Let us pause and remember: The Ibrox disaster of 1971 scotsman.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from scotsman.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
From experiencing the wrath of Sligo Rovers suporters after a shock loss to Longford Town in the FAI Cup to a couple of years later being in and amongst the Lisbon Lions as a Celtic goalkeeper, the great Tom Lally has very nearly done and seen it all in football.
The affable Galwegian, who enjoyed two stints at Rovers, the first including the memorable cup final saga of 1970, is still enthusiastic as ever about the game and has immersed himself in coaching goalkeepers of all ages, currently at Mervue United in his native county, since his playing days concluded.
Supporters of Rovers during that era will remember the composure, style and ability of a young 20-year-old who joined the club in 1968, and made the position his own, so much so that Celtic came in for him amidst interest from a whole host of British clubs.
Football spectating in the 1960’s and 1970’s was a completely different scenario compared to the pampered luxuries of the modern day game. In January 1971, Ted Heath was some seven months into his Premiership. Decimalisation was imminent (Feb 1971) but entry to the European Union was still two years distant. Average weekly earnings for manual workers was £28. A ticket for the Old Firm game was six shillings (30p) with a match day programme costing one shilling. (5p) The wintry weather on that day was grim - foggy and frosty with a real nip in the air. If it had been any other game but the Big Match, it would probably have been postponed. As it later turned out, the under-foot conditions pretty much spoiled the game.
Ten in a row. Had there been offices open, stuffed with busy water coolers, it’s the topic that would have dominated Scotland’s workplace small talk in 2020.Now that 2021 is upon is, it might yet be
Ibrox Disaster: Wishaw first aider reflects on tragedy 50 years on
Tom Donaldson was 21 when he travelled to Ibrox on January 2, 1971, as part of the Wishaw section of the St Andrew’s Ambulance Corps.
Stairway 13 in the aftermath of the tragedy
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