Introduction
The Archive is currently creating a gallery of team photos from pre-WW1 through to the present day. Most of the team pics will have names appended but some from the early years, unfortunately do not.
Recognise anyone from old family photos? If so, then please let us know. Also pics pre 1970 which do not subsequently appear in gallery would be welcomed
1800s
When it all started
Organised football first kicked off in Tayport around 1878 when the town’s population was around 2,600. Approaching 150 years further on, in 2022, the population had risen to 3,800. In the intervening 144 years there was always at least one football club representing the town.
The period during which the Scottish Football Association (1873), the Scottish Junior FA (1886) and the Scottish Amateur FA (1909) were founded was a boom time for football throughout the country and Tayport was no exception. Until then, well-established golf, curling and cricket clubs were the main sporting pursuits for the townspeople.
From 1878 to 1914 no fewer than 27 different football clubs were established in the town. With large families and a thriving industrial economy in Tayport there was no shortage of players. Furthermore, Tayport was well connected by the railway. A line from Dundee and the north, to Fife and Edinburgh in the south, ran through Tayport. In fact, the line ran alongside the club’s present ground at Canniepairt which was at that time, a farm. Such excellent communications benefited the clubs through the choice of matches they could play on both sides of the Tay.
In addition, it wasn’t unusual for Tayport teams to sail across the Tay for matches with Broughty Ferry sides. Indeed, on one occasion in 1907 they went further as the press reported:
Many of the matches played in the early days were cup ties or friendlies. Each of the cup competitions was organised by its own association. The emphasis on league games as the main football competitions would evolve later.
For example, in the 1904/05 season Tayport FC would enter nine different cup competitions. As has been the case through to the present day, Tayport’s geographical position, to a large extent, allowed our clubs to pick and choose which competitions to enter. In that particular season Tayport FC entered the Scottish Junior Cup, the Fife based East of Fife, M’Arthur, Davidson and Armitage Cups and across Tay, the Dundee and Broughty Ferry based Telegraph, Courier and Guide Cups as well as the Lorne Shield.
The East Common was the main venue for football matches but games in the town in those early days were also played at venues variously described as Garpit Park, Garpit Links, Burnside Park, The Loch, The Links and the Mill Park.
Many of the clubs were only one or two season wonders and were described as 1st and 2nd class Seniors, Ist & 2nd class Juniors and 1st and 2nd class Juveniles.
So, what were the names of these teams?
From 1878 to 1900 we had
1st Fife Artillery Volunteers FC
Tayport FC Scotscraig FC Tayport Union
Tayport Thistle Victoria FC Fiery Cross FC
Strathearn FC Stella FC Tayport Taybank FC
Tayport Hawthorn Craigmount FC Our Boys Rangers
Abertay FC Viewbank FC Perseverence FC
Rosebank FC Tayport Engineers FC Strathtay FC
Rosevale FC Tayport Athletic Tayport Rangers
Red Star FC Tayport Oddfellows Tayport Crescent
Clubs founded in the 19th century and still playing in as a new millennium dawned were Tayport Rangers, Tayport Athletic, Red Star Tayport and Tayport FC. In addition, new clubs (various age groups) founded from 1900 to 1914, were Craigmore FC (1900-03) and Tayport Violet (1905)
By the end of that first decade, the novelty of starting up a football club had waned somewhat and there was only Tayport FC and the Juvenile sides Red Star and Tayport Violet playing regularly in the town.
Some photos from this era have no names. It would be speculation to put names to these players but names from team line-ups might be familiar or faces from old family photos might ring a bell. If so, please get in touch.
5-a-sides c.1895
One of the early pics in the collection is of a five-a-side team pictured outside Scotscraig Golf Club. The Garpit Park football pitch would have been close to the Golf Club, likely on what is now part of the golf course. This is photograph is possibly from July 1895 when Tayport Athletic emerged victorious from the 18 teams which entered a five-a-side competition in St Andrews. Tayport defeated St Andrews East End 3-0 in the final and received gold centred silver badges as mementos. Unfortunately, we have no names
1897 – Red Star Tayport
Red Star (Tayport) was founded as a Juvenile club in 1897 and a team of that name was still playing in 1912. The photo below is thought to be a line–up from the 1897/98 era as it is known that boys around 13 years old played for Red Star around that time. Unfortunately, the photo has no names.
1898 – Tayport Rangers
Tayport Rangers first appeared on the scene in 1898, often playing on the Garpit Park and participating in the Cupar and District Juvenile League.
The line-up for the Davidson Cup Final v Cupar Renton at Kinness Park in St Andrews in April 1900 which finished 1-1, was J.C.Cowie; J.Cook, Hopton; Berry, M.Simpson, Crichton; J.Campbell, Rae, D.Coss, D.Wood and L. Kinnear.
It should be remembered that all line-ups in those days were listed, numbered 1-11, in traditional 2-3-5 formation ie right & left backs; right half, centre half and left half; outside right, inside right, centre forward, inside left, outside left. No substitutes, only reserves
This photograph is thought to have been taken prior to the Davidson Cup Final, although this is speculation. In the replay Tayport, who had Hill playing in place of Kinnear, were beaten 7-1. Other players in the regular Rangers Juveniles’ line-up that season were Smith, Mackay, Braithwaite and Oswald.
Here’s the football activity with three of the town’s teams on 14 October 1899:
1900s
Strathtay FC (1899-1902) and Red Star (1898 -1912) were Tayport Juvenile teams in action around the turn of the century. Strathtay FC’s line-up for a match played on East Common in 1902 was Coss; Kinnear, Thomson; N.Oswald, Graham, Crichton; Cowie, Mudie, Hill, Primrose and A.Oswald.
Another Tayport side, Craigmore FC, was active 1901-1903. Craigmore lifted the Armitage Cup in March 1902, beating Kettle United before a large crowd at Leuchars. “During the evening after the teams had tea’d up in Ye Olde Hotel, the cup was presented to the winners with great enthusiasm”. The cup winning Craigmore team was J.Ross; Craig and Littlejohn; Anderson, Holmes and J.Cowie; T.Petrie, Rankine, R.Ross, W.Dailly, D.Henderson.
May 1902.Tayport’s two Juvenile teams played a benefit match in aid of the Ibrox Disaster Fund.
We don’t know which team this is below but it’s clearly a Juvenile team (no moustaches!). The goalkeeper would appear to be David Coss who would feature in the successful Tayport teams of the first decade of the new century
As mentioned above, some photos from this era have no names. It would be speculation to put names to these players but names from team line-ups might be familiar or faces from old family photos might ring a bell. If so, please get in touch.
In 1903 Tayport FC’s profile was rising and the Evening Post recognised this with a profile of the club’s captain:
Scottish Junior Cup Baptism
Several players who had cut their teeth with the various Juvenile sides at the turn of the century would graduate to Tayport FC, the Junior team, which from 1903, would give the town its first taste of winning runs in the Scottish Junior Cup.
When Tayport FC first entered the Scottish Junior Cup in 1903 (the first occasion on which ‘North’ clubs were invited to participate), the town’s name was on Scotland’s football map for the first time. During the next ten years, Tayport twice reached round 3, twice reached round 4 and had their best run in 1906 when, from an entry of some 240 clubs, Tayport appeared in the last 16.
It would be another 90 years before a Tayport team would again raise the town’s profile through achievements in the Scottish Junior Cup, this time to the ultimate level, finalists in 1993 and winners for the first time in 1996
In February 1904 Tayport lifted the M’Arthur Cup, coming from 2-3 behind at half time to beat Vale of Eden by 4-3 at Back Lebanon Park in Cupar. Line –up was Coss; Thomson and A.Oswald; N.Oswald. J.Cowie and J.Rae; A Rae, Campbell, Ross, Messer and Wilkie.
Messer’s star quality didn’t go unnoticed and he was selected to played in a Reds v Blues Scottish Junior International trial at Kilbowie Park, Clydebank. Apart from Tayport’s Messer and Kelty Rangers’ full back Inglis, all players were from Glasgow and West of Scotland clubs.
Tayport lost the services of James Messer at the end of the season when he signed for Raith Rovers.
More silverware for Tayport less than 12 months later when they won the Armitage Cup in January 1905, defeating Cupar Rovers by 3-2 in the final at Ladebraes Park, St Andrews. Tayport lined up that day Kinnear; A.Oswald and Gowans; N.Oswald, Hill and Caird; Rae, Wallace, Gray, Campbell and Wilkie.
The East of Fife Cup final of 1904/5 between Tayport and Dunnikier Athletic was held over until August 1905. In a final described as the ‘event of the moment in Fife Junior circles’ which hanselled a new ground at Buckhaven, local councillor Bailie Kinnear performed a ceremonial kick-off before ’Port went on to win 3-1. The cup was presented at a post-match social function held in the Auld Hoose in Buckhaven.
On this occasion Tayport lined up Coss; Cowley and Oswald; Campbell, Cowie and Butters; A. Rae, Wallace, Gray, J. Rae and Wilkie.
Pictured below is a Tayport team from this era with the East of Fife Cup and the Armitage Cup. Back (l-r) Andrew Gordon, Norman Oswald, Jock Coss, Walter Pillans, Cook Cowie, George Cowley, Albert Oswald, Tam Mitchell (manager), John Black and Butters; Sitting – Jock Heggie, Alex Rae, Johnny Gray, Jim Wilkie, Alex Mackay. Front – Chic Campbell and Jim Rae.
The photo was taken on East Common. The Mill Bridge (demolished in the 1970s) can be seen in the background:
Tayport’s football clubs’ achievements in Scottish Junior Cup during the first and last decades of the 20th century will be chronicled in future Archive articles.
Season 1905-06
Tayport FC’s exploits this season in reaching last 16 of the Scottish Cup, [see Tayport in the Scottish Junior Cup: Part 2 – 1905/06 to 1906/07 ] had the town buzzing.
The club followed up their Scottish Cup run by again reaching the East of Fife (Montrave) Cup final. There was never a dull moment in football 1900s style, and once again there was controversy…
Leading up to the match the Press reported that ‘Violet will be unable to play Borthwick who is compelled to play in the inter-Association game at Innerleithen’. Of course, it was maybe just a coincidence that the kit went astray en route to Bayview!
At a meeting of the East Fife Junior FA
‘The principal business was the fixing of the postponed final tie, which was the result of Wemyss Violet losing their hamper with the necessary uniform. The Tayport representative informed the meeting that his club could not again undertake to travel to Methil unless the players were guaranteed full railway fares…It was eventually agreed to grant Tayport half railway fare if the “gate” should realise £7 and full railway fares if the “gate” was £12’.
It was subsequently reported that ‘the Tayport lads flatly declined to cross the county and no East Fife final is to be fought this year’.
Tayport weren’t playing any league football but given the club’s geographical position, were able to enter cup competitions on both sides of the river – there were plenty – and in 1905-06 Tayport were having an excellent season.
As well as their Scottish and East of Fife Cup exploits, Tayport were finalists in the previous season’s unfinished Armitage Cup and Davidson Cup and were also runners-up after extra time to Dundee West End in the Courier Cup, a match reported as “brilliantly contested all through, neither side sparing themselves, and ding-dong went the play all the time”. It was one of the matches of the season locally, drawing ”a good gate of £16” [£2,300 in 2022 money].
As a point of interest, the Davidson Cup semi-final victory v Cupar Rovers was the first game to be played on the Carthaugh [opposite Fluthers car park], courtesy of Cupar Town Council.
In press coverage of this season, Tayport were variously given the appendage, ‘United’ and ‘Athletic’ but the three were one and the same club.
It was a season in which Red Star FC (Tayport) competed with Dundee based clubs in 2nd Class Juniors games. There was also a different Armitage Cup in which an occasional Tayport team, Tayport Violet, competed. There is a record of this Violet team playing in this Armitage Cup final at Waterstone Crook, Newport against the Mars FC. No, not Peter and Jimmy’s team or a team from a factory which made chocolate bars but the boys from the Mars Ship* anchored off Newport. “A hard and fast game was witnessed and the Mars, by better combination, ran out winners by 3 goals to 1, thus taking the cup for the first time on board the ship”
*The Mars, a training ship for homeless and destitute boys berthed in the Tay from 1869-1929
Tayport players in demand
The scouts, no doubt attracted by Tayport’s high profile, had been circling, and at the end of season 1905-06, key players were on the move. Alex Rae went to East Fife
Albert Oswald was in demand
Even the bright lights of London proved no attraction for Oswald who turned down a move to Spurs and ultimately signed for Dundee FC. where his promising career was curtailed by a bad injury
John Wilkie signed for East Fife but he wasn’t long at Bayview before Partick Thistle were in for his transfer. Described by East Fife FC as ‘the Junior capture of the season’, Wilkie moved to the Glasgow side at the end of August
Season 1906-1907
Football close seasons in more modern times often featured 5-a-side competitions, the North End Fives, for example, but in 1895 as noted previously, the demand for football entertainment was significant and ten years later nothing had changed.
In June 1906 the Junior…and the Senior… 5-a side competition was an integral part of Dundee FC’s Annual Sports Day at Dens Park. Tayport had qualified for the quarter finals before a crowd of 2,000 at Dens on the Thursday night. On Saturday before a 3,000 crowd, Tayport reached the final only to finish runners-up, beaten 1-0 by Lochee Harp after extra time.
Two weeks later at Tayport’s Annual Athletic Gathering on the East Common, Tayport’s footballers dominated the track events as well as winning the 5-a-sides.
Last season’s unfinished Armitage Cup final (2-2) v St Andrews City was early on the 1906-1907 season’s agenda and was replayed at Leuchars, Saints turning a half-time deficit into a 3-1 win to claim the silverware. Tayport got their revenge a few weeks later in the final of the Davidson Cup (also unfinished from the 1905-06 season) beating City by 3-1, also at Leuchars.
Scottish Junior Cup Disappointment
The 1906/07 Scottish Junior Cup run ended at the first hurdle. After receiving a 1st round bye, Tayport went down 3-4 at home to Dundee Arnot in round 2.
It wasn’t a season to remember for Tayport clubs, Tayport FC, Tayport Red Star or Tayport Violet FC, the latter who played occasional friendly matches.
Tayport FC’s usual line-up that season was Heggie; Campbell and George; N.Oswald, Cowie and Guthrie; Keddie, J.Rae, Gray, Campbell and Greig.
Full-back Campbell was selected to play for the Fife Juniors Select v Glasgow Junior Select at Bayview Park, Methil
Tayport FC , the holders, did reach the final of the Davidson Cup and they were fancied to retain the trophy but Anstruther Rangers had other ideas, upsetting the odds by winning 3-0 at Kinness Park in St Andrews. It was reported that ‘Rangers made a triumphal procession through Anstruther and Cellardyke in the brake [coach]’
In February 1907, two of the Tayport players who had gone Senior at the end of season 1905/06, Oswald and Wilkie, were in opposite camps when Dundee FC faced Partick Thistle in a replayed Scottish Cup 1st round tie at Dens Park, a tie which drew a cumulative attendance of 31,160, just a few more than the players were used to appearing in front of, on the East Common!
…and haven’t things changed
Season 1907-1908
The summer of 1907 saw Tayport’s footballers again playing in the popular 5-a-side competitions. In July, Tayport Violet was one of 17 teams entered in the 5s at Bonvil Park in Cupar, while the same day at Guardbridge, Tayport FC players were also in 5s action.
The well supported cricket team, Tayport United, was in action as usual on the East Common, the summer sport which had been enjoyed in the town since at least the early 1860s.
Football in the new century continued to be a thriving activity throughout the country and fans couldn’t wait for the new season to start as a newspaper article evinced in July.
“Strong longing for the commencement of football was evidenced by the extraordinary demand for season tickets at Dundee FC’s offices in Murraygate. Indeed, it constituted a record”
In the 1907/08 season Tayport Violet played in the Dundee Eastern League against such teams as St Paul’s, who played at Scott Street Park in Dundee, and Dundee Rosearthur when the Violet line-up was often J.Anderson; Henderson and D.Rae; C.Rae, F.Anderson and Kidd; Brown, Morgan, Riddell, H.Rae and Scott.
In 1907/08 Tayport FC, the 1st Class Juniors, would rekindle the Scottish Junior Cup excitement of 1905/06 [see ‘Tayport in the Scottish Junior Cup’ elsewhere in the Archive] but there was still no place for the club in the closed shop of the Dundee Junior League therefore friendlies and cup ties would be the order of the day. In December however, following the withdrawal of Victoria Athletic, Tayport accepted an invitation to join the Inter County League. Playing catch-up, they quickly made their mark, collecting both points from their first game against high flying Ardmere FC. But they were never going to complete the season and this was how the table looked at the end of May 1908
There was a whole host of local cups in which to compete on both sides of the Tay but there would be no silverware at the end of the season. Tayport were hot favourites in the Davidson Cup final v Cupar FC at Kinness Park in St Andrews but it wasn’t to be. Cupar, down to 10 men, then nine men for a spell through injury, upset the odds to win 2-0.
The Cupar press summed up the game as follows
Tayport’s regular squad during the season was Coss, Heggie; Lonie, Crawford, Balfour, E.Oswald, George, Connelly, Greig, Mills, Campbell, Rae, Guthrie, Henderson, F.Oswald.
James George had signed for North End in the close season and would become the subject of a transfer wrangle as Tayport sought to bring him back over the river.
Albert Lonie was selected to play for the Inter County League Select.
Match collections couldn’t sustain the club therefore fundraising was a necessary activity and a significant part of the town’s social calendar.
Martin Anderson referred to in this article is better known as Cynicus, the Scottish artist, political cartoonist, postcard illustrator whose business premises was in Tayport
As would also be the case towards the end of the century, the club’s fundraising efforts could be innovative (eg Fat man dash 1980s) and this report of Road Match as part of the club’s sports day is an example
Season 1908 -09
Tayport FC were again in the Dundee based Inter County League but before the season got underway, they were plundered by Dundee & District League clubs. West End FC signed Tayport’s Crawford, George and J Greig while Stobswell signed Connelly.
Regardless, Tayport would go on to have a good season, reaching the 6th round of the Scottish Junior Cup [see Scottish Junior Cup:Tayport’s History]. The side, sometimes referred to as Tayport United (the name of the Tayport cricket team) had a regular line-up of Heggie, Lonie and Berrie; J.Nicol, Irvine and N.J.Oswald; Greig, W.Campbell, E.Oswald, C.Campbell and R.Nicol
Tayport Violet were playing in the Tayside League and regulars in the line-up were J.Anderson; E.Morgan, D.Rae, C.Rae, T.Rae, B.Calvert, J.Melville, J.Kidd, Y.Rae, Briggs, A.Henderson, F.Anderson, S.Scott, T.Henderson.
Tayport Red Star FC, the youth team were still functioning but playing friendlies. A normal line-up was Taylor; Wilkie and W.Berrie; Gilmour, Brand and J.Berrie; Ness, Henderson, Anderson, Riddell and Beaton. Another team playing the occasional game was Rangers (Tayport) who in the Spring of 1909, played a game v Newport’s Kinbrae FC at Waterstone Crook
Season 1909-10
In what was now traditional fashion, the close season highlight was the Five-a-Side competition which formed part of a Sports Day at Dens Park. In 1909 it was the City Police Sports which attracted a magnificent attendance of 12,000 spectators. The Tayport FC Five reached the final but lost 2-1 to East Craigie.
It was a season in which football in the town, which had been so vibrant over the past decade, was now at something of a low ebb. A number of erstwhile Tayport players were now turning out in the colours of Guardbridge United and there were familiar faces, too, in a Newport FC team, based at Waterstone Crook, which was planning to join the Forfarshire Inter County League. Junicus in the Evening Telegraph (my, hasn’t he aged well!) commented on the Tayport FC situation in September when he said: ”What has come over our friends from across the water – Tayport to wit? I regret to learn that there is a likelihood of the Port going to the wall this season”.
