Letham City Boys - Season 1970-1971

Manager: Mr Tom McEwan

Secretary: Mr Tom McEwan

After last season's magnificent team, Tom would find it very difficult to attain the same success. Partly due to the fact that our Minor team was not producing the best available We were also under pressure from other teams in finding good talent. The name however was still excellent and this was worth its weight in gold. The conveyor belt of talent was still far in excess of our closest competitors.

Wednesday 5th August 1970

Roselea change their name to Jeanfield Swifts

Saturday 29th August 1970

Secretary: Tom McEwan - 35, Tulloch Terrace, Perth. Takes over from Mr Smith, who is leaving to go to University. ???

Saturday 29th August 1970

Letham City Boys V Southend CB ( Friendly - ??? )
Team from: Corcoran, Dow, Whytock, Sinclair, Smith, Smeaton, Jenkins, Hamilton, Falconer, Rintoul, McAra, Murray, Cooper.

Saturday 12th September 1970

Letham City Boys V Earnbank Swifts ( League - Home )
Letham F.C. entertain Earnbank Swifts who surprised last week with a win over Panmure but it is not envisaged that they will repeat the performance against Letham.

Letham 10 - Earnbank Swifts 2
Letham sent Earnbank Swifts back to Crieff empty handed. Letham scored 5 goals in each half and D Smith had a hat-trick in the first half. Earnbank scored twice but could not match the stronger Letham boys

Saturday 19th September 1970

Letham City Boys V Panmure ( League - Away )
Panmure versus Letham on the North Inch could be a good match but Panmure will have to improve on past performances to hold strong going Letham

Panmure 2 - Letham 13
Crieff Sporta resign from the Association and all their games are now void.

Saturday 26th September 1970

Letham City Boys V Goodlyburn YC ( League - Home )

Letham 6 - Goodlyburn YC 0
Goodlyburn suffered their first defeat of the season from Letham F.C. to the tune of 6-0. Letham remain one of two undefeated teams in the league and on this performance will be hard to beat.

Pool for City Boys Under 18 select

Corcoran-Letham, Netherington-Panmure, Dow-Jeanfield Swifts, Dott-Goodlyburn, Falconer-Tayside , Smeaton-Letham , Murray-Jeanfield Swifts, Jenkins-Letham , Glen-Jeanfield Swifts, Gibson-Tayside, Sampson-Tayside, Brown-Jeanfield Swifts, Sinclair-RailwayAthletic, McPheat-Panmure, Black-Southend

Saturday 3rd October 1970

Letham City Boys v Bridge of Earn ( League - Away )
Bridge of Earn do not look good enough to stop Letham

Bridge of Earn 0 - Letham 11
The 100% records of Tayside and Letham are still intact. Letham scored 11 without reply at Bridge of Earn where the outstanding player was Jenkins . A very good debut by Kelly must have been heartening for secretary Tom McEwan.

League positions following Saturday 3rd October 1970
                    P W L D  F  A Pts
  LETHAM            4 4 0 0 40  4 8
  Tayside           4 4 0 0 31  5 8
  Jeanfield Swifts  5 4 1 0 31 14 8
  Railway Athletic  5 3 2 0 39 15 6
  Southend          5 3 2 0 23 25 6
  Panmure           5 3 2 0 23 26 6
  Goodlyburn YC     4 2 2 0 23 10 4
  St Columba's      4 2 2 0 14 16 4
  Earnbank Swifts   4 1 3 0 10 25 2
  Bridge of Earn    5 1 4 0 12 34 2
  Letham United     5 0 5 0 13 43 0
  Abernethy         4 0 4 0  6 50 0
Saturday 10th October 1970

Letham City Boys V Southend
Match postponed

Result in P.A. shows:
Bridge of Earn 0 - Letham 11

Saturday 17th October 1970

Letham City Boys V Railway Athletic ( League - Away )

Railway 2 - Letham 3
Railway fought hard against Letham but in the end were defeated 3-2.

Saturday 24th October 1970

Letham City Boys V Bridge of Earn ( League - Home )
Team from: Corcoran, Dow, Sinclair, Falconer, Whytock, Hamilton, Murray, Cooper, Smith, McAra, Rintoul, Kelly.

