Warm tributes have been paid in Scottish cricket circles after the death of former Perthshire and Blairgowrie stalwart Charlie MacPherson. He passed away at Perth’s Cornhill Macmillan Centre after a short illness at the age of 89, and his funeral was held at the city’s Crematorium on Monday.
Career and Early Life
In his heyday, Charlie was widely regarded as the best uncapped player in the country. Born in Old Scone into a strong sporting family, his father Charlie, a forester and head gardener at Scone Palace, played cricket for Perthshire, and his uncle Tom McPherson played cricket for the Big County and football for St Johnstone.
Educated at Scone Public School, Charlie began his cricketing career at the age of 11 for Scone Palace. Despite suffering a severe leg injury as a youth when he leapt over a woodland wall and landed on a hidden spike, he developed into a fine medium pace bowler and a formidable batsman. At that time, Scone Palace was one of the strongest village teams in Scotland, and his talent was spotted by Perthshire County Cricket Club.
Move to Australia and Return
Having embarked on an apprenticeship with the Perthshire Advertiser in 1954, seven years later he emigrated to Australia as part of a £10 government scheme to further his cricketing ambitions. Down Under, he was a prolific run scorer with his club Kingston in New South Wales and, memorably, in the 1963 ACT Grand Final, scored a match-winning 134 runs. He was also proud to feature in a match pitting the Australian Poms team against the touring South Africans.
He returned to Scotland in 1964 to his former role as a compositor with the PA and was tempted by the role as professional at Blairgowrie CC. His impact was impressive, and the following year he led them to a landmark victory in the Strathmore Union.
Tributes and Legacy
Paying tribute, former teammates and club captains Brian Crighton and David Davidson said: “As long as there is a cricket club in the town his name will never be forgotten. He was without doubt the best value for money professional in the league at that time. It is doubtful his statistics will ever be surpassed.” They recalled Charlie scoring 165 not out in his debut and later claiming 18 wickets in one weekend.
He was also in demand for coaching youngsters at Falkland CC, with the club noting “Charlie was a true gentleman who will be sorely missed.” Charlie became a regular in the powerful Perthshire First XI of the era, playing alongside international wicket-keeper Jimmy Brown and fellow Scotland players, including Mike Kerrrigan, Len Dudman, Arthur Dewar and others. The Big County dominated the national cricket scene from the 1950s through to the 1980s.
Charlie’s cousin, Scotland international and fellow Perthshire cricketer T.I. McPherson, said: “That Perthshire team of the 70s and 80s which featured Charlie was always ranked among the very best in Scotland. Unquestionably, Charlie played a key role in their success. Charlie was a magnificent bowler. During a fine playing career his medium pace off and leg cutters were a severe challenge to most batsmen. This, together with his elegant batting and slip catching rightly earned him the reputation of being one of, or arguably even the best, uncapped all-rounder in Scotland. In my opinion, and that of many others, he was indeed the best player of his time never to receive Scotland recognition. It was a mystery why he was never asked to represent his country. It was my pleasure and good fortune to play in the Perthshire team alongside such a fine cricketer for many years and Charlie will be missed by many.”
His printing skills also benefited Perthshire, as he produced the club’s match day magazine. After retiring from his role as Case Room Supervisor with the PA, cat lover and passionate animal welfare champion Charlie enjoyed regular visits to the George Street Tearoom, gardening, birdwatching and wildlife painting, often selling his art to benefit chosen charities. He was a keen supporter of the RSPB, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Worldwide Fund for Nature and the Born Free Foundation. His voluntary work included fence painting at Loch of the Lowes and drilling holes by Perth Lade for nesting sand martins. Charlie was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy. They married in his home village of Scone in 1966, and she died in October last year.
