A Blantyre born footballer that was part of the Great Britain football squad that took part in the 1948 London Olympics. Born on 22^nd September 1924, Douglas was brought up in Knightswood Terrace, Blantyre, and attended the former Hamilton Academy. However, it was football, which would dominate his early adulthood.

As a 23-year-old righthalf, Douglas McBain played alongside Lisbon Lion, Ronnie Simpson in a team coached by Manchester United legend Sir Matt Busby. He scored the first goal of the tournament as the British team defeated Holland 4-3. Douglas was one of seven Scots in a squad that made it to the semi-finals.

To take part in the 1948 Olympics, he had to take six weeks’ unpaid leave from his jobs as a tax officer with the Inland Revenue. His appearance in the tournament was one of the highlights of a footballing career in which he played with Hamilton Accies and Dumbarton and twice reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup with Queen of the South. He played with Queen of the South for 7 years. McBain left QoS in 1955 after a contractual dispute with the chairman and retired from professional football. He was aged 30 at the time.

McBain instead ran the post office business in Locharbriggs for 11 years. The war had deprived him of the opportunity of tertiary education. However the sale of his business was used to fund his way through Edinburgh University. After bagging his degree he remained in the academic world, becoming a lecturer in economics and business studies at Telford College in Edinburgh.

He then retired aged 58 and became secretary of Barberton Golf Club and worked part time for Scotbec. Shortly after celebrating his diamond wedding anniversary, Dougie McBain died on 1st February 2008, aged 83.

Pictured is the Great Britain match at the 1948 Olympics.

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Gerald Kellachan His young brother Sandy lives in Long Calderwood , East Kilbride . I think his sister Jenny lives off Stonefield Road .

Paul Mcbain My Dad and Aunt

Gerald Kellachan Give your dad my regards.

Gerald Kellachan Paul one of his other brothers Charlie , was photographer with the Advertiser for many years .He died just a few years ago.

Mark Ashton This is my mums uncle Dougie.

Paul Mcbain My uncle … Brilliant man… Dougie’s son in law , Jim Brown , is the only man to captain both Hearts and Hibs .. 70s and 80s

Paul Mcbain You should check out Charlie’s photographic exhibition in the Scottish Football Museum in Hampden … Dougie’s younger brother

Mark Ashton Paul isn’t it a great article? The chap who runs the website has produced a few books on Blantyre. I have one and it is excellent. I suspect this article will make it’s way into the next book. I will keep my eye out for it – I’m sure Jenny and you old man would love it.

Susan Mcbain Hi mark sure is a great article. And ur right my dad and jenny will defo love a copy. Hope you and clan well.

Paul Mcbain Hi mark yeah its brilliant . Paul V. Does a brilliant job … You’re right , my dad and Jenny would love that . Dougie was a top player and apparently is still revered at Queen of the South … A Legend by all accounts

The Blantyre Project his story deserves to be told in Blantyres history archives. I hope with your permission, i am allowed to put it into a future book. wink emoticon

Paul Mcbain Totally … There’s a story to be told about all the four brothers Paul … Dougie’s older brother was heavily involved in WW2 with the dam busters etc … Right down to my dad who ran the Olympia in EK booking bands like Ac/DC , status quo etc … Let me know if I can help with any stories. My Grand dad was well known in Blantyre so lots of stories if youd like to use them cheers

The Blantyre Project that would be great Paul. As you’re aware i’m archving everything and anything about Blantyre. Its the people stories I find that people like best.

Paul Mcbain Brilliant – My great granddad was also the bloke who had the pey bridge franchise so there’s lots of stories. Just let me know if and when I can be of any assistance cheers