Saturday, 11th, November,1961 V Ruthvenvale ( 1st Round Cunningham Cup—away )

Team   Murray, Lee and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Pritchard, Cameron, Gardiner, McPherson, Muckersie and Galloway. 

Result  Ruthvenvale 3 Letham 3

As per forecast Letham forced a good draw at Auchterarder and now must fancy their chances in the replay.
Stewart Murray played his first game in goal. Andy Steele who had been goalie up to now had lost his confidence and did not play again.
 Andy unfortunately had the memorable incident whilst playing on pitch 4 of the South Inch on taking a goal kick. He kicked the ground a few inches behind the ball and sailed horizontally over the ball without moving it. The game was held up whilst both teams resumed their composure following fits of laughter. We think this incident took place on the 14th, October against Royals.

Monday, 13th, November,1961 at Muirton Park, Perth. Perthshire V Fifeshire . K.O. 7.30p.m.

Keay-Royal Utd, Hynd-Co Angus and J McGraw-Allanvale, Ower-Co Angus, Taylor-(capt) Co Angus and
Drummond-Letham. Brock-Vale of Earn, Logan-Orwell Thistle, McDougall-St Leonards, Thomson-Royal Utd, and Malcolm- Orwell Thistle.
Reserves in attendance—Adams-Vale of Earn, Allan—Ruthvenvale, Hebner-Letham, McCann-Co Angus

Result Perthshire 3 Fifeshire 2 (aggregate score of 5-3)

 

Saturday, 18th, November,1961 v Ruthvenvale- (1st Rd. replay Cunningham Cup) Home

Letham look a good bet to reach the Semi-final of the Cunningham Cup. They have been undefeated for 4 weeks and should account for their Auchterarder visitors.
Team—Murray, Lee and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Pritchard, Cameron, Gardiner, McPherson, McRorie and Galloway. Reserves-Muckersie and Galloway

Result  Letham 6   Ruthvenvale 0
Letham had a runaway victory and now look forward to their Scottish Cup Tie.
This was Sandy McRorie’s first game. Also the first team photograph was taken today and featured in the PA on 2/12/1961. The team was still playing in the Aston Villa colours.

In connection with Letham’s Scottish trip to Glasgow next week, the team bus is due to leave King Street Garage at 10.00a.m.  Secretary Drummond asks all players, officials and supporters to be there on time.The players and officials will be having lunch and high tea in Glasgow and are looking forward to a very enjoyable day. A victory would make their day complete.

Perthshire under 18 select V Fifeshire

Keay-Royal Utd, Duncan-Newburgh Tayside, McMillan-Allanvale, Blair-St Leonards, Hebner-Letham,
A Allan-Ruthvenvale, Rodger-Royal Utd, Malcolm-Orwell Th.Stewart-St Leonards, C Connachan-Vale of Earn,  Reserves in attendance—Harris-Co Angus, Cameron-Letham, John Thomson-Royal Utd.
As 3 players were over age Cameron of Letham was selected. Match to be played at Crosshill-Lochore Welfare’s ground on 9th December,1961

League table  as at 18/11/1961

                                                P          W        L          D         F          A         Pts

Co. Angus                                  10        7          1          2          32        12        16

St Leonard’s                               10        3          4          3          30        28        9

Royal United                              6          3          1          2          11        10        8

Orwell Thistle                             7          3          2          2          24        12        8

Vale of Earn                               7          2          1          4          12        10        8

Ruthvenvale                               7          3          3          1          18        28        7

Allanvale                                    7          1          2          4          15        23        6

Letham                                             7            1            4            2           14         22         4

Newburgh Tayside                        9          1          6          2          16        25        4

 

Saturday 25th, November,1961 (3rd Round Scottish Cup) away.

Team- Murray, Lee and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Pritchard, Cameron, Gardiner, McPherson, Muckersie and Galloway. Reserve T McGregor

Result  Clyde RNR 3   Letham  0

Reports from the Glasgow tie say the game should never have been played as the Parkhead Juniors pitch was covered in water on top of a layer of ashes. The weather was all against football as sleet and rain persisted throughout the game  According to the Letham Officials the referee would have had no hesitation in putting the match off but he did not want to disappoint the Perth party after their long journey.
Stewart Murray to this day has ashes embedded in his knee. The socks and shorts had to be destroyed as damaged beyond belief. Kenny Melville who in later years was involved with Letham Rovers and Huntingtower was sent off. He was the linesman but patrolled the line in water filled trough. Thankfully after telling the referee what to do with his flag he was not officially reported. Come to think of it he only travelled as a supporter. Lunch and high tea was organised by Tom Petterson . His involvement with the Co-operative movement resulted in attendance at their premises in Bridgeton.

