A CONCISE POST WAR HISTORY OF THE RED LICHTIES

© Fraser Clyne

Part Seventeen: 1961-62

John Prentice’s second full season in charge took the Arbroath fans on a roller-coaster of emotions as the club drifted in and out of the fringes of the Division Two promotion race, but eventually finished in sixth position, one place behind Angus rivals Montrose who shared the same points total.

The Lichties opened the campaign with an indifferent series of League Cup performances, winning three and losing three of their six qualifying section games against Queen of the South, East Fife and Brechin City. The most worrying result from these early matches was a 6-0 drubbing from East Fife at Methil.

The opening two league fixtures also caused  some heartache as the Gayfield side went down 1-0 to eventual champions Clyde at Shawfield and 4-1 at Alloa. Then came a transformation as Prentice’s reshaped team hauled themselves into the higher reaches of the league with a remarkable ten match unbeaten run that included eight wins(five in a row)  and two draws.

The home fans were beginning to harbour a justifiable belief that an assault on the title might be possible when their side abruptly switched into reverse gear and managed to hit a run that was as bad as the previous one had been good.. The next 12 league games produced a miserly two victories – over Angus neighbours Brechin City and Forfar Athletic – and nine defeats. Arbroath slipped back down the table.

But the Lichties game of snakes and ladders wasn’t over yet, as a late rush saw the Maroons climb the board once more, losing just one of their final 12 games (seven wins, four draws) to redeem some respectability.

Highland League  Peterhead visited Gayfield in the Scottish Cup and were sent packing with a 2-1 defeat. The victory earned Arbroath a trip to Ibrox for a clash with  Rangers. A crowd of 32,000 turned up to watch the Lichties lose 6-0 with Jimmy Millar grabbing a hat-trick, Ralph Brand adding another two, and Harry Glasgow scoring an own goal. Former Rangers player Hunter McMillan was one of Arbroath’s better players alongside Dave Easson who had rejoined the Lichties after an unsettled spell at Raith Rovers. Rangers went on to win the trophy, beating St Mirren 2-0 in the final at Hampden.

Arbroath reached the final of the Forfarshire Cup after semi final opponents Dundee scratched from the tournament. The Dens Park side had bigger fish to fry as they were to finish the season as First Division champions. The Lichties met Montrose in the final at Gayfield but were beaten 2-1. It was the Gable Endies’ first success in the competition since 1951 and their seventh since the competition was inaugurated.

Club captain Jim Fraser, who at one time had attracted interest from Liverpool and Fulham, was given a benefit game against Dundee United at the end of the season. The player had signed from Aberdeen junior side Mugiemoss in 1957 and was a regular first team player throughout his five years at Gayfield. Goals from Ian Stirling and Ian Matthews weren’t enough to give Fraser a win to celebrate, as United cracked home five in reply.

Next: A Change of management – a new era begins.

SCOTTISH LEAGUE SECOND DIVISION 1961-62