Our captain who was always there to help me
ACE AS CLUB MOURN DEATH OF LEGEND
A CLASS player, a class act and a magnificent captain of both Rangers and Scotland. Willie Henderson wouldn’t throw accolades around for anybody but the legendary Ibrox winger makes an exception for Eric Caldow, who has passed away at the age of 84. Henderson was just a teenager when he signed up at Ibrox in 1960 where Caldow was one of the most respected figures. Three years later they were Scotland team-mates on the fateful day Caldow had his leg broken in three places – an injury that curtailed the career of one of the country’s greatest players. Caldow’s passing ends the last link between the Bill Struth and Scot Symon eras at Rangers and Henderson insists he had no equal in the Scottish game. Henderson said: “He was the best left-back I played with in my career. What a player and what a nice man he was too. “He was a class player and a class act. He could play either side so that also indicates his ability.” Caldow won 10 major honours at Ibrox and was Rangers skipper in the 1961 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final while also earning 40 caps for Scotland, captaining the nation 14 times. He was in the championshipwinning sides of 1955-56, 1956-57 and 1958-59, when he famously scored a penalty winner in BY LINDSAY HERRON the Ne’er Day derby against Celtic. Two more titles came in 1960-61 and 1962-63 and he won the Scottish Cup in 1959-60 and 1961-62 with League Cup successes in 1960-61, 1961-62 and 1964-65.
Henderson said: “I was a young boy when I came into the team and Eric was the captain.
Caldow had only missed two Scotland matches in six years when his leg was shattered in a challenge by Spurs ace Bobby Smith on April 6, 1963 when the Scots beat England 2-1.
Henderson said: “It shortened his career, without question.
“It was my first game at Wembley and Scotland were superb that day – especially Jim Baxter who scored the two goals.
“But the victory was undoubtedly overshadowed by the injury to Eric. It was a terrible challenge and we could all see how bad it was.”
Caldow only played three matches the following season and while he enjoyed a leading role in 1964-65, he made just two appearances in 1965-66.
He played one season with Stirling then moved to England where he ran Corby Town for two years.
He returned to Ayrshire in 1970 to boss junior side Hurlford and his successes there led him to becoming manager of Stranraer.
Always immaculate and engaging, Caldow, who made 407 appearances and scored 25 goals, recently worked in Rangers’ hospitality department.
Henderson said: “That early 60s team remains one of Rangers’ greatest and Eric was a key part of it.”