One of the finest full backs to grace the Scarlet was Finlay Junior McGillivray.
He joined up at Cathkin in 1959, and provided five years of quite magnificent service. His total dedication, enthusiasm, and undoubted talents, tuned him very quickly into a fans' favourite.
He played 167 games for Thirds' and in the process scored five goals.
An Ibrox crisis ironically resulted in his ultimate transfer to Rangers on 26th September 1964, in return for Doug Baillie coming to Thirds' along with an undisclosed cheque.
Rangers had won only one of their five opening LC games, and the signature of Junior was the first step to strengthening the Ibrox defence. It was Rangers' third attempt to get the big defender and this disappointed Wolves who had been hot on his trail for a while.
Things didn't turn out as expected at Ibrox however, with McGillivray playing only a few reserve games, and not being given a first team outing during his Ibrox spell.
Only Junior could tell us why - it was certainly nothing to do with his football talents, but what a waste of defensive power - inexplicable then.
He moved on quickly to Bradford park Avenue, and provided them with two years sterling service, before returning North to Perth, to Don the Blue of St Johnstone for a further three campaigns. A free transfer followed in 1970 having played 63 games for Saints.
A season each with Newtongrange Star, then Gala Fairydean, kept him fit, before going on to play for fun.
Junior sure had a chequered career, but I frequently reflect on his Ibrox time, and had things worked out differently there, he would surely have amassed many more than his single U23 Cap awarded for playing against England at Pittodrie on 28th February, 1962. The result was 4-2 to England, but press reports confirmed that McGillivray was a five star man
Back to his own favourites - The Hi Hi's. He did enjoy his time at Cathkin, especially when forming that formidable defensive partnership with Billy Lewis.
Junior of course made his own vital contribution to Thirds' magnificent 1960/61 season, 100 up and all that. The Club rewarded the players with the subsequent Tour of America & Canada and Junior played almost every game there.
A Club record was established by him when in season 1962/63 with their financial problems arising Thirds were obliged to field 26 players in the course of the campaign, and Junior finished that season being the only ever present.
Another fine achievement was when he won a Glasgow Cup Final medal, against Celtic on 8th April 1963. This of course was the last ever trophy won by Thirds.
Yes McGillivray made a tremendous contribution to Third Lanark AC, and this non smoking teetotal Athlete, won the admiration of all, with his determination to play every game " for the jersey".
In January 1964, in a Glasgow Cup semi-final against Celtic Junior received a very nasty head injury in an accidental clash and was carried off the field. The game ended in a draw, but Thirds went out in the replay. It took almost three months recovery time to return to action, in a reserves fixture against Partick Thistle at Cathkin, where happily he played himself back into his accustomed role as a superb defender.
Later followed his Ibrox transfer, which left the Hi Hi fans, totally saddened & perplexed, and with only memories of this Warriors glorious five years' service in the Scarlet.
It is not too late on behalf of all former Thirds' fans of that period, to send to Junior McGillivray, our grateful thanks and best wishes for a long and happy retirement.