Tayport hadn’t entered the Scottish Junior Cup and weren’t in league competition, so in October were appealing for “First class Juniors for friendlies”
The Juvenile Tayport Red Star FC were playing in the Dundee based Central League and a typical line-up was selected from – Simpson; Berrie, Rae, Brand, Balfour, Wilkie, Gilmour, Henderson, Anderson, Scott, Pryde, Smith and Findlay.
Former Tayport FC centre forward, 23 yr old John Wilkie, who had signed for East Fife in 1906 before moving on to Partick Thistle, was on the move again this season when he made the move to Reading.
Another of the 1905/06 Tayport team, Albert Oswald, had returned to the Dundee FC line-up in 1909 but over a year out through illness and injury had taken its toll and he was now with East Fife.
1910s
Season 1910-1911
The Dundee & District Junior League [D&DJL] was still a closed shop, so this season Tayport had joined the 9 team Inter County League based in Dundee. With Newport dropping out of the league this season, newcomers Tayport and Lochee Hibs made up the numbers. A host of Cup competitions supplemented the season’s fixture list.
Several local lads were still at Guardbridge United but 1910-11 was to be a better season for Tayport who kicked off their season with the following line-up – Anderson; Wilkie & Guthrie; Pearson, A.Rae, and D.Rae; Connelly, Oswald, Henderson, Walker and Y.Rae. Sadly, in October they lost talented full back James Wilkie (23) who died of pneumonia.
That same month it required three games to separate Tayport and high-flying Dundee Violet, the defending D&DJL league champions, in the Telegraph Cup. 3-3 at Fairmuir, then 3-3 in the replay on East Common. ‘For a consideration’ Violet agreed to play the third game at Tayport, winning by 3-2.
Tayport were one of 248 clubs who entered the Scottish Junior Cup this season, eliminating Balgonie Scotia and Cupar Athletic before going out to Lothians side Loanhead Mayflower, losing 2-1 after extra time in a third game following two drawn ties. [see ‘Tayport in the Scottish Junior Cup Part IV’]
A Janetta Cup-tie at St Monans Swifts in January had to be replayed. Tayport had “travelled down the coast by motor, but on the road, they ran into a cart of coals which delayed their arrival by quarter of an hour”. St Monans were leading 2-0 when “A rather unpleasant incident occurred owing to the Tayport team arriving quarter of an hour late. The referee, who had made arrangements to go to Aberdeen, stopped the game with ten minutes to go without the permissions of the captains of the teams, and to the surprise and anger of the spectators who made a rush for him thinking he was stopping it for darkness”
The game was replayed at St Monans in February, finishing 0-0. It was noted that “Owing to the boats not getting in to harbour on Saturday through quiet weather, a very poor attendance was present” The third game, the second replay, took place in March when St Monans won 2-0 on East Common.
Cup-ties continued to dominated the season. Tayport were beaten 2-1 by Leslie Hearts in the semi-final of the East of Fife Cup at Bayview Park, Methil and then lost by the same score to St Andrews City in the semi-final of the Armitage Cup. It was a busy spring and luck was also out in the M’Arthur Cup semi-final, Tayport losing 2-3 to the home side at Windygates. The match was described thus “The game was of the typical cup-tie order, the visitors putting plenty of energy into their play, which was much resented by a portion of the spectators”
Tayport finally got their hands on some silverware when they won the Davidson Cup, defeating Anstruther Mercantile by 2-1 in the final.
With cup action taking precedence, the Inter County League programme was falling way behind as the league table at the beginning of April demonstrated.
With cup action taking precedence, the Inter County League programme was falling way behind as the league table at the beginning of April demonstrated.
Tayport kicked off a busy spell in their attempts to climb the table and got off to a good start with a 2-1 win over Central on the Coup but Central protested that Tayport “had played an ineligible man” and claimed the points. The Association agreed and Tayport forfeited the two points and were fined 2/6d
Tayport managed to get their games played, though, and by the end of May had completed their fixtures to finish fourth in the table.
As is the case with all sports clubs, fund raising is crucial to a club’s survival and amongst the fundraising initiatives in the 1910/11 season was a concert as the following news item demonstrates.
Also in action during this season, was Tayport Juvenile side Red Star FC, sometimes confusingly called Tayport Violet by their opponents.
A typical Red Star line-up during the season was from – Irvine, Berry, Scott, Rae, Wilkie, Henderson, Wm. Coss, Low, Brand, J.Coss, Balfour, Miller and Bryant.
Season 1911-1912
Applications to join the Dundee & District Junior League by Tayport, Osborne, Fernbank and Lochee Central were once again turned down. Tayport were therefore once again in the Inter County Junior League with eight Dundee clubs.
Again, there was confusion as to which Association Tayport should belong but on application by the club, the East Region of the Junior FA agreed that Tayport should be allowed to join the Forfarshire JFA. Then when the SJFA made the draw for the 1st round of the Scottish Junior Cup, Tayport found themselves in the Fife section of the draw, at home to Lumphinnans Swifts.
As well as the Scottish Cup, in this season Tayport were participating in the Telegraph Cup, the Courier Cup, the Janetta Cup, the East of Fife Cup, the M’Arthur Cup and the Davidson Cup. The best of both worlds it seemed, entering cup competitions on both banks of the Tay.
Tayport’s early season line-up was Coss; A.Rae, Gallacher,; Anderson, N.Oswald, Kidd; Croll, Connolly, E.Oswald, Rae and Pryde.
Other Tayport teams playing this season, but only friendlies, were Red Star FC and Tayport Violet FC. Both were Boys’ teams. Violet advertised for opponents who had to apply to ‘Charles Walker, Dalgleish Street’.
Fairfield was the top side in the Dundee & District Junior League this season and they went on tour during the new year holiday period, playing v Peterhead FC on New Years Day and on 2nd January at Fraserburgh
In March, after a 2-2 draw at home v Cupar Athletic in the semi-final of the Janetta Cup, Tayport won the replay at Bonvillette Park in Cupar but would lose out to St Monans Swifts in the final at St Andrews.
The same month Tayport knocked Anstruther Rangers out of the M’Arthur Cup at the semi-final stage and on 25th May would travel from Tayport to St Andrews on the 2.06pm train for the final and go on to lift the Cup, beating Windygates Rangers by 2-0.
Tayport, by virtue of contesting so many cup competitions, had a hectic end of season playing catch up and by the second week in June it was neck and neck
Tayport’s last match was a 3-2 win over Fernbank to finish on the same points as Lochee Central and share the championship title. Neither goal average nor goal difference was taken into consideration in those days – just as well!
Tayport’s title winning squad was Coss; A Rae, Gallacher, F.Anderson, N.Oswald, Kidd, F.Oswald, Connolly, Y.Rae, Niven, Pryde, Wilkie, Henderson, Main, Walker and J.Anderson
Season 1912-1913
The new season opened on August 1st and the press previewed Tayport’s prospects
Mr Mitchell, incidentally, was the President of the Inter County League.
Tayport had expressed a wish to be drawn with the Forfarshire [ i.e. Dundee and Angus] clubs in the regional draw for the Scottish Junior Cup’s early rounds but “Forfarshire could not see their way to grant this request”.
It was also reported that “Dundee Violet [Dundee & District League] suffered a 3-1 defeat at Tayport but as it was only a friendly game it mustn’t be taken as a criterion”
Tayport Violet FC were playing in the City Boys League Division 1 this season. The team was sometimes labelled as Tayside and an early season line-up was Pow; Falconer & Kidd; Black, Christie and Mitchell; Stuart, Beaton, Pow, Urquhart & Clunie
In the Scottish Junior Cup Tayport had made their exit by September.
Protests and appeals were never far away and during this season Tayport protested that St Josephs had played an ineligible player against them in the Telegraph Cup. The saga went on for literally months. The Telegraph Cup Association dismissed the protest and kept the 5/- [25p] protest fee. Tayport weren’t happy so lodged an appeal. It was eventually heard by the ‘Scottish’ who dismissed the appeal but returned the 10/- [50p] appeal fee. Tayport weren’t finished and as the Scottish had seen fit to return the appeal fee, they felt their actions in appealing had been vindicated by getting this fee returned. As the saga drew to a close, Junicus commented “The Tele boys held on to the 5 bob and Tayport will just have to grin and bear it”
It was a disappointing final league placing for Tayport whose football activities had been split between north and south of the river.
1912-13 Inter-County Junior League
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Lochee Central | 14 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 56 | 11 | 25 |
| Dundee Osborne | 14 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 32 | 23 | 16 |
| Fernbank | 14 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 19 | 16 |
| Dundee Roselea | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 33 | 30 | 15 |
| Dundee Parkhead | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 27 | 31 | 14 |
| Tayport | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 23 | 22 | 13 |
| Downfield | 14 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 21 | 40 | 8 |
| Royal Field Artillery | 14 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 15 | 47 | 3 |
Tayport won the Janetta Cup, deeating Crail United in the final but there is no record of the score. There is no record either of the final score in the Davidson Cup where Tayport beat Anstruther Rangers.
Season 1913-1914
Tayport FC had a new secretary – J.A.Gilmour, 24 Tay Street, Tayport
The pre-season newspaper notes had a quirky phrase to describe Tayport’s Connolly signing for Osborne. Also, a major change in the laws/rules of the game. This was the season in which the distance back from a free kick being taken, changed from 6 yards to 10 yards
Tayport FC was again playing in the Inter County League.
Early season teams would include – Mathers, Robertson; Rae, Guthrie, J.Anderson, F.Anderson, T. Henderson, N.Oswald, Duthie, Ross, Campbell, Christie, Parnell, Latto.
Tayport Violet were again playing in the (Dundee) City Boys League this season with Samuel, Pow; Ferguson, Kidd, Black, Falconer, Clunie, W.Urquhart, E.Urquhart, W Beaton, Davidson, Lyall, Buist and Mitchell regularly listed.
Most of the players will be in the photo below and we’re fairly sure that the boy in the striped shirt is Samuel…but we stand to be corrected
Tayport FC had started the 1913/14 season well and led the Inter-County League, which was now, effectively, the Dundee & District League Division Two.
Referees weren’t so tolerant in 1913 (maybe not a bad thing!) as we see here:
Tayport reached the 3rd round of the Scottish Junior Cup with a bye and a win over Lumphinnans Swifts before bowing out at Arniston Rangers.
Historically, in local [Dundee] cup competitions, Tayport had never fared particularly well and a tie v Dundee & District League leaders Fairfield in the Telegraph Cup was seen as a challenge for the Tayport club which had for years been seeking membership of the Dundee & D. League. The tie would go to three replays.
The replay at Tayport ended 1-1 and when the clubs could not agree on an equidistant yet neutral venue for a second replay, the Association secretary decided it would be played at Barnhill. Equidistant only if the width of the River Tay was taken into consideration!
It may have been chilly February weather, but the Tayport team crossed the Tay on the 2.16pm boat from Tayport harbour.
Again, the tie after extra time, finished level at 1-1 so a fourth game was required. This time Windmill Park, Newport was the chosen venue. Fairmuir finally made the semi-final with a convincing 4-1 win…but the game wasn’t without incident.
Note – the reporter was getting his Tele Cups and his Courier Cups mixed up!
Newport Town Council, at their monthly meeting, heard ex-Baillie Thomson refer to disgraceful behaviour at Saturday’s football match and wanted to know who gave permission for out-of-town clubs to play in Newport. My goodness, hooligans from Dundee and Tayport upsetting the genteel ambience of a Saturday afternoon in Newport tch tch!!
We have no knowledge of the commission’s findings. Of course, they may not have tracked down the referee!
For their part in the “scene at Newport” the two players ordered off were “strung up for two months”. It should perhaps be noted that Fairfield’s Boath was no stranger to monthly suspensions, having been in receipt of the same punishment in each of the previous three seasons!
The issue can perhaps be best summed up by this letter to the local newspaper:
The Final League Table 1913-14
Tayport’s league challenge may have faltered but they won a couple of local (north Fife) cups to end the season on a high.
In the Davidson Cup Final at the beginning of May 1914, Tayport faced Anstruther Rangers at Lade Braes Park, St Andrews and comfortably saw off the men from the East Neuk to lift the Cup with a 4-0 win.
Two weeks later in the Janetta Cup Final, also at at Lade Braes Park, Tayport defeated St Andrews Violet, also by 4-0. Tayport fielded Main; Rae and Coss; Cowie, Anderson and Henderson; Oswald, Anderson, Rae, Campbell and Guthrie. Rae (2), Anderson and Cowie were the Tayport goalscorers.
In common with many of the games in those days, it seemed to be a fairly bruising encounter. The match report in the St Andrews Citizen noted that the ‘Maroons’ [Tayport’s shirt colour] employed a ‘stop-them-at-any-cost style’ and also that Rae scored Tayport’s second goal by ‘kicking the ball through the goalkeeper’s hands’. Cowie’s goal was a doubtful penalty. Then later, the report went on…’ by kicking the custodian in the face, a Tayport forward got into bad grace of the crowd and much excitement was caused during the temporary stoppage’.
The report continued – ‘After the interval Tayport forced matters and at a corner kick Todd [Violet] was rendered unconscious and had to be taken off the field. These backs [Rae and Coss] played the “follow -through” with dexterity, however, and the risk of tackling them was not included in the game’.
‘Todd was cheered when he again took the field but not long afterwards Henderson deliberately fouled Anderson, the St Andrews captain, and both were sent off the field’.
The Citizen summed the final up thus –
Season 1914-1915
World War 1 had started in the close season, prior to the 1914/15 season kicking off and the hostilities would see organised football in Tayport come to a halt.
However, Tayport FC and another nine teams did kick off the season in the Inter County League. They also got as far as a Scottish Junior Cup 2nd round tie at Glencraig Celtic after 1st round opponents Cupar Violet had scratched. The miners prevailed to the tune of 3-0.
In September the local press editorial read “The Premier [Herbert Asquith, Tayport’s constituency M.P.] and the Press….and ladies were all urging young men to enlist and so great has been the boom in recruiting that the military authorities have been overwhelmed. The manhood of the country is aroused to the magnitude of the issue involved in this great European war”
It was no surprise then, that organised football in Tayport wouldn’t be revived until the armistice in November 1918. In common with other communities, Tayport wouldn’t be spared when it came to footballers’ loss of life.
Season 1919-1920
Things…football wise… were getting back to normal by July 1919 and Tayport FC joined the newly formed City & District League
When the new League got underway in August there were 14 teams including neighbours Newport and the first derby was in November 1919 when the teams shared 6 goals on East Common. Tayport fielded J.Coss; Main, W.Coss; Rae, Blues, Henderson; Kidd, Beat, Rankine, McKenzie & Forbes. Newport: Rankine; Dowie, Anderson; A.Brown, W.Brown, Spark; Cram, Thomas, Cartwright, Spalding and A N Other.
Tayport faced two Dundee Junior League teams in the Scottish Cup, eliminating Arnot in the 1st round and going out to North End in R2.
By May 1920 in the C&D League three teams had fallen by the wayside but Tayport had secured a mid-table position.
A regular line-up was- Rennie; Kidd, Ireland; Manzie, Anderson, Lawson; Rankine, Rae, Stewart, Wilson and Forbes.
Tayport’s Rankine had been selected to play for the City & District League Select v the Dundee & District Junior League Select at Tannadice Park.
1920
Season 1920-1921
Tayport FC again had a team in Dundee’s City & District Junior League but would be without T.Blues who had been transferred to Dundee Violet.
There were two Junior teams playing in the town this season, the newcomers being Tayport Comrades. It was a name given to teams in many communities, formed by those returning from the Great War. Tayport Comrades weren’t members of any league, playing only friendlies and in cup competitions.
Both clubs had entered the Scottish Junior Cup with Comrades losing 4-1 to Clepington in a replay at Gussie Park and although Tayport FC got past Downfield in the 1st round, another Dundee side, North End, would once again eliminate Tayport at the next stage.
Tayport team was Laidlaw; Cabrelli and Morrison; Rennie, J.Ross and Moyes; R.Ross, Kidd, Rankine, Cavanagh and Leckie. Later in the season Colville, Milne and McDiarmid also turned out.
Comrades fielded J.Anderson; Robertson and T.Rae; D.McDonald, F.Anderson and Wilkie; P.Hanlin,D.Beat, Dall, C.Rae and Studley.
Junicus noted that Tayport had a whip round for an injured opponent. This would suggest that the Freemasons’ Arms (now Cobbies Inn) was the players’ choice of watering hole in 1920:
An early season league table
As the league table suggested, Newport FC were struggling and when they failed to appear for a match at Lochee on 21st December, Junicus suggested ‘[they] were busy at their Christmas Dinner or something’. Newport wouldn’t finish the season. At a C&D L meeting in March 1921, they intimated they wished to ‘be exempt from playing their fixtures but wished to retain their membership’. The League said no, and expelled them.
Strange goings on at Tayport too. Despite holding a gala night at the end of January with a ‘benefit concert and entertainment, for which some good talent has been secured’, ten days later,Tayport FC, sitting comfortable in the table despite having played fewer games than most teams, intimated to the C&DL that they were withdrawing from the League.
The completed C&D League table minus Tayport FC and Newport was completed as follows
Being able to play in cup competitions on both the north and south of the Tay resulted in a back-up of league fixtures and this could well have been the reason for Tayport withdrawing from the league programme.
Cup football for Tayport FC continued but there was little in the way of success on that front.
Tayport did reach the final of the Janetta Cup, but lost 7-3 to Elie Thistle at Links Park, St Andrews, despite being ahead at half time.
Youngsters in the town played for Juvenile side Tayport Violet. Their line-up which lost 2-3 at home to Arbroath Waverley in the first round of the Forfarshire Juvenile Cup was Heggie; L.Williamson and Flynn; Longair, McKay and Hanlon; P.Williamson, Meldrum, Mathers, Ross and Dempster. Mathers and Dempster were the Violet marksmen.
Season 1921-1922
There were only two football clubs in town this season, Tayport Ex- Service FC, probably the Tayport Comrades FC of the previous season. Ex-Service FC entered the Scottish Junior Cup but promptly scratched when drawn v Rosslyn Juniors. The other team, Tayport Violet, played in the Dundee and District Juvenile League. Violet also played in the Fifeshire Juvenile Cup, receiving a bye in round 1 and losing 2-4 to Cupar Hearts in round 2.
Their usual Violet squad during this season was Heggie; Balfour, McAndrew, Longair, McKay, Hanlin, Williamson, Mathers, Menzies, Milne, Rankine, Ross, Law, Dempster, McDiarmid, Wilkie and S.Moyes.
Season 1922-1923
16,000 attended Dundee FC’s pre-season trial at Dens Park where one of the trialists was Tayport lad R.T.Blues.
There were no Tayport teams in the Dundee Junior Leagues this season. Tayport Violet, although now Juniors, restricted their activities to Cup competitions on both banks of the Tay, Courier and Telegraph Cups v Dundee clubs and Davidson Cup, M’Arthur Cup and Janetta Cup in north Fife. Consequently, from time to time, Violet were often ‘open for fixtures…apply secretary, D.Watson, 16 Nelson Crescent, Tayport’.
Violet’s squad this season included G/ks Heggie and Anderson; Kidd, Dempster, Balfour, McKay, Hanlon, Brown, Law Rankine, Longair, R.Ross, Wilkie and J.Ross.
Violet locked horns with Hearts of Beath in the Scottish Junior Cup but their trip to central Fife was in vain, losing 3-0 in round 1.
It wasn’t the best of seasons for the Violet. They lost in the semi-finals of both the M’Arthur and Davidson Cups to St Andrews United and Pittenweem Rovers respectively.
The team fared no better across the river, although they didn’t lack support. The press reported “Last night Broughty Ex-servicemen defeated Tayport Violet 5-1 in a Guide [Broughty Ferry Guide & Gazette] tie. Lawson and Taylor each had a couple of goals for the ‘Sodgers’. The Fifers weren’t without support, although the game was at the Ferry a special boat having been chartered to carry them across”
Season 1923-1924
After a season playing only Junior cup ties and friendlies, Tayport Violet had made the decision to return to Junior league football as the report of the club’s annual general meeting noted.
