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You Couldn't Make It Up!

by Jack Little

Jimmy McGowan was the epitome of rugged, 40s and 50s full-backs. He played 549 times for Thistle and numerous press reports are testament to his ability to come back on after treatment - often when he had been stretchered off. It took something "special" for him to miss matches - such as broken ribs or appendicitis. The "Evening Times" reported that against Hearts on 17/1/1953 while he was off the park for treatment, a spectator was heard to say "Ach, it's only a broken spine. They'll weld it on Monday". On his last appearance for Thistle against Nairn County on 3/5/1956 (he had been persuaded to come out of retirement for one last game), the "Weekly News" reported he pulled a muscle in the first few minutes but ignored all attempts to be taken off. He played on in agony and even prevented a goal with a desperate lunge in the last minute.

Publishing date An original Thistle Archive publication, 07-Sep-2020.
Latest edit date Latest edit version 02-Jun-2020.

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