Bobby and Betty Chalmers, couple known for their work in football coaching. An appreciation
BOBBY and Betty Chalmers, who died within 48 hours of each other, both aged 88, were a devoted couple known for their work in football coaching.
Bobby’s sporting success was extensive and included managing the Dumbarton Academy Former Pupils’ team, which won the Scottish Amateur Cup and a host of other trophies in the 1970s. Betty was delighted to share in that success and supported her husband in the manner of many football wives during that era by going along to the matches and washing the strips afterwards. The clothes line at the Chalmers’s Dumbarton home in the High Mains area of the town was a sight to behold with its colourful bunting of blue, white and gold, the football kit of four Academy FP teams.
Bobby and Betty were from very different backgrounds. She was privately-educated at the Cathedral School in Shanghai and only daughter of prosperous parents who owned a chain of bakery shops in China. She moved to Scotland with her parents at the outbreak of the Second World War and continued her education at the then fee-paying Hermitage Primary School in Helensburgh. She completed her secondary education at Hermitage Academy before learning shorthand and typing and taking a post with the Prudential Insurance Company in Dumbarton.
Bobby was the handsome son of a working-class family who lived in Station Road, Dumbarton. He was educated at Dumbarton Academy across the Common from his tenement home and became an apprentice with the South of Scotland Electricity Board.
The couple met at night school in the academy and went on to get married in the Cardross Parish Church in the village, where Betty lived with her parents. Their first home was in Castlegreen Street, Dumbarton, and the couple then moved to High Mains, where Betty gave birth to their three daughters, Linda McCuaig, Gail McLellan and Carol Williamson.
“We were always having parties for family and friends and for the football team, of course,” said daughter Gail McLellan. “Footballers were always in and around our house.”
Bobby’s shrewd management led to unbridled joy when Dumbarton Academy Former Pupils’ captain Billy Muir lifted the silverware at Boghead Park in 1971.
The Accies enjoyed success through all ten decades of their existence and with Bobby Chalmers at the helm they had their most successful period during the 60s, 70s and 80s. His influence remains to this day with League and cup glory continuing under gaffer Michael Dickie and his backroom staff.
In 2002 Bobby was invited with his Scottish Cup winning Captain Billy Muir to join the pre match build up as the Accies prepared for their second Scottish Cup final. This time at Hampden. He was in glorious form.
He was so delighted to see his club on the famous turf and more than proud to see his grandson, Cameron, in the Accies line up.
Bobby would always say that the West Cup had eluded him as manager. In Accies centenary year, Accies fulfilled his wishes and won it for him after a penalty kick decider against Colville Park at New Douglas Park. Again he was there to witness it.
He was the perfect ambassador for his club, singing Accies praises at every opportunity.
Bobby Chalmers was the Accies longest serving manager and the most successful.
BILL HEANEY
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