The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Hockey hero Mary Laskie dies aged 91
Scotland hockey great Mary Laskie, of Dundee, who won the hearts of a record-breaking Wembley crowd in 1958, has died aged 91.
The goalkeeper starred before a crowd of 50,000 and was credited with holding England to five goals against two.
Such was her heroic performance that at the end of the match, Mary was mobbed by thousands of English schoolgirls chanting her name and asking for autographs.
Mary, whose married name was Train, then went on to captain the Scotland side on its tour of South Africa.
She retired from international hockey in 1960 but played one more season for Harris Academy FP.
Mary was born in Dundee where her father, William Laskie, was a wholesale grocer and captain of the 18th Dundee BB.
At Harris Academy she was school captain, games captain and turned out as goalkeeper for the Junior Midlands XI.
Mary went on to study at St Andrews University where she was a hockey blue.
She played in goal for Harris FP and progressed to be keeper for the Senior Midlands XI for eight years from 1952.
After winning a place in the Scotland trials, Mary played in reserve matches and A sides until that memorable full international debut at Wembley.
During the eight-week tour of South Africa the following year, 1959, Mary captained Scotland in five internationals as well as district matches.
In 1970, at St Peter’s Church in Dundee she married Norman Train (Norrie).
He had been a teacher in the department of business studies at Central College of Commerce in Glasgow.
Mary had been teaching in the department of secretarial studies at Dundee College of Commerce and the couple set up home in Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, before their retiral to Forfar.
Mary, who was a member of Forfar Golf Club and Harris Academy FP Association, is survived by her nephews, Derek and Peter Laskie and a goddaughter, Jennifer Williams.