Blether with Brown: Keeper kept coat on and clean sheet

Following on from Willie McDonald wearing suede shoes in an amateur football game in Dundee (BwB, April 8), Andy Walker recalls the time an Aberdeen goalkeeper also came out in his ‘civvies’.

Andy, from Lochee, Dundee, revealed: “When Aberdeen ran out to play Inverness Thistle in the Scottish Cup in January 1937 at Pittodrie, they drew roars of laughter from the crowd.

“Their goalkeeper George Johnstone was wearing his overcoat.

“In fact, he wore it for the whole game.

“Aberdeen had the game wrapped up early and ran out 7-0 victors.

“He was allowed to wear it as he was wearing the stipulated coloured yellow jersey under his coat, which was the SFA rule for cup-ties.

“Inverness did not protest.

“He had complained it was too cold and the club doctor suggested he wear the coat.”