Yesterday saw a Rangers legend leave without no more than a tiny mention. Martin Rowlands, my favourite R since Andy Sinton had his contract terminated by mutual consent. Signed as a gamble by Holloway while still suffering from a bad leg break. Not much fuzz at the time, after all he was just a Brentford player. But Martin made that central midfield position his own from the very first game he played. He was versatile as well, a lower league Steven Gerrard if you like, filling in at right back and both sides of midfield. What made him so popular with both me and many other R's was his wholehearted commitment to the Rangers cause, epitomized by his box to box play and goal to game ratio for a midfielder. During our mesmerizing run under Jim Magilton, Martin was instrumental. I had plane and match tickets to the Preston game on 17th of october 2009 and couldn't wait, then just three days prior, my favourite player breaks his leg on international duty, I was gutted. Went to the club shop before the game and got his name on the back of my new shirt, watched on as a certain Mr Taarabt run the show and we won 4-0. But not seing Martin play that day, in the form he was in, still to this day hurts. The onle beef I had with Neil Warnock was not giving Martin a fair crack of the wip. But that is a managers right, bringing in his own players, and I respect that. Still, I struggle to see that Martin would have done a worse job than Derry. With him I think we would have won the Championship with a bit more style even. He was Premiership class on his day, but loyal as he was, he stayed an R during the best part of his career. A better servant to the club in the modern climate you'll struggle to find. Eight and a half years, 198 games and 33 goals, two supporters player of the year and two players player of the year awards later he leaves with a legacy a Rangers legend worthy. Martin Rowlands #14, a true Rangers legend. All the best in the future. BF
Great post norway. After all he was a rangers-captain and teams backbone when we were'nt doin so good. Good luck Martin where ever you go......
Well said Norway Ranger. There are too many on here who forget the players who put in so much for the club in the past and now as they are not marque type names, forget or even worse deride them. Good luck Rowly wherever you end up!
Very true, an R through and through, always gave his all. The way a Captain should be(Joey). Good luck Martin!
yes he was a legend its just a shame those two cruciate knee injuries done him in & no matter how good he or any player is having them, they are not the same player, where ever he goes best of luck to him & thank you for your services.
It's just a shame he didn't make one more year with us so he could have had his testimonial. A true Rangers legend.
Injuries stopped Rowly from being a fixture in our team, much the same for Cooky, two of the heros of our promotion from League 1 to the Championship. I hope they both manage to have success where ever they play next.
fantastic post norway, a true rangers legend is martin rowlands. early contender for february's 'thread of the month' award perhaps?!
Good Post, Norway. I remember the game against Brentford, where Brentford were pretty awful apart from a young winger called Rowlands. Soon after, Ollie signed him. He looked placid but he's a fiery character, a battler and a good captain. Can't help feeling there must have been something personal between him and Warnock, not have been given much of a chance. Good memories anyway
Great post. Great player. LR, I suggested on another thread it would be good for Rowly to have a testimonial (even though he hasn't done 10 years) not just for financial purposes but just for him to see how much he is and was respected by the fans and the fact we recognise the contribution he has made over the time he has been with us
A class act for us over the years,a few cracking goals and he 'set the stall out' for why we are where we are today...all the best Rowly...p.s Hope he sees some of these emails.
A testimonial is a great idea. Doubt that will happen unfortunately. Love to see him back at the club in the future in some capacity though.
Good post Norway. Rowly was always one of my favourites, and was in many ways the last piece in Ian Hollowayâs jigsaw. The promotion winning team featuring him Ainsworth, Gallen, ****tu, Birch etc will always sit on a plinth in my memory. They may not have been as talented as our current team, but they would give their blood for the cause. My favourite Rowly moment must have been that goal against Wolves, what a thunderbolt!
