 A History of Football in Douglasdale | sitemap | log in
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DOUGLAS AMATEURS FC
Douglas Amateur FC where founded in 1965 from the nucleus of a team playing under the auspices of Douglas Miners Welfare. As a committee member and leader of the Youth Club in the Miners Welfare, Tam Smith was the main organiser of the team, arranging friendly games, securing changing facilities within the Welfare premises and generally pulling a team together. Games against Coalburn, Nemphlar, and the local D&A estate team, itself a useful outfit, gave encouragement for a bona fide club to be set up. Neilly McFarlane a football enthusiast and interested spectator at the games, was approached, and he agreed to manage a team with a view to entering the Lanarkshire Amateur Football Association. Neil had Geordie Jeffries as his sidekick, along with Tam Shaw, Frank McMillan and Buster Stratford on the committee. The following article reports the beginning of the era of Douglas AFC ............................ The first Douglas squad was made up of local players such as Jackson Smith, Bomber Anderson, Jake Ramage, Dougie McLay, Ludovic Shand, Jimmy Shepherd, Ian Ellis, Tom Cook, George Prosser, Kenny Sludden, Drew Bain, Alan McPherson and Archie McPherson ............................ Douglas AFC thus started what was to prove an illustrious history, away from home in the 4th Division of the LAFA against Wishaw YM. Unfortunately they lost their first game 5-0, however on their home debut the following week they defeated Jig Borers 2-0. ............................. Douglas AFC's second home game against Bothwell AFC ........................................... Support for the Amateurs was building up with buses booked for away games and home game advertised in the press This advert appeared in 1966 ......................................................................... The end of the first season saw Douglas AFC finish in fourth position and gain promotion to the LAFA 3rd Division. Alas Neil McFarlane’s health was giving him cause for concern and he reluctantly had to give way to Willie ‘Shulf’ McMillan as team manager. Shulf had been a useful player himself and had a sound knowledge of the game, and together with John Jackson formed a training and coaching partnership which was to last throughout the clubs history. ........................................................... In Oct 1966 DAFC played Govan away from home in a West of Scotland cup tie which proved to be a hard fought game. ................................................ In 1966/67 the team won the MBE Trophy, were runners-up in the Lanarkshire Cup and again gained promotion DAFC beating Bothwell on their way to securing their first ever trophy ....................................................... A team photo and report of the MBE cup final which was DAFC's first ever honour gained in the amateur game
Back Row L-R John Jackson, Jimmy Shepherd, Jackie Campbell, John Telfer,Ian Ellis, David Sawala, Davie 'Bomber' Anderson, Billy Ward, Alan McPherson, Drew Bain, Dougie Taylor Front Row L-R Ludovic Shand, George Prosser, Stuart Hope, Tom Hope, Kenny Sludden ............................................................ Douglas AFC players and officials 1966/67 Top row left to right - Tom Shaw, Frank McMillan, Shulf, David Sawala, Ian Ellis, John Telfer, Johnny Hamilton, Wull Morris, Davie'Bomber' Anderson, George Prosser, Dougie Anderson, Jimmy Shepherd, Alan McPherson, Buster Stratford, John McLeod, Dougie Taylor, and John Jackson
Bottom Row left to right - George McMillan, Stuart Hope, Alan Coats, Drew Bain, Tam Hope, Kenny Sludden Neilly McFarlane presenting a trophy to Jimmy Shepherd
The DAFC forward line of that year
Left to right - Johnny Hamilton, George Prosser, Drew Bain, Tom Hope, Kenny Sludden ................................ Season 1967/68 gave the team their first taste of a national final when they reached the final of the West of Scotland Cup, narrowly losing to Vale of Girvan AFC.
................................... The DAFC team and WAGS which won the Symington 5-a-side Tournament George and Ella Prosser, Alan and Isobel McPherson, Jimmy and Janice Shepherd, David and Diane Sawala, and Drew and Jeanette Bain .................................................................. In addition to Johnny Hamilton, a cracking player from Lesmahagow, whom Shulf had brought in to bolster the team , centre half Tom Lennox, another 'Gow man was signed to stiffen up the defence. Big Tam was a fine reader of the game and soon added a bit of steel in more ways than one. Often in the wars, he could take as good as he dished out. Team Photo Douglas AFC 1967/68
Top row left to right; Ian Ellis, John Telfer, Jimmy Shepherd, Tam Lennox, David Sawala, Davie Anderson Bottom row left to right; Drew Bain, George Prosser, Alan McPherson, Johnny Hamilton, Kenny Sludden, Stuart Hope ....................................
Scottish Cup tie 1968/69
 ..................................................
In 1969 Douglas AFC embarked on the first of their two ventures in an invitational European Tournament in Bromley, Kent, which they duly won, further enhancing the growing reputation of the club for playing total football with a level of fitness that many professional teams would be proud of.
