Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2012 12:45:40 GMT
If the dire performance of Ally's army at Argentina '78 knocked back the cause of Scottish nationalism, I think we should highlight the Torquay connection, as our old pal Bruce Rioch played a key role.
Liverpool's Graeme souness had been in scintillating form going into the tournament, yet Macleod stuck the old legs of Don Masson & Bruce in the Scottish midfield. Opponents Peru & Iran didn't seem to mind the South American warmth.
Ally stubbornly refused to even bring Souness off the bench in either of the first 2 games. With everything lost he then named Souness in the team for the final group match. Souness played a blinder & the Scots beat the Dutch.
Barton Downs
That's not too far fetched a recollection of the times. I've definitely heard Tony Benn remark that had he been Labour Leader at the time & won an election he was certain the British military would have prevented him coming to power.
Argentina certainly wasn't lacking a strong Government when they hosted the 1978 tournament in which Scotland made laughing stocks of themselves. Quite possibly it was the sort of regime that 'Sir' Hughie thought Britain was badly in need of at the time. One plus point was that Commies such as Paul Breitner stayed at home & watched the football on TV.
As for the despicable Jess Yates, yes times were indeed very different & the nation was accustomed to seeing Jess swivel round to face us with his organ in full view. He was certainly 'a bit of a lad' and even in those pre Leveson days most of the public were unaware of this until stories emerged much later.
What a contrast to the wholesome relationship between Hughie & Monica Rose. Always willing to take a young girl under his wing (or cape) & remind her to think of England
Liverpool's Graeme souness had been in scintillating form going into the tournament, yet Macleod stuck the old legs of Don Masson & Bruce in the Scottish midfield. Opponents Peru & Iran didn't seem to mind the South American warmth.
Ally stubbornly refused to even bring Souness off the bench in either of the first 2 games. With everything lost he then named Souness in the team for the final group match. Souness played a blinder & the Scots beat the Dutch.
Barton Downs
At times people even spoke in whispers about the possibility of either a military coup - or a group of old soldiers at the very least - taking power should these damn union types become too bolshie
That's not too far fetched a recollection of the times. I've definitely heard Tony Benn remark that had he been Labour Leader at the time & won an election he was certain the British military would have prevented him coming to power.
Argentina certainly wasn't lacking a strong Government when they hosted the 1978 tournament in which Scotland made laughing stocks of themselves. Quite possibly it was the sort of regime that 'Sir' Hughie thought Britain was badly in need of at the time. One plus point was that Commies such as Paul Breitner stayed at home & watched the football on TV.
As for the despicable Jess Yates, yes times were indeed very different & the nation was accustomed to seeing Jess swivel round to face us with his organ in full view. He was certainly 'a bit of a lad' and even in those pre Leveson days most of the public were unaware of this until stories emerged much later.
What a contrast to the wholesome relationship between Hughie & Monica Rose. Always willing to take a young girl under his wing (or cape) & remind her to think of England
