Vale of Leven History
From Nora (Frize) McKenzie in Brisbane, Australia.
“Our dad is in it Dudley Frize 3rd from the left. Back row
Uncle Willie Frize is first on left back row (coach? ). Vale Emmett team. That’s all I know. Dad was born in 1916 so maybe around 1930+?”
Since the picture was a bit worse for wear, I used AI to try to improve it. Seems to have done a reasonable job.
The Vale Emmett was a juvenile team which played at the Emmett Park, adjacent to Millburn Park. I don’t have much information about them or how they came to be called “Emmett”. What I did discover was that there were another couple of teams, Kilsyth Emmett and Leith Emmett. Perhaps someone can enlighten me on the name?
Hi Nora, Regards to Roddie. The name is from Robert Emmett, an Irish patriot who was hanged by the British around 1798. Hope all’s well with you Down Under. For info: Nora’s husband is Roddie McKenzie, who was a First Division goalkeeper with Airdrie and played for West Bridgend School and the Academy in Dumbarton before emigrating to Australia. Fabulous use of AI btw. We’re still catching up Ed.