BaggyTrousers wrote:In 1975 I was at the Scotland v Ireland match at Murrayfield in the days of the enormous terrace around 3 sides of the ground. That same year the Scotland v Wales game had a crowd of 104000 officially though estmates reckon maybe 110000 made it into the game.
Anyway, given the lack of anything happening I though I would post a momento that I came across a few weeks back when clearing out a few old wallets etc. In one I did find money, but I never thought to spend it & now it is out of circulation.
That night we ended up drinking in The North British Hotel above Waverley Station, can't remember what its called now. Anyway it was where the Irish team were staying and the after-match banquet was held. Eventually the players emerged into the bar and were happy to chat to Tom Dick & Baggy.
Some guys were getting autographs and as a younger 21 year old than lads nowadays would be, I thought I would too. Problem was that the only paper I had was folding stuff, the smallest a £5 note, probably a good amount since I think my salary was around £1500 gross in those days.
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The Ireland team
15 Tony Ensor
14 Tom Grace
13 Dick Milliken
12 Mike Gibson
11 Seamus Dennison
10 Billy McCombe
9 John Moloney
1 Ray McLoughlin
2 Pa Whelan
3 Roger Clegg
4 Willie-John McBride (c)
5 Moss Keane
6 Stewart McKinney
7 Fergus Slattery
8 Willie Duggan
Replacements
Paddy Agnew, Shay Deering, Ken Kennedy, Michael Quinn, W.T. Postlethwaite, Christopher McKibbin
Scotland won 20-13 2 tries each, Billy Steele & Jim Renwick & for Ireland Seamus Dennison & Tom Grace.
Of the team I have no memory at all of W T Postlethwaite, any ould lads remember him?
As for the autographs, three Ulster legends off the bat Willie John, Syd Millar who was team manager & Mike Gibson. Bangor men ( best club in the country at the time many claimed - mostly from Bangor) Dick Milliken, Billy McCombe & Roger Clegg, Paddy Agnew was later involved with Bangor too but I think was CI at that time.
Ken Kennedy was at the end of a distinguished career, certainly McCombe & Kennedy played their last international later that year in Cardiff. It was a painful experience, 32-4 (tries 4 pts) and it was 32-0 late in the game until Willie Duggan intercepted a long Gareth Edwards pass straight off a lineout and ran into the corner from the 25 yard line.
The distinguished back row of McKinney, Slattery & Duggan all signed and Noisy Noel Murphy who was there in some capacity also signed on. Ray McLoughlin signed as did 2 Scottish legendary props Sandy Carmichael & Mighty Moose Ian McLaughlin. Broon a'Troon, Gordon Brown -no not that clampit MP - is there too.
The thing that I recall most from that long evening was Scottish debutant David Leslie, who turned out a good no 8 or flanker, would have talked all night, clearly on a high after a winning debut he wouldn;t shut up, eventually we sidled off to find more famous names, good chap mind you. I also remember Paddy Agnew a triple international - rugby judo & waterpolo - telling me it was a serious waste of money & no doubt I would spend it.
Wrong Paddy.
Anyway, hope someone may find this bit of "all our yesterdays" of some interest.
