The break that altered the King of the Dynamo’s career
These days clubs have incredibly detailed information about every player they’re thinking of signing.
But many managers still want someone they trust to watch the target in the flesh.
That used to be the way that led to many careers taking a new direction.
Bobby Livingstone was one of the mostwatched Scottish footballers during the 1970s.
That’s not surprising, considering that he was a prolific goalscorer for Montrose during their halcyon days.
He was known as “The King of the Dynamo” – a reference to his massive popularity with the local supporters.
But he ended up spending his entire career with the Gable Endies, a spell that stretched from 1966 to 1980, and bagged over 150 goals.
Fifty years ago this weekend, he was watched by Motherwell boss, Bobby Ancell, Rangers’ scout, Gibby Ormond, and two directors from Aston Villa.
They were among the biggest crowd ever to pack into Montrose’s Links Park for a Scottish Cup tie against Dundee.
The Dark Blues ran out 4-1 winners, but Bobby doesn’t believe it was his performance that day that stopped a move to a full-time club.
He recalled: “I was due to play a trial for Celtic against Aberdeen at Pittodrie when I was only 16.
“But I suffered a leg break – both the tibia and fibia – on the Saturday before that game.
“It meant I was out for a year. It slowed me down a bit, and I think that probably put paid to my hopes of full-time football.
“During my time at Montrose, there were a few clubs who had a look at me.
“I know Hearts scouted me a couple of times, and I think their style would have suited me.
“John Bond also flew up to watch me when he was manager of Bournemouth, but nothing came of that.
“Would I have liked to try full-time football? Yes. Did I miss having that chance? No.
“I had nearly 15 good years with Montrose. I played with a lot of good players that became good friends.
“I also had a spell as manager and sold Gary Murray to Hibs for £60,000. I don’t think there’s much likelihood of that record fee being surpassed in the near future.”
Bobby signed for Montrose at the end of 1966 from Sunnybank Juniors.
He said: “You were allowed to play three times as a provisional signing.
“I turned out against Morton and Queen’s Park, then in a home game against Raith Rovers.
“I was amazed there was a huge crowd for that – but they were mostly Arbroath and Raith fans.
“If we won, Arbroath could be promoted. I scored to put us ahead, but then Pat Gardner got a late equaliser to send Rovers up.
“The record crowd against Dundee is given as nearly 9,000 but I’m sure there were many more.
“I believe some of the gates were opened and fans rushed in. I couldn’t believe the size of the crowd when we ran out. It was a great atmosphere.
“Dundee were just a bit too good for us. Gordon Wallace, Jocky Scott and John Duncan scored for them, and they were all great strikers. We used to do better against Dundee United.”
Bobby was in the Montrose team that came agonisingly close to beating Rangers in the 1975 League Cup semi-final.
They were 1-0 up at half-time – and nearly scored a second – before the Ibrox men equalised and ended up running out 5-1 winners.
“We gave Rangers a right game, and we might have reached the Final if we’d managed the second half a bit better,” said Bobby.
“I knew Rangers defender Colin Jackson from our younger days, and he admitted they were very worried at the break.”
Bobby, now 74, retired from his job in Aberdeen’s oil and gas industry two years ago.