1950 FROZEN IN TIME
Scotland were a reluctant warm-up act to the World Cup in Turkey last midweek. It was a similar scenario for the Dark Blues before the 1950 Finals in Brazil.
We had actually qualified, but the SFA in their wisdom decided only to travel if the Home International Championship was won, something denied by England at Hampden.
Despite captain George Young’s attempts to reverse their decision, the blazers stood firm, and Scotland had to make do with two friendlies against Portugal and France, who were also staying at home.
At least it was good news for East Fife striker, Allan Brown.
He had scored in a 3-1 friendly win over Switzerland on his Scotland debut, before heading off on the end-of-season trip.
Brown was on the mark in the 2-2 draw in Lisbon, and scored the only goal in the second-half in Paris.
He won the last of his 14 caps, which included six goals, at the World Cup Finals in 1954 against Austria and Uruguay.
After a record £26,500 move to Blackpool, Brown missed two FA Cup Finals through injury, before playing for Luton Town in their 1959 defeat against Nottingham Forest.