The Heagin File
(musings of the self appointed
secretary of the 1987 back bench committee)
Snippets
Mitchell Thomas wins second division player of the month for
September sponsored by the Match magazine. Should think so too. Anyone in any doubt should
look at the OPTA statistics for the month for tackles. Stan says he is not yet playing in
his best position!
Alan Stevenson decides to sell all his medals and memorabilia from
an outstanding football career, mainly with the Clarets, because his sons don’t want
them. Apparently doesn’t need the money. I could never hope to understand this
decision, and worry desperately about his offspring.
Sad Claret
Well would you believe it. Sad Claret has been spotted
reading (note, not leafing through) the Alex Ferguson autobiography. Birthday present
apparently. I am reliably informed that there are four references therein to the Clarets,
which I can relay to you. Firstly, the great Andy Lochhead, who had less hair on top than
me, was brought up in the Glasgow district where he played junior soccer at the same time
as and against AF. Secondly, when AF began to learn about coaching, the formative years
were shaped at the Scottish FA headquarters by one Bobby Seith. He who now has his
Championship medal despite Bob Lord.
The best two stories, however, relate to Martin Buchan, and one of
my all time favourite keepers, the legendary Harry Thomson. The former asked AF for advice
on discipline in management, during his short term of management at the Turf. The response
from AF was ‘Don’t seek confrontation. It will come to you anyway.' Sound
advice. The response from Buchan was ‘Too late, I hung one on my centre half an hour
ago.' Made me laugh. Overson?
Harry bless him, was not a believer in Scottish football, and was
on tour with the Scottish squad in Asia, with AF at the time of the Celtic / Inter Milan
European Cup Final. This was in the old days of League Champions only entry. Harry took 5
– 1 odds, with the draw, and took a caning from the whole of the Scottish squad. He
then had to ask for a loan from the SFA to pay off the debts. Full marks for effort HT.
Walter Joyce
Reports have reached this part of Shackleford of the death
of Walter Joyce after a short illness. Walter who, some of you younger brethren might say?
Walter joined the Claret ground-staff in 1953, and after completing his National Service
(remember that?), made the Clarets' first team after the Championship year. He was the
utility squad defender in the side in the early sixties, but was good enough for a period
to keep the hermit Adamson out of the number 4 shirt. Also was the long throw expert in
the team. Then he made the only real mistake of his career by leaving for Deadwood Park in
1964. Worked with Stan as Youth Development Officer at Bury.
Played 70 games for the Clarets when we were very good, scoring
three goals. Thanks for the memories Walter.
Where are they now?
Saw in the Fascist Graph the other day that Damien Mathew
had retired from the professional game. Never knew what to make of DM, but he played well
on occasion. Saw Michael Williams give two penalties away whilst playing for Halifax the
other day. Surely not the same man. On the penalty theme Mark Winstanley also gave one
away from left back to lose Shrewsbury two points, with the trademark ill-timed challenge,
and a certain Mr Morgan beat Bobby Mimms with a twenty five yarder against York to put Mr
Joyce’s Hull in to the next round of the Autoglass. Mr Eyres continues to defy the
years in Preston’s first team, but wherefore art thou Parky? Is there a Ged Harrison
around?
Family Heagin
It just goes to show that I don’t listen to my family
enough. The old man has regaled me over the years with tales of the greats at the Turf,
and of course was the person responsible for taking me to a game all those years ago. The
good lady wife had actually been to see the Clarets before we had even met. The infamous
Anglo Scottish game against Celtic. Then my mother. After all these many years, and during
a conversation about nothing in particular, she boldly announces she was a Claret in the
late forties and early fifties! Used to go to all the home games, even the reserves!
Probably something to do with Tommy Cummings' legs. Amazing, speak to your parents, now.
Hego
November-January 1999-2000
