Telly

  • Famous Five Screening This Sunday

    It was a forward-line that struck fear into the hearts of opposition defenders, but rolled off the tongue for a generation of Scottish football fans: Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Turnbull and Ormond.

    Now, BBC ALBA looks at the magical story of Hibernian’s Famous Five who helped catapult the Leith club to a host of trophies in the post-war period.

    Produced by purpleTV, the creators of a series of BBC ALBA sports documentaries including Jim Baxter and the award-winning Jock Stein, the programme examines how the Famous Five were revered at home and abroad and continue to live on in Scottish football folklore.

    Speaking to family members, fellow players, historians, broadcasters and acclaimed author and Hibs’ fan Irvine Welsh, we hear the influence the quintet had upon the game, leading Hibs to break the stranglehold of the Old Firm in the early 1950s.

    Alastair Alexander, football commentator, said: “The fact that they won three titles was just unbelievable because up until then, the titles had never really escaped from the clutches of Rangers or Celtic. There were other teams from time to time but it was significant for the dominance of the Old Firm to be broken at that time - and be broken by playing good football. The quality of their play, it really was remarkable and everybody really enjoyed it.”

    Alastair watched the Famous Five play when he was a youngster and they were appreciated no matter which team in Scotland you supported.

    He continued: “Every schoolboy in Scotland knew Hibs’ Famous Five: Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Turnbull and Ormond. It just tripped of the tongue and no matter what team you supported, you looked to this forward line that was magical. They played in the W formation. With two wingers wide, Lawrie Reilly in the centre and Bobby Johnstone and Eddie Turnbull advancing wing halves or centre forwards. All in all they were a marvellous team!”

    For Pat Stanton, who watched as a boy from the terraces and went on to become a legend at Easter Road in his own right, their magic left an indelible mark.

    Pat said: “I stood on the terrace watching these players. I was in awe of them.

    “Gordon Smith: an outside right, a terrific footballer, very quick, elegant; Bobby Johnstone: my dad’s favourite. A great player and a real thinker. He added the craft.

    “Lawrie Reilly: centre forward, just an absolute terrier of a man, very quick, strong, great eye for the goal. Inside that you had Eddie Turnbull: a really good player with a terrific shot. He was a great foil for Smith. Outside left: Willie Ormond. Very quick, tremendous left foot and a great goal scorer. They could all score goals.”

    Tom Wright, Hibernian historian, said: “They would have been one of the first forward lines to have interchanged positions. In those days you usually stuck to your position and your defender would be sticking against you. But it wouldn’t be unusual for Gordon Smith to be on the left wing and Eddie Turnbull on the right.”

    Using beautifully shot archive footage commissioned by the club in the late 1940s as a backdrop to the story, The Famous Five celebrates Hibernian’s post-war decade and also uses drama reconstruction to recreate some of the most famous moments in their story.

    The programme also travels to Chicago to hear from Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh, who praises the lasting influence the Five had on the Leith club for decades. And, as the celebrity Hibbee explains, despite never seeing them on the park, he did get to meet some of them in later life…

    Welsh said: “I met Lawrie Reilly, Eddie Turnbull and Willie Ormond and I actually got barred from all three of their pubs.

    “I remember Lawrie Reilly who had the Bowlers’ Rest pub and he didn’t want any young whipper snappers getting up to their shenanigans. So I was flung out of that one by Lawrie. And Eddie Turnbull had Fox’s in Junction Street, and me and my uncle Jimmy had been on the p**s and we were making a bit of a pest of ourselves. Eddie told us to get lost basically and he said: ‘you should know better, Jimmy, and take that wee dipstick of a nephew with you.’

    “Willie Ormond had a pub in Musselburgh and it was quite a rowdy day out. Eventually he said we had to get out of there. But that’s quite a nice hat-trick; it’s like Willie Ormond’s hat-trick of broken legs, my hat-trick of getting banned from three of the Famous Five pubs.”

    Produced for BBC ALBA by award-winning production company purpleTV, The Famous Five is presented by sport broadcaster Alex O’Henley and is produced and directed by Margot McCuaig. The same team produced Jock Stein, the factual entertainment documentary that won the Royal Television Society Scotland award for Best Sport Documentary in 2015. The Famous Five will be shown on BBC ALBA on Sunday 24th January at 9.00pm until 10.00pm.

     
  • Jim Baxter Documentary on BBC Alba Tonight

    Despite his tag as the nation’s more expensive footballer, a new BBC ALBA documentary reveals how Rangers and Scotland legend Jim Baxter was compelled to complete his national service – and spent most of his time whilst on guard phoning teammates and rivals.

    In an intimate portrait of his personal and professional life, Jim Baxter – produced for BBC ALBA by purpleTV – tells the story of Baxter’s early life growing up in Hill o’ Beath through to worldwide fame thanks to his talent on the pitch and to his later years that saw the Fifer undergo two liver transplants in 1994 before succumbing to cancer just seven years later at the age of just 61.