This season there was also Tayport Thistle FC and Scotscraig Athletic playing in the town.
Thistle was a Juvenile team in the Panmure Juvenile League Div 2, which played on Mill Park beside the Spinning Mill. A regular Thistle line-up was selected from Gatherum; Walker, Moore, McLean, Rennie, Bruce, Brannan, Rankine, Briggs, Westwater, Vesey, Cook, Legg & Mitchell. On the October 1923 Monday holiday Thistle lost 0-3 to Whitehall FC on Mill Park ‘before a big crowd but play was stopped 8 minutes from time when spectators broke in after two men had been ordered off’.
Scotscraig Athletic played only friendly matches and their regular line-up was chosen from Blues or Fleming; Bruce, Briggs, Foggie, Duncan, Kemp, Bell, Wilkie, Macready, Buchan, M’Leod, Cook, Watson, Hendry, Henderson, Hart and Legg.
Violet, as well as playing in the City & District League, continued to compete in cup competitions in Dundee, Broughty Ferry and north Fife.
During the close season Violet had lost key players, full back Kidd and outside right Rankine, to Dundee Arnot and their player pool this season comprised Dick, Heggie, Cabrelli, Dempster, Manzie, Lawson, Longair, Dryburgh, Hanlon, McKay, Williamson, Paterson, Cook, Hershell, D.Milne, F.Milne, Coss, Anderson, Brown.
Violet’s Scottish Junior Cup run ended at the first hurdle, beaten 4-1 by Rosslyn Juniors. No substitutes in these days and Violet could offer up a decent excuse for their exit, finishing the match with eight men. Anderson was carried off, Dempster displaced a kneecap and Longair succumbed to an old injury.
Violet led the City & District table early in the season but would finish third. Two teams, Monifieth and Waverley, didn’t stay the course, hence the imbalance between teams and games played.
A couple of local semi-final appearances – Janetta Cup (north Fife) and the Guide Cup (Broughty Ferry)- was the extent of Violet’s cup progress. Local interest was high in the latter. Violet drew 1-1 with Broughty Ex-servicemen FC on East Common and for the replay across the water…
The press reported that on Monday 26th May 1924 “over 2,000 gathered at the Recreation Grounds, Broughty Ferry last night to witness the semi-final in the Guide Cup competition”. Sadly, for the ‘Port support, it would be a subdued sail back across the river, their favourites losing 5-1 to the Ferry lads.
As with all clubs, fundraising was essential and one of Violet’s sources of funding was by staging concerts and dances in the Temperance [now Gregory] Hall.
Violet’s all-night rave!
Season 1924-1925
The Dundee Junior league had been re-organised to form a first and second division and Tayport Violet, Carnoustie Comrades and Arbroath Ardenlea were invited to join the new division 2.
It wasn’t a great season for Violet but they recovered from being bottom of the league in November to take a respectable mid-table position come the end of the season in May.
An early season defeat was from neighbours across the water, Broughty Ex.Service. The press comment suggests that Broughty may have toasted their success in the Bellrock Tavern or Freemasons Arms!
In Cup football Violet were eliminated from the Scottish Junior Cup at the first hurdle, losing 0-4 to Dunfermline’s Broomhall on East Common.
Broomhill’s local press reported pre-match “Broomhall make the long, long trail to Tayport for which journey it will take them nearly a whole day to get there and back but secretary May and his handymen were ever optimistic and simply won’t hear of defeat”. And of course, they didn’t!
Locally, Violet contested the Davidson, M’Arthur and Janetta Cups in north Fife and the Courier and Telegraph Cups in Dundee. Only performance of real note was reaching the semi-final of the Courier Cup where Harp, who would finish runners-up in Division 1, edged out Violet by 3-2. The gate receipts were £12 [valued at £777 in 2022]
Tayport Violet’s fundraising concert in the Temperance Hall this season had a guest appearance.
And there was a further football connectionwhereby It was reported that Noweybek, during his stay in this country, had been to London “to see the wonders of Wembley”.
Tayport would lose their centre forward Alex Young at the end of the season. Young, manager at Tayport Gas Works, had obtained a similar post at Bridge of Allan and had been selected from 96 applicants for the vacant post.
Tayport Violet players in 1924/25 included Dick, Imrie and McArthur (goalkeepers); Bruce, Brown, Mathers, McKay Jackson, Brown, Mitchell, Young, Milne, McClure, Manzie, Rae, Bricknell, Paterson, Longair, Hughes, R.Dempster & Coss
During this season, there were two other football clubs in Tayport.
Tayport Thistle, now playing in the Dundee & District Amateur League with their home matches either on Mill Park or the East Common. Their players were goalkeepers Barr & Ross; Walker, Dempster, Anderson, McGuckin, Guthrie, Brannan, McGrady, Manzie, Moore, Gray, Westwater, Robertson, Christie, Niven, Ross, Low and Leith.
The other club, Scotscraig Athletic, a young team, played only friendly matches, usually on the Mill Park. Regular players were G/ks Campbell & Cowie; Ross, Duncan, Kemp, F.Wilkie, G.Legg, R.Legg, Foggie, Briggs, A.Wilkie, Buchan, I.D.Milne, W.Milne, Paterson, Bruce, D.Wilkie, R.Dempster, J.Dempster, McGrady.
In January 1925, Scotscraig Athletic played host to Grove Academy 2nd XI on the same afternoon as Grove Academy’s 1st XI played a match at Leuchars. Match arrangements showed that both Grove Academy XIs crossed from Broughty to Tayport by boat, the 2nd XI for their match at Mill Park, and the Ist XI to catch a train from Tayport to Leuchars. A sail across the Tay to play a football match in January! They must have been tough in those days brrrr!
Season 1925-1926
Tayport Violet, this season playing in the Dundee and District League, had a new secretary, Robert L. Buchan of Dernancourt, Tayport. He would be replaced in February by Thomas Russell of Mercury Cottage. The start of the D&DL was delayed but finally got underway with 18 clubs.
Raising finance was crucial and Violet were fairly innovative in this respect as the cutting below suggests
In the close season the club had lost Milne to Dundee Violet and Brown to Lochee Central. Campbell from Scotscraig Athletic had an early season try out in goal but regular keeper M’Arthur was soon back between the sticks.
The regular squad was M’Arthur; Bruce, Kidd, Mathers, Manzie, Stewart, Brown, Rankine, Mitchell, Smith, Lindsay, Kidd, Hanlon, Williamson, McClure, T.Stewart.
In the Scottish Junior Cup 1st round, after two draws, Tayport eventually overcame Valleyfield Juniors by 5-3 in the third and deciding game. In round 2 Portobello Thistle were drawn to play Violet on East Common. Portobello offered Tayport a guarantee of £25 (£1,620 in 2022 value) to switch the game. Tayport declined the offer and although losing 0-3 to a side flying high in their own league, were rewarded with a big attendance.
Although playing in a Dundee based league, Tayport Violet’s location allowed them to play in Fife competitions, the Fife Cup, the M’Arthur Cup and the Janetta Cup, but there would be no cup success south of the Tay.
Just before Christmas it was reported that Tayport Violet’s clever right-wing combination will be broken up by the departure of Willie Rankine, who has decided to cross the ‘Pond’ again, after a short period in this country. He will play for his old club Niagara Falls FC
As Violet’s uninspiring season wound down, they were trying out some new players, one of whom was inside left Harry Smith, the Dundee bantam weight boxer.
The delayed start to the season ensured that the Dundee and District League season wouldn’t be completed, with Violet finishing mid table.
At the end of April 1926, the Junior league tables were as follows
In May 1926 it was reported that “The commission of the Scottish Junior Football Association have decreed that the Midlands Junior Football League [Midland Counties League] be scrapped next season and that the Dundee and District League be resumed on automatic lines, with twelve clubs in each of two divisions. But what is to become of the other clubs in the district?”
In 1925/26, Tayport Thistle FC, playing under 21 Juvenile football friendly matches, had an excellent season. In March 1926 they were still undefeated for the season, P 13 – W11 – D2 – F77 – A18. C. Dempster was top scorer with 23 goals. The team had conceded 12 penalties but keeper Ross had saved 9 of them!
“The team is absolutely composed of Tayport boys and their energetic secretary is Mr J.G Clark, Links Cottage”, the Press noted.
The regular line-up was A.Ross; Guthrie, Moore; McGrady, Wilkie, Campsie; J.Dempster, Brannan, R.Dempster, H.Ross, Melville.
The report of Thistle’s AGM demonstrated that the club was on a secure footing as it looked forward to another successful season
Tayport Thistle FC 1925/26
Back: (l-r) John Garvie, Charlie McKenzie, Mr D C Campsie, William McKay, Hugh Ross snr. 2nd row: Joe Cavanagh, Dickie Ross, Gordon Clark, Fred Wilkie, Andrew Ross, Jim Campsie, Jim Wilkie, Johnny Hughes, William Black. 3rd row: Andrew Westwater, John Dempster, Tommy Weir, Robert Dempster, Hugh Ross jnr, Tommy Walker. Front row: Eddie McGrady, Christopher Moore, David Melville
Tayport Boys Brigade had a football team during this season which played v St Andrews BB, Falkland BB and Guardbridge BB.
Season 1926-1927
In May 1926 the Junior game locally was in a state of flux “The commission of the Scottish Junior Football Association have decreed that the Midlands Junior Football League be ‘scrapped’ next season, and that the Dundee and District League [D&DL] be resumed on automatic lines with 12 clubs in each of two divisions. But what is to become of the other clubs in the district?”
And in July “The final stage in the local impasse in Junior Football was reached…. a lengthy discussion ensued and after exploring every avenue, with a view to an eleventh hour settlement, the meeting decided by a 2 to 1 majority to support a motion for a two division league consisting a 1st division of 12 clubs and a 2nd division of 14 clubs”. Each committee, it transpired, had its own committee, president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer!
The controversy wasn’t finished, however. Ericht Rovers [Blairgowrie], Stanley and Alyth were in the D&DL but the Perthshire Junior FA (PJFA) demanded they play in the Perthshire Junior League. At the end of August, the Scottish Junior FA ruled in the PJFA’s favour.
The three clubs weren’t happy and were left in limbo as the saga rumbled on until November when it was agreed that the three Perthshire based teams be allowed to stay in the D&DL on the understanding that Perthshire, Currie and other constitutional cup ties take precedence over D&DL games.
Tayport Violet were in the 2nd Division of the new Dundee & District League (D&DL) whilst Tayport Thistle were one of three new clubs playing in the Fife Juvenile League, the others being Newburgh and Milton Violet.
Fundraising, as always, was crucial to the club’s well-being and it was reported that “Tayport Violet were building a strong team for the coming season, having made some ‘important captures’ and it will be a surprise when they first trot out. Last the held their annual Fancy Dress Parade and it turned out a great success, the costumes worn being very pretty and original”
Violet, with new signings Milne (Dundee Violet), Simpson (Anchorage) and goalkeeper Doonan from Kirkintilloch Rob Roy selected from the following squad during the 1926-27 season – Doonan; Rennie, Don, Kidd, Simpson, Brown, Manzie, Hanlin, Williamson, Livingstone, Mathers, McDonald, Cuthbert, Lonie, Milne, Leith, Lindsay, Mitchell and Low.
After four games, Violet were top of the League and unbeaten but went out of the Scottish Junior Cup at the first round stage, beaten 4-2 by Rosslyn Juniors, who could also boast an unbeaten record, in a replay at Dysart after a 1-1 draw on East Common.
This would be the last occasion a Tayport team would play a Scottish Junior Cup tie until a home tie with Larkhall Thistle in 1990.
Violet’s fundraising efforts continued with a concert in November 1926. Note Baillie Melville’s comment re recreational facilities. It took a while, 50 years to be exact but, Tayport did eventually get recreational [football] facilities but the initiative didn’t come from the local authority
Violet …or the Tayport Pansies as they had been dubbed…still topped the league at the turn of the year but their fortunes waned in the new year, finishing fourth and failing to make any significant cup progress on either side of the Tay.
There was an attempt in the spring of 1927 to set up a new 6 club Junior League to coincide with the advent of summer time. Those participating were Carnoustie, Arbroath Ardenlea, Arbroath Victoria, Forthill Athletic, Broughty Ex-Service and Tayport Violet. It would be known as the Broughty Ferry and District Guide League [the Guide being the local weekly newspaper]. Games would be midweek except for Tayport whose games would be midweek. The plans, however, never came to fruition.
Two Tayport players had been catching the eye during the season and were fancied by the Seniors. Goalie Doonan had been out on trial with Arbroath FC and Dundee FC had taken a fancy to Violet’s flying outside right, J.Dempster
1926-27 League table
This was the season St Josephs advertised in Lost or Found for two footballs lost in the Tay and suspected they might come ashore at Tayport. Footballs weren’t too plentiful in those days!
Tayport Thistle, the town’s Juvenile team carried on an unbeaten record from the previous season and were buzzing as they embarked on their season in the Eastern Section of the Cupar & District League.
Thistle shared the East Common pitch with Tayport Violet and this could occasionally cause controversy [see Tayport in Scottish Junior Cup 1926-27]
Thistle were relying on many of the players who had stood them in good stead the previous season. Their squad was A.Ross; Guthrie, Moore, Duncan, McGrady, Wilkie, Kinnear, Walker, Anderson, J.Dempster, Brannan, R.Dempster, H.Ross, Melville and Buchan.
Thistle went out of the Scottish Juvenile Cup in round 2, beaten 2-1 by local rivals Guardbridge but reached the last 8 of the Fife Juvenile Cup, losing to Milton Violet.
Cupar & District League 1926-27
In April 1927 for an 8/- [40p] 3rd class return fare, you could travel to Glasgow from Tayport Railway Station with LNER to support East Fife in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden. A crowd of 80,000 saw the Fifers lose 3-1 to Celtic.
Season 1927-1928
Junior football’s close season had been dominated by more fractious behaviour.
Lochee United proposed that, ‘as there was word of the Perthshire JFA claiming Ericht Rovers, Stanley FC and Alyth, and the Fife JFA claiming Tayport Violet, we propose to let them go, to have [in a Dundee League] Division 1 of 10 clubs and Division 2 of 8 clubs’
The debate carried on, with a further proposal by Lochee Harp ‘… to achieve this end [2 divisions, each of 12 clubs], the following clubs, Invergowrie, Tayport Violet, Arbroath Ardenlea and Carnoustie Comrades are to be asked to retire. With a Dundee League (with boundaries extending from Lochee to Barnhill and Downfield to the river), surely a wide enough field is opened for a most successful competition.’
Anchorage supported Harp, stating that Dundee clubs usually found travelling to the districts a financial failure. Dundee Violet chipped in and suggested ‘Fifeshire take back Tayport Violet and were supported strongly by Arnot’
Tayport Violet Expelled!!
Tayport Violet and Invergowrie hadn’t been at the meeting and there was a proposal that 7 days be allowed for them to make their case. Lochee United opposed this procedure so the expulsion was carried by 14 votes to 11.
The natives weren’t happy, prompting Commoner to express his views in the local newspaper
In September 1927, Tayport Violet and Carnoustie Comrades wrote to the Dundee Junior League asking what had become of their share of the balance of the Dundee & District League[D&DL] which had finished last year. The D&DL secretary said the delay was due to the inability to obtain names of the secretaries but they had now been received and money would be forwarded.
The same month the press reported ‘Tayport Violet are now defunct, owing to the decision of the Dundee Junior League barring them from admission this season. A new club has been formed. They are awaiting confirmation of admission to the Dundee Amateur League’
A sad situation and for the next 63 years there would be no Junior football in Tayport.
Sixty three years on, when Tayport FC applied to join the Scottish Junior FA [SJFA] in 1990, at least one Dundee club was still of the opinion that Tayport should play their football in the Fife Junior League rather than the Tayside Junior League. However, the SJFA supported Tayport’s argument that the Tay Road Bridge and Tayport’s geographical location meant that Tayside was the sensible option.
With Tayport again having a Junior club, Tayport FC made up for lost time, and how! The word karma would spring to mind on May 29th 2005!
In September 1927 it was reported that with the assistance of veteran player Louis Cabrelli and George Smith, the ex-president of the old Juniors, a new club had been formed under the name of ‘Tayport Amateurs’. A fruitless attempt was made to join the Dundee Amateur League and for the early part of the season Tayport Violet/Tayport Amateurs played occasional friendly matches.
The local football focus now fell on Tayport Thistle, first class Juveniles again playing in the Cupar and District League.
Highlight of the 1927-28 season was the Cura Cup Final in May at Duffus Park in Cupar against Prinlaws United from Leslie. Tayport officials had organised a special train to take supporters to Cupar for the final. The train left Tayport at 2.30pm, for a 3.30pm kick-off returning from Cupar at 6.05pm.
Thistle had the better of the first half to lead 1-0 but Prinlaws lifted the cup with two second half goals. Thistle fielded A.Ross; Guthrie and Moore; Foggie, Kinnear and McGrady; J.Dempster, R.Dempster, Cowie, H.Ross and Lindsay. Reserves were Brannan and Rae.
Tayport Thistle’s Cura Cup semi-final line-up v Newburgh Tayside at Springfield in March 1928 back row (l-r): J.Garvie, H.Ross, C.Moore, A.Ross, J.Kinnear, A Foggie, E.McGrady, unknown, Referee Leckie, Front: G.Simpson, J.Dempster, A.Guthrie, W.Cowie, R.Dempster, J.Lindsay, J.Rae.
Season 1928-1929
With the loss of the Junior team, the town’s football profile dimmed considerably, a situation which would not be change until the closing years of the century.
Tayport Thistle was again in the North Section of the Cupar & District League and fielding a side which had shown few changes over recent seasons, had their most successful season to date.
Thistle reached the 3rd round of both the Scottish Juvenile Cup and the Fife Juvenile Cup. Players were attracting the attention of the Seniors. Nottingham Forest and Dundee FC had been monitoring the form of Jock Dempster, Thistle’s flying outside right. Following one of the Fife Cup ties, Forest had made an approach to the Thistle player. For whatever reason the interest petered out.
Tayport won the North Section of the Cupar & District League, the championship of which would be determined in a play-off against Markinch Victoria Rangers, the winners of the South section,.
Despite being backed by a great support travelling by special train, Tayport went down 6-3. Moore, Dempster & Cowie had the Thistle goals.
There was further disappointment before the season ended in late June 1929. Tayport had reached the Edwards Cup final by default after Prinlaws United couldn’t get conveyance for their semi-final vs. Tayport at Newburgh. Tayport faced Markinch VR in the final at Newburgh’s East Shore Park and again found them too strong, losing 4-2 after leading 2-0 through goals from Ross and Stuart.
Tragic death of 33 years old David Kidd who had survived being injured in France during WW1, had played for Junior Football for his local team Tayport and also St Andrews and Dundee Arnot. David was a painter on the Tay Railway Bridge.
Season 1929-1930
LG Clark of 20 Linksfield was the secretary as Tayport Thistle kicked off their new season in the Cupar and District Juvenile League, a division of 12 clubs.
Tayport Thistle’s squad this season was Ross; Guthrie, Cowie; Stewart, McDonald, Foggie, Brannan, Lindsay, Thomson, Kinnear, Moore, Redpath, Stewart, Milne, Grant and Dempster.
It was a disappointing season, with not even a scent of silverware from a number of cup competitions, the Cura Cup, the Stein Cup, Edwards Cup and the Fife Juvenile Cup.
The cup with most kudos, though, was the Scottish Juvenile Cup. Tayport eliminated Markinch Victoria Rangers (away) in round 1 of the national trophy thanks to the home side missing a penalty with 5 minutes left, which would have levelled the game. In Round 2, Rosyth were eliminated after a replay but progress was halted by Blairhall and in no uncertain matter in the next round, the eventual cup winners winning 7-1. The Dunfermline club went on to become the first ever Fife based club to lift the cup.
