Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Hughie
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Hughie »

Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
December 31, 1942

Bobby Brown

Kilwinning Rangers, always with an eye to business for young talent, gave their followers a surprise one Saturday afternoon round about 1906 when they turned out a fair-headed boy at right-half. They possessed many prominent players at that time, but this fair-headed boy had all present guessing. Fifteen-year old and took up his position without any signs of nerves. No sooner had the game started when the spectators were calling "Come on Bobby" and a schoolboy 'star' was discovered. He was a member of "Buffs" Scottish Junior Cup winning team in 1908-09 and got his Junior cap in 1910. Senior managers and agents were keeping an eye on Bobby, but few knew where he would land. However, Rangers got his signature.

As a senior he was outstanding so much so that football was all the richer for his presence. He is now Mr Robert Brown, an official of the County Council of Ayrshire, and he is as popular as an official as he was a footballer. A few years ago he again appeared on Buffs' Park, but this time as a player in a game for charity. A keen bowler, he possesses that personality which makes him at all times a gentleman.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
March 26, 1943

Davy Fullarton

In Winton Rovers early days they had many prominent players and among them was Davy Fullarton, a right back who was one of the toughest players that ever wore the Rovers colours. Apart from being tough, he was a player above the average. But what was more important about Davy, he could play in any position in the defence. His ability was observed by the senior clubs in England, and while he had many offers he was not hastv in making a choice, but he did sign and play in England for many years. If we remember rightly it was Plymouth Argyle he played for. His brother Bill played for Queen's Park before going to England.

After his playing days were over, Davy went to Australia. He fought with the Australians in the 1914-18 war and then settled down in Ardrossan in a joiner's business with his late brother Jimmy. He was elected to Winton Rovers committee. For his old club he did valuable service and was appointed president of the Irvine and District Association in season 1923-24. He now takes no official part in football. but his connection with football was an asset to the game.
Penny Tray
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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According to Wikpedia, David Fullarton did play for Plymouth Argyle. His brother William, however, after playing for Vale of Leven, Queen's Park, Sunderland (1903-1905), and Nottingham Forest (1905-1906), actually managed Plymouth Argyle (1906-1907). Plymouth Argyle wanted him as a player but Nottingham Forest refused to release his registration.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
January 15, 1943

Johnny Blair

Most players love self-glory. but that cannot be said of Johnny Blair, who played for Saltcoats Vics. and Partick Thistle. He was an outside-right and came of a football family. His brother Campbell played for several Ayrshire clubs during his day, and a more honest.to-goodness player never pulled a football jersey over his head. Then his late brother Tommy, who was a back with Saltcoats Vics. was one of the toughest players that ever wore a Vics, jersey. Johnny was a fine player and on or off the field a gentleman.

After serving a term with the - Vics., Partick Thistle signed him on and I am sure Thistle never regretted doing so for they never had a player who was more sincere or keen to serve the club. When Partick beat Rangers in the final of the Scottish Cup it was Johnny Blair who scored the all-important goal. It was a great night for the Thistle and the players were being toasted and greeted by all. But the man that mattered most was Johnny, but instead of waiting for that self-glory he slipped away and made for the station where he joined the train for Saltcoats. He didn't want that honour nor the toasting, he just wanted home to his own quiet way of living, for he was a young man who lived a good life. Few players who scored the winning goal in such an important game would have acted as Johnny did, but as already state he doesn't believe in self glory, so he got out of it to his own way of living. He is quiet and sincere, but his progress as a player and a man didn't suffer thereby.
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brian f
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by brian f »

Hughie wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:48 am Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
January 15, 1943

Johnny Blair

Most players love self-glory. but that cannot be said of Johnny Blair, who played for Saltcoats Vics. and Partick Thistle. He was an outside-right and came of a football family. His brother Campbell played for several Ayrshire clubs during his day, and a more honest.to-goodness player never pulled a football jersey over his head. Then his late brother Tommy, who was a back with Saltcoats Vics. was one of the toughest players that ever wore a Vics, jersey. Johnny was a fine player and on or off the field a gentleman.