Letham 6 - Bridge of Earn 1
Letham who beat Bridge of Earn by 6 goals to 1 were first to admit that the 'Brig team are a lot better than their results show.

Saturday 31st October 1970

Letham City Boys V St Columba's ( League - Away )
Team from: Corcoran, Hamilton, Whytock, Falconer,Smeaton, Sinclair, Dow, Murray, Kelly, Cooper, Smith, Jenkins, McAra, Newman

St Columba's 1 - Letham 12
The Saints certainly bit the dust against Letham, who are maintaining their unbeaten record with some good results.

Saturday 7th November 1970

Letham City Boys V Abernethy ( League - Home )
In the league Letham play host to Abernethy at the South Inch and it would be a surprise if the visitors won.

"Abernethy go into abeyance"

Saturday 14th November 1970

Letham City Boys V Railway Athletic ( 1st. Rd. Norie Miller Cup - Home )

Letham 4 - Railway Athletic 2

League positions as at Wednesday,18th November 1970
                    P W L D  F  A Pts
  Tayside           8 8 0 0 73 10 16
  LETHAM            7 7 0 0 61  8 14
  Jeanfield Swifts  8 7 1 0 63 15 14
  Railway Athletic  9 5 4 0 39 25 10
  Southend          7 5 2 0 32 29 10
  Panmure           9 4 5 0 29 61  8
  Letham United    10 3 6 1 40 64  7
  St Columba's      8 3 5 0 21 46  6
  Goodlyburn YC     7 2 5 0 16 23  4
  Earnbank Swifts   7 1 6 0 11 36  2
  Bridge of Earn    9 0 8 1 20 67  1
Saturday 21st November 1970

Letham City Boys V Southend ( 1st. Rd. Lord Weir Trophy - Away )
Southend will be lucky to get a draw.

Southend 2 - Letham 6
The Southend-Letham "Scottish" tie certainly was a cracker with Southend playing their best football of the season. In the first half they should have been ahead by 2 or 3 goals but bad finishing and over anxious playing took its toll and Letham stepped in to take advantage.

Saturday 28th November 1970

Letham City Boys V Letham United ( League - Home )
Team from: Corcoran, Dow, Whytock, Sinclair, Hamilton, Smeaton, Jenkins, Murray, Kelly, Smith, Rintoul, McAra

Match postponed due to ground conditions

Wednesday 2nd December 1970

John Smeaton selected for the Scottish Schoolboy Under 17 pool of players.

Saturday 5th December 1970

Letham City Boys V Tayside ( League - Home)

Letham 5 - Tayside 3
In the league meeting on the South Inch between Letham and Tayside certainly gave us a game worthy of table toppers. It was ding-dong all the way with 25 minutes to go it seemed all over with Tayside leading 3-1 but all of a sudden Letham midfield players took a grip and found holes on the Tayside defence. From then on it was the sharpshooters of Letham who dictated where the points were going. Tayside will be having serious thoughts about that defence especially in the middle and on the right flank . Letham on the other hand will be quite happy with their team on the day. Quite happy-we were delighted to have beaten a very strong opponent.

Saturday 12th December 1970

Free day

Saturday 19th December 1970

Letham City Boys V Goodlyburn YC ( 2nd. Rd. Lord Weir Trophy - Away )

Goodlyburn Y.C. 1 - Letham 10
At Goodlyburn last Saturday the "Scottish" tie was all sealed and settled in the first 30 minutes. By that time Letham had scored 6 without reply and they went on to win 10-1. Outstanding for Letham were forwards Jenkins , McAra and Smit h with Corcoran safe in goal and Smeaton sound at centre-half. Goodlyburn tried hard but it just wasn't their day.

The following players are asked to report for training on Sunday at the Letham Clubrooms, 142, South Street, Perth.
Corcoran-Letham , Netherington-Panmure, Dott-Goodlyburn, Dow-Letham , Falconer-Tayside, Smeaton-Letham , Murray-Jeanfield , Jenkins-Letham , Lawrence-Southend, Gibson & Sampson-Tayside, Brown-Jeanfield, Sinclair-Railway,C McPheat-Panmure, Cormack-Railway and Black-Southend.

