Letham have fixed up the following for this season:-
Goalkeeper- S Murray,
Full Backs-   S Lee, I Armit,
Half backs— K Drummond, W Hebner ( Captain ), T Pritchard, S Crockart
Forwards-     J Cameron, K Marshall, J Gardiner, A McRorie, D Galloway,
Newcomers- J McErlain signed from St Leonard’s and R McClelland
Manager      Tom Petterson
Vice President       D Laing
Secretary     K Drummond
Treasurer     W Hebner

Result Letham 3 St Leonard’s 1

Letham were too good for Saints, who were again hit by injuries. McDougall their centre forward was unable to play through injury and they lost their keeper Cameron with a jaw injury 15 minutes from the end. But the Letham side had all the answers. The referee failed to appear for this game and the job was taken over by Mr Bryce one of the old SFA members who happened to be on hand. He showed he could still handle with the best of them.

Looks the fixture of the day and should produce fine football. The result could go either way. This is another “ Treble Chance “

Letham have made a grand start and have now full points for both games played. They managed just to pip the Blackford boys.

At Auchterarder the home side have all active visitors in Letham. It is all ways a ding-dong struggle when these sides meet. This game will be a rehearsal for the 1st, Round Scottish Cup Tie and some good football will be served up. Letham will be quite pleased to bring home a point.
Team- Barclay, Lee and Armit, Drummond, Hebner and Crockart, Forwards from—McErlain, Marshall, McRorie, Gardiner, Pritchard, Galloway, Cameron, McClelland

Letham still go on their merry way. They are now the only side to claim full points
League Tables after 8/09/1962

LETHAM                     3       3      0      0     12     4      6
Vale of Earn                 3     2      0      1 10     2 5
Royal United                4     2      1      1    10     8 5
Coupar Angus               3      1    0      2      4      3      4
Allanvale                     3      1    2      0      7     7      2
St. John’s YC                4      1     3      0      4      7      2
St. Leonard’s                4      1     3      0      5     14 2
Ruthvenvale                 2      0    2      0      2      9    0

The pick of the fixtures appears to be the Letham v Vale of Earn match. Last season when these two clubs met it was all ways a close result and today’s forecast looks a good draw. For some reason this home match was played on the NORTH Inch.

Team—Murray, Lee and Armit, Drummond, Hebner and Crockart, Marshall, McRorie, Gardiner, Pritchard and Galloway. Reserves- McLelland, Cameron and McErlain

As forecasted the Letham v Vale of Earn game ended in a draw. This was a good result for two good sides.

The game of the day should be the city derby between Letham and Royal United. The Royals at present are not displaying the form they are capable of and if they are to stop the Letham boys that form will have to be shown. Letham have only dropped one point and that was last week against Vale of Earn, so they will take some stopping. Still this derby should end all square.
Team—Murray, Lee and Armit, Drummond, Hebner and Crockart, Marshall, McRorie, Gardiner, Pritchard and Galloway.

Result Letham 3 Royal United 1
Royals who have been unable to field a full league team this year were again hit by the injury bogey. Centre forward Lennon and outside right Clifford reported unfit. Full back bobby Stewart although unfit with a foot injury stripped to make a full eleven but was only a passenger. Royals were well beaten.
Scorers—Letham- McRorie 3 including a penalty.
Royal United- Taylor

Wedding bells this Saturday, 29th, September, 1962 for Syd Lee, right back of Letham who will have team mate Kenny Drummond as best man. The absence of these two will be felt when their club travels to Auchterarder for their 1st, round cup-tie.

Saturday, 29th, September, 1962 V Ruthvenvale ( 1st. Rd. Scottish Cup—Away )

Letham short of 2 or 3 of their regulars may find the home side more than they are able to cope with and will do well to get a replay.

Team- Murray, McClelland and Armit, Muckersie, Hebner and Crockart, forwards from- Cameron, Marshall, McRorie, Gardiner, Pritchard and Galloway

Result Ruthvenvale 0 Letham 3

Letham minus regulars due to one of the players being married made no mistake and ran out easy winners.

