No farewell bonus for Bobby, not even two 10 pence coins
Kilmarnock are hoping for a run of results that will see them take a jump out of the relegation zone.
Prior to yesterday’s game at Aberdeen, the Ayrshire side had won just one league match.
It’s 50 years since they recorded their first victory of the 1972-73 season with a memorable 2-1 success against Rangers at Rugby Park.
Many fans were saying that Killie were still trying to find a replacement for Tommy McLean, transferred to the Ibrox club a year earlier, and he opened the scoring for the visitors.
Bobby Stevenson made his league debut for Kilmarnock on the right wing that afternoon.
He was one of three teenagers in a youthful side, the others being goalkeeper, Jim Stewart, and forward, Gordon Smith.
And it was Bobby who set up the equaliser. He recalled: “I volleyed the ball off the back of a defender – I think it was Colin Jackson – and it fell for Eddie Morrison to hit home.
“Eddie then scored another in the second half to seal the victory.
“I was always played on the wing by Kilmarnock, but I never considered myself a winger.
“I was an inside-forward. But I was quick and that led to me being fielded in the wide areas.
“Willie Johnston was my opposite number in that game against Rangers.
“He was trying to track back against me and said: ‘There’s your chance, son, go and cross it’. I can’t imagine that happening now.
“My other memory of the afternoon is being
in the dressing room after the game, and everyone being delighted with the result.
“The chairman came in and gave Eddie Morrison two 10p pieces. He said one was for his first goal, and the other for the second.
“I don’t know if it was a tradition – but I didn’t think it was much of a bonus!”
Bobby retained his place in the side when Kilmarnock went to Arbroath the following week.
He said: “I was still a bit of a daft boy and two of the players, one a bit more experienced, took me to a chip shop before the game, and I had a greasy supper. I don’t know if they wanted me to do too well.”
Despite that fine result against Rangers, it was a season where Kilmarnock struggled under manager, Walter McRae.
They were relegated from the top flight but bounced back under new boss, Willie Fernie.
That promotion campaign turned out to be Bobby’s third and last at the club.
He went on: “I played a few games that season, including one where I scored two goals against Clydebank.
“They were both penalty-kicks. Our regular taker, George Maxwell, wasn’t there, and I made sure the keeper didn’t get near them.
“I was freed at the end of the season, and I was a wee bit upset at the way things happened.
“We were told there would be a bonus for promotion, and the amount would depend on how many games you played.
“I got nothing, and I think that’s because I was released. I know a player who took part in only one game but got a payment. It’s water under the bridge, but it rankled with me at the time.”
Bobby went back to Irvine Meadow Juniors, the club where he’d been spotted by Kilmarnock.
He enjoyed a trophy-laden spell in junior football with Irvine, Cumnock and Ardrossan Winton Rovers.
The boots were only hung up after he suffered two broken ribs and a collapsed lung playing for Lugar Boswell Thistle at the age of 40.
Bobby, now an extremely fit 69-year-old, then embarked on a different sporting journey.
He said: “I joined a running club, and then took up the decathlon. I won the Scottish Masters at the first attempt.
“I then met a hurdles coach, who improved my technique in that event.
“It led to me winning four European and four World Masters titles.
“I loved training when I was a footballer and still do.”