Jaggy Advent

[jaggy]

quite amazing, no Xmas Eve fixture in 25 years, only 3 in 53 years!!

 

I was at Brockville and probably at the Ayr game. Wasn't born in 1960, but what a crowd!!!!

 

This thread is one of the most interesting in years, thanks Jagscast and Merry Xmas to all Jaggy's everywhere. It will be Xmas here in less than 10 minutes

[H Wragg]

Brilliant thread.

 

(Santa) hats off!

[The Jukebox Rebel]

24th December........please be our 1-0 win at Brockville!!!!

 

Christmas Eve, double chocolate, wey-hey!

 

"PAT, PAT, SUPER PAT, SUPER PADDY KELLY"

 

[jaggy]

Christmas Eve, double chocolate, wey-hey!

 

"PAT, PAT, SUPER PAT, SUPER PADDY KELLY"

 

I was right behind Paddy when he hit it, fantastic strike!!!

[The Sunnylaw Jag]

First time I have ever said this, but I can't wait til next Christmas and it's not even Christmas yet. Well done for setting the bar on posts on the forum.

[Willjag]

Great effort guys. Well done.

[JeanieD]

As I recall there was a crate of whisky for hat-tricks that season. Being Christmas the crate won by O'Hara's was raffled and the proceeds went to Eastpark Home.

[partickthedog]

Brilliant thread. Thank you for all the research and the magnificent storytelling. Merry Christmas everyone!

[jagscast]

Jaggy Advent

 

25th December

===========

TODAY'S GAME

===========

Sat-25-Dec-1909

Hibernian [h] W3-1

SFL First Division - game 16

venue: Firhill

att: 4500

scorer(s): William Gardner (2), Fred Robertson

 

 

THISTLE’S HISTORIC XMAS WIN OVERSHADOWED BY POST-MATCH TRAGEDY

 

^ James Main of Hibernian (29 May 1886 - 29 December 1909)

 

The build up: Ever since it began in the nineteenth century, football in Scotland has stopped for nothing or no man. As we’ve previously explored on the Jaggy Advent, even World Wars are incapable of throwing up enough obstacles to halt our dual determination to both play and to support the auld game. If the calendar dictated that Saturday fell on the Christmas day, then a round of League fixtures was scheduled, that was that. There were several occasions where we went out of our way to specifically schedule matches for Christmas day, but these were relatively few and far between. This was in contrast to our neighbours from down South, who had full fixture cards annually for several decades up until the late 1950s.

 

A decent level of Sunday-style public transport services operated on Christmas Day all the way into the mid 1980s (before deregulation), so it was still reasonably possible for most folks to get to games. One can only speculate as to whether ‘the wife’ and ‘the mother in law’ were quite happy to go along with the arrangements for the sake of peace and quiet whilst getting on with preparing the turkey. Before I get into any bother on this subject I shall refrain from further elaboration on this, and skip straight ahead to the next bit…

 

Thistle went into this one on the back of our all-time worst home League run. It had been more than a year since we last had a home League win. Can you believe it? (Actually, perhaps you can. At the time of writing the Partick Thistle supporters of 2013 vintage have similarly been starved for eight and a half months!) Even at that, our last “home” win had come at Ibrox, where we defeated Morton by 5 goals to 1 on the 5th December 1908. Since then, we had played 14 League games without a home win, although this glum stat can always partly be excused by the fact that several of these fixtures were played on the grounds of our opponents. We were, of course, temporarily, of no fixed abode, having been caught out in between our domiciles at Meadowside and Firhill. The latter had yet to be termed a Fortress, and we had now played 5 League games without a win in our brand new home.

 

Those of a masochistic persuasion can pore over the gory details of the horror run within the following spoiler...

