Memories of cup glory
Team meets up after 35 years
Memories of a remarkable footballing achievement came flooding back during a special school reunion at the weekend.
The famed St Modan’s High team which won the much-coveted Under-15s Scottish Schools Intermediate Shield got back together to relive old moments on Saturday afternoon – 35 years after the stunning sporting success.
The teenagers, ably coached by PE teacher and former East Fife and Dumbarton player Ian Millar, won the trophy after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Broxburn Academy at Hill of Beath.
And while the side contained a number of talented footballers, including six schoolboy internationals – some of whom went on to play at a good level, they credited the methods of Mr Millar as a key factor in their success.
Gordon Connelly, who was captain of the 1983 team, went on to enjoy a career in the game as a player and manager and he spoke to the Observer about the high regards the team had for their teacher.
He said: “It was a fantastic night and I’m delighted so many people turned up. I think that shows you just how much respect everyone has for Mr Millar.
“It was great to see everyone again – it only took 35 years for us all to get back together.”
The squad parked themselves in a corner of The Crossed Peels pub on Spittal Street and talked for hours about old memories, and football in general.
Gordon, now aged 50, played more than 300 games for Ross County and was until recently manager of Highland League outfit Wick Academy.
He now lives in Dingwall but insists there’s no way he’d have been missing the reunion.
He added: “A few travelled from even further. Kevin O’Brien came all the way up from Leeds and he booked himself into a hotel for two nights.
“I think we all enjoyed the curiosity of finding out where everyone was, and what they were doing.”
He said: “I have to admit my memory isn’t the best, but some of the guys remember more so we spent a lot of time talking about old games and goals.
“I remember the wild scenes after Malcolm Goodwillie scored the winner – and the fact we had our school disco at St Modan’s that night.
“Looking back makes you realise just what an achievement it was. People like Paul McStay lifted that trophy before and won it for his school.”
While Gordon is currently out of the game he insists the reunion has served to whet the appetite.
He added: “I’ve taken a bit of time out after leaving Wick last August but meeting everyone again, and talking about football, gives you a thirst for it.”
Mr Millar, now aged 64, spent 37-years teaching PE at St Modans before retiring seven years ago.
And he knew that the team of 1983 had something special about them.
He said: “It was very good to get back together and it brought back a lot of old memories. I just tried to teach them some self-discipline and teamwork – they could all really play so I didn’t have to worry about that.
“I’ve only seen a few of them in the last 35 years. A couple of the guys came to visit me when I was working at St Modans a few years back.
“But I knew that this team was special, and they had the chance to win something nationally, and not just in Stirling.”
Mr Millar, who lives in Torbrex, added: “It was a tough trophy to win. It took seven or eight rounds to get to the semi-final – and I think the final was the ninth stage. There must’ve been a couple of hundred teams trying to win the cup.
“They were all really good players. There would be times when we’d be five or six up at half time and I’d tell them to score two more and then no more so as to avoid humiliating the opponents.
“There was one funny story about when one of the boys scored more than I told him to – so I subbed him off.
“It was about setting examples for them in life and education, and not just football.”
Many members of the team went on to play football at a good level. In addition to Gordon Connelly, Robert Philliben, Barry Fleming, Thomas Ferguson, Chris McCormack and Brian Ross went on to play football.
He added: “I had them for four years and I knew we could really do something. I’m proud of what they have all done.”
The 1983 team was as follows: B Fleming, K O’Brien, M Goodwillie, B Ross, C McCormack, S Wheater, T Ferguson, J Williamson, R Philliben, G Connelly (C), I McDonald, W Park, L Simpson.