DOUGLAS WEST ROVERS

Douglas West Rovers were formed in 1946. Willie Drennan was the main man along with with Charlie Wilson and Davie Johnstone.  They joined the Lanarkshire Juvenile League and played their games at Crabtree Park, sharing their ground with the ‘Dale.

A good number of their players were local among them brothers Alec and Christy Welsh, Bill Hunter, Bill Prosser, Adam Lawson, Charlie Wilson, Archie Allison and Willie Drennan.

The report below is of a league game against top notchers Hamilton Cross in May 1947

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In Feb of 1949 the Rovers decided to strengthen their side for the forthcoming fixture list as can be seen from the report below

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As well as signing players the Rovers were losing them to Junior Clubs

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The Rovers Scottish Cup commitments meant that they were behind in their league schedule and chasing strong going Law Hearts, who were also still in the running for the Scottish Cup

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The following report is of Douglas West Rovers game against Strathallan in the 6th round of the Scottish Juvenile Cup, and probably records the highlight of their short career. Unfortunately they were knocked out in the quarter final by Inverkeithing 2-1. Playing alongside McStay, son of the manager of Celtic of that era, was our own Bill Hunter, Bill Prosser and Christy Welch

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Douglas West Rovers victory over Strathallan in the results of the day

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Some of the Rovers players played in a select match at Crabtree Park against German Prisoners of War who were being detained in the Estate Policies

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Despite having a useful team and making strong runs in the major cup competitions, claiming the scalps of Law Hearts, Mossend Boys Guild, and notably Coatdyke in the later stages of the West of Scotland Cup, lack of support and finances were the undoing of the West Rovers and they disbanded in 1951 with the following submission to the press and the Juvenile football association.

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Ex Douglas West Rovers players Willie Drennan top row 4th from right and Jackie Mitchell, Glespin, centre front row, in the Douglas Water Primrose team

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Willie Drennan, top left, in the successful Law Hearts team of the late '40's and early '50's