Jags’ tale of two Bobbys ended up in Holland
The transfer window is already in full swing as clubs look to bolster their squad with new signings.
Imports from all over the world arrive to make a living out of football in this country.
British players going abroad is still, however, relatively uncommon.
It was even more unusual in the early 1970s, when Bobby Gray left Partick Thistle to play in Holland.
His move wasn’t set up by an agent – it was more of a love match.
Bobby had spent five years with the Jags and played in around 100 matches. But he began to feature less in season 1971-72, around the time Thistle famously thrashed Celtic 4-1 to win the League Cup.
His cause wasn’t helped by a signing that causes a bit of confusion in the record books.
Another defender, also called Bobby Gray, was signed from Alloa in 1970. He was Bobby’s uncle and brought in to add some experience to the team. It meant the younger Bobby Gray found it difficult to get a game.
He recalled: “I had a bit of a bust-up with the manager, Davie Mcparland, and took the decision to leave Thistle.
“I was in the stand for the League Cup Final. I was delighted for the lads, but it was their day.
“Not getting a regular game was only one reason why I left the club and the country in 1972.
“I had met a Dutch girl the year before when I was on holiday in Spain.
“We got married and I went to Holland to be with her. I then got a phone call from MVV Maastricht, offering me a couple of weeks’ training, and that led to a three-year contract.
“The man who signed me was George Knobel. He went to become manager of Ajax the following year and then had two years in charge of the Dutch national team.”
Moving from Partick Thistle reserves to the Eredivisie was quite a culture shock for Bobby. His only disappointment was missing out on pitting his wits against Johan Cruyff.
The Dutch legend moved to Barcelona during Bobby’s first season and he missed the game against Ajax.
He went on: “I suffered a bad ankle injury during my first training session and that kept me out for about three months.
“But once I got playing, we faced big teams like PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord.
“It meant being up against the likes of Wim van Hanegem, Johnny Rep and the van der Kerkhof twins.
“The style of football was totally different. In Scotland, it was mostly a punt up the park and hope that something happened. In Holland, it was all about getting the ball down and playing.
“I was quite surprised I was given a medical when I joined Maastricht. That certainly didn’t happen when I signed for Partick Thistle from Bo’ness United.”
One thing that did travel with Bobby was his position on the field.
He said: “I started out as a centre-half but I was always played as a left-back by Thistle.
“It was the same when I came to Holland. Once you’re recognised as having one position, it just seems to stick.”
It was a lifestyle choice that led to Bobby hanging up his boots after three years.
He said: “I was a full-time footballer for the first time, but to stay in the country I needed to stay in the game or have a job.
“I decided to go part-time for the last year of my contract and go back to my trade as a painter and decorator.”
Bobby, now 70, has lived in Maastricht for 46 years. He’s so used to speaking Dutch that it takes him a little time to get his English warmed up again!
He said: “I’ve enjoyed life here. I have two daughters and three grandkids. We’re on the border with Belgium, so they speak about four languages.
“I’m retired now but I visit the gym three times a week and, being in Holland, I cycle a lot.”