I READ with interest the letter by J G Hall (27/12/95) re the war time internationals between Scotland and England.

Oh yes, England had a superior team but Mr Hall omits to mention that the English made sure that four of their star footballers were posted overseas whereas many of Scotland's stars were posted abroad: Willie Thomson of Rangers FC to name but one.

I also saw Scotland's 5-4 win at Hampden in April 1942, when the star of the match was man mountain Ephram (Jock) Dodds of Blackpool FC who was centre forward for Scotland.

I next saw the match at Hampden on April 1943 and can clearly recall the incident involving Cullis the England centre half and the Scotland centre forward Dougie Wallace, a South African who at that time played for Clyde FC.

Mr Hall admits to giving the facts leading up to the incident: Dougie Wallace was booted relentlessly by Cullis prior to the act of retaliation, but the referee did not consider the act justified and ordered him off. The referee was Mr Bobby Calder, who later became a scout for Aberdeen FC.

Cullis for many years played for Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and he was generally regarded as the dirtiest player in English football.

Mr Hall mentions a few of the England team at that time. I give the full team as follows (old formation): Swift, Bacuzzi, Hapgood, Britton, Cullis, Mercer, Matthews, Mannion, Lawton, Carter, Denis Compton. A truly magnificent team and one which could have given the one that ``stole'' the World Cup a three-goal start any time.

Bruce Hendry,

8 St Ronans Drive,

Hamilton.