Many of the old time supporters of Strathmore Cricket Club, and indeed his many friends in the town and beyond, would have been saddened to hear the news of the death after a short illness on Thursday of Graham Ogilvie, know simply to generations of Forfarians as ‘Mouse.’
Born in 1937 and a native of Graham Crescent or ‘Chinatown’ as it perhaps better known locally, Graham was an attendee of Lochside Park from a young age winning the coveted TWL Bell Cup in 1955 as the club’s most promising young player.
That was the same year that he was to make his first team debut in a friendly fixture, but it was to be two years later, following National Service that he was to first appear in a Strathmore Union game for the club.
That was to be the first of twenty-two seasons in which he was to appear for the club first eleven in competitive fixtures.
During that never to be forgotten period in Strathie’s history, ‘Mouse’ was to play a major part in a side that won eleven Strathmore Union titles and seven Three Counties Cup Finals.
However the crowning glory came in August 1971 when the Rothman Quaich (Scottish Cup) was brought back to Forfar.
Having come so close two years before when they lost out in the final to Ferguslie, the side led by Graham’s good friend Don Crighton made no mistake this time round defeating another Western Union side Kilmarnock in the final.
As has been documented often since, the remarkable statistic about that side was that professional Nigel Hazel apart, all the other ten players were Forfar lads who had come through the junior ranks at the club under the guidance of their Bermudan mentor who had been a hero of Graham’s in his younger day and they remained great friends of course until ‘Chopper’s’ passing in 1996.
Statistics will never tell the full story of the pleasure that ‘Mouse’ gave to many at Lochside during his playing career both on and off the park it has to be said.
However he was one of the few players in the history of the club to have completed the double of 5,000 runs and 500 wickets. His full tally 6702 runs and 652 wickets.
His highest score was 123 not out against Forthill in 1968, but probably his best innings for the club came a year later in a Rothman Quaich quarter final against a power packed Clydesdale side at Titwood when he put the home side’s until then feared West Indian fast bowler George Rock to the ’sword.’
A superb fielder especially in his younger days in the covers, he also had the distinction of taking five catches in an innings on one occasion.
That ability saw him represent the Strathmore Union Select on numerous occasions as both an opening bat and leg spin bowler.
On one famous occasion at Lochside Park against an East of Scotland Select which contained Scotland’s five man bowling attack of the time. Graham scored 78 not out from a final all out total of 131, a remarkable performance.
Displays of that nature brought him to the attention of the national selectors and he got selected for a Scotland ‘A’ game against the MCC Young Professionals at the North Inch in 1971. Sadly the scheduled two day game was reduced to one by rain, but ‘Mouse’ opening the batting with David MacKintosh who went on to have a highly successful career with Worcestershire made 29 out of an opening stand of 43 against a visiting side that included in its ranks Roland Butcher who went on gain England recognition.
Once his playing career came to an end, Graham continued to play an integral part in the overall success of the club, spending many years as the House Convenor as the social side at Lochside also flourished.
He spent the majority of his working life manufacturing Step and Loft Ladders with Ramsay Ladders in the town, never marrying.
He also excelled at Darts, being a one time Angus champion and in later life was a keen competitor at Canmore Bowling Club.
‘Mouse’ enjoyed life, especially latterly in his own way, but he was still until recently a familiar figure in the town, his company enjoyed by many.
Back in closing to the cricket field and it would be fair to reiterate that statistics don’t always tell the full story of a playing career.
This was the case with ‘Mouse’ as although impressive, they do not do justice in any way to the pleasure he gave to many at Lochside Park and other grounds when in full flow with the bat or bamboozling a batsman or more with the ball.
His funeral arrangements are still being finalised and will be published when available.
However like many at this dreadful time numerically he will not get the send off he deserved.
(Tribute by David McGregor)