William Wilton
Encyclopedia
William Wilton was the first ever manager of Rangers F.C.
, serving the club in that position from May 1899 until his death in 1920. He had previously filled several roles including match secretary to the reserve and first teams.
to the first Ibrox
ground in 1887. Wilton became match secretary of the first team in 1889, taking over from James Gossland
. The club shared the inaugural Scottish League
title in 1891, Wilton had been appointed as the league's first treasurer at the start of the season.
When the club became a limited company ten years later Wilton was chosen as manager. In his decade as match secretary for the first team, the club won two League championships
in 1891 and 1899, as well as three Scottish Cup
s in 1894, 1897 and 1898. He also won four Glasgow Cup
's in 1893, 1894, 1897 and 1898, and a Charity Cup in 1897. Rangers had achieved the first ever 100% league record, winning all 18 games and scoring 79 goals in 1898-99
. To date no team has ever achieved the same, although several teams have gone unbeaten in a league season since.
Under Wilton's stewardship as manager, Rangers won eight league championships and another Scottish Cup
, nine further Glasgow Cup
's and seven more Charity Cups. In his final season in charge the club won its tenth league championship and it was the start for a golden era. Wilton, however, would not see the full extent of the team's success as he died in a boating accident.
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, serving the club in that position from May 1899 until his death in 1920. He had previously filled several roles including match secretary to the reserve and first teams.
Career
Wilton joined the club in September 1883 as a player but never progressed beyond the second string eleven. He was soon appointed secretary to the clubs youth team and reserve side. He was also on the special committee that oversaw the club's move from Kinning ParkKinning Park
Kinning Park is a southern suburb of Glasgow, Scotland. In 1897 it had a population of 14326.-Political history:Originally a separate police burgh founded in 1871, it became part of Glasgow in 1905. It was the smallest such burgh in Scotland at just...
to the first Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
ground in 1887. Wilton became match secretary of the first team in 1889, taking over from James Gossland
James Gossland
James Gossland was a Scottish footballer who played for Dennistoun FC, Alexandra Athletic, Rangers and the Scotland national team....
. The club shared the inaugural Scottish League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
title in 1891, Wilton had been appointed as the league's first treasurer at the start of the season.
When the club became a limited company ten years later Wilton was chosen as manager. In his decade as match secretary for the first team, the club won two League championships
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
in 1891 and 1899, as well as three Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
s in 1894, 1897 and 1898. He also won four Glasgow Cup
Glasgow Cup
The Glasgow Cup is a knockout football tournament open to teams from Glasgow. It was competed for annually by senior Glasgow clubs from 1887 until 1988. It is now competed for between the youth teams of Rangers, Celtic, Clyde, Partick Thistle and Queen's Park.It is dominated by the Old Firm of...
's in 1893, 1894, 1897 and 1898, and a Charity Cup in 1897. Rangers had achieved the first ever 100% league record, winning all 18 games and scoring 79 goals in 1898-99
Rangers F.C. season 1898-99
The 1898–99 season is the 9th season of competitive football by Rangers.-Overview:Rangers played a total of 23 competitive matches during the 1898–99 season. They finished top of the Scottish League Division One with a one hundred percent record of 18 wins from 18 matches.The club ended...
. To date no team has ever achieved the same, although several teams have gone unbeaten in a league season since.
Under Wilton's stewardship as manager, Rangers won eight league championships and another Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
, nine further Glasgow Cup
Glasgow Cup
The Glasgow Cup is a knockout football tournament open to teams from Glasgow. It was competed for annually by senior Glasgow clubs from 1887 until 1988. It is now competed for between the youth teams of Rangers, Celtic, Clyde, Partick Thistle and Queen's Park.It is dominated by the Old Firm of...
's and seven more Charity Cups. In his final season in charge the club won its tenth league championship and it was the start for a golden era. Wilton, however, would not see the full extent of the team's success as he died in a boating accident.
External links
- Manager profile at Rangers.co.uk