Rangers legends help unveil Ibrox Disaster memorial garden in Markinch

The five Fife boys were among 66 fans that died in the crush at the end of an Old Firm game in 1971.

By Neil Henderson

May 15 2023, 8:39am

A wreath being laid at Sunday's service. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson.

A new memorial garden in memory of five Markinch boys killed in the 1971 Ibrox Disaster has been unveiled.

Former Rangers stars including Willie Johnston, David Smith and Alfie Conn joined fans and residents at a wreath-laying service on Sunday.

It followed the creation of a £15,000 garden around the existing memorial stone.

Friends, Ronald Paton, 14; Bryan Todd, 14; Mason Philip, 14; Douglas Morrison, 15; and Peter Easton, 13 were among 66 fans to die in the crush at the end of an Old Firm game on January 2 1971.

Wreaths from Glenrothes Loyal Rangers Supporters Club and Rangers FC were laid while minister John MacSporran gave a dedication.

The fence includes the five boys’ names. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

Left to right: Willie Johnstone, Pete Lee, Shane Fenton, Ronnie Bayne, Fife Provost Jim Leishman, Dave Smith, Willie Mathieson and Alfie Conn. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

The service was also attended by Fife Provost, Jim Leishman, himself a former professional footballer and manager of Dunfermline Athletic.

Those gathered observed a minute’s silence.

The garden is now surrounded by new created ornate fencing, designed in the style of the famous Ibrox gates and including each of the five boys’ names.

Tragedy ‘still very vivid’

Ronnie Bayne, who has organised the weekly Rangers supporters’ coaches from Glenrothes for the past 30 years, was friends with the five boys and spearheaded fundraising efforts to make the improvements.

He said: “I knew all five boys and would have been on the same coach as them that day, but when I arrived it was full.

A bench in the garden. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

“I travelled to the game in a car with some of the older boys.

“I didn’t find out about the five having died until I got back home.

“It was an awful tragedy and and is still very vivid in my memory, as if it was yesterday.”

Donations from Rangers fans around the world

He told The Courier the new garden would not have been possible without the backing of Rangers supporters around the world.

He said: “The donations that have come in from every one of the Fife supporters’ branches as well as from branches across Scotland, Ireland and from Rangers fans around the world.

“The immediate area around the stone had been damaged a few times in the past.

Fife Provost Jim Leishman gives a speech. Image: Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

The new garden around the memorial. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

“Therefore we devised a plan to fence it off, to both protect the memorial but also to create a special place where people can visit and pay their respects.

“It’s the support of Rangers fans and the club itself that has made our plans a reality and we can’t thank them enough.”

A Rangers spokesman said: “The story of the five Markinch boys is one which continues to touch every Rangers supporter the world over.

“Each of the 66 who passed away in the Ibrox Disaster are always remembered, and the club are pleased to hear of this fantastic drive to improve the memorial in Markinch.”