Nostalgia - 35 Years Ago

I've been remiss in not updating this blog on a regular basis recently. Hopefully updates will now be added several times a week.

I’ve commented before on how interesting to look back at Schoolboy and Youth international teams from years gone by to see which players ‘made it’ and which didn’t.

Two fascinating programmes for Schools internationals played in 1975 came to my attention recently. The Under 15 team was always regarded as the ‘Blue Riband’ of schools football with the entire talent pool to choose from. The Under 18 side was different. The top players had almost certainly left school by that age and joined senior clubs.

From the class of 1975, a fair number of players from each team went on to have decent careers in the game. The Under 15 international was for a game against Northern Ireland at Tannadice in March 1975. Scotland were captained by Dundee United S Form signing Ray Stewart (Perth Grammar School) who would go on to play with distinction for West Ham United and Scotland. 'Tonka' had an amazing record with spot kicks at the highest level. Another member of the squad, Jim Bett (Earnock HS, Hamilton) would also win full international honours during his career with Rangers, Aberdeen and others. He was also a 'pioneer' in moving abroad to play with Lokeren of Belgium at a time when Scots abroadwere unknown, much like now! Of the other squad members the highest-achievements were probably from Stuart Robertson (Claremont HS, East Kilbiride) who went south to Burnley and Doncaster Rovers before playing out his career in Scotland with Falkirk, Dumbarton and Stirling amongst others. Stuart Cribbes (Craigmount HS, Edinburgh) was then on an S Form with Hibs but actually signed for Hearts without making much of an impact. Derek Strickland (Blackburn Academy) had an injury-curtailed career with Rangers and Hearts. John McCluskey (Holy Cross HS, Hamilton) was a Celtic S Form but never matched the achievements of his brother George.

The Under 18 side took on England at Kirkcaldy in May 75. Their captain was Sam Lynch (St Augustines HS, Edinburgh) who is now co-manager of Spartans. The side included Robert Aitken (St Andrews Academy, Ayrshire), better known as Roy, and a subsequent captain of Celtic and Scotland. 'The Bear' was Assistant Mqanager of Scotland under Alex McLeish. Stephen Paterson (Milnes High School, Fochabers) was signed by Manchester United and later became a successful manager with Inverness Caley Thistle. His time at Aberdeen was less successful and he has now quit football to return to his career in social work. Other players to make the grade included Arthur Grant (Holy Cross HS, Hamilton) with Clyde and Alloa, Billy Harper (Liberton HS) with Meadowbank an Brian Kinnear (Glenwood Secondary, Glasgow) with St Mirren.

Pre-match entertainment at Stark’s Park featured an Under 11 Primary School match between Fife and Edinburgh. Fife included Stevie Kirk (At Agatha’s PS, Methil), later of Stoke City, East Fife and Motherwell. Dave Beaumont (Pathhead PS) went on to play for Dundee United and Kenny Ward (Holy Name PS, Oakley) went to Forfar. Five of the Edinburgh side later joined Hearts with three having illustrious careers at the top level. John Robertson (Parsons Green PS), Dave Bowman (also Parsons Green) and Gary Mackay (Balgreen PS). All three were key players iun the successful Hearts side of the mid 1980s. The other two, Andy Bruce and Scott Maxwell, made the first team at Tynecastle, but not for long.

That was 35 years ago . . . a different age in football’s development. The Schools FA is marginalized now with the running of international teams entrusted to the SFA Coaching Department. Whether or not that is an improvement is debatable especially given the achievements of some of these lads.