David Palmer
We were sent a beautiful postcard from Elizabeth Smart of Arbroath. The postcard had a wonderful image of her Grandfather, David Palmer on the front.
Elizabeth believed David played for Arbroath sometime around 1910 to 1920 but she wanted to learn more about her Grandfather so we turned to club Historian Fraser Clyne.
Fraser is an encyclopedia of knowledge about Arbroath FC and this is what Fraser has discovered.
DAVID PALMER (Notes by Fraser Clyne 13/03/2021)
Group Photograph – Arbroath FC 1903 with the Scottish Qualifying Cup
David Palmer is the tallest person in the back row (second from right).
David Palmer joined Arbroath in 1903 having previously played for Huntly United with whom he won the Aberdeenshire Qualifying Cup.
The Dundee Evening Telegraph reported:”Palmer is an ideal goalie physically. Over six feet in height, he is lithe and active as a squirrel, and all his previous experiences stamp him as a coming man.”
It was also claimed that Glasgow Rangers were interested in signing him.
Palmer took over in the Lichties goal from Bill Strachan early in season 1903-1904.
He played in all eight Scottish Qualifying Cup matches up to the final but missed out on the big day because of an unspecified “serious illness”
(His grand-daughter Elizabeth Smart informed me that he suffered from rheumatic fever. She also said that he was from Arbroath and worked for a shoemakers company). He died at age 49.)
Arbroath went on to win the Qualifying Cup and Palmer was subsequently awarded a winner’s medal (as did trainer John Petrie) despite not playing in the final. (see team photo below).
He never regained his place in the team and at the end of the season signed for Aberdeen. He never made a first team appearance for the Dons.
In addition to his Qualifying Cup appearances, Palmer played five Northern League matches and two benefit matches for the Lichties.
