It was with some trepidation I read Thomas Taws book on Thirds league winning season 1903-04 as I always find it quite difficult to identify with players of yester year even although they perhaps played just before my time dare I say it Goodfellow, Hilleyetc but it is possible to achieve some affinity with them by listening to fellow supporters who were there and can bring these players to life and thus give an insight to what they were like.
I can probably go back to the mid 1950s onwards through stories about players from older fans of that time and can have some affinity with them, but, to go back to the beginning of the century when the world was young then they just become names and sepia photos in a book and I probably have as much affinity with them as names on a war memorial.
The book was to change all that well at least for our glorious league winning team of 1903-04.
The author gives a brief introduction into the beginnings of Third Lanark and thereafter builds up your interest by giving an insight into the machinations of Thirds up to around 1901.
I particularly liked some of the quotes and terminology of the day in the newspaper reports for example: In 1876 Thirds were able to acquire the international Sandy Kennedy the Von Moltke of Scottish half backs and James Lang despite only having one eye and describing a match thus the warriors exploded like a dose of grapeshot with obvious connotations to the old Rifle Volunteer rootsgreat stuff!
An interesting theme running through the book, which of course is naturally prevalent today is the small matter of finance and gate size with speculation of income achievable, which was as important then as it is today.
Players wages and bonus payments including deals done in the transfer market were equally important then and allow us to identify with those times.
The author allows us to live through the drama of that glorious season by providing match reports of the games in the order they occur building up the tension, which lets us experience the highs and the lows with blow by blow accounts of the action as it happens.
For any team to win their national league they must possess exceptional players with a sprinkling of class thrown in and Thirds were fortunate to have the necessary talent to steer them on the path to glory in James Raeside, John Campbell and Hugh Wilson.
There was concern among the Hi Hi faithful that Campbell and Wilson were past their best but these were men of high calibre who had achieved great success at previous clubs and although in the twilight of their careers had at least one great season left in them as we were to find out.
This was a team who did not have the luxury of a large player pool and when players got injured or were otherwise unavailable then others were played out of position as and when required.
Hugh Wilson seemed to be one of those players who could play in any position and put in a five star performance into the bargain.
John Campbell was the tanner ba player the man who made things tick and ensured the team played a passing game with style and finesse the way game should be played by champions elect.
James Raeside was a goalkeeper of note and a keeper ahead of his time who it appears was prepared to leave the penalty box and act as sweeper when necessary at time when most never crossed the six yard line.
I dont think we should under estimate the quality of player that this side possessed and it should be remembered that at least seven of the side achieved or were to achieve international honours: Sloan, Cross, McIntosh, Wilson, Campbell, Wardrope and Raeside were all capped by their country testimony to the quality player at Cathkin Park.
This was a great Third Lanark side who won their league with a minimal squad of players who played most of their games away from home and certainly in front of not exactly the biggest support of the day.
A terrific book and a must for all with the Hi Hi in mind.
