They arrived in a sea of blue in support of their beloved Rangers, mingled in the parking lot pre-game, then flowed through the gates to occupy their seats at Centennial Stadium — flags in hand and nothing but love and gratitude in their hearts.
Football fanatics, backing Rangers FC of Glasgow, made their way to the University of Victoria pitch to witness the international friendly against the Victoria Highlanders on Monday evening as part of the Scottish club’s four-game North American tour.
“I’ve been a Rangers man all my life,” said 57-year-old Billy Bell, a native of Glasgow who has resided in Victoria now for 23 years and is a member of the local Rangers supporters’ club.
He even had a framed picture of the original group stowed away in the back of his truck that flew a large Rangers flag.
“We’re over the moon. You have no idea,” he said of the special evening. “The odds of them coming to Victoria were very slim. They could have played in Vancouver and easily filled that stadium, or put a good crowd in it.
“So here we are, in our humble little Victoria, with one of the best teams in the world and we’re so proud of Victoria for putting this on,” said a beaming Bell.
“Let’s hope the Highlanders give it a really good game tonight and make it a challenge so that both teams benefit from this. That’s the whole idea of soccer teams coming, visiting and partaking, with both teams coming out of this with something.”
Bell certainly did as the visit warmed the cockles of his heart.
“I was born about a mile away from the stadium, Ibrox. As a baby I could hear them cheering when the Rangers scored,” he recalled. “As a kid, as far as my memories can go back, I recall being on the shoulders of grandparents and cousins in the stands.
“It was my youth. Everything I did was for Glasgow Rangers. They have a big No. 1 fan here and what a treat to have them in front us.”
Tom Mason, 73, an equally faithful fan and also part of the local Rangers supporters’ group, then chimed in.
“And I had been doing all that, only about 20 years before he was born,” Mason said with a hearty laugh.
Banners from groups such as Perth Liverpool Loyal and the Vancouver supporters’ club hung on the rails.