School Team
The future for football in the town, looked promising with Tayport Higher Grade School team, under the guidance of the sports master Mr Ferguson, winning the Heathcote Trophy for boys’ clubs in the local area.
Football Enthusiasm Taken Too Far?
The locals’ enthusiasm for the game in 1930 had perhaps been taken a bit far, to the extent that some lads could have ended up in jail!
1930s
Season 1930-1931
It was all change for Tayport Thistle this season when then decision was made to leave the Fife Juveniles and re-connect with the north of the Tay and join the Midlands Amateur Football Association which had been formed in 1926. New secretary was George Farquhar Jnr., Links Cottage. Furthest trips this season would be at Forfar Academicals and Arbroath HSFP.
Thistle players that season were A. Ross; Guthrie, Mitchell, Stewart, Mathers, Lindsay, Foggie, McGrady, J.Dempster, Brannan, Thomson, Ross, Melville, McDonald, Connor, R.Dempster, Manzie.
As always, fundraising was key and as well as matchday collections, football in Tayport was supported by events such as this concert in 1930
Tayport Thistle made their debut in the Midlands Amateur Cup, losing 3-2 at Woodside Rangers, now part of the modern Glenrothes. The Midlands Amateur Cup which had brought together clubs from both the Kingdom and Forfarshire, would eventually be superseded by the Fife Amateur Cup and the North of Tay Cup, the latter being contested by clubs from Dundee, Forfarshire and Perthshire. Tayport, Newport and Wormit’s unique geographical location gave them a choice of which cup to enter.
Thistle had made a promising start to the season but as the local newspaper columnist commented ‘Tayport have been going backwards in recent weeks and I hope to see a revival here in a week or two’. In March though, they lost their key defender Andrew Foggie (pictured) who signed Junior with Dundee Violet.
Midlands AFA final table 1930/31
Although not a particularly memorable season, it had been a solid start to life in the Amateur League for Tayport Thistle.
Tayport retain trophy
Tayport H.G. School retained the Heathcote Trophy
Season 1931-1932
After an absence of four seasons, the name Tayport Violet would rise from the ashes of expulsion from the Dundee Junior League to enter the Dundee & District Amateur League.
Despite a relatively comfortable final league position in their inaugural season in the Midlands AFA, Tayport Thistle were not to be seen in any league this season. Whereabouts unknown!
Not surprisingly a number of former Thistle men would be found in this season’s Tayport Violet selections from the following Harris, Campbell & Payne (goalkeepers); Guthrie, Robertson, Brannan, McKenzie, Arnott, McLean, Brighton, R.Dempster, Ward, Melville, Lindsay, Briggs, Johnstone, Redpath, Grant, Logie, J.Dempster, H.Ross and towards the end of the season, Moore, Cowie, Reid and Milne.
An uneventful season, no cup joy and a mid-table league finish.
In January 1932 Tayport lost one of the players who had helped raise the town’s football profile during the early years of the century
Season 1932-1933
Tayport Violet continued their membership of the Dundee & District Amateur League and showed significant on-field improvement. League football dominated the fixture card but Violet made their mark in the few cup competitions open to them, the most prestigious of which was the Midlands Cup but unfortunately, they were eliminated by eventual winners Pittenweem Rovers.
The long wait to bring some silverware to Tayport was finally ended however when Violet lifted the Carnegie Shield, beating league champions Bullionfield before a big crowd at Glenesk. ‘Nomad’ commented Tayport Violet are winding up the season with a bang. They are the most improved team in the League and won the Carnegie Shield, taking a first trophy to Tayport for a number of years.
The Shield winning line-up was Wright; Cowie, Arnott; Brannan, Milne, Grant; Mathers, J.Smart, R.Dempster, R.McKenzie and Young; Reserve was Rae.
Back (l-r) J.Rennie (secretary), Brannan, Arnott, Wright, Cowie, Milne, Harley (trainer). Sitting: T.White (reserve), J.Dempster, J.Smart, Rae, Grant, Philip and Manzie. Front: F.Wighton
Dundee & District Amateur League
During this season there emerged another club in the town, Tayport Rangers – soon to change their name to Tayside Rangers and in a future season change it back again – composed of a younger generation of Tayport footballers. In 1933/34 they played only friendly fixtures.
A typical line-up, such as that which played Barnhill Rovers in Broughty Ferry, would be Smart; Low, Philp, Mills, McKenzie, Smart, Reid, Oswald, McKenzie, Dickson, Wilson. For the match in February 1933 the players would travel across the Tay from Tayport to Broughty by boat which left the harbour at 1.45.
Season 1933-1934
Fundraising as always, was important and Violet teamed up with the local Swimming Club (based at Tayport harbour) to organise a fancy dress parade and raise £11 15s which in 2022 value amounted to £900, for sharing between the clubs
Tayport Violet were without full back Davie Cowie this season. At the end of last season Cowie had ‘been procured by Dundee Violet and had improved so much he was described as the whole cheese and was now being fancied by Heart of Midlothian’
Tayport Violet continued this season in the Dundee & District Amateur League. There was a plethora of football leagues in the Dundee area during the 1930s. As well as the Dundee & District Amateur League we had the Midlands AFA, the Angus AFA, the East Fife AFA, the Dundee Juvenile League, the Eastern Juvenile League, the Dundee Churches League, the Dundee Welfare League and the Half-holiday League.
As was always the case in this era, very few clubs from the Dundee Leagues entered the Scottish Amateur Cup. The sole entrants were usually Roineach Mhor and YM Anchorage.
Tayport Violet’s squad to open the season was – gks. Wright & Couttie; Foggie, Brannan, Manzie, Grant, Rae, Milne, Dempster, Moore, Ross, Weir, Mathers, Gall, Guthrie, Rattray. The team got off to a good start and was top of the league and unbeaten after 5 games.
They couldn’t keep it up though and would finish third. The final league table gave the appearance of being unfinished through the mid-season withdrawal of Bullionfield and Dura.
Violet got within a whisker of silverware however by reaching the final of the Buist Cup but succumbed to unbeaten league champions Hillbank.
Tayport Rangers were members of the newly established Tayside Amateur League and during the season changed their name to Tayside Rangers
It wasn’t the top level of the amateur game but it was certainly better than playing a season of friendlies and Rangers were delighted to finish top of the pile.
Violet’s fund-raising concerts, such as this one in January 1934, continued to be popular.
Season 1934-1935
Two football clubs in the town again this season. Tayport Violet had applied for membership of the East Fife AFA but the application had been refused and they continued their membership of the Dundee & District Amateur League.
Tayside Rangers this season were in the Angus Amateur Football League, having been one of the clubs which had moved en bloc from the Tayside Amateur League. The Angus Amateurs operated two divisions. The first division was established clubs and their Alliance League was for those which were less well established.
Throughout the season, Tayside Rangers were often confusedly referred to as Tayport Rangers, but they were one and the same as the Angus AFA league tables show.
Although Tayport’s clubs weren’t in the top echelon of the game locally, it was a most successful season for the town’s footballers.
Tayport Violet
Violet’s teams were usually selected from Bell; Arnott, Guthrie, Moore, Brannan, Grant, Henderson, Dickson, Dempster, Humphreys, Ross, Craig, Curran, Hanlin and Manzie.
Violet topped the league from day one and still had a 100% record when they won 5-2 v Auchterhouse in late September. Interestingly, Auchterhouse fielded 5 players named Low and 3 named Anderson!
Violet had won 4-3 v Stratheden at Strathmiglo in the Midlands Amateur Cup but were beaten 5-2 on the East Common by the renowned St Monance Swifts in round 2. Although being refused entry to the East Fife AFA, Violet had been seeded with the Fife clubs in this competition rather than with those north of the Tay where they played their league football.
The Dundee & District Amateur League title was secured before the end of March and the Carnegie Shield, which took the form of a mini-league was a further addition to the silverware. The trophy collection which was complete when they defeated Lochee Parish FC 3-0 in the final of the Association’s Buist Cup.
The semi-final at Riverside v Strathmartine had been a tousy affair. Although Tayport won 6-2, they had a player ordered off with 10 minutes to play, after which spectators invaded the field. The pitch was cleared however and the game finished with no further disturbance.
Tayside (Tayport) Rangers
Tayside Rangers team was regularly selected from Fearn; Pattie, Johnstone, Weir, R.McKenzie, M.McKenzie, Reid, Ferrier, Cuthill, G.McKenzie, Philip, Fairbairn, Gove, Lindsay, Webster and Thomson
A 4-1 win over Newtyle saw Rangers secure the Angus AFA’s Alliance Championship title and they completed the double with a 3-0 win over Ogilvie BC in the Glenesk Park final of the Angus AFA’s Alliance Cup.
The local amateur football columnist had previewed the final thus ‘Those young teams play delightful football and I am looking forward to a most interesting encounter’
Rangers celebrated their season of success with a dinner in the Masonic Hall attended by Association officials and other dignitaries.
Times were hard times in the 30s as we can see from this press cutting from 1935
Footballing Wolf Cubs
Football in the town wasn’t confined to grown-ups. The 1st Tayport Wolf Cub Pack played a friendly game at Windmill Park, Newport against their local rivals the 1st Newport Wolf Cub Pack. There’s no record of the score but we can assume that the Tayport boys won! The cubs travelled by train up to East Newport fielding J.Thomson; D.Campsie and I. Kidd; B.Kirkcaldy, J.Roger and H.Strachan; J.Gorham, R.Millar, G.Smith, A,Auld and S.Paton. Reserve was S.Reid.
Footballers participate in Silver Jubilee Celebrations
May 6th 1935 was the Silver Jubilee of King George V. The Burgh, in common with everywhere else, celebrated the occasion. Tayport Town Council’s programme included a match between the town’s two successful football clubs [For the occasion Tayside Rangers again became Tayport Rangers!]
Season 1935-1936
This season saw Tayside Rangers move to the Dundee & District Amateur League and rumours had been rife for some time that Tayport Violet were also looking to change Associations. They again applied to join the join the East Fife AFA at the Association’s AGM and this time they were successful, being accepted along with RAF Leuchars.
As well as League fixtures, Violet were sure of increased cup tie activity, given the large number of trophies up for grabs in the EFAFA.
Tayport Violet
Violet didn’t get off to the best of starts in their new environment, taking a couple of heavy defeats from Pittenweem Rovers and Cupar Hearts, so former players David Dow and Willie Cowie were reinstated from the Dundee Juniors to strengthen the side.
As always, the winter weather caused postponements and one weekend in January 1936 the only game to be played was on the East Common where Violet knocked Pittenweem Rovers, the holders, out of the Davidson Cup.
Unlike local rivals Cupar Hearts, Violet didn’t enter the Scottish Amateur Cup. Cupar didn’t have the best of times in the national competition. They left on Saturday at 9am for the long journey to play Greenock only to discover on arrival that because of snow, the game had been postponed on the Friday. No new was bad news in this case! An appeal to the SAFA proved fruitless and they had to travel west the following week and lost 6-1. The Hearts lads put their defeat down to being accustomed to playing on a cinder pitch!
Tayport Violet were never far from controversy this season and regularly had players up before the beaks, J.Henderson received a month’s suspension and as we see from the cutting below, J.Hanlin was suspended for two months.
Violet appointed a new secretary mid-season, J.G.Innes, 3 Castle Terrace.
The team maintained good cup form and had reached the semi-finals of the Janetta, M’Arthur and Davidson Cups. St Monance Swifts, who would carry all before them this season, eliminated Violet in the Davidson and Janetta semis but a 3-1 win over Hearts in Cupar put Tayport in the M’Arthur final v St Monance. It was 1-1 after 90 minutes but Swifts took the Cup, winning 3-1 after extra time.
It was no disgrace to lose to St Monance Swifts. They were Scottish Amateur Cup semi-finalists, won the EFAFA league title, won the Midlands Cup 3-2 v YM Anchorage at Dens Park, the Montgomery Cup 6-2 v Cupar MS, the Davidson Cup 2-1 (aet) v Cupar Hearts, the Janetta Cup 2-0 v Crail, the M’Arthur Cup v Tayport Violet before losing the Lindsay Cup final 0-2 v Cupar Mutual Service FC. It was an incredible finish to the season by Swifts who played 16 games in 28 days including 5 cup finals in successive nights, winning 4 in a row.
Tayport Violet pictured at Recreation Park St Andrews prior to the M’Arthur Cup Final v all-conquering St Monance Swifts. Pic shows (back l-r) John Innes, Joe Weir, Wallace Hughes, Morris Cuthbert, George Morrison, Will Redpath, George Ferrier, David Ross, James Wyles (president), David McDiarmid. Sitting: Rabbie Dempster, J.Duncan, Will Cowie, Alf Dickson, Jim Henderson, Front: Dave Arnot, Dave Dow, Peter Harley (trainer)
Tayside Rangers
Rangers got off to a good start in the 1935/36 Dundee & District League but in the Midlands Cup they were seeded in the south of Tay section and were eliminated at the 1st round stage by Lomond Thistle. Rangers went to the top of their league in December with a 2-0 home win over nearest rivals Auchterhouse but fell away as the season progressed.
In the D&DL there was only the Buist Cup to contest and Rangers reached the final but lost 3-6 to Alyth at Gussie Park
Violet and Rangers concluded their season with a charity match in May on East Common in aid of Dundee Royal Infirmary. The match was kicked off by Bailie J.R.Donaldson
Although this was billed as Rangers (front) v Violet (back), one or two players swapped teams for the occasion. Those we are fairly sure we can identify are –
Back (l-r): Violet – J.Duncan, R.Dempster, M.Cuthbert, G.Morrison, D.Arnot, J.Henderson, W.Cowie, D.Dow, G.Ferrier, A.Dickson, W.Redpath
Front: Rangers – dk, dk, W.Reid, dk, D.Philip, A.Ross, W.Douglas, C.Moore, B.Fairbairn, Fowler and Beatt
dk = don’t know
Violet reported on the season just finished at their Annual General Meeting held in June 1936
Season 1936-1937
Two clubs again representing the Burgh this season, the Violet and Tayport Rangers, the latter having officially changed their name from the confusing ‘Tayside’ to ’Tayport’.
Violet were again in the East Fife AFA while Rangers were still playing in the Dundee & District Amateur League
Newburgh Juniors, last season’s wooden spoonists of the Fife Junior League had made Violet half-back Cowie one of their new signings.
Violet’s secretary J.Litts was president of the East Fife Amateur FA this season
East Common had to accommodate both teams and this occasionally created problems. Violet were reported to have played a home game on Burnside Park, the location of which is a mystery, and also played a league game vs Cupar Hearts at Newport as ‘East Common was booked’.
In common with most of the local amateur clubs, neither Tayport club entered the Scottish Amateur Cup.
Violet didn’t get off to the best of starts, without a win in six games and being knocked out of the Midlands Cup by Kennoway. Things improved at the turn of the year including a win over holders St Monance Swifts in the Davidson Cup. But there would be no silverware despite reaching three local cup semi finals
Violet regulars were Henderson; Arnott, Cuthbert, Weir, Redpath, Ferrier, Brannan, Dempster, Henderson, Dickson, Yule, Laing, Wilson
East Fife AFA
Rangers had a somewhat unfortunate start to their season in the Dundee & District Amateur League with three games early in the season being abandoned.
With the teams level at 3-3, the league game vs East Port was abandoned with 20 minutes to go when heavy rain caused the lines to be obliterated. Later in the month Rangers were 1-4 down to Strathmartine when, with 9 minutes left, the ball burst and, being unable to procure another, the referee had to abandon the game.
League leaders Coupar Angus United were the visitors to Tayport in November when early darkness meant the game couldn’t be finished and the referee abandoned the game.
Rangers were eliminated from the Midlands Cup, losing 7-1 to Pittenweem Rovers and efforts to retain the Buist Cup were scuppered in a 7-2 defeat by Auchterhouse in a replayed semi-final.
Regulars for Rangers were Payne, Law, Campbell; McLean, Anderson, Smith, Douglas, Henderson, Doonan, Adam, Officer, Brown, Paul.
Dundee & District League Table
Season 1937-1938
This season saw both Tayport teams joining the Midlands Amateur FA and for the best part of the next 60 years there would be a Tayport club playing in the MAFA
Violet were in the premier League whilst Rangers were in the Alliance League, although unlike Alliance Leagues of the future, Alliance membership wasn’t confined to premier clubs’ second strings and consequently Rangers were able to enter the same cup competitions as their premier League counterparts.
The Midlands kicked off with an abbreviated league card as ‘some grounds were still occupied by cricket enthusiasts’
Although, as always, there would be changes throughout the season, particularly in Rangers’ selections, below are the Violet and Rangers’ line-ups in early September 1937
The first ever Midlands’ derby saw Tayport Violet draw 2-2 at Newport but Violet had made a good start to the season and 2nd top after 4 games.
Again, no Tayport club chose to enter the Scottish Amateur Cup but there was Scottish Amateur Cup controversy in Fife. Close rivals St Monance Swifts and Pittenweem Rovers had been drawn together in round 1. At half time, with Swifts winning 2-0, Rovers players questioned the referee over his decisions, the outcome of which was a Pittenweem player being sent off. After play had resumed, two more Rovers players were sent to the pavilion and following that, the remaining eight players walked off after 50 minutes
For funds, Violet ran whist drives during the season and in December held their annual dance in the Temperance Hall (now Gregory Hall). Wallace Hughes presided at the dance and Mr C.Moore was convener.
Violet had got over their sticky start to the season and their first game of 1938 was described thus ‘The game of outstanding interest in league competition is the meeting of Tayport Violet and YM Anchorage at Tayport. The Midlands Champions will have to give of their best if they wish to keep their undefeated record intact’. They did and it ended 2-2. Anchorage would, later in the season, reach the last eight of the Scottish Amateur Cup, losing 1-0 away to the holders Gogarburn FC.
Anchorage would later end Violet’s interest in the Bremner Cup with a 2-1 win on East Common.
Apart from those in the line-up above, others in action for Violet during this season were Philip, Hunter, Wilson and Thomson
As well as those listed when the season kicked off in September, during the season Rangers also fielded Milne, Elder, Officer, Murray, Law, G.Cooper, R.Wighton, McLaren, Murray, Harley, Tosh, Ritchie, Pattie, Johnstone, Berry, Oswald and Lancaster. Rangers could make no mark in their three Cup competitions but despite never having a settled line-up, they would have been pleased with mid-table finishes in both Alliance League competitions.
The Midlands AFA was now recognised as being the premier amateur association locally, so a runners-up spot was a credible performance from Violet.
Season 1938-1939
Tayport’s football clubs Violet and Rangers were now established in the Midlands AFA. James Rennie was Violet secretary and Fred Wighton was his Rangers’ counterpart. The new season kicked off in September with Violet quickly making their mark to go top of the table with three wins from their opening three games. Not such a good start for Rangers with only one win from their first five games. Rangers also had the misfortune to be drawn against St Andrews University and made a quickfire exit from the Fife Amateur Cup.
Heavy snowfall virtually wiped out the Midlands card in early December but as was often the case, Tayport Common was an oasis as was the RAF base at Leuchars. Both Tayport clubs managed a game that weekend, Violet thumping Arbroath HSFP by 5-0 and the RAF’s Alliance team crushing Rangers by 10-1. It was probably quite reassuring to know that airmen had their eye in, given that World War 2 was only nine months away!
Rangers’ form during the season may have been indifferent but in Robertson, their young centre forward, they had a player being fancied by a number of Junior clubs, turning down several offers before signing for Forthill late in the season.
Three keepers shared the Rangers yellow jersey during the season, Messrs Anderson, Findlay and Harley. Other regulars were Smith, Brunton, T.Brunton, W.Berry, J.Berry, Laird, Wighton, Adam, Robertson, Henderson, Johnstone, Doonan, Skene, Main, Millar and Watt
There were only two entries for the Scottish Amateur Cup from this area, RAF Leuchars and Midlands’ kingpins YM Anchorage. The airmen went out early on but Anchorage reached the semi-final, a feat to be repeated by Tayport FC 47 years later.
