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FROM GATECRASHING A ROYAL WEDDING TO BECOMING A TV CELEBRITY,
When Scotland celebrated their epic 2- 0 win against Denmark last week, there was a special Tartan Army soldier missing from the crowd.
Joe McGunnigle was just 15 when he cycled 300 miles from his home in Aberdeen to Hampden in 1958 to see his first game and he went on to follow his beloved team to every corner of the globe.
Over six decades Joe, who died last year, aged 77, travelled hundreds of thousands of miles to more than 50 countries and watched Scotland compete in five World Cups between 1974 and 1998.
From gatecrashing a royal wedding in Poland to becoming a TV celebrity and pin-up during Mexico 86, the footie fanatic was by far one of the national team’s most colourful followers.
His trademark tartan jacket adorned with patches from all the countries he visited is even on display in the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden. His granddaughter Cassie has written a book, The Cycle To Hampden – The Story Of Joe McGunnigle, which is out next year.
Cassie, 24, said: “My granda was 15 when he went to his first Scotland match. He had no ticket and no transport.
“What he did have was a rusty bike and the tenacity to believe that no ticket and no transport did not equate to no Scotland game – a philosophy that continued his whole life.
“He cycled more than 300 miles from Aberdeen to Hampden and back again. If that sort of determination doesn’t set you up for life, then I don’t know what will.
“Scotland were playing England and they got thumped 4- 0 but that didn’t matter to granda. “That match was the start of a lifelong love affair with Scotland. He