Nutmeg Magazine

"The best that ever were or ever would be" The world of football is remembering Johann Cruyff on what would have been his 77th birthday. From Nutmeg 24, Andrew McInnes remembers when the great man — and a young Ruud Gullit — came to Paisley to play St Mirren in 1983. Read here: When Johann Cruyff landed on Love Street

It's time for someone else to board Scottish football's banter bus. Falkirk are heading back to the Championship after winning League 1. But how did they turn things round? In Nutmeg 29, Scott Fleming saw the signs of recovery. Read online now

Tonight is a full 21 years since Celtic and Liverpool played the second leg of their famous UEFA Cup quarter-final. Ronnie McLuskie wrote about the tie in Nutmeg 8. Was it the best "Battle of Britain" clash there's ever been?

John Lambie was born on this day in 1941. He's commonly regarded as one of Scottish football's most famous characters. Kenny Pieper mainly admired from afar. But he wrote a lovely tribute in Nutmeg 12 in 2019, which we've put online today. Did you ever meet the great man?

Here are some of the classics featured in Part 1. From the 50s, 70s and early 2000s.

Scotland have revealed the new strip they will wear at the Euros this summer. Would it rank in your list of favourite national strips? In Nutmeg 31, we've started a new series on Scotland strips through the years. Part 1 includes wing collars and plunging V-necks to temperature-triggered colour changes. If you could have one genuine Scotland top from all the ones they've ever worn, which would it be?

It's the sixth Fife Derby of the season on Saturday. But just how big has Raith Rovers v Dunfermline become? New on the Nutmeg website, here's Scott Fleming on why it might be Scotland's third biggest derby — and how it got here. (SPOILER: Think clever marketing — and a welcome dose of shithousery.)

Tonight marks 30 years since Fergus McCann swept into Celtic Park and rewrote the rules about how, and by whom, Celtic FC was run. Many think it was the night the club was saved from going bust. It's a story that was told in depth in Nutmeg 14 by Stephen O'Donnell. To mark the 30-year anniversary, we've reproduced his epic account on the website. So what do you think? Would The Hoops have survived without him?

If not, it might already be too late. A child's chance of becoming a football player may already be decided by the time they are just 5 or 6. But what about the late developers? Steve Archibald, Brian McClair and John Collins are just three examples of players who didn't start to break through until their teens. All went on to become international stars. Do we really want to write off the smaller ball players, and the communities who have always provided some of Scottish football's most exciting players? In this preview from Issue 31, Graeme McDowall warns of the legends we might never know as a result of Scottish football's rush to judge kids. Read: https://bit.ly/4bYNo5i Pre-order: http://bit.ly/3SWV3tz

