- Bob Crampsey
Robert "Bob" Crampsey (
8 July 1930 —27 July 2008 ) was a Scottishassociation football historian, author and broadcaster, described as a "much loved Scottish cultural institution" by "The Times ". [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article4417547.ece Bob Crampsey: writer and broadcaster] , "The Times ", 29 July 2008.] He had a Doctorate in Sports Journalism fromStirling University .Crampsey was a widely respected pundit on
BBC Radio Scotland 's "Sportsound " from 1987 until retiring in 2001. He was also a mainstay ofSTV 's "Scotsport ". Crampsey was the author and editor of the "Now You Know" column of theGlasgow "Evening Times ", where he would answer sporting questions submitted by readers, until 2006.A former
head teacher ofSt. Ambrose High School inCoatbridge , Crampsey was the 1965 "Brain of Britain ". He followed this up eight years later by reaching the semi-finals of "Mastermind", choosing theAmerican Civil War as his specialist subject. He was also an associate of theRoyal College of Music and a keen fan ofSomerset County Cricket Club . He served in theRoyal Air Force from 1952 to 1955.Former "Sportsound" colleague Richard Gordon said of Crampsey: [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2463506/Bob-Crampsey,-sports-broadcaster-and-writer,-dies-aged-78.html Bob Crampsey, sports broadcaster and writer, dies aged 78] , "
Daily Telegraph ", 28 July 2008.] quote|Bob had the sharpest mind of anyone I have ever known. He was a genius. It was such a joy working with him. If anything historical ever came up during a programme, Bob could describe not only the match in question, but name the referee and give the size of the crowd. He was a real football man. Once when we were on a flight toWales to cover an Aberdeen match, I kept throwing topics at him, just to see how broad his knowledge was. He could give a discourse for 10 minutes on any subject I cared to mention.Selected Bibliography
His most famous football related works are:
*"The Game for the Game's Sake (The History of Queen's Park Football Club 1867-1907)"
*"The First 100 Years (The Official Centenary History of theScottish Football League )"
*"Mr. Stein" (his best seller)As well as being an authority on Scottish football, Dr Crampsey wrote a number of books on non-football related subjects including:
*"The Young Civilian, A Glasgow Wartime Boyhood" (1987)
*"The King's Grocer, Life of Sir Thomas Lipton" (1995)References
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