William Longair

William Longair is perhaps Dundee’s greatest servant. Multiple times he left for pastures new and multiple times he came back home. His unquestionable love and commitment for the club is evidenced in his near 40 year connection with the Dark Blues and one of the clubs who merged to form them – East End.

Longair’s career started out the boys’ club Rockfield. After spending three years here Longair joined the ranks of East End in the 1887-88 season. He joined the ‘Wise Men’ just as they were making a name for themselves on the local scene, building a reputation to match the more established Our Boys, Harp, Wanderers and Strathmore.

While with East End Longair won three Dundee Charity Cups and a Northern League Championship – both competitions rivalled the Forfarshire Cup in stature and popularity. The Forfarshire Cup was the one local trophy Longair was not able to grasp with East End losing four finals in a row between 1889 and 1892. East End’s most impressive Scottish Cup performance was achieved during Longair’s spell at the club. ‘Plum’ was on the field, albeit for only 45 minutes owing to an injury, when the ‘Wise Men’ went down 4-0 at, three-time Scottish Cup winners, Vale of Leven in the 1889-1890 quarter final.

When East End merged with Our Boys Longair became an instant hit with the fans of the new club. A letter to the Evening Telegraph in November 1926 recalled his early years at West Craigie & Carolina Port:

“’Plum’ as he was called by the ‘fans’ of those days, was a tower of strength to the club, and a great favourite with the crowd. He had a magnificent physique, and he must have struck terror into many a forward as he came rushing towards them with chest expanded and arms rigid, and woe betide the player who got his full weight.

I remember seeing him take part in the first ever League game Dundee played on their admission to the upper circle. Rangers were the visitors…but the Dundee half-back line- Petrie, Longair and Craig- played a great game and enabled Dundee to make a draw, 3-3, which was a big surprise to the Glasgow public.

Who saw them will ever forget Longair’s encounters with Michael, the then centre-forward of the Heart of Midlothian. Michael was a sturdily-built player and by his forceful rushes which upset many a back and goalkeeper, he was known as the ‘battering-ram’. When he came to West Craigie, however, he met his match…Longair cowed him…much to the intense satisfaction of the Dundee crowd.

I think the best game I ever saw Longair play was in the memorable Cup-tie against Celtic at Carolina Port in 1895 or thereabouts. Celtic were looked upon as winners but every man in the Dundee team was on the top of his form, and none contributed more to the victory of the Tayside club that day than Wm. Longair. He was a tireless worker, harassing the deft Celtic forwards and feeding his own front line with fine judgement. Many a goal saved too, with his head, his prowess in heading the ball being quite exceptional.

Old time supporters of the club will recollect how his old father was a regular attender at the matches, and how he used to shout encouragement to his son during the game. I should think that Dundee FC, in the course of their 34 years’ existence, have had no more loyal servant than Wm. Longair.”

Longair was rewarded for his form during Dundee’s blossoming early years with a cap against Ireland in 1894 he was originally selected for the Wales game but like Francis Barrett was asked to play in Belfast instead, exchanging places with Celtic’s Kelly. The Courier, in March 1895, indicated that he was a reserve for the Wales game in 1895 but, in the end, was not required to step into the breach.

‘Plum’ got his first taste of English football in 1895 when he was obliged to play a Football League game for Newton Heath (later Manchester United) owing to an agreement between Dundee FC and the English club. In 1896 Longair moved, firstly, to Sunderland, then Burnley but was back at Carolina Port by May 1897. One more foray south, to Brighton United, followed in 1898, but once again ‘Plum’ returned north in April 1899 – just a couple of months before Dundee’s move to Dens Park. This time his pilgrimage home was permanent – he became Dundee’s trainer in 1900, holding the position for twenty-four years. He was again given international honours in 1904 when he was selected to be Scotland’s trainer for their game against Wales at Dens.

His final post was as groundsman which he held between 1924 and his death in 1926. His passing was felt far and wide and was not limited to the environs of Dens Park:

“All the way from his house in Victoria Street to the Eastern Necropolis the route was lined by a great concourse, and at the cemetery the extensive funeral cortege was greatly augmented. In front of the hearse marched a body of police, and on each side and immediately behind were the players of the Dundee Club, who were present to a man.

When the cortege was passing the High School Recreation Grounds, a most impressive incident was witnessed. Several teams of the present pupils were playing rugby, and as the cortege approached they suspended their games and stood to attention in their various positions until the last coach had passed.

Amongst the many beautiful floral tributes were wreaths from Dundee FC and Dundee United FC, both tied with the club colours; Dundee City Police Athletic Association and Forfarshire Junior Football Association.” – Courier & Advertiser 2^nd December 1926

Longair dedicated most of his sporting life to the club of which he was so passionately fond, and in return the club, and indeed the city, gave him the send-off he so thoroughly deserved.