After serving a term with the - Vics., Partick Thistle signed him on and I am sure Thistle never regretted doing so for they never had a player who was more sincere or keen to serve the club. When Partick beat Rangers in the final of the Scottish Cup it was Johnny Blair who scored the all-important goal. It was a great night for the Thistle and the players were being toasted and greeted by all. But the man that mattered most was Johnny, but instead of waiting for that self-glory he slipped away and made for the station where he joined the train for Saltcoats. He didn't want that honour nor the toasting, he just wanted home to his own quiet way of living, for he was a young man who lived a good life. Few players who scored the winning goal in such an important game would have acted as Johnny did, but as already state he doesn't believe in self glory, so he got out of it to his own way of living. He is quiet and sincere, but his progress as a player and a man didn't suffer thereby.
What a fantastic read, Hughie. Johnny comes across as a pure gentleman.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

Post by Penny Tray »

Of course he was a "pure gentleman" - he was an Ardrossan man by birth :wink:

The letter to him in the attached link is interesting, particularly from the point of view that his Scottish Cup medal seems to have been sent to him through the post. Maybe it had been retained by the club after the match for the purpose of being engraved?

http://partickthistleahistory.wikifound ... John+Blair
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Nice find, Penny. Good to get such feedback, and acknowledgement from Brian too. :hi:
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Penny Tray wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:41 am Of course he was a "pure gentleman" - he was an Ardrossan man by birth :wink:
Penny Tray, I have learned to keep my mouth shut- After the Billy Gilmour ..fiasco :roll: :santa03:
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
April 14, 1944

Jimmy Wallace

Few club officials in Scotland if any have the record of Jimmy Wallace, Ardrossan. He was an official of Winton Rovers when the club was formed in 1899, then became a player and then once more an official. He was the Rovers first secretary and is still connected with the club.

Was along with several others appointed a member of the Stand Trust a position he still holds. For forty-five years he has been officially connected with Rovers, and while there were times he didn't take the interest he once did, but for all that remained an official. Has held many positions with Rovers since that day down at the harbour in a railway office when a few local lads decided to form a club and after playing as juveniles for two years became Juniors, and since then Rovers have come through many trials, but they had also their bright times meeting and beating the best in Scotland. So Jimmy can look back to that day in the railway once with pride as one of the leading lights who helped to form Winton Rovers.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
August 10, 1945

Bob Paton

It may be a far cry to 1908-09, but in that season Kilwinning Rangers made history, for they brought the Scottish Junior Cup to Kilwinning. At that time Kilwinning was a town of footballers, for men, women and children knew every trick of the game!

At that time, Bob Paton, a tall hefty back, played for the 'Buffs He possessed grand speed which allowed him to recover quickly and punted a good ball. Bob is as erect to-day as he was then and wears that medal won by the "Buffs" on that occasion. He is employed by the I.C.I. and resides in Saltcoats. He was also a favourite at Winton Park for he was a time with the Rovers in the days when players played the game for the love of it. Yes, it is grand to look back to the days when footballers sign for a club without waiting for a handful of pound notes or a job.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
July 13, 1945

Bobby Ferguson

It was once claimed that Irvine Meadow had the best field players and supporters in Ayrshire and most followers of the sport will allow that. They certainly had a fine field, but it is the players that count and they had many excellent examples. Among them was Bobby Ferguson, & player of outstanding ability. He could shoot, trick or show judgement that proved his touch of class.

Such players did much to uphold the prestige of the Meadow. From England we learned to talk of this, that or the other player having personality, well, Bobby had his full share of that; hence the reason for his popularity during his stay with the Meadow. He was not a moody player as is the case with many popular players and he was consistent right through the season and, what's more, always gave a good hour and a half's service to the club all the time. That, we think, sums up Bobb Ferguson.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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John Auld mention above is my Grandfather . He played for Irvine Meadow, Stevenston Utd and Stevenston Thistle . He the eldest of five brothers all played football . David, Andy, Richard, Willie and John. They all played for Ardeer Thistle at the same time for a one off to set a record at the time . Willie played for Scotland at Junior level . Andy played for the USA in the 1930 World Cup and was a professional footballer in the States . John and Richard were founder members of Stevenston United .
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