Former Greenock Morton genius Andy Ritchie talks to Daniel Gray. A gripping, moving personal tale encompassing being driven around by George Best, signing for Jock Stein’s Celtic, becoming the hero of Cappielow and struggles with alcohol and mental health.
Come on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words
Former Greenock Morton genius Andy Ritchie talks to Daniel Gray. A gripping, moving personal tale encompassing being driven around by George Best, signing for Jock Stein’s Celtic, becoming the hero of Cappielow and struggles with alcohol and mental health.
Come on over to our revamped website and give our print offering a try: Take me to your wonderful words
Hello and welcome to this nutmeg podcast, a version of the Scottish football magazine for your ears. I'm Daniel Gray and this time I interview guest is former Greenock Martin genius and Richie. Richie was quite simply an artist that pitches canvas among the chaos of life. The nutmeg podcast is sponsored by Orien Scotland sports performance center. It lands every fortnight. Please subscribe, leave a review, or give us some styles to us. They're like a birthday card with two pound coins. Neatly sell a taped inside. We stand too on the elegant shoulders of our print offering. Do see nutmeg magazine.co. Dot. UK to find out more. I read some sample articles, enough of that. Here's the podcast. Andy started by telling me about the bells Hill. He grew up in cue tape. He also was a heavy engineering industrial place. At that time.
Speaker 2:We had the all the major steel worker in the boat, the area, so this year it was a tough area with problem and understatement as well, but it was a good area. It was plenty of football played in it. We really didn't have the facilities that the younger people have to Dena here. So we had a local youth clubs and they supplied eh, football for the guys. And if you are lucky in netball and drama for the ghettos, eh, so then he finds enabling and certainly then he finds it drama. So I thought I may as well have I give a fuck. He keep me interested. And so it was always well they're always well run by people who the for the cancer with messier, everybody knew one another. That was the most important part. Yeah, everything. Every family was interlinked in some way and another. So he was playing football for enjoyment. But you're also playing me your friends and family,
Speaker 1:you talking games in the street and games on the park. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Gibbons street football was still stolen. The court, not even as much that there wasn't as much traffic or anybody here I stay in a small Crescent, eh, it's probably about 30 houses and that team and when I was playing my football is I can't be lucky if the two cars and the connection, you know, cows were not the thing at that time, the late sixties you know, you have to be reasonably wealthy or to have a car. So you are able to do that in a safe environment and knowing that you know, occasionally you will only going to have to stop the game till our cargo pants. So everybody played on the street or on pieces of spirit grinder in the auditor. It was organized. The three local amateur teams of junior teams, eh, unskilled teams as well. School football was absolutely massive for that attainment or when I was a kid, your trend though, I claimed the pinnacle year home boy who would have been receiving a school boy cop. So you know, skills were still very, very important to difficult. We you
Speaker 1:markedly better than other kids at that time were that kid the other kids
Speaker 2:know about from other schools. I was market way, beg Elvin books still there. A lot of kids who were in at the end of the day that goes by family and knows I that was[inaudible] that was not unusual. You know, I was a bag boy to say the least. Yeah. My mother showed me a picture a couple of years ago, my first primary school football team and into like Craig Brown was a teacher X got one manager who was the headmaster, but the skill of that team and you know, I was up to optic Creek shoulders and the team for that time where the rest of them are over 10 and 11 and until small people. So yeah, I was begging, I'm never this, I don't know if NDA 1112 and 13 ever put a marker on me. And they also, he and I said, yeah, there is a potential footballs cleared of the future. Eh, I thought it was already[inaudible] that way, you know? And my mother thought it was a good player, but she's always beat me on my medial pack affair with a wee boy. But I don't think anybody ever look at me and thought, yeah, there you go. That's what well we got to play in the future. Right. What was the path into it becoming a bit more serious? The trials and ending up at Celtic? Yeah, well I thought team trials were prevalent up here in the West of Scotland. All the major English clubs and Scottish clubs that many, many scopes watching games are individually here. As I said, it was plenty of football being played in the alarm shot area. So there was always people here. And what the English clubs did at that time was the[inaudible] stadium junior stadium. And they invited boys from all different clubs, all different areas for industry to come and play a specific game. Eh. And everything seemed to be a wrangling pub that I had never received an invite. I was playing for bell. So YMCAs that they had never received an invite 10 of these trials until one morning I guy couldn't manage. And one of the men who were organizing some of the boys to go with asked me if I make the numbers up and at that they went to combine old and I played in the trial for Middlesborough and that trial game that day with the middle manager, Stan Anderson and the assessment manager, how-to chairperson[inaudible] 66 bottle coffee and a, I played the wait 15 minutes and again and they took me off and I thought well I'll never get fight bop and my expenses for traveling, they combine also Nobel wasted day and little did I know until after that they had seen something and need out there and then they weren't any of the rest of the scopes are where they are T to see and maybe jumped the queue in front of[inaudible] after the game. They invited me to come down and a couple of weeks time after that when my mother and father, they would grind the bit metals but our, cause he was very keen at taking me. But the time I had to left the stadium at common old juniors, like I always say Eaton, the Manchester in 80 scope, Jimmy Murphy. So Mark busbee's half-brother had invited us to Manchester. I got to the carbo take me up and John Dempsey, Brian Dempsey's uncle was the, he was representing and he was inviting me to go in to speak to Celtic. He West[inaudible] was there and he asked him the Valley over there. So anyway, we got into karma and the team, I get back into my house, he and bill, so their mom and dad and my brothers and sisters and the range of scale certain way my mother and father discussing the situation a bit, maybe take me auntie Tia books and I made, I always thought from that day when I left home at 11 o'clock that morning to go Cumbernauld to come invite to three o'clock in the afternoon, eh, Mahu life, it changed. Certainly changes or boy, but well, it introduced me football and that all happened in the one day without ever thinking anytime. I know I read books now and I hear people talk and association. People say, I used to go to bed and dream of being a football and I used to do this and they used to do that. Trust me down when I say this never crossed my mind to anything, you know, I thought I would maybe have to get there in the main, I'd not been need to follow my brothers and still works AA. I would love to have been a plumber. Very good friend. Demaines with a diploma. No. So, well that'll be a Becky joke for me, but I never ever thought I dabbled and been able to make a career a football. Never thought about it in any shape or form. Told that day on that day
Speaker 3:when everything changed forever. Well you too young to be aware of how crazy that situation was. Were you just taking it in your stride?
