Alex Scott (1937-2001)

The Greatest Ever Bo'ness United Player

The most famous player ever to play for the BU’s was undoubtedly Alex Scott.

Alex signed for the club from Juvenile Camelon Thistle at the beginning of season 1953 – 1954 aged sixteen and found himself playing in the team right from the start, although not setting the heather on fire showed enough talent for the shrewd Bill Struth manager of Glasgow Rangers to sign him on what was known as a “Provisional Form”.

It was not until the following season that Alex really shone, playing in arguably the best team ever to play for United. The team scoring over 100 goals before the New Year, undefeated in 34 games until that ill-fated day, 5th March 1955 when Ashfield beat United 1 – 0 in the 6th round of the Scottish Junior Cup at Newtown. Alex gained two Junior International Caps.

(For the record the recognized team that season read Ronald, Mitchell, Mc Keeman, Hogg, Boyd, Mc Blain, Scott, Mc Mahon, Harrower, Hunter and Mc Keown)

The story was only beginning, having played with the BU’s on Saturday 5th March Alex was plunged straight into Rangers’ first eleven on the following Wednesday night playing against his home town team Falkirk at Ibrox, scoring a hat-trick in a 4 -1 win. Ironically the other goal being scored by another former United player Willie Gardiner a fellow “Falkirk Bairn”. Prompting the Daily Record to carry the headline “AN IBROX STAR IS BORN” and referred to the “Bo’ness Bombshell”.

Alex went on to play 331 games for Rangers scoring 108 goals, winning 4 League Championship, 1 Scottish Cup and 2 League Cup medals also gaining 16 International Caps.

Transferred to Everton in 1963 he won English Championship and FA cup winners medals.

When the question is asked and the arguments begin “who was the best player to play for the BU’s?” The old stagers will come away with Jimmy Sproul,

Paddy Buckley, Johnny Mc Kee etc. With the younger generation chipping in with Tam Balanowski, Willie Temperley, Lex Shield, all brilliant players. But for me to see the “Flying Scott” speeding down the right wing on the Stand side at Newtown leaving defenders in his wake was indeed a sight to behold.

Sadly Alex passed away in September 2001 aged 64 leaving many happy memories.

Written By Ian Hamilton