A CONCISE POST WAR HISTORY OF THE RED LICHTIES

© Fraser Clyne

Part Eighteen: 1962-63

In September 1962 Arbroath's committee made one of the most telling decisions in the Lichties post war history when they appointed former Dundee player Albert Henderson as the club's new manager following the sudden resignation of John Prentice. No official reason was given for Prentice's  exit, but a few weeks before his departure  the Town Council had refused to allocate him a house on the grounds that his job was not considered to be that of a ‘key worker'.

Henderson, an Aberdonian who had enjoyed success with Dundee before moving on to St Mirren, had been forced to retire from playing because of injury. He was just 31 when taking over the reins at Gayfield and no-one could have imagined he would remain in the post for more than 17 years. Albert earned the club promotion on two occasions and they played in the Scottish League's top division for a total of four seasons until reconstruction placed them in the new First Division in 1975. Henderson was in charge for no fewer than 621 league games, 96 League Cup ties and 31 Scottish Cup ties.

His first game in charge, against St Johnstone at Gayfield on 6th October 1962, attracted a crowd of more than 5000. In the days leading up to the match strong winds knocked down much of the boundary wall facing the North Sea. The game too was somewhat stormy with Lichties forward Dave Cargill being sent off in the last minute. Ex-Montrose player Bobby Kemp had put Saints ahead after 22mins while Young added a second for the visitors in 37 minutes. An Alan Kennedy penalty two minutes later brought Arbroath back into it, but there was to be no more scoring. Arbroath fans had to wait another fortnight before Henderson delivered his first victory, a 4-1 beating of Ayr United at Gayfield. The Lichties form remained inconsistent throughout the season but the club finished respectably in sixth position for the second year in a row. The home league record was impressive with 13 wins, 3 draws and just two defeats (to Forfar and St Johnstone). Away from Gayfield, however, it was a different story with just five victories and 12 defeats.

Before Henderson arrived, Arbroath came close to League Cup success by going undefeated in their six qualifying group games against Morton, Alloa and Stirling Albion. The Greenock side, however, finished top of the section with ten points to Arbroath's nine and so progressed to the quarter finals.

The Scottish Cup produced a titanic Second Round struggle with First Division high flyers Partick Thistle. The Glasgow side, who were to finish third behind Rangers and Kilmarnock in the league that season, were favourites to brush aside the Lichties. The first game at Firhill, played in front of 8000 spectators ended 1-1. The replay at Gayfield nine days later attracted a crowd of 3993 and ended up 2-2 after extra time. A second replay was held 24 hours later, again at Gayfield, and this time 2600 fans watched as Thistle edge home 3-2 with goals from Brown, Smith and Duffy.

At the end of the season the Lichties went on a short tour of Southern England, playing two games in less than 24 hours. Bedford were beaten 4-1 but Romford then thrashed the Scots 4-1.

An exciting Forfarshire Cup Final against Dundee United in front of 6000 spectators at Dens Park ended with the Tannadice men winning 2-1 after extra time. Dave Easson put Arbroath in front after 59 minutes but Jimmy Briggs equalised for United with the last kick of the game. A Walter Carlyle goal 16 minutes into extra-time settled the tie.

SCOTTISH LEAGUE SECOND DIVISION 1962-63