Death of Former Albion Stalwarts

Death of Danny McLennan (1925-2004)

   Which ex-Albion player and manager was also manager of no fewer than 8 different national teams? The answer, of course, is the late Danny McLennan who passed away at the end of last season. McLennan joined Albion as a player from Rangers in February 1946. He was a highly rated inside left but played only three games before being transferred to Falkirk. His other clubs included East Fife and Dundee from whom he joined Berwick Rangers as Player-Manager in 1957. McLennan can lay claim to being one of the most successful Albion managers of all time. Under his guidance the team won the Second Division Championship in 1961 and reached the Semi Final of the League Cup in October 1961. However, within a month he had been sacked after a simmering dispute with the directors over his management style – perhaps he expected too much autonomy. After a spell with Worcester City he embarked on his world tour which saw him manage the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Malawi, Mauritius and Fiji. He also held club management posts in Kenya, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Norway, Malta and most recently in India. He was manager of Churchill Brothers, one of the top Indian clubs, until he was well in his mid 80s.

Death of Jimmy Allan (1925-2004)

   Jimmy Allan was best known for his work as Secretary of Camelon Juniors during the 1970s and 80s. As a player he started with junior side Grange Rovers just before World War Two. On his return from service duties in 1946 he signed for Camelon Juniors before going on to play for Hearts, Dunfermline Athletic, Stirling Albion, Raith Rovers, Stenhousemuir and East Stirlingshire (twice). He played just 6 games for Albion between longer spells at Stenhousemuir and Dunfermline – but what a 6 games they were! His debut was a t home to Celtic (Albion won 2-1) and he then played against Hibs, Queen of the South, Aberdeen, Falkirk and Rangers. Jimmy scored twice in Albion’s 3-1 win over Queen of the South at Annfield. Albion escaped relegation that season and the players were rewarded with an end of season trip to Switzerland. Jimmy was included in the invitation but declined the offer as he was a part-time player and could not get the time off from his work as a bookbinder with Dunn and Wilson in Falkirk.