36-0: The story of John Petrie and the Arbroath men who made world footballing history (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798312765854)

On a miserably wet and windy day in September 1885, teenage shoemaker John Petrie and his Arbroath team-mates wrote themselves into footballing history by thrashing Aberdeen's Bon Accord 36-0 in a Scottish Cup tie. It remains, in the eyes of most, a world record scoreline for a senior football match. Petrie scored 13 of the goals, another record, although referee David Stormont disallowed a few more.

Fraser Clyne's book explores the story behind this remarkable match - and those who played in it. The life of John Petrie is uncovered, revealing a complex mix of footballing success, personal tragedy and occasional controversy, revolving around a man who was held in high regard by the local community. The lives of the other 10 Arbroath players are investigated, as is that of the unfortunate Bon Accord goalkeeper, Andrew Lornie.

The book also looks into how close Dundee's Harp FC came to claiming Arbroath's record when defeating another Aberdeen club, Rovers, 35-0 that same afternoon.

It's a fascinating story intertwined with the evolution of Arbroath FC in the late 19th Century, describing an era when the the Forfarshire Cup Final attracted bigger crowds than the Scottish Cup Final and when scouts from top English clubs flocked to Old Gayfield in search of raw talent.

Discover how Rangers were lured to Arbroath with the promise of a free high tea; the Arbroath players who became embroiled in allegations of illegal professionalism; the club's links with Temperance and Friendly Society movements; the visit of the world's worst poet; the truth behind the Beaten on a Back Green story; the player who walked to games in Dundee; why Arbroath played in black and white stripes and much more.

Author: Fraser Clyne
ISBN-13: 9798312765854
Publisher: Independently Published
Language: English
Published: 03/28/2025
Pages: 232
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.49d