The Thistle Archive

With an acknowledgment of the lack of cover at centre-half for the previous season’s Scottish Cup Final, and to the tragic death of Willie Hamilton, burly Alex Lambie was signed as cover for Matty Wilson, and when he played his first games it was simply to deputise for Wilson. However excellent performances in late December 1921 meant that he retained his place in the first team for the remainder of the season, missing just two games out of 26 and remaining as first choice centre half for all but one of his ten seasons at Firhill. Alex was signed from Troon in 1921, and had already acquired a reputation for being a solid dependable centre-half, having played with local clubs Dreghorn and Kilmarnock Juniors before his local club. It was felt in some quarters that a step up from the Ayrshire Juniors to the top of the Scottish League (Thistle were third from top in December 1921) would be a step too far for Alex. However, the big man didn't look out of place, and helped by Joe Harris beside him, with Willie Bulloch and Kenny Campbell behind, he quickly made the position his own.

Alex wouldn’t go down in history as a cultured centre-half like Alec Raisbeck or creative like Jamie Gibson. He was a defensive centre-half in the days when that position was part of the midfield – but his job to defend his goal and the players behind him. “Lambie, a big chap with a lot to learn, knows his limitations, and acts accordingly. His aim is not to link up the Firhilll middle with the attack. He knows that job is too big for him yet. Instead he lashes out at everything, and very much oftener than not gets what he goes out for”. (Daily Record).

He was a spoiler, but a spoiler that was to become a great reader of the game. In those early days at Firhill his main assets were his height and weight. At 6’1” he was powerful in the air and on the ground, although not the quickest, his enthusiasm helped him make tackles when his opponents thought they had him beaten. “Lambie may not be poetry in motion, but he was at least a man and a half. Lambie seemed to spread himself all over the field” said the Daily Record. Although he had made a name for himself as a reliable centre-half in less than a year. Alex was asked to try a few games as centre-forward in late 1922. It was felt that his power and height could help out at a time when Thistle were struggling badly for a regular scoring centre. The experiment worked, for a while, Alex scored three goals in three games, against St Mirren, Kilmarnock, and Raith Rovers, but after a heavy defeat to Hamilton it was felt that Alex was better used in defence. After that foray up front he returned to centre-half. only to play four times in an alternate position in over 250 games. He truly was a stalwart centre-half.

The Glasgow FA selectors weren't slow to notice Alex's potential, He was selected along with teammates Harry Chatton, Jamie Kinloch. and Tom Crichton, for the Giasgow team who beat Sheffield 2-0 in 1923 and again in 1927. His partnership with internationals Chatton and Jimmy McMullan had helped his game immensely, and the first rumours of Alex’s own international recognition came towards the end of the 1925-26 season. Unfortunately, a mystery injury struck Alex while in pre-season training. At one point there were concerns that he would have to give up the game, never mind international hopes. He did return, but it was only for a handful of games towards the end of the 1926-27 season, though one of them was the Charity Cup Final in which Thistle beat Rangers 6-3.

Alex returned to the team, fitter and stronger, in August 1927 and set about re-affirming his reputation as one of Scotland's best centre-halves, and establishing a new half-back line. Along with Alec Elliot and Eddie McLeod they were to be at the centre of the Thistle team for a good number of years. An international opportunity finally came Alex's way later in the season. In March 1928 he was uncharacteristically missing from the Thistle team when he was selected for the Scottish League team to play England at Ibrox. England won 6-2 and Alex's direct opponent, the legendary Dixie Dean, scored twice. It was felt that Alex hadn’t shown his true form, despite being up against Dean at the top of his form, and Alex was given a second chance the following week. In the trial match for theScotland team to play England – what would become the famous Wembley Wizards team – Alex played for a Home Scots team against an Anglos select, but was not selected for the Wembley side.

Alex was awarded the capataincy of the team in 1929 and led Thistle out at Hampden in the Scottish Cup Final in April 1930. He had an outstanding individual game, single-handedly stopping many Rangers attacks, taking the game to a replay. In the replay another good defensive performance was not enough as Rangers won 2-1. Two weeks later Alex was rewarded for his loyalty to Thistle with a benefit match against Liverpool. After his time at Thistle ended in 1931, Alex moved south to play for Chester and Swindon Town for a spell. He then moved to Ireland and joined Distillery before retiring from football.

1925 - STIRLING CHARITY CUP

1927 - GLASGOW CHARITY CUP

1928 - GLASGOW DENTAL CUP

1930 - SCOTTISH CUP