fred martin

Injury Bogey
At the beginning of the season there is always the injury bogey to contend with and the Dons haven't escaped, with Fred Martin the most unfortunate. Fred's injury had an air of mystery about it. He clenched his RIGHT fist and jumped in the air to punch out the 6all (making a ONE-HANDED save). When the melee had cleared Fred felt a severe pain in' his LEFT hand .(a cracked borie!!). How his left hand came into the argument—well, you try to figure it out!!

Source: Match Programme, 22nd August 1953

One of the Dons great goalkeepers who joined in 1946, to begin with as an outfield player at inside left. Another full Scotland international, Martin was part of the Dons team that won their first League Championship in 1955. Was also the first Scotland keeper to play in the World Cup finals when the Scots qualified in 1954. Before his retirement in 1960, Martin played nearly 300 games for the Dons and also played in the Dons double trophy success in 1955. Following the end of his fourteen year playing career, Fred worked in the whisky trade before retiring to the Perth area. Full Name: Fred George Martin Died - Perth, 20th August 2013