We're pleased to say Issue 31 of Nutmeg has rolled through the presses and is available to pre-order now. It's our first edition to feature a front-page photo. Inside, you'll find the same mix of humour, analysis, history and opinion from every part and level of the game. Here's the full rundown: The uniformity of uniforms By Daniel Gray The Fitbatweets Diaries The Nutmeg Interview: Alex Smith Alex Smith won two Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup, and came within one match of pipping Rangers to the title. But trophies don’t tell the story of his deep love of the game. By Teddy Jamieson Ian Murray’s joy division Having faced pariah status two years ago, Raith Rovers are now emerging as the fastest-growing club in the country, propelled by the success of ‘Murrayball’ and a raft of late victories. Could this signal the dawn of a new golden age in Kirkcaldy? By Scott Fleming Mountain to climb for late starters Elite youth football is based on fallacies about talent and takes no account of how children mature. Would Archibald, Collins or McClair have made it today? By Graeme McDowall Inside the topsy-turvy world of Old Firm AGMs At the Glasgow duo’s latest shareholder meetings, Rangers got an easy ride for poor performance and Celtic were lambasted despite success, on and off the field. What can other clubs learn? By Maurice Smith Open Goal Broomhill’s brush with big time A media company’s plan to give the Lowland League ‘mass exposure’ via YouTube did not quite go as planned for the nomadic club. By Andy Ross Behind The Lens: Inside Scottish football’s quiet TV revolution The production company behind most Premiership coverage proved its mettle during the Covid season and hasn’t looked back. By Alex Marr From Mopeds to Messi In 2013, footballers Steven Robb and Mark Corcoran traded their boots for a new venture. Today, their clothing brand stands among the world’s most popular. Here Robb recounts the label’s humble beginnings, and the famous faces who helped make its name. By Kenny Millar Photo essay: The Nutmeg Match Report This season, Alan McCredie and Daniel Gray are documenting the Scottish Cup in its 150th year. Their journey continues amidst the briny air of Balmoor Stadium, where Peterhead host Ayr United. The Girvan Lighthouse wore a flat cap In 1968, Ayresome Park hosted England’s Football League XI v Scottish League XI. Legends from both sides of the border graced that hallowed North-East turf, yet it was Peter McCloy who left an indelible mark on my young mind. By Harry Pearson Love at first byte Ever since I put the ‘Kick Off 2’ disc into the drive at the age of nine, I’ve been in thrall to the sights and sounds of computerised match action, lost classics and all. By Mark Holmes Fitba, my father-in-law and me We bonded over a shared love of the Doonhamers. After about a quarter of a century of attending games together, I am still not used to his absence from the matchday rituals. By Giancarlo Rinaldi Midnight train from Georgia Catching the Tartan Army’s Euro 2024 qualifier in Tbilisi was an enthralling experience, inside and outside the brutalist behemoth of an old Soviet stadium. And I’m not even Scottish. By Ffion Thomas Good people, good things Too often we hear how football has lost its soul. But Scottish clubs, big and small, are doing a huge amount for their communities. By Hugh MacDonald Senior moments to savour Playing for Scotland at the over-50s Masters in Thailand, alongside former pros and Junior internationals, was an experience to treasure. We even beat England on our way to the final By Colin Leslie Double Don makes his mark far from the Granite City Graham Hunter fell in love with the game at Pittodrie. Then, a trip to World Cup ‘82 – under the guidance of one Alex Ferguson – saw him fall for Spain. It was an adoration he would later spread via the revolutionary TV show Revista De La Liga. By Liam Grimshaw Peerless chronicler Hughie Taylor did not only produce the legendary football annual, he was a witty, astute and kind observer of Scottish football across more than five decades in journalism. By David Allan Another night in Turin In 1990, a Turin councillor lobbied to have ‘Flower of Scotland’ played before Scotland’s World Cup game in the Italian city. Despite losing to Brazil, that small victory over FIFA provided a rare moment of brightness. By John Irving …First as tragedy, second as farce In Seville in 2022 I experienced a triumph in defeat, glimpsed immortality, and bore witness to the heartbreaking unfinished chapter in Rangers’ pursuit of history. By Ross Hutton Holy trinity of one-club Scots who worked their magic down south Billy Liddell at Liverpool, Bob McKinlay at Nottingham Forest and Eddie Gray at Leeds United were in a league of their own when it comes to longevity and loyalty in England. By Ronnie McCluskey The quiet man of Ibrox Rangers’ great Willie Mathieson has inspired a fan-led campaign to honour him and his team-mate Willie Johnston. Both are small-town heroes of Cardenden who left an indelible mark on their club. By Craig Millar Chance was a fine thing on epic Greek adventure When Alan Strachan went to Athens to visit his aunt 30 years ago, he had no idea he’d end up training with Panathinaikos for six weeks. By James Morgan Hibs hero who lined up with the world’s best A Scotland cap may have eluded Hibernian’s Alan Gordon, but 50 years ago he appeared in a star-studded match in Hamburg alongside some of the world’s greatest players. By Craig Stephen McAllister’s golden Liverpool sunset When the midfield maestro joined the Reds at the age of 35, few backed him to make much impression. Five trophies later, he was a club legend. By Sean Cole Thistle Tea lady who blesses her cup of fortune Fiona McConachie joined Thistle as a teenage volunteer and has loved every minute of her varied role. Now her seven-year-old daughter is getting in on the act. By Brian Welsh Heart and soul of Montrose Eilidh Reid not only founded the women’s club but has played for, coached and driven – in every sense – the Angus outfit to the top tier of the game. She is still intent on giving opportunities to more girls. By Chris Marshall Tynecastle hath a pleasant seat With the support of Hearts, Two Halves Productions are revolutionising storytelling in football with a unique series of plays which both challenge convention and enrich the club’s cultural narratives. By Richard Purden Heady fuel of my Airdrie love affair When Texaco Cup fever gripped Airdrie in 1971/72, one boy’s love of football was ignited by the sounds, and reflection of floodlights, through his bedroom window. By Andy Bollen Grand Tour Almost 40 years ago, my father, brother and I journeyed north from our native Lincolnshire to visit every Scottish league ground. Many of these venues no longer exist, which makes our pilgrimage even more special. By Dominic Picksley On a bing and a prayer For a brief spell 100 years ago, West Lothian could boast not one but four professional clubs. Where did it all go wrong? By Callum McCormack International class In the first of a new series we look at memorable Scotland kits through the years: from wing collars and V-necks to temperature-triggered colour changes. By John Devlin 186 From the Chairman to the Tea Lady… Helmsman’s Netherdale nirvana Dramatic last days: Scottish First Division 1988/89 When Killie’s goal glut had Bully Wee worried Record appearances ‘Hamish – The Goalie’ (1983) by Michael Marra By David Pollock Poetry Waiting for Daddy by Heather Meldrum Goat Goal by Mark Coverdale Goals by Celia Donovan Restricted View by David Forrest

