Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Talk about your sporting interests here - worldwide or local
Post Reply
User avatar
Hughie
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 11138
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:42 am
Location: Australia Formerly Ardrossan
Contact:

Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Hughie »

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
June 22, 1945

JOHN ANDERSON.

As a footballer, sprinter and golfer, John Anderson, son of the late Provost Anderson, Saltcoats, did well. As a footballer with Dundee and Ayr United he hit the high spots as a centre forward. As a sprinter he won many prizes at meetings in many parts of Scotland. His heavy build and speed was an asset to his position, and he had the guts which added greatly to his play.

He served his 'apprenticeship as an electrician, but joined the police force and has risen to the position of inspector with the Lanarkshire Police John was a popular player with Dundee and Ayr United for he was easy to make friends with and always listened to sound advice. While his golfing was quite good, he never reached the heights of the top liners, but could return a good card. He was better known at sports meetings and football grounds than on the golf course.

See an earlier topic discussing more up to date Local sporting figures
User avatar
Hughie
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 11138
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:42 am
Location: Australia Formerly Ardrossan
Contact:

Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Hughie »

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
April 21, 1944

John Mathieson

In season 1925-25 when Saltcoats Victoria won the Scottish Junior Cup they gave four centre halfs to senior football and one of them was John Mathieson, who played a big part in bringing this important cup to Saltcoats. John was picked up by Kilmarnock and gave that senior club faithful service. Strong built and full of running, the type of player that never gave up till the final whistle. One of the players that assisted Vics. to make history and one whose name will always be brought up when Vics. history is being re-told for the benefit of the young.

Every game, cup-tie or League, required an all-in effort for every club was out to lower the Vics. colours and on top of that about 330 competed for the Scottish Cup when Vics. won it, which proves the players were taxed to the full, but John could come out of all these hectic games with flying colours and although that is about nineteen years ago, he still retains that fitness which brought him football fame.
User avatar
Hughie
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 11138
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:42 am
Location: Australia Formerly Ardrossan
Contact:

Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Hughie »

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
Oct 26, 1945

R. W. Macaulay.

Few men have worked harder to popularise boxing in the district than has Mr R. W. Macaulay, Ardeer Recreation Club. He has brought some of the most noted boxers to Stevenston and his shows have always been well worth the money. He has been out of the district for some time due to business, but we learn he is now back and will soon organise some bouts at the Concert Hall and no doubt will bring there some of Scotland's best amateurs. Although he took no official part in the Recreation football club, we also learn he took a very active part in youth football in Dumfriesshire.

A really jolly type of sportsman and one who is an asset to the sport. A few years ago he brought Jacky Paterson, the world fly-weight champion, to Stevenston, while he did not box, he was present with his wife at a boxing show and gave a song over the mike. He has given much of his spare time to fostering boxing in the district and all his efforts have been successful.
User avatar
Hughie
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 11138
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:42 am
Location: Australia Formerly Ardrossan
Contact:

Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Hughie »

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
March 19, 1943

John Bannerman.

The most talked of player in Kilwinning for the past forty years has been John Bannerman, better known to the football public as "Jocky." As an inside left he was a bag of tricks and one of the cutest players that ever wore Kilwinning Rangers colours. He could draw a defence with fewer moves than any other player. His long passes opened out the play or he could hold the ball till he had drawn the defence away from the man he wanted to get possession, and this style of play made great players. When watch-chains were worn across the breast, "Jocky" had a row of medals across his breast that would make a young player envious.

No matter what town he visited to play, he was followed by crowds of young lads who wanted to look at the famous footballer. He was the type of player that could shoot and at the most unexpected moment, and he possessed a powerful shot. His name still lives although he is a long time out of the game, and the history of football in Kilwinning would not be complete without the name of "Jocky" Bannerman taking pride of place for he was a great player.
User avatar
Hughie
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 11138
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:42 am
Location: Australia Formerly Ardrossan
Contact:

Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Hughie »

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
April 5, 1944

Willie Farrell.

Each Ayrshire town had their famous footballer, Ardrossan (Johnny Goodwin); Saltcoats (John Marshall); Kilwinning (John Bannerman) and Irvine (Geordie Wilson). Stevenston have had many, but none more popular than Willie Farrell, the ever-popular inside forward of Ardeer Thistle and Stevenston United.This dark-haired sturdy built player could wade through a defence with more ease than any other player. He was the school boys hero and the spectators ideal footballer.

Willie was a good mixer and the harder the game the more he seemed to shine and it was a case of anyone could make mistakes, but if Farrell did so it was terrible, for the sighs of the Stevenston spectators could be heard at the cross. His style of play brought thrills into a game and he always seemed to be in the mixture either in attack or defence. He took part in many thrillers games that made football history in Stevenston, and although it is now many years since he put past his shooting boots, his name is still recalled, for the name of Willie Farrell will remain fresh in the memory of all who saw him play.
User avatar
brian f
Mega Heid Poster
Mega Heid Poster
Posts: 3606
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:25 pm

Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by brian f »

Hughie wrote: Wed Jun 24, 2020 11:54 am Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
Oct 26, 1945

R. W. Macaulay.
R. W. Macaulay- Well done! A Man of All Seasons
User avatar
Hughie
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 11138
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:42 am
Location: Australia Formerly Ardrossan
Contact:

Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Hughie »

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
October 5, 1943

Bertie Miller.