League positions as at Wednesday 23rd December 1970
                       P W L D  F  A Pts
    Tayside           10 9 1 0 81 19 18
    Jeanfield Swifts  11 9 2 0 71 21 18
    LETHAM             8 8 0 0 66 11 16
    Southend           9 5 2 2 36 36 12
    Railway           10 5 4 1 41 27 11
    Panmure           11 4 6 1 34 67  9
    St Columba's       9 4 5 0 28 40  8
    Letham United     11 2 8 1 35 81  5
    Goodlyburn YC      8 2 6 0 14 27  4
  * Bridge of Earn    10 0 9 1 11 36  3
  # Earnbank           7 1 6 0 19 71  2

*= Awarded 2 points #= Forfeited 2 points

Saturday 26th December 1970

Letham City Boys V Earnbank ( League - Away )

Earnbank 0 - Letham 5
Earnbank played their first game for five weeks and met Letham, the only undefeated team in the league. This game was tough in parts and one or two players can count themselves lucky to finish without a booking.

Saturday 9th January 1971

Letham City Boys V Southend ( League - Home )
Letham entertain Southend on the South Inch and the homesters should maintain their unbeaten record

Letham 3 - Southend 1
The game between Letham and Southend was indeed worthy of settling any league title. Southend scored first and after Letham had equalised, Southend failed to score from a twice taken penalty. From then on it was give and take with Letham managing to score two more goals to make it 3-1. A very good game under bad conditions.

Congratulations to John Smeaton ( Letham ) who has been selected to represent Scotland in a schools XI

Saturday 16th January 1971

Letham City Boys V Railway athletic ( League - Home )

Letham 4 - Railway Athletic 1

Saturday 23rd January 1971

Letham City Boys v Panmure ( League - Home )

Letham 6 - Panmure 0
This game was the cleanest and most entertaining seen for a week or two. Letham scored three goals in each half. Outstanding for Letham were Jenkins , Whytock , Smith and McAra with Corcoran giving another safe display in goal.

Saturday 30th January 1971

Letham City Boys V Jeanfield Swifts ( League - Home )
Team from: Corcoran, Dow, Whytock, Sinclair, Falconer, Hamilton, Smeaton, Jenkins, Murray, Kelly, Smith, McAra, Rintoul

All matches cancelled

Letham have drawn Ardgowan Thistle in the 4th Round of the Lord Weir Cup. Letham will make the long journey to Paisley probably on the 20th February 1971

Saturday 6th February 1971

Letham City Boys V Jeanfield Swifts ( League - Home )
In the league unbeaten Letham meet Jeanfield on the South Inch. This should be a grand game and Jeanfield could be the first to topple Letham.
Team from: Corcoran, Dow, Whytock, Sinclair, Falconer, Hamilton, Smeaton, Jenkins, Murray,Kelly, Smith, McAra, Rintoul

Letham 1 - Jeanfield Swifts 2
The top of the league clash between Jeanfield Swifts and unbeaten Letham lived up to the expectations of a hard entertaining game. Jeanfield never allowed Letham to settle at any time during the game. Letham were over anxious after Jeanfield took their 2-1 lead. Best for Jeanfield were Martin, Murray, and Connachan. For Letham Jenkins and McAra were the only ones who played their usual game.

Saturday 13th February 1971

Letham City Boys V Goodlyburn YC ( League - Away )

Saturday 20th February 1971

Letham City Boys V Ardgowan Thistle ( 4th. Rd. Lord Weir Cup - Away )
Our best wishes go to the Letham boys on their long trip to Paisley to tackle the strong going Ardgowan Thistle.

Ardgowan Thistle 4 - Letham 2
At Paisley last Saturday Letham took on Ardgowan Thistle at St James's park. The pitch was very bumpy and the ball performed queer tricks at times. However this was no excuse for their defeat. The game started off with Ardgowan doing everything first time and not allowing the ball to bounce, while Letham were trying to play football. After ten minutes Ardgowan took the lead when the ball came over from a corner on the right. Inside-left Bradley was waiting to head into the net. It was end-to-end stuff until five minutes from half time when Ardgowan went further ahead by a goal from Caughton. Letham suddenly took new life and McAra scored just on the interval.
In the second half Ardgowan scored twice through Burke and Rowe. During these forty-five minutes Letham seemed to realise that the way through this defence was through the middle with quick clearances for their forwards to run onto. They certainly caused plenty of worry to Ardgowan. Rintoul scored Letham's second goal. Best for Letham were Corcoran , Smeaton , Jenkins and Rintoul.

