The Nearly Men

May 2nd: The Nearly Men

It's a thin line between success and failure. The weekend’s events in the Scottish First division where Gretna stole back the title and promotion to the SPL from St. Johnstone with the last kick of the ball was real drama. Hopes and dreams shattered for some, ecstasy for others. It was the same last night, with Chelsea blowing it on pens against Liverpool. It’ll be similar story tonight for either Man Utd or A.C. Milan. But I think Fergies the dogs, so come on Man U.

Being so close yet still so far is not a new thing. The picture above is of the Dundee FC 1948-49 team who lost the league to Rangers on the very last day of the season that year (click on the photo to enlarge it). It was the 30th April to be exact. The guy with the ball was Alec Stott. That day they only needed a point against Falkirk at Brockville to win the league. Rangers needed to win against Albion Rovers and in front of 17,000 sun drenched fans, many of whom had made the journey from Dundee hoping to see their team clinch the title, a similar drama had to be endured.



The pitch was firm but although the Dark Blues made heavy weather of things in the opening stages they looked to have got the breakthrough three minutes from half time. My wife’s uncle Alec stepped up to take a penalty at nil-nil after a team mate had broke into the box and been brought down. Alec was the Henrik Larsson of his day. Currently on 38 league and cup goals he stepped up to take the kick. Right-footed he directed a shot towards the bottom right-hand corner but he had not made a clean connection and the Falkirk goalie dived to turn the ball round the post (according to press reports at the time). My Faither-In-Law said different. He was behind the goal and said the ball was going in but it hit the tarry keepers elbow and spun behind when it could so easily have gone in. Those are the breaks I guess.

With Rangers coasting 4-1 against Albion Rovers it had to be all out attack. Alas it wasn’t to be. Although Alec did get his 39th goal of the season it wasn’t enough. They ended up losing it 4-1 themselves. Recriminations followed. Next season Alec by then out of favour was sold for £6,000 to Partick Thistle. Dundee replaced him with a Scottish Internationalist called Billy Steel for something like £23,500. Funnily enough Alec banged in another 39 goals for Partick, (including a Hat-Trick at Parkhead with a certain Jock Stein marking him that day) whilst Steel although a magnificent player in his own right got nowhere near that amount. But people are fickle aren't they. Alec died a few years ago. He was a great footballer. I know my Faither-In-Law tells me.

He gave joy to many and the picture below is of the crowd at Dens for the New Years game in 1949 against Rangers their great rivals that season. The official attendance was given as 39,975 but reports from back in the day estimated 45,000 were in the ground with a further 5000 outside. Rangers went 1-0 up within 10 minutes but Dundee equalised and pressed on with Alec scoring two to give a 3-1 victory.



Alec had a great career. Playing for Portsmouth, Dundee, Partick Thistle and Hamilton Accies. In between he served in the war as a Marine, fought with my Faither-In-Law (who claims he was the better player between the two of them) at D-Day and around Caen before being shipped back to play an exhibition match in the UK with the greats in their baggy shorts. That's a life that was in no way ordinary.

Anyway, as yesterday was May day and a celebration for the International Workers of the World and fitba is the working man’s sport (allegedly) it makes me wonder what Scottish football could be like if we could get the crowds back for the other teams in our country and not just witness buses of glory hunters shipping out of cities to watch the old firm. Wouldn't it be nice?