Drawn against Viewfield Rovers, the Anchorage appealed to the SAFA when the selected semi-final venue was Johnstone in Renfrewshire, 10 miles down the road from Viewfield and 100 miles from Dundee. No surprise there, and no surprise either when the appeal was dismissed. Anchorage lost 4-1.
Tayport Violet’s impressive league form was carried over to the Midlands Cup (later known as the North of Tay Cup since the introduction of the Fife Amateur Cup) and became the first and only Tayport club to reach the final of that competition. Opponents were Harris FP who had shocked hot favourites YM Anchorage in the semi-final.
In the run-up to the final Violet were still in with a chance of the league title but fell away and Anchorage picked up a sixth successive Championship Shield. It would be 43 years before a Tayport club would get its name on the Shield.
For the Midlands Cup final at Glenesk Park, Violet, who had made four changes from their semi-final their line-up, failed at the final hurdle.
Other Violet regulars that season were g/ks Anderson, Philp and Ross; Dingwall, Chrystall, Rice, Redpath, Ritchie,Henderson, Brannan Law and Bain.
Midlands AFA 1938/39
A late 1939 pre-war Tayport Violet line-up: Lawson (trainer), Weir, unknown, Anderson, Ferrier, Moore, Bain. Front: Brannan, Adam, Henderson, Cowie and Dickson. Lawson was selected as the Midlands AFA Select XI trainer for their annual end of season challenge match v the Angus AFA.
World War 2
1939-1945
The outbreak of World War 2 prompted an emergency meeting of the Midlands AFA in September 1939 where it was agreed to continue, but with nine clubs including Tayport Violet, in the Midlands League and eight in the Midlands Alliance League. Tayport Rangers went into abeyance.
A Tayport Violet line-up in January 1940 was Anderson; Laing and Newman; Chrystall, Newman, Adam; Newman, Fowler, Matthews, Ferrier, Dickson. With RAF Leuchars only a few miles along the road, the team was often supplemented by RAF servicemen.
By the end of the season the Alliances League was reduced to 5 clubs
1939-1940
In June 1941, Tayport Violet’s Alfie Dickson was playing in the Juniors with Dundee North End.
Tayport Violet were back in action in December 1944 as a member of the Angus Amateur FA which had continued during the war years with a single reduced league and a Boys’ League.
As new members, Violet had to be content with the War Cup and friendlies for the remainder of the season. The press commented “Tayport Violet will improve after a few games. The team is young and enthusiastic and secretary Adam is confident they will be a side to be reckoned with in a few weeks”
Among those wearing a Violet jersey during this season were goalies McDougall & Nelson; Cockburn, Johnstone, Low, Stanford, Anderson, Walker, Smith, Patrick, Clark, Armstrong, Cavanagh, Downie, Atkinson, Carmichael, Robertson and Brown.
SEASON 1945-1946
For the 1945-46 season, Violet continued in the Angus Amateur FA and entered a Tayport Violet XI in the Angus FA’s Boys’ League.
Early season line-ups were: Violet – Cockburn; Newman. Newman; Carmichael, Newman, Hughes; Farmer, Patrick, Trewern, Clark, Howe.
The same afternoon in the Boys’ League the Violet XI listed Hill; Hughes, Carmichael; C.Dempster, Downie, Soutar; Lindsay, Coss, Campsie, D.Dempster, Kidd. Reserves – Cavanagh, Gilmour
Jock Howe, Violet’s outside left in 1945, pictured at a Tayport match at The Canniepairt c. 2015
As the season continued Violet would also field Campsie (g/k), Crockett, Smith, Weir, Stanford, Niven, Dickson, Robertson, Low, Fernie, Bryson, Ritchie, Cuthbert and Auld.
The Violet XI would also field Anderson, McDonald, Liddell, Rae, Bain, Strachan, Taylor, Matthewson, Small and Terry.
In May 1946 Elmwood signed Violet’s Trewern who had bagged a double hat-trick playing as a trialist for the Dundee Junior side. The press reported “Trewern, Elmwood’s six goal trialist leader was fixed up only in time. Several clubs were prepared to talk business with the Tayport Violet boy”
This season Kenilworth became the first ever Angus Amateurs club to reach the semi-final of the Scottish Amateur Cup. They had home advantage – North End Park – but lost 5-3 to Glasgow cracks Craigton Athletic.
The League positions at the end of May 1946
Tayport Violet XI 1945-46. Back (l-r) – D.Coss, C.Dempster (capt), I.MacDonald, J.Lindsay, W.Hughes, G.Kidd, J.Gilmour, W.Hughes Snr. Front:- I.Hill, E.Soutar, S.Bain, A.Liddell, J.Taylor
Post World War 2
Season 1946-1947
After a six year war enforced break, the Midlands AFA resumed activities and Tayport Violet left the Angus AFA to re-join the Midlands AFA. Club secretary was George Lonie, 9 Pond Lane. Tayport Violet XI continued in the Angus AFA’s Boys’ League.
A typical Violet line-up would be selected from Carmichael; Moore, Bryson, McBride, Weir, Ferrier, Smith, Hamilton, Morris, Hackney, Auld, Corrigan, Wilson, Beat, Anderson, Farquhar. Later in the season Hutchison, Stirton, Taylor, Ralph, Coupar, Scott, Gruar, Patrick, Ogilvie & Maguire would make appearances.
Tayport’s youngsters, the Tayport Violet XI, playing in the Angus AFA’s Boys’ League started the season listing Prain, Scott, Rae, Dempster, Coss, Hughes, Livingstone, Hill, Taylor Matthewson, Trewern, Terry, Coupar, Soutar & Lindsay. Later in the season Wilkie, Findlay, Campsie, Donaldson, Turnbull, Keir, Milne, Duncan & Robb were regulars.
Angus AFA Boys’ League 1946-47
There was a third team in the town during this season, Tayside Rangers, which comprised youngsters and played friendlies. Amongst those turning out for Tayside (note: the team was sometimes mistakenly referred to as ‘Tayport’ Rangers), were A.Phin, Scott, Mill, Pattie, Whiteford, Mackie, Paton, Rae, Aitken, Anderson, Milne, Philp, Cowie, Johnstone, Keir, Howe and Carmichael.
In June, following the end of the season, Tayport Violet played a friendly vs the Local POW [Prisoners of War] XI when Violet fielded Cockburn; M.Cuthbert, T.Bryson; Auld, Mackay, Walker; Hill, Richardson, Smith, Wilkie & Kidd.
Tayport Violet line-up c. 1947. Back: (l-r) Willie Walker, David Dempster, George Cockburn, Tom Bryson, D.Mackay, Tom Walker. Front: Ian Hill, W. Richardson, Davie Hughes, G.Smith, Jim Wilkie.
Season 1947-1948
At The Midlands AFA AGM in June 1947 T.Coull (Tayport Violet) was elected vice-president of the Association and D Mackay (Tayport) was elected to the Executive Committee. The meeting noted that ….
Thus, came into being the club which would later join the Scottish Junior FA and bring to the town unprecedented success on the football field.
Tayport Violet continued in the Midlands League whilst the new club, Tayport Amateurs, took its place in the Midlands second tier, the Alliance League.
Violet started the season with Cockburn; Mackay, Smith; Bryson, Stanton, Walker; Hill, Richardson, Bertie, Hughes, Wilkie, Reserve – D.Beat.
Tayport Amateurs’ early season selections were from Conway, Ross; Rae, Dempster, Cairns, Wighton, A.Pattie, Hughes, Small, Ransford, Terry, Kidd, Gowans, Ross, Strachan.
Both teams entered the Scottish Amateur Cup this season. As was the norm, although playing in a Dundee based league, both clubs were drawn in the Fife section. Both made 1st round exits, the Amateurs travelled to meet Lomond Vics at The Myre in Falkland but had an inauspicious cup debut, losing 8-0. On East Common, Violet lost to Cupar Hearts, but no scoreline was recorded. The Amateurs entered the Midlands Cup, the predecessor of the North of Tay Cup, but fell at the first hurdle.
In the Midlands Alliance Cup, theAmateurs reached the semi-final, losing to YM Anchorage. In the Bremner Cup Violetlost to RAF Leuchars in round 2
Notwithstanding their heavy Scottish Cup defeat, the Amateurs started their Alliance season well and for a spell, prior to the turn of the year, topped the table.
Midland Amateurs – Season 1947-48
Season 1948-1949
No change this season with both Tayport Violet and Tayport Amateurs kicking off their season in their respective divisions of the Midlands Amateur FA. Violet and Tayport Amateurs were two of 266 clubs to enter the Scottish Amateur Cup but both exited in the 1st Round, 6-0 at Kirkcaldy’s Westwood Wanderers and 6-2 in Dundee at YM Anchorage respectively. Anchorage would go on to reach the quarter final. Violet didn’t fare much better in the Fife Amateur Cup, losing 4-1 at St Monans in R 2, a competition which attracted 35 entries.
Tayport Amateurs again entered the Midlands Cup but after eliminating Meigle in round 2, lost interest at Newtyle, losing 5-2 in round 3.
Although Tayport Amateurs had made a good start to their league campaign, they had to settle for third spot. Tayport Violet had another disappointing season, defensive frailties being their downfall. There is no record of team selections this season.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1948-49
Tayport Violet’s defensive shortcomings were no more evident than vs. RAF Leuchars in May 1949 when the airmen won 8-4. The match was a personal triumph for 20 years old centre forward Derek Dooley who netted a double hat-trick. A Sheffield lad, Dooley (pictured below) would go on to score 62 goals in 61 games for Sheffield Wednesday before his career was abruptly halted when he broke a leg in an FA Cup tie at Preston North End in February 1953. Gangrene set in and it was necessary to amputate his leg.
Derek Dooley
Season 1949-1950
Tayport Violet remained with the big guns in the Midlands AFA’s top Division.
Once again there was a plethora of Alliance teams thus necessitating a North/South split and naturally Tayport Amateurs, along with Newport, Wormit and Gauldry were in the South section.
Violet were one of only eight Midlands clubs to enter the Scottish Amateur Cup and a 4-0 first round defeat by Broughty Rangers was a foreboding of things to come during the season. This was confirmed when in the Midlands Cup, Angus Amateurs’ Windsor ensured their twenty-five minutes train journey back over the Bridge would be a cheerful one after giving Violet an 11-1 mauling on the East Common.
The Amateurs went one round further in the Midlands Cup before losing after a replay to eventual runners-up Kinrossie. However, by the end of the season, they had collected the club’s first ever piece of silverware, albeit by default, when Alliance Cup Final opponents Smedleys FC were disqualified.
In the Bremner Cup, the Amateurs fell at the first hurdle, losing 2-0 at Balgay. Violet’s interest was ended at the same stage when they crashed 10-1 to St Andrews University on the Common.
Violet’s dismal form saw them relegated and they would join the Amateurs in newly created Division two next season.
Amateurs’ Robertson (pictured) was selected to represent the Midlands AFA when they defeated the Angus AFA by 3-0 in the Associations’ annual challenge match
As happened regularly, the Amateur Associations completed their seasons around a month earlier than their Junior counterparts and players were snapped up by Junior clubs at the business end of the Junior season. This season Tayport Amateurs’ Maurice Milne and Hugh Cavanagh both signed for Broughty Ex-Service Juniors, the latter notching a double on his debut.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1949-50 Final Tables
Fife Schools Football
In June 1950 three Tayport Junior Secondary School pupils, Reg Dewar, James Rae and Peter Harley were in the Cupar & District Schools Select which reached the final of the Fife Schools Cup v Wemyss & District Schools. Cupar & District lost 5-2 but it was no disgrace given that Wemyss & District were lifting the cup for a seventh successive season.
Tayport Junior Secondary School participated in the Cupar & District Schools Football Association in a League involving Newburgh, Ladybank, St Andrews Burgh, Bell Baxter HS, Newport, and Guardbridge/Leuchars schools. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a good season for Tayport’s JSS
1950s
Season 1950-1951
A restructure within the Midlands AFA saw the creation of a Division 2 as well as an Alliance Division, the latter composed of clubs’ 2nd XIs. The relegated TayportViolet and TayportAmateurs, elevated from the Alliance League, were this season participating in the newly created Division 2.
After picking up only 3 points from a possible 48 and conceding over 5 goals per game last season, Tayport Violet got its act together and ran away with the Second Division title, with an unbeaten league record.
It was a good season for the local fans with Tayport Amateurs edging out local rivals Newport to gain the second promotion spot. Indeed, the two Tayport clubs were ensconced in the top two places from October onwards.
Tayport Violet was one of only eight local clubs to enter the Scottish Amateur Cup and progressed to round 4 with wins over Wormit, Methven and Windsor before being eliminated in Glasgow, beaten 10-0 by eventual beaten finalists Mearns Amateurs. Probably not a great surprise against a side whose “forward rank is one of the best in Scotland” according to the west coast press. Tayport Amateurs chose not to enter the Scottish Cup.
In the Midlands Cup, forerunner to the North of Tay Cup, there were 1st round exits for both, Violet, losing 3-1 at RNAS Arbroath, and the Amateurs who crashed 7-0 at Kinrossie.
Locally, both clubs made second round exits in the Bremner Cup but it was a different story in the newly inaugurated Gray Trophy. Both clubs reached the semi-final. The Amateurs lost out 2-1 to Wormit, but Violet were first to have their name engraved on the trophy with a 4-2 win over their south Tayside neighbours in the final.
Tayport Violet 1951. Back (l-r) J.Smith, unknown, J.Ross, J.Buist snr., Wm (Bill).Clark, D.Phin, unknown, W.Gray, J.Bernard, J.Harley. Sitting: R.Gowans, unknown, Eddie (Ned).Flynn, Gilhooley, Jim Crerar aka Cobie. Kneeling: J.Weir, Frances (Frankie) Flynn, Bob (aka Boab) Clark, J.Buist jnr.
Elsewhere, In December 1950, 20 years old Tayport lad Gordon Kidd who had been playing Junior with Thornton Hibs, signed for Dunfermline Athletic and made his debut in January vs Clyde.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1950–51 Final Tables
Season 1951-1952
A pre-season football match with a difference in July 1951 when Dundee Corinthian Boating Club members and friends disembarked at Lucky Scaup, the tidal island just off Tayport, to play a football match followed by a picnic.
Both Tayport teams, Violet and the Amateurs, for the first time kicked off the season in the Midlands AFA’s top division and acquitted themselves well, particularly Violet. Indeed Violet led the league early on, before suffering a first defeat of the season, losing 4-3 to Arbroath HSFP at Gayfield.
Neither side entered the Scottish Amateur Cup, the potential costs of transport across the country, being a deciding factor.
The Midlands AFA had been dominated for years by Dundee’s legendary YM Anchorage club who were Midlands champions for the seven seasons leading up to World War 2 and seven seasons in a row post-War.
The North of Tay Cup, its status being second only to the Scottish Cup, replaced the Midlands Cup this season and Tayport Amateurs had the misfortune to meet YM Anchorage in round 1, losing 5-1. Violet fared somewhat better, reaching the quarter finals before losing 3-1 to the Angus Amateurs’ Ashdale. In another season it might have been a Tayport name on the inaugural cup as Anchorage beat Ashdale 4-2 in the final!
In the premier Midlands cup competition, the Bremner Cup, Violet were beaten finalists, losing out to YM Anchorage who once again would dominate the season. Anchorage would have swept the board locally had they added the Gray Trophy to their collection, but that honour was to fall to Tayport Violet for a second successive season. It had taken three games for Anchorage to see off Tayport Amateurs in the quarter final but YM’s chance of a clean sweep was denied them by Arbroath HSFPs in the semi-final who would be Violet’s victims in the final at Invergowrie.
It would never be suggested that the match reporter had a leaning towards the Arbroath team but he (or maybe she?) noted “after a goalless first half at Memorial Park in which the FPs had faced the sun and wind, after the break the sun sank and the wind veered round. Midway through the second half a violent rainstorm broke out and the School were unfortunate in having to face it. A flimsy penalty award led to Violet opening the scoring. Before the storm had abated, Violet had increased their lead. In the closing stages the FPs surged into attack and it was no more than their due when they reduced the leeway but Violet held on the win 2-1”
No such joy for Violet in the famous North End Fives, an annual weeklong competition culminating with the finals of the various categories played at North End’s Sports Day on the Saturday. Violet were finalist in their category but went down 6-1 to Ashdale in front of 6,000 spectators at North End Park.
In another annual football related event, Broughty Ferry Bowling Club lost 2-1 to the Corinthians Boating Club at Lucky Scaup. The pitch was described as being on Lucky, a small island off Tayport which is joined to the mainland at low tide.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1951–52 Final Tables
Season 1952-1953
This was probably the Tayport clubs’ best season to date in the Midlands Amateurs with Violet and the Amateurs both improving their league placings, finishing second and third top respectively, behind perennial champions YM Anchorage.
Cup football wasn’t as impressive, however. Neither club chose to enter the Scottish Cup and in the North of Tay Cup, Violet crashed out at the first hurdle, losing 6-1 at Dunkeld and Birnam. Tayport Amateurs fared better however, reaching the last eight before being eliminated in a replay by eventual winners Kinrossie.
In the Bremner Cup, both Tayport clubs were eliminated at the 1st round stage. This season Gray Trophy entries had been restricted to Second Division clubs.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1952–53 Final Tables
Season 1953-1954
Regrettably there are no club records in respect of most of the 1950s and 1960s but we do know that Tayport Violet, despite being championship runners-up in 1953, withdrew from the league for the 1953-54 season and disappeared from the scene, never to be see again. It is understood that many of the players in the Violet team came from Dundee and they chose to move back over the river.
Although Violet were gone, for many of the following 50 years Tayport would still have two teams playing in the Midlands AFA. Tayport Amateurs 1st XI was in Division One and their reserve side, the Alliance XI, playing in the Midlands Alliance League. It wasn’t a great start to the club’s new structure. After the dizzy heights of the previous season, the 1st XI was relegated and the Reserves’ inaugural season saw the finish near the foot of the Alliance 2nd division.
Tayport did not enter either the Scottish or North of Tay Cups and exited at the first hurdle of all local cups.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1953–54 – Division One and Two
Tayport’s 1st XI were beaten 4-1 by neighbours Wormit in the sides’ final game of the season, a result which saved Arbroath HSFP but consigned Tayport to Division 2.
Alliance Division One and Two
Season 1954-1955
Football in the town was at a low ebb this season. The club chose not to enter an Alliance XI and the season was the most disappointing for some time.
There was no Scottish Amateur Cup entry and first round exits in both the North of Tay Cup and Gray Trophy. Tayport did make it to the last eight of the Bremner Cup but were eliminated 3-1 at Wormit.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1954-55
Despite their on-field travails this season, off the field, the Football Club was in good form, organising regular concerts, the entire proceeds of which were going to the town’s recently established Old Folks Welfare Committee.
Season 1955-1956
Unfortunately, few records of football in Tayport exist for this season but we do know that Tayport Amateurs were playing in Midlands Division 2 with no great success. This season, however saw the club field a team in the Midlands Alliance Division 2
There was no Scottish Cup entry but in the North of Tay Cup there were victories over Strathmartine and Vidor FC before exiting at high flying Kinrossie. Locally there were 3rd round exits in both Gray and Bremner competitions.
In their first season back the Alliance team made no progress in the Lunan Trophy but reached the semi-final of the Alliance Cup, losing 2-3 v Invergowrie. Highlight of the Alliance season was undoubtedly the 8-1 Alliance Cup win over neighbours Newport.
No League tables available but an interesting report of this season’s Division Two League game v Broughty United. Interesting, in that Broughty travelled to the East Common by boat!