Saturday 27th February 1971

The following players should report for the League Committee Training session on Sunday 7th March 1971 at 3.00p.m. bringing boots, socks and shorts.
Corcoran-Letham , Netherington-Panmure, Dott-Goodlyburn, Murray-Jeanfield, Jenkins-Letham, Smeaton-Letham , Cormack-Railway, Brown-Jeanfield , Dow-Letham , Black,Lawrence-Southend, Gibson, Sampson,Falconer-Tayside,McPheat-Panmure

Saturday 27th February 1971

Letham City Boys V Letham United ( League - Away )

Letham United 0 - Letham 7

League positions as at Wednesday 3rd March 1971
                     P  W  L D   F   A Pts
  Jeanfield Swifts  18 16  2 0 117  28 32
  Tayside           15 14  1 0 125  21 28
  LETHAM            14 13  1 0  92  14 26
  Southend          15 10  3 2  69  52 22
  Railway Athletic  16  8  7 1  69  47 17
  Goodlyburn        12  6  6 0  42  30 12
  Panmure           18  4 12 2  51 132 10
  St Columba's      15  4 11 0  35  70  8
  Earnbank          13  2 11 0  23  62  4
  Bridge of Earn    16  1 14 1  20  68  2
Saturday 6th March 1971

Letham City Boys v Earnbank ( 2nd. Rd. Murray Donaldson Cup - Away )

No result printed - must have won

Wednesday 10th March 1971

Select pool for training at Seven acres on Sunday,11th March 1971
Finnie-St Columba's, Winton-Panmure, McSporran & Cooper-Earnbank, Kettles-Jeanfield, Stewart-Southend, McKay & Cruickshanks-Railway, McAlpine-St Columba's, Gregor-Letham United, McAra-Letham , Harris & Taylor-Railway, Cantwell-Southend, Anderson-Earnbank.

Saturday 13th March 1971

Letham City Boys V St Columba's ( League - Home )
Letham should account for St Columba's on the South Inch. While Letham are still marching on, saints continue to struggle.

Letham 0 - St Columba's 1
The surprise of the day was on the South Inch where strong going Letham found everything going against them and that St Columba's were not as bad as their league position suggests. The Saints certainly took their chance and held on . Transpired St Columba's played ineligible players.

Saturday 20th March 1971

Letham City Boys V Bridge of Earn ( 2nd. Rd. Norie Miller Cup - Home )

Result not printed - Must have won

Saturday 27th March 1971

Letham City Boys V Letham United ( League - Away )
Team: All players meet at South Inch changing rooms at 1.30 p.m. prompt for a 2.00 p.m. kick off.

Letham United 1 - Letham 11
Letham go storming on. Against United on Saturday they had their highest scoring spree of the season. United started off with only eight players but eventually fielded a full team. It made no difference to the outcome however.

Saturday 3rd April 1971

Letham City Boys V Southend ( League - Away )

Southend 0 - Letham 5
Southend and Letham met in the league and although for the first ten minutes or so it looked as if Southend were in the mood to run Letham off the park. It turned out that once Letham opened their account it was settled.

