BobbyLavatory Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 Story in the Herald today about this being the last ever game played in Britain on Christmas Day. Any Buddies make the journey? THE extent of how much football was played between the Germans and the Allies along the Western Front on Christmas Day 100 years ago remains an ongoing topic of conjecture and mythologising. In contrast, the festive tale from Clydebank in 1976 is rather more clear-cut, with more than 10,000 witnesses there to recount events from what remains the last ever British senior game to be played on December 25. Christmas fixtures had once been a regular occurrence both north and south of the border. They disappeared, however, from the English calendar in the late 1950s, although in Scotland - where Hogmanay was still seen as the bigger celebration - they still took place whenever Christmas Day happened to fall on a Saturday until the last full card in 1971. By the time the dates aligned again in 1976 the new Scottish Premier League was a year old and a combination of poor weather and a general reluctance to play meant none of its 10 sides were in action on Christmas Day. Instead the focus fell on the two lower leagues. Alloa Athletic and Cowdenbeath of the second division provided the starter with an 11am kick-off, with Clydebank and St Mirren of the first division then taking centre stage at the more traditional time of 3pm. Perhaps it was because it featured two entertaining, promotion-chasing teams, maybe it was because it wasn't too far for St Mirren supporters to journey across the Clyde, or simply because folk were just desperate to get out of the house, but they crammed them into Kilbowie. The official attendance was given as 10,000 but those who were there swear there were many more than that on the terraces. "I was 15 at the time and still remember the game well," said Stevie McAneney, a Clydebank historian and now a director of the re-launched club. "The crowd was given as 10,000 but there were easily between 12,000 to 14,000 there. Both teams were going well that season which maybe explains the turn-out but I think it was a game that attracted a lot of neutrals as well." Those who either rushed down their Christmas lunch or delayed their dinner to head out to the game were rewarded with an afternoon rich in entertainment and talking points. Bill Munro's Clydebank side, featuring players such as Davie Cooper, Jimmy Lumsden, and Jim Fallon, went two ahead through Billy McColl and Mike Larnach. That prompted an impromptu pitch invasion from the visiting fans, perhaps in an exuberant or desperate attempt to bring a halt to proceedings. The game recommenced and St Mirren will be glad that it did. Managed by Alex Ferguson at that time and with Tony Fitzpatrick, Frank McGarvey and Jackie Copland in their starting line-up, they reduced the deficit through substitute Bobby Torrance and then drew level with a strike 20 minutes from time from Billy Stark. The teams eventually settled for a 2-2 draw and both were promoted at the end of the season, St Mirren as champions. "It was a unique fixture so it's one that has stayed with me," Stark told Herald Sport. "As players we were used to training on Christmas Day but a game was a whole different experience. It was a sell-out as we had a really good rivalry with Clydebank at that time and both ended up going up to the Premier League. I think there was actually a bigger demand for tickets than normal as people wanted to be part of something a bit different." The pitch invasion, thought to be motivated by high jinks rather than malice, was the only untoward point in an otherwise festive and friendly encounter. The clubs gave away a joint commemorative programme that featured a Santa bedecked half in Clydebank's red and white, and half in the black-and-white stripes of St Mirren for a match it dramatically described as the "battle of the gladiators of the first division." The first 200 young fans entering the stadium were also presented with a free poster of their heroes created by the famous cartoonist McCormack, while both managers also took to the front page of the programme to offer a festive message. "May I, on behalf of all connected with St Mirren Football Club, wish the Bankies and Saints supporters a very Merry Christmas and good wishes for the coming year," wrote Ferguson. Munro was equally as generous in spirit. "It is with pleasure that I wish you, our supporters, and in the particular the folk who come with us to Arbroath and Perth, a very Happy Christmas and let's trust that Lady Fortune continues to smile on us in the New Year and, in this, I'm glad to include the St Mirren fans." Ferguson, in fact, had been under a lot of bit of stress at that time, something that would cause him to chase after a poor linesman at one point. "There there was an incident in the second half when the linesman gave offside against us and I reacted badly and chased up the touchline after him, only to be pulled back by the Clydebank manager," he recalled in his book, A Light In The North. "My reaction had been unnecessary but at the time I was under a lot of personal strain. I had even had to personally prepare Christmas dinners at one of my pubs three nights in a row as my cook had quit." An appearance on Celebrity Masterchef surely now awaits. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/recalling-christmas-day-football-in-clydebankand-fergie-berating-the-linesman.115078641 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSS Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 "The pitch invasion was caused by high jinx" Aye,ma hole it was!!!There was battling outside before the game even started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyg Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 "The pitch invasion was caused by high jinx" Aye,ma hole it was!!!There was battling outside before the game even started. Seem to remember a fire of sorts too ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuddieinEK Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I was there... scary stuff at times. Still have the programme too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windae cleaner Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 "The pitch invasion was caused by high jinx" Aye,ma hole it was!!!There was battling outside before the game even started. Tut tut twas the season of goodwill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonny Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I was there. Had the poster up until I had a clear-out a few years ago when I gave it away to a younger fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint in exile Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 It was a great day oot. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stlucifer Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 It was a great day oot. Thoroughly enjoyed it. HOOLIGAN!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