Speaker 2:I just turned up and played the football match as well, but the thumbs up and played for bell. So YMC or Belvedere play minuscule. I had no qualms about that. I was neither excited not taking and by all and after unit during the intervening, maybe year after that because Nick one, you couldn't say in a player 14 years of age in Scotland. You could, you could say it as a schoolboy here, but in England you couldn't. So they were going to be more than things aviation. So my and father, you know that they will innovate innovated in middle school and we went to Manchester United. Eh, my dad's family knew Mrs. Murphy. So ma must be smaller. I was smart bus B paper and most people, boy for about a year and a half. Ian bell. So, eh, so there was a background, there were Royal way introduced the summer in the boardroom at Manchester. These are to ordinary people fit the Oxo myself. Yes, the wee boy, you know, and I loved, I didn't pay any tax. My mother and father went to one of the best, the tells in Manchester, which these speak Royal air, but that for the years after I was sent to to Weber Boyko, Willie Watson, who was first team player, eh squat player who came from Appalachian, not too far away from bell. So, and I loved him for a week. He used to bring me on the train and then, then he had T go away. And then from national[inaudible] score and under 23[inaudible] and for the same week after hours picked up in the moments with George Best and dropped into the, to the training room every morning and take bike home again, which was about an experience. Do you remember much of young best? Oh yeah, I remember. I remember the motor. He tape Jack ever. He picked me up and you know, we did the Hawaii, we did the a Carterville. So I think maybe[inaudible] tape Jaggers and then I remember thinking, well, maybe they do this for every young boy that comes. I wasn't really sure, eh, I remember. And I remember them always been late as well. You know, that was, that was a phone and it would be suffice to say that, and I don't think I'm being nasty when I see this, but there was occasional with alcohol when I got in the boat and as we open at 14 that really passed by and I never gave any great American a thought to that, you know? But it was always inquisitive for higher ed. Dot. D in what enjoyed it and not the end the way back home again, you know? But he was a top player in the country at that time and I just thought maybe the guy's just been nicer, but Oh, you know, but I find a way around the Lake there. It was quite a nice fellow, you know? So it was an experience for a 14 year old boy.
Speaker 4:[inaudible][inaudible] Richie special[inaudible] special[inaudible]
Speaker 2:1971 you joined Celtic. What do you remember of arriving that he had joined and signed as a school boy, I think it was Edwin's 71 weighs 70 it wasn't long after Celtic had been beaten in the European cup final in Rotterdam, eh, and Celtic heart at that time. A great set up at Celtic park and the respect to the dominant and the league at that time, you know, there's one European cop 67 they put it again in the Fein when 1970 they had some fantastic players and they were able to accommodate the best footballing boys in Scotland. And your early memories of jock Dean, we didn't really see a great deal of the night that I sang with an S for. We had the, we contacted my family, my father did. They bring men. He was 80 signers gabion because he was so young. And that was the first thing I'd seen. I try Oak in itself. He could take it on the battlefield. Davis, ARV. Sean found the assessment but he kept[inaudible] the road, you know, but it was a massive, I get in the game so you know you knew who he was. He knew all about him. I didn't come from a Sheltie bike growing down. You know, why not shout out? My mother will support that as a cat. My father needs to go in Southeast to watch model, but just going in SLT pocket, not they. I remember my assessment manager, Sean fallen and they came and welcomed me in the father and took a friend to the boardroom where I would say in the forums they joke, it spoke to my dad about what the segregation is going to be. They wanted me to come in and saying there's an S for them. I would play, I would go through the the ranks through the Celtic boys club rank and then from Celtic boys club[inaudible] and then hopefully a things went well enough in January I'd maybe get onto the reserve teams ideation, which would automatically mean a full time contract. They run it through my, that my dad, I would imagine like myself that, and they always, I just passed over the top of me. My dad said, I'll never forget more leaving, showing falling jokes. Assessment.[inaudible] see mr Rachio. Okay. He said you have to take some time off your wellness direction. Oh no, that, sorry. No, no, no, no, no. He says we want to, we want to reimburse you for your expenses. It's about the last visit. And he, she thinks very much so showing him and on his bike pocket and he pulled her a water notes and every one of them seeing it be a 50 pound note. No, in 1970 I think my pork was there in the bit 12 quid a week, you know. And he peeled off a 50 pound note and he gave it to my dad and he looked at him, but three or four times, you know, I hadn't been home more than four weeks. Sweeties, eh, and I remember we traveled in by bus mother, their mother didn't have a car, you know, and we walked from Celtic park up Springfield road and the one that rode for people that know the area to get the bus back here again. And my dad just kept wanting enough 50,000 on the railroad, you know, I says, well, I don't think we'll be back in for the evil meant that she, we should keep going every week. So this is, that would be great with them. And that$50,000. And I remember them coming out and giving it to my mom and the smell and they're late enough but her face as well, when she seen a 50 pound note, you know, and I thought, well that ego, that's what football. So he D eight and things around you maybe make a few quarters. Even as a kid, I remember Frank, not, you know, but that 50 pound note, I'd never seen one in my life before. So it was a first off as well. And I, I joined and I went to work here in one of the companies were in the boat. But eh, after we were, when I'd been going on the Tuesday and eight a some vacancies appear doing, eh, you're going to staff. It would be as an apprentice football they'd call it. And a couple of things cropped up on that. And I was asked the first white day to join the Clinton staff, which meant you are there every day doing the duty students that you are a help tidy up the rest day two species became available and on the same day myself and Tommy bombs joined the Celtic partner and stuff. And that was when football became really serious and really interesting. You know,
Speaker 5:you still there when you turned 18 therefore able to buy a pint. Tell me about jinky Johnston's nightclub in Hamilton, because I've read reference to this. It was a good[inaudible]
Speaker 2:very popular with young people at that time. Can a Discotech make public discourse, but then they have an eight clubs at the Tesco's, a bit a bit[inaudible], John Travolta, Herbie[inaudible], just get on and all that. And yeah, we used to go eat JV after the reserve games. The NFL who passed away or not too long ago told me a harder, eh, we used to go across here and Jeremy was always good tears. You know, he's made sure we can answer any problem. Nick, you end up at say Eaton, you could always say get set up at the bar without any problem and be chummy with, pack up the tab, you know, so me and told me how they were regulars, they Ticketek free entry and a color of three pints of beer. So it was a twist that we hung a bit. Quite a bit became he was, and Jeremy had the place for a few years. Very, very best yet. Yeah, I think he made a lot of money and that team, you know, so so far it must have been thinking this is a good career. Yeah, it was exciting. You know, there was things seem to happen pretty quick way for me and that seemed to be the format Ray through my whole career. 