Saturday, 2nd, December,1961 V Newburgh Tayside (League away)

  Newburgh Tayside 1 Letham  0

 

Letham travelled to Newburgh to meet the Taysiders with trialists in their side. The home side were a shade lucky to get the points

Perthshire Under 18 Select team to play Fifeshire –Saturday, 9th, December,1961

Keay-Royal Utd, Duncan-Newburgh Tayside and Harris- Co Angus, Blair-St Leonards, Hebner-Letham
Allan- Ruthvenvale, Cameron-Letham, Logan-Orwell Thistle, McCann-Co Angus, Stewart-St. Leonard’s,
C Connachan-Vale of Earn.     Reserves Smith-Royal Utd, McCole-Vale of Earn, McRorie-Letham,
McGraw- Ruthvenvale, Thomson-Royal Utd.

Game was cancelled due to ground conditions

Saturday, 16 th, December, 1961 V Co. Angus ( League-Home)

Letham are also on the South Inch and have the League Leaders as guests. They have shown better form these last two months and will give Coupar Angus a run for the points. This looks a good draw.

Team from —Murray or Steele, Lee and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Pritchard,  McGregor, Cameron, McRorie, Galloway, Muckersie and McPherson
.
Result   Letham 1 Coupar Angus  4

Letham looked as if they were going to force a draw when they were level with the league leaders when they were level at one goal apiece, but the more experienced side prevailed in the end

Saturday, 23rd, December,1961 V Allanvale ( League away)
 
Team- Murray, Lee and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Pritchard. Cameron, Gardiner, McPherson, McRorie,  Galloway or McGregor .

Game cancelled due to ground conditions

Saturday, 30th, December,1961=Free Day

The whole team for fund raising went door to door in Letham and sold raffle tickets. We also had a dance in York House. Enough money was raised between the two ventures to afford a new set of strips.

Following a meeting at Tommy Petterson’s house at Garth Avenue in Letham it was decided by a majority decision that the new colours would be like Blackpool FC viz: - Tangerine and White.

Saturday, 6th, January,1962 V Allanvale ( League-away)

Team-Murray, Lee and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Pritchard, forwards from Cameron, Gardiner, McPherson, McRorie,   Muckersie,  McGregor and Galloway

Game cancelled due to the weather.

Saturday, 13th, January,1962 V Allanvale ( League-away)
Team same as last week but with Muckersie and McGregor as reserves    Game cancelled

Saturday, 20th, January,1962 V Vale of Earn ( 1st, Rd, Bissett & Stewart Cup  away)

Vale of Earn with ground advantage should make the second round.

Team—Murray, Lee and Crockart, Drummond,  Hebner and Pritchard, Cameron, Gardiner, McPherson, McRorie and Galloway. Reserves Muckersie and McGregor

Result   Vale of Earn 2  Letham 2

Letham did well to hold the Crieff side to a draw at home and now must have a sporting chance in the replay

Extract from Strathearn Herald
This was a triumph for the Perth side as they now have the advantage of the ground in the replay. Vale will have to improve their play.

Saturday, 27th, January, 1962  V Newburgh Tayside ( League  Home )
Letham should at least get a point
Team-  No names listed but likely to be on usual lines with Muckersie and McGregor as reserves

Result   Letham  1  Newburgh Tayside  0

Letham have at last got two valuable points and they deserved them. David Simpson of Newburgh was booked for the 3rd time this season and will appear before the Referee & Rough Play committee.

Saturday, 3rd, February, 1962  V Vale of Earn ( replay 1st Rd. Bissett & Stewart Cup—Home )

Vale of Earn will be all out to show that last weeks 10-0 won over Orwell Thistle was no fluke. But they will have to bear in mind that the Letham lads fought a good draw at Crieff only two weeks ago. Vale look good winners but the young Letham boys will make them fight hard.

Team—Murray, Lee and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Pritchard, Cameron, Gardiner, McPherson, McRorie and Galloway.   Reserves Muckersie and McGregor.

