Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Hughie
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
September 10, 1943

Sam Elliot

Irvine has had many fine goalkeepers in the past thirty years and one who ranks among the best of them is Sam Elliot, who kept goal for several Ayrshire clubs including Troon, Buffs, Irvine Vics, and Kilmarnock. Sam is a well-known figure in to Ayrshire football circles although it is many years since he stopped playing. But during his playing days he was more popular, for he always seemed to rise to the occasion. Not too big made, he could jump about the goal like a man on springs.

He was a jolly type of footballer, and one that had always an understanding with his backs, and no doubt this made him the success he was, for at a high lob or flag-kick his backs stepped out of the way to allow Sam free access to the ball. He took part in many thrilling games and often we have witnessed Sam put up the shutters when all seemed lost. Sam is step-father to George Hamilton, the former Meadow, Queen of the South, Aberdeen and Hearts player now in North Africa with the Forces. Sam still visits the football grounds it there is a good game on, and is a good judge of a player.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
November 12, 1943

Willie Hodge

Willie Hodge was a noted Kilwinning goalkeeper, and one that will go down in the records as one of the masonic town's great players. He was a fine 'keeper, full of all kinds of goalkeeper's tricks. His experience is rich as he played in many games that will be talked about as long as football is played in the district. Had a sharp eye, splendid positional play and very agile. Was reckoned the best 'keeper in Ayrshire during the height of his fame, for apart from the many honours that came his way, he was very popular no matter where he played.

A goalkeeper cannot afford to make mistakes and Willie Hodge was a 'keeper that made few during his career. Kilwinning Rangers gained many honours while Willie was in their goal, and although it is many years now since he guarded the uprights, still his name is recalled wherever football is discussed and rightly so, for he was a fine 'keeper.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
December 10, 1943

John Montgomery

Montgomery has been a common name in Stevenston for many years, but none of them caused more printer's ink to be used than John, for he was a goalkeeper above the average, and his ability had the sports writers busy week after week.

He was the type of 'keeper who could put up the "shutters" when he liked and was very agile. With Ardeer Thistle he made good, for on many occasions in stood between the opponents and victory. Senior club, agents were on the hunt and John was in no hurry to step up to seniordom. But he did go and was a very successful senior. He had a style all his own, and was the most popular player in Ayrshire and he certainly played his part in make Thistle one of Ayrshire's best.

Although it is many years ago since he gave up the game, he still retains his popularity. - is foreman joiner in a West of Scotland factory, and has been honoured by his country for his efforts in this war. That is John Mongomery. The one time famous goalkeeper from Stevenston.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
December 24, 1943

Tommy Burgoyne

Many readers not only in Irvine but throughout Ayrshire will recall that match-winner Tomny Burgoyne, outside-right of Irvine Meadow. His positional play brought him many successes as a goal-scorer. He danced out and in the opponents defence with that confidence that made him a dangerous raider. Could shoot from any angle and possessed a deadly shot which most 'keepers will agree."

Tommy was hot favourite, and one who could judge to a few inches when crossing a ball to "Sodger" McCulloch. As an outside-right he was one of Ayrshire's best, for he proved that when Meadow were a goal down. he could bring off the unexpected by equalising. Tommy was member of the Meadow team which made trophy winning look easy. But it was his moves that baffled his opponents for the one minute he would be in his own position and a few seconds later he would be found tearing up the middle to the surprise of all. Yes, Burgoyne was a match winner and he played a big part in bringing the many honours to Irvine. Not too big, but hefty made and that extra weight made him one of the best.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
June 2, 1944

John MacDonald

Many names have been put forward from time to time as the most prominent sportsman in Stevenston, or the one who has done most for football in the town. For over thirty years Mr John Macdonald has played a big part in the official side of the game. He not only fostered the juveniles but held important positions on the Associations. During the intermediate split he was one of the most sincere workers for the juvenile cause.

But in the town of Stevenston he has done a lot of work for all classes of football and he knew the game from beginning to end. As president of the Intermediate Juvenile Association, John was known throughout the West of Scotland and his advice was always relied on. Always fair in his judgment, he commanded that respect from players and officials which made him popular. While not taking any official interest in the game now, he certainly played his part not only for the town of Stevenston, but for football in general. John is now a keen bowler.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
May 12, 1944

George Wilson

It will be agreed that some famous players names ring in your ear whenever football is spoken about. Well that can be said of Geordie Wilson, the famous player from Irvine. It seems a life-time since we first heard that name and to-day it is as fresh as ever. As a junior and senior he claimed the headlines, it was a case of ability pushing the name before the public week after week and not one word printed over much; for he was a star, one of the men from the Royal Burgh who made football look easy and one who left a standard that has been copied all over Britain.