Bob Muckersie resigned for the club after a short spell with Craigie Juniors

Meeting of Association and League was held on Saturday with President J Irving in the chair. Letham failed to send a representative and were fined as per rule.

Saturday, 6th, October, 1962 V St. Leonard’s ( 1st. Rd. Lindsay Cup—away )

Undefeated Letham meet the improved St. Leonard’s and this will be a real South Inch derby with odds on the Letham boys making the next round.
Team- Murray, McClelland and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Gardiner, forwards from- Marshall, McRorie, Muckersie, Lee, Galloway and Armit

Result St. Leonard’s 1 Letham 8

Letham are now the only undefeated side in the shire and they had an easy win over St. Leonard’s. The form of St. Leonard’s was just too bad to be true and the least said about them the better.

Saturday, 13th, October, 1962 V St. Leonard’s ( 1st. Rd. Brotherhood Cup—Away )

Letham look good for the next round after their win over St. Leonard’s last week.

Result St. Leonard’s 1 Letham 1

The big surprise, St. Leonard’s after their big defeat last week against Letham managed a replay.

Letham experimented with Syd Lee at centre forward but it was not a success. Hamish McPherson who played centre forward for Letham last season has now signed for St. Leonard’s.

Saturday, 20th, October, 1962 V St. John’s YC (1st. Rd. Bissett & Stewart – away )

The derby on the South Inch should provide plenty of good football and a win for Letham

Team- Murray, McClelland and Lee, Drummond, Hebner and Gardiner, forwards from- McErlain, Pritchard, McRorie, Muckersie, Marshall and Galloway.

Result St. John’s YC 0 Letham 2

Letham beat the Youth Club by two goals. Both managers were pleased with their teams, who played grand football for the whole 90 minutes.

Under 18 Select team for trial game with under 21 team

Donaldson- St. Johns, Stewart-Royal Utd, McCole-Vale of Earn, Taylor-Allanvale, Harris-Co. Angus, Halkett-St. Johns, Marshall-Letham, McRorie-Letham, Lennon-Royals, McGraw-Allanvale, C Connachan-Vale of Earn
Reserves included Galloway-Letham

Under 21 Select

Bonar-Vale of Earn, Adams-Vale of Earn, Brown-Royal, Schofield-Ruthvenvale, Hebner-Letham-Capt. Campbell-St. Leonard’s, Wilson-Allanvale, Strachan-Vale of Earn, McPherson-St Leonard’s, Donaghey-Ruthvenvale, Galloway-Letham. Reserve- McErlain-Letham

Saturday, 27th, October,1962 V St. Leonard’s ( 1st. Rd. Replay Brotherhood Cup-Home)

The two replays should be worth seeing and both home teams should make it to the semi-finals. On the South Inch Letham on form look too good for the Saints who in the past fortnight have forced two draws. Saints have been strengthened by the signing of Duthie and McLusky, the former Royal United players and both have been outstanding. St. Leonard’s will not go down without a struggle but the Letham’s side football ability should get them the verdict.

Result Letham 0 St. Leonard’s 1

Hats off to St. Leonard’s who gave Letham their first defeat of the season. Saints defence played a great game and defied the Letham forwards. The Letham side will want to forget this game as they missed many chances to score.

Monday, 29th, October, 1962 Muirton Park under the lights—Under 18 v Under 21 trial game

Result Under 18’s= 5 Under 21’s = 3

Sandy McRorie scored for the under 18’s and Dave Galloway for the Under 21’s.

Team- Murray, Lee and Crockart Drummond, Hebner and Watson, Forwards from- McErlain, McRorie, Marshall, Gardiner, Pritchard, Muckersie and Galloway.

Letham were beaten at home for the second week running, this time by the Blackford side. The visitors scored two quick goals early on and kept their lead until the end.

