As many of you will be aware, one of Rangers founders, William McBeath, lay for many years in a pauper's grave unrecognised and undignified. Reference was made to this in Gary Ralston's fine book "The Gallant Pioneers". Mr Ralston was the man who travelled to Lincoln, examined records then found the overgrown spot in a cemetery near Lincoln.

Some thought this was not right and that some efforts should be made into attempting to do something to correct this. A solitary fan, "4 Boys and a Ball" found the lonely spot and made enquiries about its origins and future. He marked the spot with a simple plaque fixed to a tree near the burial place.
 
At the same time, the Rangers fans' forum, Vanguard Bears, made search for the grave in an effort to have the spot marked in a manner more befitting his exalted rank and status in the club's history. The site was found and our members who travelled to the spot were shocked by the state of disrepair the ground had been allowed to fall into.
 
Over the next few weeks, many hundreds of e-mails were exchanged by VB admin as we sought to pay proper respect to a man without whose youthful efforts there would not have been a Rangers Football Club. 

Three of our members, "Arisesir", "davesmith" and "Thomas Lord Cochrane" travelled to Lincoln to view the spot, approach Lincoln Council and although the negotiations were lengthy, contrary to what others have said, there were no complications or legalities preventing us from purchasing the plot.  Vanguard Bears purchased a 50 year Lease on the plot and also upgraded the site. Subscriptions were sought on our site and, with the co-operation of other Rangers fans' forums; money was raised to erect a stunning stone on black marble with a suitable inscription.
 
A brief statement was put on Vanguard Bears on 22 October 2009 by VB admin starting with the words "It is with great pride and much humility, that Vanguardbears are pleased to announce that we have purchased, on behalf of Rangers fans throughout the world, a 50 year Lease on the burial plot of William McBeath."
 
http://forum.vanguardbears.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=6622
 
In October 2009, having heard rumours of what we were doing, Sandy Jardine of Rangers contacted a member of Vanguard Bears admin team and asked to be involved. We have subsequently kept the club in the picture as we progressed and have obtained permission for the crests to be used.
 
Prices were sought from local stonemasons and their previous work examined for quality. We chose Draper Memorials after being impressed by owner Ian Credland.

On 9 February 2010, e-mails were exchanged between VB admin with the first photographs of the erected headstone. On 14 February 2010, an announcement was made on Vanguard Bears that the headstone had been completed and erected on the site of the grave. On 15 February 2010, a brief statement was issued to the media.
 
http://forum.vanguardbears.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=10290

A small fence has been erected and the grass re-turfed by a very co-operative and sympathetic Lincoln Council, to whom we again extend our thanks. Following the discovery of vile and obscene threats on the Celtic fans website ‘the huddleboard’, a five year renewable insurance has also been taken out.

Lincoln Council has been impressed by what VB has done, and realising the importance of the graveside to Rangers fans, and indeed football fans worldwide are looking to incorporate the site on the city walk tours. Local paper The Lincolnshire Echo has been aware of what was happening and we are in touch with them in order that they may run the story. 

Dates are currently being discussed as to when a trip will be made, where a short ceremony conducted by a minister will be made over the spot. That date will of course be announced on VB and ALL Rangers fans will be made most welcome should they wish to attend and pay their respects. It would be a special moment if all Bears could come together at such a poignant time.
 
From the start, as evidenced by the wording on our original announcement on Vanguard Bears, we did this, not for any kudos or glory but "on behalf of Rangers fans throughout the world".  Regretfully, it has come to our attention that on another Rangers fans' forum a thread created by a VB poster and using our photographs was heavily censored to remove any mention of Vanguard Bears and by implication allowed their membership to assume that they had been the instigators of the actions taken by Vanguard Bears.

Any posts from people knowing the truth were chopped and the poster banned until the creator of the thread contacted them asking to put posters straight or remove the thread, sadly they chose the latter. Indeed the very word "Vanguard Bears" is automatically deleted from that forum and a ban issued.

However, even today, on other forums there are Rangers fans posting misinformation about the chain of events. It seems that certain people elsewhere feel that they have a divine right to claim the founders as their own or we should only commemorate or remember them when they deem it fit to do so. The same people who had us believe that purchasing the lease for Williams plot would be too complicated despite knowing the derelict condition it lay in for some time, it would appear they didn’t even try.

We would happily work alongside or support any Bear who wants to do something to honour our founders, that’s all our duties as Rangers fans.
 
We at Vanguard Bears should feel anger. We do not. We do however share a feeling of disbelief and disappointment that another website used our actions to score cheap points and used this remarkable tribute to one of our founders to do so. That the whole Rangers family couldn't get behind the work we did saddens us greatly, this was an historic event, this was a time for Rangers fan to unite and rejoice and if ever there was a time for dignity, this was it.
 
That individuals not connected with Vanguard Bears sought to somehow claim credit, reflected or otherwise should be to their eternal shame. They have indeed shown their true colours.

However we don’t wish to end on a sour note but instead thank everyone again for their help and support and hope that as many Bears as possible will join us when we travel to Lincoln to finally give this great man the send off he deserves, after all that’s what’s important.

Written by John McCrae.