Result   Letham  0  Vale of Earn  1

Vale of Earn were a little lucky to reach round two. Both sides missed scoring chances. Murray, the Letham keeper who had a bad habit of wandering out of his goal was caught napping with a high lob when he was nearly eight yards from his goal line. This young Letham side if kept together should have no fears against any other clubs. They have the football and determination.

 

Extract from the Strathearn Herald

There was not much between the teams and apart from Vale’s goal in the second half, perhaps another draw would have been a fair result. As it was the Letham goalkeeper would not stay in his goal and a speculative lob took him unawares.

League Table as at 03/02/1962

                                                           P          W        L          D         F          A         Pts

Coupar Angus                                        14        11        1          2          49        18        24

Royal United                                          9         5          5          5          22        14        12

Orwell Thistle                                        10        5          3          2          33        19        12

Vale of Earn                                           8         3          1          4          15        12        10

St Leonard’s                                           12        3          6          3          30        32        9

Allanvale                                                8         2          2          4          16        23        8

Ruthvenvale                                           10        3          6          1          23        43        7

Letham                                                           10        2            6            2            16         26         6

Newburgh Tayside                                 13??     2          6          2           20         36        6

Saturday, 10th, February, 1962  V Royal United ( League away)

On the South Inch where city rivals meet an outstanding game should be seen. Royals seem to have struck their former form while the Letham side also have made a vast improvement and could quite easily give their opponents a fright. However on form the Royals may just get the vital goal and the points.

Team—No Letham side listed but the Royals team was Baron, Smith & Stewart, Small, Murphy and Brown Rodger, Brett, Ward, Thomson and Thompson. Reserves – Elder and Duthie

Result    Royal United 0   Letham  2

Letham had a great win over Royals. Booking the wind they scored two goals in the first half. Royals could not harness the breeze at all and only proved dangerous in patches. They had all the play in the second half but at no time looked like getting on level terms. As noted last week, this Letham team can be an outstanding side, finding their men with the greatest of ease and playing football all the time from defence out.

This game was a turning point with regard to attitude. Royals managed by Walter ( Wattie) Morrison  had been King Pins in the City and here were these young upstarts showing them how to play football. Not only that but Royals were not the most popular side and Wattie’s attitude had a major bearing on trying to beat them.

Saturday, 17th, February, 1962  V Ruthvenvale  (League  away )

The vastly improved Letham should get both points at Auchterarder as their present form puts them far above the home side whose displays these past few weeks have been disappointing.

 Team--- Murray, Lee and Armit, Drummond, Hebner and Pritchard, Cameron, Gardiner, McPherson, McRorie and Galloway.   Reserves  Muckersie and McGregor

Result    Ruthvenvale  2   Letham   2

Letham managed to get a point at Auchterarder and this puts them another three rungs up the league ladder

Hamish McPherson who had been a regular at centre forward uttered his famous phrase after this match   
  “ I cannot have nine bad games in a row” He was right because he was missing easy chances and was dropped from the team.

League positions after 17/02/1962

                                                            P          W        L          D         F          A         Pts
Coupar Angus                                        15        12         1          2          54        20        26
Orwell Thistle                                        12        7          3          2          39        20        16
Vale of Earn                                           9         4          1          4          17        12        12
Royal United                                         11        5          4          2          22        18        12
Letham                                                         12         3            6            3           20          29          9
St Leonard’s                                          13        3          7          3          31        35        9
Allanvale                                              10        2          4          4          18        31        8
Ruthvenvale                                          11        3          6          2          25        45        8
Newburgh Tayside                                  13        2          9          2          20        36        6

Saturday, 24th, February, 1962  V Allanvale ( League  away )

Letham travel to Blackford to play Allanvale and this should be a grand game. The young Perth side have now struck form and will make the homesters go the full 90 minutes. This looks a good draw.

Result   Allanvale 1  Letham  4

 

Letham go on their winning way and brought back two good points from Blackford.

 

Saturdays 3rd and 10th, March, 1962 No fixture and a free day

Newburgh Tayside go in to abeyance due to lack of support and players

Saturday, 17th, March, 1962  V Vale of Earn  ( League—away )

Letham travel to Crieff and the home side know they have a vastly improved side to meet.  Form points to Vale getting the points but not without an all out effort.