Douglas AFC Players and officials en route to Bromley Back Row L-R - Derek Hair, Davie Russell, Tom Lennox, Soapy Hastings, Ian Ellis, Gordon Thomson, Davie Anderson, Buster Stratford, Jimmy Shepherd, Bobby Taylor Middle Row L-R - Tom Blackwodd, Kenny Sludden, John Collins, Peter Smith Tam Hamilton, Roslin Gray Front Row, L-R - Miller Mathieson, Algy Frame, John Jackson, Jim Lennox, Johnny Hamilton, Alan McPherson
Tam Lennox being presented with the European Trophy
------------------------------------------------------------ Douglas AFC's great rivals in the Lanarkshire AFA were Meadow Thistle from Craigneuk who had dominated the scene prior to the arrival of Douglas. Meadow had some cracking players including Willie Brown, Owen Connelly, and a number of other players who were later to sign for Douglas, Tommy McCormick, James Connelly, Jackie Barry, Jim Clifford, and Jim McLean. The Douglas team was predominently home grown but Shulf realised he would have to cast the net wider if he was to progress towards being the top side in the region. Therefore his first move was to persuade the play maker in the Meadow team Tommy McCormick to sign for Douglas. This was a very astute move and paved the way for the other players from Meadow Thistle and other top teams to later make the move to Douglas. ................................................. SCOTTISH CUP WINNERS 1969/70 The long held ambition of everyone connected with the club to win the Scottish Amateur Cup was realised in season 1969/70
THE ROAD TO THE FINAL
Match Report
Back Row left to right - Jimmy Shepherd, Kenny Sludden, Miller Mathieson, Shulf, Davie Anderson, Davie Woods, Tam Lennox, Tommy McCormick, John Romer, John Jackson, Soapy Hastings, Ian Ellis Front Row left to right - Eddie Simpson, Tam Hamilton, Peter Smith, Alan McPherson, George Prosser, John Collins, Stuart Hope Davie Anderson, Davie Woods, captain Tom Lennox with the cup and Tommy McCormick
Davie ' Geronimo' Anderson ........................................... ........................................ Following the success of their Scottish Cup win, the Amateurs decided to field two teams in 1970/71. One team playing in the Scottish Amateur League and the other team remaining in the Lanarkshire League Scottish League Team
Back Row left to right - Ian McPherson, Algy Frame, Jim Paterson, Gus Fordyce, John Currie Front Row left to right - Alan Wilson, Frank Kerr, Jim Duffy, Ronnie Ingles, Alan Scanlon, Robbie Walker Both dafc teams 1971
Back Row L to R - Danny Masterton, Frank Kerr, Ronnie Ingles, George Prosser, Jim McLean, Jim Paterson, Soapy Hastings, John Currie, Bob McClymont, Alan Scanlon, Gus Fordyce, Ian Cochrane, Alan Wilson, Algy Frame Front Row L to R - Ian McPherson, Danny McDougall, Jim Duffy, Tom Lennox, Alan McPherson, Kenny Sludden, Tommy McCormick, Jackie Barrie, Robbie Walker, Jim Clark, John Collins ................................. Alan Scanlon, Robert Anderson, and Sean McNaughton with the Scottish Cup ................................................. In April 1971 DAFC returned to Bromley in Kent, scene of their previous success in a European Festival Tournament, and again were victorious in capturing the Mitre Trophy, a competition to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Bromley and District League. This event proved to be a catalyst for the team's trip to Canada in the summer of 1971. The following report on the tournament was complied by Sec. Millar Mathieson
Douglas AFC brought further distinction to the village when over the Easter weekend they were victorious in the Mitre European Trophy played at Bromley in Kent, playing four matches in four days. In the first round they were drawn against Premier division champions Castrol FC, who were routed 7-0 in brilliant style, Kenny Sludden crowning a great performance with four goals. Saturdays match was eventful to say the least as Beckenham league side Alexandra Park, heavily reinforced for the occasion, proceeded to systematically kick A fine Sunday morning saw a great match against a thoroughly sporting side. In the end TV personality Brian Moore kicked off the final which brought together This was a tremendous performance by every player, but special mention must surely be made of skipper ................................................................................... In 1971 the Amateurs won the West of Scotland Cup beating Knockentiber 1-0 at New Cumnock
Back Row left to right
Jim McLean, Danny Masterton, Tam Lennox, Soapy Hastings, Bob McClymont, Jackie Barrie
Front Row left to right
Danny McDougall, Jim Clark, Tommy McCormick, Alan McPherson, John Collins, Kenny Sludden
.................................................................... In the summer of 1971 Douglas AFC organised a trip to Holland for their players and supporters. Based in Scheveningen,they travelled around the country, some of the lads going to watch Ajax Amsterdam play Chelsea
Kenny Sludden and Jake Ramage with the European Cup on
display in Rotterdam
............................................... Reports of both Douglas AFC teams and Douglas Thistle in action in Dec 1971
1972 SCOTTISH CUP WIN
Back Row left to right John Currie, Jim McLean, Algie Frame, Jack Barrie, Tom Lennox, Soapy Hastings, John Collins Front Row left to right Jim Clark, Johnny Hamilton, Alan McPherson, Kenny Sludden, Tommy McCormick CANADIAN TOUR In 1973 Douglas AFC embarked on a tour of Canada hosted by the St Andrews Club in Toronto. The team played a series of matches and won them all, including a game against the Canadian National Eleven in the CNN stadium in Toronto
Players with wives and families in Scarborough, Toronto
................................ A group of the lads preparing for a trip beneath Niagara Falls
Left to right - Jake Ramage, James Connelly, Kenny Sludden, Ian McPherson, Jim Clark, Bomber Anderson, Alec Ritchie, Jim Duffy, and Jackie Barrie ............................. Feeling the 90 degree heat in Canada
Left to right - Jackie Barrie, Alec Ritchie, Jim Duffy, Jake Ramage, Jim Clark, James Connelly. George Cuthill, Kenny Sludden Alec Ritchie, Alan Scanlon, Jim Clark, Kenny Sludden, Danny McDougal, Ian McPherson, Tommy McCormick, Jack Barrie. Willie 'Laker' McLeish, pictured centre at the back with the yellow top,one of the top Lanarkshire whistlers, came on the Canadian trip with Douglas FC to referee the matches. ....................................