15 when I joined this healthy boys club, somebody in their infinite wisdom. The boys corporate thought he had big fella and he's nearly six foot, you know, we'll try and center half. And I remember somebody saying, well he's from Belk, so Celtics kill it and stuff. A Senate house from Belle, so European co and are me Neal. And they put me in a tribal game and back y'all can show and file and up for the game. And I played, we played three 20 minutes and after the first 20 minutes[inaudible] I'd never seen coming anywhere near the segregations in the training going for the castle. I team come over and I had only joined the Korean staff about three weeks. So you really hadn't, they take much notice of me and they came over and he asked me who I was, you know, terrified. Say my name's Angela gene, where do you from bell? So long as you've been saying Tia, she's been three months, she's in know saying half. I said, well, I'm asking me, I'm playing the day, you know, I says, I can see that this is as it because you come to the bell so they think you're going to be a good son half because your hope was, and then I remember I was for the whole, my whole life was being sucked, aiming at that team. I was being ridiculed as a 1415 year old boy by like joke. And he said to one of the coaches of that team, he said, you take the boy ECOS salt and the place up front in the forward possession because he can, he run, he can hit up the ball, he can, he tackle and it looks as if he's a carrot. So you'll never be a defender. So yeah, I'm up front and I remember thinking, well there it goes, Marty. I don't think kitty or anywhere, you don't just summed up the five sentences there. And I went forward[inaudible] for Celtic boys club and I think that's good. About 130 goals and the Ketty season. I went as a center for my junior cup[inaudible] RobRoy in a play dating games there. They called me up Yalla. I get called up for the Scottish youth team two years younger than my age group has got 36 schools and 17 games for Rob Roy playing me, man. This is men's football now at 16 years of age.[inaudible] team at 16 playing with great players at Celtic park Hottie hood. Young Brogan Gacy just missing out enough top-class Celtic team. What are the younger players will end Donny and Kenny Lee will renovate with the great effects of Davidson, Paul and Gacy regular first in players and they came in and played three games for the reserve team or in the just before Christmas. I scored three goals for them as well and halfway through my junior season they called me up, gave me a field team contract on the 17th birthday and I played in the first team of four months after that. So all Hoffman very, very quite way, you know, and I was able to play. I though the attributes that Celtic looked for and I could control the ball, I could pass the ball and I was lambing every morning with the greats, you know, meet you. We stole their women was stolen poblanos probably Martha Davey, Kenny Dalglish, Donny McClain, young Brogan, fellow McNeil and what are their, you know the nucleus, they broke up those main lines but the nucleus say some great players on and amongst that and I was learning every day for them like Tommy Cowen, fantastic pros when you play the game. And I was like a sponge. I was soak now up at an early age. So from being a wee boy who never thought but at 14 to being a boy[inaudible] on the 17th buffet, two years I had gone from point of bell YMC 80 point and Sheltie for Steve fight. I made my debut for half an hour coming on as a substitute at Celtic park again against them family. And there was only one substitute to that thing and it was me and there was taking I think bag belly finished the phone and seat and took volume in the off that day. Put me on and I could feel and take of breath from 40,000 people. The Celtic captain doesn't get substituted unless he's injured and he certainly doesn't get substituted for a 17 year old boy, you know, and I could feel everybody servicing well, it goes as guy, you better be good. You know,
Speaker 4:Dean minutes to half time. A real touch of the magic can get that chain which you pointing to the far side, inviting the cotton Russell on Anderson to move in. All rough in the middle of his goal looking for the cross ball rich. He spotted the garden, a beautiful Rose and white footed. Totally train aligned goal witnesses did the balls sped into the net. Brilliant goal from nine. Did it shape his 15th of the season on[inaudible] one down in six minutes. No lead to one. Despite that
Speaker 2:promise, you decided in 1976 to join Martin, is it right before you left Celtic? You offered another contract there? Yeah, I was offered another contract. Morton had a goalkeeper called Roy beans who are[inaudible] but very interested[inaudible] and the molten manager that attainments[inaudible][inaudible] son and I had played against Ben in new eh and I had jokes. Dean had had a very bad car crash during that time. Had been away from Celtic parts of the 18 months. And you're not, and not feeling tight. Well it'd be suffice to say that the, the, the manager who had came in and our team, Shaun fallen tetany potato, they fancy me too much. I was an insurance taper player, which ah, I understand that, you know, you've got to respect other people's decisions. And they gave, and I draw up crate bike for the pecking order, diva McParland to Cayman and had the same players that he thought he wanted to play on the team. And you know, we'd spend two or three and they had jumped the queue for the one about a phrase in front of me. So I went right back in the pecking order, couple of clubs that quiet the Burnie model, which was exciting for me at that time. Me, Willy McClain, the manager on your demo to put folk up my cup language clubs. But[inaudible] stated that I wasn't going anywhere until he come back. It had combined him, well when they got to come by, it would be suffice to say it wasn't the same money again. You know, he had physically was knee, you know, still held out the, but he could see that he, things was never going to be the same again from in respect to what had been before and I couldn't seem to get back in again. And I had developed some horrendous social habits for that team as well. And the audience of youth that came in to me again, I wouldn't be told that wouldn't be a lesson, had store plus. And then I knew better. I'll never live videos, you know, Shelty were doing me bad as a phrase, you know, they're all ganging up the road. Like in snail, I was looking for the excuses. No AA went up to the fact that why I really needed today with Roma sleeps up going to a show about a maturity, which I didn't have to be honest with you as muster maturing stage of my wife in a certain extent, my football and the, it'd be again the ATCA that you know, I wasn't in the nicest[inaudible] so after we will more than that, inquired if they could help me in a swap deal for Roy beans. Beg joke. It came to speak to me and I think no, when I look back, I think he was still trying to put the freight in or something, know you bet, you know, which doesn't really work. You know, he suggested to me and I said, I came back and again and offer me another 40 year deal to keep my SLT part. We would try again. We would get things sorted. It like snore and I'd say to him, no, which was probably the worst. The second level I made in Farber, eh, middle of mill buy decisions, not in life, but that was the worst one ever made in fiber. And they left more them received me and 10,000 pounds for the goalkeeper, Roy beans, November, 1976
Speaker 6:the,
Speaker 2:and then I remember playing the second game for Morton after the the capital and we would get beat. We talked Phi one, we said mum, Alec, fair gussets, mum and the local Darby. And I remember leaving the green.day and the calorie rifleman thing. I really Washington, I could drive to Celtic park Monday morning. I wish I could go back and say a lesson. I'm sorry I'm wrong. Forget about all the nonsense stuff. Come away before, you know, can we start over again? You know, but the detail's been done by that, I think
Speaker 5:to too many temptations as an 18 and 19 year old. We joke a bit about the Hamilton nightclub that
Speaker 2:yeah, in the thing. Yeah. That was, and and, and football was, it changes every decade for fight the changes every five years later. You know, that one thing that I wouldn't have happened, but when I was, when I played in the first team Sheltie puddle using, not often, but when we that third when we played with Eric games or what have you, eh, it was a drinking culture at attached to the whole thing. You know, I remember rod Stewart's first ever adversity, Celtic partner and Kenny had brought, my name is[inaudible] just after world cup 1974 you know, ended up buying the problem.[inaudible] rotted the concert, Nate and the Newcastle at 21 and Gaza going to end up having a drinking session and they left. And then after that, you know, and it was only 56 90 74 it was only 80 but there was a drinking culture to the whole thing attached to it, you know, and eh, you know, you didn't, you didn't leave and go home straight home after games. You went and had a drink. You know, that's the way it was in the 18 or 21 or 28 that that was what happened, you know, and a after we were like[inaudible] enjoy that kind of situation, which whether it be available in the 18 year olds. Thank God
Speaker 5:despite that in our specious start things that Martin went well, it's true to say now that you're regarded as a hero, but we'll come on to that. I know you don't like such talk and promotion. 1978 as champions. What do you remember of that season?
