There was an attendance of about 4000 spectators at Pittodrie last night on the occasion of a benefit match for Harry Blackwell, the goalkeeper, who has rendered five years' good service to the club. For the occasion an Aberdeen team opposed eleven comprised mostly of ex-Pittodrie players. The result of a fairly hard and fast game, which was contested on more competitive lines than the average "friendly," was a draw of three goals each. The "ex-Pittodrie" side started off in whirlwind fashion, and before the Aberdeen defence had time to take their bearings Carroll and McLeod had rattled on two goals. Subsequently the ground team improved, and before the interval R. Bruce made up part of the leeway. The second half was equally well contested, and a feature was the fine goalkeeping of Anderson, who showed that he retains his form. Others on the ex-Pittodrie side who took the eye were Murray, the Cowdenbeath back; Forsyth, Davidson, Yule, Carroll, and Grosert. In this period Carroll made his side's total three, and Miller and MacLachlan counted for Aberdeen, for an enjoyable game to finish all square.
Players in Handicap Sprint.
As an additional attraction a 100 yards handicap sprint open to the Aberdeen F.C. players was decided. This was run in two heats, the scratch men being Reid and Spencer. The first heat resulted in Carroll (off five yards) getting the better of Reid. In the other heat Muir (six yards) finished first, Spencer being second. These four contested the final, in which Carroll just beat Reid, Spencer losing his chance through being slow to start. tug-of-war between Aberdeen F.C. players and a dockers team created some amusement, the rope "breaking, " although not as had been arranged. The pull resulted in a win for the dockers.
Source: Press & Journal, 19th August 1926