A major provider for Benny Yorston during his career at Pittodrie was winger Andy Love. Renfrew born Love started out on his football career at junior side Kirkintilloch Rob Roy before joining the Dons in March 1925 as understudy to winger Alec Reid. Andy's big chance came with Reid's departure to Preston
North End in August 1927 and he rapidly established himself as a firm favourite
of the management and the players. Love was a tall well built man for a winger and was equally capable of lining up on either flank, although he was principally played on the right. He was a vital supplier of crosses for the prolific Yorston and formed fine partnerships with first Alec Cheyne and later Jack Beattie. As well
as supplying the ammo for the leader of the line, Andy was no slouch in the scoring
department himself and amassed an impressive 83 goals in 237 competitive appearances.
With the selectors obviously running the rule over Hill and Yorston it was no surprise that Love too came under consideration for the Scotland side. Love's opportunity came in Vienna during Scotland's 1931 close season tour of Europe and he was one of a few successes in a 5-0 drubbing, he was selected again for the next game of the tour in Rome and scored the winner in his third appearance, a 3-2 win over Switzerland in Geneva. Curiously the selectors never afforded Andy Love an opportunity to prove himself on home soil against "home" style
opposition. During the 1935 close season Andy was handed a free transfer and he signed for Aldershot. Like many of the players of his generation, his career was ended by the outbreak of the 2nd World War. Andy died aged 57 in 1962.
|