Speaker 2:Hey, well that was a fantastic seat. We were, we're competing in our team, you know, c'mon ox and Johnson hearts, Dundee. Oh major clubs, full time clubs. Most of them are part time. I went from a full team set. Eaton itself dictate the pop thing. So I left health, it went for half of the money. Tim, Tim Wharton and, and they, everybody expected that, you know, we did the good finish the previous season and they expected that, you know, Hoxton D Comano and Jones to know these, our teams feel team clubs would take care of them all. And that wouldn't be a problem, you know, and that was expected. True at the whole team and we'll all suddenly prove ourselves. You know, I'd finished from the November the end of the previous season. Martin st Boardman, they're all championship and we went there only about 22 games. We had a situation where we went to Montrose Elion after three games and some of the players for the belt, like myself there was in the Harbor, I must behaving a lot to too. Even some of them that must be here the night before the game and then they run, they get the idea of opportunity to get ready for the fight players and not, I think if what your dad and they critic very well influence some smashing players, young players way something to prove and my sign in a very short space attainment on the arena, but we've got to get safe. You could play, you know, even though 40 years after it, people you know, talk about more now I take him to talk about Angela T and nothing else. It was just very, very embarrassing because when you certainly look at that, we had guys like Joe McLaughlin thing, but normally captain Kelsey, we had Neil[inaudible] who went on for half a million Quechee West, Tom, Mark McGee, he went to new castle, Jim told me he went to, you're welcome to play the lotto. Europe, Bobby Thompson, he went to medals bruh, eh and numerous other players who would owe very, very good placement knowing they have fantastic careers. So at that time, Ben, he was both Ben, he was one of the best young managers in the game of that thing and he was building something at capital. So it was a privilege and a pleasure, a pleasure to be part of that. Take. He good players, make good football teams. Not only that[inaudible] exciting plus. And then he once described that as being a good team and I was eating on the cake for them, eh, and obviously we all ate to play the game as we all ate to create goals and score goals and trying them our best bit three and then a 10 as well. You know, I was described in a book there a few years ago down. It's been a Maverick. You know, I think we look up the date actually. Let's see where the heart really men, you know, eh, but I, I liked that and I like playing the game that way. And I like the freedom that Benny gave me within the confines of that team to be able to go in there that, you know, when I was lucky enough to go$100 goals and three seasons, I played in that way. So I must've been then some rate[inaudible]
Speaker 5:a lot of words come up when describing your style of play and it's easy to see on YouTube clips now. And I encourage anyone listening to get onto YouTube and have a look at you in, in your prime, elegant. The vision you had graceful, joyous to watch the drops of the shoulders that dummies, the nutmegs view a Brazilian bond to bells. Hell, throw up a bit that, eh,
Speaker 2:well, when I, when I think buying it now, that was a natural way that I wanted to play the game and whatnot. I went to T, I wasn't in those way. Great deal. A piece I could run, eh, adequate brain. My feet were quite yet a dancing feet, but with now run and there was near bus while I was near physical tape player. You know, I could handle the first cavity but then you go work in and again and then 60 seventies at that time the game was physical. It's an entirely definitely game there. You know, some of the stuff are, think back on when we put, you know, you can get sent off new for sneezing and somebody, you know, dangerous challenges in the sixties and seventies about 10 a penny. You know, at that time I used to help, they spend the first 20 minutes train. They avoid them, you know, because he got their team got a free one. So that mean that excluding the goalkeeper, you have to watch it for 10 free ones because everybody wanted to try and what was it? Just scraped him as you can. He rung me one leg, eh, so he would spend the first 15 minutes in the game trying to find who was training. Put you at the game, you know, and that game is physical acting, bartending[inaudible] as I say, you go stay out in front of but a Oh eight to think I had a weakness version. Being able to control the ball and I can Porsche, I can push it and say it depends on way books. It's only way like Kim Fe but her dad, I was able to buy a split second the heartbeat, you know that made all the difference when they came my, she's got enough for what goes with passing the ball in the net. I could hit the ball as well. You know, it's got many, many goals from destination crashing shorts, always, never nails. But I could also possible and the name and a good goal scorers[inaudible] you know, going way back fee Niecy and Jamaican leaves. There is a boy[inaudible] literally watching guys, Lee, you know, Robbie folio and all these guys that came through early years, you know, been able to have composure and possible and that's very important for the gold scholar.
Speaker 4:[inaudible]
Speaker 7:[inaudible] going after this. He has told me with a chance to brush his way through Richie
Speaker 4:[inaudible]
Speaker 7:put this on the fence for wool crunches have told me his presence than tax, Tang attention to the bullets that came there. He was allowed really to gain the initiative. He's tried to push his way through. It was deeply struck back, connect with SWAT. They take it by Richie
Speaker 5:cause I mean now watching those clips is how terrible the pitches were and yet you managed to do this kind of thing. Can you imagine you as y'all type of football are on, on the beautiful manicured surfaces we have today at capital
Speaker 2:six months ago, they haven't had to go and congratulate the grain Smith. You know, he, he's probably the best staining Martin I've made in the last 20 years. I graze when he's actually got grass fed that pot. But that was the norm. People say that a couple of days they would, the good park staff, you know, you should have seen with the bad ones were like know eh capital, that reputation of being low down next to that, the water that they clade so it floods regularly. You know, but trust me, they were good. You know, they were there. I remember traveling for a, an angle Scottish game and the[inaudible] the angle Scottish caught many years ago. It was a three year old that Westerners and we played Preston North end the deal. And I remember going to one and not popped out. It's like a bowling green that was a real football park. And then we had played on, you know, ploit fuel the Copart cup here two weeks before and going there in the ft. But they spent money on, there were tough that, you know, not say anything but they travel. They're in for the tech cycle cup, the NGO, Scottish cup protagonists. So also pleasure to go in some of the ingredients. Presto[inaudible] you know, real good parks. We grass on them. You know, Capitola was nearly eight now they are for you know, seven eighth of the season.
Speaker 5:Despite that. You still fund of the ground or no, it's cause it's my favorite ground as a fan. It's the most authentic ground. When I imagine the ground in my head. It looks like that.
Speaker 2:Yes. Oh, I did well when I go, eh, uh, that's done by in the goals. The acquaint. Enjoy it. Yeah. You can move a boat. I like to get dune. It's Familia brings back happy memories for you. You know, you'd be a fool to say that you don't enjoy even the harms.
