Ex-goalie in quest to reunite Bruntsfield cup winning team for 50th anniversary

Team photo on social media sparks reunion bid for 2021
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A photograph of a cup winning school football team has kicked off an ambitious quest to reunite the lads for the 50th anniversary of their proud victory.

Former Scottish league goalkeeper David Larter has set himself the challenge of locating all 12 of his Bruntsfield Primary teammates who raised the School Board Cup aloft with him in 1971.

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So far, David, who set a club appearance record as the first choice keeper for Montrose FC in the 1990s, has managed to pinpoint half a dozen of the players, with another four left to track down - two of his ex-classmates having passed on.

Former goalkeeper David Larter (inset) aims to reunite the Bruntsfield football team that won the cup in 1971.Former goalkeeper David Larter (inset) aims to reunite the Bruntsfield football team that won the cup in 1971.
Former goalkeeper David Larter (inset) aims to reunite the Bruntsfield football team that won the cup in 1971.

On May 8, 2021, it will be precisely fifty years since the boys, aided by a brace from the smallest man on the pitch, Stuart Smith, defied the odds to defeat a strong Drumbrae Primary side by two goals to one at Warriston and lift the coveted School Board trophy - the first cup Bruntsfield had won in decades.

David, 60, who now lives in York where he runs a toy company with his wife, hopes to mark their historic shot at glory by getting the cup heroes back together at Bruntsfield.

He said: "Out of the thirteen boys in the picture, Brian Gordon and John Millar are sadly no longer with us, but I've managed to track down six and would love to get up to eleven, including myself.

"I just don't know where to find these other four boys."

David Larter in action for Montrose against St Johnstone in the 1990s. Larter holds Montrose's all time record for number of appearances.David Larter in action for Montrose against St Johnstone in the 1990s. Larter holds Montrose's all time record for number of appearances.
David Larter in action for Montrose against St Johnstone in the 1990s. Larter holds Montrose's all time record for number of appearances.
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The idea for a reunion came to David by chance after he spotted an Evening News photograph of the young cup winners posing alongside their silver spoils on social media.

David said: "The catalyst was when this guy put the picture up on the Lost Edinburgh site. It generated a bit of interest and out of that interest, because I like a football reunion, I thought, 'right, let's get this started'.

"With the timing of '71, I thought this will be an ideal opportunity to mark the 50th anniversary - we'll never have this chance ever again.

"Over the last several months, I've spoken to a couple of the guys who I knew and they were up for it and we've had another few hits since putting the call online."

Back row: Don Lindsay, Brian Gordon, David White, Billy Tait, Gordon McKenzie, Alan Watson, John Millar, Peter Ross. Front row: Simon Kennedy, Stuart Smith, David Graham Capt., David Larter, Brian McLeanBack row: Don Lindsay, Brian Gordon, David White, Billy Tait, Gordon McKenzie, Alan Watson, John Millar, Peter Ross. Front row: Simon Kennedy, Stuart Smith, David Graham Capt., David Larter, Brian McLean
Back row: Don Lindsay, Brian Gordon, David White, Billy Tait, Gordon McKenzie, Alan Watson, John Millar, Peter Ross. Front row: Simon Kennedy, Stuart Smith, David Graham Capt., David Larter, Brian McLean
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The next step, David says, is to get in touch with the school with an aim to recreate the picture in the playground and even try and get a hold of the School Board cup for the day, followed by a get together at a nearby pub or restaurant.

With the majority of the team accounted for, David is confident he can locate the remaining four: Billy Tait, Peter Ross, Simon Kennedy and team captain David Graham.

He added: "It'll happen. We've got 6, probably 7, and I'm sure we'll get at least another 3 out of the four. When I set myself these goals, I normally achieve them.

"If I get ten, I'll be delighted, but if we get to eleven, that'll be the cream on the cake.”

Bruntsfield School Board Cup winners 1971

Team Coach Mr Wallace

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Back row: Don Lindsay, Brian Gordon, David White, Billy Tait, Gordon McKenzie, Alan Watson, John Millar, Peter Ross

Front row: Simon Kennedy, Stuart Smith, David Graham Capt., David Larter, Brian McLean

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