Westa Newsletter January 2004
World Cup Fixtures
Sept
8th Slovenia home
Oct 9th Norway home
Oct 13 Moldova away 2005
March 26th Italy away
June 4th Moldova home
June 8th Belarus away
Sept 3rd Italy home
Sept 7th Norway away
Oct 8th Belarus Home
Oct12th Slovenia away
Wales
By my reckoning there are only 3 WESTA members who were present at the first Scotland Wales game in 1876 and a smashing 4 – 0 victory. Andrew Gibson has advised me that his programme for the game has gone missing along with his ticket stub! There have been many memorable clashes the most important being the Anfield clash in 1977. The move from Cardiff to maximise revenue resulted in a Kop packed with Tartan scarves, a wonder save from Alan Rough, a dodgy penalty courtesy of Joe Jordan and a dream goal from King Kenny. What followed was the Argentina debacle and the end of life as we knew it!
The last meeting was at Rugby Park in ’97 and possible the worst display under Craig Brown. Considering the other duffers this may put this game into perspective.
The Welsh have been playing well recently in front of 70,000 crowds. They may be close to bringing back the golden days of 1958 and a decent display at the 58 World courtesy of the genial giant John Charles. And yes they have beaten Brazil!
This gives us a chance to visit the best stadium, by far, in the UK. Miles better than Hampden.
Norway
Those unlucky enough to have been at the recent friendly will surely welcome a chance to visit a country where beer costs £5.00 a pint.
The availability of alcohol played a major part in a ’63 defeat on a summer tour. Blessed with a great set of players we managed to draw with Eire beat Spain in Madrid and lose to part time Norway! A hat-trick by Dennis Law was not enough in a 4 – 3 defeat. A game thus summing up the psyche of our National team. The result of a pre match drinking contest set up by Jim Baxter challenging Wee Willie Henderson and resulting in a mass hangover. Those were the days!
Leading 1 – 0 in the last minute of the World Cup qualifier in ’89 and needing only a draw, Hampden was stunned by a long range shot being spilled into his net by Jim Leighton. Entering injury time we attempted to pass the ball back to the goalie. The ball now weighed 2 stone and had reached a surface temperature of molten lava! How we laughed on the terracing!
Rumania
Returning from another not quite good enough World Cup story and a difficult Qualifier against Rumania September 1990. A sparse 12,000 crowd saw us fall behind to a Georghi Hagi inspired outfit.
Scotland utilised a youthful Tommy Boyd on his debut to great effect and we ran out worthy 2 -1 winners. The first 20 minutes was however a lesson in the short passing game. It is interesting to read the history of our game as this was the type of football pioneered by early Scottish teams. The best example being the mighty Wembley Wizards. A plea to the mighty forces in charge of developing our kids. Please give us better football, just like the old days!
Ally Macleod
Scotland lost one of its heroes this week and thankfully the press were finally kind to Ally Macleod. As we prepare to revisit Wales I can cast my mind back to his first game in charge. Ally replaced Willie Ormond as National Manager and had the foresight to keep the nucleus of a blossoming team He seemed also to reflect the mood of the nation. Its not that he was a great leader, just that people warmed to his infectious optimism and followed him in their thousands.
A 0
– 0 draw in Wrexham was a precursor to the mighty Wembley victory a week
later.
Standing at the tunnel end with at least 80,000 other Scots in the ground we
all just seemed to know the script. By the time I got onto the pitch there existed
just wee white stumps. I later witnessed guys attempting to get a stanchion
into a bus!
We demolished
the Euro Champions Czechoslovakia 3 – 1 and onto Anfield. What a night
of emotion. What an atmosphere! The country went mad, everybody, no exeptions.
The press were in on it, the SFA obliged and Ally carried the can. His biggest
mistake was in playing Masson and Rioch, both past their sell by date.
Happy days, happy happy days!
WESTA Awards
As usual the Iron Horse was the place to be seen as we hosted the annual awards ceremony sponsored by Scottish Leader Whisky.
A secret ballot must always be protected but I was taken aback by the controversy engendered by some of the winners. Remember Westa members it was you who voted!
It is worth remembering the winners entering the WESTA Hall of Fame.
2001
Player of the Year - Neil Sullivan
Goal of the Season - Sylvia Mcgarvey
Trip of the Year - Sam and Janet
Journalist ( Joint ) - Blackie and Catriona Harvey
International Manager of the year - Dick Advocat
Media Tart(s) - Pauline and Mark
Player of the Year - Christian Dailly
A footnote. Courtesy of Marit, our resident Dutch fan, Dick Advocat got his trophy and sends his thanks! Hopefully she manages to get the trophy to Neil!
Things Can Only get Better
2003 saw the rebirth of the Hampden Roar and just the slightest hint of Scotland team worthy of the fans. Fletcher and Mcfadden are hopefully leading the charge of the young brigade. The dire financial affairs afflicting the boardrooms are a self inflicted curse. Bring on the youth of Scotland and a return to our rightful place in World Football.
Yes bring back the good old days of not quite qualifying for the second round of major tournaments.
Hamish