Bob Bryce

Grangemouth, Stirlingshire born Bob Bryce began his football career with local junior club Grange Rovers. An outside right who could also play the inside roles, he was described as “a clever player and a regular goalscorer”, soon coming to the attention of local Scottish League club Falkirk, who signed the 19 year old in August 1923, his Scottish League debut soon thereafter in a match at Airdrieonians. Bryce was released by The Bairns at the end of his second season and the other club in Falkirk, East Stirlingshire, came in for his signature, playing his first match for The Shire against former club Falkirk.

After three seasons with East Stirlingshire, Bryce joined Third Division (South) club Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic in the summer of 1928 making his Football League debut against Clapton Orient, and spent two seasons with The Cherries, scoring 24 goals in 63 appearances, joining Luton Town in the 1930 close season.

He scored 9 goals in 37 matches for The Hatters over two seasons at Kenilworth Road but returned to Scotland in the 1932 close season and was quickly signed by King’s Park (now Stirling Albion). After four seasons with King’s Park he was released in August 1936 and after a trial period with Raith Rovers signed for Alloa Athletic.

Against East Fife at Methil in October 1936, and in a time before substitutes were allowed, Bryce had to deputise for Alloa’s injured goalkeeper. Despite an eventual 2-0 defeat ‘The Scotsman’ reported that ‘Bryce played quite well’. A few months later, on 9th January 1937, Alloa recorded an 8-2 win over Edinburgh City with Bryce scoring six of Alloa’s goals.

August 1937 saw Bryce leave The Wasps but soon afterwards he appeared as a trialist for Stenhousemuir. However, before a deal could be agreed Bo’ness stepped in to sign him and he played his final season for them before retiring in 1938.