Speaker 5:So moving on then to 78 79, the premier league top score over 22 goals, the Scottish football writers player of the year, and amazingly still working at the same time. Yeah. That was part partying all the time I was here. I miss driving,
Speaker 2:meet Lori and Glasgow meet market and I was also for a spell during that team working on the roads. No link. Calm down McAdam on the road. So yeah, yeah, yeah. But that was, that was a norm that all the Morton players were doing that, you know, Neil[inaudible] was assistant Dean keeper at Cole McComb golf club. John McLaughlin was an apprentice plumber. Bobby Thompson was a welder in the shipyards. Jimmy Holmes was an engineer at the rolls Royce. My father engineer up there, eh George Anderson worked in the offices of shipyards. Roy beans that just opened this pub when he'd come back, you know, so everybody worked. So it was nothing special for me. I was just part of, yeah, eh. And they were Bessie things because we were playing premier league football or training two nights a week. I was telling you holding this job in the meat market named[inaudible] Natoya there with me market knows that attained this stuff that barely Adelaide the bottle and it's finished period late in the afternoon. It was a bit just hard to get the[inaudible] point and thing three a Coke, NAFTA and then when the woman that are looking for the bitch and meeting nine o'clock in the moment. So I was up paddling in the morning. You would travel, there were games OBR, but Dean Dundee might, they met, we can come back. No go home that week. Smaller in the morning and be up pedal in the moment you've got the meat market, but he didn't, you know any definitely that was the way it was. And all the players were the same. They were on the boats. They are chef welding something. The following day after a game of[inaudible], eh, and it was exciting because we were doing well, you know, we're running on adrenaline and hours at our team enemy the previous year until I master it and going out. And Tina were all in my coat. He wanted to take me, but the SFA would deposit for the park team player to be party a bottle cop sport. So I had 22 seasons and reasonably where all the season before and the next season after Argentina. I think it was a, a mixture of many things. You know, the country had such a downer after Argentina and the premier league cutting along staff then, eh, they really had to freshen up. And you know, I, I had to go grown Johnny[inaudible] season the year before and I wanted to show people I could play, get a month away from Morton and if I could score goals in the premier league, do that, you know, they said die. Well, he did tolerate and foster version B premier league bank boys or serve amount. Now he's not good enough to play here. He's no good enough today that he's no good enough today. And he scored goals and first diversion[inaudible] score goals in the premier league. You'll find them at, you know, you are constantly having to prove yourself and enjoy that challenge and our team and it's good for me, you know, and so did that. That was the most important part of that. It wasn't even me. That was Dan on that and it was all Martin and embrace that as we all benefit dollar get team and work on the same way. We're all in the same thing. And finishing sixth, uh, part time team, and this wasn't a sixth when it was just ranged and Celtic running away with everything. You had Aberdeen and Dundee United quality teams in that division as well. Right? So it's very much a team on the earth where we had Hernan's doesn't sell tech, obviously PR, you know, you had Aberdeen done DNA test, you know, he'll be gone when the premier league, not too long after that, we also had some houses. We all own massive clubs and other clubs renovate your apartment and people expect the monitor. But alligator that season, we were not thing you ever taught sex. In fact, maybe fourth for thought for a couple of weeks we were beating the back of sight home and away. What happened around we are anti semifinal. We caught when they sent me train with Scottish Hitchcock, we were playing in participating in I think, but we're lucky because we are clear to that team who was fit for purpose. You know the Madame, they play on new hoes. You know, it's a busy, busy schedule, but we did this well and incorporate that. We're working raising a family and did all the rest of this stuff with the busy schedule. But we were fit for purpose. You had to be a certain level of fitness. The play in the park for 18 games a season like capital, eh, you had to have a certain level of fatness allergy to go and work all week, 20 days a week, play two games every week as well. Eh, and importantly you have to have the right type of person that wanted to do that wanting to be successful. Then we had all the attributes. Then at Martin and that thing and which helped for everybody. You know, I was able to go and do art that, you know, I remember this, describe to me miss discriminated by the by phone, by putting the team smashing the guy called Jim Holmes who should have went on and play the RA good level as well. Jungles. I create Selma from Norton and he described me as being a deference between digestive baskets needs Kathy's table and chocolate baskets because we are playing what? Earning very little money but the bonuses what very good. You know and for the guy who's doing the bills is a ship on a fraidy Mormon welding thing. NASA, all of these get the opportunity to double play with they 14 now all week and one game a football, you know, they boys what category they, they, they play top the up top as well. And that was a good mixture of that thing.
Speaker 5:One of the nicknames given to you as being idle as an ID, L E idle ID, O L and that reputation for not running around as much as someplace. Has that annoyed you retrospectively? Given the fact, you've just mentioned what you were doing outside the game and you're trading harden. Presumably you were doing the runs everyone else was doing in training and all of that.
Speaker 2:Maybe not as well as after the video. Yeah, but yeah, you know there was a misconception and ended up getting[inaudible] up in the South in the afternoon at 10 to three and put my cat ornament and played forever and that wasn't the case. Training training consisted some nights and just run it in the track cause with no training going, he couldn't go into the pocket but arena part enough. We needed that for Assad. They said we were under the NIOSH TrackMan a burden, you know with with with that physical work and I wanted to play, I remember ISTE certain watch on the ball. We traveled there, we games and maybe at a hotel in Dundee or somewhere. I never really developed gallery in the tailie photo in the bowl and the South. They often grieves me in the scene with viewing somebody at some, we're actually cleaning round muddles but I saw where weather and you'd see in the background the chilies, beautifully manicured cheese and the Vogue goals and nets on them. And the three bags were a hundred bowls on it in a Burton that Oh fluffing and funny and renovate, kicking the ball. And then they went and played me to touch games, never else. And we'd all look at one another, certainly now hotel range, you know. And I used to say what, what can a team would we have been if we had taken the facilities and now opportunity they prepare them. They are the things we're eating problem, not just for me, I'm not being selfish and saying that just for me, I worked on a[inaudible], these were all young boys, these little kids, 1718 and 19 as I mentioned, they were running around. They play real high level, you know K much better DLP. H i, much better with M orton o r B. I stated p ublic w ay of w here they went full time and had somewhere along the road t o try and get some sort of facilities. Thankfully we even the one that something, you know, and it was me, that wasn't the phone newspapers I could throw out with it making stupid statements. Eh, we went off on something because we had good guys, good pros who, you know, as a CTL, I run bike, UNT Chelsea or these boys went[inaudible] clubs. They are seen what it was like down there. And when I talked to them, them at all, we're all getting to the stage here. When you have old men, you know, they always say that, you know, what did we achieve? What did we accomplish under those circumstances? You know, Mike McGee's a power means and he's been knowing the world in 80 days pass by two during the new month. And they all definitely clubs in there, you know? And he often says to me, what would we have achieved if we had had better facilities and more of an opportunity? What we achieved was phenomenal in what was there.
