Another Top Ten from Ted.
Top Ten Ted, presents Games I wish I’d missed!!!!!
10. Around 1984, Celtic (Home)As a side sliding towards the 1st Division,I turned up to this game in hope rather than expectation.Sadly my intuition proved to be correct.Could we really have hoped for anything in this Cup-Tie played on St. Patrick’s Day?Graham Forbes summed it all up when he sent a late penalty into orbit.Motherwell 0-6 Celtic
9. Around 1998, St. Johnstone (Away)My memory of this game was, seeing a ball flying through the air when we were in the car park.Seconds later the Saints fans roared (?) their delight at George O’Boyle lobbing Stevie from the half way line and the ball nestling in our net for the 5th time.This was Billy Davies’ first game in charge.Things would get better, only for it to get worse again.
St. Johnstone 5-0 Motherwell
8. Around 1995, Dundee United (Away)Second top of the league in January is not something a ‘Well fan could ever become accustomed to.Winning at Tannadice around this time was also a rarity.But, when Tommy Coyne put us one up, my mortgage would’ve went on the Steelmen to continue a famous season. Unfortunately, six breakaways later all hope had gone.
Dundee United 6-1 Motherwell
7. Around 1982, Celtic(Home) In this game Celtic were outstanding.I sat to the very end of this torture, as for the first time I could remember, we were slaughtered in our “ain midden”.Lasting memory of this, is an aging Joe Wark being tied in knots by a young Charlie Nicholas.Motherwell 0-6 Celtic
6. Around 1979, Morton (Away) Taking a complete hounding from Morton is probably not something a young Motherwell fan would even consider.However twenty years ago a visit to Cappielow was distinctly dodgy.An inspired home side driven by Jim Tolmie destroyed a young Motherwell side heading for relegation (does that sound to familiar?).A bad night.Morton 6-0 Motherwell
5. Around 1971, Partick Thistle (Away) A visit to my grannies in Glasgow always strangely coincided with a Motherwell visit to Firhill.This particular day I saw a game I’d never forget.Sadly it was for all the wrong reasons.All eight of them!!A Jimmy Bone Hat-Trick was completed by an impressive overhead kick.This match signalled the end of a brief MFC career for the young Goalie, Jim Burns.Partick Thistle 8-3 Motherwell
4. Around 1978, St. Mirren (Away) I guess a heavy Anglo/Scottish Cup defeat wouldn’t rank as a heartbreaker to most folks reading this, but to this Renfrewshire based ‘Well fan, this was tough.It was the beginning of an awful season ( my 1st as a season ticket holder ) for the Steelmen.That day for the first time in my life I realised that St. Mirren were a better team than my favourites.Truly, this was a sore one.St. Mirren 4-0 Motherwell
3. Around 1981, Dundee United (Away)Allys( 1st Division ) Motherwell Army invaded Dundee having been convinced by our leader that we could lift the old trophy come May.So sure was I of success, that £5 was staked at Ladbrokes to pay for my day out.The healthiest of visiting support roared the team on to a famous heavy defeat.Our time, and revenge would come however 10 years and 4 Months later.Dundee United 6-1 Motherwell 2.
2. Around 1987, Hearts (Away) Any defeat by the Jambos is hard for a Dosser, particularly at the old Tynecastle.Defeat to them in the Scottish Cup magnifies it ten fold.Add to that, we’re standing in the pouring rain and 4-0 down at Half-Time, and you’ll be wondering why this isn’t my number one!!Soaked through, half drunk, four down and Wayne Foster celebrating in front of you is not a good cocktail.That day would’ve been comical if it hadn’t been to bloody painfulHearts 4-0 Motherwell
1. Around 1976, Rangers (Hampden Park)After putting Celtic to the sword in the Scottish Cup, and 2-0 up in the Semi against Rangers with 20 Minutes left we felt our day had come.Sadly a blind referee(notfor the first time!! ) came to Rangers' assistance.I kid you not when I say Derek Johnstone was 10 Yards outside the box when “allegedly “ brought down by Stuart Rennie.The roof caved in, and by injury time that same Referee couldn’t see the stonewall penalty, when Wullie Pettigrew tumbled in the box. I was in tears leaving the ground that night.So bad was I,I got the rest of the week off school.To this day I can’t stand “DJ” for his cheating ways, and probably explains my abhorrence of all things Govan!!
Rangers 3-2 Motherwell
So there you have it.Now I’ve done this maybe I’ve exorcised a few demons in my head, and maybe some of you have too.No doubt you could come up with other results that have affected you badly.Maybe the 7-1 reverse against Celtic when Goram went to New York, or more recently (although maybe too recent) the Livingston game.The joy however of football is that you know someday soon, we’ll have a famous victory to enjoy, just before the inevitable next trouncing comes along!!‘Till next time,
Top Ten Ted.
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