Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Hughie
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
July 7, 1944

Johnny Campbell

Some years ago a young lad serving his apprenticeship in a chemist's shop was playing as a juvenile footballer when Dalry Thistle signed him that lad was Johnny Campbell, from Caledonia Road, Stevenston. He developed into a strong out side-right with a shot equal to any in the shire. Then the seniors came nosing around and Leicester City got in first to sign this young flyer.

It wasn't long till he got his chance in first-class English football, and he went bang into the limelight. He made goals scoring look easy and his speed had left-backs wondering who he was. After a time Johnny was transferred to Lincoln City and with this club he played outside-right or centre-forward. All the time he was playing football, he continued with his classes as a chemist, and won through. Now he is a fully fledged chemist at which he works in Lincoln. He was one of the successful footballers who left the district, for he was careful and his bankIng account, we learn, was all the better of his good judgment. A fine lad and one who made good.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
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Hughie
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
July 14, 1944

Bob Graham

Over twenty years ago, Kiiwinning Rangers had a right back named Robert Graham, who was a local lad big and strong. He played so well that seniors visited most games he took part in, till one day Luton Town came on the scene and signed him. Other agents were just too slow in making up their mind. However. Bob went to Luton and did well for many seasons.

His keenness combined with his height and weight made him able to tackle the best that came up against him. His career was a successful one, and after his playing days were over he returned t his native town where he still resides but takes no official part in the game. Very popular during his playing days, and just another Kilwinning man who hit the high spots in football.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
August 25, 1944

Tom McKillop

Dreghorn Juniors have had many fine players and among them Tom McKillop, who went to Rangers and was a regular member of the Light Blues eleven for years. He was observed playing for Dreghorn when a laddie at right-half. He took the eye of Rangers and was taken to Ibrox, where he made the grade.

McKillop became a favourite at Ibrox and just as he was striking his best form the calling-up took place all over the country. So Tom jolned the navy where he is still serving and between times gets a game or two. He played while serving in Ayrshire. Being young he will be in the best of trim when the war is over, for a type of player like McKillop is an asset to the game. He is married to a Miss Dempster. sister of Morton Dempster, of Hamilton, and while on leave he resides in Stevenston. He is one of the many players Dreghorn brought to light and one who made the grade quickly.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
November 24, 1944

Micky Barr

There is not a player, official or spectator of Saltcoats Vics. who can look back twenty years, but likes to recall the ability of that player with the dazzling feet, Micky Barr. He just played tricks with the ball and his opponents. A dull game of no interest could be turned by this player with the fairy feet into a game of thrills and laughter, for he did so many unusual things and made his opponents feel and look so silly by his moves.

Micky made the 90 minutes a real pleasure as he danced about as if he was not caring one rap who won, then at the most unexpected moment he would waltz through the defence to score an unexpected goal. His tricks will long be remembered by all football fans in Ayrshire, for apart from his ability he was a personality that old and young knew, and he could claim to have brought many to a Vics. game just to watch his antics. He was a player who got most attention from friend and foe.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
November 3, 1944

John Devlin

For a number of years Kilwinning Eglinton had their one representative in the Western League, John Devlin. He was known to all club officials in Ayrshire and he took part in many important debates. He was Eglinton first all the time and played his part in giving the League a right good send-off when it was in its early days.

At that time the rivalry between the Rangers and Eglinton was at its height and to witness a clash between both clubs was always an interesting affair. John Devlin was one of the late Tom Brown's right hand men, and how they kept the Eglinton going was one of the football mysteries.

We learn that John has a son now playing with Kilwinning Eglinton Select, a juvenile combine which has come to the front, and John takes a keen interest in the boys although he takes no official part. When the history of the Western League is written, John Devlin will take his place among the many who worked to keep Ayrshire football to the forefront.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
March 30,1945

David Strain

Among the many who have left a fine impression in Irvine is Davy Strain, who a back with the "Dow" one who possessed fine judgment and a cool head. He was the type of back we seldom see now, for he didn't clear his lines any old how with brute force. He placed every ball to advantage, the type of clearance that turns defensive play into attack. He never balooned his kick, it was always a kick with. a touch of Alex. McNair about it and that is why Davy Strain always paid his way. His judgment and positional play found him in the right spot at the right time, and here again this art is dying out with our present day footballers.

