All at Pollok Football Club were saddened to learn of the recent passing of two stars of the 1950’s, Baxter McLelland and Peter Lockhart.
Goalkeeper Baxter spent four seasons at Newlandsfield between 1951 and 1955, the club reaching the quarter-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup in his first season where they lost out to Camelon.
The highlight of his ‘Lok spell came on 29th May 1954 when he kept goal as Pollok lifted the Glasgow Junior Cup at Celtic Park, St. Roch’s being defeated by the odd goal in five.
In recent years Baxter was still a regular attendee at the ground, cheering on the team from the terraces.
Midfielder Peter joined ‘Lok for the 1957-8 season, a campaign which ended memorably for Pollok. On the final day of the season, 21st June 1958, the club found themselves due to play in the final matches of two separate cup competitions, the Erskine Hospital and Glasgow Junior Charity Cups.
A 3 o’clock kick off at Benburb’s Tinto Park saw Clydebank defeated 6-2 in the Erskine final, while at 7.15pm at Shettleston’s Greenfield Park Maryhill Harp were waiting in the final of the Glasgow. Despite the afternoon’s triumph, and the evening match going into extra time, ‘Lok secured their second trophy of the day with a 6-4 win. Peter played in both matches and scored in the latter.
Like Baxter, Peter, until recent years, could be found down Newlandsfield way spending many a happy hour in the Social Club with those other much-missed figures, Messrs Tait and Shaw.
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Pollok Football Club are with the friends and families of Mr McLelland and Mr Lockhart at this sad time.