QUEEN’S PARK’S role in the history of football, and what it gave to the beautiful game in its formative years, is well-known.
But it’s what Scotland’s oldest club gave to a loyal player and staff member that came into focus this week.
A special silver clock, and a wedding gift to a Spiders star of the 1890s featured on the Antiques Roadshow, screened on BBC1 at the weekend.
The unique memorabilia was discovered during a house clearance by the family of Thomas Robertson – a former Queen’s Park and Scotland captain, and Scottish Cup winner with St Bernard’s.
Not only that, Robertson went on to become a president of the Scottish Football League and referee post-playing career.
Attending the TV show’s valuation filming at Thirlestane Castle in the Borders, Mr Robertson’s great-grandson exhibited a Scottish Cup winners’ medal and ring won with St Bernard’s, a clock and silver case gifted by Queen’s Park in 1920 and a pocket-watch case inscribed as wedding present from the club.
Expert Raj Bisram viewed the pieces and said: “This is a very unusual collection.”
The ring, with purple stone, was engraved to mark the 1894-95 Scottish Cup and accompanied by a winner’s medal. St Bernard’s defeated Renton 2-1 at Ibrox Park that day.
However alongside the prizes was a clock in a silver case, gifted to Mr Robertson for ‘services rendered’ to Queen’s Park FC in 1920.
It read: “Presented to Mr Tom Robertson by the Queen’s Park Football Club as a token of appreication for many services rendered.” It is dated 1st of January 1920, in Glasgow.
Also on show was a case, engraved to mark Robertson’s wedding in July, 1892.
His grandson, who had inherited the items, explained: “It was when I was clearing out my parent’s house and basically we just came across them and realised that we have a family connection – through my great grandfather.
“It turned out that he played for Queen’s Park Football Club and also went on to play for Scotland as well.
“It’s quite unusual to see a ring but we also found a pendant medal too, and when we investigated more and found the connections to various football teams, but particularly QPFC.
“Over the years there was a connection there from 1892 up until 1920 with Queen’s Park.
“This was all we could find – but if there are any more out there, then we would like to know.”
As well as the Spiders, St Bernard’s and Scotland, Thomas Robertson also played for Aston Villa and Cowlairs. He died in 1924.
Expert Bisram reckoned his unique memorabilia – and throwback to Scottish football in the 19th century – could have a modern-day auction-house value between £2000 and £2,500.
Watch the Antiques Roadshow, from Thirlestane Castle near Lauder, on BBC iPlayer – here
