Flashback: 3rd May 1986
Originally Posted on The Kerrydalestreet Forum
It was a Saturday.
Same old routine.
Get up, go for rolls and papers, and get home for a leisurely breakfast, whilst shouting at the radio because they’re playing the hits of that time – The Chicken Song by Spitting Image, Snooker Loopy, by Chas and Dave, Just Say No by the Grangehill Schoolkids, Rock Me Amadeus by Falco etc etc – No DAB, mp3, Online Music, or Satellite in those days, no siree bob.
The future Mrs P, says she’s going into town, and “Would you like to come with me?”
Well, the prospect of hanging outside changing rooms like a tube along with other guys who would rather have their bikini line singed out with a blowtorch did not appeal so I eschewed the offer and said that I’d just have a quiet Saturday to myself.
Started reading the paper (again), and it was full of Hearts this and Hearts that, and first league win in donkeys years, how the good run was all down to team spirit, blah-di-blah-di-spew.
There was no way that Dundee would beat Hearts on current form, and Celtic had just left it too late. And they’d need to win by 3 clear goals too.
So she leaves me to my own devices.
“It’s going to rain”, she says, “Make sure you bring in the washing”. (Tumble Dryers? What are they?)
“OK”, says I.
Anyway, she went on her way, and I wondered how I was going to fill my day.
Pub? – hmm, sounds tempting
(Voice in head: Celtic are at Love Street, you could go)(Other Voice: But it’s pointless, Hearts have won it)
Game of pool, couple of pints
(VIH: Go on, you know you want to)(OVIH: But nobody else is going, and it’s still pointless)
DIY? – that shower needs fixing.
(VIH: Love St, Love St, Love St)(OVIH: OK – you’ve convinced me – when’s the bus?)
So there was me waiting on the Western Scottish bus going to Paisley. I took my wee personal radio (new thing at the time, it was quite a fad then) and was listening to that.
Eventually the bus came, and I got on.
It started to rain – heavily.
Awwwww Naaaawww – the washing! My scrotum will be made into a purse when I get home. Aaahh stuff it, I’ll just take the consequences like the wimp I am.
Anyway – I get to Love Street, and immediately bump into some folks I know, so at least I’ve some company for the game.
The game kicks off and it’s apparent that Celtic are in the mood.
Some of the best football of the season is played and Celtic are 4-0 up at the interval, with some cracking goals, especially Mo Johnston’s second, which involved a build up by McGrain flicking over a St Mirren player’s head, passing inside to McStay, getting the return, forward to McClair, nutmeg, and on to Johnston who scored.
By this time, we know the game’s won, so all attention is given to the radio,
Second half – McClair scores with his knee after a sclaff of a pass by Murdo, and we’re cruising.
Awwwww nawwww – the batteries have packed in – what’s going on?
Well, by this time it’s peeing down, and all my thoughts are on how near but how far we’d come, no news from Dens Park, and a draw would be enough for Hearts.
Then.
It Happens.
Albert Kidd scores.
The place erupts.
The atmosphere changes to one of disbelief and jubilation.
Kidd scores again…..
Yahoo, ya beauty – “Hold a chicken in the air, stick a deckchair up your nose….” (Sorry wrong forum 1986 nightmare there)
So we’re all jumping about – the game is incidental now.
Final whistle – invasion of pitch – cleared – players back out – the normal rigmarole for this sort of thing…
I’m soaked to the skin, and thoughts turn to getting home on the bus.
As I’m going out, the guys I knew offered a lift – excellent – no worries now.
We have to walk back into Paisley, but as we pass the Wee Howff, someone suggests “Pi..” and before he can finish the word, we’re inside for a couple of celebratory swallies.
Eventually get home at 9:00 to face the wrath of the wet washing.
Well, not really, she’s an understanding soul and had a wee beer waiting for me.
The only other memory of that evening is of Sportscene which had the Hearts game, and of that famous shot of the Jambo sitting in absolute despair, head in hands after their game and dreams had ended.
(I actually thought of him after the Motherwell game last season – the empathy strikes back)
The next day, I set up the new fangled video recorder thingy to tape Scotsport and still have that tape to this day.
“Memories
Like the corners of my mind
Misty watercolour memories
Of the way we were” CSC
Anybody else there?
©AP 2006