Post by HAMISH on Apr 8, 2005 20:12:09 GMT
Westa World Cup Newsletter Preview
Italy Here we Come
Congratulations to all the WESTA chaps who booked Milan in advance with the San Siro coming up trumps. The Azzuri are 3 times World champs and will be surely a difficult nut to crack. The past record shows that they are not invincible as the 1965 Hampden victory testifies.
My prediction is a 2 – 0 Italy victory courtesy of 2 free kicks, 1 in each half. Just a hunch but the goalie, Big Rab looks as if he is carrying a groin strain and may not last the full game!
1965 and all that
The SFA with uncharacteristic imagination had appointed Jock Stein as part time Manager and miracle worker. Stein had great talent at his disposal but must have been wary of the amateur organization of football from the bottom down and worse the lack of commitment from clubs to the national cause.
The omens did not look good as we entered the Italy game on the back of a 2 -1 defeat by Poland. 106,000 cheered mightily as Scotland captained by Billy McNeill commanded a 1- 0 lead well into the second half when disaster struck and a sudden calamity saw 2 late goals send then fans homeward to think again.
Back they came in good voice for the visit of the silky skilled Latins and 101,000 saw a cattenachio defensive display stem the blue attacking wave until; ..........................................
Letters to the Editor
Thank goodness WESTA has seen sense and a new Broon has swept away the old guard. What use is a Chairman that runs a bus trip to the largest country in Europe and then can’t find it? The shambolic meetings have thankfully been replaced with a semblance of order and I look forward to
meetings starting on time and even more points of order.
Katy Moira
Ask Hamish
What was the score, scorers and attendance at the Scotland – Ireland game in 1931?- Frankie Machankie.
Studying my Grandfathers diary it was a 2 -1 victory, goals from Stevenson , Mcgrory, Mcphail and he took the 34 bus from Hillington. Crowd 40,000, Ibrox Park!
Retirement
Westa is sorry to announce the retirement from active service of David Watson, leader of the Watson family.
Book Review
There are 2 iconic figures in Scottish Fitba who stand out for differing reasons. Archie Macpherson can claim to have known Jock Stein well and on more than one occasion tells us but nevertheless has written an insightful book Jock SteinThe Definitive Biography on the great man’s life. A man who crossed the great divide to play for and manage Celtic he led them to their and Scotland’s greatest football achievement and when discarded by the club he loved took on the challenge of the national job for the second time.
On the other hand Ken Gallagher’s Slim Jim Baxter reflects on a Fifer escaping the pits and entrancing a nation with his silky left foot, a figure of great humour and as his colleagues agree a born winner.
Video Review.
When Baxter died one of the characters interviewed laid testament to his skill and his friendship. Jimmy Johnstone used to visit his pal Baxter and told us that Slim Jim watched the Jinky video to cheer himself up.
Big Mac
As a Scotland fan of many a year can I endorse the campaign to bring back the tartan scarf and tammy. Is it no coincidence that the nation’s rankings have plummeted with the advent of the designer kilted fan? A Hampden packed with a support fully kitted out in scarf and official programme, those were the days! And whilst on the subject where are all the macaroon bar sellers? I fully intend to flaunt my scarf from now on and make a plea to all sane Scotland fans to follow suit, and preferably wear one.
Praise indeed from Graham Spiers in The Herald recently extolling the virtues of the TA.
Baxter’s Bridge
Wembley has been the mecca for Scottish football fans since the Legendary Wizard’s victory in 1928. A 5-1 win against all the odds, a patronising English media pack and 20,000 travelling fans established the Wembley weekend in the hearts of the Tartan Army.
The rest will be lauched soon.!
Italy Here we Come
Congratulations to all the WESTA chaps who booked Milan in advance with the San Siro coming up trumps. The Azzuri are 3 times World champs and will be surely a difficult nut to crack. The past record shows that they are not invincible as the 1965 Hampden victory testifies.
My prediction is a 2 – 0 Italy victory courtesy of 2 free kicks, 1 in each half. Just a hunch but the goalie, Big Rab looks as if he is carrying a groin strain and may not last the full game!
1965 and all that
The SFA with uncharacteristic imagination had appointed Jock Stein as part time Manager and miracle worker. Stein had great talent at his disposal but must have been wary of the amateur organization of football from the bottom down and worse the lack of commitment from clubs to the national cause.
The omens did not look good as we entered the Italy game on the back of a 2 -1 defeat by Poland. 106,000 cheered mightily as Scotland captained by Billy McNeill commanded a 1- 0 lead well into the second half when disaster struck and a sudden calamity saw 2 late goals send then fans homeward to think again.
Back they came in good voice for the visit of the silky skilled Latins and 101,000 saw a cattenachio defensive display stem the blue attacking wave until; ..........................................
Letters to the Editor
Thank goodness WESTA has seen sense and a new Broon has swept away the old guard. What use is a Chairman that runs a bus trip to the largest country in Europe and then can’t find it? The shambolic meetings have thankfully been replaced with a semblance of order and I look forward to
meetings starting on time and even more points of order.
Katy Moira
Ask Hamish
What was the score, scorers and attendance at the Scotland – Ireland game in 1931?- Frankie Machankie.
Studying my Grandfathers diary it was a 2 -1 victory, goals from Stevenson , Mcgrory, Mcphail and he took the 34 bus from Hillington. Crowd 40,000, Ibrox Park!
Retirement
Westa is sorry to announce the retirement from active service of David Watson, leader of the Watson family.
Book Review
There are 2 iconic figures in Scottish Fitba who stand out for differing reasons. Archie Macpherson can claim to have known Jock Stein well and on more than one occasion tells us but nevertheless has written an insightful book Jock SteinThe Definitive Biography on the great man’s life. A man who crossed the great divide to play for and manage Celtic he led them to their and Scotland’s greatest football achievement and when discarded by the club he loved took on the challenge of the national job for the second time.
On the other hand Ken Gallagher’s Slim Jim Baxter reflects on a Fifer escaping the pits and entrancing a nation with his silky left foot, a figure of great humour and as his colleagues agree a born winner.
Video Review.
When Baxter died one of the characters interviewed laid testament to his skill and his friendship. Jimmy Johnstone used to visit his pal Baxter and told us that Slim Jim watched the Jinky video to cheer himself up.
Big Mac
As a Scotland fan of many a year can I endorse the campaign to bring back the tartan scarf and tammy. Is it no coincidence that the nation’s rankings have plummeted with the advent of the designer kilted fan? A Hampden packed with a support fully kitted out in scarf and official programme, those were the days! And whilst on the subject where are all the macaroon bar sellers? I fully intend to flaunt my scarf from now on and make a plea to all sane Scotland fans to follow suit, and preferably wear one.
Praise indeed from Graham Spiers in The Herald recently extolling the virtues of the TA.
Baxter’s Bridge
Wembley has been the mecca for Scottish football fans since the Legendary Wizard’s victory in 1928. A 5-1 win against all the odds, a patronising English media pack and 20,000 travelling fans established the Wembley weekend in the hearts of the Tartan Army.
The rest will be lauched soon.!