David W Potter

Arbroath is a remarkable Scottish town. It can be one of the coldest places in Christendom when the wind is coming from the wrong direction, as anyone who has ever been to a cricket match at Lochlands at the start of the season can testify, and it has often been a source of wonder to many visiting supporters that Gayfield has not been swept away by the angry North Sea.The town punches away above its weight in terms of history. The Declaration, much quoted and indeed misquoted from by enthusiastic rather than meticulous historians, is a study in itself and one leaves it to medieval historians to mull over its significance, and of course the Stone of Destiny made an appearance at Arbroath Abbey as well - and many people feel that it should have been allowed to stay there.

This isn't a history of Forfar. Instead it gives readers an excerpt, a sample, of what life was like on any given day of the year in a community that has been both a traditional market town and a major manufacturing centre for linen and jute. There is no hierarchy in what has been chosen - World Wars are interspersed with Church socials and cycling events, the affairs of Forfar Athletic and Strathmore Cricket club, tennis and golf. The facts and stories all have something to do with the town, and often its place in national history. Along the way, the reader will probably guess that the author is particularly interested in football, cricket, politics and the Great War. The photographs are augmented by period advertisements from local traders and tradesmen, illustrating the development of the businesses - and the demands of their customers - created by the rise of the major industries.

This isn't a history of Forfar. Instead it gives readers an excerpt, a sample, of what life was like on any given day of the year in a community that has been both a traditional market town and a major manufacturing centre for linen and jute. There is no hierarchy in what has been chosen - World Wars are interspersed with Church socials and cycling events, the affairs of Forfar Athletic and Strathmore Cricket club, tennis and golf. The facts and stories all have something to do with the town, and often its place in national history. Along the way, the reader will probably guess that the author is particularly interested in football, cricket, politics and the Great War. The photographs are augmented by period advertisements from local traders and tradesmen, illustrating the development of the businesses - and the demands of their customers - created by the rise of the major industries.

Cricket is a very old game in Scotland - far older than football, a sport which sometimes exercises a baleful, obsessive and deleterious effect on the national psyche. Cricket goes back at least as far as the Jacobite rebellions and their sometimes vicious aftermaths. It is often felt that Scottish cricket underplays itself. It has been portrayed as in some ways an English sport, a "softies" sport, and a sport that has a very limited interest among the general population of Scotland. This is emphatically not true, and this book is in part an attempt to prove that this is a misconception. Sixty-one games (it was going to be just 60, but one turned up at the last minute!) have been chosen from the past 250 years to show that cricket does indeed influence a substantial part of the nation. The matches have been selected at all levels, from Scotland against visiting Australian teams all the way down to a Fife school fixture. These naturally reflect the life, experience and geographical whereabouts of the author. The games are quirky sometimes, (and quirkily chosen) with an emphasis on important events in the broader history of this country, notably the imminence of wars and resumptions at the end of these conflicts. But the important thing is that every single cricket contest does mean an awful lot to some people.

Cricket is a very old game in Scotland - far older than football, a sport which sometimes exercises a baleful, obsessive and deleterious effect on the national psyche. Cricket goes back at least as far as the Jacobite rebellions and their sometimes vicious aftermaths. It is often felt that Scottish cricket underplays itself. It has been portrayed as in some ways an English sport, a "softies" sport, and a sport that has a very limited interest among the general population of Scotland. This is emphatically not true, and this book is in part an attempt to prove that this is a misconception. Sixty-one games (it was going to be just 60, but one turned up at the last minute!) have been chosen from the past 250 years to show that cricket does indeed influence a substantial part of the nation. The matches have been selected at all levels, from Scotland against visiting Australian teams all the way down to a Fife school fixture. These naturally reflect the life, experience and geographical whereabouts of the author. The games are quirky sometimes, (and quirkily chosen) with an emphasis on important events in the broader history of this country, notably the imminence of wars and resumptions at the end of these conflicts. But the important thing is that every single cricket contest does mean an awful lot to some people.

The Lang Toun of Kirkcaldy has had its fair share of life's problems. From 1244 to the present day, there have been events which stand out from the ordinary. Some are the stuff of history. Others are very personal - perhaps, to those not involved - quite unimportant. But taken together they illustrate a community with a common resilience to adversity, ready to face an uncertain future with confidence and faith. Kirkcaldy resident David Potter has found the best of those moments - one for each calendar day of the year - and brought them together, to prompt memories of triumphs and failures, of tragedies and joy.

North of Kirkcaldy, lucky are those - from Levenmouth through the East Neuk to the Tay - who can count East Fife as their Club. It is, by some standards, a very young team, founded some 20 years after Raith Rovers, and a good 30 years after senior football had begun to take off. The first Scotland International was played in 1872, and the first Scottish Cup final took place in 1874, yet East Fife didn’t kick their first football until 1903. The other teams got off to a good start, but East Fife caught up. They played in Methil at Bayview, from where in 1927 the team reached the Scottish Cup Final and, in 1938, won the trophy, all while in the Second Division. After the Second World War came three great League Cup triumphs in 1947/48, 1949/50 and 1953/54, before teams like Celtic and Hearts had even appeared in a final. In 1998, the club moved to a new ground, much closer to the sea, and sometimes called New Bayview. The story of these achievements includes tales of players – famous and less well-known – and of managers, supporters, referees, chairmen, directors and club officials. There are over 100 photographs of players, teams, strips, and crowds. Plus a full Index of names, clubs, grounds, competitions, newspapers, sponsors and spiders. In the words of the author: `Every East Fife supporter would love to see the great days come back. It does not look, at the moment, all that likely, it has to be said, but then who am I to say that?’

