The dream comes true for Rangers fans group the Sons of Struth as they launch new football academy

The group rose to prominence during the boardroom battle at Ibrox as the fans in the stands found their voice and finally saw change at the top of the Marble Staircase.

Now, they have a new focus, a new objective as they look to give kids a chance to take their first steps in the beautiful game.

Based at Tinto Park, the home of Junior outfit Benburb, the Sons of Struth Academy will provide coaching and enter teams in leagues at several age groups as they attempt to harness the stature they have built in recent years to play their part at grassroots level.

And Craig Houston of the SoS hopes the latest venture will prove another worthwhile one as momentum has quickly gathered around the project.

“A lot of the Sons of Struth events were protests and boycotts and all that kind of stuff so we wanted to do something different,” Houston told SportTimes.

“We said that once things had calmed down at Rangers we would start a football team.

“We thought at that time it would probably be one team but it has grown arms and legs and we have got a lot of things we would like to do going forward.

Craig Houston

“Having had the protests over the last few years, it is changed days at Rangers now.

“We are going to Ibrox and seeing free-flowing football and we don’t have to worry about what is going on in the boardroom.

“Now it is great that we are able to do something different and positive and put something into youth football.

“There are a lot of positive things we can do now thanks to the exposure the Sons of Struth got when we were doing, if you like, negative things. The fruits of our labour are coming to fruition and it is great.”

The SoS Academy has already received the backing of three former Ibrox stars after Michael Mols, John MacDonald and Marco Negri agreed to become ambassadors for the project.

An open evening at Tinto Park at 6pm tomorrow night will be the official launch of the Academy as children and parents get a chance to see the SoS blue print.

The first sessions and fixtures will be for kids born in 2004, 2005 and 2006 but Houston is keen to provide as many opportunities as possible for budding players of all ages.

He said: “So far we have had three former Rangers players offer up their services as ambassadors to the Academy and the response has been so encouraging.

“Everyone that will coach will have a certification or will be booked on a course. We are also keen to educate the coaches and that will be part of what we want to do.

Michael Mols

“We are very open as to where we will coach and what leagues we will enter.

“I would imagine most of the kids will be Glasgow based, but if we have enough kids from Lanarkshire or Renfrewshire, for example, that come to the open event and want to be involved, and we have coaches that can take a team in that area, then we will do so.

“Rangers have been kind enough, after a meeting at Murray Park, to offer up some of their coaches and equipment to help get the ball rolling, which is hugely appreciated.”

The money required to get the Academy up and running has come through the sale of merchandise as the Light Blue legions have bought into the project, but the work of volunteers has, and will continue to be, crucial for the group.

And Houston is grateful for the efforts of those who have helped the Sons of Struth get to this stage, and who will continue to play their part in the coming weeks, months and years.

He said: “We have had a great response from people who want to coach or help in terms of fundraising or administration roles.

“A few months ago, we opened a Rangers Lotto agency and our commission goes back into the Academy.

Murray Park

“The Rangers Lotto money goes into the youth department at Murray Park so anyone who is a Lotto player through the Sons of Struth actually helps youth football twice.

“I am really grateful to everyone who has helped so far and excited at the project as we look to go from strength to strength. For more details, visit www.sonsofstruth.co.uk."