Archives | Andrew Reid Shearer 1885 -

Andrew Reid Shearer was the first President of DAFC in 1885. He was born in Dunfermline in 1851 and by 1885 he was cashier in the Victoria Works Linen mill

Andrew was made a partner in the firm of Inglis and Co in 1891 and remained with them until the closure of the Victoria Works. His three sons were also involved in the linen industry.

Photos of Andrew Reid Shearer, one possibly taken around 1878, the other was taken in 1924.

Andrew Reid Shearer was one of a group of young top class cricketers who joined Dunfermline CC in the mid-1870s. Among the others were the Brown brothers David, Willie and John, who, as well as being good cricketers (David went to play cricket for Scotland), all went on to play for the original Dunfermline football club. While the three brothers all played in the very first football match in Dunfermline - 19 Feb 1876 v Heart of Midlothian - Andrew was not in the team.

He was clearly a brilliant cricketer, but when he appeared as the chairman of the first AGM of DAFC (23 March 1886), there was surprise because he was predominantly a cricketer. Despite his cricketing background, he was very much involved with DAFC, including in 1888, an attempt to withdraw from the Fife FA over decisions made.

He had a lifelong connection with the linen industry and was undoubtedly a local celebrity, becoming Colonel in the volunteer battalion of the local Black Watch. He was on the first board of Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, and was the great uncle of Moira Shearer, the ballerina/film star. He died in 1935 and is buried in the Abbey Graveyard on the site of the monks` infirmary.