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From the Irvine Running Club website  (http://irvinerunningclub.co.uk/history-1.html )

1938 Ayrshire Cross-Country Championship at Benwhat

When I came into the sport in 1957 Irvine YMCA was a strong club that competed in Scottish athletics at every tier of competition – County, District and National and their athletes were to be seen at almost all events around the country.   The Edinburgh to Glasgow eight man relay was the top club road event in the calendar from its inception in 1934, and it was an invitation only event: in the very first race they were fourth. one place ahead of Motherwell YMCA, but their next appearance was not until 1950 when they were 14th.   That year there were four YMCA teams in the race –  Irvine 14th, Kirkcaldy 15th, Glasgow 18th and Motherwell did not finish the race.   The club record in this prestigious event was a notable one, indeed  their contribution to the sport in general was a notable one.   

Irvine YMCA harriers was founded in 1924 when the Irvine branch of the Y.M.C.A. movement was established in a building  in the High Street.   It was a very good time for cross-country running in Ayrshire with many more clubs than the county could just now: Mauchline AC was a very good club indeed, Kilmarnock had a good tradition even in the 1920’s Beith Harriers was also a very good club, Saltcoats had its own club with talented athletes, Ardeer was asuccessful club until well into the 1950’s, Barleith was considerably good, West Cumnock had its own club and so on.  Indeed, shortly after the formation of the Irvine YMCA Harriers the Ayrshire Harrier Clubs Association was founded and its first championship was on 17th January 1925.   More than 60 runners took part on a 7 mile circular course starting and finishing in Rugby Park.   The race was won by Satcoats Harriers.   The AHCA  is still in the twenty first century a major harrier and athletic force in Scottish athletics.   But we can give the new club a chance to find its feet and start our look at it from season 1927-28.

1927-28:   The West District Relay Championships were held on 21st November but the Irvine YMCA team was not in the first six teams although of the Ayrshire teams, Beith was third and Barleith was fifth, one place ahead of Shettleston.   Closer to home, the Ayrshire Clubs Relay was held on 10th December but Irvine was not in the first three, these being Doon, Beith and Barleith Harriers.   The first signs of the talent lurking in Irvine came in the Scottish YMCA Championships on 17th December, 1927, when the Irvine team was sjust out of the medals in fourth place, with CP Wilson fifth individual.   This was a bit of a drop from the previous year when the team had won their race with Wilson the individual champion.   We should have a look at this result since the club was just over a year old when it happened and to have both titles (individual and team) come its way was quite a feat.   The Scotsman report for 16th December 1926 read as follows:

“The fifth annual team and individual championship held under the auspices of the Department for Physical Education of the Scottish National Council of the YMCA’s were held at Motherwell on Saturday.   For the team event, which carries with it the JOM Clarke Trophy, there was an entry of eight clubs, all of whom were forward, while there were also seven individual entrants.   Teams comprised eight runners, the placing of the first four counting.   Altogether 64 runners set out on the 6 mile trail.   Mr H Lightbody, general secretary, Scottish National Council, acting as starter, while Mr John Craig, CBE, vice-president of the same body, was referee.   Results:-

Team Championship (JOM Clarke Trophy – 1.  Irvine YMCA Harriers (CP Wilson 1, R Wilson 2, W McMaster 4, J Hamilton 11 ) 18 points; 2.   Motherwell YMCA (holders) (JM Aitken 3, W McEwan 5, J McCulloch 7, JNH Gardiner 8) 23 pts;  3.  Paisley YMCA Harriers (A team) (C Hamilton 6,  D Cadenhead 16, JL Ritchie 17, A McGlashan 22) 62 pts; 4. Glasgow YMCA  63 pts; 5. Paisley YMCA B  127;  6. Renfrew YMCA 140; 7. Kirkcaldy YMCA 156; 8. Irvine YMCA Harriers B Team) 176.

Individual Championships (T Birrell Medal)   1.  CP Wilson, Irvine YMCA Harriers, 37 min 10 sec;  2. AD Brooke, Glasgow, 37 min 27 sec; 3. PS Findlay, Motherwell YMCA, 37 min 35 sec. “

They not only had the two champions but also had enough runners to enter two teams of eight men.  Against that fifth team and fourth individual were a bit of a come-down.   It also showed that CP Wilson had a bit of a pedigree.   

However, if we go back to 1927/28, there was no team from Irvine in the Western District Championships on 4th February, 1928, at Hamilton Racecourse.   It was not a long way to travel and again Beith (fourth) and Doon (sixth) carried the Ayrshire banner.   In the National Championship, again at Hamilton, there was no complete team from Irvine although we know that CP Wilson was 10th in the Junior National: this was a very good run as the winner was RR Sutherland of Garscube Harriers and the Scots Guards, from JF Wood of Heriot’s CCC.    

1928-29 The third annual West District Relay was held at Thornliebank on 17th November, 1928, and with 32 teams from 25 clubs, Irvine was almost certainly taking part but did not feature among the prize winners.   The Ayrshire Relay Championship took place at Beith on 8th December but there was no Irvine team competing.   Beith won from Barleith and Doon Harriers were the first three, other participating clubs were (in order) Kilmarnock Harriers, Eglinton Harriers A, Eglinton Harriers B, Doon Harriers B and Barleith Harriers B.   As in the previous year, the club turned out their runners in the Scottish YMCA Championships, held at Paisley, home of the previous year’s event on 15th December and performed slightly better than the previous year – fourth team behind Motherwell, Glasgow and Kirkcaldy YMCA’s, and in front of teams from Dundee, Paisley, Renfrew, Glasgow B, Motherwell B and East Kilbride.   CP Wilson in third was their best placed runner behind Suttie Smith and Frank Stevenson.   Their counting runners were A Aldie 8, D Kerr 15, J Watson 16, D Aldie 17.     

The next big championship was the Western District Championships, where CP Wilson finished first to win the first major championship for the club.   The Glasgow Herald report by Ggroe (George Dallas) read: “CP Wilson, Irvine YMCA, exhibited excellent judgment and fine pace in winning the thirtieth annual seven miles Western District Cross-Country Championships by 60 yards at Hamilton. He never showed any anxiety to be with the leaders until the five miles turning point, and the way he set about his rivals over the last two miles was a revelation.   This was undoubtedly Wilson’s best race of his career.”   Wilson won by 10 seconds (42:43 to 42:53 by J Gardner of Motherwell.   The club only had five runners when the team required six and there was no team position.    Came the National Championship on 2nd March and there wasno team from Irvine in the results column but CP Wilson started and was running with the leaders when he fell and suffered a knee injury that forced him to drop out.   Fortunately his form up to that point in the season had been good and he was selected for the Scottish team for the International (to be held that year in Paris) where he finished 30th and was a counting member of the Scottish team which finished fifth.

On March 9th 1929 the second annual Renfrewshire  v  Ayrshire Inter-County Cross-Country meeting took place and the result was a win for Renfrewshire by 14 points despite having only 14 runners to Ayrshire’s 16 following a number of call-offs.   CP Wilson was the Ayrshire captain and he finished second behind R Henderson who had been his predecessor as Western District champion.   