 

Sat-05-Dec-1908 St Mirren [h] L2-3 (SFL First Division - game 16)

venue: Love Street, att: 2000, scorer(s): Fred Robertson (2)

Sat-12-Dec-1908 Motherwell [h] L0-2 (SFL First Division - game 17)

venue: Ibrox, att: 2000, scorer(s): -

Sat-09-Jan-1909 Aberdeen [h] L0-1 (SFL First Division - game 21)

venue: Pittodrie, att: 4000, scorer(s): -

Sat-20-Mar-1909 Port Glasgow Athletic [h] L1-3 (SFL First Division - game 27)

venue: Clune Park, att: 2500, scorer(s): Frank Branscombe

Sat-27-Mar-1909 Hamilton Academical [h] L2-4 (SFL First Division - game 28)

venue: Douglas Park, att: 2000, scorer(s): Sam Kennedy (2)

Mon-29-Mar-1909 Celtic [h] L0-1 (SFL First Division - game 29)

venue: Celtic Park, att: 1500, scorer(s): -

Thu-08-Apr-1909 Queen's Park [h] L1-2 (SFL First Division - game 31)

venue: Hampden Park, att: 1500, scorer(s): Frank Branscombe

Sat-10-Apr-1909 Hibernian [h] L1-5 (SFL First Division - game 32)

venue: Easter Road, att: 2000, scorer(s): Herbert McPherson

Wed-25-Aug-1909 Morton [h] L0-1 (SFL First Division - game 2)

venue: Ibrox, att: 5000, scorer(s): -

Sat-02-Oct-1909 Clyde [h] D1-1 (SFL First Division - game 6)

venue: Firhill, att: 9000, scorer(s): William Gardner

Sat-23-Oct-1909 Falkirk [h] D2-2 (SFL First Division - game 8)

venue: Firhill, att: 10000, scorer(s): Thomas Callaghan, William Gardner

Sat-06-Nov-1909 Rangers [h] D0-0 (SFL First Division - game 10)

venue: Firhill, att: 25000, scorer(s): -

Sat-13-Nov-1909 Celtic [h] L1-3 (SFL First Division - game 11)

venue: Firhill, att: 18000, scorer(s): Sydney Smith

Sat-11-Dec-1909 Aberdeen [h] D1-1 (SFL First Division - game 14)

venue: Firhill, att: 18000, scorer(s): Sydney Smith

 

 

Going into the game, Thistle were 16th (3rd bottom) and Hibs were 5th. Jags were without the services of three key men – Alec Raisbeck, Maurice Parry and Thomas Callaghan – all of whom had picked up knocks in a bruising encounter against Rangers at Ibrox the week before.

 

In the circumstances, this was not a game we were expected to win. However, in keeping with the truly unorthodox tradition of the Partick Thistle, we overcame the odds, halted the record run and bagged our first ever League win at Firhill into the bargain. And all of this on a Christmas day.

 

In normal circumstances, all of this would have given us much cause for celebration, but as this tale unfolds, it will become apparent that our superficial joy was momentary and that, soon, our mood would turn to despair. Post-match events were set to cast a depressing shadow over all at Firhill, Easter Road and, indeed, the Scottish football community at large.

 

The match: In a bid to overcome the frost bound surface, Firhill had been heavily sanded for this one. The directors of both clubs agreed that the game could be played – these were the days before the referee held all the power. Somewhat ominously, Sam Allan, the acting Hibs captain for the day, twisted his knee in the pre-match warm up.

 

Hibs started the match with only ten men as they assessed the damage to Sam Allan. In his absence, it was James Main who was handed the captain’s armband – the first time he’d been bestowed with the honour. Despite this initial handicap, the visitors managed to grab the lead in 5 minutes when John Sharp opened the scoring. In the meantime, Sam Allan’s participation was ruled out and Callaghan was thrust into the action after 10 minutes, levelling the numbers of those competing in both sides to eleven. Within seconds, Thistle equalised through William Gardner. It had all been a very strange start to a very strange game.

