117 Copland Road, Ibrox, Glasgow. Tel: 01414453645.
The Stadium. 1991.
The Stadium Bar was opened in December 1967 by Usher-Vaux, just in time for the Christmas parties. In close proximity to Ibrox Stadium, home to Rangers Football Club and opposite the Copland Road underground station this was an ideal site for a new public house. Attracting customers from countless football fans the pub could hardly go wrong even if the interior didn’t have a football theme.
The new pub could hold 500 people, 300 in the lounge and the rest in the public bar. In the lounge a partition door could be closed at times splitting the room into two parts, with 75 people being accommodated in the smaller private lounge. The manager Mr Robert Leitch came to Glasgow with his wife from the “Barclay” in Edinburgh which was also owned by Usher-Vaux.
At the opening ceremony a draw was made in the public bar for two Usher-Vaux Christmas gift packs. The lucky winners, both Govan men received their prizes from Mrs Nimmo, wife of Mr R W Nimmo, a director of Usher-Vaux.
The building took only four and a half months to erect. The main contractors were Robert R Bryce, East Hamilton Street, Wishaw. D MacDonald & Bros., North Hanover Street, Glasgow were responsible for the furnishings and carpets. Hugh M Fulton Ltd, Playfair Street for the electrical work, D & W Nimmo, Kirk Road, Wishaw for the bar fittings and seating. The architectural work was carried on by J Mochrie and T M Miller & Partners, Royal Crescent, Glasgow.
Interior view of the Stadium Lounge. 1967.
Two dolls made by a 75 year old Dundee woman were raffled by manager Ronald Moppatt. £20 was collected which helped to provide a sit down meal for the old folk. Pictured here is Jim Baxter ex-Rangers and Scottish internationalist, handing over the dolls to Mrs Carey right and Mrs Duffy who were members of staff. The holder of the winning ticket was Mr Frank Harvie, Ibrox Quadrant and Mr C Jackson, 21 Kilvaxter Drive, Arden. 1970.
Left to right D M Gordon, licensee of the Stadium, Mrs Leitch and manager Mr R Leitch. 1967.
R W Nimmo, director of Usher-Vaux with his wife along with two lucky prize winners Mr A Lynch left and Mr T Lynch right. The prize winners were not related. 1967.
A Christmas treat for 75 old folk at the Stadium. The money collected by locals in the pub amounted to £98 and this provided the meal and gifts for the treat. The manager Ronald Moppatt stands with his wife with barmaid Rita Carey on the left. 1971.
Manager of the Stadium Bar in 1971 was Ronald Moppatt.
Mr Daniel Miller Gordon also had the Elderslie Bar, Elderslie, and the Quaich, Paisley Road West.
Joanne says
I had the pleasure of working for Tommy Campbell for many years, and what a good man and boss he was and is sorely missed. also worked with Rita, Jean, Ina, and big Mamie,