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Andy Bullock (Wor) · 13-10-2005, 10:23

I've just read our history book about this particular time. It says that then-City manager "Bill Jones made many signings before 1954/55 started. He was particularly adept at signing players out of contract with League Clubs. The player was then listed 'at a fee' by his former Club, and if no League Club came up with a suitable offer the player was able to play outside League football. In the days of the maximum wage, players were often better off playing in non-league football with a day job.".

So, before the 54/55 season, we signed players from Clyde, Stoke, Birmingham, Milwall, Swansea, Walsall, Cowdenbeath, Middlesborough and Stewart himself from St.Mirren. No wonder then that Accy also had to pay St.Mirren, and that he played just seven games for City (scoring twice).

The point being that Stewart wasn't a long-term City player who had proved himself in the Southern League and was moving upwards and onwards. He was a full-time professional, temporarily released, who we managed to make a small profit on through wheeling and dealing. I doubt his name would mean much at all to long-standing City fans.

I see also that our home gates averaged over 3,500 in that season, and were consistently at that level thoughout the late 40s/50s.

Oh, and here's a little question for you. Do any long-standing Accy fans know of City's most famous scalp in the FA Cup? As a clue, you've got to be thinking the late-1950s.

13-10-2005, 10:23	#31
Andy Bullock (Wor) Junior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 18 Liked: 0 times Rep Power: 0	Re: FA Cup I've just read our history book about this particular time. It says that then-City manager "Bill Jones made many signings before 1954/55 started. He was particularly adept at signing players out of contract with League Clubs. The player was then listed 'at a fee' by his former Club, and if no League Club came up with a suitable offer the player was able to play outside League football. In the days of the maximum wage, players were often better off playing in non-league football with a day job.". So, before the 54/55 season, we signed players from Clyde, Stoke, Birmingham, Milwall, Swansea, Walsall, Cowdenbeath, Middlesborough and Stewart himself from St.Mirren. No wonder then that Accy also had to pay St.Mirren, and that he played just seven games for City (scoring twice). The point being that Stewart wasn't a long-term City player who had proved himself in the Southern League and was moving upwards and onwards. He was a full-time professional, temporarily released, who we managed to make a small profit on through wheeling and dealing. I doubt his name would mean much at all to long-standing City fans. I see also that our home gates averaged over 3,500 in that season, and were consistently at that level thoughout the late 40s/50s. Oh, and here's a little question for you. Do any long-standing Accy fans know of City's most famous scalp in the FA Cup? As a clue, you've got to be thinking the late-1950s.