It’s a dog’s life for Harry at Shawfield as a new decade begins…
I marked the first changing of a decade in my lifetime with a trip to Shawfield in my dad’s car to see Celtic take on Clyde, the supporters’ bus not running on Thursday, 1 January 1970. It was weird to see a date on the programme which was not from the 1960’s. Funny the things which stick in your mind.
Harry returned to his first senior ground and Celtic returned with the two points after a hard-fought 2-0 win, the former Clyde striker instrumental in setting up the first goal of the ‘70s for John Hughes before young Lou Macari sealed victory right at the death with an excellent solo effort.
Harry may well have enjoyed a goal on his own stomping ground, but for a most unusual opponent. The Celtic Wiki describes him being “dispossessed by a black mongrel, which jumped a five-foot fence to take to the field,” such athleticism and defending surely entitling him to the Dog of the Match award later.
Two days later, new Rangers manager Willie Waddell brought his team to Parkhead and left with a creditable point after a goalless draw, the major talking point the ruling out of a Billy McNeill goal just before the break, referee John Paterson of Bothwell deciding that keeper Gerry Neef had been impeded. Neef was only playing after a deal to bring Aberdeen keeper Bobby Clark to Ibrox fell through when Bobby Watson refused to move to Pittodrie.
The following Saturday’s match at Firhill was a victim of the snow which covered Scotland, but Cesar would score an identical goal from Bertie Auld’s free-kick a fortnight later at Easter Road, which was allowed to stand, before Harry set up John Hughes for a late winner with a sublime flick at the edge of the box.
Yogi beat future Celtic keeper Gordon Marshall at his near post in the 86th minute to clinch a 2-1 win after Hibernian debutant Arthur Duncan had brought the hosts level early in the second half in the vital League clash. Duncan had moved to Easter Road from Partick Thistle the previous week to replace Peter Marinello, after Hibernian’s teenage winger had joined Arsenal for £100,000.
Matt Corr
On this day…1970
Harry returns to Shawfield with Celtic as goals from John Hughes and Lou Macari seal a 2-0 win.
This was the first match I went to which hadn’t taken place in the 1960’s and I recall thinking the date on the programme looked really weird. pic.twitter.com/0rcig4hAxl
— Harry Hood: Twice as good (@HarryHoodBook) January 1, 2022
Last order of 2021 posted to Newarthill on Hogmanay and the first for 2022 now secured for Dumbarton and Port Glasgow. Thank you all for your incredible support with a four-figure sum already raised for @mariecurieuk.
Photo is @helenahood25 as guest of @ClydeFC on Harry Hood Day pic.twitter.com/UCKcrrhABI— Harry Hood: Twice as good (@HarryHoodBook) January 1, 2022
*An extract from Harry Hood’s official biography Twice As Good by Matt Corr
Follow on Twitter @HarryHoodBook
