A Scotland legend is coming to Dumfries this weekend praising the modern day heroes in Steve Clarke’s squad.
Jim McCalliog, who scored the winner for Scotland in their famous 3-2 win over England in London in 1967, will be at Memorabilia Moments on Bank Street on Saturday to sign copies of his new book – Wembley Wins Wembley Woes.
And he’s urged fans of the national team in Dumfries and Galloway to embrace Grant Hanley and Lyndon Dykes as modern local legends in the Scotland side.
Jim, aged 75, said: “That’s great to see two local guys in the national side.
“I remember Judy Murray saying the same about Andy and Jamie when they were coming through in tennis.
“You have to appreciate them now because once they’re gone it could be years before you get any more coming through. Everybody growing up looks at sporting heroes, we need them.
“Some times heroes can be scarce and we needed them with Scotland a while ago. You’ve got two local players now and you should enjoy them as much as you can. We’ve got a team of heroes coming together at the same time which is amazing.”
Dykes and Hanley played in Scotland’s spirited 0-0 draw at Wembley in Euro 2020 which was played last summer.
But that feat pales in comparison to McCalliog’s heroic display 55 years ago last week. Making his Scotland debut at the age of 20, he scored the winner against World Cup winners England to give them their first defeat in 20 matches.
He said: “It was such a big day for Scotland and Scottish football.
“I’ll never get fed up talking about it!
“It was a big day for everybody and a great feeling. It was my debut along with Ronnie Simpson’s and the manager Bobby Brown’s first game in charge.
“After the game we went and met the England team and had some drinks. Bobby nipped out for some fresh air and this Scottish guy came along, and he’d had a few drinks, and started poking Bobby in the chest and said: ‘We absolutely gubbed you today’.
“Bobby didn’t have the heart to tell him he was the manager of the Scotland team. He said he didn’t want to spoil the moment for him.”
The 75-year-old, who was part of the legendary Southampton FA Cup winning side of 1976, also played for Manchester United, Chelsea and captained Wolves to the UEFA Cup final in 1972.
His interesting football career is chronicled in his book which he will bring to Dumfries this weekend. It is also available online.
He said: “I was asked to do a book for years by different people and I didn’t want to do it. But because of Covid-19 our B&B was shut down and it gave me a lot of time. I was writing three or four hours a day.
Jim will be at Memorabilia Moments at 9 Bank Street, Dumfries from 2.30pm until 4.30pm.