    The film also examines the devastating event that impacted Baxter for the duration of his life - his adoption as a baby - and the lifelong feelings of abandonment that those closest to him suggest fuelled the darker aspects of his personality.

    Spotted while playing for junior club Crossgates Primrose, Baxter was signed by Raith Rovers before becoming a household name with Rangers in 1960. Remembered for his skill, confidence and flamboyance, Baxter’s career soared and then fell sharply as his lavish lifestyle impacted his performance on the pitch.

    The documentary uses both drama reconstruction and archive footage of both Baxter and his parents to tell his story, as well as personal input from his much-loved partner, Norma.

    The biographical account also features contributions from award-wining author Val McDermid, whose father was the Raith scout that identified Baxter’s potential, his teammates at Rangers, Willie Henderson, Davie Wilson, Ian McMillan and Willie Johnston, as well his Scotland colleagues Denis Law and Paddy Crerand.

    And Crerand is one of those that lifts the lid on Baxter’s time on national service.

    Despite Rangers paying a £17,500 fee to make Baxter the British record transfer in 1960, that didn’t prevent the midfielder from being called up for national service in October 1961.

    At a time when compulsory national service was coming to an end, Baxter was called up thanks to his birthday falling a matter of days before the cutoff date for the end of conscription.

    Serving with The Black Watch at the barracks at Stirling Castle, regiment museum archivist Richard MacKenzie explains how Baxter was placed in charge of looking after the barracks - making sure that everything was clean, tidy and polished – but was also asked to play in the regiment football team.

    Whilst on duty, MacKenzie explains some less conventional ways how Baxter used to keep himself entertained. Richard said: “There is a comment in the regimental magazine that Jim Baxter has rung up very large phone bills using the regimental phone calling not just family and friends but also football agencies in Glasgow.” And it is something his colleagues can testify to.

    Former Scotland and Celtic star Paddy Crerand said: “I used to get phone calls at all times of the night from Jimmy doing his national service.

    ‘I’m on duty’, he’d say. 

    ‘Well why are you on the bloody phone then if you’re on duty?’

    “He phoned me nearly every night, he drove me absolutely mad. He was absolutely bored that’s why. On guard duty… guarding against who?!”

    Despite still turning out for Rangers during his national service, Baxter concluded his time with The Black Watch with a seven week football tour of the Far East with his regiment. And as Baxter biographer Tom Miller points out, it’s a situation that’s unlikely to be replicated.

    Tom said: “It’s just bizarre to think that Rangers broke the British transfer record officially to sign him, that someone with such a value to a football club and the insurances that would have been required to go with that, was allowed to play football effectively in an amateur arena and the same week turn out in a full house of a 100,000 crowd to ply his trade. It’s just a very strange phenomenon.”

    Produced for BBC ALBA by award-winning production company purpleTV, the Jim Baxter film is presented by sport broadcaster Alex O’Henley and is produced and directed by Margot McCuaig. The same team was responsible for the production of Jock Stein, the factual entertainment documentary that won the Royal Television Society Scotland award for Best Sport Documentary in 2015.

    Jim Baxter will transmit on BBC ALBA tonight, Thursday 24 September 2015 from 2100 to 2200.
  • League Cup 3rd Round Fixtures Announced

    The dates for the 3rd round League Cup ties have been announced today with the BBC opting to screen the Rangers v St.Johnstone match live on Tues 22nd September (KO 1945).

    TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2015
    Dundee United v Dunfermline Athletic 7.45pm
    Livingston v Inverness Cal. Th. 7.45pm
    Morton v Motherwell 7.45pm
    Rangers v St. Johnstone 7.15pm Live on BBC Scotland
    Ross County v Falkirk 7.45pm

    WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2015
    Celtic v Raith Rovers 7.45pm
    Hibernian v Aberdeen 7.45pm
    Kilmarnock v Heart of Midlothian 7.45pm

    All ties to be played to a finish with extra time and penalty kicks if required.
  • Malmo v Celtic On TV Tonight

    If you aren't heading out to one of the nine League Cup ties being played tonight you can watch the whole of Malmo v Celtic in the UCL play-off second leg live on BT Sport Europe from 1900 this evening.

    Celtic are defending a 3-2 lead and the game is worth an estimated £15m to The Bhoys. Should be quite a night.

    Kick off is at 1945.
  • SPFL TV Games This Weekend

    Your #SPFL weekend begins this evening on BBC Alba from the Falkirk Stadium as The Bairns take on Dumbarton in the Championship. Coverage starts at 1935 (kick off 1945).

    There are no live games on the box on Saturday, but BBC Alba are showing an hour of highlights of Dundee vs Inverness CT on Saturday night from 10pm.

    Sunday lunchtime sees a tob of the table clash from the Championship as Queen of the South entertain Rangers. It's live on BT Sport 1 from Noon and it's a 1230 kick off at Palmerston.

    The Alba Sunday night highlights are from Fir Park as Motherwell host Kilmarnock. You can watch an hour of action from that one from 2200 on Sunday evening.

