When Sean Connery played for Bonnyrigg Rose

If he returned to action now, his shirt number would definitely be 007.

Sean Connery before a Rose game in 1952

Bonnyrigg Rose’s most famous player certainly had a licence to thrill – as he is none other than Sean Connery.

Connery turned out for the Midlothian side in the early 1950s and turned heads with a superb goal against Broxburn Athletic.

The Dalkeith Advertiser newspaper reported how the right-winger netted a 30-yarder in the 1951 Scottish Junior Cup tie.

He once said: “I played for Bonnyrigg Rose, and I was offered a trial by East Fife. That’s the truth. Celtic, no.”

However, Rose teammate Nat Fisher said he doubted Connery was good enough to earn a trial at East Fife.

He said: “Sean didn’t play a lot, as far as I can remember. The team was pretty rubbish back then anyway, but when Connery was released, three other right wingers were released too. I find it hard to believe he was ever good enough to have a trial for East Fife.”