Ross County Database

1952-1953 Jimmy Stenhouse

Jimmy Stenhouse took over as County player coach in July 1952. Jimmy was then with Aberdeen and had formerly played for St Mirren (winning the wartime Summer Cup in 1943)as a right half. In his playing days he would be best remembered for a Scottish League cap he obtained in 1944 for the Scottish League against the English League. Prior to returning north to Aberdeen he had a season with non League Kettering Town in England. This explains County’s post season friendly with Kettering Town which County won 3-2.

Jimmy was introduced to his players in a public trial at the end of July by the club President Lt Col WE Mitchell Smith. He made his first signing shortly after, the Scottish Army Command player Tom Cook who had also previously played for Hibs.

Jimmy chose not to play in County’s opening league cup game and he must have been delighted to watch his team win 3-2 with Alex Ferguson in tremendous form, scoring one. James MacPherson made his County debut and scored the second whilst the County winner came from Robbie Hart.

Jimmy played a few days later as Caley were the visitors however his playing debut saw a 4-0 defeat in front of a massive home crowd. It was not long however before he scored his first goal for County, another League Cup tie against a different Inverness team, Thistle, saw a 4-3 win. Jimmy scored the fourth. This result was almost good enough for County to reach the semi final however a defeat from Clach put paid to their hopes. County’s first league game with Stenhouse in charge was highly controversial. County lost 1-0 to Elgin but had a goal disallowed for offside. Initially the referee let the goal stand but changed his mind following protests from the Elgin players. Perhaps not surprisingly Mr Harrower from Keith required police protection to leave the pitch at the end of the game!

County’s run of bad results continued as they suffered a first round Qualifying Cup loss, 5-4, from Buckie Thistle. By late September County had started putting some points on the board and were further boosted by the signing of Sime Waldie from Queen of the South. His debut saw a 3-0 win at Lossiemouth with Stenhouse scoring once. Jimmy scored twice the following week but was once again outshone by Peco Ross whose hat trick helped County defeat Keith 10-3. Forres were also victims in late October losing 8-2 to a seemingly free scoring County side. Jimmy’s stock was rising and an 8-0 win over Inverness Thistle was further proof of the improvement in County’s play. This took them joint top with Caley. By early December County had amassed 50 goals.

County’s away form was not so brilliant however and it contributed to them finishing a disappointing 4th, some 16 points behind Elgin. Jimmy resigned at the end of the season of his own free will to take up a role with the National Coal Board in Ayrshire. It was a great loss to County after the fans had viewed so much exciting football during the season.

His full managerial record was

League, 14 wins, 1 draw and 13 defeats. 81 goals scored and 64 conceded.

Cup, 25 conceded 18 scored, 5 defeats, 3 wins

Total competitive games 36, scoring 99 and conceding 89. 18 defeats, 17 wins and just 1 draw. The days of free scoring football teams!

Friendlies, 2 wins, 11 scored, 2 conceded

1952-1953 Jimmy Stenhouse

Jimmy Stenhouse took over as County player coach in July 1952. Jimmy was then with Aberdeen and had formerly played for St Mirren (winning the wartime Summer Cup in 1943)as a right half. In his playing days he would be best remembered for a Scottish League cap he obtained in 1944 for the Scottish League against the English League. Prior to returning north to Aberdeen he had a season with non League Kettering Town in England. This explains County’s post season friendly with Kettering Town which County won 3-2.

Jimmy was introduced to his players in a public trial at the end of July by the club President Lt Col WE Mitchell Smith. He made his first signing shortly after, the Scottish Army Command player Tom Cook who had also previously played for Hibs.

Jimmy chose not to play in County’s opening league cup game and he must have been delighted to watch his team win 3-2 with Alex Ferguson in tremendous form, scoring one. James MacPherson made his County debut and scored the second whilst the County winner came from Robbie Hart.

Jimmy played a few days later as Caley were the visitors however his playing debut saw a 4-0 defeat in front of a massive home crowd. It was not long however before he scored his first goal for County, another League Cup tie against a different Inverness team, Thistle, saw a 4-3 win. Jimmy scored the fourth. This result was almost good enough for County to reach the semi final however a defeat from Clach put paid to their hopes. County’s first league game with Stenhouse in charge was highly controversial. County lost 1-0 to Elgin but had a goal disallowed for offside. Initially the referee let the goal stand but changed his mind following protests from the Elgin players. Perhaps not surprisingly Mr Harrower from Keith required police protection to leave the pitch at the end of the game!

County’s run of bad results continued as they suffered a first round Qualifying Cup loss, 5-4, from Buckie Thistle. By late September County had started putting some points on the board and were further boosted by the signing of Sime Waldie from Queen of the South. His debut saw a 3-0 win at Lossiemouth with Stenhouse scoring once. Jimmy scored twice the following week but was once again outshone by Peco Ross whose hat trick helped County defeat Keith 10-3. Forres were also victims in late October losing 8-2 to a seemingly free scoring County side. Jimmy’s stock was rising and an 8-0 win over Inverness Thistle was further proof of the improvement in County’s play. This took them joint top with Caley. By early December County had amassed 50 goals.

County’s away form was not so brilliant however and it contributed to them finishing a disappointing 4th, some 16 points behind Elgin. Jimmy resigned at the end of the season of his own free will to take up a role with the National Coal Board in Ayrshire. It was a great loss to County after the fans had viewed so much exciting football during the season.

His full managerial record was

League, 14 wins, 1 draw and 13 defeats. 81 goals scored and 64 conceded.

Cup, 25 conceded 18 scored, 5 defeats, 3 wins

Total competitive games 36, scoring 99 and conceding 89. 18 defeats, 17 wins and just 1 draw. The days of free scoring football teams!

Friendlies, 2 wins, 11 scored, 2 concededv