Speaker 7:You need some support.[inaudible] he's playing it whole world.[inaudible] Richie[inaudible]
Speaker 5:I must ask about some of the great goals that live so long in people's heads and hearts, especially the people from Greenock, the halfway line goal against Dundee United FC, which seems to get further and further back with each fun ask, which I enjoy free kicks from angles against Alan Ruff and the rest. But the Eagle that people talk about the Valentine's day, 1981 Aberdeen, absolutely beautiful. The ball over about 40 yards from near the halfway line. You jump chest it down, edge of the D, flick it around the defender who falls at you feet, the dummy, the cuttin, the finish with the outside of your boot into the far corner. Bellissima yeah,
Speaker 2:cup game. And that was the only goal of the game. And it would a, at that time it was on television as being the televised game, which was important as well. And we had think we'd been able to in the week before, which had the good game of nowhere, you know? And it was, we always had good games where nobody knows, kept through EBIT, something special for, for Alec, you know, where that good was also up there. And we really needed that. So we've struggled in the previous game to get ready, I think harps two games with to go by detain castle and beat them. It think so when we played a lot of the best stuff that year in the cup and not the, it just felt as if it was going to be our day, you know, and they were not harmed. You know, and I, I've watched, obviously I've watched it, not that you a great thing, my granddaughter, she tells me I never need to know enough at this. Google what? And you know, a few, if you went to see some, you'll get it in YouTube, you know. So I watched a few tapes. I remember being, being asked about after the game. We used to do these be impromptu press conferences after it because it was a cupboard game on television. I was sent during the speak to the press boys and the television boys after it and we ran a capital. And I remember the fourth plastic table. I have four plastic here on the table, you know, constituted the press conference. And I go up there[inaudible] because I think I had a social engagement that they after that, you know, so I go there to analyze deal and about asking me a bit of all the Hawks, you know, the usual hocks felt PN. Haha. I couldn't even wait a member or at a time and you well done. But I didn't think it was saying the ordinary at that time. It was a goal and that was a goal when the game and everything else. But 10 nights after I'd been on their fair, they came in at the back, he come up and sat down, you know, and they automatically Leof me for comments. They ask Kim[inaudible], they had asked them for eight, they can invite to me and asked me again about thought at the goal and uh, what both word Butoh in the way I'm probably worth in the nurture, you know, and, and he just got up and he pushed back one of the plastic chairs, I'll never forget it. And I looked at the press boys anyways, first thing Matt, he says, I've not contained the standard a be here in less than a shape. I've got along Germany, biked the[inaudible] and we've just been beat. So I'm away. And it stalled. The Israel thought, well, I was peeved at team. I thought, well, you know about, well, it wasn't even a gracious, I fucked myself. Ever years. I thought better as well. I thought, well that's, he was committed here. He didn't, he knew the Albertine had the great chance. The one in the cup light year after he did the positive, doesn't say eh. In year eight I get team together and he was frustrated. He was frustrated with me. Always semen, T T be the spoke and the real eh, Mark McGee. And Gordon striking and all the boy while MLM Bengali kept me over the years, come waiting to go keep out of it however much is work on June the week time stoke me. If it didn't stop me, you're getting the ball stopped me for getting free tech stop me for then us and then uh, and I always seem to be eh, the sport and his paper. And I knew he was angry and upset then and I've spoke to him a bit of many years after it. We always have a laugh, a better, you know, but he calls out East way OTs, you know.[inaudible] I remember, I remember once I was, I was working for us[inaudible] as a scope and I was down South, it was the last game of the season, Manchester United, but just to be ready when the title foster thing tail. And I was at Southampton March and they gave, and I remember coming downstairs stairs eat de LA attainment and the boardroom and they gave you nice chain of cotton saucer rack up a tee and you stood there watching the very plan, the goals for the definite games are in a bit huddle train the boat, the spec tally on the wall and manipulated to just won the tail and[inaudible] David Beckham and just got the goal in the last game of the season. Now run a few anally and he sent the weighted and then either they say after they want to and everything else and, but the backend,
Speaker 1:anyone not ah, S
Speaker 2:Scottish managers that stole the, he says, I remember that. She said, I used the Hartman teeny in school on many years ago. He said, well, I boy called on the right. She used the score, goes all out all the time. And then I remember[inaudible] a stranger who was standing next to me in the boardroom at[inaudible] and I wanted to see him ask me. He's talking about, that's me. It's just mentioned. Did he just sit out there? You know, and it wasn't until after I come back up and running some, they had their copy over it and let me see her again. That was, she's high. You see this bag boy, he said when I played, when I was manager Albert, he used to score every time I, but Dean Martin plays me, goes for us. I've seen all that before. I don't know where to strike, but what all the great goal that David come at school that whether they really wanted to tell the whole world. I was quite good at taking three CACs, you know? But I remember I'll never forget the thing or anything. I want to say this. I don't know if it was a directive. I say something or somebody else. That's me. He's talking about, you know, you still always Hochman against our teacher.
Speaker 7:[inaudible] thanks for the season.
Speaker 1:All this time you mentioned other players getting their moves away, but you never got yours and this has everything to do I guess with the man. Hell Stuart, first of all, tell us about him, the owner, chairman, the man from the cooperative at the time. How was probably
Speaker 2:probably the most lovable code man I've ever met in my whole life. It was a total and complete salesman fabricator to any segregation as long as it was benefiting how and Morton football club, you know? Yeah. I worked there in the intervening years I've gone there, you know, the decades have gone there and how would it been the perfect agent for football or snare, you know, and that was, that was just the way he went. His brother in laws was a lot of the West with who is chairman of Newcastle United for many years. How had been brought in the game. They worked for the Corp, I don't really know for as a young money was ever really involved in the game in any way or toy. It just seemed careful. Pier as being less tobacco salesman from the Corp and wonder that Morton take on board themselves, seen an opportunity to make money. These, they arrange for all the old players through the 60s to get into doing exhibition key PRP, football, tennis, Nate sponsored by some segregate from, and they gave it five 60 the people that came in lying and you know, and how seen an opportunity to make something of itself within the football game, you know. So that was, that would say he came in knowing it when I go with him, he was, it was in full flow. How not only that worked for Martin Zelle and plus I remember this. So John lightweight in new United threes, he's Brownlow of Westwood. So he'd been involved in many, many fingers in the pie, but you could actually go and went in for a 10 pound wage increase off how get nothing in Philadelphia. You'd actually have to sell him when you walk back here again, you know, it just, that, that way we are me was just, as I say was it was Del boy. We were real class, soft heart, soft spoken.
Speaker 5:There are many stories about him. I read one about hell's gate, uh, different turnstile, uh, to the rest. Um, which didn't really count on the official numbers, so you play as couldn't get your bonus, which was hinged on the attendance figure. I read about players getting the choice of a pair of jeans or a Turkey for Christmas. And I read about you having to go to his house to demand 800 pounds you were owed. Yeah, I'd be working for the club
Speaker 2:on a part time basis or 20 start up our watery and the corporate very keen that they use my name to try and get people involved in that. So I'd been doing that and that accumulated off of the spaceship at six months, about 600 pounds worth of expenses, which is a lot of money, you know, and I'd spoken to him about that and it was always, yeah, we saw today, don't worry about the, we'll get that all, speak to the comp secretary. And anyway, you know, in front of it two months and my wife was in the Harbor anymore, you know, so he got in the car with human nature. We at the house door, you know, we found his address, which took us about a week to find out as well. Anyway, we got there, me and my good lady chapter on house door and he opened the door. That was the last scene from Jeeves and Wooster and that's great. By go long soak dressing going in a crevasse, you know, it just, the only thing that was missing was this long cigarette, hold them the second aid, eh. And it wasn't[inaudible]. Anyway, after about on earth discussion setting on, he's very allowed to let our Chesterfield cheer, eh, he gave us a check, he gave us a check from the court buying his own personal bank account. So while it was standing on the money prior to that, I don't know[inaudible] never find it, but if you know Geisel Almagro would go and they would promise them 500 pound signing on fee for the a and M and[inaudible] 500 pound. They would take them through the cooperates. The short man. Tell me, 500 parent spends in short by new beds for the cabinets and you know, at the kitchen table. And chairs. You're leaving. Yeah. And they'll let him give you money. How others? Just the way he was on the Lake TM, the Bowlby himself, he left. Well, they gave him the impression that I look the way I was my own, you know. And that was out there into a lot of years, easily through Martin,
Speaker 5:a PO, 1 million pound price on your head to put people off bidding, trying to take you away from Morton, giving you that big move you deserved. And really you became this figurehead used in things playing football with elephants for the circus, the opening bookies with red room playing darts with Jackie Wilson and, and, and, and I believe Billy Connelly coming into the dressing room. This supposed to been a bizarre time for you. All of these different activities and strange things going on. Yeah.
