I met up recently with former Brechin City and Dunfermline Athletic midfielder Billy McLardy.
Billy, who also had many successful years with Carnoustie Panmure juniors, was in good form and recalled a tale from one of those Gowfers victories.
“It was the semi-final of the Currie Cup in the early 1970s, which was probably the biggest cup tournament locally outside of the Scottish Junior Cup,” said Billy, now retired after many years working for Tennent’s.
“We were playing Jeanfield Swifts with the score at 1-1.
“A long high ball was lofted into Jeanfield’s box and our striker Dave Martin backed into a Jeanfield defender.
“The referee, quite rightly, blew for a free-kick.
“However, before the game got under way again, the Swifts player took umbrage at the challenge and swung a punch at Dave.
“The referee intervened, then, controversially, awarded Carnoustie a penalty-kick.
“I certainly thought the decision was wrong and so did Jeanfield, who surrounded the referee in protest.
“Anyway, when it all (slightly) calmed down, as the penalty-taker, I placed the ball on the spot. As I prepared to start my run-up, a Jeanfield player came from behind me and kicked the ball miles over the bar.
“He was booked and I re-spotted the ball.
“A different Swifts player then repeated the act.
“He was also booked before I, once again, placed the ball on the penalty spot.
“Unbelievably, a third Jeanfield man did the same! By this time, the match official had had enough and abandoned the game.
“We were awarded the tie by the governing body and went on to beat a very good Arbroath Vics side in the final.”
An hour later, I bumped into his Carnoustie skipper at that time, Dennis Docherty, and he confirmed the tale as true.
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