Scotland V Italy

[Big T]

Good read on what could be a historic day for the Scottish Nation AND !!for Scottish fitba.

Tommy H


European Championships 2008

Sat 17 Nov 2007
Preparing for the big match: Hampden Hardware on Cathcart Road, Glasgow, is bedecked in the saltire. Picture: Ian Rutherford


Scotland expects: 50 things you need to know before 5pm
MARTYN MCLAUGHLIN

1. ECONOMIC BOON

The scale of the game, unprecedented in modern times, is set to benefit the Glasgow economy to the tune of £8 million, according to economic researchers at DTZ.

Using the same formula that estimated the benefits of big games from previous SFA and UEFA matches, the boon of visitors coming to Scotland's largest city will support the equivalent of 200 jobs for a full year.

Russell Whyte, a senior economist at DTZ Scotland, said: "Since spending will be concentrated over a single weekend, this will also result in additional work or bonus payments for several thousand jobs in the city. It's a win-win situation for the Glasgow economy, even if Scotland fail to beat Italy."





2. HAMPDEN ROAR

The Scots players will swear by it come 5pm, with many citing it as the equivalent of a "12th man", but the benefits of the famed Hampden Roar have been proven by science.

Sandy Wolfson, of the University of Northumbria, has found that home teams display greater testosterone levels - between 40 and 67 per cent more than the away team - thanks to the support of the fans.

"It is clear there is a big home advantage," he said. "We think testosterone is a major factor that has been overlooked by theorists. The idea is that if you're playing at home, you feel you're defending your own territory."

3. AZZURRI

Only they stand in our way. While there is no doubting Italy's superiority man for man, some believe Scotland will have no better opportunity to capture three points.

On one hand, the Italians are four-time winners of the World Cup, the current holders of the game's greatest prize and are past European Championship and Olympic victors. On the other, the morale of their game is suffering at the hands of supporter violence, their manager lacks the backing of the nation, and key members of the World Cup winning side have either hung up their boots (Alessandro Nesta, Francesco Totti), succumbed to injury (Mauro Camoranesi, Marco Materazzi), or quite simply, couldn't strike a bovine posterior with a stringed instrument (Alex del Piero).

4. JOHN GREIG

The match-winner the last time Scotland defeated Italy, all of 32 years ago. After struggling to break down an Italian defence tighter than Anton Du Beke's troosers, Greig's late strike secured a single-goal victory for Jock Stein's 1965 side. Here's hoping history finds a way of repeating itself.

5. LINE-UPS

Nothing official yet, of course, but the likely line-ups for the two teams is: Scotland: Gordon; Hutton; Weir; McManus; Naysmith; Hartley; Brown; Fletcher; Ferguson; McCulloch; McFadden. Italy: Buffon; Oddo; Cannavaro; Barzagli; Zambrotta; Pirlo; De Rossi; Gattuso; Camoranesi; Toni; Di Natale.

6. HOSPITALITY

Tournedos of cornfed chicken filled with a forest mushroom parfait, wrapped in Ayrshire bacon. Just one example of the menu available to those partaking of corporate hospitality at Hampden. No wonder the fat cats are so loathed by the ordinary punter. Whither the humble Scotch pie?

7. RANKING

Or the FIFA World Ranking, to be precise. It may have the credibility of a Kim Jong Il press release, but Scots have ample reason to rejoice over the convoluted system devised by world football's governing body, which gauges the best international football teams.

At its nadir under Der Terrier, Berti Vogts, the national side's standing was lower than a Tijuana card sharp. Considered no better than 88th, the team was rated below even those footballing powerhouses Burkina Faso, Kenya and Syria. The heady charge towards Euro 2008, however, has restored reputations, and Scotland proudly sit in 13th place, their highest ever position.

8. VIOLENCE

The dark underbelly of the Italian game, which last week led to the death of a Lazio fan, Gabriel Sandri, who was accidentally killed by a police officer at a motorway service station in Tuscany. Giancarlo Abete, president of the Italian Football Federation, has hailed the Tartan Army for their exemplary behaviour, and hopes his countrymen can aspire to such ideals in the future.

"The Scottish supporters are well-known and respected around the world for their excellent behaviour," said Abete. "They set an example. I have a lot of affection for them, for the way they conduct themselves, whether they are playing at home or abroad."

