Long-time BwB fan Bob Blyth has been in touch to tell of the outstanding contribution made by Arbroath High School pupils to the beautiful game.
Former Morgan Academy teacher Bob may be in the winter years of his long and eventful life but he has a remarkable memory.
He opens with: “M Grassie was capped by Scotland U/15 in 1950, with 92,000 turning out for that game against England at Wembley.
“A year later, it was the turn of David Easson and Billy Smith to turn out for the Scottish U/15 side, this time against Wales.
“Easson went on to play for Dundee and Arbroath and still holds the Arbroath seasonal scoring record of 45 goals.
“Smith went on to play for Rangers and Dundee but found his path to glory at Dens blocked by Ian Ure.
“Ian, of course, was part of the magnificent Dundee title-winning side, and who gained caps for Scotland before leaving for Arsenal and then Manchester United.
“David Cargill was also a prominent High School player, with his form catching the eye of Burnley.
“He then went to Derby before finishing his career back at Gayfield with Arbroath.”
Bob, a former Morgan Academy teacher, also sings the praises of Ian Grant, who also went on to play for the town’s senior team.
He continued: “Ian captained the Arbroath High U/18 team which beat St Aloysius 3-1 in Glasgow in the third round of the 1950-51 Scottish Cup, Easson, Smith and Cargill also being in the team.
“And, after winning their game, the side headed to Hampden to see the Queen’s Park v Arbroath match.
“Among the other High boys who went senior were Fraser Menmuir, who went to Arbroath.
“Wilf Allsop went to Hearts, Ian Nelson joined Queen’s Park, Jimmy Smith went to Preston North End, and Ray Matthews signed for Charlton.”
Bob also noted the sterling contribution made by Ian Stirling, who captained the Gayfield club before becoming chairman.
Bob himself was a goalie, serving Carnoustie Juveniles and Jeanfield Swifts, and so knows a good keeper when he sees one.
And he ends up mentioning a figure no less than Bill Brown.
Bob stated: “Bill was an outside-left originally but he became a keeper, playing for the school alongside Fraser Menmuir and Wilf Allsop.
“It was in 1947 that he signed for Carnoustie Juveniles before progressing to Carnoustie Panmure and then Dundee. From there it was on to Spurs, Scotland and glory.”
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.