League positions as at Wednesday,7th April 1971
                       P  W  L D   F   A Pts
    Jeanfield Swifts  17 15  2 0 113  27 30
    Tayside           15 14  1 0 122  21 28
  * LETHAM            15 13  2 0  96  15 28
    Southend          17  9  6 2  62  61 20
    Railway Athletic  17  8  8 1  82  47 17
    Goodlyburn        14  7  7 0  14  36 14
    Panmure           18  4 12 2  54 131 10 ??
  # St Columba's      17  4 12 2  54 131 10 ??
    Letham United     17  2 13 2  51 149  8
    Bridge of Earn    16  0 16 0  29 118  1

* Awarded two points # Forfeited two points

Saturday 10th April 1971

Letham City Boys V Jeanfield Swifts ( League - Home )

Letham 2 - Jeanfield Swifts 0
The battle for the league championship continues. On Saturday Jeanfield the only team with a chance of a double over Letham figured in one of the best games of the season. It was cut-and-thrust and at half-time all square, although chances had been missed especially by Letham.
In the second half Smith opened the scoring for Letham who went on to win by 2-0. The other scorer being Hamilton . This was such a great display by both teams played under very sporting conditions that it is a pity to single out any player. However such was the standard that I must say that to me the outstanding players were- Hamilton-best player afield and Scottish Schools Internationalist John Smeaton of Letham. Jeanfield's best were goalkeeper Mike Martin and centre-half John Murray.

Saturday 17th April 1971

Letham City Boys V Railway Athletic ( Semi-Final Murray Donaldson Cup - Home )

Letham 7 - Railway Athletic 1
A hard game was expected between Railway and Letham but Railway found that Letham had no intention of giving anything away. With Falconer the best player afield pushing the Letham forward and Smeaton sealing up the centre of the park, Railway found it hard work but never gave up.

Wednesday 21st April 1971

Letham City Boys V Goodlyburn ( League - Away )

Goodlyburn YC 0 - Letham 3
St Columba's appeal against the committee's decision to award two points to Letham has been rejected by the County Association because it was late and improperly addressed.

Saturday 24th April 1971

Letham City Boys v Jeanfield Swifts ( Semi-final Norie Miller Cup - Home )
Letham and Jeanfield battle it out this week to see who meets Goodlyburn in the Norie Miller Cup Final. Letham must be favourites to win this one but they may need a second game. Jeanfield will be hoping they can produce last week's form.

Letham 3 - Jeanfield Swifts 1
As usual when teams like Letham and Jeanfield meet we had a hard but enjoyable game. This was indeed a story of a team taking chances and another scorning them. Letham deserved their 3-1 victory. The outstanding player afield was Smith-Letham and goalkeeper Corcoran and Whytock also served them well . Jeanfield centre-half Murray and Grimmond were best.

Saturday 1st May 1971

Letham City Boys V Railway Athletic ( Semi-final Bob Croll Cup - Away )
In the Bob Croll semi-final Railway entertain Letham. The question is -can Railway stop Letham? Well it is possible if they produce the football they played earlier in the season. Letham on the other hand are at their best when playing in games such as this and will be all out to make sure of their place in their third final of the season

Railway Athletic 1 - Letham 2
Letham have now qualified for all the cup finals.

League positions as at Wednesday 5th May 1971
                     P  W  L D   F   A Pts
  Tayside           17 16  1 0 127  23 32
  LETHAM            17 16  1 0  98  15 32
  Jeanfield Swifts  18 15  3 0 113  29 30
  Southend          18 10  6 2  62  66 22
  Railway Athletic  18  9  8 1  82  47 19
  Goodlyburn YC     16  8  8 0  39  38 16
  Panmure           18  4 12 2  54 131 10
  St Columba's      17  4 13 0  37  81  8
  Letham United     17  2 13 2  51 149  6
  Bridge of Earn    18  0 17 1  29 118  1
Saturday 8th May 1971

Letham City Boys V Tayside ( League - Away )

Tayside 1 - Letham 1
Tayside and Letham met in the league on Saturday . If either of the two teams could win this one, it would decide the League championship. Nerves were obvious from the beginning to end, but nevertheless an entertaining game was enjoyed by quite a large crowd. Tayside scored in the 18th minute only to see Letham equalise 2 minutes from half-time. The teams became over anxious and quite a few chances were missed. With no further scoring the game ended in a draw with everyone quite happy about the result.