As a player, he was an often-controversial firebrand. But as a manager, Scott Brown is emerging against type as a surprisingly calm, thoughtful and astute footballing tactician. As he gets off to a winning start at Ayr United, we look back to his time at Fleetwood Town for clues to what style he'll bring to The Honest Men. https://bit.ly/3vOIPKp

The great Scottish sports writer Hugh McIlvanney died in January 2019. Five years on from his death, we reproduce this appreciation by Michael Walker, who remembers a man respected by many in the game – and who wrote better sentences than anyone. https://bit.ly/3HwcPNL

There's always next year.

How many have you done — or now plan to do?

To coincide with the publication of our 30th issue we asked lovers of Scottish football to name the must-sees and dos of our national game. They suggested everything from exotic pies to Victorian architecture. Read the full list here: https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/nutmeg/the-ultimate-scottish-football-bucket-list/

Thanks to everyone who responded. The Bucket List is here: https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/nutmeg/the-ultimate-scottish-football-bucket-list/ Question: how many of the 30 have you done?

The next biggest thing to playing in the last game of a tournament is playing in the first one. Whet your appetite for June 14 with this classic article on Scotland v Brazil in the opening fixture of France 98. https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/issue-8/first-tango-in-paris/

So it’s Germany, Hungary and Switzerland. Can we qualify?

To celebrate the 30th issue of Nutmeg magazine, we are collecting your 30 Scottish football musts to create a definitive Bucket List, announced on St Andrew’s Day. Maybe it would be seeing the ghosts of Cathkin Park? Or getting lashed by the sea at Arbroath? Or trying a pie on a roll at Alloa? Share your ideas and they might just make the list.

The first Nutmeg Gazette is out now in print and as a digital download. Dugmeat Days is a 64-page collection of our writer Scott Fleming's outstanding reportage pieces about bonkers Championship season 2022/23, with new words and pictures added. Buy the print edition here Buy the digital edition here (Published every three months Nutmeg is a high-class home for quality articles about Scottish football’s past, present and future. It offers opinion, reflection, interviews, insight, illustration, photography and poetry. It is a unique blend between 196 uniquely elegant pages. Read more here)

Thanks Willie. Great to have your support. We really appreciate it. And thanks for the suggestion. We'll give that some thought. It's come up in a few articles already but definitely has more potential. Who would be on your list of best uncapped players?