Letham have signed Ian Watson (Spud) a left-half for the Perth High School and he made his first appearance on Saturday. Trevor Pritchard who held this position regrettably blotted his copy book by suffering from an over indulgence of alcohol following a Friday Night binge at Auchterarder and never again held a regular position

Royal United have made a good capture in signing Jim Cameron ex Letham right winger. This was a fast practice as Cameron signed junior forms with Perth Celtic and they loaned him straight away to Royals. Letham were not duly concerned as Johnny McErlain who had been signed from St. Leonard’s was considered the better player and was holding down the right wing position.

Letham have been out of form these past few weeks and will have to be on their toes to overcome the Coupar boys who fight to the last whistle.
Team- Murray, McClelland and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Watson,forwards from McErlain, Muckersie, McRorie, Gardiner, Marshall, Galloway and Lee.
Result Letham 4 Coupar Angus 3

Letham are in the final and I am sure they will agree the Coupar Angus side greatly helped them to make it. The visitors led by 0-2 then handed two goals to the homesters by putting through their own goal. To crown it all they missed a penalty kick.

Coupar Angus are again the visitors on the Inch to meet the Letham side who were more than lucky to beat them last week in the semi-final tie. The Coupar Angus boy’s form is a real up and down affair but taking things all over they should at least be able to pick up a point
.
Team- Murray, McClelland and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Watson, Marshall, Gardiner, Armit, McRorie and Galloway. Reserves- Muckersie and McDonald.

Match cancelled pitch unplayable
Saturday, 24th, November, 1962 V Coupar Angus League-home )
Team- same as the previous week ------- Match postponed again
Saturday, 1st, December, 1962 V Coupar Angus ( League Home )

The meeting of top notchers Letham and Coupar Angus looks a grand tussle and both managers will be quite pleased to get a point.

CouparAngus as in their previous game with Letham got off to an early two goal start, but the locals were in far better form this time and wore down the visitors to end good winners. All the homesters played well with a special mention to Marshall and Watson while the visitors had grand players in Ramsay in defence and McDonald and Anderson up front.

The attractive Letham have at last an away game and the Crieff boys will test them to thee utmost. The visitors will do well to get a point

This game was played in atrocious conditions. It lashed of rain throughout the match. Referee was Mr H Coyle who complained that the soapsuds from his uniform kept coming to the surface. The referee travelled in our team bus. We knew after this game that we would win the league albeit a long way to go. At one stage we were five goals up.
Select team to play Fifeshire

Donaldson-St Johns YC, McCole-Vale of Earn, Taylor-Allanvale, Harris-Co. Angus, Halkett-St Johns YC, Cameron-Royals, Marshall-Letham, Lennon-Royals, McGraw-Allanvale and Galloway-Letham. Reserves to travel= Bonar-Vale of Earn, Bruce-St JohnsYC, Allan-Ruthvenvale, McRorie-Letham.
In reserve team= McClelland, Watson and McRorie all Letham

League positions as at 8/12/1962
                                        P      W     L       D      F       A      Pts
LETHAM                                  7       6       0       1        27     12     13
Vale of Earn                        7      3       1       3      18     12     9
Coupar Angus                      7      3     2      2      16     12     8
Royal United                       7      3       2       2      15     13     8
St Johns YC                        9      4       5      0     17     17     8
Allanvale                            6      2      2      2     16     11     6
St Leonard’s                        6      1      5    0     8     19     2
Ruthvenvale                        7      1      6    0      7     28     2

Result Fifeshire 1 Perthshire 5
Dave Galloway scored for Perthshire
Saturday, 22nd December, 1962 No Fixture

Letham held a Christmas Dance in the York House together with a raffle in aid of much needed funds.

Due to weather conditions this match was postponed for many weeks.
Notes on 30th, February 1963 state, “ Horrible smells from the North and South Inches. Gaseous vapours given off by growing and decomposing plant life. The inches have lain under thick snow and ice for 10 weeks. In fact on the 22nd, February there was 22 degrees of frost.