1929-30 The season started with the cross-country relays as usual but there was a change in the organisation of the Districts and the Western District was split into the Midlands District and the South West District.   The South West was made up of teams from Renfrewshire, Ayrshire and all points south.   It was a tough competition – Greenock Glenpark and Wellpark clubs were both in there along with all the Ayrshire teams that they had come to know so well.   The District Relay was held for the first time in 1929 at Largs – and was won by Irvine YMCA from Greenock Wellpark Harriers by a margin of 27 seconds.   The winning team was made up of R Wilson, J Watson, D Kerr and CP Wilson.   Quickest was D Kerr who was second overall, followed by CP Wilson fifth overall.   The race was exceptionally well organised and tea and the medals were presented at McKay’s Restaurant in the town.   

The Ayrshire Relay was next Irvine won comfortable with their second team 5th.   Teams and runners were A Team: R Wilson (14:21), J Watson (15:18), D Kerr (14:55), CP Wilson (14:51).  R Wilson was fastest on the day, CP Wilson 9th and D Kerr 12th.     B Team:  R Campbell (15:27), D Aldie (14:39), A Aldie (15:42), J Fletcher (14:58)  D Aldie was 4th fastest overall.    The press report read: “Irvine YMCA accomplished just what was expected of them in the Ayrshire relay except that their win was more striking than anyone believed possible.   The hero of the team was young R Wilson, borther of CP, also a member of the winning team.   He not only gave his side a winning lead but accomplished the fastest effort of the 40 competitors engaged.”   

The new District’s championship was held on 1st February 1930, ‘within the policies of Eglinton Castle’, and to no one’s great surprise, Irvine YMCA ran out the winners.   The team was R Wilson (2nd),  D Kerr (8th), D Fry (9th), J Watson (12th), D McGowan (15th), R Campbell (16th).   The race was over a distance of 7 miles, com posed of two laps with two stretches of plough in each and there were 130 runners.     

In the National at Hamilton where there were 18 teams and 29 individuals entered the team was ninth.  R Wilson was the top man in 4th, big brother CP Wilson was 41st, D Fry 55th, D McGowan 71st,  and the team was completed by another pair of brothers, A Aldie 76th, D Aldie).   There was however another big event to come: 26th April 1930 was the date when the first Edinburgh to Glasgow relay was run.   This was to become, along with the National, one of the highspots of the winter season.   It was an eight stage relay, entry by invitation only, and it would eventually settle for a date in November.   It started out in April 1930 and Irvine YMCA was one of the clubs competing in it.   The stages were of different lengths with the second (6 miles) and the sixth (7 miles) being the longest.   The irvine team on the day was R Wilson, D McGowan, D Aldie, A Aldie, D Kerr, CP Wilson, D Fry and D Watson.   It finished fourth of the 17 taking part behind Plebeian, Dundee Thistle and Maryhill Harriers and three minutes ahead of the fourth team, Motherwell YMCA.   

1930-31   The following winter, 1930-31, began earlier than usual.  On 4th Oct 1930, the new Springburn clubhouse in Auchinairn Road was opened with all the dignitaries present and the opening event was a  4 x 2+ miles relay.   The race was won by Plebeian Harriers with Irvine finishing 5th.  Runners that day were D Fry, D McGowan, D Kerr and R Wilson.   It was a good run in top company and two weeks later they held their own Club Novice Championship and Ballot Team race as a preparation for the National Novice Championship on 1st November in which they were a disappointing 31st team of 37.   It has to be remembered of course that it was a novice championship and men like the Wilson brothers would not be eligible.   They were now entering the championship season proper and on 15th November the South Western District Championships were held at Largs.  The race was run but declared void with a re-run to be held the following week.   The reason?  The leading three runners – D McGowan of Irvine, J Millar of Beith and W Ballock of Greenock Glenpark –  all went off the trail on the third leg, cutting a slice off the scheduled course.   They were well clear of the field at that point and the rest of the runners followed the correct trail.   At the end the first across the line were Beith, Glenpark and Irvine but a protest went in, the committee met and the race was declared void.   There had been ‘plenty paper’ laid but the strong wind had scattered it leading to the confusion.   The next championship was the Ayrshire Championship Relays at Benwhat where Doon Harriers won from Irvine YMCA by one minute.    The YMCA Championships were held on 19th December at Renfrew and Suttie Smith from Dundee won his fourth title.   First Irvine man to finish was D Fry in 5th place.   Because of the rules for this championship, which were a bit different from every other championship, he could not count for the team race in which Irvine, represented by AS Aldie, J Fletcher, D Duncan and McKinnon, were fifth.   Irvine were the reigning champions but the rules for the championship stated that members of a winning team could not count for the club the following year.   

The South Western Championships were held at Irvine on 7th February, 1931 and it would be thought that Irvine, reigning champions, would have won again.   Unfortunately not – there were not runners from the club in the first ten and the team finished tenth of eleven with only Barleith behind Whatever the club’s failings in the District Championship they performed well enough to be ninth team in the National at Hamilton.   Individually they were better than they had ever been with two runners in the first eleven – CP Wilson was 10th and D Fry was eleventh and both  were selected for the international to be held at Baldoyle Racecourse in Ireland.   The Thirties was a good decade for the Scottish international teams and in 1931 they finished equal second with France.   That meant that the two men from Irvine came home with medals from the international.   Fry had finished 22nd and Wilson 28th.  In the Edinburgh to Glasgow Relay held in 1931, 25th April and there were twenty two clubs entered.   Unfortunately the Irvine team dropped out and failed to finish.

1931-32 

Came the autumn season and in the National Novice Championships at the start of November the Irvine team was 18th of 42 clubs.   The South Western District relay saw the Irvine club finish third but, as the Glasgow Herald report said, “Irvine YMCA club, winners two years ago, were under strength owing to the absence of R Wilson who had to call off at the last minute.   Unexpected difficulty in getting a good reserve to fill the vacancy caused the club to lose the race which they might well have won.”   The club’s runners and times were D Fry  15:39, D Kerr 15:55, CP Wilson 16:00, J Dunlop 17:10.   The report might have bee a bit harsh in its tone as far as the replacement runner was concerned but nevertheless they finished just 32 seconds behind the winning Beith team and 23 seconds behind second placed Glenpark Harriers.   “Benwhat, a small mining village high in the hills to the north of Dalmellington”  was the venue for the Ayrshire Championships and this time the club had their top four men out – Fry, Kerr, CP Wilson and R Wilson – but could only finish second to the Doon Harriers team who defeated them by exactly one minute.   On the 19th December at Kirkcaldy in the YMCA championships their luck was no better when D Aldie was their first finisher in sixth place with the team down in sixth place of the seven competing.   Consolation was in the form of D Aldie being a member of the winning ballot team with Suttie Smith (winner for the fifth time) and George Pickering of Cambuslang YMCA.   

In the District Championships on 6th February the team could do no better than seventh of the eleven teams present and there was no runner in the top ten finishers.   Would the pattern of the previous year – poor District, good National – be repeated?   The answer is in the negative – there were only five finishers for the club so there was no team position and no runner was in the top twelve.   There was one man from Irvine YMCA selected to go to Brussels with the Scottish team – Trainer T Rae.    He did his job well – the team was third and  again brought home international medals.

The club was mainly a Harrier club but it did send some athletes to the Scottish YMCA Track and Field Championships on 21st May, 1932.   They were up against a situation where many ‘YMCA’ clubs included members of other athletic clubs – eg T Blakely, an international class member of Mryhill Harriers turned out for Glasgow North West.   The Irvine won none of the medals up for competition but there were some events labelled ‘First Claim Members’ and they picked up a second place in the 100 yards.   It should be noted that there were four events for first claim members while the ‘all who will may enter’ events numbered sixteen.

