Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches — John Shaqi
Scottish Football Reminiscences and SketchesBone, David Drummond
History
Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches
Bone, David Drummond
Football
Mr. Neill kept the late Mr. J. J. Taylor company at back in many of the
most trying and critical Q.P. matches of 1876, '77, '78, and '80, and in
all those years was a familiar figure in the Internationals against
England and Wales. As we have previously said about the deceased Mr.
Leckie, players have their peculiarities, and Neill had his. He was a
really brilliant back and pretty sure tackler, but relied too much on
his feet while defending goal, instead of using the breast and head. His
individuality consisted in meeting the charge of an opponent with bended
knees, and he had the knack of taking the ball away and making a
brilliant return in a style that roused the cheers of the spectators. He
was a very hard worker to the last, and only retired from football to go
abroad some years ago. He has, however, returned to Glasgow, and may
frequently be seen at some of the best matches of the season. His play
during 1877 and 1878 was exceptionally good, and in those years was in
the best form of any back in Scotland.
~John Dickson.~
Poor fellow! Mr. Dickson had but a short career, not only in football,
but in everyday life. He caught a severe cold one bleak evening coming
from Hampden Park after a practice match, and succumbed to the malady of
inflammation of the lungs at the age of 28. He started his football life
as a back; but when the Queen's Park lost Mr. Gardner he was tried as
goalkeeper, and did very well. Tall and gentlemanly in appearance, with
neatly trimmed sandy whiskers and moustache, Dickson kicked out in front
of his goal very neatly, and was not afraid to meet the charge of an
opposing forward. An incident in his career caused a great deal of
amusement at the time, however, and is worth recording, just to show the
immense faith he had in the infallibility of his old club. It was in a
cup tie with the Vale of Leven, when that club beat the Queen's Park by
two goals to one. Dickson appeared at goal with an umbrella, as the rain
was falling fast, but when the Vale scored their first goal he was
obliged to throw away his companion, and work harder than ever he had
done before.
~Angus Mackinnon.~
A powerfully-made young fellow, above the medium height, Mr. Mackinnon
was a very fair forward, and always played in the centre with Mr.
William M'Kinnon, his namesake, and the pair were a "caution" to meet in
a hot tussle. The six forwards took part in the play then, with two on
each wing and a couple in the centre, and it was a treat to see how well
the Mackinnons worked in their places. Mr. Angus, however, was rather
short in the temper, and often had a "few words" with both companions
and opponents during a game. He played a very indifferent game in the
final tie and some of the matches previously, but was really in
excellent form at that same year's International against England, and
scored one of the goals. Mr. Mackinnon died about four years ago in
Canada.
~Frederick Anderson.~
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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