A whippet's tale

[ScottishFA]

While browsing old copies of the Stirling Observer today I stumbled across a report of Lochgelly v Alloa Athletic in the Central League, played on 5 February 1910 with an incident which is surely unique in the annals of Scottish football.

Towards the end of the game Smith, the Alloa full back, was attempting to clear the ball when a whippet pounced on the ball and he inadvertently kicked it on the head, knocking it senseless. As the Alloa players gathered round the unfortunate creature, Brown of Lochgelly took advantage of their distraction by scoring a goal.

[Alan Brown]

Sounds like the full back Smith made a dogs ear of the clearance!

[bluedragon]

Sounds like the full back Smith made a dogs ear of the clearance!

Alan we have all noticed how effortlessly you have stepped into David's shoes - and we thank you for it - as forum administrator even to the extent of the same strain of humour! However, I think even David would have finished that post with his normal "I'll get my coat!"

My own favourite report from the British Newspaper Archive is from the Derby Telegraph of 19 February 1907. There is a small report of Maidenhead Norfolkians beating Slough in the semi-final of the Berks & Bucks Cup due in part to the heroics of their goalkeeper G Gynsell. The report says that "He stopped all sorts of difficult shots with an agility and coolness." However, the Slough forwards were reported to be off their game due to the way the wooden-legged goalkeeper "stumped about the goal." Not surprisingly, the report says that Mr Gynsell got a terrific ovation at the end of the game.

[Partick Thistle]

Shocking lack of sportsmanship by Brown of Lochgelly IMO...

"Even men with steel hearts love to see a dog on the pitch
Even men with steel hearts love to see a dog on the pitch
It generates a warmth around the ground that augurs well for mankind
And that's what life's about"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvwA7BK4-6A

"Trouble is, these days you never see a dog on the pitch!"

[Partick Thistle]

Talking of strange creatures on the pitch*, this article in the Herald of the early 20s gave me a good chuckle...



* Joking!

[LEATHERSTOCKING]

I recall a fox running the full length of Celtic Park one evening in the immediate pre McCann era. "What did you expect, herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain?" The omnipresent wee brown Glesga dug @ football matches is indeed a thing of the past but they`re still around the city - small, brown of indeterminate breed and always in a hurry obviously with distinct destination.

[Snuff]

Leatherstocking wrote:

I recall a fox running the full length of Celtic Park one evening in the immediate pre McCann era

Forrest, I would respectfully suggest, your memory is letting me down; did the fox not enter the field of play at Hampden, during the season when Celtic lodged there?

I recall the incident was brilliantly covered by the late "Sundance Kid" - Jim Blair of the Daily Record, using every fox similie and cliche you could think of. This was just one of the best of the many excellent reports "Sundance" filed for the Record.

[LEATHERSTOCKING]

I`m sure it was Parkhead pre McCann.

[the hibLOG]

Not forgetting the Anfield cat incident:
https://youtu.be/keOEmSCiPI8

And is there anything more nuts than this? (Boom boom!)
https://youtu.be/keOEmSCiPI8

[bluedragon]

These reports of canine and feline pitch invasions in Senior football are shocking!

In the Juniors the standard of behaviour is of a much higher order. An elderly dog (perhaps a retriever from memory?) takes up position - complete with rug to protect against the cold concrete - behind the covered end at Beechwood Park, Auchinleck. Age restricts any on-field shenanigans. Penicuik Athletic have a home and away support of two beautiful dogs (an artic breed) who are too busy enjoying the admiring looks from fellow spectators to jump the rail. Newtongrange Star have a Bedlington Terrier (again, I think) who is protected against the colder weather with a blue knitted jacket with "Newtongrange Star" sewn in.

[the hibLOG]

In the Juniors the standard of behaviour is of a much higher order. An elderly dog (perhaps a retriever from memory?) takes up position - complete with rug to protect against the cold concrete - behind the covered end at Beechwood Park, Auchinleck. Age restricts any on-field shenanigans. Penicuik Athletic have a home and away support of two beautiful dogs (an artic breed) who are too busy enjoying the admiring looks from fellow spectators to jump the rail. Newtongrange Star have a Bedlington Terrier (again, I think) who is protected against the colder weather with a blue knitted jacket with "Newtongrange Star" sewn in.

Are you suggesting these other dogs are streakers?

[Snuff]

When it comes to four-legged field invaders, I fear the mighty Auchinleck Talbot beats every other club.

Many years ago, Talbot lost a hotly-contested goal at home in a Scottish Junior Cup tie. The awarding of the goal nearly sparked-off a full-scale riot, with the courageous official refusing to change his mind - the goal stood.

Enter legendary Talbot supporter and future club president Jock "Sean" Muir, with his pet billy goat. Jock, once World Twisting (as in Chubby Checker) Champion, informed the referee: "The goat's no movin' till you chalk-off the goal".

The goat duly sat on the centre circle, until the police were called to arrest it, and Jock, and the game could be continued.

Jock and the goat were subsequently banned from the ground for a season, which Jock spent watching his beloved Talbot from the club-house roof, onto which he could climb via the boundary wall.

I remember Malcom Donnachie, the then Talbot secretary telling me: "When I took the Talbot secretary's job, I never thought I would end-up having to defend a goat at an SJFA inquiry".

[Shawfield Boy]

Not forgetting the Shawfield Swan...