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Photo credit: Dundee Football Club

Remembering Bobby
This edited obituary from The Scotsman was written by Jack Davidson,
friend of George Heriot’s School.

Robert ‘Bobby’ Wishart (1952) passed away in December
2020, aged 87. He was a leading Scottish footballer of the
1950’s and early ‘60’s who achieved the remarkable feat

of winning old First Division Championships with two

different clubs, neither being Rangers or Celtic. In 1955
he was instrumental in Aberdeen’s first title success and
in 1962 was a key member of the Dundee team that won
their only top tier League title. At Aberdeen he claimed After National Service he moved to Aberdeen to break into the first team,
a League Cup winner’s medal in 1955 and a loser’s medal making his debut in December 1953. By season 1954/55 he was in a
in the 1959 Scottish Cup Final. strong team and played an important role in the historic title win,
featuring in 23 of 30 games.
League success at Dundee led to the European Cup during which the
Dark Blues reached the semi-final, where they lost to the formidable Bobby played in the Dons side that clinched the League Cup against
A.C. Milan; Bobby played in every match. Having started boys’ football St Mirren - his semi-final goal against Rangers ‘a 25-yard rocket’ was key
with the quaintly named Corstorphine Swifts to then play Milan in a to success.
European Cup semi-final in front of 78,000 fans was the ‘stuff of Such excellent form secured two appearances for the Scottish League
dreams’. against the Irish Leagues and two for Scotland under 23s against their
Bobby was capped twice for both Scotland at under 23 level and the English counterparts, games in which Bobby played alongside Lawrie
Scottish League. An intelligent player with a powerful shot, he was an Reilly and Gordon Smith and against Johnny Haynes and Duncan
excellent passer of the ball who read the game well. Edwards.
Robert Whyte Wishart was born in Edinburgh, younger son of William, In January 1961 Bobby signed for Bob Shankly’s Dundee side. His debut
a factory worker, and Flora. He and brother Ian were brought up in could hardly have been bettered, with two goals against derby rivals
Corstorphine and Bobby attended George Heriot’s School. United. In signing Bobby, Gordon Smith and Bobby Seith, the astute
Shankly added experience to the talents of youngsters Alan Cousin,
Initially he combined rugby and football but then concentrated on
Alan Gilzean and Ian Ure and fashioned a footballing side that clinched
football for Corstorphine Swifts, following his father’s footsteps. His
the title; Bobby played in 29 of 34 games.
talent attracted recognised juvenile side, Merchiston Thistle, and led
to trials with Hearts and Aberdeen; Bobby joined the Dons in 1951. A part-timer with Dundee, Bobby worked in insurance for the N.F.U.
in the Lothians, whose secretary was his good friend Edinburgh lawyer
Before his debut, two years’ National Service had to be undertaken
Bill Lindsay, later chairman of Hearts and the S.F.A.
with the R.A.F. in Northern Ireland when Bobby played for Irish League
side Portadown at centre forward. In 1964 he joined Airdrie and then Raith Rovers before hanging up his
boots. It says much for Bobby that throughout 400 games he was never
A frequent scorer, his excellent form saw him touted for selection for
booked or sent off.
the Irish League team.
In the 1960’s he became manager of Leek and Westbourne Building
Society (later the Britannia) in Edinburgh’s George Street, retiring after
25 years’ sterling service.
In 1958 he married Jean Rae, with whom he enjoyed 62 happy years;
they had daughter Carol and son David. Initially they lived in Aberdeen
but after Bobby’s move to Dundee set up home in Currie where they
remained. He enjoyed golf at Baberton where he was a long-term
popular member and Captain in 1979/81.
A warm hearted, generous spirited gent, Bobby was an excellent
raconteur with a good sense of humour who was the best of company.
He is survived by his wife, children, four grandchildren and one great
Photo credit: Aberdeen Football Club. Bobby scoring against Rangers at Pittodrie in 1955 grandson.