Rangers legends Mark Hateley and Ian Durrant were honoured to pay their respects to Mason Keilhauer, while in Belfast for a social engagement last week.
11-year-old Mason tragically passed away following a road traffic collision in the Shankill Road area of the city earlier this month.
On Monday 16 March, hundreds of people lined the streets of the Shankill to bid farewell to Mason, and to show support and solidarity to his loved ones, on what must have been a harrowing day for the family.
Local shops and businesses lowered their shutters to acknowledge and respect the cortege.
A floral tribute from Mason’s beloved Rangers FC adorned the white coffin, as the boy was laid to rest.
Mason Forever 11
Mark Hateley and Ian Durrant were visiting Belfast as part of a social engagement with Olive Street Loyal Rangers Supporters Club.
Prior to the event on Saturday 14 March, Mark and Ian were accompanied by members of the RSC as they visited the scene of Mason’s incident, with the adjacent wall covered in various tributes to the Belfast boy.
Rangers shirts, scarves, other football items, handwritten messages and a wall of flowers added a touch of colour and vibrancy to the solemn backdrop, in respect of a young life taken far too soon.
A Rangers-style graffiti mural bearing the slogan ‘Mason Forever 11’ was dedicated at the scene, adding to the tributes.
Further gestures of respect were made during the Shankill’s St. Patrick’s parade and from both sets of supporters during the League Cup Final between Linfield and Glentoran on the day before the funeral.
Request for minute’s applause for Mason Keilhauer
Speaking to Read Rangers, a member of Olive Street RSC said that, “In this situation, all you can do is rally round the family and support them.”
“Like the rest of the community, we wanted to pay our respects to Mason, and Mark Hateley and Ian Durrant were honoured to be asked, given the boy’s fondness for Rangers.”
Mark and Ian spoke to Mason’s father at the site, and beyond the obvious grief and difficulty of the overall situation, he was able to take some brief respite and enjoyment in the company of two of his Rangers heroes, recalling fond memories of their glory days at Ibrox during the ‘Nine in a Row’ era.
A request has been made for a round of applause to be dedicated to Mason on the 11th minute of the Rangers vs. Aberdeen SPFL Premiership match this Saturday.
Please spread the word and join in if you can.
To Mason’s family, loved ones, and friends, our thoughts are with you.
Mason Keilhauer – Forever 11.