Speaker 2:That pantomimed in for two weeks, during the Christmas time as well. These things are little Hartman, you know, football was punching at every boat. It was becoming more involved in the community about like smart succuss was three weeks up here in Scotland and I say often could play, you know, so I used to play football without these things were happening or an opportunity to do that and embrace that. And also as well Kevin Nelson wafers and opportunity and some extra money. So that was so hot. That was all part of hot house that[inaudible] as well.[inaudible] entertain near concert came in and mid office but ratio, there was a field bucket done DNA. They'd gone a West time for 500,000 tones. Now Dave was a great, great, super clear one of the more than they feel bikes, a long career at West Tom, eh, still a still a legend in there as well. He had gone there and then how her say to me, so can I say all the best goal scored on Scotland? 35 goes a season, but less than a million[inaudible] scores, two penalties a season can then fight 100,000 so we had that Chucky counting off of money for me. Sheffield awareness. They love to have an untrusted and take Mudder hops off at the 150,000 points, which was a massive amount of money up here. Offered off a Morton a hundred thousand pounds to take me back again six months after I joined. As long as he said there was no short tail on the Lord and that had been done. So power mid the statement, he made it privately and they made it publicly as well where you couldn't possibly sell me for any less than a million pounds. A notebook of the embassy. Tried to try to stack there without, you know, doesn't help. And the cream of the and the way[inaudible] nearly, you know Trevor Francis, Oh these guys, you know, they were moving feedback club. The bike club wasn't it got any harm how the mesh read very much when came out, but he must read that situation as far as I was concerned.
Speaker 5:Was that the key factor in your growing disillusionment with the game?
Speaker 2:Eh? Yeah. It was after my second or third season at Martin. I really should have moved then. You know, I needed to go back full time again. I need to go somewhere else. I needed to go to a bigger and better club. You know, when I went to Martin Luther, I'll take one step back to take two steps forward and what people see that I can play, you know, people will begin the fight. Asheville itself, it's part of whether there was any good at all. And I thought, well if I do that and for three seasons I played in that already. So I expected that. And wait, you say there were no disrespect to the boys that well the other it don't move. Don't you know, I'd get them moving. I thought I really need to see other one there. And it was only at that time as well. You were a slave to football club. This was pre Bozeman. You couldn't see, well I will only play here for the season and go somewhere else. You couldn't do that. Eh. So Euro was the backing call. The club and the club decided that they would keep, and even to the day when a dead move, you know, you know, they held off the move and held off the move to this all the allocation, the season tickets for the fall and season before they sold me[inaudible] for the pay full amount of money and I find they got the choice of probably wasn't your anti mobile team, you know, but I just felt after the second season if it didn't, he hopped in front of me the thought that wouldn't harm eh. And yeah, I I that problem become disenchanted with the whole thing out affected me by the way.
Speaker 7:[inaudible]
Speaker 5:disenchantment really with not being able to get that deserved move away. I read also going out and playing football wasn't always easy for you. Issues around panic attacks and things like that.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That I had suffered, eh, panic attacks. Definitely the stages or problems with mental health as well, you know, eh, I tuck it, probably take it by to the team. And I've spoken about earlier on that when football became ultra important and everything in my life, I then the I then they mature. And that's very apparent in a proper manner, you know? Eh, and I had times where people with my nickname at capital, now you've got to wait for the Monday. And then my capital was, was hockey. And it's based upon the character from Starsky and Hutch fell, Falco, huggy bear. He was mr. Cool. You know, and never get flustered. Never done in, you know. And that was so far enough in my, my life. It wasn't he career, you know, eh. And it wasn't a totally on in my career when these things started to, you know, the, the panic attacks and the horrendous anxiety and depression that came along with that as well as a following T department, their illness, you know, so you are difficult enough and a typical West of Scotland dietary to the whole thing as we, Oh, you know that, Oh, don't know where you're going to look for help and anything like that, you know, eh, you sorta sucked it up and go in there if you know what I mean. You know, show a weakness. If you ever thought you were going to help you mention that I've talked about it of a stigma, it was you're not thing. So they were all difficult set of circumstances and when these things would come on me, done, eh, that thing while I was playing football, I would just walk out, I would just leave. I got other way of dressing and talks and just walk it, what I would suppose to be somewhere. And I didn't want to do that. And when they go. And you know, I'd make up some feeble excuses with team attain that at of teams. I couldn't, they couldn't, they got wavy excuses and people thought you went to all court. Never. Eh, it was something, they struggle with these things, you know, these panic attacks come on number. Oh, stocks offer for them. So, and I know what that all about.[inaudible] about half idea that we buy an idea how to deal with number two. You're not telling him under the circumstances wasn't a very good part in my life, eh, many, many years a disruption because of them.
Speaker 1:It's a terrifying thing isn't it? Especially the first time it happens and you don't really know what it is. Her mom's going on high shouldn't for many years. You know, there's something wrong and I was going to die. You know, I was going to have a heart attack and I was going to[inaudible]
Speaker 2:there. That's my wife stayed or, you know, eh, I really didn't, you know, but, and, and didn't want, you know, but you know, and tried to stop people for finding, but you know, my immediate members of family knew that was having problems, you know, but they didn't really know what it was, you know, eh, until not taming anxiety with[inaudible]. Try to dissolve that with alcohol, eh, which was another mistake as well. But yeah, I know we[inaudible] 63 years of age and we motivating, well, I know the fact that the last one I took another diet soda, but eh, there'll be helping them a long time. And like everything else, you know, you try Nick a VP at your care teams, you know. But when I came out and I say 80 people about better and I that speak about it and I spoke about it and my Burton governor, they also in alignment, I really don't know much about it, but they don't happen as often women, eh, thank God. And I'm able to, because of the experiences of other, the last three decades, people that deal with them a wee bit better, but still not something I really want in my life. He asked me to choose.
Speaker 1:Hopefully now footballers would be able to go to a manager or at least a liaison officer or whatever if they're having mental health problems are with like to thank so that way as you know, I would like to have thought I wasted so many years in my wife, no doing something about it, but I didn't know what to do and there was nothing in there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he got the dog Tom, you know, I don't think I've, I think I may have been in the fifties before I spoke to a doctor about it. You know the, so it's hard. It's hard to explain F F lay spot for, you've got that. Whether you're a football player in the talk, you don't need to keep it to yourself. No, you don't need to be able to own a beer at noon. I'm, I'm sorry that I didn't get the engine but tsunami and it wasn't even more readily available to me when I was a young man, you know, but the[inaudible][inaudible] as anybody suffering allotment and they really got the opportunity, they saw a but in there, you know, come in, get some help for that, you know, don't keep it quiet and it'll be in a bag man. Ya know, been a smart mind. You'll know. Help me. Anybody else buy it in it and certainly a football player for out because that seems to be a more pressurized BusinessNET for football players, you know, eh[inaudible] feel that way about it. You know, talk to somebody at your football club cause I'll catch you up. Call eat y'all. He don't[inaudible]
Speaker 1:at the end of your time at Martin then a move to you by her team. Motherwell didn't last long and then moves to Clyde Banky Sterling, the role I'll be in rovers as a player coach. How'd you love of the game gone by then?
