More than 12,000 Scots were in the crowd on this day in 1985 at Ninian Park in Cardiff for the vital World Cup tie between Wales and Scotland.
Scotland needed a draw to get into a play-off for a place in the Mexico World Cup Finals of 1986 and they got the match off to a bad start by allowing Mark Hughes to open the scoring in the 13th minute.
Scotland fought back but in spite of all their efforts, with 9 minutes to go, the Welsh were still in front. Then, a shot by David Speedie hit a defender’s arm and, to the astonishment of the home fans, referee Keizer of Holland blew for a penalty.
Davie Cooper stepped forward and slammed the ball low down past the left hand of keeper Neville Southall.
The photographers rushed towards the Scots dug-out, keen to get a shot of the manager and his staff just when it looked as though Scotland were through.
Jock Stein waved them away and after one snapper had been particularly difficult, brusquely man-handled him away. A few seconds later, he collapsed and was rushed to the dressing-room.
In spite of attention from the Scottish medical staff, Jock Stein could not be resuscitated and died shortly afterwards. The tragic story made the headlines in the papers of the following day –
Manager Stein Dies at Match
Sacrifice of a Football Manager
With a Midas touch
Jim Craig
