Rochdale (H). 15/09/79.

Another fascinating programme, big thanks as ever to Timbo.

Interesting to note that Mike Green felt the necessity to castigate the hatchet men of Notts County. It’s too easy to remember that Jimmy Sirrel had just had a few years at Sheffield United and so their deeply ingrained clogging culture was bound to have indelibly rubbed off on him.

Although, in the interests of fairness, I suppose Wednesday’s Sgt Wilko could well have been Sirrel’s assistant by 1979, and his Owls teams never took any prisoners during the mid 1980’s when he was boss at Hillsborough ….. No wonder Dirty Leeds were always keen to get, and eventually succeeded, in luring Wilko away so that they could kick their way to a title.

Crooked teethed old Jimmy was probably a product of his time, and if you grew up in the Glasgow of the 1920’s and 30’s, then shying away from the physical side of football was never an option.

Almost quaint to see Mike saying ‘English football encourages physical contact, and I agree with this’. Here we are 40 years on, with football looking for any way possible to further remove physical contact, hence the likes of the change in the drop ball rules. We’re changing the very nature of the game in order to make it more adaptable and suitable for female participation, but losing some of its character as a result of this.

Back to the programme, and it’s the unmistakable figure of Don Masson on the end of the County wall. Voted Notts County’s greatest player of all time, it does make you wonder why Sirrel didn’t think he had enough talent to outplay opponents, rather than resort to the roughhouse to gain victory, although if you recall the state of the pitches from November onwards back then, that option wasn’t always possible.

Masson was an exceptional player, but just that bit over the hill by the time Ally MacLeod gave him a key midfield role for Scotland at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. Ditto for Bruce Rioch. The young football fan who had watched Graeme Souness star in the Liverpool team that won the European Cup, after his January ‘78 move from Middlesbrough, could have told MacLeod to pick Souness, and then think about whatever 10 other names he wanted on his teamsheet.

Opening game against Peru, and MacLeod has to withdraw the knackered Rioch and Masson after 75 minutes in the Argentinian heat, as the Peruvians run rings around them while securing a 3-1victory.

Next game, Rioch and Masson rightfully binned, and Asa Hartford and Archie Gemmill given the midfield roles as Scotland struggle to a 1-1 draw with Iran, and in doing so somehow manage to look even worse than they did against Peru. Still no place for Souness even on the subs bench (only 2 subs to select from at the time)

Third and final match against the Dutch masters, the exponents of total football. On the basis that everyone else was useless, MacLeod propels Souness straight into the team. Midfield Masterclass ensues, although Archie Gemmill chipped in with a half decent goal, and it was a 3-2 win for the Scots.

Looking at that County wall, isn’t that the spitting image of Trevor Christie on the opposite end of it to Masson ? While checking he was at County at that time (didn't think to see if Timbo's programme was available) I did stumble across this interview with Trevor. Some enjoyable tales within it for those who will forever be more at home with the football of the 1970’s and 80’s.

link -Trevor Christie interview

I can vaguely remember this season and think we did beat Rochdale 3-0, think we drew against Reading that season.

Well spotted Inspector Stefano. Header post now edited to show as Rochdale.