Michael Higdon scored his first goal for Motherwell on this day in 2011. He went on to take the SPL by storm in season 2012/13, scoring 26 goals and outdoing the Old Firm in the individual awards. The big Englishman ended 23 years of dominance by Old Firm players to achieve the status of being named Players’ Player of the Year – the first since time Aberdeen’s Jim Bett scooped the award in 1990 that a Celtic or Rangers player did not pick up the prize. To celebrate one of Scottish football's genuine cult heroes, from Nutmeg 28 and now online for the first time we bring you Andy Ross's profile of big Higgy: MICHAEL HIGDON AT MOTHERWELL: HOW STRIKER BECAME STEELMEN’S MR BIG

Issue 29 is now at the printers Includes The Nutmeg Interview: Pat Nevin on the importance of not being earnest By Teddy Jamieson Pre-order it now bit.ly/44oN3nP Better still, subscribe before 1 September and start with this issue https://bit.ly/2HLeyhx Full content: A faithful translation By Daniel Gray Dropping the Saint Patrick act In his latest memoir, Pat Nevin covers his days playing for Tranmere Rovers, Kilmarnock and Motherwell in the 1990s. He speaks to us about his own self-image and why he is so concerned with coming across as “earnest”. By Teddy Jamieson Hungry like the bairns For the last five years, Falkirk have been unwilling participants in one of Scottish football’s biggest pantomimes. But could their fortunes be about to change? By Scott Fleming Swim when you’re winning Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia was suspended for over 90 minutes after torrential rain at Hampden flooded the pitch. Behind the scenes, a collective will and determination eventually got the game going again. By Maurice Smith Caput Mundi corruption comes to Caledonia When AS Roma arrived on Scottish soil for the first leg of the 1984 European Cup semi-final, Jim McLean’s Dundee United found themselves unwittingly caught up in an international scandal: a sordid tale of drugs, bribery and lies. By John Irving Something is novel in the state of Denmark Denmark’s FC Nordsjælland have become a world leader in the production of fresh young talent. As head of the Danish side’s Right to Dream academy, Scottish coach Gareth Henderby is at the very heart of their success. By Kenny Millar The damned United? The Tangerines, arguably Scotland’s sixth-largest club, are challenged financially and languishing in the Championship. Ongoing success cannot be assumed, but can they turn it all around and take back their rightful place in the top tier? By Maurice Smith System failure The Scottish Player Development system is extremely tough on up-and-coming talent, with the annual SPFA Exit Trials representing the end of the road for many young hopefuls. But what can be done to make the system fairer on the next generation? And how can we better prepare them for potential heartbreak? By Greg Gordon The climate crisis: waist deep into extra time Although football clubs and governing bodies are adopting more sustainable practices towards energy, waste, and biodiversity, are they acknowledging the immediate threat climate change poses to the sustainability of the game? By Ginny Clark It was good to talk BT Sport has been widely popular for its humorous, often relaxed SPFL coverage. Recently retired in favour of TNT Sports, we take a retrospective look back at the broadcaster’s many innovations. By Alex Marr Flipping Figos: Is it the future? Several Portuguese sides have perfected a buy, develop, sell-for-profit model for their players that has kept them competitive both domestically, and in Europe. Is it time that Scottish clubs developed a similar structure? By Paul Grech Back where we belong As the summer break drew to a damp, soggy close, the sounds of chatter and music filled our grounds once more. Though for many the action was consigned to the background, a group of young fans proved enthusiasm for the sport remains ripe. Football was back, and it felt good. Words by Daniel Gray. Photographs by Alan McCredie. Remembering Craig Brown June 26, 2023, marked the sad loss of one of Scotland’s most successful managers. I knew him to be a generous, kind-hearted, and encouraging man of significant footballing aptitude. By Graham Spiers First among guv’nors How a walrus-moustached, bowler-hatted joiner from Edinburgh made a ramshackle English club into a giant. By Harry Pearson All together now Though