Saturday 15th May 1971

Perth select team to play Paisley District on South Inch KO 2.30 p.m.
Corcoran-Letham , Netherington-Panmure, Dott-Goodlyburn , Dow-Letham , Murray-Jeanfield, Black & Lawrence-Southend, Smeaton,Mailer & Sampson-Tayside, Taylor, McKay & Cormack-Railway, Fotheringham & Gregor-Letham United, McPheat-Panmure, and Brown-Jeanfield

Perth Select 2 - Paisley 7

Wednesday 19th May 1971

Perth Select v Kirkcaldy
Game cancelled

Monday 24th May 1971

Letham City Boys V Tayside ( League Championship - Play off )

Letham 4 - Tayside 3
On Monday night Letham and Tayside battled out the League Championship play off. Both teams started off showing a certain amount of nerves. Letham were first to settle and opened the scoring through Falconer and continued to dominate the game throughout, adding further goals by Jenkins, Smith and McAra.
Tayside replied with goals by Sampson,Thorington and Mason. It was hectic in the last twenty minutes with Tayside trying everything for the equaliser but it was not to be. Best for Letham was Sinclair, the outstanding player afield ably supported by Hamilton, Falconer , Jenkins and McAra. For Tayside Smeaton,Mailer, Hoolachan, Thorington and Mason were best.
This was a great result and meant the club had again won the League Championship. Make no mistake about it; this was one of the most talented Letham teams of all time

Wednesday 26th May 1971

Letham City Boys V Tayside ( Final - Bob Croll Cup )

Letham 4 - Tayside 3
On Wednesday night on the South Inch these teams met for the second time in three days to decide the destination of the Bob Croll Cup. In what can only be described as terrible weather conditions we were treated to another fine display of football. However on this occasion there was no doubt who was going to win. Tight from the start Letham attacked and within twenty minutes were up 3-0. First Jenkins in five minutes, then McAra in twelve minutes and an own goal, by Wilson in the twentieth minute. All these goals came from mistakes in defence and at this stage Tayside were rocking. However they came back and scored a couple before half time by Thorington and Sampson. It was more even in the second half when both teams scored. Letham through Jenkins and Tayside by Thorington. Congratulations to both teams for such a fine display on such a wet night. The cup was handed over to the Letham Captain, John Smeaton by Mr. Birk, Service Manager of Frew and Co. who was deputising for Mr. W Croll

Tuesday 15th June 1971

Letham City Boys v Goodlyburn YC ( Final Norie Miller Cup ).

Goodlyburn YC 2 - Letham 2
On Tuesday at Seven Acres, Goodlyburn and Letham met in the Norie Miller Cup Final and what a game it turned out. In the first half it was virtually all Letham who went in at the interval leading 2-0 but after ten minutes of the second half a complete turn round saw Goodlyburn suddenly play some delightful football. They eventually got on equal terms and in fact with seconds to go a bad break of the ball robbed them of what seemed to be a glorious chance to take the cup. So on to the second game

Wednesday 23 rd June 1971

Letham City Boys V Goodlyburn YC ( Final - replay Norie Miller Cup at Seven Acres )

Due to a team photograph in PA with Tom McEwan and Wattie Morrison we know that the City Boy team defeated Goodlyburn in the replay of the Norie Miller Cup. Also on display was the 5 a side cup but who they defeated and the score is unknown. (See PA Sat.3 rd July 1971)

Roll of Honours for Season 1970/71
                          Winners             Runners Up
  League Championship     LETHAM              Tayside
  Murray Donaldson Cup    Jeanfield Swifts 4  LETHAM 3 
  Bob Croll Cup           LETHAM 4            Tayside 3
  PA Cup                  St Columba's 5      Southend 2
  Norie Miller Cup        LETHAM              Goodlyburn
  Five a Side Cup         LETHAM

What a great season. Unlike the Juvenile team the City Boys did win the league championship and knock out cup. Delighted that Ross Jenkins from Dunning signed for St Johnstone although he remained with us in the meantime. We had our first schoolboy internationalist through John Smeaton. Who could forget the support Ross's mother gave to the team and the club, which we were most grateful. The whole team had talented players who could win matches on their own including Pat Corcoran in goal. The whole club were proud of this team's achievements.

Bill Hebner the club treasurer accounted £11.35 as the cost of the Scottish Tie at Paisley. Tom McEwan had a fine team spirit and he deserved all the accolades that sprung through due to his enthusiasm and skill at blending the team together as a very formidable side. It was noted that he used very few players all season.


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