Albert Oswald

Born in Tayport, Albert started his career in junior football with Tayport FC. He became a professional when he joined Kirkcaldy United in June 1906. At that time he was considered one of the best junior full-backs, and was being closely followed by Dundee F.C. , Tottenham Hotspur, and Raith Rovers. Tottenham had made him a generous offer, but couldn’t tempt him to go down South. Within a couple of weeks he became a Dundee player, but not without some confussion.

Albert had signed for Kirkcaldy on the first Saturday in June, for which he received £2, and then signed for Dundee on the 18^th June. He informed the Dundee officials that he had previously signed with Kirkcaldy, but when they  checked with the S.F.A. was told they hadn’t received any paperwork from the Fife club, so the previous agreement was “null and void”, Oswald returned the £2 he had received, and became a Dundee F.C. player.

He made his debut at home on 18^th August 1906 against Port Glasgow, which Dundee lost 0-1. The match report says that “he was a keen trier, but he made poor use of the ball.”  He had been played at outside right, but in the second half was moved to centre forward, neither being his favoured position.

He gradually improved, becoming part of the defence.

Injury and illness kept Albert out of the team until September of the 1907-08 season. He was part of the winning team in the Second XI Scottish Cup versus Rangers in December. Shortly afterwards he rejoined Tayport, as the rigors of the professional game were too much for him whilst he fully recuperated.

Albert re-signed for Dundee in August 1908, when he was once again fully fit. He was hailed as the “outstanding man on the field” when he played a few days later in the “A” team against St Johnstone. The following month he was back in the first team, having replaced Chaplin.

He made his last appearance in an away win versus Partick on  the 16^th January 1909.

By October 1909 he had signed for East Fife.

Albert died on 31^st December 1931. The serious injury he sustained in 1907-08 meant that he never fully achieved the success he deserved.