1932-33

In preparation for the National Novice Championship in November, Irvine, like many a club, held their own club novice championships and ballot team race on 15th October, and on the 29th of the month held their relay trial which was won by D Kerr from the two Aldie brothers.   In the actual Novice Championships on 5th November they could do no better than 19th of 36 teams, and there were no club men in the top ten.   There was a junior road race held at Mauchline on the 12th in which Irvine YMCA was equal third team with Beith Harriers.   In the South West District Relays on 19th November, they were without CP Wilson, R Wilson and D Fry and were never serious contenders, finishing ninth of 15 teams.  The YMCA Championships were held as usual on the third Saturday in December and D Kerr in fourth was the first Irvine YMCA man home; he could not count for the team however and the squad of A Aldie, GS Pringle, W Duncan and J Fernie was sixth of ten teams.   

The first of the two big championships of the cross-country season was the District Championship on 4th February when the team was sixth, A Aldie 13, D Aldie 20, S Pringle 29, J Finnie 54, J Storrar 56, and T Grier 63 were the men in action.   In the National Championships on 4th March, the team was 19th but that year a race for Youths was held in conjunction with the Senior event and in this one Irvine YMCA was eleventh of 24 teams.   There was an Edinburgh to Glasgow Relay on 8th April but the field was small and did not include Irvine.   

In the Track and Field Championships on 20th May, some events were labelled open and if that meant that the others were all for first claim members only, then that would seem to be an improvement.   Irvine won second place medals in the Mile Relay with a team of D Fry, R McCormick, J Lennox and J Dunlop and in the Two Mile Relay they were again second.      If it helped their morale, it should be noted that Irvine Meadow won the five-a-side football match.

1933-34   1933-34 started with the Diistrict Championships and Irvine finished third behind Greenock Glenpark and Eglinton Harriers with their team of Pringle, Kerr Aldie and Fry with Fry turning in the fastest time of the day by 15 seconds from Millar of Beith.   The Ayrshire County Championships took place on 2nd December and Irvine won from Eglinton by only ten yards.   Their top man was D Fry who had fastest time on the day  with R Pringle, D Kerr and D Aldie making up the team.   The last championship of 1933 was the Scottish YMCA Championship on 16th December where Irvine was fifth behind Kirkcaldy, Motherwell,Paisley amd Glasgow YMCA’s.   (Pringle, Aldie, McCulloch and Storrar were the men responsible.   Into the new year and in the District Championships and the club was eighth with D Aldie the top man in 101th place.   There was no team from Irvine in the National Senior Championship but D Fry ran as an individual and crossed the line in 26th place.   Nor were there any team or individual in the Youth event.   

The championship results from 1934-35 to the start of the War in 1939 can be looked at in tabular form.

This brings us up to the end of the last complete cross-country season before the 1939 – 45 War.   There was some athletics held in those years but athletics proper did not restart in Scotland until after the War.   We will pick up the story again in 1947.

The club picked up slowly after the War and there was no team from the club in the South West District Championship in Fenruary 1947, nor in either Novice Championships or District Relay in November and December 1947, and no team in the Senior National in March 1948 although there were three Youths in that race.   They were Hollas, McLeod and Raeside.   There had been a team in the District Championships on 7th February 1948 which finished sixth with runners placed 16th, 24th, 25th, 31st, 51st, and 54th.   These places are noted because the change that took place over the 1948-49 season was so dramatic.   It was called Tom McNeish.

The first championship of the winter was always the National Novice Championship in November and on the twentieth November 1948, Irvine was third = (with HMS Caledonia) of 35 teams in the event.   More to the point, Tom McNeish won the race and there were eight men racing.   He was described as ‘the well-built Tom McNeish’ by Emmet Farrell in the ‘Scots Athlete’ magazine and he went from strenth to strength that winter.   The others in the team that day in the Novice Championships were E Allan 21st, J Lawson 28th and D Lawson 51st.   The South West Relay was held on 4th December that year and the team was down in sixth place despite McNeish running second fastest time of the day.   How so?   J Lawson gave the club a lead on the first leg and D Lawson dropped one place on the second but they were still in contentio before the third leg runner, J Jackso, had a fall and as the report said, ‘put them out of the running’ despite a sterling effort by their top man.   The Ayrshire Harriers Clubs Association had their championships at Dalmellington on 18th December and Irvine YMCA won firly comfortably with a team of E Allan, D Lawson, J Lawson and T McNeish who had the fastest time of the day.   It was into 1949 and the first championship was the District Championships at Kilmarnock where McNeish won by 500 yards from internationalist Tom Stevenson of Wellpark Harriers..    The team took their cue from him and won the team race – J Lawson 8th, D Lawson 12th, E Allan 13th, H Diamond 18th and D Clotworthy 24th.   It was all good stuff with very good team performances and an outstanding runner in McNeish.   The club could have been expected to have a good turn out in the National Championships at Hamilton on 5th March.   But unfortunately not.  There was no team in either the Senior or Youth races, McNeish ran exceptionally well to be fourth in the Senior race and gain selection for the International, and there were two runners in the Youth race entered as individuals – A Diamond 26th and D Clotworthy 51st.   Emmet Farrell in the @Scots Athlete’ was most impressed with McNeish’s run and said as much in the April 1949 issue of the magazine:

“Tom McNeish was with the leaders right from the start and at one stage of the last lap looked as if he might pull off a surprise victory That he tired somewhat in the latter stages is no shame to him after such a hard season.   Discreetly handled, and with an easier programme, Mc Neish might prove a phenomenon.   He is a deceptive runner of amazing speed and stamina, and when he acquires more experience may reach even higher heights in long dtsitance running.”

McNeish in the National, 1949:  On the left in both pictures

In the left hand picture, McNeish is running with George Craig and Jim Flockhart in front of Andy Forbes, Jim Fleming, Jimmy Reid and Tom Stevenson; on the right, he is seen on the last lap with Reid and Fleming.   The caption writer draws our attention to the ‘long but powerful limbs’ of McNeish.    He ran in the international at Baldoyle Racecourse in Dublin and finished 44th to be a scorer for the team which finished ssixth.

It had been a very good season for McNeish and his club had run well, backing him up in all sorts of races with the exception of the National.   

Winter of the 1949-50 season started early for Irvine YMCA (1st October) when they entered the McAndrew Relay race at Scotstoun for the first time: the club finished 17th of the 49 teams who completed the course with McNeish their fastest man – but only 5 seconds quicker than J Lawson, the other runners being F Muir and S Cuthbert.   One month later (5th November) they ran in the South West District Relays at West Kilbride where they were third and McNeish had the fourth fastest time of the day.   Then, for the first time in a long time, the club was invited to run in the Edinburgh to Glasgow eight man relay when it was held on 21st November 1949.   They finished 17th with the team, in running order being T Garry (19th of the 22 starters), S Cuthbert (17th), H Kennedy (17th), J Malcolm (16th), H Clotworthy (17th), T McNeish (15th), A McLeod (16th) and D Andrew (17th).   The eleventh Scottis Youths Cross-Country Championship was held at King’s Park in Stirling on 3rd December and the Irvine team of D Andrew (23), H Kennedy (29), F English (79) and H Gibson (108) was 17th of the 20 teams.  There was no team entered for the South West Championships on 4th February but McNeish was out and finished fourth behnd Reid, McLean and Williamson. The National was held on the 4th March and again the Irvine team was absent although McNeish was there, ran well enough to be 16th but not well enough to make the team for the international.   

