Popular Post 26th of foot 6,084 Posted February 22, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted February 22, 2021 This morning, I felt all warm and fuzzy. Maybe nostalgia ain't all it used to be, but my enthusiasm bubbled at the thought of Dens Park and Easter Road during March'75. Season '74-'75 began in desperation and quickly got worse. Jock Wallace was entering his third season as Rangers boss and Bears of my age had to draw on misty memories of Primary 2 or 3 to remember Rangers last Championship victory. Killie had won it in '65 under Wullie Waddell's tutelage and newly appointed Sellik manager, Jock Stein had won the subsequent nine in a row. It was the darkest of tunnels, but there had been lights. Big DJ's header winning the League Cup in '71, the ECWC victory in Barcelona, and the Tam Forsyth studding us to Scottish Cup success in '73. Those flickers did not sustain a League Championship winning flame. We kicked off the league season on the last day of August at Somerset Park, Ally McLeod had the Indian sign over us in Ayr. We required a Jardine penalty to secure a 1-1 draw. I travelled home on the Tannochside bus and thoughts were dark, already a point behind and we were visiting Sellik Park in a fortnight. In between, Thistle visited Ibrox and our new strike force of wingers, Graham Fyfe and Cutty Young notched our goals in a 3-2 win. The bus was despondent going along London Road, a lithe and agile pairing was not enough against ra green'n'grey's back four. The return journey was raucous, Johan and Cutty ran them into the corners, and surprise midfield starter, Ian'Ted'McDougall shot our second and winning goal off the far post. The following week, three things occurred. We signed Bobby McKean, I matriculated, and started a Saturday/Sunday job in Littlewoods. Dumbarton at the Stadium saw McKean's debut, he played well but the best winger on the pitch, was erstwhile 'Ger, Davie Wilson. We sneaked another 3-2 victory. My last free Saturday was spent at Rugby Park in the sunshine, we thrashed Killie 0-6. We went all the way to Christmas competing with both Hibs and ra Sellik. Eddie Turnbull's Hibs teams were a joy to watch. They defeated us at Ibrox in November, a Joey Harper goal and competed with Sellik for the League cup, the day we drew 1-1 at Tynecastle. The Saturday before Christmas, I attended Broomfield to witness a 4-3 defeat. As crazy a match as last Thursday's in Belgium. New Year's day saw me back on the Tannochside, Firhill beckoned. Greetings made, a sombre mood settled. Despite a 0-4 win, the return was only lifted when Mr Jaap(the Chair) opened two bottles of whisky, every traveller received a nip courtesy of the RSC. Three days later, we battered Sellik 3-zip at Ibrox and went top of the Division. The next ten weeks roller coasted, I saw two matches, both Aberdeen in the Cup. Littlewoods cafeteria was missing it's dishwasher, I took the Tannochside charabanc to Pittodrie. Ally Scott put us ahead, substitute Wullie Miller equalised. The Monday night replay was memorable for one thing, Rangers ran out under the floodlights in all white. The tie went to extra-time, 65,000 groaned as Arthur Graham nodded the Dons second and winning goal. Meanwhile, we had secured 6 wins and two draws in the League. The middle of March was the tipping point, perceived wisdom had us favourites to secure the Championship, if we could win at Dens? Again, three things occurred that week; I rapped Littlewoods Saturday suds, Rangers re-signed Colin Stein from Coventry City, and Tannochside announce their two buses were full and were taking no more names. I was reduced to enduring a match day special train from Central to Dundee. Sun dappled Dens squeezed in 25,000, it felt several thousand more. We were one down early, John Greig hit Dundee's posts twice with 25 yard screamers, and Colin Stein was ordered off. The second period was calming. Rangers ten men took control, and Parlane equalised with 15 minutes left. We came under sustained dark blue pressure for ten minutes, then a long ball through the middle saw both Parlane and the Dee Keeper challenge for the first touch on the edge of the penalty area. The ball bounced back to a supporting Tommy McLean who promptly passed it into the empty goal. It's difficult to describe, 'a sway' these days, four decades after they disappeared. You began at the back of the terrace, momentum lifted your feet and propulsion saw deliverance on your arse some 20-30 yards forward. Tommy's calmness stimulated a madness that tipped me and dozens of others, over the retaining wall. We celebrated on the track and on the pitch. We were still