Rangers women win equal rights

Moira Clarke and Ann Powell fought for equality at the club

Two women who took on a football supporters club have forced it to change the rules to give them equal membership rights.

The victors say it is the dawn of a new era at Glasgow Rangers Supporters Club at Corby, Northamptonshire.

With many people from across the UK encouraged to come to Corby in the sixties and seventies, many inhabitants have Scottish roots.

But until now, women at the club have been seen but not heard.

Moira Clarke decided it was time that changed.

"We had no vote. We couldn't put things forward. We couldn't put things on the agenda.

"We have been going to the club for 30 years but a man could come in, be a member for a week, and have every say in the matter."

So she and her friends went on the attack, forcing members to vote on whether women should have full membership rights.

The final score, following their team's 6-1 win against Dunfermline at the weekend, was 36 to 11 in favour.

Fantastic week

Fellow campaigner Ann Powell said it had been a fantastic week all round.

"We won the league on Sunday then we got the vote within the Rangers club.

"Women definitely can make a difference in there. There is a place for us and I believe we can make some changes."

Fellow supporters' club member Tom Riley said: "We should have moved forward a millennium and we didn't."