Irvine YMCA  Part Two

No coaching yet and too much of a novice to get much attention but the pictures here are of the people I learned from, trained with and raced with.

David Bowman

Every club had men who were great role models and they were often hero figures to club members.   Pat Younger inspired many in Clydesdale Harriers, as did Cyril O’Boyle, George White and Frank Kielty.   My own personal hero was David Moir Bowman who was a great club man – runner, official, administrator, club representative and more besides.   The first couple of pictures here will be of David.   The one above is during the SAAA Marathon, 1952.

David leading the Marathon at the Edinburgh Highland Games

David and Willie Howie at the Babcock & Wilcox Sports

Club Men’s Section, outside Bruce Street Baths.

Pat Younger coming down Ben Nevis

George White leading the first leg of the Edinburgh to Glasgow: handing to Duncan Stewart

George White to Pat Younger at the end of the first leg the following year

Rangers Sports: John Maclachlan, Iain Cooke,  George Rodger, ? , Ian Logie

John Maclachlan winning from Pat Younger at Singer’s Sports

Aird (7), George Rodger (7), John Hume (8), John Maclachlan (4)

George White to John Wright in the Dunbartonshire County Relay Championship

Pat Younger in Inter Department Relay at Singer’s Sports

Donaldttt Mackenzie: we trained together until he emigrated to NZ

Start of the first Edinburgh to Glasgow I witnessed

Junior National, John Wright and McParland of Springburn Harriers

John Wright behind George Govan, Shettleston, and in front of Joe Connolly, Bellahouston.

A Group of U17’s: Graeme Reid, Jamie Hendry, David Moore and Denis McGinley

All Schools and SAAA Age Group Internationalists, Graeme of course was SCCU Senior Man CC Champion in 2003

Denis McGinley

Graeme Forbes at Stretford

Scottish Medley Relay Champions, 1995: David McColm, Des Roache, Craig McDaid, Donald Govan

Des with the Trophy

Scottish Medley Relay Winners, 1994: Grant Graham, Graeme Forbes, Ruaridh Graham and Donald Govan

Grant with the Trophy

After a very good season, Clydesdale Harriers were awarded the Clydebank Sports Council Team of the Year Award

Jmaie Hendry to James Austin in the Edinburgh to Glasgow

Ewan Calvert to Derek Halpin in the Edinburgh to Glasgow

Group in Lanzarote: Ewan, Allan, Steve Moseley (Cardiff), Peter, Ian Gillespie (Bristol), John <cFadyen, Grant

Kheredine and Ewan Warming up.

Mark Govan

Graeme R, Mark, Graeme F,Des,  Kheredine, Allan and Matt Davies (Woodford Green), with Julie McDevitt and Charlotte McConnell (CoG) in front.

Allan and Grant in Lanzarote

The Bike Ride, Lanzarote: John, Steve, Ewan, Allan, Tim Grose (Serpentine Runners), Ian, Grant, Matt

More to come

Into the 1990’s and there were so many good runners in the squads – not all at the same time – but there were the 800/1500m men of the mid 90’s, the distance men of the mid and late 90’s, the excellent junior men all through the period, Scottish and British internationalists, Scottish and British champions as well as many very good club runners.   Let’s start with a group ..

As Staff Coach, I invited Steve Cram up to talk to some Under 20 athletes and their coaches.   Lots of easily identifiable faces in this one.

Des, Grant an Shane Daly at sponsored relay in Clydebank

Allan Adams and Des Roach on a Sunday morning run

Allan Adams

Billy Jenkins in the SAAA 10K, Strathclyde Park

Bobby Rosborough, Allan Adams, Peter Halpin, Grant Graham and Des Roache with Mark Govan at the back (he stopped to tie a lace)

SAAA 800m final: Des leads from Tom McKean, Tony Morrell, Ewan Calvert (31), Gary Brown and Paul Walker

Same Cast, same race, slightly later

Grant Graham, winning 1500m, Small Nations International, Cardiff

Mark Govan

James Austin, West District Championships, Stepps

Tommy Murray, Glen Stewart and Allan Adams

First Three, Bellahouston, James Austin, Tommy Murray, Stewart Bell

West District Relay Champions, Lenzie, 1995: Ewan, James, Grant and Des.

Ewan, first on the first stage in Lenzie

Shane, third on the first stage in Lenzie, 1995

Des, first on second stage in Lenzie, 1995

Kheredine, third on second stage for the B Team at Lenzie, 1995

Grant, first on third leg in Lenzie, 1995

Grant to James in first place at Lenzie, 1995

Allan Adams and Peter Halpin in La Santa, Lanzarote

Kheredine, Ewan and Grant in Alfa Mar, Portugal

Kheredine training in the pool at Lanzarote in the flotation jacket

Ewan, Peter, Grant, Kheredine in Lanzarote

Ewan leading Grant, Kheredine and John McFadyen (Greenock Glenpark) at La Santa

Many more to come -Go to 90’s Photographs     Part 2

Picture above was taken at Westerlands in early 1960’s – Jim Spence, Colin Martin, Albert Smith, Bert McKay, Alex Brown, Lachie Stewart, Alistair Milroy, Ian McCafferty, Hugh McErlean, Jim Brennan, Brian McAusland

I started coaching in season 1961-62 with the Ladies section and went on to coach some Boys, Youths and Juniors.   The girls were very good but unfortunately I don’t have a single photograph of any of the girls despite the fact that the group included Schools and age group internationals and won medals at the SAAA and, in Ann Hannah’s case, WAAA level.   However I was still running and racing seriously at the time and many of the photographs below are of training partners and racing rivals.

One of my all-time heroes and a great friend, Ian Donald who joined the club from Shettleston in 1964 and died tragically early in 1980

Ian Leggett, another good friend and team mate.   Seen here finishing the Nigel Barge Race – the same one as Ian Donald above

.Johnny B Maclachlan, a very good runner indeed who retired from the sport far too early

also finishing in the Barge

Cyril O’Boyle to Bobby Shields at the second changeover in the E-G

West District Relays at Cleland Estate: receiving the baton from Neil Buchanan

Handing over to Bobby Shields in the same West Districts at Cleland

Pat Younger and Roy Clarke

Allan Sharp (73) and Jack Girvan

Bobby Shields in the Ben Nevis Race.  

Another hero: David M Bowman who was a good marathon runner after the War and became a top class official and administrator.   David was President of Clydesdale Harrier, the Dunbartonshire Association, the Scottish Marathon Club and the Inter-Counties Association in the same year.   He was also responsble for a great deal of the planning for the Commonwealth Games Marathon in both 1970 and 1986.   At the time of this phorotgraph he was in his erly 50’s.

Pat Younger as a veteran running in the Ben Nevis race

Frank Kielty leading here was a wonderful character and philosopher who would argue any case in any argument and usually win; Andy Park behind him was one of the first male athletes I ever coached.   Anything but elegant he was a genuine character and people travelled across Glasgow just to see his race in the midweek league which was organised by Alex Naylor, Bert Winter and others.   Any ran in everything right up to the Edinburgh to Glasgow but his career was ended when he was seriously injured with the Army in Ireland.

