The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Club’s history was wiped out by fire
It was the devastating fire which wiped out a chunk of Arbroath FC’s history.
All the photographic records of Arbroath’s great teams from the past – including the club’s 36-0 heroes – were lost when the main stand at Gayfield went up in flames 60 years ago.
The fire in 1958 destroyed the west and central portions of the main grandstand at Gayfield, with damage estimated at between £6,000 and £7,000.
The home and away dressing rooms, treatment room, referee room, secretary’s office, treasurer’s office, boardroom and press box were all ruined, along with playing kit, training kit, boots and footballs.
Among the objects believed to have gone up in smoke was the president’s chair, donated to the club in 1938 by cabinet maker Alexander Neilson as a token of his lifelong support.
Arbroath FC chairman Mike Caird said: “The devastation and destruction the fire caused must have been very difficult for the club to recover from at the time.
“However, I’m sure the spirit of the community would have shone through and the club was rebuilt to where it is today.
“It is also particularly sad that so many past treasures in the club’s long history, including photos of the great teams of yesteryear, went up in smoke and were lost forever.”
The fire broke out in the early hours following a match against Partick Thistle.
A fox terrier named Susan raised the alarm after scratching at her owner’s bed. The woman, who lived at Tutties Neuk across from Gayfield, saw the stand well alight and phoned 999.
Fire crews from Arbroath and Carnoustie managed to prevent the blaze from spreading.
When daylight came the following morning the destroyed part of the stand was described as a “forlorn sight”.
The stand had been in existence since 1925 when the reconstruction of Gayfield was completed.
The next game against Berwick Rangers went ahead despite the setback and the players changed at Arbroath Lads Club’s pavilion which was quite near the ground.