“During the reception, he mentioned he had brought with him a photo of a school cup-winning team.
“He couldn’t remember whether it was a primary or secondary team, but it was taken around about 1948.
“The final was on a junior ground, and he remembers the pitch was a mud bath.
“Jimmy also reckoned we should forget all this nonsense about summer football.
“Players should play anywhere, anytime and in any conditions.
“Skill and ability gets you through anything.
“Jimmy relayed a story of his father, the late TOMMY McINEARNEY, SEN.
“His father used to send down copies of The Sporting Post and Peoples Journal as Jimmy liked to keep up with the Dundee footballing scene.
“They then started receiving them with pages being cut, and thought a scrapbook was being compiled.
“A few seasons passed and Jimmy was up on holiday.
“He asked his dad, ‘Where’s the scrapbook?’
“Old Tommy gave him one of his referee looks . . . “Scrapbook! What scrapbook?”
“Jimmy replied sheepishly, ‘The one you’re making of us with Sheffield Wednesday.
“The ones with all the cuttings out of the papers.’
Father replied, ‘There’s nae scrapbook, son.
“I don’t want you reading what’s in them and getting bigheaded.’
“There’s a lesson there somewhere for the modern-day fathers.”
Jimmy is pictured at the foot of the page. Underneath his is the team photo, which shows Jimmy with the cup.
Other team members were (from left) — Jim Alexander, Frank Sandeman, J. McFarlane, Jim Whitemoss, Unknown, Frank Kenny, James Anderson, Bob Mulholland, Jim Traynor, George Orr.
SAINTS FLEW IN KEY PLAYER FOR 1950S CUP-TIE
In days gone by, senior football clubs flew players back from doing National Service to play on a Saturday.
Rangers were a prime example with Jim Baxter and Billy Stevenson.
Crossford reader DAVID WEST has uncovered a time when St Johnstone flew a player back from his work to play in a League Cup quarter-final against Motherwell.
“Archie Baird was a PT instructor in Aberdeen schools and did not finish work until 4 pm,” said David, of David West Haulage in the Kingdom.
“The match was scheduled to start at 6 pm.
“Mr Pattillo, the manager, was prepared to travel to Aberdeen himself in a fast car to get Baird down inside two hours.
“On hearing about this predicament, Ian R. Calderwood (of 56 Oakbank Crescent, Perth), who was president of the 55 Motor Club, offered to fetch Baird from Aberdeen in his Healey sports car.
“However, this offer was topped by James Clark (Harley Place, Perth), a member of the Strathtay Aero Club, who offered to fly a four-seater Myles Messenger from Scone to Dyce to collect the player.
“Baird signified his willingness to fly and final arrangements were made.
“St Johnstone lost the first leg 2-1, but reversed the scoreline the following Saturday at Fir Park to make the aggregate score 2-2.
“The third game was held at Ibrox the following Wednesday.
“Archie Baird was given a days’ leave of absence to play in the tie.
“However St Johnstone lost 2-0, conceding both goals in the last 15 minutes.
“Archie flew back to Dyce after the game at the club’s expense.”