Many fine footballers first saw the light of day in Irvine, and this town can claim to have produced some of the finest seniors and juniors in Scotland whose names will live for ever. Bertie Miller, while never making the senior grade, proved to be one of the best all-round juniors in Ayrshire. A player of many clubs and positions. But no matter what position Bertie was called on to fill he filled it with credit to himself and the club.

Full of energy and keenness, was known throughout Ayrshire good with head and feet-- could give and take. His method of turning from defence to attack was often commented on. He took part in many games that will be talked about where ever football is played. No matter what club he played for they could rely on his wholehearted support and although a times he was not popular with the opposition, that was due to his eagerness for the success of his club. Now a spectator residing in Stevenston but Irvine is his home town where he learned to play football and use the boxing gloves.
User avatar
Hughie
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 11138
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:42 am
Location: Australia Formerly Ardrossan
Contact:

Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Hughie »

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
January 4, 1946

Hamilton McInally

Now demobbed from the Navy, Ayrshire's famous amateur golfer, Hamilton McInally, will get back to his best form to prove that Ayrshire is still up to the first-class standard as golfers. It is many years since we possessed such a prominent player. A good-natured big man who takes things with that coolness which surprises all his opponents, but that coolness conveys confidence and Hamilton McInally has it.

We are sure that he will regain that form which brought the Scottish Amateur Golfing Championship to Ayrshire. His many friends are watching every stroke he makes to make sure he has found that touch which matters. When observed walking about the street he would be taken for a policeman or a cruiser-weight boxer by his build, but by his facial appearance you find the real sportsman he is.

See Ardeer Golf Club History
User avatar
Hughie
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 11138
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:42 am
Location: Australia Formerly Ardrossan
Contact:

Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Hughie »

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
May 7, 1944

James Allison

The first man to hold the centre-half position for Winton Rovers when they were formed in 1899 was James Allison. He is included in the first photograph taken of Winton Rovers in 1899 at the back of Wintón School when it was being erected and he has, we learn, still that photograph in his possession: the only one in the town. Jimmy has still that erect bulld which many of the older followers knew when he wore the Rovers colours. Also, his memory is fresh in recalling the early days of this club formed by a few young men gathered together in a railway office at the harbour.

Although his weight and height were a great asset, he didn't require to rely on that for he was a player above the everage, with a personality an his own which made him one of the most popular during his playing days. For business reasons it was not possible for Jimmy to give attention to the game as others did, but even so, he was one of the few who gave Winton Rovers a flying start forty-five years ago for the club to become ambassadors of sport in Ardrossan.

See an earlier topic discussing more up to date Local sporting figures
User avatar
Hughie
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 11138
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:42 am
Location: Australia Formerly Ardrossan
Contact:

Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Hughie »

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
December 25, 1942

Bobby Beattie

A little lad wearing a blue and white jersey, the colours of Kilwinning Rangers, walked on told Abbey Park, Kilwinning, when only sixteen years old. Many were doubtful of the lad making the grade, but the boy had the confidence and ability so went bang into the limelight. As a schoolboy he played with Stevenston Higher Grade, and many will still remember the cry "Pass it to Beattie." At that time he was small, tricky and the big" chief of the Higher Grade, and it was with this team he won his first medal. After playing for Stevenston YMCA and Ardeer Mission he signed for the Buffs and while with the Abbey Park team he was elected to play for Junior Scotland against Wales before he was seventeen years of age.

Rangers were keeping a close eye on Bobby and it was the general opinion that he would sign for the Ibrox team. But at the unexpected moment Hugh Spence appeared on the scene and signed him for Kilmarnock. After a term at Rugby Park, Preston North End came along with an offer and Beattie signed for the English club, with whom he gained other honours. This sturdy little Stevenston lad had a fine personality which made him a favourite no matter where he went. He is now serving with the R.A.F., and but for the war he would have reached higher fame.
User avatar
Hughie
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 11138
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:42 am
Location: Australia Formerly Ardrossan
Contact:

Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Hughie »

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
June 15, 1945

Andrew C. Currie

As a bowler, few have attained the standard of play as has A. C. Currie, for he has been one of Ardrossan's main bowlers for many years. Few could understand why Andrew's bowls could do what theirs could not do. Next they made out that he played with "straight" bowls, but after all bowls were attested under the Association, Andrew was still winning and in fact playing better than ever.

This proved that it was not the bowls but the man who threw them that mattered. He not only proved this on his own club green but on several greens. He also went to Glasgow and won a special prize open to Scotland. And still he plays with that confidence which brings prizes year after year. "Pot hinting" is what some call a successful bowler, but it is generally those who are not good enough to win trophies who invent such stories
Andrew has proved the most outstanding bowler on Ardrossan green for many years and must have won more prizes than any other member. Surely that proves ability and if his personality is not to the liking of some that does not alter the fact that he is a grand bowler.
exile
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 2:09 pm

Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by exile »

Hughie wrote: Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:10 am Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
June 15, 1945

Andrew C. Currie

...and if his personality is not to the liking of some that does not alter the fact that he is a grand bowler.
Praising with faint damns?
Post Reply