9. ZURICH

Oh, come on, can we not dare to dream? Whip the Italians and we'll be on our way to Austria and Switzerland. The beer might be a trifle expensive, but the Tartan Army can rest assured they will feel right at home. Zurich, one of the main venues, boasts no fewer than 1,200 fountains. Time to cool down the carry-outs and hike up the kilts.

10. DRINK

And how. Win, lose or draw, Scots fans are expected to slake their thirst - and nerves - by guzzling an estimated five million pints watching the crunch tie, one million of them alone in Glasgow. In fact, the city licensing board has allowed pubs to open for an extra hour tonight. Unconfirmed reports suggest kebab shop patrons are dancing in the streets already.

11. CHARITY

It's more than a game of fitba, you know. Even as you're reading this, the Ayr branch of the Tartan Army have packed the jam pieces and the Thermos flasks and are on a 34-mile hike to Hampden.

The ten-strong team set off from Somerset Park at 2am this morning in aid of Alzheimer Scotland and in memory of Ally MacLeod, the former Ayr and Scotland manager. Having initially aimed to raise £2,000, the group has to date attracted more than four times that figure in donations. Provided it traverses the A77 in time, the Ayr branch will make a cheque presentation to MacLeod's daughter during half-time.

12. POINTS

Ah, yes. This is what it's all about. After 11 games, Scotland are currently in second place in their qualifying group with 24 points. The French top the table with 25, while the Italians are on 23. Win, and Scotland will claim three points, securing our passage to Euro 2008. A draw secures just one point, and we would rely on results elsewhere to go in our favour. Lose, and we're gubbed.

13. EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The prize which awaits. Should the unbelievable come to pass, Scots fans will be rushing to book flights and hotels for next year's championships. Held every four years since 1960, the 2008 tournament will take place in Austria and Switzerland from 7 to 29 June. A total of 16 teams will participate in the tournament. Austria and Switzerland automatically qualify as hosts.

14. FADDY

Like Madonna and the Krankies, The Wee White Hope of Scottish fitba needs only one name these days. Already James McFadden, the Everton striker, has four goals to his name in the qualifying campaign, and he stands alone as the player with enough flair, ambition and ability to turn the match single-handedly in Scotland's favour. After hitting the winner against France, his mum, Ann Marie, welcomed him home with a roll and lorne sausage. What culinary reward lies in wait if Faddy sinks the Italians? Surely only a deep-fried kebab meat pizza with gravy would suffice?

15. REFEREE

The match official will be Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez, a Spanish referee who counts snorkelling among his hobbies. The 42-year-old has officiated at a Scotland game before, six years ago, when he replaced Urs Meier, the Swiss referee.

Sadly, he was not much of a good-luck omen, as Scotland lost by two goals to Belgium, a result which killed off the national team's homes of going to the World Cup finals of 2002.

He also officiated at Celtic's 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Champions League last season, during which game he attracted the ire of Scots fans for giving a penalty to Manchester United for a dubious handball. Fortunately for Celtic, goalkeeper Artur Boruc saved it.

16. THE IRN-BRU SONG

From this year on, this coming Sunday will officially be known as St Alka Seltzer's Day. Expect a few pounding heads and furry tongues, no matter the result. As such, this ode to the other national drink will come in handy. Expect to hear The Irn-Bru Song echoing around Hampden today. Altogether: "We hate Coca-Cola / We hate Fanta too / We're the Tartan Army / And we drink Irn-Bru."

17. BETTING

Bookmakers believe the game will smash all betting records for any match in any sport involving Scotland. The previous record of £5 million was held by Scotland's Euro 2000 play-off game with England at Hampden in 1999. A Ladbrokes spokesman, Robin Hutchison, said: "If Scotland beat Italy, the Tartan Army will carry McLeish to Buckingham Palace on their shoulders, tearing down the Wembley Arch on the way."

18. ODDS

William Hill has Scotland at 12/5 to triumph today, whereas the Italians are at even money. James McFadden is 12/1 to be named man of the match. The more unusual bets include Alex McLeish to be knighted in the New Year's Honours (33/1); the aforementioned to wear a kilt in the Hampden dugout (8/1); and, for any of those eternal pessimists still lingering out there, Scotland to qualify, but not win a single match at 2008 (5/1).

19. SALTIRE

Expect plenty of flag-waving today, but Grant Wright's huge Saltire is too heavy to carry to games, so he has stuck it on the side of his pub. Such is the size of the Saltire, Grant has been forced to leave it on the gable end of his pub, The Newmachar Bar in Aberdeenshire, in the hope it will act as a good-luck charm today.

