Tour Of Norway 1954
In 1954 Dalkeith embarked on a 5 match tour of Norway.
The Jags returned home unbeaten having won the first four games before being held to a draw in Stavanger.
Date Team Score
1 July 1954 Bergen - Arstad Ldrettslay 0-3
3 July 1954 Voss - Voss Sports Club 0-4
5 July 1954 Odda - Odda Sports Club 2-7
7 July 1954 Haugesund - Vard Sports Club 1-3
9 July 1954 Stavanger - Lodnettforthing 1-1
Standing on Bus (l to r) Norrie Falconer, Jimmy Royce, Scott Watson, Jimmy Fraser. Standing (l to r) Mrs Todd, Jimmy Masterton (Secy) Mrs Masterton, Mr Blair, Donald Rodgers, Johnny Bell, Robin Melrose, Mr WS Henderson (pres) "Uncle Charlie" George Gray, Harry Melrose, Bobby McKirdy, Bob McAuley (Coach). Front Row (l to r) Bill Matthews, John Mcinlay, John Hailstones, Jimmy Smith
Extracts fromthe Dalkeith Advertiser report:
June 24 1954 The Advertiser.
Civic Send-off For Thistle.PLAYERS AND PLANS
Dalkeith Thistle have now completed plans for their history making tour of Norway, the party of 14 pla-yers, 4 officials & 3 local supporters, leave next Monday (June 28). Provost Lean, J.P., has announced his intentions of giving a send-off. Thistle were the first Junior soccer side to tour Norway, and they’ll carry with them the good wishes of the townspeople and football enthusiasts in the district. Mr Wm. Henderson, the club, president, who will lead the party, told me of the arrangements for this trip and the matches that will take place. Playing strength will be: Matthews, Scott Watson, Bell Gray, McKinlay, Falconer, Hailstones, Rodgers, H. Melrose, R. Melrose, Ryce, N. McKirdy, Fraser and Smith. Other off-icials travelling: Mr. Masterton, secretary; and Mr Robert McGauley, coach, who previously toured Nor-way with Chelsea in 1934.
THISTLE BADGES: The club representatives will be resplendent in the new club blazers, with the Dal-keith Thistle badge, and grey flannels. A buttonhole badge has also been obtained, which incorporates the club crest and the year of the formation 1902. The party leaves Dalkeith at 9.30 a.m. next Monday from the Harrow Hotel by a coach direct to Newcastle where, at 3 p.m. they will board ship for Bergen. Arriving next Tuesday, the party gets time to settle in before the first game which is on July 1st at Ber-gen, v Arstad S C the sponsoring club. The remaining fixtures are July 4, v Voss, at Voss; July 7, v Vard, at Haugesond; July 9, v Stavanger. A 5th match, against Odda Idrettslag, is also being played within the planned itinerary.
The party returns to Scotland on July 11. Players are paying their own return fares, and hospitality is being provided in the Norwegian players’ homes. A return tour of this district is also envisaged by the Arstad and Dalkeith clubs for 1955, when the Dalkeith players will extend the hospitality of their homes on a reciprocal basis. For financial reasons the games are being played in Western Norway, at the request of Arstad S.C. but the players will, however see a lot of the country, and profits from the games are to be shared. There is no doubt that the Arstad Club are eagerly looking forward to welcoming their Scottish visitors. In addition to soccer the Norwegian club caters for 6 other sports and recreations, including skiing.
July 15 July The Advertiser:
Thistle return TRIUMPHANT TOUR
Dalkeith Thistle returned triumphant to the town shortly before 1p.m. on Monday, on the completion of their historic tour. Historic from two angles, they were the first Junior side to tour Norway, and the only touring team of any grade in the game to remain unbeaten as a touring side this season. Councillor Campbell representing the Town Council, met the party on arrival at Dalkeith. Since our previous edi-tion, the local side drew 1-1 against S.I.F. at Stavanger last Friday in the closing game of the tour. It was fitting that their goal should come from Harry Melrose who had also scored the 1st in the tour. In the space of 10 days they played 5 games, won 4 and drew 1, scoring 18 goals against 5. The party travelled by road from their port of Diembarkment, and on arrival at Eskbank Road, facing the Harrow Hotel, they were met with a vociferous welcome from hundreds of supporters and members of the public. Dalkeith Burgh Silver Band also turned out for this auspicious occasion and played appropriate music with See the Conquering Heroes Come, under the leadership of MR Gray. So dense was the throng at this stage that it was some considerable time before the party could make their way through the crowds of relatives, friends and well wishers to the luncheon reception arranged at the Harrow Hotel for the party. At this stage, Mr R Hutchison, a well known local businessman completed his photographic record of the tour.
TRIBUTES: Following the excellent luncheon, a spontaneous gesture came from the team captain, Scott Watson, who thanked Mr Wm Henderson, the club president, on behalf of “the boys” for the wonderful fortnight in Norway. He added, “It was something that we would never had in our lives.” Mr Henderson, replying on his own behalf and that of the party, said: “I thank the players for making such a success of the tour. There is not a club in Great Britain, and I emphasise these words, with such a fine bunch of men. It is a fitting reflection on their parents that they had made a tremendous impression, both as sportsmen and gentlemen. Their conduct both on and off the field of play, was unimpeachable.”
