A CONCISE POST WAR HISTORY OF THE RED LICHTIES

© Fraser Clyne

Part Sixteen: 1960-61

New manager John Prentice was keen to make a big impression as the club prepared for life back in the Second Division, but just one month into his reign Arbroath fans were furious to be told that top striker Dave Easson was leaving to join Raith Rovers. Easson had been Britain’s top scorer in the 1958-59 promotion winning season when he hit the net 51 times from 47 league and cup matches. He grabbed a further 17 league and cup goals from 44 appearances in the 1959-60 First Division campaign. Another player to depart was long-serving goalkeeper Bobby Williamson who signed for St Mirren for a £4000 fee. Williamson had made 234 league and cup appearances for the Lichties since making his debut against Forfar in the 1955 New Year’s Day game.  Prentice released a further 12 players and made numerous new signings in a bid to freshen up the team in time for what he hoped would be a successful season. A new all-white change strip was introduced, prompting an Arbroath Herald reporter to describe the Lichties as looking like Real Madrid! The new boss also asserted his influence off the field of play by founding the Gayfield Development Association – a fund raising enterprise responsible for ground improvements. Prentice also appointed Dave Easson senior as club scout – a decision that would reap the club many benefits.

Early results were not encouraging as the club tumbled out of the League Cup after failing to win any of its qualifying group games against Falkirk, St Johnstone, and Hamilton Accies. New goalkeeper Bobby Reid pleased the fans by saving a penalty on his debut against Hamilton, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Accies winning 1-0.

The league campaign also got off to a disappointing start with a 4-0 thrashing from Montrose in front of 3500 spectators at Links Park. and any hopes of a quick return to the top division were well and truly dashed long before Christmas following a series of inconsistent performances. The second half of the season was particularly dispiriting as the club managed to win just two of its final thirteen league matches and finished the campaign in 12th position. The run of bad defeats was topped off by a 7-0 mauling at Annfield from eventual champions Stirling Albion.

Scottish Cup involvement was short lived. The Lichties defeated Queen’s Park 3-2 at Hampden Park but were then crushed 5-2 by high flying First Division side Third Lanark in the following round. Ian Matthews gave Arbroath  a shock lead in the tie at Cathkin Park, but the Glasgow side retaliated by scoring five before David Soutar grabbed a late second for the visitors.

The Forfarshire Cup failed to provide some any crumb of comfort as the Lichties were crushed 6-2 by Dundee in a first round tie played in front of 3000 spectators at Dens Park

The First Division title went to Rangers who ended up one point clear of Kilmarnock. The Ibrox side also beat Killie 2-0 to win the League Cup while Dunfermline Athletic defeated Celtic 2-0 in the Scottish Cup Final .

© Fraser Clyne 2003

Next:. Signs of a Brighter Future

SCOTTISH LEAGUE SECOND DIVISION 1960-61