of Airdrieonians who had noted his performance in a recent challenge game. At this time if a player was not playing league football at any time then he was free to sign for whoever offered a contract. Airdrie offered a contract and Gallacher signed without a second thought. In his nine games for Queens Gallacher hit 19 goals, with the game against Hawick on 13 April 1921 being his last. He however returned to Palmerston Park many times to play in and referee charity matches. Gallacher was also among the jubilant crowd who watched Queens win in their 1929–30 season-ending 2–1 Charity Cup final win against Mid-Annandale. In the week prior to Queen of the South appearing in the 2008 Scottish Cup Final, the club office took a phone call from Gallacher's son who phoned to wish Queens all the best and said his father had always spoken fondly of his time at Queen of the South. Airdrieonians He moved back to North Lanarkshire with the transfer to Airdrieonians. On 19 September 1921 Gallacher made his senior Scottish League debut in the 2–0 defeat to Raith Rovers. Gallacher was selected for the first team 15 times that season and hit seven goals. He also helped Airdrie reserves to the Second XI Cup. The following season Gallacher became a first team mainstay as the club finished second. The next season they finished second again, with Gallacher hitting five in a 6–1 win over Clyde that briefly had the Diamonds top of the league. Silverware arrived when Airdrie beat Hibernian 2–0 in the 1924 Scottish Cup Final to claim the club's first senior trophy. In 1925–26 Airdrie had their third straight second place league finish; Gallacher was credited with 35 goals. He was only 5 ft 5 ins tall and was often on the receiving end of rough treatment. However, because he tended to seek his own retribution, he was often in trouble with the authorities. There was much speculation about a number of English clubs that were out to sign him. The Airdrie fans were incensed and threatened to burn the wooden stand down if he was sold. His last game for the club came on 5 December 1925 in a 2–1 defeat to Morton. In 129 games for Airdrie, Gallacher hit 100 goals. Newcastle United Newcastle United's desperation for their new centre-forward meant that they were willing to pay £6,500