Arthur Baxter

Arthur started his career with Dundee junior team, North End, before moving to Portsmouth for a short spell. Feeling homesick, he requested a move back to Scotland, and transferred to Falkirk, where he stayed for two seasons. After a successful first season, in which he made twenty-six appearances, he wasn’t a regular selection for season 1935-36. Dundee made an approach for him, and he came to Dens Park in February 1936.

His first game was against Aberdeen in the Second XI Cup at Pittodrie.

At the end of the 1935-36 season, Arthur took the club to the Scottish League Management Committee. Dundee had turned down his request for a free transfer, after he rejected the terms offered. The committee sided with the club and his application was denied.

In season 1936-37, he made forty appearances in total, and scored thirteen goals, and the following season thirty-nine appearances, scoring twenty-three goals.

A loss of form, towards the end of the 1937-38 season saw his position under threat. However, although the last to put pen to paper he did re-sign for the following season.

1938-39 proved to be a more successful season, Barnsley came in with a bid of around £1,000 for his signature. At that time they were top of the English third division. Cardiff had also shown interest, but they made a lesser bid.

At the start of WW2 Arthur was back in Dundee doing “war work”, Dundee United obtained permission to play him, and he represented the club in the Emergency War Cup Final at Hampden against Rangers.

In 1941 he enlisted, as a Private, in the Gordon Highlanders (1^st Battalion, London Scottish). Initially stationed in England, he played for Charlton Athletic. Transferring to the north of Scotland, he assisted Aberdeen F.C., and played for the Army XI.

After embarkation leave, Arthur left Scotland on the 3^rd August 1942 with the Central Mediterranean Force. Wounded early in 1944, his wife was informed that he had been killed in action on the 5^th August 1944, aged 32. He is buried in Gradara War Cemetery, Pesaro,  Italy.

He is commemorated on Dundee F.C’s war memorial plaque in the club boardroom, which was commissioned by the Dundee F.C. Historical Trust.