Ye'll No' Believe Who Scored It!

by William Sheridan
Top 12

intro

12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
believe-11.jpg

HUGH STRACHAN

Saturday 8th August 1970
League Cup Section 5 – game 1
Stirling Albion [a] W3-2

This well-respected central forward turned central defender arrived at Firhill from Rugby Park at the age of 31. Davie McParland identified him as the wise head who could guide his new young team from the back, and this proved to be one of the shrewdest bits of business that Davie ever done. Over the course of the next four seasons, Hugh expertly marshalled the young lions, both as a player and a coach.

Todays’ game typified the general feeling around Firhill as the decade turned – there was a keen sense of “out with the old, in with the new”. Gone from last season (as well as the hoops) were the likes of Billy Ritchie in goals, and attacking players such as Dan McLindon, Arthur Duncan and John Flanagan. Getting their first competitive starts in this game were Denis McQuade, Hugh Strachan and Alex Rae. After almost 18 months as assistant, Davie McParland had taken the reins from Scot Symon back in April. As manager, Davie would have a beautiful love-affair with the League Cup - although the first date didn’t get off to the best of starts…

After just 7 minutes in game one of Section 5, Thistle found themselves two-nil down at Annfield Park. It could perhaps be ascertained that the young Jags weren’t too phased with this predicament. Witness firstly Denis McQuade – on 35 minutes he glides the ball home on a lovely through pass from Alex Rae. Only two-one down at half-time. Hope springs eternal.

goal.png

Witness secondly HUGH STRACHAN for our Number 11 entry. We’re 8 minutes into the second half. Denis McQuade shoots – but it’s saved by the sprawling George Young in the Stirling goal. But wait - Jimmy Bone is onto the rebound – BANG, saved again, NO! Ball breaks to the on rushing Hugh Strachan. THIS TIME! Hugh drives it home emphatically. TWO EACH! One can only speculate at the bond which is created at that very special moment. All the new boys were sinking together – suddenly they’re all rejuvenated, alive and very much kicking.

Jimmy Bone completes the marvellous comeback with a winner with 18 minutes to go. The holy trinity is singing hallelujah – players, manager and supporters as one.

This proved to be Hugh’s one and only goal for the Jags and he leads the way in that criminally under-reported statistical category “most competitive appearances without another goal after scoring on your debut” with more than 140!

Nice one Shuggie, nice one son ♪ ♫

Publishing date Originally published on 14-Dec-2014 (WAT).
Thistle Archive publishing date Republished here on The Thistle Archive, 15-Dec-2020.
Latest edit date Latest edit version 14-Dec-2020.

© The Thistle Archive 2015-2024. All rights reserved. Third-party trademarks and content are the property of their respective owners, and subject to their own copyright terms and conditions. See the website links provided in each case.