Archie Lindsay

Archie was born at Rosneath, Argyll & Bute on 23^rd December 1882.

He started his career with junior teams Rutherglen Glencairn, and Parkhead Albion, before joining Renton F.C., one of the founding teams of the S.F.L., for the 1904-05 season.

He played in the final of the Qualifying Cup against Aberdeen at Dens Park on 28^th November 1904, which Aberdeen won 2-1. A report of match said he was a “player of the robust type, he cleared his lines in masterly fashion at all times. His kicking was strong and sure. He is a player whom better clubs than Renton could be doing with.”

The following season he joined Reading F.C. who were in the English Southern League, and stayed for two seasons.

A transfer to Fulham F.C. took place for the start of the 1907-08 season. The club had moved from the Southern League up to the Second Division of the English football league. Archie played in their inaugural home fixture against Hull City, which they lost 0-1, in front of 8,000 supporters. The following season he was involved in the Cottagers fine run in the F.A. Cup, reaching the semi-final, which they lost 6-0 against Newcastle United. Lindsay was reported to have had a “fine game in the first half, but fell somewhat to pieces after Skene’s (Fulham’s goalkeeper) injury.”

Falling out of favour with the London club, losing his position to former Dee Jimmy Sharp, he got a chance of a move to Dundee F.C., a club official travelled down to London on 25^th January 1911 to obtain his signature. The club needed to shore up its defence, and Archie fitted the bill.

He arrived in Dundee on the eve of the Scottish Cup match against Hibernian on the 28^th January, and was put straight into the team. Dundee won the tie 2-1, and Archie played well. The newspaper report said: “He looks like proving himself the man Dundee have been needing for some time.”

Quickly settling into life at Dens Park, he refereed a Merchants v Farmers charity match in March, which ended 5-1, before a “large and enthusiastic crowd”. The newspaper report said: “Some of his decision were very peculiar,” and that some of the goals he allowed for the Merchants were debatable!

After signing on for the 1911-12 season, Archie found himself “on loan” at Third Lanark. The “Warriors” had been hit with injuries and were struggling to get a team together for their Scottish Cup match against Clyde. Archie hadn’t played in any Scottish Cup ties for Dundee so was eligible to play. He didn’t return to Dens Park, and was transferred to St Johnstone at the end of the season.

By 1914 he was playing for Lochgelly United in Fife. Playing part-time, he was employed as a bricklayer, residing in Perth.

At the start of WW1 Archie enlisted as a Private with the Black Watch, and made his way to the front line, he was soon promoted to the rank of Corporal. After being injured at Neuve Chapelle he spent a period of time recuperating in a hospital in England. Returning to Perth he commented that “fighting was a bit rougher than playing football.” Before returning to his battalion there was time to play in a Black Watch v Army Pay Corps at St Johnstone’s Recreation Ground.

After being demobbed at the end of the war, Archie re-joined Lochgelly. In 1920, he took up a role as trainer with St Johnstone, also finding time to play in the occasional friendly/charity match.

Archie’s love of football was strong, and he became involved in the junior game, coaching and playing for Jeanfield Swifts, Perth Violet and Perth Celtic.