George Merchant

George was born in Dundee. Before signing for Third Lanark he played for junior clubs Elmwood and Stobswell, played as a right-half.

He signed for Third Lanark in August, 1945, aged 19. It was reported in the Courier that “he was likely to go far in the game.” A move to Aberdeen took place in May 1946, but he found it hard to get established in the team. Because of the situation he found himself in he asked for a transfer in October, 1949, and was given a loan deal with Ayr United until the end of the season.

Aberdeen F.C. released George on a “free transfer” at the end of the 1950-1951 season, after he had undergone surgery on both legs. He had been training for the start of the new season at Dens Park, and became a Dundee F.C. on the 14th July, 1951. He initially made appearances in the reserve team, getting occasional opportunities for first team matches when other players were injured.

George struggled with injuries himself, some short term, mainly leg and ankle problems, and some longer, such as when he was out for over three months with a dislocated shoulder and broken arm. He awoke in Dundee Royal Infirmary at 7 p.m., two hours after being concussed in a match against Celtic in February 1954, having hit his head in a collision on a frozen pitch. 1955 was no better, when he had his appendix removed in April.

Along with Ken Zeising, George took up an extra part-time role, taking physical education classes in Monifieth and Carnoustie schools during 1953. He also took the opportunity of coaching a team in Shetland during the close season.

A chance to make the centre forward role his own came his way at the start of the 1954-1955 season. Initially he was reluctant to take it, having only played there in his junior days, and as a reserve with Aberdeen. He was ideal for the role with a fast turn of pace, his record for a lap of Dens Park was fifty seven seconds. He went on to become Dundee’s top goal scorer that season, scoring 11 goals, a record he had gained the previous season and retained the one after.

In December, 1954, he was selected by manager Willie Thornton, along with a few of his team mates, to try out a new style of “continental” football boot, which was eight ounces lighter than their usual type. Mr Thornton said, “For the 90 minutes of play he will carry one pound less weight. I told George Merchant he’d feel so light that he’d be in danger of running himself out of the park.”

Midway through the 1956-1957 season George was transferred to Falkirk. He had been struggling with niggling injuries, and found himself turning out for the reserves. The transfer fee was £10,000, and included Andy Irvine also going to Brockville. The two would travel through to Falkirk as passengers of Reggie Smith, a former Dee, who was currently manager of Falkirk.

Falkirk were struggling in the league, and were favourites to be relegated at one point. However, they went on a fantastic cup run, and went on to win the Scottish Cup, beating Kilmarnock after a replay at Hampden Park. George scored the first goal in a 2-1 win.

After retiring from playing football in 1958, he had a short spell coaching at Dunfermline F.C. After which he joined a printing firm in Aberdeen. He went on to start his own printing business in Broughty Ferry.

George died, aged 89, on 16^th August 2015. He was survived by his wife Nan, a former nurse. They met at Aberdeen Infirmary when George was having a career threatening operation on his legs. Sister Rennie was in charge of the ward where he was recuperating. They went on to marry the following year, by which time he was playing for the Dundee reserve team.