Bobby Shields running in the Edinburgh to Glasgow

Coatbridge, 1986

Having been involved in athletics since 1957, I have some photographs covering that period.  I have actually been involved continuously for 62 years so far.  There are some of people I have trained and run against and with, there are also some of athletes I have coached or who have trained with one or other of the groups.  Some of the pictures have been posted on facebook pages or websites and just recently I was asked to put some of my own up as a collection.   As a result I will put up pictures from each of the decades from the 1950’s to the present.  First there are some from the 1970’s and the 1980’s.  Just follow the links below.

  The 50’s   The  60’s    The 1970’s    The 1980’s    The 1990’s   The 00’s

Robert McWatt, on the left below, was the first Junior or Senior Scottish international athlete that I coached.  He was selected for the Scottish team in February 1978.   A talented athlete who raced successfully at a tremendous range of distances from 800m and he even ran a 2:30 marathon.   I never coached Phil Dolan, but we ran in many a team together and even travelled to Boston in April 1977 for the marathon there.   

With Robert and Phil at the late, lamented Westerlands.

George Carlin in the steeplechase at the DAAA Championships at Scotstoun

George was one of the most naturally talented runners I worked with: a contemporary of Robert’s he was good at most distance track events but probably best as a cross-country and hill runner.

Robert finishing the Aberdeen Marathon in 2:30

Coach leading his bit of the field in the National at Livingston

Some of the younger ones of that period: John Cassidy, Denis Williams (coached at that time by Denis McGinley), Richie McGroggan and Lawrie McLafferty

Robert (and Phil) running in the SAAA 5000m at Meadowbank

Coach, second left, starting in the Edinburgh to Glasgow at the start of the decade

Robert in an 800m at Westerlands behind Graham Williamson and ahead of Ian Smith

Richie McGroggan receiving the Senior Boys’ Cross-Country Trophy from the club secretary

I was still running seriously for most of the 70’s and, living in Lenzie, I trained regularly wit Alastair Macfarlane, Doug Gunstone and Bill Ramage.   There were also the sessions at Clydebank with Ian Donald and Allan Faulds of course and the result was some of the best running I ever did.

Allan Faulds leading Don Macgregor, Martin Craven and Fergus Murray

Alastair en route to winning the SAAA Marathon in 1979

After the SAAA Track 10 Miles: Colin Youngson (2nd), Doug  Gunstone (1st), Martin Craven (3rd)

Most of the photographs on this page are of athletes I was coaching, or who were in the group at the time, either training or racing.   Above is one of my own favourites – taken by Robert Chalmers at Coatbridge when Alex Gilmour was giving me some advice and neither of us was aware of the camera!    These are only some of the photos from the 80’s – more may well be added as time goes by.

Companion to the one above: also Robert Chalmers sneaking up – this time it was Jim Orr who was telling me what to do.

Tom Rhodes (Cambuslang), Pat Morris, (Cambuslang), Paul Ross (Clydesdale), Charlie McIntosh (Clydesdale), Hugh Forgie (Law & Dist), Douglas McDonald (Clydesdale)

Jim Orr, Alex Gilmour, Paul Doran (Clydesdale), Graham Getty (Bellahouston), Bob Anderson (Cambuslang)

Jim Orr and Alex Gilmour

Group leaving the track at Coatbridge: includes Mike Gallagher (Maryhill), Alex Chalmers (Springburn), Bob Anderson, Tom Rhodes, Pat Morris (all Cambuslang), Graham Getty (Bellahouston), Hugh Forgie (Law), Douglas McDonald, Derek McGinley, James Austin (all Clydesdale), Alex Gilmour (Cambuslang), me, Jim Orr, Charlie Thomson (Cambuslang), Sam Wallace (Cambuslang)

Crown Point: Derek Halpin (Clydesdale), Sam Wallace (Cambuslang), Struan Marshall (Clydesdale), Paul McEvoy (Cambuslang).

Hugh Forgie and Paul Ross on the third stage of the Edinburgh to Glasgow

Tommy Murray, Alex Gilmour, John McKay and Robert Fitzsimmons in the Dunky Wright Road Race

Alex Chalmers (13) following Alaister Russell of Law & District at Coatbridge

In 1986 we had the British Milers Club two day conference and AGM at Jordanhill and the following photos are from that event

The mass warm up: some of our runners here are Jim Orr and Kevin Newberry, with other top athletes such as Chris Robison, Elspeth Turner also doing their bit.   

.Peter Coe, left, Jim Bannerman, centre

Sean Kyle, left, Alex Naylor, centre

Sam Wallace, Bryan Murray and Eddie Stewart looking puzzled or sceptical about something Frank Horwill said.

Hylda Stewart (Clydesdale)

Sam Wallace following Gerry McCann in the West District U17 Championship at Wishaw: Sam won

Sam Wallace at Wishaw in 1986 – Robert Fitzgerald second, John MacKay third

Peter Halpin (Clydesdale) at Scotstoun

Bobby Rosborough (Clydesdale) middle, in the National at Irvine

Peter Halpin in the 4 x 400 relay at Meadowbank

Alex Gilmour battling Chris Robison (Spango Valley) in the E – G

…

‘Ming’ Campbell wins at Westerlands

St Andrews was first University out of the blocks when they had a home match against the powerful team.   They had eight victories (M Tretheway 20 yards, D Dempsey 440 yards, M Davies 880 yards, M Snow (Javelin), H Cameron (Hammer) and C Kelk in the triple jump plus both relays, but lost the match 103 to 95.   This was largely due to the four victories won by Norrie Foster but  at least they had started on the summer campaign with victories in sprints, middle distance, jumps and throws.   At times it was thought that St Andrews University did not take the sport too seriously, but in the Scottish League, Division 1, for that summer we see that their fixtures in May away from the University circuit, were as follows:   

On May 5th, away to Bellahouston H; May 8th: Octavians were hosts to St Andrews and Edinburgh Southern; May15th at Scotstoun, Victoria Park, Ayr Seaforth and St Andrews.

A week later, 24th April, 1965, Glasgow University went to Aberdeen and won as they were expected to do.   Their track men were outstanding:  Campbell won the 100 and 220 yards, R Mayberry won the 440, B Scobie won the 880 yards, RD Baillie won the 3 miles, Brown won both hurdles races and they won both relays.   The only track event that Aberdeen won was the Mile where Bill Ewing was victorious.   It was a different tale in the field events however with the home team winning all but two (high Jump and shot putt).   Their winners were J Grant Long jump, Bernie Nottage the triple jump, Taylor won the Discus, Fowlie the javelin and Wilkie the hammer.   Fowlie’s javelin was one of the features of the meeting when he threw 193′ 3″.   The other notable performances were by Min Campbell who equalled ground records in both sprints.

On the same afternoon, at Craiglockhart, Edinburgh University defeated both Strathclyde University and Queen’s Belfast.   Doug Edmunds of Strathclyde set a new personal best of 51′ 8″ in the shot, and Lawrie Bryce, who had thrown the hammer 188′ in midweek, easily won the hammer here with 178′.   

