Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Academy players mark golden win
Anniversay for only Airdrie team to lift school cup
It’s not just the Lisbon Lions marking 50 years as history makers this season.
Monklands heroes John Clark and John Hughes were part of the Celtic side to life the European Cup – but the next legends to be celebrated will come from Airdrie Academy.
Airdrie Academy lifted the Schools’ Cup Senior Shield 50 years ago.
And they still remain the only team from the town to receive the honour.
Their 1-0 win over Our Lady’s High in Motherwell brought the trophy back to the school, and the surviving members of the team will be welcomed to Hampden Park next week for a special meal and celebration.
They will then watch this year’s Senior Shield be contested by Eastwood High and Braidhurst High.
Andy McInness, 66, was amongst the team who made history and says it will be a proud day to be recognised by the bosses at the national stadium.
He recalled: “There have been teams from Coatbridge who have won this – but never another team from Airdrie.
“I guess that makes it a bit more special.
“John Whiteford scored the winner, which I was glad of because I had missed a sitter!
“There will be six of us there so it should be a good day for us all.”
Following their win, the boys took a trip across Europe to play some top- quality school teams from across the globe with a tour of Italy and Germany - and some of the team went on to sign for big names.
Walter Clark made the move down south to giants Manchester United - but, did not make a first team appearance for the club.
Goalscorer John Whiteford went on to play for Falkirk and Airdrie, with fellow Academy winner John Traynor making his name at Queen’s Park.
Even the referee for the clash, Les Mortimer, went on to enjoy personal success by officiating at a World Cup.
Andy himself signed for Airdrie – and still follows the club to this day.
He has fond memories of the tour, adding: “It was the first time any of us had been abroad – so it really opened a few doors for us.
“We got to play against teams from Italy and Germany and really test ourselves; and we all came back as better players.
“We played against the Siemens team in Italy before going to Erlangen in Germany.
“We also went to play in the Trieste, now part of Slovenia.
“It was brilliant – but the long bus journeys were boring!”