Reid Bobby Image 4 Brentford 1938

Description

Hamilton, Lanarkshire born outside left Bobby Reid began his football career with junior club Ferniegair Violet in 1931 before joining Hamilton Academical in 1932. Reid earned the nickname ‘The Flying Scotsman’ for his performances down the wing for Hamilton Academical, appearing for them in the 1935 Scottish Cup Final, which they lost 2-1 to Glasgow Rangers at Hampden Park. In October 1934 he twice represented The Scottish League, first playing in a 3-2 victory over The Irish League at Firhill and then in a 2-1 defeat to The Football League at Stamford Bridge.

He moved to England in January 1936 to reunite with Dave McCulloch at First Division Brentford, making his Football League debut the same month against Middlesbrough at Griffin Park. A spell out following an appendicitis operation allowed Les Smith into the team, with whom Reid would battle for a place through the rest of his Bees career. It was while at Brentford that he won 2 caps for Scotland, the first awarded in November 1937 when he played in a 1-1 draw with Ireland at Pittodrie, the second the following April in a 1-0 victory over England at Wembley.

After 33 goals in 109 appearances for The Bees Reid transferred t0 Sheffield United in February 1939, joining for a £6,000 fee and scoring 4 goals in 16 appearances prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. After the War he returned to Bramall Lane and made one further appearance for The Blades in September 1946 in a First Division fixture against Grimsby Town before joining Bury in November, spending the rest of the 1946-47 season with The Shakers, scoring once in 17 appearances. He saw out his career with a player-coach spell at Third Lanark joining them in 1947.

Reid then served Bury, Third Lanark, Airdrieonians and former club Hamilton Academical as a physiotherapist, arriving back at Douglas Park in the late 1960’s. By the time of his death in November 1987, Reid was still with The Accies, working as their kit man.

NB the photograph, taken at Griffin Park on 8th January 1938, shows Bobby Reid diving to head the ball past Fulham goalkeeper Hugh Turner. The onlooking Fulham defender is right back James Hindson.