On 1st May it was Glasgow’s turn to beat Queen’s when they went to Ireland for the triangular fixture against that university and St Andrews.   Glasgow’s men scored 83 points against Queen’s 67 and St Andrews 23; and in the women’s contest, Queen’s won with 42 1/2 to Glasgow’s 34 1/2 and St Andrews 20.   The match which was to have been held on anew all weather track had been transferred to a grass track (of doubtful mainenance) and with the win that was blowing, the 100 yards and 120 yards hurdles races were held on the back straight to get the following wind.   Nobody else benefited in that way.   Glasgow’s men  won the 100, 220, 440, 880, 3 miles, 120y hurdles, 440 yards Hurdles, the relay, the shot putt and the pole vault; their women won only two events, the high jump and the shot.     The Glasgow B team took on Strathclyde and Aberdeen Universities plus St Modans at Westerlands and finished a dismal last with 9 points.   It was Strathclyde that was triumphant with 48 points, St Modans had 32 and Aberdeen, ‘unexpected arrivals for the match’, had 14.    C Stewart (S) won the 440 hurdles by 50 yards in 51.1, and Edmunds (S) won the shot by 10′.   

One week later, 8th May, the Glasgow University Club Championships had many excellent athletes competing – WM Campbell, RD Baillie, Norrie Foster, Brian Scobie – but times and performances were all verypoor simply because of the weather.   It was decided to run the sprints with the wind at the back of the runners and Campbell’s 100 yards was done in 9.6 seconds.   He won the 100, 220 and 440 yards, but in many events the number of competitors was small – two in the half mile, three miles, 440 hurdles and some others.   RD Baillie won the Biles Trophy for the most meritrious performance when he won the Three Miles in 14:37.8.   Came the 15th and the British Universities Championships were held at Liverpool on Friday and Saturday.   Among many very good performances from the Scots on the second day, Ming Campbell won the 220, Barclay Kennedy was second in the 440, Bill Ewing was third in the Mile, GL Brown second in the 120 yards hurdles, and among the women EK Patrick (St A) won the 80m hurdles and the long jump.   At home there was a competition at Toryglen in Glasgow  involving Strathclyde, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Newcastle with Newcastle winning the contest.   St Andrews failed to turn up for their match with Victoria Park and Ayr Seaforth in a match totally dominated by the Glasgow club.   

Alistair Blamire (Edinburgh) 30, leading team mate Fergus Murray

22nd May was the Glasgow v Edinburgh for the Appleton Trophy, held this year at Craiglockhart.   Edinburgh retained the trophy although Glasgow won the women’s match with 42 to 35.   Norrie Foster won three events for Glasgow – the 440 hurdles, long jump and pole vault while E Osborne for Edinburgh won both sprints.   Fergus Murray won the Mile and then crossed the line in the Three Miles with team mate Roger Young.   P Kerr for Glasgow won the women’s 100 and 220 yards and for Edinburgh’s women, A Dixon won Long Jump, Shot Putt and Discus.   The last Saturday in May was traditionally the date of the District Championships at and  in the West Championship at Ayr, Brian Scobie of Glasgow was third in the 880, Brown and Kennedy of the University were first and second in the 440 hurdles, Jim Bogan of Glasgow was third in the steeplechase (which was won by former Glasgow student Allan Faulds), Foster of Glasgow won the pole vault, Edmunds of Strathclyde won the shot putt with Lees of Glasgow third, and Edmunds also won the discus with Sandy Sutherland of Glasgow second.   In the East championships, Fergus Murray won the three miles, C Kelk of St Andrews was second in the 440 hurdles, Alistair Blamire of Edinburgh was third in the steeplechase, Santini of Edinburgh was second in the high jump, Howat and Santini of Edinburgh were second and third in the long jump, Nottage of Aberdeen was second in the triple jump, Balchin of Edinburgh won the pole vault, Lawrie Bryce of Edinburgh won the hammer with team mate PJ Scott third, Bryce was also second in the shot, Boulton of Edinbirgh was second in the discus and Fowlie of Aberdeen was second in the javelin.   There were years when the Universities were conspicuous by their absence from the prize lists in the District Championships but 1965 was a good year for them with medals being won across the board.

The Scottish Universities Championships were held at Aberdeen on 29th May.   Fergus Murray had a double – Mile and Three Miles – as did Barclay Kennedy of Glasgow – 440 yards plus 440 yards hurdles – and Mis W McLaren of St Andrews who took the 440 yards and 880 yards.   All three were outdone by another in their championship.   For the women, E Patrick of St Andrews won the 100 yards, the 80m hurdles, the high jump and the long jump but the hardest work of the day wa by Norrie Foster of Glasgow who was mpreparing for his defence of his SAAA Decathlon title the following week.   He won the pole vault and triple jump, was second in the long jump, and 120 yards hurdles, he was also a finalist in the 440 yards hurdles and took part in the Hammer.   There were of course heats for both hurdles races as well as finals.   There was no Campbell in the sprints which were won by Shannon and Osborne, both Edinburgh.   For information, Foster won the Decathlon the following week from Sandy Sutherland, also Glasgow, who had been doing sterling service for his University all year.  The points difference was 6736 for Foster to 5077 for Sutherland.   

The Scottish Championships took place at Meadowbank on 26th June, 1965, and the University athletes acquitted themselves well.   

There was an open meeting at Nethercraigs Playing Fields in Glasgow on 16th April, 1966 in which several University athletes, including some who were in the fir first year of University athletics, took part.   Glasgow Unmiversity had a one-two in the 440 with RT Hodelet winning from G Brown, and there was a similar double act in the shot putt where D Edmunds of Strathclyde defeated G McHugh.   The University season proper started the following week when Queen’s Belfast, had their rvenge for the previous year.   They dominated the triangular with Glasgow and St Andrews winning with 86 points to Glasgow’s  54 and St Andrews  46.   In Aberdeen on the same day Edinburgh defeated Aberdeen and Strathclyde Universities.  90 points to Edinburgh,   70  to Aberdeen and 15 to Strathclyde.   At the former, Glasgow had three double winners – Hodelet in the 440 and 880 yards, GL Brown in the two hurdles races and RD Baillie in the Mile and three.   For Queen’s Kilpatrick won both 100 and 220 yards, and Mike Bull had three when he won the Long Jump, Pole Vault and Shot Putt.   In the women’s events the star performer was G Porter of Queen’s who won shot, discus and javelin, while for St Andrews E Patrick won the 80m hurdles and long jump.   

In the other match, Nottage won the 100, 220 and triple jump for Aberdeen, Edinburgh had a clean sweep of the distance races with Sinclair (880), Elson (Mile) and Blamire being the men responsible.  In the field events LM Bryce won the hammer and shot putt for Edinburgh.   For the women, K Goodfellow of Edinburgh won the 100, 220 and long jump.

St Andrews University won a contest with Heriot-Watt at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh on 7th May by 69 to 59.   Edinburgh AC also turned out a team that scored 57.   Tretheway won both 100 and 220 yards for the hosts, Kelk won the 440 hurdles, Durrant the javelin and Birrell the Hammer.   For Heriot-Watt, the winners were Viddal who won the shot and the discus, and Dobson wn the pole vault.   There were several inter-university meetings on 13th May but the outstanding performance had to be that of RT Hodelet at the Glasgow University championships where he won the 220y (23.6), the 440y (50.8), the 880y (1:53.5)  and the Mile (4:38.8).   The other multi event winner was N Foster who won discus (103′ 10″), shot (40′ 1″) and Hammer (122′ 9″) and was second in the Javelin.    J Bogan won the steeplechase and was second in the Mile, Irishman J Hickey won the three miles and RD Baillie was second in both three miles and steeplechase.   One a  day of multi event winners, G Brown won both hurdles races and I Robertson won both jumps for distance.   On the women’s side of the meeting, W Adam won the 100, the 220 and the 440, and F Fernie won high jump, discus, shot and javelin.   

