Legendary Campsie Black Watch celebrate 70 glory-strewn years

The formation of the team saw unequalled enthusiasm from the committee and the people of Lennoxtown – with the decision made early that this would not be just another team.

As early as 1945 Blackies were making their mark in the Scottish Cup and the North West League.

At that time there was more than 300 teams in the age group in the country.

Watch qualified for the latter stages of the Scottish Cup and won trophies in the league.

In season 1947-48 Watch reached the Scottish Cup final against Fife club Leslie Hearts, who had won the trophy the season before in front of 10,000 spectators at Easter Road. The score finished 1-1.

In the replay Watch were beaten, but the support from Lennoxtown was fantastic.

From that game emerged a star by the name of John Walker, a boy from Possil.

John later joined Wolverhampton Wanderers where he spent six season playing with famous English internationals.

John joined Southampton for seven seasons and then onto Reading for five seasons where he still lives.

John – now 84-years-old – still keeps in touch with the club.

The committee who started the team – and all through the 70 years – have maintained the high standard and must be congratulated.

On Sunday, October 6, Black Watch have a dinner to celebrate the tremendous occasion at Hampden with 250 due to attend. Ex-players over many seasons – some going back to the 1950s – are looking forward to being there.

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