A former Rangers scout has generously gifted a handmade miniature ‘Rangers village’ to a schoolboy who was left scarred for life in a vicious XL Bully attack. Robert Fairley, 79, who spent a decade as a talent spotter for the club, bringing players like Ian Durrant, Gordon Dalziel, and Billy Davies to Ibrox in the late 1970s and 80s, created the village. Working under iconic managers Jock Wallace and John Greig, Fairley also led the Glasgow youth team, Eastercraigs AFC, which produced football stars like Willie Miller and Tommy Burns.
The miniature ‘Rangers village’ includes a street named ‘Ibrox Avenue’ with Rangers-themed hotels and flats, inspired by Fairley’s cherished memories of his time at the club. After reading about Teddy Kerr, the young boy who was attacked by an XL Bully, Fairley decided to gift the village to him, hoping to bring a smile to Teddy’s face. Teddy, who required over 100 stitches following the brutal attack, was left in awe by the thoughtful gesture.
Robert Fairley, who also handed over an official Ibrox sheet signed by club legends, expressed his admiration for Teddy’s bravery. Teddy’s grandmother, Marion, was deeply touched by the gift and the support received from strangers. The village, described as amazing, will be framed alongside the autographs to create a cherished memento for Teddy.
Marion shared that Teddy was amazed to learn about Fairley’s connection to Rangers and is looking forward to meeting him in the future. The act of kindness from Fairley not only brought joy to Teddy but also highlighted the power of compassion and generosity in the face of adversity. Fairley’s gesture serves as a reminder of the impact small acts of kindness can have in brightening someone’s day and offering hope in challenging times.