Rangers Tankard Set To Be Toast Of Sporting Auction

The cup, which commemorates Rangers visit to Stoke-on-Trent to face Stoke City in aid of The Holditch Colliery Disaster Relief Fund, could fetch £2,000 when it goes under the hammer at McTear’s on 18 January. 

The auction will also include a programme from the game, which also has an estimate of £1,000 to £2,000.

The disaster at Holditch on 2^nd July 1937 claimed the lives of 30 miners with a further eight serious injuries. When Stoke invited the Scottish champions to play in a benefit match, Rangers manager Bill Struth immediately agreed, with the match raising a total of £2,00 for the disaster relief fund. 

30,000 Rangers fans travelled to Stoke in October 1937 to watch the match. Although it ended in a goalless draw, records show that it was an entertaining game. 

Commenting on the auction, James Bruce from McTear’s said: “This was a particularly poignant match for both teams, with fans coming out if force to raise funds for the disaster relief fund.  

“After the game the Stoke chairman gifted Rangers an important commemorative vessel known as a Loving Cup, which continues to be used in a special ceremony at Ibrox stadium prior to the first home match of each New Year to toast the reigning monarch.  The cup and an identical replica of the tankard going to auction, feature prominently in the Ibrox Trophy Room.”

The waisted Fielding's Crown Devon ceramic tankard includes a tavern scene, the words to Auld Lang Syne and the inscription ‘From an old Stoke player A.R. Fielding’.  It is believed the latter refers to Arthur Ross Fielding who played for Stoke City between 1901-07.

The tankard will feature in The Beautiful Game – Sporting Medals, Jerseys & Rarities at McTear’s on Thursday 18 January.  In addition to the Stoke memorabilia, the 95 lot auction will feature a selection of rare sporting memorabilia including medals, match worn jerseys, programmes and international caps amongst other items.