Jimmy refused Hibs’ cash and then joined United for nothing
Dundee United are hoping to get back on a winning run when they take on Celtic at Tannadice this afternoon.
They’re the lowest- scoring side in the top six, and will look to find an end product to the attacking style they’ve shown under manager, Tam Courts.
It’s always a boost if players show up well against one of the big two Glasgow clubs.
Jimmy Mcmichael had high hopes of an extended run in top- flight football when he came up against Celtic 60 years ago.
But his story is one of a career being stopped in its tracks by an injury that would probably be remedied in a couple of weeks these days.
Jimmy recalled: “I suffered a bad injury to my left knee after a clash with Joe Caven during a game against Airdrie.
“I had to spend three weeks in hospital, and I couldn’t get going again.
“The knee was OK to walk on, and still is. But twisting, and doing the hard training that was needed for fitness, was out of the question.
“I’d only been with Dundee United for about 18 months, but was released by them when I couldn’t regain my fitness.
“I’m sure a similar injury would now be taken care of by a quick operation.
“After I left United, I got a lovely letter from the manager of Corby Town.
“He said I’d been recommended to him. They wanted me to go down there, and offered me a house and a job as part of the deal.
“I would have gladly taken a chance and gone down there, but I knew the knee wouldn’t allow me to play at anything like I had before.”
Jimmy had been a young player in demand before he signed on at Tannadice.
He graduated from amateur football to play for Bathgate Juniors, and his performances in the forward line attracted a number of scouts.
He went on: “Hibs, Rangers and Celtic were all interested in me. Celtic manager, Jimmy Mcgrory, even came through from Glasgow to see me.
“He asked which foot I kicked with, and I told him both.
“Nothing came of that visit, but things went a lot further after a game against Irvine Meadow.
“A gentleman came up to me and said he was taking me through to Easter Road for talks with Hibs. I met their manager, Hugh Shaw, and he offered me £1,000 to sign that evening.
“That was a lot of money back then, but I told him that I wanted to go away and think about.
“I didn’t sign for Hibs, and the reason was that I didn’t think I was good enough.
“They had the Famous Five forward line and I didn’t think that I’d get a game.
“I just wanted to play, so I joined Dundee United instead and I didn’t get a penny.
“Their manager, Jerry Kerr, came from Armadale, just a short distance from my home.
“By coincidence, I made my first-team debut against Hibs at Easter Road on Hogmanay, 1960.
“My opponent that day was former Rangers player, Sammy Baird. That was a tough introduction. He was pulling my jersey and kicking me.”
Jimmy scored his first goal in a 3- 1 win against Hearts at Tynecastle.
The Sunday Post report of the game read: “Mcmichael took the rebound on the drop and a whizz- banger was past Cruickshank before the keeper knew what it was all about.”
Jimmy, now 83, added: “My Dundee United team-mates were all great guys. I watched Ron Yeats lifting the FA Cup for Liverpool, and was thinking that I used to play with him.
“Neilly Mochan was a great character, too, and he loved his greyhounds.
“Being a full- time footballer, and staying in top hotels the night before games, was fabulous.
“Before that, I’d spent three years in a brickworks and that was hard graft.
“At Dundee United, it was like you were treated like a king. I’d just have liked my reign to last a bit longer.”