You can often run out of superlatives for the Rangers fanbase but Saturday’s Legends game at Bury’s famous Gigg Lane reaffirmed just how special they truly are.

The annual Lee Rigby Memorial Cup made its way north for the first time on the tenth anniversary of the Fusilier’s tragic passing with a Rangers Legends team taking on a North West select.

Thanks to the hard work of organiser Gary Nicholl from Blueheart 1872, both sides boasted a stellar cast.

Nikica Jelavic, Sergio Porrini, Sasa Papac, Marco Negri, Nigel Spackman, Neil Murray, Maurice Ross, Tom Cowan, Roy Carroll and Alex Rae dusted off the boots with Matt Le Tissier and Paul Merson also donning the famous blue jersey while Mark Hateley was managing from the dugout.

The Light Blues’ opponents consisted of a few well-known faces themselves including Bury favourite and current Preston boss Ryan Lowe, former Rangers loanee Phil Bardsley, Bolton hero David Lee, Everton legend Peter Reid as well as former world champion boxer Liam Smith.

After an impeccably-observed minutes’ silence and chants of ‘There’s only one Lee Rigby’ from those in the stands, it was time for kick-off with members of Lee's family getting the game underway.

Bathed in glorious sunshine, the Rangers XI were blown away but the fans who turned out in their numbers did get to cheer a Merson goal while the sight of the late Andy Goram’s son, Danny, replacing Roy Carroll between the sticks was a lovely moment.

The real winners of the day, however, was the Lee Rigby Foundation with more than £41,000 raised to help bereaved military families. Speaking afterwards, Lee’s stepfather Ian beamed with pride at the generosity of the Rangers support.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic,” he enthused. “It’s the biggest event we’ve done in seven, eight, nine years. We’ve always done these games in Portsmouth, it’s the first time in Bury and the response has been absolutely fantastic.

“Rangers fans came in their thousands. They’ve had a great day, even though we lost.

“Everywhere we go the Rangers fans follow us. They support us incredibly and have done so every year for the last six or seven years. They come to Portsmouth and when we go to Glasgow they follow us, it’s been absolutely brilliant.

“We provide caravans for veterans’ families and today we’ll have done enough to supply the next caravan, we’ve done that well. It’s all thanks to the Rangers fans, your support has been absolutely incredible.”

We all know just how unique the Ibrox faithful are but to hear it from those with no direct affinity with the football club and just how impactful they can be is heartwarming.

On a personal level, as well as getting the opportunity to chat to heroes from days gone by, it was a pleasure to converse with several subscribers of the Rangers Review. To each and every one of you, thank you for your support and kind words, it means a great deal.

A special mention too must go to Bury Football Club. Having covered the financial collapse and demise of the Shakers it’s encouraging to see them slowly but surely getting back on their feet. Gigg Lane is the heartbeat of the community and I was fortunate to feel that overwhelming sense of community spirit on Saturday.

Rangers Review: The Rangers Legends and North West Superstars pose for a photograph The Rangers Legends and North West Superstars pose for a photograph (Image: Barkley Costello)

They are part of the fabric of English football and, like Rangers not so long ago, they have shown they are not merely a football club but a way of life.

The words of stadium manager Jamie Murray spoke of a close bond with the Ibrox club and, again, highlighted the huge impact the fanbase can have on those not directly affiliated with the team from Govan.

“When we were asked to get involved by Gary from Blueheart 1872, it was a no-brainer for us,” he said. “The Fusiliers are from Bury, Lee was a local lad and we’ve got a lot of links in the town to Rangers. We’ve got some supporters clubs down here so when we got asked to get involved in the tenth-anniversary game, it was a no-brainer.

“We’ve loved every minute of organising it and hopefully we can do it again next year and the year after and continue to raise money for a great cause and keep Lee’s memory alive.”

If Saturday is anything to go by then the fixture will be one to look forward to for many years to come.