Maurice Milne (1932-1998)
The mid-1950s may not have been the best of times for Tayport’s football teams but it was a successful time for one Tayport born footballer. Left winger Maurice Milne had been starring with St Josephs in the Dundee Junior League where his form had attracted Dundee United. United acquired his signature and Maurice made his debut for the Tannadice club in April 1955. His form with United – 31 goals in 82 games – attracted scouts from down south and in January 1957 Cardiff City agreed his transfer for a reputed fee of £4,000 (equates to £140,000 in 2023) but Maurice didn’t fancy going full time so he stayed put.
In May 1957, however, there was a change of mind when Norwich City put in an offer and Maurice was off to Carrow Road for £2,000. After a spell at Norwich, he moved on to Gloucester City in the Southern League before returning to Dundee United and then Brechin City.
Below (left) Maurice in his Dundee United days and 27 years later (right) lining up in a Tayport Amateurs shirt for a Veterans XI match on the Canniepairt in 1983.
Tayport Amateurs mid 1950s. Back (l-r) Bert Leslie, Henry Philp, Phil Hunter, Willie Walker, John Payne, Jim Rae. Front:- Bob Reekie, Bill Mackay, Abby Walker, Bert Aitken, Ronnie Moyes
Season 1956-1957
Another less than memorable league season for both Tayport Amateurs teams in Midlands Division 2 and for the Reserves in Alliance Division 2.
No Scottish Cup entry but a decent run in the North of Tay Cup with wins over Keillers and Veedor Root before losing 5-0 to Morgan FP the quarter finals.
Tayport also reached the Bremner Cup last eight but lost to eventual winners YM Anchorage. 2nd round exit in Gray Trophy.
The Alliance XI was eliminated in 1st round of Alliance Cup by YMCA, albeit after a 3rd game. In the Lunan Trophy, Tayport failed to get out of their section, losing all four games.
The mid-1950s was a period during which Wormit Amateurs were cocks of the walk on south Tayside, winning successive Midlands Division one Championships in 1955-1957
Tayport Amateurs Alliance XI c. 1956. Back l-r Martin Gourlay, Henry Lovie, Willie Walker, Jim Scott, Davie Ross, Dave Wilson. Front: -Ian Paterson, Stuart Philp, John Payne, Abby Walker, Chic
Jim Scott pictured above when a teenager, would turn out for Tayport during three decades, playing his final game for the club in October 1977. During this period, he also played for Wormit and in Junior football.
Season 1957-1958
Another disappointing 12 months for Tayport Amateurs. Mid table finish in Division2, no reserve team, no Scottish Cup entry and out of Bremner Cup in round 1. There was, however, a stunning first round victory in the North of Tay Cup, 13 – 1 v RAF Leuchars, but it was a revert to type in round 2, losing 3-1 at Lawside FP
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1957-58
Season 1958-1959
This would be a momentous season for Tayport Amateurs. Despite suffering 13 defeats and finishing only six points from the foot of the second division, Tayport, against all the odds, created a huge Midlands AFA upset by winning the Bremner Cup, the club’s sole success in the competition in 50 years. It was fairytale stuff!
In an association dominated by the giants of the local amateur game at that time, such as YM Anchorage, the holders and winners on 15 previous occasions, NCR and Broughty United,Tayport’s cup win that season was an occasion which would remain a fond lifetime memory for those involved.
Although finishing near the bottom of division 2, Lady Luck was clearly shining on Tayport in the Bremner Cup. First round, a bye into the last 16. 2nd round a walkover, as opponents Balgay scratched. Quarter final, a 6-3 win over fellow 2nd division side Monifieth. When drawn at home to first division championship runners-up Broughty United in the semi-final, the run looked to have hit the buffers
The late Bert Aitken was a member of that winning team and in a 2017 interview recalled that memorable semi-final success. “The semi-final was on East Common versus Division runners-up Broughty United who had eliminated holders YM Anchorage in the quarter final. In these days [when not sailing over the Tay – see 1955/56] Broughty, of course, travelled by train. On the train, three of the Broughty players were overheard by the referee discussing who they’d be playing in the final. I can’t recall how many goals were offside or how many were penalties, laughed Bert, but we won 4-0!”
“Pre match, with the odds already stacked against us, our legendary goalkeeper Bill Jellye was a very late call off. His mum, Mrs Jellye, had come rushing through the plouter [the pedestrian access from Nelson Street/Shanwell Road] to the Common, from Bill’s home in Linksfield waving his green jersey [players took their strip home to wash in those days] and shouting ‘yoo hoo, you hoo…Bill can’t play. He’s away to London’. Big John Payne known as ChamPayne went between the sticks and the rest, as they say, is history”
For the record, Tayport’s goalscorers that evening were Bert Aitken, Kenny Keir and Ronnie Moyes (2).
The Bremner final was on a Friday evening at Invergowrie vs Morgan FP who had finished 3rd behind Anchorage and Broughty, but Tayport pulled it off with a 2-1 win. Bert recalled that the team had orders to phone Dick Beattie, mine host at the Bellrock Tavern after the game and there had been brief panic when at first they couldn’t find a phone. Remember, the pubs closed at 10 o’ clock in those days and the train didn’t get into Tayport station until after closing time. Like most good publicans Dick was ahead of the game and told the team the upstairs room in the Bellrock would be open and not to worry as he’d had a word with the local Police and they wouldn’t bother them!
Although Tayport’s league form was dismal and an entry to the Scottish Amateur Cup would likely have been seen to be an expensive waste of time, Tayport as usual had entered the North of Tay Cup and reached the quarter-final. A 1st round bye was followed a 2nd round win v Tealing after a replay then a 3rd round success at Astral before bowing out to Grove FP in the last eight after a replay.
There are no club records from this era so info is sketchy. What we do know is the winning line-up was: John Payne; Ray Calder, Henry Philp; Ferguson, Jim Mathers, Jim Rae aka the Fox; Ronnie Moyes, Kevin Harte, Kenny Keir, Bunting and Bert Aitken. All familiar names locally during this era apart fromright half-back Ferguson and inside left Bunting
Ray Calder (above) and Bert Aitken (below) pictured when the club’s Bremner Cup win was recognised at Tayport FC’s Hall of Fame Event in 2019 as the first Tayport FC [1947] team to win a 1st XI cup competition
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1958-59
Season 1959-1960
Perhaps flushed with last season’s Bremner Cup success, Tayport Amateurs entered the Scottish Amateur Cup and got off to a good start by eliminating 6th BB Ex-members from Dundee to earn a 2nd round tie at home to Kinrossie but unfortunately it ended in a 1-2 defeat.
In their first game in defence of the Bremner, Tayport beat Arbroath HSFP by 2-1 but lost in the 2nd round to YM Anchorage. Anchorage proved to be Tayport’s nemesis, losing also to the Dundee big guns in the 2nd round of the North of Tay Cup having thrashing Transport United 9-1 in round 1.
Tayport’s form continued to improve as the season progressed and they reached the final of the Carne Trophy (contested by Division 2 clubs) for the first time but lost 2-0 to champions Harris FP. In the league, although always dark horses for promotion, three wins from their final three league games saw Tayport pip both Arbroath HSFP and Auchterhouse for the second promotion spot. For a second successive year it had been a happy end to the season.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1959-60
The 1960s
There are no club records for much of the 1960s and the club for much of the time was fairly impoverished. There are tales of a set of leisurewear instead of a strip, odd shorts and socks, shortage of footballs, a wooden changing hut with gas lighting and a multi-purpose (!) Belfast sink and even referees ending up in the pond on the Common, although these would surely only have been threats!
There were seasons in the 1960s when the club didn’t manage to field a reserve side. The teams were invariably made up of local lads and it was credit to the gallant few on the committee who kept the club going.
Nevertheless, during the decade there were two Carne Trophy wins and three promotions. These successes may not have been the most glittering of the Midlands AFA’s prizes but in a decade when the club faced many hardships, they were welcome opportunities for celebration.
The third promotion, as Division Two Champions for the first time, at the end of this decade, would be the springboard for the success that would follow.
Season 1960-1961
Tayport Amateurs had a team back in the top division for the first time since 1953/54 and had entered a Reserve XI in the Alliance League for the first time since 1956/57.
In the Bremner Cup, Tayport went out in round 2, losing 1-2 at home to the rapidly improving NCR club. Promotion allowed for entry to the Gray Trophy but there was a 1st round defeat by Grove FP.
The team clearly wasn’t ready for the step up and was relegated, picking up only three wins from 26 games. There was no entry from Tayport in neither Scottish nor North of Tay Cups
The Alliance XI’s return saw them finish in a comfortable mid table position in Alliance League 2. A bye and then a win over Bullionfield FC saw Tayport reach the last eight where progress was halted by YM Anchorage. In the Lunan Trophy, one point from four section games saw us fail to qualify.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1960-61
Season 1961-1962
Tayport were back in Division 2 and struggled for most of the season avoiding second bottom placing by virtue of a better goal average.
There was no Scottish Amateur Cup entry and also a failure to clear the first hurdle in North of Tay, Bremner and Gray competitions, losing to Broughty United, Broughty United again and Harris FP respectively.
The Reserves fared little better, a second bottom placing in Division 2, a 9-0 exit to Broughty United in the Alliance Cup and four almost equally heavy defeats in their Lunan Trophy Section
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1961-62
Tayport Amateurs Alliance XI during 1960s (date uncertain). Back:- Charlie Rennie, Joe Cavanagh, Andy Fraser, Jimmy Lawson, J.Fraser, Kenny Gorham. Front :- Andy Dewar, David Adam, Francis Lawson, Ian Rennie, Ernie Simpson
Season 1962-1963
Another disappointing season was compounded by the worst winter for sixteen years which prevented the Gray Trophy, Alliance Cup and Lunan Trophies being played. Tayport never entered the Scottish Amateur nor the Bremner Cup. They probably wished they hadn’t entered the North of Tay Cup either after they had lost 10-2 to Bullionfield in the 1st round.
League football was equally miserable, the two Tayport teams finishing second bottom of their respective divisions.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1962-63
Season 1963-1964
Despite what was to be another fairly miserable period for the club, there were, nevertheless, a few bright spots and this season’s Carne Trophy win was one such bright spot when Tayport lifted the trophy (contested by second division clubs only) for the first time. Tayport was still connected to Dundee by a railway at this time, the usual means by which the players travelled to matches. The Carne final had taken place on a Friday evening and when the players disembarked from the train at Tayport Station, a bagpiper was on hand to meet the team off the train and lead the cup winning procession along the street.
After a 1st round bye, Tayport had eliminated Bullionfield in the quarter final and beat RGR 4-2 in the semi-final at Riverside Drive to earn their place in the final v Grays United where a Charlie Rennie goal gave Tayport a 1-0 win at NCR Grounds.
The Bremner Cup was restricted to Division One clubs while the Gray Trophy this season, was an all-in affair played on a sectional basis. Tayport didn’t get out of the section but did record an all too rare win over eventual finalists YM Anchorage in one of the sectional matches in Dundee.
No record of a Scottish Cup appearance but in the North of Tay Cup Tayport reached round 3 after wins over Bonar Long and Timex before losing to Doune Castle Rovers after a replay.
The 1st XI’s form had improved and they remained in contention for a promotion spot, although eventually finishing 5th.
The Alliance XI didn’t qualify from their section in the Lunan Trophy and lost 11-0 at Broughty United in the Alliance Cup R 1. No surprise, then, that the Reserves finished the season rock bottom of Alliance Division 2.
Tayport 1stXI March 1964 (l-r) Andy Fraser (trainer), Charlie Rennie, Jim Mathers, Gordon Kelman, Bill Jellye, Joe Cavanagh, Jim Rae, Tam Bruce (asst.trainer). Front: Andy Fraser jnr, Raymond Stern, Ian White, Richard Redpath, Jim Rodger.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1963-64
Season 1964-1965
Tayport FC, or ‘The Amateurs’ as the club had been known in the town since 1947, was still fielding two teams in the Midlands AFA and both showed improved form. It was a successful season for the 1st XI who gained promotion as runners up to Lawside FP and the Reserves moved into mid-table in Alliance Div 2.
In Cup football, after a 1st round bye, Tayport shared 6 goals at Lochee Celtic and won the replay on East Common by 5-4 but went out to Angus kingpins Windsor in round 3. No record of Tayport’s defence of the Carne Trophy unfortunately. In the Gray Trophy Tayport once again did not get out of their section.
A similar story with the Alliance XI, failing to get out of their Lunan Trophy Section and exiting the Alliance Cup at the first hurdle at Arbroath HSFP.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1964-65
Season 1965-1966
After the successful promotion winning season, Tayport failed to adjust to playing at a higher level this season and were relegated. The Reserves moved up three places in the final Alliance Division 2 standings but were never in the promotion hunt.
In Cup football there was no Scottish Cup entry. After a 1st round win over 6th BB ex-members, the North of Tay Cup campaign came to a shuddering halt in round 2 when Newtyle Hearts won 5-1 on the East Common.
Tayport got out of their section in the Gray Trophy but lost to Harris FP, the eventual winners, in a play-off for a place in the last four. The Reserves never got out of their Lunan Trophy section and a defeat by YMCA ended their Alliance Cup run before it got started.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1965-66
Season 1966-1967
This was a season in which Tayport repeated their feat of 1963/64 by winning the Carne Trophy, again contested by clubs in Division Two. The Bremner Cup was restricted to Division 1 clubs and the Gray Trophy was not contested this season. The club chose not to enter the Scottish Amateur Cup. Tayport got no further than the 1st round of the North of Tay Cup, beaten 3-2 at Alyth.
No joy for the Reserves, beaten 8-0 by YM Anchorage in round 1 and failing to get out of their section in the Lunan Trophy.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1966-67
A typical Alliance XI line-up this season, eg vs RNAS Condor (Arbroath), would be Bayne (RAF); Iain Bell, Ron Redpath, Frank Leslie, Fred Janssen, Derek McRobbie; Albert Oswald, Ross McMillan, James Foulis, Dallas (RAF) and Doug Henderson. Others who featured this season were Ian Mackie, Ian Pattie, Dave Hastie and Donald ‘Dino’ Wallace.
Season 1967-1968
Tayport fielded two teams again this season and although the Reserves improved their position slightly, the 1st XI’s league struggles continued and the club finished a point off the bottom of Division 2.
Cup football was no better, no Scottish Amateur Cup entry, a home defeat by Invergowrie in the 1st round of the North of Tay Cup and a 7-0 thumping at Longforgan in their Bremner Cup tie.
A 1st XI line up which went down 4-5 to Arbroath Technical College in a league game was Brian Ferns; Jim Mathers, Ian Brown; Frank Leslie, Kenny Thomson, Ian Pattie; Abby Oswald, Charlie Rennie, Ian White, Richard Redpath and Doug Henderson.
The Alliance XI lost to Arbroath HSFP in the 1st round of the Alliance Cup. The Lunan Trophy this season proved to be a competition which would be remembered … but best forgotten. In a tie away to NCR, Tayport’s young side were beaten by 15 goals to 3. It’s understood that the Tayport team claimed they were just unfortunate and, on another day, could maybe have got a draw!
In league football, Tayport’s Alliance XI’s biggest win over the season was an 8-0 home win v SC Whitehall. The line-up that day was Brian Ferns; Ron Redpath, Doug Ross; Alex Ritchie, Fred Janssen, Derek McRobbie; Albert Oswald, Raymond White, Jimmy Foulis, Iain Bell and Billy Nelson.
Under 16s
During the mid-1960s there was a Tayport under 16 team in the town which played in a Cupar & District League. The line-up on the occasion the team reached the final of the Hain Trophy in season 1968/69 with a win over East Wemyss, was Ian Mathers; Walter Kemp, Melvin Hunter; Neil Craigon, Graeme Johnstone, George Bryson; Stewart Ritchie, (Bruce Ross), Andy Johnstone, Eddie Gilmour, David Ayre and David Oswald. Tayport recovered from being 0-2 behind after 5 minutes to win 5-2 with goals from A. Johnstone (2), Oswald (2) and Ayre.
Midlands Amateurs – Season 1967-68
The 1960s
As described, the 1960s had been a fairly disappointing time for amateur football in the town. Not that there weren’t any highs, but those successes couldn’t be sustained. As the decade neared its end, so too did the careers of many of the players. The committee was threadbare and it had been only the unstinting efforts of the likes of Jim Mathers, Angus Barbieri and Dave Wilson that kept the club going.
Those who played in the early to mid-1960s would acknowledge that the club was struggling but nevertheless can recall times which generated some good memories …and characters… which, through the passage of time, have become, well, legendary.
The club’s changing room was a wooden hut divided into a home and away end adjacent to the pitch and backing on to a small wood which is now part of the caravan site. The green painted hut was owned by the Town Council and after the roof collapsed midway through the decade, it was relocated to a site adjacent to the east end of the promenade. Even for the 1960s, the hut’s facilities were pretty basic – cold water supply only, gas lighting, a gas stove and a multi-purpose (!) Belfast sink. No showers but a tin bath was provided for the players’ post-match wash. Ian White, to this day, bemoans the fact that, as the youngest player in 1962, he was last to get use of the bath.
The players didn’t train, usually just meeting up on a match day. Any players who wanted to better themselves often moved on to play with other clubs, often neighbours such as Wormit Amateurs, or if they showed promise, were picked up by Junior clubs.
Here’s a 1963/64 Wormit FC pic (courtesy Newport History Group) with at least five Tayport lads – back row, 2nd from left, Johnny Crawford, 1st from right, Jim Scott and 2nd from right Eddie Stewart. front row – 2nd from left Ally Philp, 4th from left Maurice Flynn.
Funds were non-existent, the club was living from hand to mouth. Players paid 1 shilling (5p) each on a match day and this paid for the referee’s 10 shillings (50p) match fee. Fund raising was pretty much restricted to a few dances in the Town (now Gregory) Hall and a match collection if there were deemed to be enough spectators to get a rattle from the tin.
Before the Tay Road Bridge was opened in August 1966, Tayport’s players, mostly home-based, would meet at Tayport railway station for the 25 minutes trip to Dundee. Apart from Arbroath, visits outwith Dundee were few and far between, so from Dundee Station it was a Dundee Corporation bus from Shore Terrace to the match venue. Jim Mathers, team captain for much of that time, was in the motor trade and on occasion he would waiting with a car outside the station and would cram as many teammates into the car as possible. Camperdown Park was one of the least popular venues, as the players had to change under a tree.
Arbroath matches were often played at West Links which meant changing trains at Dundee and alighting from the Arbroath train at Elliot Junction. On such trips it was often difficult to find someone to check tickets so, as a one player recalled, something akin to a (very) cheap day return was popular!
No fancy strips with club badges, logos and numbers in the 1960s. The club’s shirt colour was green with white trim. Players were expected to provide their own shorts and socks and it wasn’t unusual to find they didn’t always match. Players washed their own shirts which were returned to secretary Angus Barbieri who worked in his dad Joe’s café in Nelson Street, now the site of the fire station.
Ian White, who went on to have a post-playing career with Cupar Hearts, was picked up by Dundee North End, but he was only there for half a season, “preferring to play with the lads at Tayport”, as he recalled
Joe’s Café in Nelson Street, with its Juke Box, was the meeting place for the players before and after the match.
No goal nets in the 60s although for a 3rd round tie in the North of Tay Cup at home to Doune Castle Rovers, legend has it that nets for the day were supplied by local fisherman Jocky Armstrong.
Money was always short and shirts were expected to last for several seasons. One season when new shirts were a necessity and funds were short, a set of black sweatshirts was obtained but the material was too thick and the change didn’t last. Footballs weren’t plentiful either and George Ritchie recalls the Alliance match on East Common when Billy Nelson was sent off. “You can’t send me off, said the bold Billy. “and why not? said the referee” “cause it’s my ball” replied Billy.