 

Thistle had the better of the play in the first half and Gardner netted again to put Jags 2-1 ahead as half time approached. Just before half time was called, our outside left, Frank Branscombe, slid into James Main, the Hibs back, resulting in a studs impression being left on the stomach of the Hibs defender. Interviewed years after the event, John Sharp, Hibs' goalscorer that day, was firm in his belief that it was a simple but freak accident, recalling that: "Branscombe slipped on the treacherous surface, his foot catching Jamie in the groin as he fell." After receiving attention on the field, Main was in no fit state to continue, and he was assisted back to the Firhill changing room.

 

Main did not reappear for the second half and Hibs played out the game in the same way that they’d started - with only ten men on the pitch. Our visitors were backs to the wall for the duration but were resolute until the very end when Fred Robertson was finally able to put the seal on Thistle’s first ever League win at Firhill, a victory by 3 goals to 1.

 

Thistle team: W. Howden, A. McKenzie, J. Bennett, R. Wilson, W. McDonald, R. Lyle, T. Ballantyne, R. Graham, F. Robertson, W. Gardner, F. Branscombe

 

The aftermath: In the dressing room after the game Main appeared to have recovered and he was able to take tea with the rest of his team-mates. The injured player felt fit enough to travel to his home at West Calder by rail and after arriving at the station was capable of walking the half mile or so to his home.

 

Nonetheless, on Monday 27th December, the Scotsman was reporting alarming developments, namely that the player had been rushed to hospital on the Sunday morning and that he had undergone an operation due to a ruptured intestine: “Main came through the operation successfully, but his condition afterwards became so serious that his relatives were summoned, and at an early hour this morning his condition was very low.”

 

On Wednesday 29th December 1909, at 10:40pm, James Main died as a result of his injury.

 

It was reported in The Scotsman thus: ACCIDENT TO EDINBURGH FOOTBALLER ENDS FATALLY. James Main, the well-known Hibernian player, died in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary last night as the result of the accident which befell him in the match at Glasgow on Saturday last between the Hibernians and Partick Thistle. The mishap occurred as the result of a collision between deceased and Branscombe, the Partick Thistle outside left, Main being injured about the stomach. The injured player seemed to have recovered after the match, and was able to proceed to his home at West Calder. On Sunday morning one of the doctors who had been in attendance, fearing a rupture of the bowel, had him removed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where an operation was performed. On Monday and Tuesday slight improvement was reported, but last night deceased’s condition was very low again, and death resulted. Main was a native of West Calder. He was in his twenty-fourth year, and he joined the Hibernians, his only senior club, when he was eighteen, and since then has been connected with the club. Main was one of the best club backs in the country, and his services have been so much sought after that the Hibernians have invariably had some difficulty at the end of each season in getting him to stay with them. He twice played in international matches, once against the English League for the Scottish League in 1908, and once for Scotland against Ireland last season.

 

The following week, Thistle were at Hampden for the New Years derby against Queen’s Park. Frank Branscombe was initially listed in the Thistle line-up, but couldn’t bring himself to play. He also sat out the following game at Pittodrie.

 

The funeral for James Main was held at West Calder on Monday 3rd January, and the Hibs contingent were joined by representatives from most of the leading clubs in the country, including a large contingent from Partick Thistle. Since Thistle were in action at Pittodrie that day, it can be assumed that most of the regular first team were unable to attend. It is not known if Frank Branscombe was among those present.

 

As for the playing of football on Christmas day, Thistle played their 17th and final such game in 1971, the recent League Cup winners going down to a surprising 1-0 loss at home to Ayr United. This was the last year in which a full Scottish card was played out on Christmas day. When Christmas Saturday rolled around again in 1976 there was a bit of a "mutiny on the bounty". As normal, a full fixture list had been scheduled by the SFL, but many of the clubs decided to start altering dates in response to supporters feelings, and, no doubt, with half an eye on the never ending quest to maximise those all important revenues. Some games fell victim to the weather, but most clubs, including Thistle, switched to Monday 27th (We drew 0-0 at Rugby Park). Hibs came up with the whacky plan of scheduling their match for 7.30pm on Christmas Eve. 3,875 turned out for their match against Ayr but this was half their average for the season and the plan had clearly backfired.

