Wedding date changed so Paddy could head Stateside
It’s the time of year when many footballers are trying to find a new club.
Getting a contract nice and early makes is usually the preferred option.
Fifty years ago, Dunfermline’s Paddy Wilson was a man in demand.
The winger had been surprisingly freed by the Pars and very quickly there were 15 clubs on his trail.
His decision to join Aberdeen meant the summer of 1966 was a relaxing one, but things would be a little more stressful a year later.
Paddy recalled; “I started at Dunfermline when I was only 15- and- a- half under Jock Stein.
“Alex Edwards and I both joined the ground staff.
“Jock was the best man- manager I ever encountered and was never scared to give young lads a chance.
“When Willie Cunningham took over as manager I got a few games in 1966 and scored a couple of goals.
“But he then released me and told me not to think about going to somewhere like Aberdeen.
“I went down to Oldham for a look but then my old Dunfermline team-mate Harry Melrose got in touch and said Aberdeen were keen on me.
“Their manager, Eddie Turnbull, came
down to meet me and I didn’t have to think twice about signing.
“I played for the Dons in a friendly down at Crystal Palace at the end of May and was then able to enjoy the summer break.”
A series of niggling injuries restricted Paddy’s playing time at Pittodrie and he wasn’t sure he would be part of the squad travelling to the USA in 1967.
He went on: “There was a list went up on the notice board and my name was on it.
“I had to knock on Eddie Turnbull’s door and tell him I was due to get married during the time we were in the States. “He only said one word in reply: “Tough”. “All I could do was tell my fiancée that we’d have to bring the wedding forward because I was then away to the USA for six weeks.
“We played as the Washington Whips and flew all over America. It was an unbelievable experience.
“The tournament ended with us going all the way to the final and losing 6-5 to Wolves in a sudden-death finish.
“We had a reunion of the boys who played as the Whips at Pittodrie three weeks ago.”
It was in 1966 when Paddy, rather controversially, became Aberdeen’s first substitute.
He said: “We were playing Rangers in the League Cup semi- final at Hampden when they brought on Davie Wilson and I replaced Billy Little.
“Subs were only supposed to be used when players were injured and it caused a bit of a fuss at the time.
“Unfortunately, I missed a sitter from three or four yards!”
Eddie Turnbull decided Paddy’s time was up in 1968 and he joined Raith Rovers.
He then saw service at Berwick Rangers before playing and managing at Cowdenbeath.
A sales career in the drinks industry followed and he also ran the East Port Bar in Dunfermline.
Now aged 69, he is retired and a regular at East End Park.