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Lothian footballing tales from England and Scotland!

It’s all in the name – Sporting Memories - and we have two wonderful memories to share from our East Lothian Clubs.  First of all, let us introduce Hibs super fan David Montgomery or ‘Monty’ as he is better known. 

Monty is a regular member of our busy North Berwick club and he was recently rewarded for his lifelong dedication to Hibernian Football Club. 

One of Four 

Monty was a guest at Hib’s recent 150th celebration reception hosted by City of Edinburgh Council.?He was one of only FOUR fans specially invited to join players, coaches, directors, owners and other club officials to commemorate this momentous occasion.? Quite an honour! 

Monty attended his first Hibs match in 1948, just when the “Famous Five” were starting out and the team then went on to win the Scottish Championship in 1947/48, 50/51 and 51/52.  

(The Famous Five?is the collective term for?Hibernian’s?forward line?of?Gordon Smith,?Bobby Johnstone,?Lawrie Reilly,?Eddie Turnbull?and?Willie Ormond. The north stand at?Easter Road?was named in their honour when it was rebuilt in 1995) 

55 Years and counting 

He has now been a season ticket holder at Easter Road for over 55 years and has had many memorable moments following the “Hibees” and whilst the 2016 Scottish Cup win ranks as a major highlight, he was also in attendance at one of the most famous Scottish Cup games ever played at Tynecastle Park (home ground of Edinburgh rivals Hearts FC) back in 1958. 

Hearts were riding high at the top of the league whilst Hibs were in transition from their great early 50’s team with many players injured or retired, and a raw 17-year-old making his debut at centre forward 

In one of the great Edinburgh derbies Hibs won 4-3 with the young forward, Joe Baker, who later became an English international, scoring all four goals for the Leith side. 

David still rates this as one of his greatest sporting memories and enjoys sharing these along with his many golfing tales at the North Berwick club every Tuesday. 

Monty is pictured here alongside Sporting Memories’ Graham Cross with several programmes from the Hibs Championship years in the early 50’s. 

Haddington Club welcomes 97-year-old Roy 

It is quite amazing what memories are stored away and this from one of our new attendees is quite astounding.  We often ask new members and  to share their sporting experiences and Roy Bromwich did just that. 

Roy came to the Haddington Sporting Memories group with a couple of other residents from Haddington Care Home. When asked to introduce himself he launched into sharing part of his life story with us all. These are his memories. 

What if… 

Roy was born in 1929 in Stoke in the Potteries. As a youngster he had played the usual schoolboy football for local teams during wartime when he could in the position of centre half. However, after the war and following a wee growth spurt, a local ‘trainer’ suggested he switch to playing as centre forward, as he was quick and could header a ball well. The switch worked spectacularly well and in his first season he scored 26 times, which meant he was starting to get noticed locally.  

The following 1948/49 season at the age of 20 he joined Stoke City - at the invitation of Scottish manager and former player Rob McGrory.  Stoke were then in their 31st?season in the First Division of the English Football League and had been made famous by their local star (also a hero of Roy’s), Stanley Matthews.  

Stanley Matthews would later be knighted and be remembered as a true football genius, gentleman and an icon of the game. However, by the time Roy joined Sir Stanley had moved to Blackpool. 

Things didn’t run smoothly for Roy after he fractured his leg in training before debuting on the pitch, effectively ending his football playing career before it even started - such was the impact of such injuries back in the day.  

No regrets 

Released by Stoke City and with a living to make, he joined Pearl Insurance as a collector. So began a lifelong association with the company which saw him rise through the ranks into management and provide a good living for himself and his young family. Roy never had any regrets at being one of footballs ‘nearly men’ and always retained a love of football and his team Stoke City FC. 

Roy is the oldest person at 97 to have attended any of our East Lothian clubs. He remains a proud son of Stoke like his peer and hero Sir Stanley Matthews. He really enjoyed Sporting Memories and we all really enjoyed his company and his story – we’re already looking forward to welcoming him back soon.?