FLASHBACK: Sam English inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame

The former Old Firm star, who was born in Aghadowey on the outskirts of Coleraine, was one of three 2009 inductees, along with Harold Davis and Stefan Klos, who were recognised for the contributions they made during their spells at Ibrox.

Sam’s tally of 44 league goals in a single season (1931/32) is still an Ibrox record, but his achievements were overshadowed by a tragic accident in 1931 when he was involved in a clash with Celtic goalkeeper John Thompson, who suffered serious injuries to his skull, and died a few hours later.

Over eight decades after his stellar achievements, Sam’s name will appear on the Hall of Fame next to other Ibrox greats like Stuart McCall, Ali McCoist and Jorg Albertz.

English is one of only three Northern Irish footballers to appear in the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame was established back in 2000 by Ibrox Chairman, Sir David Murray, who wanted to honour the club’s most notable players.

What is so special about the Rangers Hall of Fame, is that the fans vote on who should be elected to this elite club.

Sandy Jardine, speaking on behalf of the Hall of Fame committee, told Times Sport: “Unfortunately Sam did not play for the club for a long time. He only played 82 games and scored something like 71 goals.

“He is the record goalscorer in one season for Rangers and because of that we’ve included him in the Hall of Fame.

“There’s no doubt that if he hadn’t been in the tragic accident with John Thomson, he would have stayed at Ibrox a lot longer. The unfortunate circumstances surrounding what happened led to his departure but we felt we had to recognise his achievement of scoring more goals than anyone in a season.”

In March 2008, Sam’s family returned to Aghadowey, where a plaque was unveiled to mark the player’s birthplace.

The plague marked the centenary celebrations, which also saw Rangers supporters present the club with a Sam English Bowl, which is presented to the highest goalscorer each season.

English signed for Liverpool in the summer of 1933 for a transfer fee of £8,000.

He began the season in fine form and had scored 16 goals by the half-way stage. However he played less regularly as the season progressed, but still scored a further four goals to finish the season with 20 goals in 31 league and cup appearances.

The following season saw English in and out of the team, and he could only score six goals in 19 games.

In 1935 the recently appointed Queen of the South manager George McLachlan took English back north to Scotland for a spell at the Dumfries based club.

The move was not a success and English was given a free transfer to Hartlepool United in July 1936.

He was to find that his reputation had preceded him, he often faced taunts regarding the death of Thomson, and he never fully recovered his playing form although managed 31 goals in 75 appearances for the north-east of England team.

Eventually he gave up football at the age of 28, and was quoted afterwards as describing his playing career after the Thomson accident as being “seven years of joyless sport”.