Nat left in limbo
Well and United fans he entertained so superbly are every bit as thankful.
While Pettigrew starred in attack for Well, Willie McVie was making his mark in defence – often on the legs of opponents.
Away match programmes described the centre-half, as “no-nonsense” or “robust” when what they really wanted to write was “dirty so-and-so”.
His motto was clearly “they shall not pass” and even if a rival got the better of him, they still had to contend with his defensive partner, the baby-faced assassin Gregor Stevens!
McVie’s will to win made him a villain in the eyes of opposition fans and sometimes caused his own team-mates problems.
In his autobiography Fallen Idle, former Well winger Peter Marinello wrote: “I once made the mistake of squaring up to Willie in a training ground fight and was rewarded by having my nose all over my face. He was an uncompromising big fellow.”
Uncompromising yes, but two Under-23 caps prove that he was good at what he did and highly regarded in the game.
Kelty Hearts ace Nathan Austin appears destined to be crowned Scotland’s most prolific marksman – he just hopes his deluge of goals was not for nothing.
Austin, 26, has netted 48 times during the Fifers’ rise to the summit of the Lowland League.
But he fears the season being voide d i f the coronavi rus outbreak means the calendar cannot be completed.
He said: “The players have all put a lot into this season and to come away from it with nothing would be heartbreaking.
“Our preference would be to finish the season and the gaffer [Barry Ferguson] is in constant touch with us.
“Now we are hearing all the speculation about potential reconstruction. You’ll never keep every team happy but reconstruction and honouring promotions could be a positive.”