He said: "The flag is so big I had to get a local painter to erect a scaffold for me. It has been a lot of hassle, but it has all been worth it. This is probably the biggest Scotland game in my lifetime, so I've got to show my support. I'm hoping it will make a difference, even if none of the players are going to see it."

20. LONG HAUL

Some Scotland fans are embarking on epic journeys to make the game. On the Tartan Army message board, some fans from Cape Town are boasting of their 10,418-mile trip, while others from Sacramento are travelling a distance of 7,960 miles. One Californian fan's itinerary is to the point: "Leave California Tuesday for Seattle, then on to New York. Arrive Glasgow on Thursday morning, then head to pub. Leave Glasgow Monday for Newark. With a massive hangover."

21. MIXED LOYALTIES

With the historic link between Scotland and Italy, many people with ties to both nations are confused over who to support. None more so than Gennaro "Rino" Gattuso, the uncompromising midfielder at the heart of Italy's team. The former Rangers player, now at AC Milan, is married to a Glaswegian, Monica, the sister of Carla Romano, the Los Angeles correspondent for GMTV. The couple met at an exhibition game in Canada, and they have two children together. Expect a domestic if Rino scores the winner.

22. FULLY BOOKED

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau has said every hotel room in the city limits - 9,000 in total - had been booked. An estimated 40,000 fans are expected to pour into Glasgow from outside to sample the big-match atmosphere, the bureau added.

23. HALF-TIME FOOD

Tesco stores have reported huge demand for alcohol and party food - especially in rural areas. The retailer's spokesman, Angus Bell, said: "Judging by the high demand for party food and drink, it looks as though, win or lose, the whole of Scotland will be partying on Saturday.

"What we are seeing is that people from outlying rural areas are making earlier than usual trips to their nearest big store to make sure they get everything they need well in advance so that they can sit back and enjoy the whole of Saturday."

He said the most popular food items were pizzas, burgers and sausages and onion bhajis.

24. WORLD CUP

It is a long way off but should Scotland beat Italy, they could be among the top seeds for the 2010 World Cup qualifying draw. The team has been elevated to second- seed status for the ballot in Durban on 25 November, but, theoretically, the Scots could by then have leapfrogged England and made ninth place in the FIFA ranking system.

25. PREVIOUS FORM

Scotland have played Italy nine times in the past and have registered only one win. There have been two draws with the Italians racking up six triumphs.

The results were as follows:

• 20 May, 1931: Italy 3, Scotland 0 (Friendly, Rome)

• 9 Nov, 1965: Scotland 1, Italy 0 (World Cup qualifier, Hampden)

• 7 Dec, 1965: Italy 3, Scotland 0 (World Cup qualifier, Naples)

• 22 Dec, 1988: Italy 2, Scotland 0 (Friendly, Perugia)

• 18 Nov, 1992: Scotland 0, Italy 0 (World Cup qualifier, Ibrox)

• 13 Oct, 1993: Italy 3, Scotland 1 (World Cup qualifier, Rome)

• 26 Mar, 2005: Italy 2, Scotland 0 (World Cup qualifier, Milan)

• 3 Sept, 2005: Scotland 1, Italy 1 (World Cup qualifier, Hampden)

• 28 Mar, 2007: Italy 2, Scotland 0 (Euro qualifier, Bari)

26. CRISTIANO LUCARELLI

He may only warm the bench on Saturday for Italy, but if it's controversy you're after, look no further than Lucarelli. The Shakhtar Donetsk striker recently left his club, Livorno, after a falling-out with the chairman. Arguably, he was just too passionate.

Two years ago, he paid the transport home for scores of Livorno fans who had been arrested at an away game, and along with as AS Livorno logo tattoo, favours number 99 on his jersey, a homage to the ultras group, Brigate Autonome Livornesi.

Like Paolo Di Canio, his skill is often undermined by his rash behaviour. But whereas the former Celtic player favoured right-wing politics, Lucarelli is an avid communist and an admirer of Che Guevara - his mobile phone ringtone is the tune of The Red Flag.

27. POLICE

The match commander, Strathclyde Police Chief Superintendent Robin Howe, has been in charge of around 300 big games. He said he considered this Scotland's biggest game for a generation, and hundreds of officers will be on duty across the city.

The officer said he was concerned about the late kick-off from a drinking point of view, and reminded fans of his force's "robust" policing approach.

