David Linton

David was born in East Wemyss, Fife on 8^thJuly, 1912.

He started his career with Denbeath Star, a junior football club, in Fife, that had a proud history.

Dundee F.C. manager McCandless signed Linton for the “A” team on 6th June 1935. There had been interest from other clubs, especially from East Fife.

The Fife club thought that he was their player after agreeing terms with Denbeath. The Junior season hadn’t yet finished, and there were still some Cup finals to play, which Linton wanted to be a part of. East Fife agreed to wait until after these matches were completed for the provisional forms to be completed. During this period, Dundee F.C. stepped in and obtained his signature also on a provisional form.

The case was referred to the S.F.A. Emergency Committee. They concluded that both teams had erred with their paperwork. East Fife not having the correct date on the form, and Dundee F.C. in “not using the proper form for their purpose,” as Linton’s contract with Denbeath had lapsed and he hadn’t re-signed for the club, neither registration was legal, and Linton was a free agent. He could therefore sign for whichever club he preferred. By the 3^rdJulyhe was confirmed as a Dundee “A” player.

He made his debut for the first team away to Queens Park, in a match Dundee lost 3-2. The Sporting Post commented on “his plucky and clever debut. Whilst the Courier reported:

“First impressions of Linton are quite favourable. He is a lad who has ideas, but has yet to be quicker in exploiting these.”

His second first team appearance was against Dunfermline Athletic on 28^th March 1936 in a 2-2 draw, it was reported that he had a “lively” game.

The following season he made a dozen first team appearances, replacing Norman Kirby when he was injured.

At the end of the 1936-37 season, David requested a free transfer, even though he had been offered a contract for the following season. He had found it hard to break into the first team, even though he had been playing regularly, and well, with the reserves.

He signed for Partick Thistle, where he stayed until 1939, when the start of World War 2 saw the shutdown of competitive football in Scotland.

Linton returned to East Wemyss where he played for the local team Wemyss United. He also made a war-time appearance for Raith Rovers, before enlisting in the R.A.F.

He doesn’t appear to have resumed a football career at the end of the war. At some point, along with his wife and daughter, he settled in the south of England. David died on 30^th March 1994 at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, but is buried in his home town, in East Wemyss Cemetery