Old Firm Derby Ibrox 1963

Old Firm Derby Ibrox 1963 is a series of photographs by Gerry Cranham that focuses on the fans and match day atmosphere of Rangers v Celtic on January 1st 1963.

The match would finish Rangers 4-0 Celtic, Rangers going on to be crowned League Champions.

The limited edition A5 zine contains 30 black and white photographs across 40 pages.

Old Firm derby day showdowns with Celtic were as traditional as the centuries old Hogmanay celebrations that rang in another New Year.

The historic fixture was traditionally the most ferociously contested of the Old Firm clashes, and in the late 1990s it would be suspended due to the extent of the trouble between the notoriously passionate fanbases.

Cranham, a pioneer of sports photography, was on the terraces, soaking up the atmosphere as some in the the 55,000 crowd continued to soak up the alcohol as the New Year partying continued in and around Ibrox.

The beers, and regular nip of the hard stuff, were tucked away as often as the goals once Rangers began to wrap it up with a commanding second-half display and Celtic were in despair in what was describe as one of their worst performances of the season.

Regularly featured in Sports Illustrated, Time Magazine and every national newspaper, Cranham has deservedly been heralded as a “force and inspiration in the world of sports photography”.

He knew sport. And his pictures reflect his understanding of all elements of a game of the magnitude of a New Years Day Old Firm derby, which would end with him being chased down the road by an angry mob after they’d heard his English accent.