From the bench to landing a headbutt on team-mate
There’s been an unfortunate outbreak of fighting spirit in scottish football.
Morton manager Jim Duffy and Hibs boss Neil Lennon clashed during the last few minutes of a tense match at Easter Road.
Then St Johnstone team- mates Danny Swanson and Ricky Foster were sent- off after an on- field bust- up at New Douglas Park last Saturday.
Two players from the same side having a dust-up is a highly unusual occurrence.
Former Preston North End forward Gavin Laing always liked to think of himself as a tough competitor.
He admits he was sent off a couple of times in his career – but never for fighting with a team-mate.
In 1971, Gavin was playing his football in South Africa for Mariztburg and was on the bench for a game against Highlands Power.
He jumped to the assistance of fellow Scot George Burns after a bad tackle left him writhing on the turf.
A pushing and shoving battle ensued and Gavin was punched on the back of the head by an opposition player.
That led to him being propelled forward and his head smacked his team-mate firmly on the forehead!
It was a game that came close to being abandoned amid chaotic scenes.
Gavin recalled: “There were some feisty
games back in those days and us Scots always stood up for ourselves.
“It didn’t matter how big or small you were, you didn’t want to show any weakness.
“Of course, I’d never have purposely headbutted my team-mate. It was just one of those strange nights where things got out of hand.”
Gavin ended up in Africa after an injury forced him to switch from being a rightfooted player to a left-footer.
He explained: “I went to Preston from Blairgowrie Juniors when I was just 16.
“I’d only played a couple of junior matches when I was spotted by Preston’s famous Scottish scout, Jimmy Scott.
“He took four of us down to Deepdale – me, George Ross, Ian Matthews and Alex Milne.
“We were part of the team that reached the final of the 1960 FAYouth Cup against Chelsea.
“The first leg was a 1- 1 draw at Stamford Bridge but we lost the home game 4- 1 in front of 27,000 fans.
“Preston were a major power at the time and it was a real thrill to be at the same club as the great Tom Finney.
“Put the ball at his feet and there was no chance of anyone taking it off him.
“Unfortunately, I later suffered an Achilles injury and that kept me out for half-a-season.
“I’d always played on the right but later in my career people just assumed I was stronger on my left foot. I had to make the switch because of the injury.”
Gavin had his first taste of life in Africa after leaving Preston.
He went on: “I played for Salisbury City in Rhodesia for a season and then came back to Scotland where I had a couple of games for Forfar and St Johnstone.
“But I then got the offer to play for Durban United in South Africa.
“The climate was a big attraction and there was reasonable money on offer. If the club liked you, they looked after you.
“It was a time when a lot of big names were making the same move. Some came out permanently, others just for a spell.
“I played against lads like Bobby Moore, Gordon Banks, Ian St John and Alan Gilzean.”
After hanging up his boots, Gavin moved to Johannesburg and worked in marketing for a hotel chain.
He still lives there but will be back in Scotland later this year to celebrate his 75th birthday with his twin brother, Ralph.