"This is a massive, massive game - probably the biggest for the nation in a generation," he said.

"People have got two hours' extra drinking, and we need to make sure people get there in plenty of time and in a fit and proper state. We will be making sure there is no relaxation in terms of drinking in the street."

Ch Supt Howe said he was expecting no trouble from any of the Italian visitors.

Letters of welcome to each and every overseas fan have been drawn up, complete with smoking and drinking regulations in Glasgow, and will be handed out ahead of the game.

He added: "We don't have any specific intelligence about Italian fans and are not expecting any issues."

28. MEAT FEAST

Vegetarians, avert your eyes. If everyone at Hampden plumps for a Scotch pie, then the total consumption of the national coronary-clogging snack will weigh in at a staggering, greasy 2,600kg.

29. THE MACDONALD BROTHERS

Can't get a ticket for the game? Commiserations. But here, to compound your suffering, are every Ayrshire granny's favourites. The brothers are part of the bill at a massive outdoor event on Glasgow Green, where the game will be shown on a big screen. More than 6,000 tickets for the day, priced at £12 each, sold out in just three minutes.

30. PROFITEERING

Tickets for the game are going for as much as £1,000 apiece on eBay. And that's just for the game itself. The MacDonald Brothers' shindig is commanding prices as high as £105 for a single brief. Ruthless capitalists, the lot of them.

Anyway, it's hardly a story to tell the grandkids, is it? "Sit down, lad, and I'll tell you about the day I passed up on a once-in-a-lifetime game so I could get the loft floored..."

31. INTERNET VIEWERS

Though Scotland's homegrown fans will mostly take in the match at home and in pubs across the country, the diaspora have the opportunity to watch the game live via their computer.

The Scotsman's website, http://www.scotsman.com will be broadcasting the game for those fans living outside of the UK.

32. GALLUS

It is to the national side's hopes what a bar was to Richard Burton. Without it, both would fall flat. The Weegie X Factor boasts no finer exponent than James McFadden, of whom Alex McLeish has said: "He has that gallusness that you associate with famous Scottish players of the past - that kind of swagger."

33. SALTIRE AND SHAVE

A hair salon is offering to shave Saltires into Scotland fans' heads, all for the benefit of charity. City Barbers in Glasgow wants to raise money for nine-year-old Samuel Bell, who has the rare condition Total Intestinal Hirschsprung's disease, which means the youngster has to be fed through a tube connected straight into his heart.

Tricia Arnott, manager, said the haircut costs just £5. "There are always loads of fans who come in to get Saltires shaved into their heads," she said.

34. WHO SCORED?

There may be millions watching on, but most Scotland fans will miss any vital goal scored, according to research.

Around 54 per cent of supporters who watch the game in the pub are likely to be in the toilet, at the bar, or outside smoking when a goal is scored, a survey by Walkabout Sports Bars found.

Scots fans have been found to miss an average of five goals a year. The figure has increased since the nationwide smoking ban was introduced, and increasing numbers of bars are taking to installing screens in urinals and smoking areas to prevent fans being disappointed.

35. SCORING

This evening's encounter with Italy will produce a feeling "better than sex", according to one of the country's leading psychologists.

Cynthia McVey says that most of the country's adult male population would turn down a romp with Claudia Schiffer tonight, rather than miss the big game. But should we trounce the Italians at Hampden, she is convinced Scotland will see a population explosion in nine months' time.

"The links with the Italy game and sex are quite interesting," said Dr McVey, the head of psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University. For many in the Tartan Army, this once-in-a-lifetime match will be viewed as better than sex.

"The lure of the match is so appealing, I believe most adult males would push Claudia Schiffer out of the way if she wandered near the telly.

"And yet, once the game is over, the country will be awash with happy hormones. If you are in a very good mood, you are much better at interaction with other people.

"Your eyes are wider and you are more attractive to the opposite sex. If we win, the country will simply explode. In some circumstances, the euphoria will almost certainly extend to the bedroom."

36. SLOGAN T-SHIRTS

Kilts and replica tops are sooo last year. Instead, expect to see a few fans bearing a slogan T-shirt designed by the Tartan Army, featuring the "infamous and prophetic" message: "Big Eck Says Relax". A Tartan Army foot soldier explains: "We're not actually saying that Big Eck is saying relax, it's just a twisted way of handling the pressure of these games."

