Alex Stott

Born in Newbigging, Angus, Alex played junior football with Dundee North End, before signing for Portsmouth F.C. He made his debut on the 20^th August 1945, and scored a hat trick against Swansea in a 5-1 win in the War League (South)

During World War II Alex served in the Royal Marines, and manned a shuttle service to Normandy on D-Day.

As football resumed, he was given a free transfer from Portsmouth. A lot of interest had been shown north of the border, with Forfar, Queen of the South, Raith Rovers, Arbroath, and Dundee United all keen. However, Dundee secured his services in May 1947,  the fact that he had supported Dundee F.C. since childhood probably helped him make the decision.

He made only one appearance in his first season, being on the losing side in a 5-1 League Cup match against Third Lanark, in which he scored Dundee’s only goal.

The following season saw him flourish on the pitch. Making thirty-nine appearances and scoring thirty-nine goals.

1948-49 had been equally successful for the team, they had reached the semi-finals of both the League and Scottish Cup, and were aiming for their first League Championship. On the last day of the season Dundee needed a win over Falkirk to secure the title. George Anderson, usually a master tactician, had the players in the changing room for an hour before the game, unfortunately his team talk reduced them, by their own admission, to a “bag of nerves.” Dundee were awarded a penalty in the first half, and Stott took up the challenge. Unfortunately, the Bairns keeper made a great save. Alex did score in the second half, but it was to no avail, Falkirk won 4-1.

Rangers were playing Albion Rovers, they won 4-1, which dashed Dundee of the chance of finishing in first place.

The cup run’s also ended abruptly. Stott scored three goals in the earlier rounds of the League Cup, before losing 4-1 to Rangers in the semi-final. He also scored four goals in the first round of the Scottish Cup, and one in the semi-final against Clyde, which ended  2-2. Dundee lost 2-1 in the replay

Alex’s confidence shaken after the dramatic penalty miss, found his form dropped at the start of the 1949-50 season, and it wasn’t long till he was on his way to Partick Thistle for a sum of £6,000. Blackburn Rovers had also been keen on signing him.

Near the end of his time with Partick he considered taking up a coaching role in the United States, but instead made a final move, to Hamilton Academicals in January 1954.

With his playing days over, an offer was made by Reggie Smith, a former Dundee team mate, to take up a coaching role in South Africa. Smith had been supervising coaching classes during the summer in the Western Province of South Africa, in Capetown since 1953.

In 1959 an opportunity arose to play in a charity football match at Carntyne Stadium, in aid of the Auchengeich Pit Disaster Fund. Alex played for the Scottish Star XI against a team of television stars, which included Ronnie Corbett and Mike & Bernie Winters.

Having gained his S.F.A. coaching badges many years ago, Alex became Partick Thistle’s third team coach in 1960.

After retiring from playing football, there was more time for golf, a sport in which he was also very proficient.

Alex died, in East Renfrewshire, on 19^th December 1998 aged 73.