Today’s semi-final between Royals and Letham has been postponed but will now go on at the South Inch next Saturday. I cannot recall why the match was postponed. After the long lay off Royals gained a grand win at Auchterarder while Letham suffered their first league defeat at Blackford. but the forecast for this game would be hard to make as this looks a good treble chance.

Saturday, 30th, March, 1963 V Royal United ( Semi-final Bissett & Stewart Cup – away)

The semi-final tie should be the game of the day. Both sides will be weakened by the absence of players turning out for Perth High School in their replay in Glasgow. Royals reserve strength may see them through.

In the city derby, Letham made their second final by the odd goal and now meet the winners of the
Coupar Angus V Vale of Earn tie.

Letham after their grand win last week look too good for saints and should consolidate their position at the top of the league.

The Letham side will now take a bit of stopping in the Championship. They look a good bet for the title.

Allanvale and Letham look well set to gain both points at the expense of St. Leonard’s and Ruthvenvale respectively
Team- Murray, McClelland and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Watson, McErlain Marshall, Gardiner, McRorie and Galloway. Reserves Muckersie and Fairlie

Team- Murray, McClelland and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Watson, Muckersie, Marshall, Fairlie, McRorie and Galloway

Result Coupar Angus 1 Letham 1

Letham dropped a valuable point at Coupar Angus. Conditions were very bad but this was a fair result. Both teams played good football. There can be no special names as all twenty-two were heroes.

City rivals meet on the South Inch and the leaders may be hard pushed to get the points as the Y C are keeping up their good form.

Team- Murray, McClelland and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Watson, McErlain, Marshall, Gardiner, McRorie and Galloway.

Letham took another step nearer the League Championship when they defeated city rivals, St John’s YC by two goals. Experience counted here.
League tables as at 20/04/1962
                                          P      W     L       D      F       A      Pts
LETHAM                                  12     9        1        2     42      17     20
Allanvale                            12     7       2       3      36     16     17
Royal United                       11     6       2      3      28     16     15
Coupar Angus                      11     5       3      3      25     24     13
Vale of Earn                        11     4       3      4      28     25     12
St. John’s YC                       12     5       6      1      24     20     11
St Leonard’s                        12     1       10     1      20     43     3
Ruthvenvale                        13     1       11     1      15     54     3

Allanvale played the real cup-tie style of football and refused to let Letham settle down to their usual game. The visitors certainly deserved their win.

Team- Murray, McClelland and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Watson, McErlain, Marshall, Gardiner, McRorie and Galloway. Reserves- McDonald and Muckersie.

Royals deserved their narrow win against their city rivals. The only goal of the game was scored by one of the Cameron clan at outside –left in the first half. Royal’s defence lost the place for a short period in the second half but recovered their earlier form sufficient to defy the lively Letham forwards. Both attacks were nippy but Royals centre was not happy against the Mighty Hebner who had a firm hold all the game.

The meeting of Letham & St. John’s promises to be a rouser with Letham desperate for the points to secure league honours. They will find the improved YC a hot handful but their experience out to see them safely through.
Team- Murray, McClelland and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Watson, Forwards from- McErlain, Marshall McDonald, Muckersie, McRorie and Galloway.

Letham, the league champions fully deserved the 3-0 win over St. John’s YC. They could afford to miss a penalty in the process.

League Champions, Letham who showed changes were beaten by the odd goal in their last league fixture by South Inch rivals Royals. This game was also badly affected by the wind.

Mr Robert McDougall, the senior Hon. President of the Perthshire Juvenile FA/League on Thursday evening handed over the League Cup to the captain of Letham Juveniles, winners of this season’s league championship. Mr McDougall was introduced by secretary Peter Reid who before asking him to hand over the cup congratulated the Letham players on behalf of his committee. Captain Hebner and secretary Drummond thanked the Hon. President on behalf of their players who were unable to attend.

