Sandy Hair had a veritable career of two halves at Firhill, both of them successful in their own way. In his first spell, between August 1923 and November 1924 he was top scorer and scored six goals in a Scottish Cup-tie. In his second spell, from August 1926 until he finally left the club in October 1928, Sandy was in explosive form, scoring 49 goals in 1926-27 (including five against Rangers in one game), a record for a Partick Thistle player in any one season.

Sandy began his career at Strathclyde Juniors, when he signed as a 14 year old - the club's youngest ever signing. He remained at Strathclyde, making a name for himself as a prolific scorer in the junior ranks, ending the 1922-23 season with 96 goals. His remarkable scoring reputation had been interesting Partick Thistle for some time and in the summer of 1923 Alex made the step up to senior football.

He made an instant impact on the team at centre-forward, leading the team to three wins in a row, culminating in his first goals for the club - both in a momentous 2-1 win over Celtic at Parkhead. There were perhaps some rough edges to his play, no doubt honed in the juniors, his 'arm play' in particular being penalised by referees, but he was keen and eager, and he combined well with Jamie Kinloch and Johnny Ballantyne beside him, and Willie Salisbury and Davie Ness on the wings. Sandy became known for his unconventional style of passing - he rarely made the easy pass, and always looked for the killer ball to send his team-mates in on goal.

He was a popular player with the fans and his colleagues for his never-say-die perseverance and effort, particularly in September and October when he scored in six consecutive games to lift Thistle towards the top of the League. His finest hour-and-a-half in his first season came in the Scottish Cup. Although the minnows from Dunkeld and Birnam, helped by Thistle legend Frank Branscombe, were not expected to trouble Thistle the goals still had to be scored. And score Sandy did - six times. This was a record for a Thistle player in one game, and at times the entire team appeared to be trying to set Sandy up for another goal. The final score was 11-0.

The season ended successfully for Thistle and for Sandy. The team were in eighth place and Sandy had netted 25 in 40 games, but his team-mates hadn't added greatly to his goals. In the first few games of the following season the Thistle forward line came in for some fierce criticism, with Sandy in particular being singled out. Veteran centre-forward John Miller was signed from Aberdeen, and Sandy's, thus far, explosive Thistle career came stuttering to a standstill.

Sandy was keen to continue playing, and manager Easton could still see the potential, so was keen to retain Sandy's registration. There were a number of clubs interested in having Sandy play for them, but he favoured Queen of the South, then in the 3rd Division, and he went on to have a great impact with the Doonhamers. In helping them to promotion he scored 18 League goals in 19 games, and had managed 30 goals by the time he was recalled to Firhill in time for the Charity Cup competition. Despite a Sandy goal in the semi-final Thistle went out of the competition to Rangers.

His spell in the lower League had done him no harm but he still started the season as the second choice centre-forward. He was given an opportunity to win his place back with a goal against Raith Rovers in the League and a good performance in the Glasgow Cup replay against Celtic in September 1925, creating chances for his fellow forwards. However, a bad injury meant that his stop-start Thistle career was again at 'stop'. After a brief spell of recuperation Sandy was back on the road looking for match practice and a regular game. In that 1925-26 season, he turned out for Third Lanark, Alloa and Bo'ness, all in the 2nd Division. He returned to Firhill again at the end of the season for his Charity Cup game -with another goal, and another defeat, this time to Celtic.

John Miller departed, back to Aberdeen, and Sandy was again Thistle's first choice to lead the forwards, where he was determined to prove himself again. He began as he continued, with a goal in the first game of the season against Falkirk, and from then the numbers added up to an astonishing 49 goals for the season. Three in August and five in September were followed by ten goals in October, including four against both Hibs and Dunfermline. The goals then slowed up, with only four in November and just one in December, then four in January, five in February, three in March and an impressive seven in April. This brought the total to 42 by the time the League season ended, with Thistle in eleventh position, but having scored more goals than all but two other teams. Indeed only Jamie Gibson and Johnny Torbet managed double figures and had Sandy had more support Thistle surely would have totalled over a hundred goals.

Although the League season was over, Sandy's goals hadn't stopped. In his favoured Charity Cup competition he got two against Clyde in the semi, and in the final against Rangers he scored twice again to take the game to extra time, where he added an incredible three more to land Thistle the Cup for the first time. Sandy was presented with the match ball, a trophy and a clock by various grateful supporters after the game. 49 goals in one season is truly a superb feat, but Sandy was quick to point out the support he received from his team-mates. He received great service from his wingers Ness and Torbet, but he especially appreciated the passing through the middle from half-backs Gibson and Jimmy Richmond.

Unfortunately, bad luck struck again in 1927-28 season as Sandy would have been hoping to get amongst the goals again. Injury struck and he missed much of the season, but still managed to score six goals in 13 games. Fit again at the start of the following season in September, Sandy started as he had done in his golden season - two against Motherwell, four against St Johnstone, five against Hamilton, and another against Clyde, meant that interest was coming from England, and in October 1928 Sandy was transferred to Preston North End for £2,200.

At Deepdale Sandy teamed up with the legendary Alex James, and top-scored for his new team with 19, ending the season on tour in the USA, before a financial dispute meant both players left Preston. Following his time at Preston Sandy joined Shelbourne in Dublin in 1930-31, where he won the League and cup double and was the top goalscorer in the League with 35. He then moved to Worcester City, Colwyn Bay and Shirley Town in English non-Leagues circles, before retiring from football in 1937, when he returned to Glasgow.

1925 - STIRLING CHARITY CUP

1926 - STIRLING CHARITY CUP

1927 - GLASGOW CHARITY CUP

1927 - STIRLING CHARITY CUP