On the same day, Aberdeen beat St Andrews at St Andrews 72 to 45, and in the women’s triangular competition the points totals were 68 to Dunfermilne CPE, 29 to St Andrews and 18 for Aberdeen.   Meanwhile Heriot-Watt University beat Strathclyde by 98 to 82 at Redford Barracks.   For the Edinburgh team Adrian Weatherhead won three events – half mile (1:58.3), mile (4:23.3) and, unusually, javelin (104′ 9″), and I Dobson also had three wins – 120y hurdles, 440y hurdles and pole vault.   Top scorers for the Glasgow team were DM Edmunds and G Muir.   The latter two athletes had already competed at Craiglockhart in invitation events at an Edinburgh University open meeting and then came to compete at Redford Barracks.   Edmunds won the shot (43′ 9″) and discus (131′ 8″) and Muir the 100y (10.0) and long jump (19′ 11″).

Alastair Johnstone (4th here) in the BUSF at Westerlands

The following week, on May 20th, it was the British Union of Student Federations championships at Birmingham and Lawrie Bruce retained his title with a hammer throw of 179′ 3″.   Hodelet was second to Dave Cropper in the 880 yards, GL Brown of Glasgow injured his foot in the heat of the 440 yards hurdles and could only finish third in the final, and Nottage of Aberdeen was third in both 100 and 220 yards.   The District Championships were held the following week and Hodelet did well to win the 880 yards at the West Championships.   Other good performaces by the students were R Cassie (3rd 440 yards hurdles), J Bogan (3rd steeplechase), HC Reobertson (Glasgow), AI Forster (Glasgow), G Muir (Strathclyde) (1-2-3 in the long jump), Robertson (1st Triple jump), Edmunds (1st shot putt, 2nd discus), Sutherland (1st Discus, 2nd shot), H Doyle (Glasgow 2nd Hammer).   In the East at New Meadowbank, there was a whole host of good performaces by university athletes.   Not all of them wore their university colours preferring to turn out as club representatives; nevertheless in the points competition which was included in the championship Edinburgh University came out on top with Aberdeen University third, separated only by Octavians for whom several university qualified athletes appeared.   The medallists were as follows:

Nottage (Aberdeen) 1st in 100 and 220 yards; Osborne (Edinburgh) 3rd in both 100 and 220; Dixon (Aberdeen) 2nd in 440; Elson (Edinburgh) 2nd in Mile; Patrick (Edinburgh) 3rd in Mile; Murray (Edinburgh) 1st Three Miles; Ewing (Aberdeen) 1st Steeplechase; Bryan-Jones (Edinburgh) 2nd Steeplechase; Allan (Edinburgh) 3rd steeplechase; H Stevenson (Edinburgh) 3rd 440y hurdles;    and in the field events

K Clubb (Edinburgh) 3rd high jump; S Seale (Edinburgh) 3rd long jump and 3rd pole vault; C Balchin (Edinburgh ) 2nd pole vault; L Bryce (Edinburgh) 1st Hammer; J Scott (Edinburgh) 2nd Hammer; DE Clerk, (Aberdeen) 3rd Discus; PJ Eddy (Edinburgh) 3rd javelin.

These two district championship performances indicate how powerful the Scottish Universities were at this point – don’t forget that athletes such as A Weatherhead of Heriot Watt were available – and a combined Scottish Universities team would probably have been a match for any of the other British teams.    The venue the following week for the Universities Championships was Craiglockhart in Edinburgh which unfortunately clashed with the triangular match between Scotland, Wales and the Midland Counties and some of the student athletes were competing at Wolverhampton.   The Roseberry Cup was won by Edinburgh from Aberdeen (who won six titles) and Glasgow ; and in the Edinburgh v Glasgow competition for the Appleton Trophy which was incorporated into the championship, Edinburgh once again defeated Glasgow.   Results, Men first:

1oo yards/220 yards:  B Nottage, Aberdeen, 9.9/22.2;    440 yards:  JMM Dixon, Aberdeen, 51.3

880 yards:  M Sinclair, Edinburgh, 1:57.4;  Mile: WE Ewing, Aberdeen, 4: 18.6;; Three Miles:  AF Murray, Edinburgh, 14:12,6

120y hurdles:  H Stevenson, Edinburgh, 16,1;  440y hurdles: N Foster, Glasgow, 56.8;  Relay 4  x  110:  Aberdeen 43.3

High jump: R Soutar, Glasgow, 5′ 10″; pole vault: C Balchin, Edinburgh, 13/ 3″; long jump/triple jump:  HC Robertson, Glasgow, 23′ 4″/43’2″

Shot/Discus: DM Edmunds, Strathclyde, 49′ 5″*/137’11”; Hammer: LM Bryce, Edinburgh,  183′ 6″; javelin: DG Fowlie, Aberdeem, 184′ 10″

Women:

100/220:  K Goodfellow, Edinburgh, ??/27.4;  440: A Barron, Aberdeen, 64.8;  880: J Goodall, Aberdeen, 2:28*; 

80m hurdles: A Dixon, Edinburgh, 12.5;  high jump: F Fernie, Glasgow, 4′ 9″; long jump: R Mawer, St Andrews, 17′ 1″

Shot: A Dixon, Edinburgh, 37′ 9″; Discus: E Taylor, Aberdeen, 100′ 3″; Javelin: E Sheddon, Edinburgh, 105′

Relay  4 x 110: Glasgow 53.   

*= BCP

The next and final championship of the year was the SAAA on 25th June at New Meadowbank where Bernie Nottage of Aberdeen again ‘did the double’ of 100 and 220 yards in 9.9 and 22.1 seconds.   Dixon of Aberdeen was second in the 440 in 49,3, Hodelet of Glasgow was second in the 880 in 1:50.7, Fergus Murray won the Three Miles in a spectacular 13:46, Bill Ewing was third in the steeplechase in 9:17.4, GL Brown of Glasgow was second in the 440 hurdles in 55 seconds, AL Forster of Glasgow was second in the long jump with 22′ 1 3/4″, D Edmunds won the shot putt with 49′  2 1/2″ , Lawrie Bryce won the hammer with 178′ 11″ and P Scott of Edinburgh was third in the hammer with 160′  4 1/2″.   As had happened in some other matches earlier in the season, some students preferred to use other affiliataions for the competition – eg AL Sutherland competed for Anglo Scots, HC Robertson for Bellahouston Harriers.   

.Dick Hodelet

As an indication of the quality of performance turned in by the students in 1966, the following athletes in running events were ranked by SATS.   Men first.

A very impressive list of names and performances.   The Scottish Universities contributed a lot to Scottish athletics over the years – their contribution to the field events was equally good.

BUSF, Westerlands, 1968

On 22nd April, 1967, Glasgow University defeated St Andrews University at Westerlands by 104 to 73 in the men’s match and the women’s by 76 to 43.   The man of the match was HC Robertson, Glasgow, who won no fewer than four events (120m hurdles, 440m hurdles, long jump, triple jump.)   Other winners for Glasgow were D Walker (100), K Clark (220), J Gilligan (440), W McDonald (880), J Bogan (Mile), A Jackson (high jump), AG Pollock (pole vault), and A Fraser (discus).    In the women’s competition, W Adams, Glasgow won the 100, 220 and 440, F Fernie, Glasgow won the high jump and shot putt.   Other women’s winners were A Ainslie, St Andrews (880), N Barron, Glasgow, (80m hurdles), L Monteforte, Glasgow, (long jump), J Paris, Glasgow, (javelin), A Dale, St Andrews (Discus) and Glasgow won the relay.

