Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Rocket Man in the air over Monklands
Star’s musical debut at Excelsior Stadium
Elton John fever officially hit Monklands last week after the Advertiser exclusively revealed the pop icon will perform at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium next summer.
However, while the muchanticipated open- air gig on June 24 will mark Elton’s Airdrie debut, it won’t be the first time the musical icon’s classic tunes have been belted out at the town’s home of football.
Elton’s beloved Watford FC – for whom the superstar still acts as honorary life president – visited the old Broomfield Stadium to take on Airdrieonians in two preseason friendlies back in the late 70s.
Elton was the chairman of the English club during that period but sadly failed to attend either encounter with Airdrie due to other commitments.
But the superstar’s Airdrie absence failed to deter the Broomfield PA announcer who blasted out the musical genius’ hit songs back-to-back before and after the matches.
Airdrieonians fan – and Advertiser columnist – Jim Milton was in the crowd for both games with Watford and recalled his memories of the cross- border showdowns.
“We played Watford two seasons in a row. The first game was in 1978 and Airdrie lost 3-1 in what was Bobby Watson’s managerial debut”, he said.
“Watford scored all three of their goals in a 16-minute burst in the first half, with substitute Ian Reid netting a consolation for the Diamonds in the last minute and Paul Jonquin missing a penalty with 10 minutes to go.
“The following season, on August 1, Watford Town – as the programme referred to them as – returned to Broomfield, but this time Airdrie ran out 3-2 winners.
“Brian McKeown opened the Diamonds account on the stroke of half time with Watford’s Stirk equalising four minutes into the second half.
“Sandy Clark restored Airdrie’s lead on 71 minutes but again the visitors drew level through Jenkins with 10 minutes remaining. Willie McGuire had the final say, making it 3-2 with four minutes left.
“In the 1979 friendly, Watford included a certain Luther Blissett as a substitute.
“By my reckoning, only John Lapsley, Norrie Anderson, John Lapsley and John McVeigh started both matches.
“I’m pretty sure Elton had prior engagements on both evenings – pity no one told the stadium announcer.
“He played Elton songs backto-back the whole night. He never does that with Sydney Devine when Ayr United come to town!”
Jim writes a monthly musical column, Hidden Treasure, for the Advertiser’s Ticket entertainment section and he is eagerly anticipating Elton John’s concert at his beloved Airdrieonians’ home next June.
Jim said: “Elton’s visit has certainly stirred the imagination and this can only be good for the club and town.
“I’m not sure what he’ll make of Craigneuk Avenue as he rolls up to Excelsior.
“I’m sure he’ll find the B& B in Clark Street to his taste; apparently that’s where Chesney Hawkes stayed when he played Motherwell Civic Centre recently.
“I’m pretty sure it’ll be just another gig to him, having already played the Falkirk and Inverness stadiums.
“An interesting pub quiz question might be: what do Excelsior Stadium and Madison Square Garden have in common?
“The answer – Elton has appeared at both venues more than anyone else!
“I was quite impressed when Elton overtook the Grateful Dead in this respect at Madison Square Garden.
“Elton’s close links to Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys have always kept me interested in his music and when he rated the much- maligned Carl and The Passions’ So Tough as one of his favourite albums in an interview once, I knew he had taste.
“Now there is a Hidden Treasure; maybe Elton could guest-write my column doing this album when he’s in town.”