Team   Murray, Lee and Armit, Newman, Hebner and Crockart, Cameron, McRorie, Gardiner, Pritchard and Galloway.  Reserves  McPherson and Muckersie
Vale team   McGregor, Adams, McArtney, Fairlie, Hunter and Saunders, Brock, Strachan, E Connachan, McCole and C Connachan
Result  Vale of Earn  2  Letham  2
Well played the Letham boys! They came away from Crieff with a valuable point and the prospects for this young side look rosy.

Extract from the Strathearn Herald
Letham have only won 3 of their 12 league games but they seem to be able to pull out something extra against the Crieff club. The game could very easily have ended in a win for Letham who were winning 2-0 at one point. However Vale pulled up their socks sufficiently to get a point with goals from Fairlie and 
 C Connachan

Coupar Angus won the league, as they could not be caught.

Saturday, 24th, March, 1962 V Orwell Thistle ( Semi Final Cunningham Cup  Home )

Letham have been going great guns these past few weeks and look capable of making the final. However the Kinross boys are great fighters and this game could also end in a draw.

Team  Murray, Lee and Armit, Drummond, Hebner and Crockart, Cameron, McRorie, Gardiner, Pritchard and Galloway. All others reserves.

Result   Letham  6  Orwell Thistle  0

No report on this game but having played in it on pitch 10 over by Craigie Burn could without doubt say this was a tremendous exhibition of one touch on the ground football. Everything we tried came off and was one of the most satisfying games the team played this season. Orwell who were a good side had no answer to us on the day.

Saturday, 31st, March, 1962  V St Leonard’s ( 1st, Rd. Gillie Cup  home )

Letham who expect to be short of two of their regulars have South Inch rivals as their visitors. This could be their last game, as the Cunningham Cup Finalists look too strong for them

Result  Letham  2  St Leonard’s  2

The South Inch derby resulted in a draw which was a good performance on the part of St Leonards. The replay on Saturday should be worth seeing.

Saturday, 7th, April, 1962 V St Leonard’s  ( 1st Rd. Replay Gillie Cup  Away)

The South Inch derby replay should also be a thriller with odds on the Letham lads making the second round.

Team   Murray, Lee and Armit, Drummond, Hebner and Crockart, forwards from—Cameron, Gardiner, McPherson, Muckersie, McRorie, Newman and Galloway.

Result   St. Leonard’s 3  Letham  5

The South Inch derby resulted in a good Letham win. The Saints again held a lead but as in previous games they failed to last the pace. This was their last fixture for the season.

Saturday, 14th, April, 1962---- No game as Scotland V England

Friday, 20th, April,1962  V Vale of Earn ( 2nd Rd. Dewar Shield   away )

On Friday at Crieff where the tie has been brought forward from Saturday, the improved Letham face up to the local side in what should be am outstanding encounter. The homesters with ground advantage look the best bet, but the young Perth team are capable of upsetting them. This may require another meeting.
Team- Murray, Lee and Armit, Drummond, Hebner and Crockart, Cameron, McRorie, Gardiner, Muckersie Galloway

Result  Vale of Earn  0  Letham   0

Letham, this years most improved team and also the top drawing side shared the points at Crieff as forecasted. The Perth side have been a real thorn in the flesh to the Crieff side this season and the result was no surprise.
Extract from Strathearn Herald
The opposing pivots completely dominated their lines and if they did make the occasional mistake they were competently covered by the wing halves

Wednesday, 25th, April, 1962 V Orwell Thistle ( League  Home )

Tonight’s game on the South Inch should see a grand encounter with odds on the Perth side

Result   Letham 1  Orwell Thistle  3

The fast and grand football served up by Letham and Orwell Thistle on Wednesday evening was a real eye opener to the spectators. Both sides never gave in although the home defence started to lag in the second half from the heavy onslaught from the Thistle forwards. The home side had a rather lucky one goal lead at half time but the Orwell lads served up some great football in the second half to score 3 grand goals. This was one of the finest performances seen for a long time. Thistle played the whole match with only 10 men but were so speedy at times that the Letham defence must have thought they had 10 forwards.

 

Another team promised for next season = St Johns YC are again to join up.

