George Strathearn Jeffries(1927-2006)
Husband of Florence Innes Douglas
George Jeffries was a keen amateur footballer and played for his regiment during national service in the army when posted in Greece, and also for the Inverkeithing United team who were finalists in the Scottish Juvenile Cup at a time when later ties were played at senior grounds and attracted large attendances. An article in the Inverkeithing Local History Society Journal of May 1999 dates the semi-final match reported below as Saturday 13th May 1950. In later life, George worked for a time as sales representative for Britvic fruit juices and made his mark in winning a holiday in New York in 1982.
Genealogy
George Strathearn Jeffries was the sixth of nine children born to Joseph Machin Jeffries, a butcher of North Queensferry and Elizabeth Dykes Niven, born in Edinburgh. In 1951 he married Florence Innes Douglas of Rosyth, Fife. The Jeffries and Douglas families are closely linked to the Masterton family. In 1908, John Russell Masterton married Elizabeth Douglas. In the present generation, the link was reinforced (details withheld). Fuller details of George's family tree can be found at this link.
QUARRYKNOWE STAR 0, INVERKEITHING UTD. 3.
(Half-time - 0-0)
Scorers:-Turnbull (56 min.), Raeburn (61, 67 min.).
George Jeffries (left of centre in white shorts) shoots for goal
RIGHT from the start of this Juvenile Cup semi, Inverkeithing were in trouble. When right-back Moffat cleared on the line with McIvor well beaten, someone whispered the word "lucky." But as the game progressed the Fife lads continued to appear from nowhere when all seemed lost. That's not luck. United were playing to plan. Therein lay the all-important difference between the teams. Star seemed all at sea. They had their moments, but when faced with the solid Fife defence they floundered, Smith tried hard to get his forwards moving, but got no response.
Every Fifer pulled his weight. If anyone deserves special mention then he's left-half Duffy. This brawny blonde miner worked like a trojan. Time and time again he relieved the defence and set the attack going. Thanks to him, and the way his mates responded, United weathered that first-half storm.
It was plain sailing second half. Right-winger Turnbull neatly nodded home Jeffries' corner. With Raeburn in close attendance, Wilson mis-judged the flight of the ball. Raeburn's two goals were taken in masterly fashion. This lad looks good. For his first he carried the ball from midfield before beating McNee and then Wilson. His second was a repeat, only he hadn't so far to travel for it. Attendance - 4738.
Quarryknowe Star - Wilson; Cavanagh, Boyle; Smith, McNee, Scoular; George, Wilson, Herron, Mitchell, Skinner.
Inverkeithing United - McIvor; Moffat, Davie; Sneddon, Walls, Duffy; Turnbull, Bartie, Raeburn, Pitcairn, Jeffries.
Referee - A. Crawford. Rutherglen.
The Sunday Post
14th May 1950
Scottish Juvenile Cup semi-final, at Celtic Park, Glasgow.
Teams:- Quarryknowe Star - Wilson; Cavanagh, Boyle; Smith, McNee, Scoular; George, Wilson, Heron, Mitchell, Skinner.
Inverkeithing United - McIvor; Moffat, Davie; Sneddon, Walls, Duffy; Turnbull, Bartie, Raeburn, Pitcairn, Jeffries.
Referee - A. Crawford. Rutherglen.
Opening play was confined to the United half, but the only dangerous shot came from Star centre-half McNee. 'Keeper McIvor was glad to concede a corner.
Inverkeithing wing-halves and inside men had their brightest spell so far and the excitement was transferred to the opposite end. Climax came when Raeburn beat the 'keeper to a Pitcairn cross only to see the underside of the bar come to the 'keeper's rescue.
As if discouraged by that bad break, United lost the initiative. They would have been one down almost immediately had not Moffat stepped in to clear with McIvor beaten to the wide.
The Star forwards continued to scorn the easiest of chances.
Just on half-time United broke away and Jeffries had a great shot well saved by Wilson.
Half-time - Quarryknowe Star, 0; Inverkeithing United, 0.
The Mixer
The Magazine for Britvic People
Volume 5 Number 2, June 1982