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Big Eck does Dubai.
After a traumatic farewell to the faithful at Ibrox on the final Sunday of the season Alex and his wife Jill escaped to the warm sanctuary of Dubai as guests of the Dubai Loyal.
Wednesday 10 – Arrive Dubai at midnight and are met by Grant Douglas and taken to their 5 star hotel.
Thursday 11 May – Time in the day to chill by the pool in the 40 degree heat of Dubai.
Picked up by George Wilson and taken to a “Thanks for the Memories” dinner where Alex as guest of honour does a Q&A for the Bears and their partners from Dubai, Bahrain and all points East.
Friday 12 May – Alex presents Player of the Year awards to the two local teams affiliated to the Dubai Loyal at an event organized by Norrie MacDonald President of the club.
Then it was onto Biggles Bar to catch up with the ladies and the kids.
Alex was there for hours signing shirts and caps and it exhausted our stocks of goods with queues lining up to buy something from Mike Smith that they could get Alex to sign.
He was a star, in particular with the kids.
Saturday 13 May – A day off for the McLeish’s and after some shopping they watch the FA cup final at the golf club.
Sunday 14 May – Jill hits more shops with the ladies while Alex joins George Wilson, Paul marks and Mike Smith for a round of golf at the Emirates Club.
Alex had not played in two years but after shaking off the cobwebs and gaining local knowledge from the lads it was game on.
In the evening Alex & Jill joined the committee of Norrie, Grant, Mike and George with their partners for a farewell meal at The Jumeriah Beach Hotel and where the committee presented them with a memento of their trip to Dubai.
Mike & Dianne then hosted all till the wee small hours for more football chat.
Monday 15 May – Final day for the pool and shopping and an early start on the Tuesday for the 0730 to Glasgow.
Alex & Jill were fantastic with everyone they met and Alex given the circumstances was very professional and dignified and a credit to Rangers Football Club.
It was an honour for the Dubai Loyal to host the manager of Rangers Football Club and to say thanks for the memories.
There is no doubt Alex will end up back in football and we are sure he will always remember his time in Dubai.
We will never forget his visit and wherever he ends up he will always be welcome back to visit the Dubai Loyal.
(Please see photo gallery),
George Wilson
Regards,
George
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