Yes, it is many years since he hung his boots up, but good men are never forgotten. It was "nae bother" to Geordie head or feet, he was master on the ground and in the air. Irvine was proud of this man when in his prime, but most players are forgotten when they leave the game, but this man's name will live for ever. Y'see, he was different from other players in many ways. He didn't play to the gallery. The wasn't selfish and he played to win every game. His brains seemed to work in unison with his feet. his touch of class was sticking out above the others, that was Geordie Wilson from Irvine, the player with the dazzling feet and the head of a master. A great player.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
May 5, 1944

Martin Watt

Martin Watt is yet another of the Kilwinning players who made good in football not only as a Junior but also in seniordom. A tricky and cute player and one who never gave in no matter what odds were against him. A real Kilwinning type of player, that is tough combined with that crafty touch which blends the player that managers search the country for.

While with Kilmarnock he just hit it off, could do that man's job that a club looks for with always that little bit extra which is expected of all good players. His cool head and active football brain brought him many friends but even praise, and he had lots, never allowed it to interfere with his good judgment and his general play. Just one of the many Kilwinning lads who assisted to put Kilwinning on the map of sport, and one who did much to assist the writers of sport history in the masonic town. All who knew him will agree that Martin Watt kept up the standard of football that spectators pay to watch.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
April 7, 1944

Sammy Donnelly

Football followers in Irvine will long remember that Meadow team which beat all that came before them during their intermediate days. Meadow possessed a team that not only played good football, but had the best following in Ayrshire. Also they will remember that cute inside-left, Sammy Donnelly. He was a class player and although he lacked sting he was always there or thereabouts when a scoring chance came along.

But he was more famed for making openings for his pals, as his leading up methods will long be remembered. He could trick opponents inside half a yard and could reverse the play to the other wing when least expected. Sammy was signed for Partick Thistle, but somehow didn't hit it off, and if he had more go or power behind his play he certainly would have been a success. Just one of the lads who was a fine Junior but could not make the senior grade. It was not for the lack of ability, but just that little bit extra that is required in seniordom. Sammy came back to the Meadow, but somehow he didn't strike his old intermediate days form, but on top of that Meadow had not as good a team and Sammy faded out. But he certainly left his mark in junior football, and no player was more sincere in his efforts to keep the flag flying at Meadow Park.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
March 31, 1944

John Allan

Kilwinning can claim many prominent sportsmen, but none were more able through fitness and ability to be an all-round sportsman than Mr John Allan. A member of Old Monkcastle a team that was known through out the West of Scotland, John, apart from being a footballer, was also a runner above the average. He took part in many big events and the honours gained by him were many. And he was a splendid golfer. But as a footballer he was best known and although it is many years ago now since he played, still his name is fresh in the memory of all who saw him.

A player of the finer class, every move had that touch of class and his speed was a great asset, but without the speed he could move through a game with less ease than any other player. His understanding and cuteness was such that he was considered the finished article as a footballer. When the cronies meet to discuss football in Kilwinning 40 or 50 years ago, they also bring in the name of Monkcastle. And if Monkcastle is talked about so also is John Allan, a player who has done a lot to make Kilwinning a town of class players, for his standard of play was copied for years and those who followed the standard of John knew they were playing that class of football which made players of class above the average.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
December 31, 1943

"Porry" Gibb

When Ardrossan Celtic were at the height of their fame they had one player that stood out prominent from the others he was right back Gibbs, but he was known best as "Porry." Not very big, but well made and afraid of no one - could always be relied on to play his part daring every ninety minutes he played.

He was a player that possessed no fancy touches, but his tackling and kicking was neat, clean and always went to advantage. No matter how rough the game was, he remained cool and collected, and he took part in many games where blood was shed, but that never upset "Porry for he always came out of the game without ache or pain, and with that smile which greeted friend or foe.

His term with Celtic made him one of the followers most popular players and he was a faithful member of the team. If ever the history of Celtic is written, Gibb will certainly be called on to recall the days when football in Ayrshire was a real "he-man's" game. He still resides in Saltcoats where he is employed by the burgh.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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I think it was Porry who lit the gas street lights when i was a wee boy,early '50's
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There are more details on Ardrossan Celtic F.C. in George McGrattan's Ardrossan Football clubs pages: http://www.ardrossanfootballclubs.net/
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