Wednesday, 2nd, May, 1962  V Vale of Earn  ( 1st, Rd. replay Dewar Shield  Home )

Result    Letham  3   Vale of Earn   2

Letham had a grand win over the strong going Vale of Earn and now meet Royal United in the semi-final. The home side were rather lucky to get the verdict as their visitors were the more go ahead lot. Letham scored 3 grand goals while the visitors 2 should have been averted. In the second half the Letham side fell away for a period and they were lucky not to find themselves behind but they came away in the last ten minutes to get the winning goal.

PA 12th, May, 1962     This story made the National Press

Sad news Letham may be forced to withdraw from the final of the Cunningham Cup which is due to be played at Market Park, Crieff on Wednesday. The local side have four players sitting their “ Highers” the following day and the parents have refused permission to play the previous evening. Secretary Reid is to have a talk with Secretary Forbes of Vale of Earn at Auchterarder today to see if the final can be played next Saturday providing Market Park is available. 

The Courier and the Daily Express also covered the story. Sandy Crockart had a memorable quote  “ Mother knows best”

Saturday, 12th, May, 1962  V Royal United ( Semi final Dewar Shield   Home )

Team--- Murray, Lee and Armit, Drummond, Hebner and Crockart, Cameron, McRorie, Gardiner, Marshall and Galloway.

Result   Letham   2   Royal United  5

The local derby on the South Inch was a really outstanding tie. Letham were the more attractive side and it was no surprise when they went in to the lead through GALLOWAY.  Ward , Royals centre was injured and was a passenger on the wing. Letham went further ahead shortly after the interval through GARDINER whose flashing header gave the keeper no chance. Baron in the Royals goal was playing a “ blinder “ and brought off some great saves. Royals again switched their forward line and Cameron pegged one back. Thomson, the Royals inside left received a nasty eyebrow injury but would not leave the field of play, having a plaster put over the wound. Shortly after this Thomson scored twice to put his side ahead. Royals were now playing to something like their form and Brett crashed home a terrific drive from a Cameron cross. McLusky and Ward both came close with chances then Brett again ran through the defence to bring out the nap hand. GALLOWAY, McRORIE and HEBNER for Letham and Baron, Brown, Duthie and Brett for Royals were the stars of the game. Thomson of Royals was taken to PRI after the game.

League Tables as at 19/05/1962

                                                P          W        L          D         F          A         Pts

Coupar Angus                             14        11        1          2          50        19        24
Vale of Earn                               12        7          1          4          39        12        18
Orwell Thistle                            13        7          3          3          41         22        17
Royal United                              14        7          4          3          29        24        17
Letham                                           13         3            6            4             26         34        10
St Leonard’s                              14        2          8          4           33        51        8
Allanvale                                  14        2          8          4           25        45        8
Ruthvenvale                              14        2          10        2           33        63        6

Outstanding fixtures Orwell Thistle  V Vale of Earn  &  Letham V Vale of Earn

Saturday, 19th, May, 1962  V  Vale of Earn ( semi Final Gillie Bros. Cup –Home )

The semi finals on the South Inch should produce outstanding games. The Letham V Vale of Earn tie being a rehearsal for their Cunningham Cup decider next week. The Crieff side will be all out for a win but Letham have been a thorn in their flesh this season and if striking form again can put a spoke in their wheel. This game looks a good draw but perhaps a goal either way may see a verdict.

Team—Murray, Lee and Armit, Drummond, Hebner and Crockart, Cameron, McRorie, Gardiner, Marshall and Galloway. 

Result   Letham  2   Vale of Earn  3

Vale of Earn luck still holds. Letham keeper misjudged a 40 yard lob from a Crieff defender allowing the ball to go over his head. While referee McCallum awarded what proved to be the winning goal, the ball seemed to pass outside the goal between the post and the iron stanchion. Letham protested but referee McCallum would not change his decision. This was a bad blow to the home side who at one time led by 2 goals. They also missed a few scoring chances in the second half.

Jimmy Gardiner who had the referee by his lapels following this dreadful decision was the first ever Letham player to be booked. No other bookings or ordering off occurred in the season. Ken Drummond kicked the ball away at the decision over Edinburgh Road. The game was held up for ten minutes due to the protest. Alas the referee would not consult the home linesman who was nearest to the action, which happened at the goal nearest the town. The match was played on pitch one on the wee Inch adjacent to Edinburgh Road. No nets were fitted for the game.