class of 76-77 Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I was also in attendance, and I seem to remember some tasty battles before the match had kicked off. We did have some nutters amongst our support in those days. Great memories and what a team we had back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomsons dropped it Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 (edited) I was also in attendance, and I seem to remember some tasty battles before the match had kicked off. We did have some nutters amongst our support in those days. Great memories and what a team we had back then. Mirror mirror on the Wall........... I think in all fairness I may have had to cast a glance at the above Mirror on occasion........ Edited December 24, 2014 by thomsons dropped it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykey Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I was there. Had the poster up until I had a clear-out a few years ago when I gave it away to a younger fan Poster now hangs on my sons wall. Also remember taking alcohol in a flask with a box of mince pies - changed days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pozbaird Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 It was brilliant. Still remember the posters and programme. Wasn't involved in any battles but it was a tasty atmosphere. Them actually WERE the days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callum Gilhooley Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 I was there also , from what i remember the only place we could get in for a pre match drink (I was 15 at the time but it didnt seem to matter !!) was the Orange halls nearby !! fwiw , they made us all very welcome ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edinbuddie Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 Was there as an 8 year old. My dad was very old school and didn't get the concept of ends, so we ended up in the home end, with my brother and his pal punted to the away end. Have vague memories of the game. Think there was battling inside the ground as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 Was there as an 8 year old. My dad was very old school and didn't get the concept of ends, so we ended up in the home end, with my brother and his pal punted to the away end. Have vague memories of the game. Think there was battling inside the ground as well. Plenty of fights inside the ground. Remember seeing some Santa's punching lumps out of each other Was the game ever on telly ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidg Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 (edited) Sounds great!!!! I wasn't even thought of back then but wish I had witnessed some old school football days. Carry oots on the terracing etc. Edited December 24, 2014 by davidg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepaisleypanda Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 How did everyone get there? (Serious question - as I have no way of attending Killie game) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuddieinEK Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 How did everyone get there? (Serious question - as I have no way of attending Killie game) Junior Supporters Club... or My old man. Can't remember. If it was the latter he'd have been pissed but that was allowed back then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidg Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 How did everyone get there? (Serious question - as I have no way of attending Killie game) Big Broonie was saying he walked to the Renfrew ferry then walked from Yoker to Clydebank!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windae cleaner Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 Big Broonie was saying he walked to the Renfrew ferry then walked from Yoker to Clydebank!! Got a lift to the ferry. Then walked to the ground from there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weetoonsaint Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 i was in the bankies club behind the goal .got kinda pished , can't remember much about the game except we were all jumping about like loonies when the buds made it 2-2 great day out . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pozbaird Posted December 24, 2014 Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 Kilbowie was like Somerset Park, or to be fair, Cappielow. Old school. Great memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skodasaint Posted December 25, 2014 Report Share Posted December 25, 2014 got there by dads hillman imp scarey day when 8 years old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shull Posted December 25, 2014 Report Share Posted December 25, 2014 Who started it ? Was down the Govan Road, Linthouse yesterday for a Haircut. The Barber , who is a Bankies fan was reminiscing with me about the good old days of Scottish Fitba in the mid70's. He mentioned the Xmas day game and said it was us who started it, by rushing at the Bankies Fans and chasing them out the Shed. He followed this by saying that the bankies Fans regrouped and chased us away. He jokingly added while we retreated that the Bankies stole our Cairry Outs that had been left behind. I was there and mind the fighting, what really happened and who did start it ? The Haircut was only £6 A F*ckin bargain My Dad took myself and brothers in car. A great match and atmosphere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonny Posted December 25, 2014 Report Share Posted December 25, 2014 I am sure we went by train ???? Can anyone else confirm there was public transport running that Xmas day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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