Don of the Post Office took on Bobby Moore
There’s a long tradition of young Scottish footballers trying to carve out a career in England.
Although what was once a flood of talent heading south of the border has reduced to a trickle these days, there’s a greater chance than ever before to make big money.
Sometimes, however, it’s not cash that decides a player’s future.
Don Bowie made the news when he went for a week’s trial with Barnsley in February, 1960.
But his footballing future would lie much closer to home.
As the man himself recalls, there had already been an encounter with one of English football’s greatest footballers.
Don was representing Post Office Telephones when he came up against a future World Cupwinning captain.
He said: “I played two youth internationals for Scotland in 1958.
“We played England at Hull City’s Boothferry Park and were beaten 2-0.
“Most of their players were attached to senior clubs. But I was playing with my brother for Post Office Telephones at the time.
“Bobby Moore was playing for England and had exactly the same build as when I saw him lifting the World Cup eight years later.”
Clashing with some of England’s rising stars didn’t persuade Don that he should move south two years later.
He went on: “I was playing for Baillieston Juniors in Glasgow when Barnsley manager Tim Ward wrote and invited me down.
“They wanted me to sign professional forms before I went back up the road. But I wasn’t too keen and knocked them back.
“I gave them a spiel about my mother being on her own and came home.
“It wasn’t long after that I got an offer I couldn’t turn down.
“Jock ‘ Tiger’ Shaw, the legendary Rangers captain, had been at Baillieston and returned to Ibrox as a coach.
“He obviously rated me and, before I knew it, I was heading up the famous marble staircase to meet Rangers manager Scot Symon.
“Unfortunately, for me, they had Alex Scott and Willie Henderson ahead of me for the outside-right position.
“There was never much chance of me getting a look-in.
“I started in the third team with John Greig and he made it through to the senior side very quickly.
“After a year at Rangers, I was back playing junior with Irvine Meadow.”
However, Don was back as a pro when he joined Dumbarton in 1962. His first goals for the club came in a 5-5 draw with Stranraer and he was joint top-scorer in his second season. A Rangers connection then reappeared. He explained: “Sammy Baird was Stirling Albion manager and knew me from Ibrox.
“I spent two seasons at Annfield and won the Second Division championship with them.
“We played Celtic at home in the First Division and beat them 1-0.
“The kit we wore to face them was an orange shirt, white shorts and orange socks.”
Don provided the cross for Davie Grant to hit the winner.
He added: “I had moved to Grangemouth, where I was working as an electrician.
“I spent a season with Stenhousemuir but I was losing a bit of enthusiasm for football.
“My last involvement was when Derry City flew me over for a few games. A young Drew Busby was doing the same.
“I remember being met by one of their directors and him apologising for no newsmen being there to greet me. I told him I wasn’t too surprised!”