Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches

by David Drummond Bone

J. Marshall (3rd L.R.V.).

For two seasons, at any rate, and, I think, I might almost say three, Mr. Marshall has maintained the honoured position of being about the best right wing forward on any field. Gifted with an amount of speed, which he uses to the best advantage, combined with rare dribbling powers, he is the pride of the 3rd L.R.V. forward division, and no man is more missed from a match. In connection with the last observation, the Volunteers had to play the Rangers in the third round of the Glasgow Cup without Mr. Marshall, and at the committee meeting before the contest, when this became known, it was like a funeral lodge of Freemasons—nobody cared to speak except the R.W.M. and M.C. Mr. Marshall and Mr. Robertson (Dumbarton) were the right wing forwards on the occasion, and several brilliant runs were made from their side. At the present time he is about the best at middling the ball in front of goal of any player going, and is one of those forwards who never seem to get into a fagged state near the close of a match.

W. Robertson (Dumbarton).

Some players are fortunate in easily securing their positions among crack teams, while others have to struggle on before their genuine ability is properly recognised. Long ago, ability in selecting a team went for very little, and positions, like kissing, by favour. Mr. Robertson, however, received no favour from any combination, and was selected on his merits. In that same season, I am almost positive, I saw him play in brilliant form in the Final cup tie, when the Hibernian overcame the Dumbarton on Hampden Park by two goals to one, and several of the other matches about the same time. He was a very fine backer up, possessing first-rate dribbling powers, and although a little shy in meeting his opponent when he saw a charge inevitable, rather preferring to use stratagem, was by no means afraid to go into the heart of a scrimmage and face up to much heavier men than himself. This was Mr. Robertson's first game against England, and he has no reason to be ashamed of the way in which he helped Scotland to obtain victory. On the Monday following this match he played against Wales at Wrexham.

J. Allan (Queen's Park).

When Mr. Allan made his appearance in the first match of any consequence for the Queen's Park, he did so well that both club companions, opponents, and spectators were completely astonished at his beautiful dribbling and speed. In Ayrshire, when he played for the Monkcastle Club, he was looked upon as a very fair young forward, but a few practice games on Hampden Park seems to have had a remarkable effect on him, and in one short season he was such a good man that International honours were given him at once. In this tussle, which was one of the most trying of the meetings between Scotland and England, Allan played a grand game, and scored the third and winning goal for his country. The run that resulted in the score was started by Mr. Marshall, and was one of the finest ever seen in any contest. In a football sense, however, to use a simile, Mr. Allan was like Octavian's prosperous star, but with this difference, he vanished from the scene as quickly as he came, so far as first-class matches were concerned, and only re-appeared on Ibrox Park recently against the 3rd L.R.V. and his old club, Queen's Park.

Glasgow Charity Cup Final Tie of 1888.

The Renton Eleven are to-day in the proud position of winning the Glasgow Charity Cup four times in succession—from 1886 down to season 1888-89, and even now the holders of that handsome trophy. In these finals they polished off the Vale of Leven in 1886 by three to one; next season the same club by one to none; in 1888 (the year which I have singled out for review) vanquished the Cambuslang by four to none: and last spring overcame the Queen's Park by three goals to one. In 1888 the Renton men held both cups, and what was of more account, won them by long odds against precisely the same opponents, viz., Cambuslang. In the final for the Association Challenge Cup the victory was one of six goals to one, and in the Glasgow Charity Cup four to none. This was, indeed, the largest score made in the former, and was equal in the latter to that made in 1877 (the first year of the competition) by the Queen's Park, when they defeated the Rangers. Cambuslang, however, were at this time a power in the land, and had previously carried off the Glasgow Challenge trophy in its first season. In addition to this, they are also credited with the record of fast scoring—having taken four goals from the Queen's Park in the last ten minutes of the fifth round of the Scottish Challenge Cup in 1886, but as the Queen's Park had five points on previously, they saved the game by one goal. The event of which I have presently to deal came off on Hampden Park on the 12th May, 1888, and ended in favour of the Renton, as has already been indicated, by four to none. The Cambuslang men played well at the start, and a close match was expected. Through some cause or other, however, they fell away considerably as the game advanced, and J. Campbell scored the first goal for Renton, and this was soon followed by a second from the foot of J. M'Call, the record at half-time being two goals to none in favour of the crack Dumbartonshire club. The second round, strange to say, was also well contested at the outset, but the grand forward combination of the Renton told the tale of defeat to the Cambuslang men, and other two goals were added. As none of the Cambuslang team have previously come under my pen, I give them first, and will include three of Renton who have not been noticed.

Mr. Dunn.

More genuine progress has been made in goalkeeping among the Scottish Association clubs during the last decade than the average spectator cares to admit, but it is nevertheless a fact. Mr. Dunn played in most of the best matches of that year, and while he did very creditably in some of the ties, had the misfortune to lose four goals in this contest. The Renton forwards, however, were too smart for the bulk of the Cambuslang backs, and woe betide a goalkeeper when he is not properly supported there! Mr. Dunn had a lively time of it in the contest, and saved some splendid shies from taking effect.