My first introduction to sport was the daily soccer matches that were played out on the concrete surface of TP. One goal at the wall nearest the bakery and one goal the wall beneath the main entrance. Felt like 30 each side and played with the scabbiest of tennis balls and pre goal line technology of leather school bags. I thought I was brilliant and still feel I could have been Troon's own Messi if only the ball hadn't got bigger as I grew up. Despite my inner feeling of brilliance there was one who shone above everyone, Eddie Adams, who was in the year above. He was the Michaelangelo, Picasso and Rolf Harris in one body. His skills and athletic prowess were Avenger like and to this date I admire his contribution to tennis ball soccer. Other star players were the sadly departed Derek 'The Cat' Sim who made Hugh Sproat look like Stewart Kennedy and Derek Turnbull who worked the right wing with great speed and skill. My everlasting memory was a pinpoint cross from the ginger DT on the right wing that I caught flush on the napper in a diving fashion which smashed into the sandstone net...pure magic. On my visit a couple of years ago I think I still saw the indentation on the wall. That was my Dalglish Anfield moment and put us into a strong 19-16 lead with 3 days to play.
After communications from Mike Tucker who referenced George Scott publicly acknowledging on his 50th birthday that Mike T was the worst, worst, worst footballer he had ever seen. As a result have added a poll at top of page for worst TP footballer. Any other candidates?
ReplyDeleteI remember a planned goal celebration shared with Graeme J....it involved the pair of us, having combined for the goal of course and shooting into the wall end, continuing our runs, out through the gates, across the road (minding our Green Cross Code), and straight into the co-op bakery. We came back with our 2p Snowball cakes in hand, or probably half devoured by then....
ReplyDeleteAnd you thought it was the Icelanders that created oddball goal celebrations...(if you haven't seen the Icelandic fishing or baby delivery ones, they are worth a google)!
I can remember us girls giving you a run for your money. We used to play against the boys on Sat. ams on the piece of grass that the new lunch rooms were built on.
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