A fascinating Loons labour of love more than half a century in the making has scored success.
In the latest book about his Angus footballing heroes, author and sports writer David Potter has covered a day of the year from Forfar Athletic’s entire history, stretching back almost 135 years.
Retired school teacher David, 69, who lives in Kirkcaldy, first saw Forfar in action 54 years ago – following his father and grandfather onto the terracing of the Angus ground.
The 560-page work, which was snapped up by eager fans at a launch and book signing ahead of the weekend’s home victory over East Fife, charts key moments in the club’s history, including famous Scottish Cup matches against the likes of Rangers and Celtic and the day the Loons beat Hearts at Tynecastle.
It mentions the players who have gone down in Station Park folklore and David’s delve into his footballing memory bank also looks at less glamorous occasions such as defeats at Cowdenbeath, Stenhousemuir and Dumbarton in the pouring rain.
“I suppose I really started working on it when I began watching them all those years ago, but I started to work hard on it about a year ago,” said David.
“I have received great encouragement from everyone at the club,” added David, who gave special thanks to club secretary David McGregor, who has written the foreword to the new book.
Of his own favourite memories, David picks out the day the club won the Scottish League Division Two title on April 7 1984 as an obvious highlight.
The first day of 1914, when Arbroath were visitors for the Central League Ne’er Day derby, was also a significant date in the history of the Loons.
A crowd of well over 3,000 watched the game, witnessing the first appearance in a Forfar shirt of Alec Troup, a man known as Wee Troupie, who would go on to play for Dundee, Everton and his country.
Troup’s career was the subject of another of Mr Potter’s books, charting the story of a popular hero who “brightened up many a troubled heart in the dark days of the First World War and the years that followed.”