Before arriving at The Dell, aged 31, Tommy Bogan had kept some impressive company, north, and south of the border. During his initial spell at the top of the Scottish game, he turned out for Scotland in April 1945, in a war-time international at Hampden against England. His contribution was short-lived: in the opening minute, he somersaulted over the visiting ’keeper, Frank Swift, and twisted his knee so badly that he was carried off. He would never play for his country again

– has there ever been a shorter international career? –

but he crowned a fine 1947-48 season by representing the Scottish League against the Football League. Whereupon, he reluctantly moved to England. Yet his spell in the north-west included an extended run partnering Scotland winger, Jimmy Delaney, on Manchester United’s right-wing. His arrival at Second Division Southampton followed an interlude at Aberdeen. No sooner had he signed (see scrapbook section) than manager Sid Cann left “by mutual consent”. Far from short of inside-forwards, Cann’s successor, George Roughton, nevertheless signed two more – Tom McGarrity and Roy Williams – to compensate for Ted Bates’s retirement half-way through the 1952-53 season.

Even so, Bogan played, and scored, in the final game of that relegation campaign. He then contrived to remain in Division II by joining Blackburn, where his former United captain, Johnny Carey, had just become the manager. After a season in which he played but once, he made his final move – to Macclesfield of the Cheshire League. Having married Matt Busby’s niece, he remained in North Cheshire, working as a printer with the Daily Express and Manchester Evening News.