The Sunday Post (Dundee)

Polite physio got the blame for the smashed swear box

- By Brian Fowlie sport@sundaypost.com

Scottish Cup ties are always tense affairs, but there’s extra spice when it’s a local derby.

Saturday’s fourth-round clash between Raith Rovers and Dunfermlin­e is a fixture with a lot of history.

It’s the first time the teams have met in the competitio­n at Stark’s Park since 1972.

Back then, Rovers were managed by George Farm, a man who’d led Dunfermlin­e to victory in the competitio­n just four years earlier.

Although the Kirkcaldy men were a division below the Pars at the time, they secured a famous 2-0 success and embarked on a Cup run that went all the way to the quarter-final.

Jim Dempsey, who captained the side to victory that day, recalls the boss having a winning formula of straight-talking and pacey, young players.

He said: “George Farm was well known for his use of industrial language in the dressing room.

“I remember him arriving one day and accusing me of smashing the swear box.

“He then went round every player and asked if it was them. Everyone denied it, swearing as they did.

“Then the physio, Bob Methven came in. He was a really polite guy but everyone turned and blamed him!

“The thing about playing for George was that you always knew the job he wanted you to do.

“The players were never in doubt about how the manager wanted things to be done.

“We had a lot of very talented guys in the team and there was also a lot of fun.

“I used to do an impression of George Farm barking out the orders.

“I was up on the treatment table one day, wearing the white gym shoes he favoured, when he came in and caught me red-handed.

“On another occasion, I was running a bit late for training.

“He told me to get changed and get out immediatel­y. I took him to his word by pulling on a pair of wellies and running straight on to the pitch.”

Beating local rivals Dunfermlin­e in the Cup is still a fond memory for Raith fans of that era.

“There was a big build- up to the game,” Jim continued.

“People were talking about it for weeks.

“On the day, it was our young winger, Malky Robertson, who really made the difference.

“He gave Dunfermlin­e full- back Willie Callaghan a really tough afternoon.

“He won a penalty that was scored by Benny Mcguire and then got the second himself.

“I was playing in midfield at the time. I was later moved to centre- half and that’s where I was happiest playing.”

It’s not surprising that most Scottish football fans associate Jim with Hamilton Accies.

He had three spells at the club as a player, later serving as manager, assistant manager and coach. It’s also where he started his senior career.

He said: “I’d been playing for a couple of years when Dumbarton came in for me.

“I was due to speak to them when I heard George Farm made a move for me after Raith were beaten 7-1 in the Cup by Celtic.

“It was no contest and I’m glad I made the decision to join Rovers. I had four really good years there.

“I only left because Bert Paton took over as manager and I’m not sure he really fancied me.

“Alex Smith signed me for Stirling Albion and then I had a longer spell playing with Hamilton.”

Jim also spent a couple of years in Australia with APIA Leichhard in Sydney.

He came home to join Accies, eventually managing them in the Premier Division.

Most of his football career was fitted in around his trade as a joiner.

Jim, now 73, spent many years scouting for club’s managed by Owen Coyle, including St Johnstone, Burnley, Bolton and Wigan.

These days he often watches his grandson, Jamie Watson, in action for Albion Rovers.

 ??  ?? Jim Dempsey in his Stark’s Park days
Jim Dempsey in his Stark’s Park days

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