Dev Cargill Arbroath FC Player

1874 -1907

David Smith Cargill, my great-uncle, was born at 7 South Street in Arbroath on the 26th of July 1874. He was born to Adam Cargill, skipper of a fishing boat, and Helen Smith his wife.

'Dev' followed the calling of his forefathers and went to the sea in his father's boat when he was old enough to do so. He also found time to train and turn out for a local football team called The Rovers.

Arbroath Football Club signed 'Dev' from The Rovers and he made his debut against Montrose at Links Park on the 12th of February 1898. By 1899 the Arbroath Herald was having this to say about 'Dev'.

"Cargill worked like a trojan playing both back and half back. He is an invincible tackler and he regards nothing as impossible. Several times on Saturday his pluck enabled him to take the ball clear off from no less than three opponents."

In what has to go down in history as one of Arbroath's greateast seasons in 1898-1899 Arbroath won the Forfarshire Cup and narrowly lost out on the Dewar Shield, both big trophies in those days. In the Dewar Shield Final against Kings Park of Stirlingshire the referee netted the winning goal when the ball hit his head and went in and Arbroath also had 4 goals chopped off.

The team were drawn through the town to show off the Forfarshire Cup trophy to their adoring fans as the people of Arbroath turned out to see the champions. After the Forfarshire Cup Final the Arbroath Herald had this to say:

"McGlashan and Cargill were heroes at half-back. McDonald will not forget Cargill in a hurry. No matter where McDonald was, the Arbroath centre-half was certain to be at his heels, and to get a full scope at shooting for goal was impossible for the Wanderers lad."

During this period 'Dev' was wanted down south by one of the big English clubs, namely Everton, but with a new fishing boat on the horizon and longer hours spent at sea he started playing less and less. Newspapers of the time also had rumours of him joining Dundee.

When The Elliot Disaster ocurred at the end of 1906 'Dev' ran from his home in South Street all the way to Elliot junction to help dig out the dead and injured from the snow. During his efforts 'Dev' was working amongst ice as well as near a boiling hot train and got a serious chill. On the 5th of January 1907 'Dev' died, he was only 32 years of age.