in situ' when the final whistle blew. The last day of March had myself and three Uni' mates on Leith Walk at high Noon. The queues at Easter Road rivalled Beatles hysteria. We got in before two O'Clock and were fortunate to find a standing position in front of a crush barrier on the old high terrace. The official attendance was 40,000. At the break, we were one behind and hundreds of Rangers supporters continued to come over the perimeter walls. Years after, a conversation with Archie MacPherson, who was on the gantry that day; he revealed the Match Commander reckoned Easter Road held 55,000 that flag winning afternoon. The second period was a blur, we pressed the Hibees all over the pitch. It was huff and puff, we won a penalty, Jardine struck the post. We kept going and McKean hit the bye-line, crossed to an on-running Colin Stein, a bullet header hit high in the net. Eruption amid an explosion of Pomagne corks. Emotions ran from stratospheric to nervous caution. Jock Wallace put a clearly well injured John Greig on to the pitch for the last three-four minutes. We are talking Turnbull's Hibs, you did not fcuk about. Match concluded, league secured, and exhaustion guaranteed. Pomagne was the revitaliser of choice. Fifteen bob(75np) a bottle, it was an aerated cider produced by methode champenoise. Fortunately, John Street Union had a necessary supply. There was a song by a cheesy pop act, Sailor - 'a glass of champagne'. Of course, for a few months that year, Bears adopted the tune, changing the line to a glass of pomagne. I think in homage to the spirit of '75 and emergence once again from the long dark tunnel, a glass of Pomagne should be raised. I note Bulmers produced this particular lightening in a bottle for a century, before discontinuing the elixir a decade past. Of course, other avenues are available, E-Bay has a 1978 vintage for sale, £50 for the entire bottle. I am tempted. 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo 7,052 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 I have a bottle of Pussers rum here for the brother to celebrate I shall have a nice coffee 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26th of foot 6,084 Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 6 minutes ago, compo said: I have a bottle of Pussers rum here for the brother to celebrate I shall have a nice coffee Gunpowder proof? I was told as a young Subaltern, never drink gunpowder proof Pussers with a Bootneck, apparently when you awake, you have a limp? Keep your Bruv' safe. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the gunslinger 3,366 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Great read thanks for posting. Being born in 75 this was a bit early for me to remember. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo 7,052 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 10 minutes ago, 26th of foot said: Gunpowder proof? I was told as a young Subaltern, never drink gunpowder proof Pussers with a Bootneck, apparently when you awake, you have a limp? Keep your Bruv' safe. It is gunpowder proof 54% it will blow the bunnet off him 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uilleam 5,948 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 32 minutes ago, compo said: It is gunpowder proof 54% it will blow the bunnet off him Boys' stuff. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26th of foot 6,084 Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 32 minutes ago, compo said: It is gunpowder proof 54% it will blow the bunnet off him You should be caring and compassionate towards your Brother. Offer him a glass of sparkling Perry, Babycham, and he can retain his bunnet. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo79 15,294 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 I'm hoping yahoo tears will keep us all hydrated for the duration of the Summer. I'll keep some beer and whisky handy though, just in case. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChelseaBoy 2,441 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 18 hours ago, Gonzo79 said: I'm hoping yahoo tears will keep us all hydrated for the duration of the Summer. I'll keep some beer and whisky handy though, just in case. Yes, no water shortage or hose pipe bans this summer 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewarty 2,027 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 I tried Pomagne when navigating the cider trail in Normandy a few years back. A nice little drop - I shall need to get my hands on some. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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