All clubs have their heroes and villains which fans love to discuss again and again. Rangers have had examples of both on and off the field. And there seems to be a never ending stream of books flowing to try to slake the thirst of their fans - especially when Christmas is coming up and there is a chance to look back at their less troubled times when they were winning trophies and titles. Black & White publishing look to be sure of a boost to their cash flow with the publication of 'Big Jock, The Real Jock Wallace' by David Leggat. Some of us of a certain vintage know some of the stories about Jock Wallace's times in charge of Rangers, his disciplinarian methods; his fondness for Gullane sands for pre-season strength work for his players; his love for all things Rangers. For many fans of the Ibrox club he was Rangers.
Wallace was one of the last of the old school managers; not for him the tracksuit when sitting in the dugout; white shirt and Rangers tie for that part of his job. Tracksuit or stripped to the waist was his preferred attire for when he was drilling his players with his ideology. He did not suffer fools gladly and was a man of principle which led him to walk out on the only club he truly loved as the relationship with another Rangers legend, Willie Waddell, irrevocably broke down for the final time. There are many images of Wallace of stern face and straight back, a product of his time as a jungle fighter in Malaya as part of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, as he watched his side play out his tactics. Heaven help the players who did not play their part in his grand scheme. There are also many images of Wallace the victor as yet another title was secured. Sadly, there was one fight that Wallace could never win. In his fifties, he fought the effects of Parkinsons' disease with the same strength of character shown as when battling against Rangers old rivals Celtic. Sixty two is no age for anybody to die but for a man of granite like Wallace it must have been a hammer blow to so many who knew and admired the man. Not one to be universally loved but a man to be universally respected.
'Big Jock, The Real Jock Wallace' by David Leggat was published in paperback by Black & White Publishing on 8 October 2014; ISBN978-1-84502-790-2 price £9.99.