                                  P      F       A      Pts
LETHAM                         14      45      20     22
Allanvale                     13     38     20     18
Royal United                14     33     21     18
Vale of Earn                 13     33     26     16

South Inch rivals meet again and this should be a rousing contest. When Royal United and Letham meet a good game is always assured. The Royals have had the better of the last two encounters with the score of 2-1 and will be all out for the hat trick. I do not think either side would grumble at a replay.

Team- Barclay or Murray, McClelland and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Watson, McErlain, Marshall, Gardiner, McRorie, and Galloway. Reserves- McDonald and Muckersie.

Letham had revenge against Royals after being defeated by them in the last two meetings. The first half was pretty even but the Royals missed two golden chances of taking the lead and if anything had rather the better of the exchanges. The early stages after the interval followed pretty much the same pattern with end-to-end play. Letham took the lead from a long throw in, Gardiner’s header beating the defence. Shortly afterwards the visitors went further ahead when a cross from the left wing was pushed out to McErlain, who promptly seized his chance to put the winners well on top.

LETHAM                        14     10 2       2      45     20      22
Royal United                14     7     3      4      33     21     18
Allanvale                     14     7     3      4      39     26     18
Vale of Earn                 14     7     3      4      33     21     18

Letham entered their third final when they had a good win over the Crieff lads who were short of three of their regulars. Both of Letham’s inside forwards had a goal each and their halfback line was in top form.

Today’s final should be a real hard tussle and a forecast would be real guesswork. Both teams are playing well meantime and the result should be very close. Mr. Ian Campbell, the former Director of St. Johnstone and mine host of the Burns Bar will hand over the trophy.

Teams- Murray, McClelland and Crockart, Drummond, Hebner and Watson, forwards from- McErlain, Marshall, McDonald, Muckersie, McRorie and Galloway.

Royals team- Pattullo, R Stewart, McLusky, Graham, Smith, Brown, JD Cameron, J Stewart, Lennon, Sutherland and Newman
Result Letham 1 Royal United 0

The Lindsay Cup Final was a great game with Letham good winners by the odd goal scored by star inside-left McRorie, nine minutes from the end. .Letham were the more polished and dangerous side throughout despite the fact they were short of four of their regulars. The outstanding players were McRorie and team
captain Hebner.
Royals were never allowed to settle. Their best players were in defence, Smith at centre-half having a grand game. In attack Stewart was the only forward to show good form. Royal’s nippy centre forward was completely blotted out by pivot Hebner
At the finish Mr Ian Campbell, the former St. Johnstone director who was introduced by Mr John Irving, Association President, handed over the cup to the Letham captain. Mr Campbell is an honorary vice President of the Perthshire Juvenile FA.

Friday, 7th, June,1963 V Coupar Angus ( Final Bissett & Stewart Cup South Inch at 7.15 kick off )

The final of the Bissett & Stewart Cup on Friday will be a grand game, with the odds on the Champions who will be all out to win their third trophy. They have all ready won the League Championship, and Lindsay Cup and will be confident of winning two further trophies as they are also in the final of the Dewar Shield where they meet the winners of the Semi-final between Co. Angus and Allanvale.
Team from - Barclay, McClelland, Clements, Crockart, Hebner, Watson, McErlain, Muckersie, Marshall, McDonald, McRorie and Galloway

Co. Angus got the all-important goal seven minutes from time. Chief Constable D A McInnes presented the trophy to Mollison, Captain of the winning team

Ken Drummond who had hardly missed a game all season was unable to play in the two finals due to tonsillitis. Also note that towards the end of the season Jim Gardiner could only play on Saturday’s as he had obtained a promotion with his work with Scottish Gas at their Granton Headquarters.

Saturday, 22nd, June, 1963 V Allanvale ( Final- Dewar Shield ) South Inch - pitch 2 kick off 3.00p.m.

Both teams will strip in the Moncrieff Arms hotel clubrooms where the officials are also asked to report at
2.30 p.m. Ex Lord Provost John T young will be presented to both teams before the start and will hand over the trophy to the winning captain. Mr Martin is the referee and the linesmen are Messrs McCallum and Hutchison.