A week later Edinburgh defended the Appleton Trophy when they faced Glasgow at Westerlands.   Aberdeen University were included in the match which Edinburgh won with 76 to Aberdeen’s 66 and Glasgow’s 43; in the Appleton Trophy match, Edinburgh scored 109 and Glasgow  82.    The standard was remarkably high with Gareth Bryan-Jones winning the Mile and Iain Young the Three Miles for Edinburgh.   Nottage won both sprints for Aberdeen, Hathorn won the 440 and Sinclair the 880 (both Edinburgh), GL Brown won both hurdles races for Glasgow, and Aberdeen won the relay.   In the field events, HC Robertson won both long and triple jumps, Seale won the pole vault. D Clark of Aberdeen won both discus and shot, Fowlie of Aberdeen won the javelin and Scott of Edinburgh the hammer.   W Adam of Glasgow won both women’s sprints and E Taylor of Aberdeen won discus and shot.   In the other events, Barron of Aberdeen won the 440, Fleming of Edinburgh the hurdles, Fernie of Glasgow the high jump, McRoberts of Edinburgh the long jump and Paton of Aberdeen the javelin.

Seven Universities, including Edinburgh Glasgow, Strathclyde and Aberdeen fought out the Rowland Cup competition against Leeds, Durham  Carnegie and Sheffield at Durham on 7th May.   The result was a win for Leeds from Edinburgh with Strathclyde third, Aberdeen fourth and Glasgow fifth.   Scots victories were from Nottage in both sprints, GL Brown in both hurdles races, Bryan Jones in the steeplechase, Robertson in both jumps for distance, Balfour of Glasgow in the high jump, Seale in the pole vault, Fowlie in the javelin and Bryce, now competing for Strathclyde University, in the hammer. Back at home, Aberdeen defeated both Glasgow University and Jordanhill College at Westerlands.   

Bernie Nottage winning at King’s College, Aberdeen

The West District of the SAAA Coaching Committee held a series of trials at Nethercraigs on the south side of Glasgow where Doug Edmunds won the shot putt with 50′ 9″.   The last Saturday in May, 27th in 1967, was the time for the District Championships and in the West the Universities had quite a few good performances and the debut of John Myatt who was third in the Mile behind McCafferty and Stewart in the colours of Strathclyde University.   Other notable performances by University athletes were the two victories (long and triple jumps) and one second (120 yards hurdles by HC Robertson who was second in the latter event to GL Bronw of Glasgow University.   Brown also won the 440 hurdles, Robin Soutar of Glasgow was second top Crawford Fairbrother in the high jump, Foster of Glasgow was second in both long and triple jumps, Stevenson of Glasgow was second in the pole vault,  Edmunds won the shot and discus, and Lawrie Bryce won the hammer.   In the East, Ewing of Aberdeen University ran away with the steeplechase in the new record time of 9:06.2, Nottage won both sprints yet again with Aberdeen team mate Turnbull third in the 100, Sinclair of Edinburgh U won the half mile with team mate Macfie third, Bryan-Jones and RogerYoung of Edinburgh University had a first and second in the three miles, Allan and Blamire of Edinburgh University were second and third behind Ewing in the steeplechase, and Davidson was third in the sprint hurdles and Stevenson second in the 440 hurdles.   In the field events, in the high jump, Balfour of Edinburgh won and Cunningham of Heriot Watt was third, Gammell of Aberdeen University was second and Rogers  from Dundee University were second and third in the long jump, Balchin and Seale of Edinburgh were second and third behind David Stevenson in the pole vault, Clark of Aberdeen was third in the discus, Fowlie of Aberdeen won the javelin with Burnett of Edinburgh second, and finally, Wilkie of Aberdeen was second in the hammer.

The Scottish Universities Championships were held on 3rd June at Westerlands in Glasgow where, despite it being dry all after noon, a wind speed of 10 to 12 feet per second did the sprinters and long jumpers no favours.   The best championship performances were both in the field events, both in the throws and were by LM Bryce in the hammer (195′ 9″) and D Edmunds in the shot (49′ 8″).   In terms of championships won, Bernie Nottage won both sprints yet again, and in the women’s events A Barron won both 440 and 880 yards events.   GL Brown of Glasgow was favourite for both hurdles rces but broke down injured in his heat of the 440 yards event and could not continue.   Winners, men first:

100 yards:  B Nottage (A) 10.1;  220: B Nottage 22.8;  440: G Millar (S)  48.9

880:  M Sinclair (E) 1:58.6;   Mile: A Weatherhead  4:14.7;   Three Miles:  I Young (E)  14:16

120y H: R Davidson (E) 15.8;  440y H: H Stevenson (E) 57.2;  Steeplechase: G Bryan-Jones (E)  9:17.8

High Jump: R Soutar (G) 5′ 10″; Pole vault: S Seale (E) 13′ ;  Long jump: H Robertson (G) 23′ 1/4″;  Triple jump:  H Robertson (G) 

Javelin: S Seale (E) 181′ ;  Hammer: L Bryce (S) 195′ 9″;   Shot: D Edmunds (S)  49′ 8″;  Discus: D Edmunds (S) 139′ 7″

100y: W Adams (G)  12.3;  220:  G van der Lippe (E) 27.6;  440: A Barron (A)  60.8

880:  A Barron (A) 2:28.9;  80m H:  M Fleming (E) 13.4;   High jump: S Dennier (D) 5′ 2″

Long Jump: L Monteforte (G)  15′ 10  1/2″;  Javelin: E Shedden (E) 115′ 2″;  Shot: E Taylor (A) 37′ 6″

Aberdeen won the men’s relay and Edinburgh the women’s, and the points totals for the championship were:

Edinburgh 113, Strathclyde  82, Aberdeen 70, Glasgow 47, Heriot Watt 28, St Andrews 23, Dundee 14.    

The championships had almost doubled in the number of seats of learning taking part and Dunfermline College of Education and Jordanhill CPE were both knocking on the door, having taken part in a variety of inter varsity and triangular contests over the summer.

W Ewing, Aberdeen University

Appearances of the runners at the end of summer 1967 as they appeared in the SATS Annual for 1968 are as follows.

That the standard was high among the runners is not really in dispute, the tables for the field events are equally good and will be shown on another page.   The university athletics scene had changed dramatically from its beginnings with the four ‘ancients’ where the athletes knew each other, where the inter-varsity meetings and championships formed the major part of their season and where Scottish athletics generally had a keen eye on university athletes and athletics.    Strathclyde, Heriot-Watt and Dundee were already included, as already mentioned, Jordanhill and Dunfermline colleges were edging nto inter- university matches, Stirling was on the horizon.   In time Glasgow Caledonian, the University of the Highlands and Islands, the University of the West of Scotland and others would follow.   The close-knit atmosphere has gone by 1970.    

In the 1980’s several Scottish athletes won scholarships to American Universities – Angela Bridgeman, Margaret McSherry and Liz Lynch being the better known ones.   There were several at Alabama University in the mid 80’s – Susan Crawford, Liz Lynch, Pat Morris, Peter McColgan and Elspeth Turner all went there.   The University put out a media guide at the start of each year.   Unfortunately we don’t have the Women’s Guide for 1986 – I’ll keep looking – but we do have the mens’ from which the extracts below are taken.