Allan McKenzie

Allan was signed from Downfield in late-May 1972 by Albert Henderson, the 18-year-old having impressed in The Spiders front line that season, hitting 28 goals. He was given his league debut in February 1973, playing the full 90 minutes in midfield in a 5-0 loss to Rangers at Ibrox. After spending the majority of his first three seasons featuring for the reserves, it was the 1975-76 season which saw Allan properly break into the first team, making 23 appearances that season and from January 1976 onwards he was a regular in the team under Albert Henderson under his departure in January 1980.

Under new manager Ian Stewart, Allan continued to play regularly, and he played 47 games during the 1982-83 campaign, equalling the amount he played in the 1978-79 season. He continued in the team under Stewart’s successor, George Fleming, although he did begin to receive less game time under the new man and when Jimmy Bone was appointed manager Alan was sold to Brechin City in July 1985, four months after Bone’s arrival.

During his time at Gayfield, Allan played in a variety of positions. He was initially signed as a striker, before dropping back to play in midfield where he spent the majority of the 1970s before dropping back further and in his final few years at Gayfield he was playing as a centre half.