Sir Alex Ferguson unveils portrait of Drumchapel Amateurs founder Douglas Smith in the Scottish Football Museum

Football legend Sir Alex Ferguson today unveiled a portrait of Drumchapel Amateurs founder Douglas Smith in the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park.

Douglas Smith founded the club in 1950 and devoted most of his life nurturing the club. The Amateurs produced many great players down through the years including Sir Alex himself.

Drumchapel Amateurs Director Archie Rankin was the driving force behind the portrait going to the Museum.

Douglas, who died in 2004, ensured “The Drum” provided an excellent learning ground for so many who went on to achieve greatness in football.

Among the many players to come through the ranks, they include Sir Alex, David Moyes, Walter Smith, Andy Gray, John Robertson, Archie Gemmill, Asa Hartford, John Wark and many, many more.

Sir Alex commented: “Douglas Smith was a very special man. He was also a very important man to Scottish football. He was responsible for so many great players progressing from Drumchapel Amateurs to the professional ranks.

“He has the wonderful knack of making you feel important, both to him and to the club. I was playing with Harmony Row Boys Club in Govan when he came to the door asking me to go and play for Drumchapel.

“I wasn’t too sure but my father had no doubt that Drumchapel Amateurs would help me progress in the game. I turned up to play and was given a green and white jersey to play in. When I asked why the club had chosen green, Douglas said it was because they were the cheapest jerseys he could buy!

“In one year, from the four teams the club ran, no fewer than 35 players went on to senior clubs. A quite remarkable figure. But then, Douglas Smith was a quite remarkable man.”