Victor “Vic” Ruse

Vic was born in Carnoustie in 1918. He started his playing career with Dundee junior clubs Arnot and Violet, before joining Carnoustie Panmure. Whilst playing amateur football Ruse was employed as a Locomotive Fireman.

He was signed for Dundee F.C by George Anderson in September 1944, to replace the injured Ernie Ewan at inside right. He came with a reputation for being a prolific goal scorer. Before his arrival at Dens Park, he had played two games for Raith Rovers, and the Fife club were keen to sign him.

Due to WW2, Scottish football had gone into abeyance. Dundee were playing in the North Eastern League for the first time in 1944-45, the season had been broken into Autumn and Spring Series. Vic went straight into the first team for a match against Hearts, which Dundee won 6-0.

Dundee F.C. agreed to loan Ruse to Raith Rovers, in November, when they were struggling to get a team together to play against Rangers. The loan remained in place, and Vic wasn’t back in Dundee until January 1945.

He had wanted to return to Carnoustie Panmure, as they had a Junior Scottish Cup tie against Pollock, but Dundee refused this and he returned to the ranks of the Dark Blues where he put in some impressive performances.

By May, he had become an East Fife player, making his debut for them against Aberdeen and scoring the winning goal.

In the twilight of his playing career, Vic returned to Carnoustie Panmure in 1946, before signing for Forfar Athletic. By 1947 he was playing in the Highland League for Forres Mechanics. In February 1948 he had a month’s trial with Arbroath, but by October was travelling by train to Aberdeen, and then on by bus, to play for Fraserborough.