37. WALTER SMITH

Castigated by all and sundry for leaving the Scotland job for the pull of Rangers, the former national manager nonetheless played an integral role in the campaign. The SFA, its petted lip since healed, has invited Smith and his wife, Ethel, to take in the match. Unlike our next entry...

38. BERTI VOGTS

Should he ever venture once more north of Berwick, the former Scotland manager will probably encounter a reception only Kelvin MacKenzie would envy.

But, hear this, Berti will be on British soil during the game. Not at the behest of the SFA, mind you. The wee man will, in fact, be at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground, where his Nigerian side are taking on Australia. If Hampden roars loud enough, he might even hear it.

39. VOODOO

Edinburgh Dungeon is playing its part for the game - albeit a dubious one - having created voodoo dolls of the Italian team. Visitors are being urged to hammer nails into the effigies of Rino Gattuso and Luca Toni.

Allan McKain, manager of the dungeon, said: "We picked Gattuso because he's their midfield general, and striker Toni, because he scored against us last time. Anything that helps the boys is worth a try, and we thought we'd give our visitors a chance to have some fun as well."

40. PIZZA

Domenico Crolla, an award- winning pizza chef who is Scottish-born with Italian parents, has created a half-Scottish, half-Italian pizza.

The dish features a whisky sauce base, Scottish cheddar, smoked salmon, grouse and Aberdeen Angus on the Scottish half, with tomato, mozzarella, Parma ham, salami and pepperoni on the Italian.

Domenico said: "It's like having two sons playing on opposite sides of the same match; you don't want either of them to win. You know, either way, one of them is going to get hurt."

41. UKRAINE

Should we falter, and fail to defeat the Italians, the Tartan Army will become default fans of Ukraine.

A stalemate on Saturday would leave Scotland hoping Andriy Shevchenko's side beat France in Kiev on Wednesday night. Should that come about, both Scotland and France would be tied on 25 points, but we would qualify by virtue of our two 1-0 victories over the French.

42. ENEMY WITHIN

Not every resident in Scotland will be cheering on the team in dark blue. Figures from the Italian Consulate in Edinburgh show there are 5,779 families in Scotland registered as Italian citizens, and up to 50,000 Scots of Italian origin.

43. TRANSFERS

So successful are Scotland at the moment that two of the team's most important figures are being linked with transfers. Alex McLeish, the manager, has been linked with the top-flight English side, Wigan, while James McFadden, Scotland's talismanic frontman, is being mooted for a move to Celtic from his current club, Everton, who insist he is not for sale.

44. GREAT EXPECTATIONS

It is not only the result of the game tonight that matters for some Scotland players. One could become a father for the second time.

The wife of striker Garry O'Connor, Lisa, is due to give birth today, but has given her husband permission to be at Hampden for the crunch match.

Speaking at the family home in Port Seton, East Lothian, O'Connor's mother, Judith, said she would be heading down to Birmingham - where her son now plays and lives - straight after the final whistle to be with the new arrival.

She said: "I think maybe if it was his first child it would have been different, but Lisa understood how important this game is and that Garry has to be there for it. She'll have her family there and I'll be going down after the game as well.

"It will be the first time Lisa and Josh [their three-year-old son] have missed a home Scotland game."

45. ANTHEM

Forget Flower of Scotland. One of the most successful Tartan Army-related songs is Runrig's specially recorded version of Loch Lomond, which is the best-selling CD in the country this week.

The charity single, which features the chorus of the Tartan Army recorded at the Scotland vs Ukraine game, was performed by the band live last night on Children in Need, and will be played at half-time during the game. Let's hope it can inspire the boys to victory!

46. YOUTUBE SUPPORTERS

Simply search for "Scotland v Italy - The Trailer" to find a rallying call for all Scots fans, in the form of a novel fusion of Braveheart and Gladiator, all narrated with a suitably gravelly voice. Sample excerpt: "For so long as 100 of us remain sober, we will never surrender to the Italians. For it is not glory, nor riches, nor honour that we drink, but for nervousness alone. And three points..."

47. SUPERSTITION

One branch of fans claim they have guaranteed a Scots victory by jinxing the Italians. The number 17 is seen as unlucky in Italy, even to the point that hotels won't have a room 17 and Alitalia planes avoid having a 17th row.

With Scotland meeting Italy on 17 November at 17:00 hours, the omens for a Scotland victory already look good. But a branch of the West of Scotland Tartan Army is going one better: just 17 of its foot soldiers will gather in the morning to travel to the game.

