Bubbles Gone But Not Forgotten

[Mr Zo 2,616]

I was talking to a friend through the week who was telling me that tomorrow the 5th March 2016 will be the 10th anniversary of the death of Brian 'Bubbles' Hetherston after dieing in his sleep of a suspected epileptic fit at the tender age of 29. ( I have read some places that the anniversary is today)

Bubbles came onto the scene at St Mirren when I found myself attending most of the reserve home games and enjoying watching him strut his stuff. He was head and shoulders above the rest of the players on the park most games and everytime he got the ball you felt he could do something special.

Just thought I would mark the occasion of his sad passing by starting a thread. Weirdly we play Raith tomorrow on the anniversary of his death and they were the club he finished his career with.

A fantastic young footballer on his day and I will always remember him fondly from nutmegging Chris Waddle to scoring a peach against Morton at St Mirren Park.

RIP Bubbles

[aldo_j 1,943]

jeez, gave me goosebumps reading that. Brought back a lot of memories.

A favourite growing up, he was a bright spark in a pretty manky period for the Saints.

[JM1 1,827]

Great player.

Him and Junior were the two guys I loved to watch when I first started regularly going to games.

[Edinbuddie 1,323]

What a great thread, Mr Zo.

Bubbles linking up with Martin Baker on the left was one of the few highlights of the 90s. A great player and entertainer, and someone I still remember fondly.

I think he was in the Raith team that we beat 3-0 at Love St to clinch the title in 2000? It's a shame that his illness affected his career, and so tragically cut short his life.

RIP Brian.

[Saint Garf 805]

Great player.

Him and Junior were the two guys I loved to watch when I first started regularly going to games.

Exactly the same for me.

[HSS 11,029]

A brilliant wee player,one of the best youngsters we've ever had.

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/death-of-brian-hetherston-aged-29-1-1108818

[class of 76-77 2,830]

Well done Mr Zoo for this thread in memory of Bubbles who had immense talent. I will always remember seeing him play for Raith against us in that league winning decider at love street. Like many other buddies at the time I wished that he had still been with us at the time, and been part of that glorious title winning team.

Terrible when anyone dies at such a young age.

[BuddieinEK 7,456]

So sad. Cannot believe it has been 10 years. What a superb talent and tragic loss.

Filling up just thinking about it. So sad.

[Singapore Saint 136]

Wonderful player!

I'm sure I remember him scoring at Crappielow - an astonishing left foot, right foot keepie-up kinda volley? I think we won 3 nil but I'm not sure.

Can anyone confirm?

Edited March 4, 2016 by Singapore Saint

[HSS 11,029]

Wonderful player!

I'm sure I remember him scoring at Crappielow - an astonishing left foot, right foot keepie-up kinda volley? I think we won 3 nil but I'm not sure.

Can anyone confirm?

Could it be this one Bud?

http://www.stmirrenprogrammes.co.uk/StMirren/STM_Match_Details.php?Season=1996&GameID=2774

Edited March 4, 2016 by HSS

[Brian1877 142]

Good thread David.

Played in the period when i went to Love Street the most during my lifetime supporting the Saints. He was an exciting, edge of the seat player.

Would have been great if he'd still being there in the Championship winning Tom Hendrie team. Kind of player that would probably have made the difference between staying up and being relegated from the Premier League the following season.

[Drew 21,115]

Aye, well played Mr Z for your thread.

Brian's death was shocking news at the time, and is no less tragic 10 years on. An exciting player who lit up matches when he played.

[JM1 1,827]

I seem to remember us beating Morton 2-1 at Love Street, Bubbles scored and was brilliant. Did this happen?

[HSS 11,029]

I seem to remember us beating Morton 2-1 at Love Street, Bubbles scored and was brilliant. Did this happen?

It did.

http://www.stmirrenprogrammes.co.uk/StMirren/STM_Match_Details.php?Season=1997&GameID=2825

[JJ McG 4,189]

Had his name on the back of my top when I was younger, loved watching him.

[Callum Gilhooley 9,964]

It did.

http://www.stmirrenprogrammes.co.uk/StMirren/STM_Match_Details.php?Season=1997&GameID=2825

Who the hell was Russell Kelly ?

[HSS 11,029]

Who the hell was Russell Kelly ?

Mr + Mrs Kellys son.

http://www.stmirren.info/id101.html

Edited March 4, 2016 by HSS

[BobbyLavatory 90]

I seem to remember us beating Morton 2-1 at Love Street, Bubbles scored and was brilliant. Did this happen?

And ran over to hug a ball boy in front of the North Bank. Great times. I seem to recall Princess Diana died later that night although the events may have been unrelated.

RIP Bubbles

[div 13,243]

Great thread Dr Zo. Bubbles was a cracking wee player. Amazing coincidence that we are playing Raith tomorrow.

[windae cleaner 3,611]

Who the hell was Russell Kelly ?

Him and Junior stayed in the same house that Saints rented for them

Northern Ireland U/21 player i remember

Dundee stole him off us

[windae cleaner 3,611]

Could it be this one Bud?

http://www.stmirrenprogrammes.co.uk/StMirren/STM_Match_Details.php?Season=1996&GameID=2774

4 cracking goals i remember with Bubbles the best of the lot

Norrie McWhirter tugging Paddy Flannery jersey only to Flannery trying to knock his head off

Jim Dick barring his arse to the Unwashed after scoring

Quite a decent day

[Drew 21,115]

And ran over to hug a ball boy in front of the North Bank. Great times. I seem to recall Princess Diana died later that night although the events may have been unrelated.

RIP Bubbles

Who?

[Mr Zo 2,616]

It would be nice if this was acknowledged by both clubs at tomorrow's game. As he started his career at St Mirren and finished at Raith with a brief spell at Sligo Rovers in the middle.

I remember he scored in a 2-1 win at home to Morton and ran over to the north bank, didn't know what to and just ruffled the hair of one of the young ball boys (this sounds a bit jim'll fix it).

A daft lad who just loved playing football with an enthusiasm and unpredictability that you don't often see in young players these days.

[Mr Zo 2,616]

Oddly Off the ball were talking about anniversaries last weekend and were looking for people to get in touch if they had any. Sadly I couldn't get in touch.

It would be nice if anyone is on twitter and could contact off the ball about this as they would surely read it out. :-)

[Eric Arthur Blair 5,383]

I'm sure it was a back-heel nutmeg on Chris Waddell but that might be my memory embellishing it.

Brilliant goal at Cappielow and I remember him at Cliftonhill getting a yellow card because a Hamilton player was injured off the pitch, rolled back on to get play stopped and Brian tried to "help" him back off so the game could re-start.