Move from the Owls saw Archie’s career flying high
PETER PAWLETT has made the decision to leave Aberdeen and sign a pre-contract agreement with English League One side, MK Dons.
The player hasn’t been getting a regular game at Pittodrie, and it could be he just needs to find the right position in a team.
He’s often referred to as a winger but others regard him as a midfield player.
Archie Irvine made the leap to England’s top flight in 1968 when Sheffield Wednesday signed him from Airdrie.
While he loved mixing it with the famous names of the English game, it was only when a manager recognised his best role that he really prospered.
Archie explains: “It was an amazing experience, going from Broomfield to Hillsborough in 1968.
“I was a 19- year- old semi- skilled joiner, who trained twice a week.
“We had a good side at Airdrie and a highlight was playing in the League Cup semifinal at Hampden against Celtic in 1966. “A move to England came out of the blue. “After training one Monday night, there was a knock at the door and manager Ralph Collins was standing there with three club directors.
“They told me Sheffield Wednesday wanted to sign me and I was to go for talks the following day.
“Hillsborough Stadium was totally different to Broomfield.
“They had a magnificent stand that included a gymnasium.
“Money seemed no object. I was flown down to watch the team playing Arsenal and then back home for three or four days before I started as a full-timer.
“I have to admit I was a bit overawed by everything. Looking back, I would probably have been better spending another couple of years with Airdrie before moving on.
“But it was an exciting time. I was now playing against teams like Leeds United, Liverpool and Manchester United. A real highlight was drawing with Leeds, who went on to be champions, at home in the FA Cup, and then beating them 3- 1 in the replay at Elland Road.”
One of Wednesday’s goals came from an Irvine corner in front of Leeds’ biggest home crowd of the season.
In December, 1969, Archie was sold to Doncaster Rovers and really made his mark at the club.
He said: “Lawrie McMenemy had been a youth coach at Sheffield Wednesday. He signed me and Ian Branfoot when he became manager at Doncaster.
“He moved on quite quickly and his replacement, Maurice Setters, really helped my career. Everyone thought I was a winger because I’m only 5ft 6in tall, but I really didn’t want to play there.
“Maurice made me a midfielder, and I was voted as Player of the Year in two consecutive seasons. I spent six years with the club and really enjoyed my football.
“The FA Cup was again a highlight when we drew with Liverpool at Anfield, but this time we lost the replay.”
Archie made his final move in 1975 when he spent one season with Scunthorpe United before hanging up his boots at the age of 30.
He said: “I packed in football on a Friday and started a job on the Monday morning.
“I became a lorry driver and got into the business of delivering concrete.
“I think my spell as a joiner while I was with Airdrie helped me get back into a normal working life.”