A former footballer from Scotland’s golden era returned to his roots to reminisce about his days playing in Wishaw.
Lisbon Lion John Fallon recalled his experiences at The Humph when he met with the players and committee from Craigneuk Amateurs FC, as well as members of the local community.
The former goalkeeper, who was part of the Celtic squad who won the European Cup in 1967 and an unused sub during the final in Lisbon, played at the park during the 1950s for boys’ guild side, St Cadoc’s.
He brought a replica of the European Cup with him for photograph opportunities with the locals before moving on to the King Lud pub nearby to share more stories of his playing days.
The 81-year-old, who grew up in Cambuslang, told Lanarkshire Live : “It must have been about 1956 when I last played here, before I played for Fauldhouse.
"It was black ash back then, we didn’t have grass, and there was never any hot water for a shower, it was always freezing cold.
“There are a few famous players played here, Joe Baker [who played for clubs including Hibernian and Arsenal] and Tommy Gemmell. Joe also ran a pub nearby.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen the place in a long time but good to see it still being used for football.”
The park had lain derelict for years before the local amateur side gained permission from land owners North Lanarkshire Council to return and play their home games there, securing a long-term lease last year.
Craigneuk Amateurs manager John Collins told us : “I had been talking to people about the famous players who had played at The Humph years ago and we’re thinking about getting all of their names on a plaque and putting it up.”
The former goalie, who also had professional spells with Motherwell and Morton, was invited along to the park where he played as a teenager to meet the Craigneuk Amateurs footballers who play there now by friend Ann Frances Murray whose son Rocco Vata currently plays for Celtic’s B-side.
Ann Frances’ helped arrange the visit after speaking to her sister Margaret Ann Murray, who was the secretary of Craigneuk Community Council for a lengthy period.
Ann Frances said: “We were talking about the famous players who’d played at The Humph and I’m a pal of John’s so I asked him last minute if he could come up and meet the players.
"He is always busy and doing something but he is a lovely guy and said it was no bother. He always gives up his time to talk to people.”
While the surface of the park may have changed from ash to grass down the years, it is not the most level of playing fields.
And it’s not just the opposition the team have to battle as another unusual issue isn’t helping the infamous bumpy surface.
Committee member Darren Philips revealed: “The place is overrun with rabbits and they are killing the grass. I’ve drove up at night with the headlights on and they are all over the park.
"We’re going to try and put mesh all the way round to stop them getting in but it’s hard to get rid of them.”
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