Malcolm Brodie: The ‘wee man’ was a true Coleraine legend
[Published: Thursday 26, July 2007 – 13:46]
The coach with Northern Ireland’s 1958 World Cup squad made the long journey from its headquarters at the seaside resort Tylosand to Norkopping – a long, arduous, tiresome journey.
Euphoria however permeated this group of talented players who had sensationally defeated Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the Group play-off qualifying for the quarter-final against a French side which included superstars Just Fontane, Raymond Kopa and Jean Vincent.
I sat in the front two seats with Coleraine chairman Jack Doherty and when Bertie Peacock lifted the microphone to make an announcement Jack said without hesitation: ” He is my next manager – I’m taking him to Coleraine.”
Peacock was then with Glasgow Celtic and one of the World Cup stars nicknamed ” The Little Ant” for his phenomenal work rate.
Shortly afterwards he announced his retirement, rejected offers from many other clubs and returned to his native Coleraine establishing the most successful era in its history.
How appropriate therefore that on Saturday week, three years almost to the day after his death, aged 73, a statue of ” The Wee Man” as he was affectionately called, will be unveiled in the town centre watched by many leading football personalities, civic dignitaries and residents of the borough of which he was such a distinguished ambassador.
I knew Bertie throughout his career. From the early days with Coleraine then Glentoran and finally Celtic where he formed an immortal half-back partnership with Bobby Evans and Jock Stein.
Never once did I hear him make a disparaging remark about anyone or criticism ever levelled at himself. He was, as they say, a nice man – soft spoken, mild mannered, generous, helpful and filled with satisfaction that the Northern Ireland Milk Cup youth tournament in which he had a vital baptismal role, was such a world acclaimed success.
He made his debut at inside- left for Celtic in the 1949-50 season forming a left-wing partnership with that other legend Cheeky Charlie Tully, winning a Scottish Cup medal with a victory over Motherwell.
Switched to left-half to join that famous midfield, he was a member of the 1953-54 title-winning team and captained the squad which defeated Rangers 7-1 to retain the 1957 League Cup.
From that moment Peacock became an icon in the rich and illustrious history of the Parkhead club and a favourite son of chairman Bob Kelly who admired his character, principles, honesty and of course ability.
Bertie once revealed to me the background of him joining Celtic. “I knew nothing about them or Glasgow,” he said, “I was influenced by a Scot, Jackie Donnelly, a Celtic fan and influential player with Linfield and Belfast Celtic’s Peter O’Connor who scored 11 of the 13 goals against Glenavon in 1941.
“Thanks to them I agreed terms with manager Jimmy McGrory. I never regretted the move.”
Peacock had been an apprentice plumber in Belfast, continued his studies at a Glasgow college and while working in a practical test with an oxy-acetylene welder was temporarily blinded in one eye by a flash. Celtic immediately found him another part-time job as a physical training instructor!
He scored 50 goals in 453 matches for them, inspired many outstanding Northern Ireland performances particularly in Sweden.
He made 31 appearances, hit two goals and succeeded his idol Peter Doherty as Northern Ireland manager in 1962 and, in one of his first matches, took the gamble to introduce two youngsters against Wales at Swansea – Pat Jennings and George Best. He hit the jackpot.
Coleraine flourished under him collecting many trophies, pulling in the crowds and in 1974 won their first Irish League title.
The name Robert Peacock will always be synonymous with Coleraine and with “the beautiful game” as his Northern Ireland team-mate Danny Blanchflower described it.