20 years on, Thistle and Accies have their chance to remember WORZEL
THERE have been plenty of footballers who have worn the colours of both Partick Thistle and Hamilton Accies. The clubs have even shared a few managers.
Few could unite both teams’ supporters in a smile of appreciation better than John McNaught, even though it is now 20 years since the ‘loveable rogue’ passed away.
In June 1997, the players and officials of both clubs packed into St Peter’s Catholic Church in Hamilton to pay tribute to the former Hamilton, Chelsea and Thistle player, who died at the age of just 32.
David McParland, John Lambie and Gerry Collins were among those mourners who had stood in both dugouts at Firhill and Douglas Park.
McNaught was then buried in Hamilton’s Bent Cemetery, close to former Rangers and Motherwell winger Davie Cooper, and would be tragically followed in 2007 by former Celtic and Motherwell midfielder Phil O’Donnell.
If the latter pair’s deaths were deeply public occasions, McNaught’s was not. He had slipped off the radar after retiring from football with a kidney illness at the age of just 24 in 1988.
Yet, what McNaught gave those who saw him at Hamilton or Thistle was a sense of glimpsing a talent that should have been on a greater stage, which is why this afternoon’s Scottish Premiership meeting between the sides at Firhill is poignant, two decades after his death.
For a brief period, McNaught had it all. Chelsea took him to Stamford Bridge in 1986 at the age of 22. The midfielder’s form in earning Hamilton promotion to the top flight in 1985-86 earned an £80,000 move.
McNaught’s one proper season at Chelsea saw him score against Manchester United at Old Trafford. But, with just 14 appearances, he became frustrated at the lack of first-team football, walked out of Chelsea in autumn 1987 — and made his way to Firhill.
Scott Struthers, the Hamilton club secretary with three decades of experience, explained the circumstances behind the unusual route of west London to Maryhill.
‘You have to remember that, in the mid-80s, Partick Thistle were owned by Chelsea’s Ken Bates,’ said Struthers. ‘Bates had put Derek Johnstone, who was at Chelsea, in as manager at Thistle, and also loaned Billy Dodds to them from Chelsea’s reserves. John McNaught was the same.
‘John was a hero to the Hamilton fans because of what he’d done to get us promoted in 1986 — a great midfielder who could also play at full-back. He always gave total commitment to whoever he played for, which is why fans loved him.
‘He had great pace and physique. John could run right through people but was a good player, as well. Not many players get the chance to play for Chelsea, but maybe he didn’t make the best of his chances down there.’
If Stamford Bridge is a demanding environment, Firhill is the home of the eccentric. The Thistle fans like their heroes to be flawed — and even though McNaught played just 20 games for Partick, he found a kindred spirit from the terraces which christened him ‘Worzel’.
McNaught’s form caught the eye of then Hamilton boss, John Lambie, who brought the midfielder back to Douglas Park in March 1988 for £50,000.
‘I remember doing the contract when we signed John,’ recalled Struthers. ‘It was a club record at the time, although we paid most of the cash to Chelsea. I think Thistle got a quarter.
‘John helped us get promotion back to the Premier League in 1988 but, a few months later, he had to quit because of his kidney troubles. But he always stayed in touch with Hamilton and coached the supporters’ club team.
‘That sums up John’s attitude. He was a working-class guy who stayed close to his roots. In fact, I think John was like Robert Snodgrass, another from the east end of Glasgow, who is basically a big rascal but has worked really hard on his game since going down to England.
‘John was more interested in going for a pint after the game and that was where he would talk football to everyone and anyone.
‘He was a loveable rogue, but the fans identified with him. It’s a shame that his life was cut so short at 32. He never got the chance to make the most of talent, the way Robert Snodgrass has.
‘John’s grave in Bent Cemetery is close to Davie Cooper, who comes from Hamilton and was buried in 1995. And then Phil O’Donnell was also buried there in 2007. It is tragic that three players should all die so young.’