Another large part of the footballing culture of Glenbuck was the regular staging of five-a-side matches.

Played initially during the close season, the games would be a prominent feature of summer shows, early versions of today’s galas in towns and villages.

Glenbuck, unsurprisingly, produced some champion teams as football became a year-round activity, much to the delight of the community.

Two teams in particular became feared across a wide area — one comprised of brothers Hugh, Alec and Tom Knox, as well as Bobby Crosbie and William Mitchell.

Vying for the title of best in the business were another two Knox brothers, William and Pater, who were joined by James Blyth, Archie McBride and Wattie Ferguson.

Before long, the Knox brothers got together as a family team and were almost invincible, winning 40 of the 41 competitions they played in — in just one season.

Rev MH Faulds and William Tweedie Jnr said in their book, called simply The Cherrypickers, that the reason for their success was simple.

They wrote: “They played together as a team, indeed, a family team.

“Their tactics were carefully worked out and prearranged, while there was a perfect understanding amongst the brothers.

“Their opponents played as a collection of individuals, and found the tactics of the Knox brother altogether surprising and baffling.”

For more Glenbuck coverage, including the story of the Land O’Burns Trophy, see this week's paper, only 90p