Medal presented to officials of DAFC to commemorate the Canadian visit ...........................................
1972/73 Douglas AFC player pool
Back Row left to right - Algy Frame, Danny McDougall, Danny Masterton, Tom Lennox, Soapy Hastings, Jim Paterson, Jim Duffy, Ally Littlejohn, Wattie Brown, Alan Scanlon, and Pop Robson Middle row left to right - John Romer, John Collins, Alan McPherson, Jim McLean, Tommy McCormick, Kenny Sludden, Jack Barrie Front row - Jim Clark, John Currie, Ian McPherson, Jim Clifford ........................................
1974 SCOTTISH CUP RUN
1974 SCOTTISH CUP FINAL
Back Row left to right Gerry Burns, Tiddler Brown, Danny McDougall, Soapy Hastings, James Connelly, Ally Littlejohn, Tam Lennox Front Row left to right John Collins, Alan McPherson, Tommy McCormick, Andy Duff, Jim Clifford, Kenny Sludden BLACK ISLE INVITATION The Amateurs were invited to Fortrose in the Black Isle following their success in the Scottish Cup, to play a game against the local team at their Gala. Below is the team who turned out
Back Row left to right - Ally Littlejohn, Danny McDougall, Tiddler Brown, Alistair O'Hara, Tom Lennox, Owen Dunne, Kenny Sludden Front row left to right - Alan McPherson, Jim Clifford, Tommy McCormick, Andy Duff, Ian McPherson, Jim Murdoch 1974 ON 1974 was lhe last year of national trophies for DAFC, however the team continued to be among the top outfits in the country and won many competitions until its demise in 1977 Douglas Amateurs FC was probably the most successful team ever to have played in Scotland. They can surely be unique in winning, at some stage, every competition that they ever entered. Their roll of honour highlights the incredible success of the club in such a short history. The pivotal figure in the clubs success, Willie 'Shulf' McMillan was no blackboard technician. Shulf's attributes were in having an eye for a player, bringing new blood into the club at the right time, and in having each player play a specific role for the benefit of the team. With John Jackson bringing a high level of fitness to the players and Miller Mathieson overseeing a financial and fund raising organisation that many senior clubs would be proud of, DAFC had the perfect combination to ensure success. Sheena, Pat, and Allison, their respective wives, had to endure many a long day, and provide support when it was frequently required. No successful club ever existed without a dedicated group of officials and committee members. At the peak of their success Douglas AFC had their own supporters club, filling several buses even to midweek games. In that respect great credit must go to Mary and Bill Rankine, Jock and Ina Simpson, Bobby and Ann Taylor, George McMillan, Frank McMillan, Buster Stratford, Tam Blackwood, Bob McMillan, Bobby Cornelius, Andrew Morrison, and Ian Johnston, who all gave the club tremendous support and help throughout what was an incredible journey. .................................................
A caricature of the successful management team of Douglas Amateurs, Miller Mathieson, Shulf, and John Jackson.
Willie ' Shulf' McMillan
Although he was proud of his success on the field, it was clear that Shulf was more proud of the fact that he had helped create this family, this unique organisation, called Douglas Amateur Football Club, that still holds so much respect more than 40 years after its inception. The camaraderie and the bond that exists between players and officials to this day is a fitting testimony to a club that we can all be justifiably proud of. In 1977, twelve years after it was founded Douglas Amateurs FC disbanded. The end of an era was the culmination of several clashes with the SAFA officialdom as was recorded below.
Danny McDougall (no 2) with Hamilton Accies players and manager
In 1990, twentyfive years after lifting their first Scottish Amateur Cup the team held a reunion dinner dance at the Tinto Hotel in Symington attended extremely well by former players and officials. There was also a football match played at Crabtree with former DAFC and local team players.
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