In the 1960s Tayport FC might not have been breaking records but that certainly wasn’t the case with genial club secretary Agostino (Angus) Barbieri. The generously proportioned Angus put Tayport on the world map in July 1966 when he entered the Guinness Book of Records after completing a medically supervised fast of 382 days, living only on tea, coffee, sparkling water and vitamins which saw his weight plummet from 32 stones 8lb to 12 stones 12lb. Two years earlier in 1964, 25 years old Angus took a lift on Tayport’s railway station bogie as a piper led the celebrating players off the train along Tay Street to the Freemason’s Arms when the team won the Carne Trophy.
Angus Barbieri, before and after his record-breaking fast
Angus, a caring individual, who would later join the nursing profession, gave George Ritchie (pictured below) his debut as a 15-year old, paying his train fare to the team’s game in Dundee (unbeknown to George’s mum who wasn’t pleased when she found out). Young George recalls that after the match, he was left hanging about outside the railway station in Dundee whilst his teammates went for a pint whilst waiting on the train back to Tayport.
There were no football academies in those days and if a local youngster showed promise, Junior and Senior clubs would come sniffing. The aforementioned George had been on trial with Brechin City at Ayr United. Unfortunately, he was a bad traveller plus he had a Saturday morning job with Jim Stanford’s travelling shop, so that wasn’t pursued.
Jim Rodger, a Scottish Amateur internationalist with Wormit, had moved downriver in the twilight of his career, to play with Tayport where he would later have a bookmaker’s business in the town and latterly become mine host at the Tayport Arms.
Goalkeepers were never in short supply in the sixties and amongst the characters who wore the No.1 jersey (well, that’s not true, because the Tayport FC shirts in the 60s didn’t have numbers) were Bill Jellye, not a man to be meddled with according to opponents, Jim Paterson, Town Councillor Ally Doctor and the irrepressible Derek White, whose career between the sticks lasted well into the seventies.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, but as the 1960s drew to a close, it was clear things had to change. Football, and the club’s reputation in the town had reached a nadir. Local youngsters who had been playing with the Alliance XI were looking for something better. The dwindling old guard didn’t have the appetite for change, so were happy to step aside.
The following 50 years would bring the town unprecedented success on the football field.
This change can be traced back to the club’s Annual General Meeting which was held in the Scout Hall, Elizabeth Street in June 1968.
Season 1968-1969
AGM and Pre-season Trial
Office bearers for the new season
Chairman: Fred Janssen. Secretary: Abby Oswald. Treasurer: Phil Callander.
Selection Committee: Tammy Laing, Ally Doctor, Jim Heggie, Abby Walker
Trainer: Keith Wort (R.A.F.)
Fund Raising: Fred Janssen, Ian Bell, Ronnie Laing, Doug Henderson
Pre-season training was under the direction of RAF Sergeant Keith Wort, based at RAF Leuchars, but residing in Tayport. Such was the enthusiasm in the town that some 39 players wanted to get involved, most resident in the town. The following were listed –
| Murray Anderson | 18 Lochside Gardens | Walter Kemp | 54 Cowgate |
| Dennis Auld | 22 Lochside Gardens | Ronnie Laing | 32 Golf Crescent |
| David Ayre | 6 Queen Street | Ian Mackie | 19 Banknowe Drive |
| Ian Bell | 44 Craig Road | Derek McRobbie | Mill Lane |
| Alan Brown | Quality St., Gauldry | Ian Mathers | 8 Banknowe Road |
| George Bryson | 6 Banknowe Avenue | Jim Mathers | 8 Whitenhill |
| Phil Callander | 1 Shanwell Road | Albert Oswald | 16 Lochside Gardens |
| Stan Cowe | 14 Shanwell Rd South | Ian Pattie | c/o 36 Elizabeth Street |
| John Evans | McGavins Land, Invergowrie | Dick Pearce | Woodmuir Terrace, Newport |
| Brian Ferns | 16 Banknowe Terrace | Ronald Redpath | 3 Banknowe Drive |
| James Foulis | 49 Linksfield | Richard Redpath | 14 Ogilvy Place |
| Andy Fraser | 30 Shanwell Rd South | George Redpath | 78 Ogilvy Street |
| Kenny Gorham | 10 Butter Wynd | Charles Rennie | Castle Street |
| Dave Hastie | Quality Street, Gauldry | George Ritchie | 24 Golf Crescent |
| Douglas Henderson | 28 Golf Crescent | Douglas Ross | 14 Glebe Gardens |
| Andy Horan | 42 Shanwell Rd. South | Jim Scott | 66 Tay Street |
| Fred Janssen | 55 Ogilvy Street | Raymond White | c/o 3 Broad Street |
| Andy Johnstone | 28 Golf Crescent | Ian White | c/o 3 Broad Street |
| Graeme Johnstone | 28 Golf Crescent | Donald Wallace | 17 Isla Place |
| Dave Johnstone | 11 Queen St., Freuchie |
The press reported: “On Monday evening Tayport Amateurs FC held their pre-season trial in front of the newly elected Selection Committee. After the match the selectors chose the following team to represent Tayport in their opening game against Kingsway Technical College on Saturday:- Callander; Janssen (Capt.)Redpath, Ritchie, D.Johnstone, Bell, Oswald, Laing, Fraser, Henderson, R.White. The game is at Tayport and kick-off time is 3.00pm”
The team got off to the best of starts with a 9-0 win over Kingsway Tech and the photo shows Doug Henderson scoring the first goal of the new era from the penalty spot.
Other first team regulars that season were Derek White, Eddie Stewart (transferred from Wormit), Jim Mathers, Jim Scott, Walter Kemp and Ian White.
After finishing a point off the foot of Division 2 the previous season, Tayport lost only 2 games on their way to the Division 2 Championship, pipping neighbours Wormit FC by 2 points to take the title.
In the Scottish Amateur Cup, a 1st round 3-2 win at Logie Harp was followed by a 2-1 defeat at St Mungo in round 2.
The club chose to enter the Fife Amateur Cup as opposed to the North of Tay Amateur Cup. Round 1 saw Tayport win 3-0 in Kirkcaldy v Argos United. In round 2 the club took a busload of supporters to Methilhill for a 1-1 draw vs Methilhill Strollers but lost 2-3 in the replay in what was the team’s only home defeat of the season.
After eliminating Invergowrie in round 1 of the Bremner Cup, the team disappointed their fans who had travelled to 1st Division Auchterhouse by supporters’ bus, by losing 4-1 to the village side after taking the lead. No cup joy either in the Carne Trophy, losing to YMCA in the semi-final.
Appearances and Goals 1968-69
In season 1968-69 Doug Henderson was an ever present with 33 appearances and 16 goals. Ian White was top scorer with 35 goals in 32 appearances.
Team of the season based on appearances: Derek White (21); Walter Kemp (25), Richard Redpath (30 + 16 goals), Ronnie Laing (29 + 2)), Jim Mathers (31 + 1), George Ritchie (30 +13), Abby Oswald (31 +13), Raymond White (25 + 24), Andy Johnstone (21 +16), Ian White (32 +35), Doug Henderson (33 +16). Jim Scott, who sustained a broken leg in November (18 +1))
The Alliance XI improved their league position from the previous season and were pipped for a promotion spot on goal difference. In cups, it was a 1st round exit, beaten by Harris FP after a replay and they failed to qualify from their section in the Lunan Trophy. The Alliance XI regulars, mostly Tayport based, were:- goalies Dick Pearce and Andy Horan, Ian Mathers, George Bryson, Stan Cowe, Derek McRobbie, Jimmy Foulis, Murray Anderson, Douglas Ross, Dennis Auld, Alan Brown, Ian Mackie, Jimmy Wighton, Kenny Gorham, Maurice Flynn, David Ure and Kevin Harte.
The White brothers (from left), Derek, Raymond and Ian pictured in 2023 whilst enjoying their Friday morning cuppa in Tayport’s Harbour Café. The brothers all played a significant part in Tayport’s 1968-69 Midlands Division 2 Championship win. Ian and 16 year old Raymond netted 59 goals between them during that season.
Midlands Division 2 Champions 1968-69 Back: (l-r) Morris Couper, Eddie Stewart, Walter Kemp, Jim Scott, Derek White, Ronnie ‘Bingo’ Laing, Jim Mathers, Richard Redpath, George Redpath. Front: Abby Walker, Abby Oswald, Andy Johnstone, Ian White, George Ritchie, Douglas Henderson, ‘Tammy’ Laing.
Tayport FC Alliance XI 1968-69 Back:- (l-r) Abby Walker, Kevin Harte, Maurice Flynn, Iain Bell, Andy Horan, Ian Mathers, George Bryson, ‘Tammy’ Laing. Front:- Frederik Janssen, Dennis Auld, Murray Anderson, Michael Gray, Raymond White, James Foulis, Stan Cowe.
Season 1969-1970
Tayport had risen rapidly from finishing in the depths of the Midlands AFA’s division two in the 1967-68 season and they took a while to adjust to promotion to the first division, winning only one of their opening ten league games. Things improved though, and they secured their first division status by the skin of their teeth, thanks to having a better goal average than the two other teams which had finished on the same points.
After a Scottish Amateur Cup 1st round bye, Tayport won 2-0 at Pittenweem Rovers before losing 6-1 at Pencaitland AFC in round 3.
In the Fife Amateur Cup, Tayport defeated Cupar Hearts 3-1 but were disqualified after a protest by Cupar was upheld. Rab Gray hadn’t been reinstated to Amateur since his days as a pro. at St Andrews United.
Locally Tayport fared better, reaching the final of the Gray Trophy, only to lose 6-0 to NCR. In the Bremner Cup they reached the semi-final after replay wins in both the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
In the two-leg annual challenge v RAF Leuchars for the McMahon Trophy, Tayport won both legs, 2-0 and 6-4 for an 8-4 aggregate victory
Team of the season in terms of appearances was:
Derek White
Ian Paterson Jim Mathers Jim Scott Eddie Stewart
Ronnie Laing Richard Redpath
Albert Oswald George Ritchie Ian White Doug Henderson
40 players used in 38 games. Others with double figures appearances were Ian Mathers, James Foulis and Jim Henderson
Top three goal scorers were Ian White (21), George Ritchie (11), Ian Paterson (8).
Alliance Team
44 players used in 22 matches
Team of the season in terms of appearances was:
John Porter (18)
Stan Cowe (16) Ian Mathers (11) Iain Bell (14) Ron Redpath (16)
Graeme Welsh (17) Maurice Flynn (17) Murray Anderson (13)
Albert Oswald (12) George Bryson (19) Stewart Ritchie (14)
Also playing in almost half the games were Davie Ure, Ian Mackie and Walter Kemp
Top goal scorers were George Bryson (15), Maurice Flynn (7), Peter Beatt (7) and Stewart Ritchie (6)
After spending ten seasons in Alliance Division 2, Tayport’s Alliance team secured their first ever promotion, finishing the season with 7 wins and a draw in their last 8 games.
Midlands AFA Final Tables 1969-70
Midlands AFA Alliance (Reserve) League Final Tables 1969-70
… and off the field
- Tayport Town Council grass cutter was damaged by a net peg. It would now be team captain’s responsibility to ensure all pegs were collected after games.
- Funds at start of season were £67 [£1,400 in 2025]
- Goal difference replaced goal average
- Ronnie Laing, travelling home from Edinburgh for matches awarded 8s6d for each trip
- For a Supporters’ Dance in Town Hall in April, local publicans were asked to tender for the bar. Freemasons Arms [now Cobbies] – bottle of beer 1/9d, nip of spirits 3/3d; Auld Hoose 1/10d and 3/-d; Bellrock Tavern 1/10d & 3/3d.
- At the end of season AGM Provost Jim Pow was elected Honorary President
- Office bearers elected were Chairman – Ian Bell; Secretary – Albert Oswald; Treasurer – Ron Redpath. It was noted that all office bearers were relatively young – all three were aged 20. Committee elected were – Martin Gourlay, David Hughes, Abby Walker, Andrew Boitz, George Redpath, Fred Bremner, Eddie Stewart and Johnny Crawford Snr.
- Funds were reported to be £95 [£1,998 at 2025 value]
Season 1970-1971
Tayport were finding their feet in the top division and got off to a decent start, winning six of their opening nine league games and finishing in sixth place, their highest league finish since 1953.
It was a dismal season for Cup football with 1st round exits in Scottish Cup and Gray Trophy, then a 2nd round exit in the Bremner Cup, a 0-6 home defeat by Longforgan. Tayport had chosen to play in the Fife Amateur Cup instead of the North of Tay Cup, but after a 6-1 win at Springfield in the first round, hopes of further progress were quickly dashed by a 6-1 home defeat by Leven Hibs.
The team played 31 games using 34 players, 15 of whom played fewer than 5 games Those playing double figures were –
Derek White (24)
Frank Leslie (15) Ian Paterson (26)
Ronnie Laing (21) Jim Mathers (30) Jim Scott (23)
George Ritchie (18) Eddie Stewart (25)
Albert Oswald (22) Ian White (24) Doug Henderson (26)
Richard Redpath (11)
Tony Bloomquest (10)
Top Scorers – 8 Ritchie, Bloomquest: 6 Laing, Scott, Rich Redpath.
ALLIANCE XI
In a season during which they used 44 players, the Alliance XI avoided relegation by a point. Only 13 players made appearances in double figures. George Bryson was top goal scorer
John Porter (18)
Stan Cowe (16) Ron Redpath (16)
Graeme Welsh (17) Iain Bell (14) Maurice Flynn (17)
Stewart Ritchie (14) Murray Anderson (13)
Albert Oswald (12) George Bryson (19) Ian Mackie (11)
Ian Mathers (11)
David Ure (11)
MIDLANDS AFA LEAGUE TABLES
Tayport FC pictured in August 1970 in front of the East Common changing hut adjacent to the Esplanade. Back (l-r) Ronnie Laing, George Ritchie, Ian Paterson, Derek White, Frank Leslie, Ian White, Abby Oswald. Front – Eddie Stewart, Jim Mathers, Alex Kenneth, Richard Redpath and Doug Henderson
…and off the field in 1970-71
- Committee Meetings were held in the Scout Hall
- The club took out insurance for their players to compensate for any football injuries causing absence from work.
- A half bottle of whisky was the prize in the matchday raffle
- Fund raising was top of the agenda and a Summer Prize Draw, a Christmas Prize Draw, Supporters’ Dances in the Town Hall, Coffee Mornings and Beetle Drives took place throughout the year
- A Ladies Committee was formed to assist with the fundraising efforts
- Following a letter to Tayport Town Council on the subject of new changing accommodation and a new line marker, Provost JB Pow and Councillor J.Rae attended a committee meeting. At the Provost’s suggestion ”it was decided to take tentative steps towards the building of new accommodation with the first move being to design and cost a pavilion”
- The Bellrock Tavern had approached the club with a view to TFC running entertainment in the Bellrock on Friday and Saturday evenings. The club would charge admission and thereafter would get the profit after the band had been paid.
- Player John Porter had agreed to draw up plans for new stripping accommodation.
- Town Councillor Walter Goodwin had been nominated by Tayport Town Council to be the Council’s representative on the Football Club Committee
- At the Annual General Meeting Davie Hughes was appointed chairman and AJ Oswald and RF Redpath were re-elected to posts of secretary and treasurer respectively.
- Messrs E.Simpson, F Bremner, A.Walker, A.Oswald snr, T Laing and J.Henderson were elected as Selection Committee.
- Elected to the General Committee were F.Bremner, E.Stewart, A.Boitz, J.Lindsay, E.Simpson, J.Scott and A Walker.
- Ladies present expressed concern that players in general gave very poor support to the functions run by the club. The new committee agreed to address this matter in the new season.
- It was noted at the AGM the club was making moves to provide new changing accommodation. Plans and estimates were being prepared and grant support details had been obtained from the Scottish Education Department.
A wee bit snow was rarely a problem on the East Common football pitch in 1970. Pic shows the goalmouth which backed on to a windbreak constructed of demolition material following a 1950s fire in Scott & Fyfe’s Nelson Street factory. The windbreak was removed some forty years later to allow the caravan site to be extended.
Season 1971-1972
Match details for this season are missing. Further research is on-going
It was an unremarkable season with both teams finishing mid table in their respective divisions and making little cup progress.
Midlands AFA League Tables
…and off the field in 1971-72
- The club hired ‘Whisky’ Kranz’s minibus for matchday transport
- Dances in the Town Hall were again a major fund raiser. Those attending received a free hot dog. At one dance, described as a great success, some committee members complained that too many people were in the hall.
- Beetle Drives and the club’s bingo sessions continued to be successful. A chicken was the top prize at one of the Beetle Drives.
- Training was taking place in the Maitland Street Hall
- Tayport Model Yacht Club had expressed an interest in sharing. TFC’s proposed new changing accommodation.
- The 1972 AGM, held in the British Legion Women Section’s hut in Reform Street, heard that discussions on possible funding sources for new changing accommodation were on-going. To get things moved on further, the meeting agreed that one of the players, I.Mathers, be asked to draw up draft plans.
- Election of office bearers: Honorary President – Provost J.B.Pow; Chairman – David Hughes; Secretary – A.J.Oswald; Treasurer – Walter Kemp; Committee – Fred Bremner, Eddie Stewart, Jimmy Lindsay, Abbie Walker, Ian Mathers, Alex Ritchie
- Retiring treasurer Ron Redpath’s balance sheet showed that the club held funds of £326 [£5,500 in 2025 value]
- Councillor Walter Goodwin continued to be liaison between TFC and TTC
Season 1972-1973
What would be a very competitive league campaign got off to a very disappointing start with defeats in six of the first seven games plus 1st round exits in the Scottish Amateur Cup and Fife Amateur Cup. Things improved, however, and a run of only two losses in their next eight games steadied the ship.
Defeats in the 1st round of all cup competitions meant there was sufficient free time to accept an invitation to play in a European competition in Liege. Belgium in April. It was a decision which would prompt repeat visits for many, many seasons, with scores of Tayportians getting the opportunity to play competitively in Europe. In addition, clubs from both Italy and Belgium would visit Tayport in years to come.
Other than the three games in Liege, Tayport played 28 games (two league games were abandoned – no referee) using 40 players, 22 of whom played fewer than 5 games.
Raymond White (27)
Walter Kemp (12) Ian Mathers (23) Jim Mathers (29) Albert Oswald (23)
Stewart Ritchie (22) Eddie Gilmour (27) Lindsay Ancell (21)
Andy Johnstone (19) Ian White (27) Ian Howe (28)
Gordon Brankin (6) Cormac Andrews (9) Eddie Stewart (6) Dave Mitten -RAF – (6) Tony Gillespie – Art College – (8)
Top Scorers: A.Johnstone (14), I White (9), E.Gilmour (9), I.Howe (7), S.Ritchie (7)
Alliance XI
The Alliance XI struggled for much of the season and finished 2nd bottom of the Alliance 1st Division but avoided relegation as in order to level up the divisions, only one team dropped down.
The Alliance XI played 28 games, fielding a mammoth 57 players, the majority of whom, 43, played fewer than 7 games
Gordon Brankin (20)
Walter Kemp (11) Ron Fleming (11)
Frank Leslie (9) Alan Davie (25) John Porter (24) Frank Feechan (22)
Alex Ritchie (20) Cormac Andrews (18) Ian Rae (17) George Caldow (14)
Gordon Hughes (8) A.Collins (7) Murray Anderson (7)
Top Scorers: Ritchie (9), Andrews (9), Rae (5), Feechan (4)
Midlands AFA League Tables
April 1973
European Amateur Football Tournament
Ougree, Liege, BelgiumTayport FC’s Match Stats
Tournament Programme
…and off the field in 1972-73
- In March the club agrees to accept invitation to participate in an International Football Tournament in Belgium at end of April. Club contributes £5 to each member’s travel costs. Town Council agrees to pay match related expenses incurred at the tournament. Councillor Goodwin to be included in travelling party
- Limited progress on the possibility of new changing accommodation. Tayport Town Council (TTC) queried whether the accommodation could be incorporated into TTC’s plans for a Swimming Pool.