 

Clydebank and St Mirren get the honour of being the last of the senior Scottish clubs to have played on Christmas Day. Their First Division top of the table clash, kick off 3pm, drew an excellent crowd of 7,675 to Kilbowie on 25th December 1976. Earlier, Alloa had entertained Cowdenbeath in a game which kicked off at 11am. These were the only two games that did not partake in the "revolt of '76!".

 

As a result of the reaction of the clubs in the Winter of '76, by the time of the next Christmas Saturday in 1982, the SFL decided to abandon the tradition. The 25th was ignored and all games were scheduled for Monday 27th December. Suitably flexible arrangements have been made to avoid Christmas day ever since.

 

In the circumstances, we can only finish our Jaggy Advent by reverting our thoughts back to James Main, known as Jamie or Jimmy to his friends. The next time you’re at a match and the referee abandons the game due to adverse weather, you should think of the promising young 23 year old, cut down in his prime in just such conditions. There should be no mumping and moaning. History taught us a harsh lesson on Christmas day 1909 and we should take heed.

 

If you’re ever passing West Calder cemetery you can pay your respects. There you will find a 9ft granite memorial which stands in salute of the lad to this day.

 

We dedicate our final Jaggy Advent to the memory of James Main.

 

Other results on Christmas Day:

 

Sat-25-Dec-1971 Ayr United [h] L0-1 (SFL First Division - game 17)

venue: Firhill, att: 6500, scorer(s): -

Sat-25-Dec-1965 Falkirk [a] L0-2 (SFL First Division - game 14)

venue: Brockville, att: 4000, scorer(s): -

Tue-25-Dec-1956 Raith Rovers [h] D1-1 (SFL First Division - game 14)

venue: Firhill, att: 12000, scorer(s): Tommy Ewing

Sat-25-Dec-1954 Heart of Midlothian [h] D4-4 (SFL Division A - game 16)

venue: Firhill, att: 20289, scorer(s): Bobby Howitt, Andy Kerr (2), Jimmy Davidson

Thu-25-Dec-1952 Third Lanark [a] L1-3 (SFL Division A - game 15)

venue: Cathkin Park, att: 12000, scorer(s): Bobby Howitt

Tue-25-Dec-1951 Dundee [h] L1-3 (SFL Division A - game 16)

venue: Firhill, att: 14000, scorer(s): John Harvey

Sat-25-Dec-1948 Morton [h] W1-0 (SFL Division A - game 16)

venue: Firhill, att: 15000, scorer(s): o.g.

Sat-25-Dec-1943 Albion Rovers [a] L1-2 (Southern League - game 19)

venue: Cliftonhill, att: 2000, scorer(s): Maurice Candlin

Sat-25-Dec-1937 Aberdeen [h] W3-1 (SFL First Division - game 20)

venue: Firhill, att: 7000, scorer(s): John Wallace (2), Peter McKennan

Fri-25-Dec-1936 St Mirren [h] D1-1 (SFL First Division - game 22)

venue: Firhill, att: 3000, scorer(s): John Wallace

Thu-25-Dec-1930 Motherwell [h] L0-3 (SFL First Division - game 20)

venue: Firhill, att: 5000, scorer(s): -

Wed-25-Dec-1929 Queen's Park [h] W1-0 (SFL First Division - game 21)

venue: Firhill, att: 6000, scorer(s): John Simpson

Sat-25-Dec-1926 Falkirk [h] L0-1 (SFL First Division - game 20)

venue: Firhill, att: 10000, scorer(s): -

Sat-25-Dec-1920 Aberdeen [a] W3-0 (SFL First Division - game 23)

venue: Pittodrie, att: 13000, scorer(s): John Blair (2), Willie Salisbury

Sat-25-Dec-1915 Morton [a] W1-0 (SFL First Division - game 18)

venue: Cappielow, att: 6000, scorer(s): Muir Honeyman

Sat-25-Dec-1909 Hibernian [h] W3-1 (SFL First Division - game 16)

venue: Firhill, att: 4500, scorer(s): William Gardner (2), Fred Robertson

Sat-25-Dec-1897 Heart of Midlothian [a] L2-6 (SFL First Division - game 14)

venue: Tynecastle, att: 6000, scorer(s): George Allan (2)

