Orkney Image Library

Orkney 3 Shetland 2. The nineteen fifties were good for Orkney we used to win most of the games.

I will try to name a few of these players start on the front row:..?... ...?...Jim Dook, Dave o Fox, Russell Groundwater, ..... Hutchison, Ronnie Wilson,
Back row;.... Gordan, ...?.. ...?..., Philip Stout, ...?.. ...?..., Keeper?....Stout, Charlie Clouston, Jim china Merriman.
hopefully these are correct? can anyone fill in the unknowns?

Front left Dave Keldie, back left Doctor Gordon and back right Jim Bews

I think the big man in the suit could be Bill Barrack, president of the then OFA. Below him is Davie Keldie. possibly first reserve (n0 subs in those days though!) The balding lad at the back is ? Pottinger of St Andrews, a full-back of redoubt. Keeper is Alistair, Hasta, Smith. Linesman is Jim Bews who'd spparently put on a few pounds since his Parish Cup-winning days only a few years earlier with Shapinsay.

Dr J B Gordon (President) Leslie Flett, Philip Stout, Robbie Pottinger, Alistair Smith, Charlie Clouston, Jim Merriman, Jim Bews (Linesman)
Dave Keldie (Trainer), Jim Donaldson, Davie Fox, Russell Groundwater, Bobby Hutchison, Ronnie Wilson

The programme for this match listed Willie Spence from Dounby as outside left. He must have been replaced by another Dounby player, Bobby Hutchison, who isn't mentioned in the team line-up in the programme. I have BH pencilled in above the right half, Jim Merriman. Did Jim then replace Willie on the left wing?

Jim Merriman(China), was my dad's (Gilbert Walls Adamson) best pal. My dad was best man at his wedding to Iris Marwick. They met up again when we went up in 1991. This was the first time my dad had been back home since his dad's (George Moar Borwick Adamson)funeral in 1956. Jim was the father-in-law of my second cousin once removed as we share James Stensgarth, born 1772. As it turns out Jim and my dad were not only best pals but related to each other, unfortunately they never knew this.

The late Jim Merriman was in the class behind me at school and was called 'China' even then. I never knew the origin of his nickname (though I have a rather unconvincing theory). Does anyone know?

Hi Ian,

Just received this information from Jim Merriman's grandfather's second cousin's granddaughter Viola (Ola) Adamson, (hope you follow that).

Jim Merriman was called "China" because of his susceptibility to getting hurt or injured as a child. Whether it was just playing about as a boy and breaking his finger, hand or arm, etc or whilst playing football and breaking his foot, ankle, leg, etc.

As China Porcelain has the properties of being brittle, frail, delicate and fragile this was how Jim got his nickname.

Is this the same as your theory?

Not even close, Keith. Never realised 'China' was that fragile.

Came across the Orkney site by chance, and spotted a picture of the football team. I saw a face I new. It was Jim Merriman. I live at the the other end of the country at Worthing Sussex.I did my national service with Jim in Germany,and im sorry to hear that Jim is no longer with us. Such a good mate of mine back in those days in the Raf Regiment, we were both drivers he drove a Land Rover for the CO, and I drove a Thornycroft lorry that towed a Bofor gun. He was a great mate of mine and we got on so well. My regards to all the family
Peter Miles SAC

I was one of Jim's mates in the Raf Regt at Wunstorf Germany.on National Service, 1953-54 Very good at football. Great to have around.