Date:(Monday) 10th August 1953
Venue: Hamilton Park, Girvan
Opponents: Rotherham United
Attendance:
Final Score: 2-4
Scorers:McKenna (2) / Wilson (2), Burke, Marsden
Venue: Hamilton Park, Girvan
Opponents: Rotherham United
Attendance:
Final Score: 2-4
Scorers:McKenna (2) / Wilson (2), Burke, Marsden
Misc:
- A Clyde & Thistle select played Rotherham United to open Hamilton Park, Girvan.
- Clyde included Basil Keogh Grandfather of future Jag Paddy.
- Clyde's Johnny McKenna scored for the Glasgow XI.
Match Report:
A Strange Allianceby Paul Pettigrew (from the Clyde v Stirling Albion match programme, November 2018).
On 10th August 1953 a unique event was held in Girvan, Ayrshire. Goalkeeper Jock Quairney, the Girvan Juniors goalkeeper, had been transferred to Rotherham United five years previously and was back in Ayrshire to play for his team against a Clyde/Partick Thistle Select. Jock went on to serve another six seasons at Millmoor. The occasion was the opening of Girvan’s Hamilton Park, including a new pavilion and a stand to accommodate over 150 spectators. It is not clear why Clyde and Thistle were asked to supply the opposition to Rotherham, but neither club, nor Rotherham, claimed any expenses and all proceeds went to Girvan’s building fund.
Two days earlier the Scottish Football season had begun, ironically enough, with Clyde losing 1-4 to Thistle at Firhill in a Scottish League Cup tie. Now they combined forces to face a Rotherham side that went on to finish 5th in the English Second Division that season. Dignitaries of all four clubs were out in force including our own Willie Dunn. Today’s object is a very grainy image of the new ground set against a modern one showing the pavilion still going strong. The Glasgow team wore Thistle’s colours but was managed by Paddy Travers.
The Select side was as follows: Bell (PT), McGowan (C), Lindsay (C), Harvey (PT), Kerr (PT), Keogh (C), Galletly (C), McIntosh (PT), Granville (C), Pollock (PT) and McKenna (C). Despite goals from Clyde’s Johnny McKenna and Ralph Granville, both making their debuts following their transfers from Petershill and Mount Ellen respectively, the Select side lost convincingly 2-4 to the Millers. The fact that this was a scratch team which had never played before showed, but big Basie Keogh was reportedly the best player on view.
After the game the Girvan Town Council entertained the two teams and then the 70-strong array of dignitaries attended a light-hearted reception. Toasts and amusing anecdotes were exchanged, with the biggest source of laughter stemming from the corner in which the redoubtable Paddy Travers was predictably holding court.
Programme:
Pictures:
Checked GH, ET
