Duncan Douglas “Dally” Image 7 Derby County 1935

Description

Aberdeen born left winger Douglas “Dally” Duncan joined Second Division Hull City in August 1928 from Aberdeen Richmond, whom he’d joined a year earlier having won Scottish Schoolboy international honours, and spent his entire professional career in England. He made his Football League debut for Hull at Oldham Athletic in September 1928, and played a key role in their 1930 FA Cup team that narrowly lost the 1930 semi final to eventual winners Arsenal in a replay at Villa Park, Duncan having scored Hull’s second goal in their 2-2 draw at Elland Road. He soon became free scoring, grabbing 19 goals in both 1930-31 and 1931-32 for The Tigers., in the latter season being the club’s top scorer. After 50 goals in 123 appearances, he joined Derby County for £2,000 in March 1932 and remained contracted to The Rams until 1946, playing both sides of the Second World War, which cost him a sizeable portion of his career.

While with Derby, he was again a losing FA Cup semi finalist in 1933 as The Rams went down to Manchester City at Leeds Road, Huddersfield. He was also a key member of the 1935-36 team that finished runners up in the League Championship. He also received an FA Cup winners medal with Derby in 1946 when they beat Charlton Athletic 4-1 at Wembley after extra time. He won 14 caps for the Scotland, scoring 7 goals between October 1932, when he made his debut in a defeat to Wales at Tynecastle, and October 1937, when the same opposition again prevailed at Ninian Park, Cardiff. He scored both goals in Scotland’s 2-0 victory over England at Hampden Park in April 1935 in front of a crowd of 130,000 spectators.

After guesting for Reading, Notts County and Nottingham Forest during the Second World War, and after 70 goals in 292 appearances for Derby, Duncan moved to Luton Town as a player-coach in October 1946. He only played a further year for The Hatters scoring 4 goals in 36 appearances, and he was appointed manager in June 1947, retaining the position until October 1958 when he was appointed to manage Blackburn Rovers. He then managed Rovers for two seasons until June 1960, helping them to the FA Cup Final in 1960 where they lost 3-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers. He later coached Brighton Schools and scouted for Luton Town.