In this illustrated view of the history of Raith Rovers the author builds up the story of the club by recounting events that happened on every day of the year, even during the summer months. Triumphs, disasters, shipwrecks, crazy Board Room decisions, managers (good and bad), players (brilliant and mediocre) all feature. As do Davie Morris, who captained Scotland when they beat all three Home Nations in 1925; the wizardry of Alec James; the command of the famous half back line of Young, McNaught and Leigh; and the dash and enthusiasm of the team which won the Scottish League Cup. But it is not just about the good days. There are bad days, and loads of mediocre and mundane times too, as well as some accounts of Raith Rovers in war time. The year as a whole reveals the undeniable charm of the institution which means so much to so many - Raith Rovers Football Club - or, as they are referred to in Kirkcaldy, “the” Rovers.

Forfar Athletic have had some dreadful times, but they have had their share of success as well. Here the author has found something memorable that has happened on every single day in the year - a chronicle by a man who first watched the Loons in 1954 and whose father and grandfather watched them way before. This is a football book, but it is more than that - it is a glimpse of the social history of the town, the area and the nation. Outstanding players like Davie McLean, Alec Troup and Craig Brewster are mentioned, the red letter days when Forfar took on Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup, and the day when they astonished the world by beating Hearts at Tynecastle. But credit is given to the less spectacular of days as well, like defeats at Cowdenbeath, Stenhousemuir and Dumbarton in the pouring rain. Such days are also part of supporting a small team like Forfar.

Here is the ultimate quiz book on Scotland’s national team. Informative and fun, this is the perfect companion for those long car journeys to Inverness or Aberdeen, or for nights down the local. An ideal gift for Tartan fans of all ages, here’s the chance to test fellow supporters on World Cups, famous games against England, favourite managers and cult heroes, including R.S. McColl, Jimmy Quinn, Jimmy McGrory and Kenny Dalglish. Cryptic to convivial, get your Tartan thinking caps on – it’s quiz time!

This is the ultimate quiz book on Celtic FC. Informative and fun, this is the perfect companion for those long car journeys to Inverness or Aberdeen or nights down the local. An ideal gift for Hoops fans of all ages, here’s the chance to prove how much you really know about your beloved team! Who scored Celtic’s first ever goal? Which players were nicknamed ‘The Brush’, ‘Happy Feet’ and the ‘Flying Flea’? From formation and early days to favourite managers and cult heroes, get your Celtic thinking caps on – it’s quiz time!

Celtic is an unusual football club, inspiring strong feelings in almost everyone. It is of course virtually impossible to chronicle all that has happened in the history of the club, but this little gem draws together some of the most interesting, quirky and downright odd events that have taken place over their long and auspicious existence. Packed with facts, stats, trivia, stories and legend, the reader will delve deep to find out all about the events and people who have shaped the club into what it is today. Featured here are a plethora of stories on this charismatic football club ranging from how the club was formed, to little-known facts about players and managers. Here you will find player feats, individual records and plenty of amusing quotes. Rivalry with Rangers, favourite managers and cult heroes from yesteryear – a book no true Celtic fan should be without.

Alec Troup, known to his many fans as 'Wee Troupie' due to his small stature, played for Forfar Athletic, Dundee, Everton and Scotland from 1914 until 1933. His sparkling play, gentlemanly demeanour, good humour and extremely likeable personality undoubtedly brightened up many a troubled heart in the dark days of the First World War and the years that followed. Indeed, he became a real hero of the people at a time when such role models were in great demand to rouse the population's spirits. Troup was an extremely talented player and he was awarded 5 caps for Scotland during his career, playing in internationals against all the home nations. However, he is arguably more famous for being the man who 'made' Dixie Dean. As the man on the opposite flank who supplied many of Dean's goal-scoring opportunities, Troup's involvment in Dean's great footballing achievements - in particular his record 60 goals in a season for Everton - is second to none.This highly entertaining biography, lovingly researched by one of Troup's greatest admirers, the well-known Scottish football historian David Potter, features many details and anecdotes about Troup's career, from an early case of maternal football hooliganism in 1914, through the glory days at Dundee and Everton, to his life after retirement of the game. Lavishly illustrated with many photographs - some of which have never before been published - cigarette cards and cartoons, these all help to tell the fascinating story of one of Scottish football's smallest giants: Wee Troupie.

Rising to prominence with his hat-trick in the Scottish Cup final of 1904 against Rangers, Jimmy Quinn became the spearhead of Willie Maley's great Edwardian side who won six League titles in a row. Some of the very essence of Scottish football lies in the story of Jimmy Quinn.

This title reveals the history of Scotland's national football team from 1872 to 2004.

Willie Maley was one of Celtic's first players, joining the club as a midfielder in 1888 and becoming its first manager in the following year. He would go on to manage the club for forty-three years, creating teams based on youth, and win numerous titles, including the first league and cup doubles in Scotland. This biography reveals much about the man and the ingredients that went into creating three legendary teams at Celtic.

The Man Who Made Celtic