I have selected this 'best' Falkirk FC XI because of all the nonsense about modern players. Don't get me wrong, not slagging the current folk, I just prefer to research Falkirk FC pre-WWII.
Obviously I never saw any of these players play, so I am going somewhat on [lies, damned lies &] statistics, but it is much more than that. Match reports & commentary tell you more than just numbers. So partly this will be my perceived knowledge of the warmth felt for players.
This was difficult, I may have got some bits wrong, but since the picture of Falkirk is still incomplete, I too make errors.
Chosen in the 2-3-5 formation which was ever present until the early sixties, I give you.
Goalkeeper – Thomas Ferguson– From Dennyloanhead – still the club's most played player, there is a reason for this
Right-Back – Thomas Scott– From Denny – Second most games for the club; he was solid.
Left-Back – William Leishman– From Camelon – He played 197 games yet never scored, stuck to his job.
Right-Half – Jock Drummond– From Alva – Capped when we were still non-league, sadly spent most of his career with the orange Glaswegian bigots.
Left-Half – William Dougal – From Bonnybridge – Solid, did everything you need from a Left-Half until the money lured him South.
Centre-Half - Thomas Townsley– From California – This was my first problem [John Anderson or Thomas Townsley] but Tom Townsley was more attacking [he played more Central Midfield when Anderson was more a defender].
Inside-Right – Alex Stark– From Falkirk – I chose Alex because he made the club: from 1885 to 1895 he was there, he scored our goals, he is forgotten because professionals were more important.
Inside-Left – Robert Keyes– From Bellshill – 188 goals for the club, nothing extra is needed.
Outside-Right – John Simpson– Born in Pendleton, Lancs, but brought up in Laurieston from the age of two - From 1908 till 1912 he was the best Outside-Right in the World, for half of that he played for God's only club.
Outside-Left – Kenny Dawson– From Forres – He is GOD
Centre-Forward – Evelyn Morrison– From Wishaw – Holds the record for scoring in the most matches consecutively in the Scottish League [14], still holds the FFC record for most goals in a season [47].