Speaker 2:Yeah. God totally and completely had gone. It was only small fragments of my love for the game. That was stolen, their quiet dead, all that, you know, the clay bank for a couple of weeks and then somewhere else for a couple of weeks. And so was because I didn't know anything else. All of a sudden there was this great big vacuum in my life, eh?[inaudible] more then you know. And eh, that's all I'd known. Fare was 14 I was near[inaudible] for anything. So youth football, eh, so that was the reason why I then declayed bank experience and the Albion rovers experience with just to try and get some money, a peanut bills, you know, and I got in mobile was a full team player, so I'd given up the job. But where I taught before, you know, and Joseph was getting more difficult to come by. So that was, I was more or less when we at the game, unemployed and then the game, I think after I'll be nervous myself, more or less, you know, to find new employment or loving again, he'd, you know, it's eight again. And I moved here to wonder to 27 or 28 years old. Retired. Yeah. We've played the game over and over. Stanley smear. I played in the game and one of the players got injured by Ted head. Joel called 20[inaudible] and we had no doctor. The first thing the therapist was about as much yes as a chocolate fire gout. And this was a terribly nasty co HUD. And he said, so artist to your Baker, they get Joel Baker who played far off and Torino. You always give me a that tape, eh. And I told Joe, he got taxi for the boy and send them straight to the local hospital. Get out she ne, I'm going to come in a half day in the OTM and was about to know either better open it, let me know about a, he wasn't happy about it, you know. So after the game that night I went upstairs to see him and tell him need, get somebody else deploy money. He says, you've seen till the end of the season. I see. I'll never play again so it doesn't make any difference. And I walked through the door, that ain't no thought. That'll be[inaudible] say either park in Roseland, put my boots on it, and I never picked them back up again. And that was me 27 and I went to London three weeks later, so I never played after that. I been roads even to the extent that going to eighth grade, the better ended my career. The clubs still had yet as a slave because even now open[inaudible] keep people as asleep, you'll never play anywhere else again. That was his final words to me. The chairman[inaudible] says, this is the end of the road, the enemy point for the open rule versus the end of the road, that hard thing. So I never played again after that. And then down to London and working in, I went down and I took a job during the Lyndon and what my way through college at North London Polytechnic money. Stan, a very good job doing in one day. So yeah, chance meeting with somebody. We stayed down there for the few years. They didn't come back up North again. It depends. You up over the Hamilton Nike's, we come dancey and went back to sell to Kagan about the SLT because cheapskate and we told me[inaudible] what we told them in dun Yonson, dr Joe Vainglory and then eventually in a bit in England for the last 1250 years of spelled Aston Villa. Good years. Aston Villa. Enjoyed them. That club massive club, eh, went to Darby oil smell, nice Corp as well. Good club, West thumb bombs with bumping them, eh, and the scouting capacity and the recruitment, eh, which I, that's what five years at Celtic. And I enjoyed that. Never really wanted to coach but maybe I thought I would like to admonish that certain things, you know, maybe to advise on whether the people at their at near, you know, but never really funds. He did coach and say the things you know, and they didn't have to call a couple of weeks ago. They're regards gas 22nd I coach anybody. See, I never knew what I was doing myself. I fell about that law. I always remember thinking, and I remember Johnson telling me that as well. She didn't totally know what was going to happen next. So how could he possibly teach somebody else? Did they learn? It makes sense when you think about it, you know, eh, I never really found she the coaching that much
Speaker 1:instinctive, natural footballers at the same time, despite recommending players famously to self, to Josh cadet, if on high donk polar DiCaprio, you still as the phrase goes, battling these demons, drinking, gambling, and then it was an intervention from a former teammate, Tony Higgins that helped get you straight again.
Speaker 2:Yeah, my body took broken there as well. Another important ingredient, not horrendous cocktail, eh. And you know, I definitely lost my way, but I think I was unemployable.
Speaker 6:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So for software drinking, lot of fish and gambling and economic money, I could get my hands on any
Speaker 6:[inaudible].
Speaker 2:My mental health problems are quite severe as well as you can. Well imagine fitting in New Mexico. And if I hadn't been for Tony who was a PFA man up here in Scotland, that'd been a friend. Domains STO as a friend of mine, eh, intervening in that I went into rehab, really supposed to go down. And so to do that and bar managed to be able to stay out in Scotland, they stopped. It was for three months and ended up 14 months. And we sat there and said it was great. It was great to the Indio, you know, it wasn't getting out and they look through it and do all that kind of stuff. You know, you can get away with it. They say wait as the weight and monitor it, but I'll be forever grateful to the people that helped me at that thing to that to the organizations and the individuals that, that don't, you know, they, they were able to in some way put my wife back together. They get never been back to the way I was before. But eh, I'd lost my family, my contacts, several. And they also out before and Mike's deployed a lot back together again. And that's a few years ago in there, you know? But
Speaker 6:the[inaudible]
Speaker 2:and I don't drink any milk. So that's some boarding incident itself. Eh, saw the these things. I always see that pieces of the 12 piece jigsaw bike, I got that again and some days I feel as if from stole Dana, but eh, I don't have the madness that was attached to all that fight with the twenties intervention and the help helper. Many of those people, I wouldn't be here some poles up. It's no, and I don't say that far for effect. I see it too remained me, eh, where I'm at the end where I've been before.
Speaker 1:Would you say in all those years after giving up playing
Speaker 2:football, you were seeking to replace the safety? You seem to have felt when you were on the pitch. I remember a few years ago I was working in Scotland in the book turned the metal patch at Mott hall. Funny enough, it's been spoken about in the paper today and we got the museum. I remember standing and I feel that every training ground and every football park or walk on it, you see them before the games or maybe after the games. I'm going to be talking to one of them. Players want them. Being on the football park, even in an empty football partner. I'm just standing there and myself as the only place I felt. I really along those comfortable, the awareness of what was getting run a bit, maybe even a foot[inaudible] just putting my feet on that tough. That was the only place that I really felt I belong, that something to contribute in life. You know, that's, and if you think like, you know, kind of statements that they make it over that as I could stand on a football park, I go watch my[inaudible] before the game or getting walk across the fiber part. It doesn't matter who she's played. I walk across in a stone in the middle, a standard this ADA, and I think, well, you know, that's when I really knew what I was doing.
Speaker 7:So capital's still plussing with the appreciation. Love. Is it gold for Richie novelty?[inaudible] they come from Olympian, they come from the logo of town and even from the boat, they come from in Bridgeville and they, Jeff[inaudible], they got let down the cap, the low[inaudible].