Past players A to Z
In this section our aim is to include several outstanding players who have represented the club with distinction.
ALLAN, Alex (Joe)
Position: Various, but chiefly wing half and inside forward.
DOB: 1921?
Previous clubs: Elgin City, Buckie Thistle (February 1939 to ?
Date signed for Rothes: March 1951.
Date left: Signed for Keith on 1 August 1958.
On Thursday 29 January 1948 the Banffshire Advertiser informed its readers that Alexander “Joe” Allan's proper name did not in fact include Joseph or Joe, the latter being merely a schooldays nick-name.
If the unflattering opinion expressed by one Banffshire Advertiser football reporter on 26 August 1948 was an accurate reflection of Joe Allan's level of performance for Buckie Thistle in mid 1948 then Allan's future at Victoria Park seemed uncertain: "For all his enthusiasm, Joe Allan was the weakness in the Buckie team. His lack of speed and staying power, apparent at the end of last season, was a glaring fact on Saturday".
On Tuesday 27 February 1951 the Banffshire Journal reported that on the previous Saturday Buckie Thistle player ‘‘Joe" Allan had assisted Rothes in the Speysiders' North of Scotland Cup second round home tie against Clachnacuddin. It was a sign of things to come: on 31 March 1951 Allan was included in the Rothes line-up which faced visitors Ross County in a Highland League fixture.
The Rothes v. Lossiemouth Highland League game at Mackessack Park on 1 September 1957 was the Speyside club’s first League match of the season. The Banffshire Advertiser advised that it was also a well-deserved benefit match for Rothes skipper Alex. (Joe) Allan, "who for the past seven seasons has rendered great service to Rothes".
it is also worth noting that there were few positions in the Rothes eleven which were not occupied at some time or other by Joe Allan, hence the regular "utility man" tag. He was known not only for his quick tackling and wholehearted, dogged style but also as one of the game's personalities, respected on the field both as a player and later as a referee (at local and subsequently S.F.A. level).
After retiring from football he concentrated on the carpentry and joinery partnership which he co-established in 1966, until stepping down from that role in 1991. After football, bowls became his main sporting interest.
Bremner
Position: Goalkeeper
DOB
Date signed:
On 27 February 1952 Rothes hosted the visit of Elgin City in a Highland League fixture. The Northern Scot advised that it was also a testimonial match for the Soeysiders' veteran 'keeper Bremner, "one of the faithful servants Rothes have ever had".
CORMACK, Eric
DOB:
Date signed:
Date left:
Date died:
Excerpt from the Northern Scot - 24 Sep 1955:
Rothes are indeed fortunate in having so versatile a player on their books as Eric Cormack. Injuries to the team has made it necessary for the pint-sized utility man to turn out at back. He must surely be the smallest full-back in the league. But what he lacks in inches he makes up for in good positional play and enthusiasm.
SLESSOR, Dennis Albert
DOB: 1932
Date died: May 1991 in Edinburgh, aged 58. It was reported at the time that Dennis Slessor had previously been diagnosed as having a heart condition.
Goalkeeper Dennis was one of the unsung heroes of the successful 1959-60 Rothes FC side, when the club won the Highland League and also the North of Scotland Cup.
On 2 February 1963, Rothes defeated near neighbours Elgin City at Borough Briggs for only the second time since the Speysiders had entered the Highland League in 1938. This victory over Elgin was also significant for Dennis Slessor. In his ten seasons at Mackessack Park, the popular goalie had been a member of a winning Rothes side in all but one Highland League ground; Borough Briggs could finally be added to the list.
Dennis was a painter and decorator to trade and judging by this 1989 advertisement in the Northern Scot he had also built up an off-the-field reputation for reliability.
Tough, George
Previous club: Buckie Thistle
Date signed: 29 October 1955
Position(s): Inside left, right back, right half
On 26 April 1951, to mark Tough's time with Buckie Thistle, the Jags arranged a benefit testimonial match with a Dundee FC XI.