 

 

[jagfox]

Fantastic thread lads. Merry Christmas to Jags fans everywhere

[jaggy]

we played & won our first fixture at Firhill in Sep 1909, was it not a league game then?

[jagscast]

we played & won our first fixture at Firhill in Sep 1909, was it not a league game then?

 

We did win our first fixture at Firhill, a 3-1 victory over Dumbarton Harp, but it was a Scottish Qualifying Cup tie. We also beat Nithsdale Wanderers in the same competition at Firhill but no League win until Christmas Day.

[jaggy]

We did win our first fixture at Firhill, a 3-1 victory over Dumbarton Harp, but it was a Scottish Qualifying Cup tie. We also beat Nithsdale Wanderers in the same competition at Firhill but no League win until Christmas Day.

Thanks for that

[The Jukebox Rebel]

OMG, the Scottish Qualifying Cup. The pure shame of it.

 

This was all because in season 1908-09 we won only 8 points out of a possible 68 (our worst % gather ever) and finished in 18th position i.e. rock bottom. We were spared relegation by the vote but the SQC was the penance. At the time only the Top 16 were eligible for an automatic place in the Scottish Cup. We were in the draw alongside such giants of the Scottish game as Crieff Morrisonians, Law Mark, Douglas Wanderers and Vale of Atholl. Despite the terrifying prospect of playing at home to non-League Dumbarton Harp we managed to cobble together a home win! Of course, famously, we had a good go at cocking it up as Dumbarton Harp shocked us by scoring the first ever goal at Firhill. Captain fantastic, Alec Raisbeck, our new star signing from Liverpool, steadied the ship when he equalised from the spot and we went on to win 3-1.

 

Greenock Morton, who had finished one place above us in 17th, also had to go through this tenuous process. Somewhat bizarrely, by the time they played their 1st Round Scottish Qualifying Cup game, they were sitting top of the League ahead of Rangers and Celtic!

 

By the time we played in R4 on the 16th October we couldn’t find a spare date and had to send two teams along the direction of the A89 to two different first level games. Team 1 stopped at Airdrie and won 3-1 in the League and Team 2 continued on to Bathgate and lost 2-1 in the SQC (note that we had already qualified by that stage).

 

Top Flight in the SQC? File under “1001 Bright ideas from the rulers of the Scottish game 1890-2013”.

[Norgethistle]

We'll done lads, this has been an excellent thread. Better start researching for next year as you have set the benchmark with this years.

A cracking read for jags fans of all generations

[The Jukebox Rebel]

A final post-script on the Jaggy Advent then - there was so much going on in that Christmas day post that we couldn't fit it all in or you'd have suffocated on info overload!

 

Our new home, the signing of Raisbeck and the win against Hibs were all part of a massive turning point in our fortunes. Very soon, Firhill became an awesome fortress. In season 1910-11. For the one and only time in our history we went through an entire Top Flight campaign unbeaten at home in the League, with 13 wins and 4 draws. This contributed to the creation of an all-time record breaking run of 23 home League games without a defeat. We finished as the 4th best team in the country, ahead of Glasgow Celtic - our best ever League finish at that time.

 

From going over a year without a home League win, in no time at all we had made amends by going more than a year without a home League defeat.

 

That’s the PTFC - flippin’ mental!

 

[twinny]

Fantastic thread, well done Jagscast.