    Sportscene rounds things off as usual with the highlights show on Sunday night on BBC 1 at 2230.
  • SPFL TV Games This Weekend 11th to 13th Sept 2015

    The SPFL Premiership returns after the international break with a couple of live TV crackers on offer.

    The action starts this evening (Friday) in Inverness as ICT entertain Hearts. That one is live on BT Sport 1 from 1900 (1945 kick off).

    Saturday sees a high noon showdown at Pittodrie as Aberdeen take on Celtic. It should be a feisty affair and it's live on Sky Sports 2 from noon (kick off is 1230).

    The BBC Alba Saturday night highlights are from Dundee Utd v Kilmarnock at Tannadice. Enjoy an hour of action from 2230 Sat evening.

    The Alba Sunday night highlights are from McDiarmid Park as St.Johnstone take on Hamilton Accies. Sportscene is at the usual time of 2230 on BBC 1 Scotland with studio guests Willie Miller and Packie Bonnar. Enjoy !

     

     
  • SPFL TV Games This Weekend 18th to 20th September 2015

    A quick round up to all your SPFL TV options for the weekend.

    The action starts this evening (Friday) in Paisley as St.Mirren take on Raith Rovers in the Championship. It's live on BBC Alba from 1935 (1945 kick off).

    The BBC Alba Saturday night highlights are from Hamilton v Motherwell at New Douglas Park. Enjoy an hour of action from the Lanarkshire Derby from 2200 Sat evening.

    Table toppers Aberdeen travel to Edinburgh on Sunday to take on Hearts. Should be an absolute cracker. It's live on Sky Sports 5 from 1400 with a 1415 kick off.

    The Alba Sunday night highlights are from Rugby Park as Kilmarnock take on St.Johnstone at 2200.

    Sportscene has been sacked off to BBC 2 for reasons best known to Auntie Beeb. It's on from 2200 as well.

    Enjoy your game wherever you are headed this weekend!
  • SPFL TV Games This Weekend 25th to 27th September 2015

    A quick round up to all your SPFL TV options for the weekend.

    The action starts this evening (Friday) in Falkirk as the Bairns look to bounce back from a horrific midweek pumping in Dingwall as they host Queen of the South. It's live on BBC Alba from 1935 (1945 kick off).

    The BBC Alba Saturday night highlights are from Dundee v Ross County at Dens Park. Enjoy an hour of action from that one from 2200 Sat evening.

    Sunday sees more Championship action as Rangers travel the short distance down the M8 to take on a Morton side buoyed by a terrific midweek cup win over Motherwell. That one is live on BT Sport 1 from noon (1230 kick off)

    The Alba Sunday night highlights are from McDiarmid Park as St.Johnstone host Dundee Utd at 2200.

    Sportscene his back on BBC 1 Scotland this weekend, it's on from 2230 on Sunday evening.

    Enjoy your game wherever you are headed this weekend!

    ps; Couldn't find a decent image of Morton playing Rangers, so I just used a random Rangers image that I liked :-)
  • SPFL TV Games This Weekend 3rd & 5th October 2015

    Fairly slim pickings this weekend if you are looking for some SPFL action on the box.

    There are no live TV matches at all on Friday or Saturday, but BBC Alba are showing an hour of highlights from the highland derby on Sat night from 2150 as Ross County take on neighbours Inverness Caley Thistle in Dingwall.

    Sunday lunchtime sees champions Celtic travel to New Douglas Park to take on Hamilton at lunchtime. That one is live on BT Sport 1 from noon and it's a 1230 kick off at New Douglas Park.

    The Sunday night Alba highlights are from Firhill as managerless Dundee Utd visit Partick Thistle in what is already a bit of a six pointer at the foot of the table. You can see an hour of action on Alba from 2200 Sunday night.

    Sportscene is on BBC 1 from 2230 on Sunday night and that is your lot.

    Enjoy your game wherever you are headed this weekend.
  • Telly Action Weekend 24/25 Oct 2015

    There are no live SPFL TV games on Friday or Saturday this week so the tellybox action begins on Saturday night on BBC Alba with an hour of highlights from Pittodrie as Aberdeen host Motherwell. Steelmen boss Mark McGhee is sure of a warm reception at Pittodrie from the Red Army despite his pretty abysmal stint as manager up there.

    Sunday lunchtime sees the only live TV game of the weekend and it's from the Championship as struggling St.Mirren host runaway leaders Rangers. The Gers will be looking to make it 11 league wins on the spin whilst the Buddies have yet to win a home league game this season. It's live on BT Sport 1 from noon and it's a 1230 kick off in Paisley.

    The BBC Alba Sunday night action comes from Tynecastle as Hearts entertain Ross County, you can see an hour from that one from 2200 on Sunday.

    Sportscene is also on at 2200 this weekend, but note that it's been moved over to BBC 2 Scotland this week for some reason.

    Enjoy your game wherever you are headed.