In the 11 matches Italy have played on the 17th of the month, they have won only four so battalion leader Glenn Hays and his fellow supporters are looking for any advantage they can find.

He said: "Luck is definitely on Scotland's side. The Italians are terrified of 17 so we are looking for every use of the number we can find. Seventeen of us will go for breakfast together in the morning before getting on the train and travelling to the game.

"I am also wearing my lucky socks, which I have only ever worn when Scotland win. I might even try to get through 17 pints during the day. Anything to help the team and my nerves."

48. HENRY DELAUNAY

No, not a last-minute call-up of a Lyon reserve team right-back whose grandfather got frisky with a wifey from Dundee, but the chap after whom the European Championship trophy is named.

The first general secretary of UEFA, Delaunay played for the Paris side Étoile des Deux Lacs, before turning to the dark side, becoming a referee.

His whistleblowing career was, sadly, cut short during a game between AF Garenne-Doves and ES Benevolence, when he was struck full pelt in the face by the ball, causing him to swallow his whistle and break two teeth. What's benevolent about that?

49. LAST GAME

The last time Italy visited Hampden, the match ended in a draw. Walter Smith had quickly turned around Scotland's World Cup qualifying campaign after taking over from Berti Vogts and almost pulled off a famous victory at the game in September 2005.

The Scots made a bright start and took the lead when Kenny Miller nipped in front of the visiting defence to head home Paul Hartley's 15th-minute cross. Craig Gordon made some superb saves as the Scots looked like holding on, but a deflected strike from Fabio Grosso 15 minutes from time earned Marcello Lippi's side a point.

50. POLITICAL IMPORTANCE

It may have been a tongue-in-cheek comment, and there is speculation that the joke was coined by comedienne Elaine C Smith, but First Minister Alex Salmond believes tonight's result could have lasting repercussions for the nation.

"Saturday is going to be a great day for Alex McLeish and Scotland," he said at a reception on Thursday evening. "If we beat Italy, the independence referendum is on Monday."

Related topics

European Championships 2008
http://sport.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=1495
Scotland's

[Rowanside]

Nae offence mate ,but ah wiz at every Euro match,pre match Tartan Army,official parties.The Italy game wiz brilliant,coz we all walked proudly back from Hampden to the city centre,Glasgow was "Jumpin" that night,No regrets,we were all proud of our team.Never mind the stats etc,the lads done us proud.Already booked up for Macedonia on Sept 8 th.(got to fly from Luton).

"i would 5000 miles"

[Big T]

No offense given . I just thought that it might be interesting read for all us Scots living abroad. We all can't follow Scotland from where we live so just enjoy the ride.

Tommy H

[Rowanside]

Cheers Tommy,thank you for the post,am a Tartan Army " man "Aw kilt and nae knickers" stuff.The official pre match parties are in "The Shed",at Shawlands Cross,tickets like gold dust,but ah always manage tae get wan.Send aw the tickets frae the shed and the match tickets tae yon wee stinstun wumman ??.

Hope ye hud a guid New Year. Best wishes,

Urdrussan Tartan Army.

[Big T]

Ardrossan Tartan Army,
Tha last time I saw Scotland play was Wembley 1977. Now that was weekend to remember we won and I got my little piece of Wembley turf. I will always remember Rod Stewart being carried horizontally out of the stadium by Scottish supporters.

Tommy H

[Rowanside]

Nice wan big T,ah wiz at wembley 1967.1969.1971.1973.Then ah went mad and marrit the ( NOO EX) Missus,she fair pit the mockers oan ma jaunts tae follow wur team.Back on track noo, went tae all the euro games,next trip is Macedonia (8th Sept).Gie me a shout next time yer hame !,go tae the "Tap Shop"and shout "Rowanside".,if am no in some bugger will phone me.


Have ah guid year,

[oilers]

Last game i seen at Hampden was early sixties Scotalnd and Brazil with Pele,slim Jim Baxter,and Denis Law. Game finished 1-1. Baxter scored on a penalty. Of the Tap Shop I remember it when it was the Red Herring. On the weekend you had to get early to see the entertainment notably Jackie Mcewan a wee rocker from Montfode Drive. He was a cousin of mine. Does anyone know what happened to him?

[Rowanside]

Hi Oilers.Rowanside is just round the corner.Kent aw the Mc Ewans,still do.Jackie lives in Stevenson.Played a mean guitar with the Escorts (Paul Chisolm Roy Riddex )Mary,Anne and Janice are still in the town.