John Robertson

John Robertson was born in Newburgh, Fife. As a youth he moved with his family to Perth. He served his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker before moving to Dundee in 1865, at the age of 18, and starting his own business about 1872. Latterly he had a successful undertaker/cabinetmakers business on Rose Street, off Constitution Street, and retired from business in 1924.

He had a keen interest in public affairs, and took up his first role in the Town Council in 1894, eventually becoming a magistrate. He was also a member of the Temperance Society.

In 1898 Mr Robertson became involved in the running of Dundee F.C.

“I first became associated with Dundee F.C. when the old club went into liquidation after the disastrous season of 1898-99. Before that time I had been interested merely as a spectator, but when the club broke up I, together with a number of local sportsmen, tried to replace the club.

A meeting was called, and I was asked to take the chair. I accepted the invitation, and held the position of chairman to Dundee F.C. from that time till I resigned thirteen years later.

The club ground at that time was at Carolina Port, and when the new directorate took over, we had no small difficulties to face.

Dundee football was at its lowest and, consequently, we had to set about finding a team. Moreover, we had to face the debts of the old club, which amounted to some £200, no inconsiderable sum in those days.

I am proud to say that we succeeded, though we did not get properly going until we left Carolina Port.

With a debt of £200 on our shoulders, we set about looking for a new ground. We secured the present Dens Park ground, but, in place of the beautiful enclosure of today, there was merely a grass field, with a very awkward slope.

Terracing had to be erected, the two stands transferred from Carolina Port, and the ground levelled.

We achieved all this meantime adding to our debt by fully £700. Fortune favoured us when we set about building up the embankment. Alterations were being made at Provost Road, and we learned that the contractor was on the look-out for a ‘dump’ for his waste material. That was exactly what we required, and the matter was soon arranged without expense to either party. We got our embankment free, and the contractor saved a great deal of time by procuring a ‘dump’ so close at hand”

When Dundee F.C. won the Scottish Cup in 1910 Mr Robertson brought the trophy back to Dundee. There was a huge demand from supporters wanting to  see the famous trophy and at the weekend the Bailie had to open the front and back doors at his home so the gathered crowd could enter and exit in an orderly fashion.  .

After standing down from the rigours of running a football club, Mr Robertson had time to pursue his other leisure activities, which were cricket and angling. He was president of the Dundee Working Men’s Angling Club.

Mr Robertson died, aged 90, on 25th September 1935.