Meadow can look back on many fine players and no doubt Davy Strain will always be remembered as one who tried to leave a standard of play behind him that was a credit not only to himself but to football in general. His many tussels will long be remembered against noted wingers.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
March 23,1945

Hugh Clotworthy

Left-half Ardeer Recreation, who is still laid aside through that fracture to the leg he received some months ago, is a Kilwinning lad who first played as a junior with Kilwinning Rangers, he played so well that he received a Junior international cap and was signed by Lincoln City.

After a short term in England he came back to Kilwinning. He was reinstated and signed for Ardeer Recreation and up to the time he got injured was one of the most consistent players in Ayrshire.

Hard type of player with little polish but out to win all the time. He could turn an attack out of danger in a few moves, and it is interesting to note he seldom has a hefty kick, it is always well placed ball that leaves his boot

Both in defence and attack Hughie is a valuable player, can take a pop at goal with the best of them, difficult to put off the ball when in possession due to his command and weight. But it is his judgment that counts most, for seldom does a ball leave his foot which does not reach it object, and that is where the value of a player is judged.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
March 8, 1945

Joe Berryman

Many will still remember that whole-hearted player, Joe Berryman, when he played back for Saltcoats Vics. He gave some fine displays and it didn't matter whether the ball was on the ground or in the air, Joe could master the situation. But he was at his best when under pressure and always had a fine understanding with his 'keeper.

Before coming to Saltcoats when he partnered his brother Willie they were the best partnership in Ayrshire. Tall quiet sort of player who never required to use foul means to master an opponent, for his judgment was so sound that he always gave a show against the best of wingers.

Joe was a popular player at old Victoria Park when Vics. had a following second to none in Ayrshire. But the name Berryman will always be a football name in Ayrshire, for all the clubs that the brothers of that name played for agree that they were club men all the time.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
January 12, 1945

Archie (Baldy) McLaughlin

It is seldom football is talked about in Kilwinning without the name of McLaughlin being mentioned. It is one of the most common names in the masonic town. Baldy when trainer of Kilwinning Rangers did much to put a winning team on the field. He was known to old and young as “Big Baldy" and he had the confidence of the players. He knew his job and better still he knew his players, which means ever so much to a man in the position.

He was with the Buffs when they had their good days also in their bad days, but Archie stood by them all the time. He may be back at his post when the Buffs restart, but that may be some time yet and when they do start it might be by a younger crowd and the older men will take a back seat. However, the McLaughlin's have played their part.

Wondering if there was a connection here to my Kilwinning McCallum & Boyd ancestors.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
December 29, 1944

Ralph Higgins

It seems a long time to look back to the time Ralph Higgins played for Saltcoats Vics. as a left back, but good players are more easy to recall than the players who didn't make the grade. Ralph also had a term with Winton Rovers, but it was his stay at Victoria Park that he was at his best. Fine tackler and clean kicker, played either in defence or attack with fine judgment. His cute moves saved him lots of running, which is one of the secrets of a good back.

His positional play was also carefully developed and his understanding with his 'keeper could always be considered perfect. It is true he got no further than the junior ranks but a good seasoned junior is always of more value to a junior than a "come-back" and that was the case with Ralph. He took part in many hectic struggles and his coolness in such games proved of great value to his club and himself.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
December 17, 1943

John Orr

Few if any goalkeepers in Kilwinning were as much in the public eye as "Gun" Orr, of Kilwinning Eglinton. True, he played with several clubs including Luton Town, but it was while with Eglinton he was best known. You could see and hear him, for he was always shouting words of advice to his mates. Also, he Was the centre figure in many incidents including the one in the Ayrshire Consolation Cup final when playing for Kilbirnie Ladeside against Winton Rovers at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock. But for all that he was a clever keeper and one that would have gone far in the game, if he had taken it up more seriously.

He was the type of player that knew everybody no matter where he where he was playing, and better still he had a cheery word for all. John ("Gun") Orr, was certainly a well-known player. He was a miner and just as tough as miners can be, but when on his game he put the shutters up and when on this form it was to his delight to have a few hundred kids behind the goal watching him.
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