- Scottish Sports Council reported to be impressed with TFC’s ambition.
- A.J.Oswald and I.Mathers involved in project discussions with TTC.
- TTC agree to contribute 25% up to £3,000 [£46,400 in 2025 value] towards project.
- Scottish Sports Council advised that they had exhausted their current year’s funding and TFC should apply again next year.
- Fife County Council had to be chased up re TFC’s request for funding, then they advised it wasn’t within their scope. However, they had become confused as they had been referencing the wrong legislation. Secretary met with Tayport’s Town Clerk Harry Wilson and Cllr Goodwin to take matter further.
- A very well attended TFC AGM heard that, with regard to the project, the club was virtually back at square one. There was then discussion over the possibility of being less ambitious and perhaps going for a timber building but such a move wasn’t supported.
- Current office bearers were re-elected. Committee Members elected were – Ernie Simpson, Alex Ritchie, Andy Robertson*, Fred Bremner, Eddie Brankin, Raymond White*, Eddie Stewart, Ian Mathers*, James Lindsay*. Provost JB Pow continued as Honorary President.
*See pic below
Four of the newly elected committee line up ten years or so earlier, in their five -a -side team during the school holidays. Back – David Leslie, Ian Mathers and Jimmy Lindsay. Front – Andy Robertson (aka Bunt) and Raymond White
Season 1973-1974
Both Tayport teams flirted with relegation this season, the 1st XI avoiding the drop by 3 points; the Alliance XI assisted by the award of two points when their opponents couldn’t raise a side. [only 2 points for a win in those days]
Tayport did get a fleeting taste of silverware this season, when they upset the odds to reach the Gray Trophy final. We eliminated Championship runners-up NCR in the semi-final but lost out to League Champions Broughty United by the odd goal in five in the final.
Tayport played 38 games this season, using 29 players, 12 of whom played in fewer than 9 of the games.
Phil Callander (27)
Ian Mathers (36) Ron Fleming (35)
Jim Scott (37) Graeme McLaren (31) Lindsay Ancell (30)
Stewart Ritchie (32) Frank Leslie (24)
Albert Oswald (35) Ian Howe (37) Doug Henderson (34)
other double figure appearances were by
Ian Rae (17), Raymond White (14), Ian White (10), Frank Feechan (10), Eddie Gilmour (13), Gordon Hughes (12)
Top Scorers: Ian Howe 17; Stewart Ritchie 14; Albert Oswald 13.
Scottish Amateur Cup
Ist round – bye
2nd round 5-0 v Glenavon (Aberdeen). 3rd round Broughty United 3-2 Tayport
Fife Amateur Cup
1st round Tayport 4-3 National Steel Foundry 2nd round Tayport 5-0 Eastbank
3rd round Tayport 0-0 Star Hearts replay – Star Hearts 2-1 Tayport
Alliance XI
The Alliance XI fielded 51 players in 26 games, only 10 of the players playing in more than half their fixtures. In their first five league games, Tayport fielded five different goalkeepers! *
Regulars were:
Richard Callander
John Anderson Alan Davie Frank Feechan Stuart Davie
John Porter Brian Burchell
Ian Rae Cormac Andrews George Caldow Gordon Hughes
John Gilmour, Gordon Brankin
Top Scorers: Gordon Hughes 9, Ian Howe 6, Brian Burchell 5.
*Davie Jack, Dick Pearce, George Bryson, Alex Houston, Gordon Brankin
And there was another successful trip to Belgium at Easter to participate in AC Ougree’s International Amateur Football Tournament.
Midlands AFA Final Tables 1973/74
A Tayport line-up during the Belgian tournament with Ougree’s Mayor. The well-used pitch was more like the Sahara Desert. Tayport back (l-r) Frank Feechan, Lindsay Ancell, Jim Scott, Phil Callander, Graham McLaren, Ron Fleming, Ian Mathers. Front – Frank Leslie, Ian Rae, Ian Howe, an invisible player and Doug Henderson with our pennant
and off the field in 1973-74…
- A.Oswald Snr had been invited to attend a committee meeting to advise on an informal discussion he had with Burgh Surveyor Andrew Peter and he reported that “Mr Peter had suggested that because of lease difficulties [East Common was common ground], the Town Council would look favourably at a new pavilion and a new pitch on The Canniepairt site, as this ground might be leased on a long term to the football club”. The committee had then gone over to Canniepairt to look over the site before returning to the meeting for further discussion. It was agreed that A.J.Oswald, I Mathers and A. Oswald Snr meet with Mr Peter, show him our existing draft plan and seek his advice before making a formal approach to the Town Council. The Town Council subsequently agreed in principle to lease part of the Canniepairt to Tayport FC for pitch and pavilion and outline planning permission was applied for.
- Fund raising was through organising dances in the Town Hall, weekly bingo sessions, Christmas and Summer Draws, Beetle Drives, Coffee Mornings, sale of ‘pontoon’ cards, A.Robertson’s ‘Golden Goals’ scheme, matchday collections and waste paper collections amongst other activities.
- TFC contributed to the Town Council’s request to local clubs for community support for an RSSPCC appeal by increasing the sale of a single bingo ticket and donating the extra income to the appeal.
- Another invitation to play in the Belgian International tournament at Easter was accepted. It was agreed that the trip to Europe would be by coach and hovercraft. Total cost per person for the trip would be £25. An accordion was to be hired.
- The cost of strip washing had increased to 75p per set
- It was agreed that Tay Bridge Tolls be paid to those taking their cars to matches in Dundee
- A Lawside FP player was charged with assault and subsequently convicted following an incident during a match v. Tayport on East Common
- Glenavon, beaten 5-0 by Tayport in the Scottish Cup, appealed over a controversial goal in the tie at Tayport but the appeal was thrown out.
- A coffee morning in June raised £117 (£1,800 in 2025 value)
- The AGM was given an update on progress with the proposed changing accommodation. Things were moving, but slowly, as there were several parties involved and issues to be overcome
- The Selection Committee would be renamed Matchday Committee as Bobby Waddell was a unanimous appointee to the new post of Team Manager
- The treasurer reported that club funds stood at £446 (£6,900 in 2025 value)
- Provost Pow to be asked to continue as Honorary President and elected as joint Honorary Vice-Presidents were Messrs Tom McMahon and George Taylor of the Tayport Arms
- Office bearers elected were Chairman – D. Hughes; Vice chairman – A.Oswald Snr; Secretary – A.J.Oswald; Treasurer – W.R.S Kemp. The committee elected was – E.Simpson, F.Bremner, A.D.Oswald, A.Ritchie, I.Mathers, A.Robertson, I.Cougan, I.Rae, E.Stewart, J.Lindsay
Season 1974-1975
Fortunes were improving and Tayport recorded their best Midlands finish for 22 seasons, finishing only seven points behind leaders Broughty United. However, there was a first game exit in the Scottish Amateur Cup, a home defeat by SMT. In the Fife Amateur Cup, Boglily Bluebell were beaten after a replay then Kirkcaldy YMCA were beaten 5-0 to see Tayport reach round 3 and a derby with Cupar Hearts. The teams shared 4 goals at Duffus Park before a Graham ‘Spider’ McLaren goal was sufficient to win the replay on the Common. Unfortunately, Star Hearts won the 4th round tie 1-0 on the Common and went on to win the Cup.
Tayport reached a second successive Gray Trophy Final but there was disappointment again, this time NCR winning a closely fought final.
Although Tayport used 26 players in their 39 games, they had a fairly settled line-up, the same 16 players playing in the majority of the games.
Richard Callander (21)
George Taylor (36) Ian Mathers (33) Graeme McLaren (29) Ron Fleming (25)
Jim Scott (35) Dave Henderson (31) Peter Wilson (30)
Doug Henderson (34) Ian Howe (38) Gordon Hughes (39)
Frank Feechan (28), Frank Leslie (23), Lindsay Ancell (22), Albert Oswald (22), Phil Callander (16), Keith Ritchie (14) Top Scorers – Ian Howe 30; Gordon Hughes 20; J. Doug Henderson 15
Tayport’s Midlands team pictured on East Common on Saturday 1st February 1975. Back (i-r) Bobby Waddell (coach), Iain Cougan (committee), Abby Oswald, George Taylor, Peter Wilson, Phil Callander, Graham McLaren, Frank Feechan, Ian Mathers, Alastair ‘Hercs’ Oswald (committee), Ron Fleming (injured!). Front – Doug Henderson, Lindsay Ancell, Ian Howe, Dave Henderson, Gordon Hughes, Bob Brannan
Midlands AFA Final Table 1974-75
Alliance XI
It wasn’t the best of seasons for the Alliance team. They were eight games into the season before they managed to record a win and won only one of their last 11 games, but this was a crucial win. Faced with YMCA at home in their penultimate game, anything other than a win would have seen Tayport relegated but they pulled off a 2-1 win with the following team
In 26 games, the Alliance XI used 47 players of whom 33 played fewer than 10 games, 11 making only one appearance.
The regulars were:
Gordon Brankin (24)
Walter Kemp (11) Stuart Davie (21) John Porter (24) John Anderson (21)
Ian Rae (23) Stewart Ritchie (14) Bob Brannan (14)
Ally Harris (11) George Bryson (20) John Hackett (15
Colin Hughes (14) Top scorers – George Bryson 8; Ian Rae 6; Stewart Ritchie 4
Tayport Alliance XI pictured on Saturday 11th January 1975. Back (l-r) Fred Bremner (committee), Walter Kemp, Bob Brannan, Phil Callander, Gordon Brankin, Frank Feechan, Stuart Davie, John Anderson, Albert Oswald Snr (committee). Front: Ally Harris, John Porter, Stewart Ritchie, Ian Rae, George Bryson, Colin Hughes.
In Belgium at the end of March, Tayport finished fifth, beating Italians Roanna Milan 2-0 (og, Oswald), losing to Hydro Dynamo 1-3 (Dave Henderson) but finishing with a 1-0 win over FC Lize (Dave Henderson). Tayport fielded Phil Callander, George Taylor, Stuart Davie, Graham McLaren, Frank Feechan, Frank Leslie, Jim Scott, Dave Henderson, Doug Henderson, Ian Howe, Peter Wilson, Gordon Hughes, Albert Oswald, Ian Rae.
January 1975 and the first sod is cut on the Canniepairt, the site of the club’s new pavilion, by Tayport’s Provost, J.B.Pow.
Pictured from left are Fred Bremner, Davie Hughes, RS Wilson, Doug Henderson, Abby Oswald, Stewart Ritchie, Ernie Simpson, Alastair Oswald, Jim Lindsay, Alex Ritchie, Ian Mathers, Andy Robertson, Provost Pow, Iain Cougan, Albert Oswald Snr and Burgh Surveyor Andrew Peter. Note the now demolished Scott & Fyfe factory and offices in the background
…and off the field in 1974-75
- The budget for the new pavilion project was set at £11,000 [£146,505 value in 2025]. The Scottish Sports Council (SSC) grant was £5,500, the Council grant was £2,500 and Tayport FC £2,500 [£33,300 in 2025 value]. Tayport FC was required to negotiate a loan facility for up to £2,500 from the Clydesdale Bank before the SSC would formally offer their grant. Tayport Youth Development Committee acted as the club’s guarantors. The tender from RS Wilson, Builder, Cupar, was accepted and the first piece of turf cut in preparation for the construction of the club’s new pavilion on the Canniepairt took place in January 1975, the first step in creating a new football ground on the site.
- Fund raising intensified during the year with Revived 45s Discos, Under 20s discos, open dances, dinner dances, stag night, coffee mornings, weekly bingo, Golden Goals, Christmas and holiday prize draws, drinks board draws and match result tickets.
- The Scottish Football Association withdrew their permission for Tayport to take part in the annual international tournament in Belgium as it was not a tournament officially recognised by the Belgian FA. Tayport were already booked up with most of the first team squad going and having already paid their £35 [£375 in 2025 value]. Matters must have been resolved as they went anyway!
- Mr Walker, proprietor of the Bellrock Tavern, wasn’t happy that the Tayport Arms had been given the bar at a club dance in the Town Hall and we were advised if it happened again, the club would not be permitted to run their bingo sessions in his pub. The club decided to move said bingo sessions to the Tayport Arms’ Ponderosa lounge with immediate effect.
- A committee meeting minute noted that manager Waddell, secretary Oswald and player McLaren had all been booked by referee G.McGillvray at the previous day’s match at Harris FP. It was agreed the secretary should have an informal word with Association secretary Mr Elder…
- It was proposed to run an Under 16 team next season. I. Cougan and J.D. Henderson volunteered to organise training sessions.
- At the AGM, Alex Dargie, manager of the Tayport Arms was appointed an Honorary Vice President. The chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer were re-elected. There were 13 nominations for 10 committee places and after a ballot, the following were elected – Messrs E.Stewart, A.Robertson, J.Lindsay, A.D.Oswald, I.Cougan, M.Lawson, F.Bremner, I.Rae, E.Simpson, I.Mathers were elected.
- Bobby Waddell had stood down as team manager and it was agreed to approach Harry Pringle of Cupar Hearts who had previously expressed an interest in the position.
The team bus broke down in London on the way back from Belgium to Tayport. Whilst waiting for a replacement bus, Bobby Jackson (Le Boab as the Belgians knew him) with accordion and Jim Scott with the hat, indulged in a bit of busking! Others from right, John Hackett, Andy ‘Bunt’ Robertson, ‘Spider’ McLaren, Frank Leslie and Gordon Brankin.
Season 1975-1976
Since promotion in 1969, progress had been slow but steady and by the mid -1970s, Tayport FC had become established as one of the leading clubs in the Midlands AFA and the momentum continued this season
The season get off to a great start with only one loss in first 16 games. This included the memorable 2-0 defeat of Scottish Amateur Cup holders, Star Hearts, on East Common in the 1st round. Leven Hibs were dispatched in round 2 but Tayport were brought down to earth with a 4-0 defeat at Ballingry Rovers in the next round.
In the Fife Amateur Cup, there was an unprecedented winning run, eliminating Argos United (Kirkcaldy) after a replay, Methilhill Strollers (6-0), Pitlessie (4-0) and Marion United (5-3) in the semi- final before falling at the last hurdle where Star Hearts exacted revenge with a 4-2 win at Leven Juniors ground.
Tayport’s appearance in the Fife Amateur Cup Final was the club’s first ever appearance in a Regional cup final. Unfortunately, it was the Scottish Amateur Cup holders’ night
In the two local cups, league champions Auchterhouse would be Tayport’s nemesis. For a third successive season, Tayport finished runners-up in the Gray Trophy, this time losing 3-1 to Auchterhouse. In the Bremner Cup it was a 2-1 defeat by Auchterhouse at the quarter final stage.
Tayport played 43 games during the season most appearances were:
Richard Callander (30)
George Taylor (31) Ian Mathers (41) Graham McLaren (42) Ron Fleming (38)
Keith Ritchie (33) Jim Scott (33) Dave Henderson (41)
Ian Howe (31) Graham Dandie (39) Gordon Hughes (35)
Others with double figure appearances were: Doug Henderson (26), Frank Leslie (26),Stewart Ritchie (19), Lindsay Ancell (18), Gordon Gray (16), Phil Callander (10)
Top scorers were Graeme Dandie 35; Ian Howe 21; Gordon Hughes 13.
ALLIANCE XI
The Alliance XI had their best ever League placing and were pipped for what would have been the club’s only Alliance Division One championship by 0.07 of a goal (goal average in those days). They had made a great effort, however, winning their last game v Broughty United by 7-0 when another two goals would have secured the title! Once again there was no success in either Alliance cup competitions.
The Alliance XI played 29 games using 49 players. Most appearances were by-
Phil Callander (18)
Alan Davie (27) Mick Allan (16) Frank Feechan (19) Billy Spalding (15)
Stuart Davie (16) Ian Rae (23) Maurice Flynn (21)
George Ritchie (16) Stewart Ritchie (19) Frankie Dewar (20)
Other in double figures were: – Albert Oswald (15), Doug Henderson (13), Maurice Milne (11), Lindsay Ancell (11), Gordon Gray (10)
Top scorers were Ian Rae 10; Doug Henderson 9; Stewart Ritchie 9.
Midlands AFA League Tables
Tayport pictured on 13 September 1975 on what would be the Canniepairt pitch, prior to a league match v Kelso. Tayport won 7-0 with goals from Ritchie (2), Hughes, Doug Henderson, Dandie, Scott and Howe.
Photo back (l-r) Jim Scott, George Taylor, Graham McLaren, Phil Callander, Ron Fleming, Ian Mathers and Dave Henderson. Front – Ian Howe, Keith Ritchie, Graham Dandie, Frank Leslie, Gordon Hughes and Doug Henderson.
The Tayport Alliance XI pictured before a friendly game v Arbroath HSFP on 13th September 1975. Tayport won 1-0 with a goal from John Gilmour. The line-up is, back (l-r) Alan Davie, Matt Lawson, Lindsay Ancell, Richard Callander, Andy Robertson, Stuart Davie, Frank Feechan. Front – Abby Oswald, Dave Thomson, Ian Rae, John Gilmour and Billy Spalding.
…and off the field in 1975-76
- The construction of the new pavilion at Canniepairt was completed during this season, more or less on budget and attention moved to the creation of a pitch and fencing of the site.
- North East Fife District Council advised they could not afford to lay out a pitch on the Canniepairt at present, and the club should be looking out for sources of top soil.
- Walter Kemp stood down as treasurer and was replaced by Matt Lawson. Robert ‘Winker’ Watson was co-opted to fill the subsequent committee vacancy.
- New strips and 24 tracksuits had been purchased from Alexander’s of Paisley at a cost of at a cost of £198 [£2,200 in 2025 value]. T.McMahon of Tayport Arms contributed £60 [£650 value in 2025] of the cost.
- Ex RAF Sandy Small was appointed manager but after some disappointing results, the club parted company on good terms.
- Young trees were obtained and planted along the edge of the burn and also the areas surrounding the new pitch
- We bought 12 old floodlights from Dundee United FC for £65 [£700 value in 2025]
- With games and training still on East Common, it was agreed to construct a bridge across the burn separating the Common from the Canniepairt. E. Stewart, D. Hughes and A.D.Oswald were charged with the responsibility. Messrs Donaldson supplied the materials.
- For the Scottish Amateur Cup 1st round tie v cup holders Star Hearts, the pitch on the East Common was roped off.
- Tayport FC representatives attended the Midlands AFA’s 50th Anniversary Dinner
- A Club tie is to be designed
- Once the Canniepairt project has been completed, the club agreed to appoint a solicitor to look after the club’s interests.
- AGM. At the AGM, the current office bearers were re-elected, as were the Honorary President and Vice-Presidents. Committee elected were Messrs Eddie Stewart, Andy Robertson, Fred Bremner, Alastair Oswald, Ernie Simpson, Iain Cougan, Ian Rae, Robert Watson, Ian Mathers and David Henderson
- Bobby Waddell was appointed team manager
- Feedback from committee meetings is to be posted on the club notice board.
Midlands Football Association 50th Anniversary 1976
Part of the Midlands AFA’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in 1976, was a match between a Midlands AFA select and Queens Park FC at Claypotts Park. Tayport FC supplied the match strip, tracksuits and two of our players were selected to play, Ian Mathers, 3rd left in middle row and Dave Henderson extreme right in front row. The Midlands Executive are back row (l-r) George Buckman, Stuart Finan, Sandy Mackie, Tom Elder, George Sellars, Bruce Ralston, unknown, Ed Yule and middle row extreme left Joe O’ Brien and 3rd from right Albert Oswald.
The Tayport FC representatives at the Midlands AFA’s 50th Anniversary Dinner in 1976.Baco (l-r) Albert Oswald snr., Iain Cougan, Matt Lawson, Ian Mathers, Bertie Thoms. Front – Albert J. Oswald, Robert Watson, Andy Robertson.
Tayport F.C. Archive 