Friday 20th September, 2019 at 11:44am
Scottish League First Division
30th March 1957
Partick Thistle 3 Dunfermline Athletic 0
Over the years the mention of Dunfermline Athletic has given me an uneasy feeling. After all, were you aware that on the 18th April 1959 they beat us 10-1 (yes 10!) at East End Park? It was the last game of the season and Dunfermline had to win by a big score. Let’s confine our comments to that. It took me a long time to get over that result!
Did you know that between 1966 and 1968 they eliminated Thistle from the Scottish Cup in three consecutive seasons?
Hence my bizarre opening remarks above, but we certainly put them in their place in the featured match. Two goals from the silky Ian McIntosh and one from Scotland international Jimmy Davidson did the trick,
The full team was as follows:- Tommy Ledgerwood, Peter Collins, Dougie Baird, John Harvey, Jimmy Davidson, Andy Kerr, Johnny McKenzie, George Smith, Bobby Gilmour, Ian McIntosh, Tommy Ewing.
The 1950s were a good time to be supporting Thistle. We reached three League Cup finals, finished 3rd in the league in 1953/54, scoring 76 goals, the highest total in the entire division. You are wondering who finished above the Jags. No, you are wrong. Celtic were 1st, Hearts finished in 2nd place and Rangers were 4th. Happy days.
As for the programme itself, the price contained a 3 just like today’s, but 3 pence rather than today’s 3 pounds. Of course, comparisons are unfair. In 1957 there were just 8 pages, nowadays 48! I think you will agree that the featured programme looks rather anaemic compared to the multi-coloured modern version.
Including the 30th March 1957, up to 6th April 2019, Dunfermline have visited Firhill on 38 occasions in a wide variety of competitions; First Division, League Cup, Scottish Cup, Premier Division and Championship.
In what promises to be a very competitive Championship this season, all points are precious so let’s hope we can take three from this weekend’s clash.
Robert R.