Team- Barclay, Crockart and Clements, Drummond, Hebner and Watson, McErlain, Marshall, Gardiner, McRorie and Galloway. Reserves were McClelland ,Muckersie and McDonald
Result Letham 5 Allanvale 4
The final tie of the season was a great game and Letham just deserved to get through by the odd goal. They showed great fighting spirit after trailing 1-4 at one period in the first half. Shortly before half time they scored their second ( GARDINER ). The Blackford side were certainly the better team in the first half and their tough defence refused to let Letham settle down to their usual game.
However in the second half, Letham showed their real mettle. The Vale were good losers and were a trifle unlucky to lose. For Letham, GARDINER, MARSHALL (3), and McRORIE-penalty. Allanvale scored through Wilson (2), Morrow and King. Ex-Provost John T Young was presented to both teams and officials before the start and handed the Shield to HEBNER, the Letham captain.

Reflection of match-- for all the Letham players who played in this memorable Final this had to be THEIR FINEST HOUR. Despite losing four first half goals no blame could be placed on Kenny Barclay and for just a young lad just in the side he was very sound in the second half. Very few were able to watch Sandy McRorie slotting home the penalty. Who could forget Davie Galloway dragging the ball back and then slipping passed the right back Haxton of Allanvale. Haxton slid into the crowd having been completely beaten. Dave then roasted him for the entire second half. Kenny Marshall scoring three goals. Jimmy Gardiner holding the front line and encouraging the young skilful inside men. Sandy Crockart playing out of position at right-back was immense. Young Tommy Clements who had just come in to the side was overawed to start with then buckled down and played like a veteran. Ian (Spud) Watson and Kenny Drummond eventually winning the mid-field battle and then able to spray the passes to the front men.
Bill (Hebbie) Hebner was undoubtedly a captain supreme and his form never wavered all season. Johnny McErlain was fast and direct and in the second half he too forced the Allanvale defence to turn. Marshall and McRorie were very skilled and of course were the following season to sign professional with St. Johnstone. The result was due to a team effort but the extremely large and vociferous crowd encouraged us to make that extra effort.

Footnote on the season the rule on substitutes had not yet been introduced which meant players like Bob Muckersie were unable to command a regular place. Bob however was a very valuable member of the team. Syd Lee drifted out after his marriage due to the good form of Ronnie McClelland. Stewart Murray, so long our regular goalie, was replaced by Kenny Barclay. Ian Armit and Ian McDonald were unable to hold on to a regular places but they like Stewart were excellent players. Commiserations to Ronnie McClelland who had been tremendous all season losing out to Sandy Crockart for a place in the Dewar Shield final.

And so for a very young team with an average age of only about 18/19 to win the League and two cups in only their second season was no mean feat. The team also recognised the contribution made by team manager Tommy Petterson. Tom’s many interest’s kept him away for many of the matches and certainly the training, but he all ways encouraged us to continue to play push and run type football. Some of his phrases and advices went down in folklore –such as “ do a dipsy doodle “” and “ flash a pass “. Sound instructions that “”throw in’s must go to the feet” Also do not be afraid to pass the ball back if the next pass is forward. It was the style of play that was instilled in the players which was the start of the legend that the club was to become in later years.
The Letham Song
Sandy Crockart it is believed was the songwriter. He first instigated this song on the team bus following a visit to Allanvale or Ruthvenvale. The song was as follows; -

Who’s this team they call The Letham
They are the boys that come fae Perth
Their fitba’ is so grand
It is the best in all the land
So cheer on the boys who play for Letham

Who’s this team they call the Letham
They are the boys in tangerine
If they dinnae play too well
Then Ken will give them hell
So cheer on the boys who play for Letham

Who’s this team they call the Letham
They are the boys in tangerine
If they dinnae get a win
It will be a bloody sin
So cheer on the boys who play for Letham

Juveniles Season 1962/1963

Result Letham 3 St Leonard’s 1