The grandson of one of the former players of Strathmore Rovers Football Club has been in touch with us, seeking more information, and the hope is that readers of the "Brechiner" will be able to help.

The photo provided shows the Stracathro Football team from season 1907-08, and appears to be the only one of its kind.

It's understood that the goalie was probably the gentleman wearing the hat as this was the usual thing for the goalkeeper to wear, even though he's wearing no visibly different strip.

There appears to be no record as to whether the Stracathro team was a successful one or if they ever played Brechin City, at team which, at this point, had only been around for a year (Brechin Hearts and Brechin Harp merging in 1906).

The 'Brechiner' from 1907 holds no record of the Stracathro team.

The only known player is a Mr William Dunlop, or perhaps his brother Joseph. Mr Dunlop's grandson, Mr Robert Dunlop sent the photo from Australia by e-mail.

William Dunlop grew up in Stracathro and, as a young man, worked in Nursery Den in Brechin, at that time the nursery field next to the Glebe.

Before he moved to Australia with his wife from Ayrshire (who was head milkmaid for the Queen's mother), he was a very successful violinist in the area.

He was Scotland's champion exponent of Scots music on the violin and was a very close friend to the famous Scottish music composer, J. Scot Skinner.

A music manuscript dedicated to 'Willie Dunlop' written by Scot Skinner was recently found by his grandson but, unfortunately, was never published.

Willie was listed as one of the musicians entertaining on the violin for the "Brechin Burns Club" jubilee at Corona Hall, on January 25, 1909.

The hall no longer stands.

Another concert, the 'Grand Corporation Concert under the auspices of the Rovers Football Club, took place in Brechin's City Hall on Saturday, February 2, 1907, featuring two solos on the violin by William Dunlop.

Other performers included Mr William Menzies, Scotland's favourite conjurer, and Miss Polly Heath, Scotland's versatile and characteristic comedienne. The programme was also kindly sent from Mr Dunlop's grandson.

When Mr Dunlop moved to Australia, the Australian government granted him a parcel of virgin forest on which he cleared by hand. The couple named their new farm 'Glenesk', as a clear reminder of their homeland and of Angus and Scotland.

William's brother Joseph followed his father into gardening at Stracathro House. Their father, Andrew Dunlop, was the head gardener of the Stracathro Estate for 60 years. It has been said that his renown in horticulture was quite widespread in the area.

Joseph (who could also have been a possible player for Stracathro F.C.) moved to Canada and, together with Henry Moore of Canada, planned and instrumented the building of 'The International Peace Gardens'

If you can shed any more light on Stracathro Rovers FC get in touch with our editorial team via the e-mail advertisernews@brechinadvertiser.com or via telephone on 01356 622767