Track star in city visit

HE is famous, of course, as t he Olympi c runner immortalised in the movie Chariots of Fire.

Before his triumph in the 400- metres at the Paris Games in 1924, Eric Liddell toured the country racing at football grounds, of all places, and in 1922, he visited Glasgow to run at Celtic Park.

The Glasgow Times’ sister newspaper The Herald reported: “The result of the first race, a victory for EH Liddell, pleased the crowd and the proceedings were greatly enjoyed throughout.

“The opening event was the 120 yards scratch race that was substituted for the handicap originally contemplated. Liddell was to have received a yard from HFV Edward but, as it turned out, he did not need it, winning by rather more than that margin.”

It was a well- run race, reported The Glasgow Herald, with Edward and Liddell being level until this last quarter of the distance when the latter drew steadily away.

“Again in the 220 yards handicap, Liddell gave a fine display,” enthused the sports reporter. “He had two yards on Edward who showed some improvement on his previous running, but not enough to catch Liddell who won comfortably.”

Liddell was also a decent rugby union player, representing Scotland seven times in the Five Nations Championships of 1922 and 1923, scoring four tries and finishing on the losing side just once.

He was back running at football grounds after his Olympic success, this time heading to Greenock Morton’s Cappielow.