Continued from Part 8 Vics support dwindled in the late 80s and early 1990’s as supporters buses left local pubs on their way to Rangers and Celtic matches. The juniors also suffered from the modern day TV and the introduction of interactive betting shops. Before these “handicaps” junior clubs had relatively good support. Amongst the […]
Continued from Part 6…. By the 1960’s, Vics again had a very healthy supporters Club, especially on away games. The home support continued to keep the club solvent. A few of the Vics Committee members would visit card holding members and collect their £2 subscriptions in both Glasgow Road and Main Street shops and pubs. […]
Continued from Part 7 From the period 1958 to 1973 the close contact between Vics and Senior Clubs was also an important part of team building. Having sole responsibility for signing players for the club, an association with Jock Stein and Sean Fallon (Celtic), Tom Fagan (Albion Rovers), Alex Smith (Stenhousemuir & Stirling Albion), Alex […]
Continued from Part 4….. It’s well nigh impossible to talk about Blantyre Victoria without recalling the great part John Cameron, the vice president of the club had played in keeping the club in the forefront of junior football for a considerable period of time. John, a former match secretary had never spared himself on behalf […]
Continued from Part 5 They still talk in Blantyre about the teacher in the days gone by who asked, “What famous man was born at Blantyre?” and received the prompt answer from a little nipper, “Jimmy Brownlie?!” Historians and others not well versed in football were, of course shocked when they heard about this reply […]
Continued from Part 3….. In the 1930’s players included Burns, Lyle, Fletcher, Towers, Williamson, Lindsay, Picken, Russell, Tarbert, McPhail, Howitt, McQuarter, Mr. Richard Black, Law, McKay, Stirling, Wallace, Bimbi and Geators. In early October 1931, Mr. Jimmy Walsh the international junior league goalkeeper of Blantyre Vics was invited to trial for Charlton Athletic. Spectator Injury: […]
Continued from Part 2….. Of course there were other Victoria players who played a noted part before going on to the senior ranks. For instance Mr. James Kelly, the Celtic Director and old time internationalist, had business investments in Blantyre and both his sons, Frank and James played for “Vics” before going on to Celtic […]