarked grave in Dumfries.

Thanks to the donations that we’ve received from our fellow Rangers supporters a memorial plaque was placed at the weekend to David Crawford to give him back some dignity and respect.

Thank you to David Wilkie for the following.

David Crawford was born in Paisley on the 9th of March 1873. He was a steady full back and started his career at his home town team St Mirren, indeed he was capped twice for his country whilst still at The Saints.

He moved to Rangers in December 1894, here he was mainly back up full back to two hall of fame inductees Nicol Smith and Jock Drummond,David could play in either full back position. He filled in with great distinction any time he was called upon,never more so than in Rangers incredible invincible season when he would only miss one league game. This was to be the start of four league titles in a row all of which he played a part in.

The year previous 1898 David won his other two medals at the club, firstly by winning the Glasgow League, culminating in a memorable 4-3 win over Celtic to clinch the trophy, followed up by winning the Glasgow Cup final 4-0 against Queen's Park after a three game marathon semi final against Celtic which his Rangers team eventually won 3-1.

In 1900 David won his third and final Scotland cap.He started 129 games in his nine years at the club before leaving in early 1903. He rejoined St Mirren before retiring in 1907. He sadly died in 1937 in Crichton Royal hospital in Dumfries suffering from epilepsy. He was 64 years old and still a resident of Scotstoun Glasgow.

Today we remember David Crawford, a Rangers “ Invincible”.