A Rovers return for Scotsman Sinclair
Members of the 1977 league winning Sligo Rovers side will grace the hallowed turf of The Showgrounds on Friday evening to celebrate 40 years since Billy Sinclair’s men won the title.
Rovers play host to St. Patrick’s Athletic on Friday evening - 40 years since Sinclair’s side picked up Rovers’ second ever Premier Division title, in a visit organised by the Sligo Rovers Heritage Group.
“I never really thought about it being 40 years since we won the league,” Sinclair told The Sligo Champion. “It was something that was needed at the time because of the players, we had a really good bunch of lads and a really talented bunch.”
He concedes that he may have been somewhat of a disciplinarian during his spell as manager.
“I was a wee bit heavy handed as manager, I didn’t give them the same opportunities to go out and enjoy themselves as they have now. I had to be a bit strict to allow them to show that they could do instead of lounging around pubs in the evenings. I’d change the training times every day. So it could be in the morning, the afternoon or the evening. It kept them on their guard. The players accepted it.”
Even when his side won the league, Sinclair never forgot those who helped to make it possible.
“It was due to the people of Sligo. They really supported us and not just with cheers but with resources and they would be buying tickets. I hope they could see what they meant to us. When we won the league we felt that Sligo people got their just rewards. I used to drive to Ballybofey to take training for lads who were based in Donegal or Derry. When we won the league and everything was let loose – I was mainly pleased for the people of Sligo, the commit- tee people too. Then the players. It’s very vivid in my memory.”
Sinclair has made sure not to be a stranger to Sligo since leaving and settling in Lisburn. He visits regularly with his wife, but sometimes he prefers to keep it quiet.
“I’ve been down to Sligo on a number of occasions for games and I would come and have a hoodie on and I’d pay in. I’d stand and watch training or watch people from the college training and there would be people coming up to me talking to me about the history of the club not knowing who I was and I wouldn’t say anything.”
The Scotsman, who turns 70 this month, doesn’t see his former players and team- mates too often, and that’s what makes occasions like this so special.
“When something like this comes up it’s a great opportunity to see all the lads again. I think I’m picking Mick Leonard up on the way to Sligo and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.