A CONCISE POST WAR HISTORY OF THE RED LICHTIES

© Fraser Clyne

Part Two: 1946-47

Archie Anderson wasn’t scared to make decisions. When the  Blantyre Victoria boss took over from long serving Bob McGlashan  as Arbroath manager at the beginning of the 1946-47 season he realised drastic action was required if the club’s fortunes were to be revived. Twenty players were given free transfers and almost as many new faces were signed. Numerous trialists came and went as the new man searched for a settled side.

Optimism, however, soon changed to anguish. With so many new faces it was perhaps little surprise that the league campaign was dogged by inconsistency and the Lichties battled for much of the season to avoid the horrifying prospect of being relegated to the C Division. Just seven games were won from 26 played as Arbroath finished third from bottom. The League Cup was equally disappointing as the Gayfield side won just one of their six group games and suffered their biggest defeat of the season, an 8-0 drubbing at Dumbarton’s Boghead ground.

The saving grace for Anderson was the Scottish Cup. Arbroath made a stuttering start, throwing away a two goal lead and missing a penalty to allow Stenhousemuir to escape from Gayfield with a 2-2 draw in the first round. But fortunes changed in the replay as the Lichties triumphed  2-0 to give Stenny their first Scottish Cup defeat at Ochilview for more than 20 years.

A crowd of 6000 turned up at Gayfield for the second round tie with Raith Rovers which turned into a nine goal thriller. Goals from  Carrie (2), McMullen (2) and Hill, gave the Lichties a nail-biting 5-4 victory with keeper John Bonnar producing a string of fine saves to keep the Kirkcaldy side at bay. There was even a pitch invasion by Raith fans after their side had a goal disallowed for offside.

Excitement grew in the town as Arbroath were drawn against high flying A Division Hearts in the quarter finals. The Tynecastle outfit were outright favourites but the Lichties tore them apart, winning more convincingly than the 2-1 scoreline suggests. All the goals came in the final thirteen minutes with Willie Hynd putting the home side in front after 77minutes and Arthur Carrie adding a second just two minutes later. Currie pulled one back for Hearts with three minutes remaining but Gayfield erupted at the final whistle as Arbroath secured a semi final place for the first time in the club’s history.

Aberdeen stood between Arbroath and a place in the Cup Final. Hopes were high that the mighty Dons could be tumbled but in a disappointing game played in front of  22,000 at Dens Park, the Lichties went under by 2-0. Aberdeen went on to lift the trophy, beating Hibernian in the final.

Away from the glamour of the cup, Arbroath’s committee grappled with more mundane matters. Post war rationing meant the club had difficulty in providing its players with decent kit. An advert was placed in the Herald pleading for fans to donate clothing coupons to help ease the situation.

Next: A disasterous start and another battle against the drop

SCOTTISH LEAGUE B DIVISION 1946-47