his departure from Anfield was complex, Bill Shankly is still regarded as a hero by thousands of Liverpudlians. Peter Hooton, member of the band The Farm, considers himself fortunate to have met Shankly and still finds motivation from the Glenbuck-born legend’s life principles. By Richard Purden Loving thy neighbour Frank Connor was a Celtic legend, a true football man who enjoyed success as both player and manager at numerous Scottish clubs. To me, though, he will always be the kind-hearted, good-humoured and hard-working neighbour we knew simply as ‘Mr Connor’. By Andy Bollen A learning game in South-East Asia For Christopher Grant, the path from academy coach to running a football club opened up since he moved from Scotland to Cambodia. By Danny Lewis Built on shifting sands As a player, he was an often-controversial firebrand. Now, as Fleetwood Town manager, Scott Brown is emerging against type as a surprisingly calm, thoughtful and astute footballing tactician. By Chris Sweeney Pars, punks and pirates Historic St Pauli is a bohemian district of Hamburg now best known for its football club and their left-wing politics. A team visit to Fife offers occasion to reflect on their worldwide popularity. By Hugh MacDonald Photographs by Reece Mullen Kindred spirits, fierce rivals Some players stick with one club for their entire career, beloved of fans and synonymous with the team’s name. In a new series, we will be highlighting the stories of these one-club players, starting with Billy McNeill and John Greig, two Old Firm rivals who faced off against each other for the best part of 20 years. By Ronnie McCluskey From Calcutta to Clydeside, barefoot In 1936, Mohammed Salim became the first Indian footballer to play in Europe when he made his debut for Celtic. At that time, in Britain, Indians were often treated as second class citizens. But the Hoops held a different set of values, where dignity did not depend on colour or creed. By Andrew McFadyen One cap wonders of the world stage A place in the national team is a significant achievement for any player, but often the experience can be short-lived. For those players with just a single appearance, is a cap a gift or a curse? By Sean Cole Living life to the dullest Friendly games are usually low on thrills and excitement, but sometimes the boredom can present a rare opportunity to disconnect from technology, to live slowly, let your mind wander, and immerse yourself in the pace of a dull 90-minutes. By Mark Holmes Confessions of a glory hunter Queen’s Park are now the third of the five Glasgow teams I have supported. But why is switching your alliance from one club to another such a target for ridicule? By Gordon Cairns A tartan army tale: We’re only here to watch the tennis In 2008, a group of friends ventured to Macedonia for George Burley’s first competitive game in charge of Scotland. The booze-fuelled trip led to two armed standoffs, with our band of travellers almost never making it back at all. By Stephen Watt The Welfare state of play This year marks a decade since the Lowland League was first formed, allowing ambitious clubs a route up the football pyramid and on to greater success. As this new age dawned, one club seemed primed to take full advantage of the opportunity: Whitehill Welfare. Words and photographs by Colin McPherson Learning from our losses When my partner suddenly died, my love for the game did too. But through my grief, football has taught me to cherish those moments shared in the stands. By Andy Ross A father’s journey through grief In January 2020, Liam Walsh’s 15-year-old son Patrick went to a football game at Tottenham Hotspur and never came home. Hurrying for the last train out of Marylebone, he collapsed and died, suddenly, unexpectedly and still, without cause. Two weeks later, Liam’s Dad, Mick, with his sense of purpose desperately unravelled, gently died too. Here, in an extract from his book, Red Balloons, Liam recalls a family pilgrimage to Leith following Patrick’s passing. The battle of Easter Road Graeme Souness’s debut as Rangers’ player-manager resulted in a vicious, bloodthirsty skirmish with John Blackley’s Hibernian. As the two sides locked horns, I watched over in childish wonder. By Colin Leslie “Fish suppers if we manage a point” Thanks to his sensational late winner, John Fletcher became the hero in one of Arbroath’s greatest ever victories. Footage of the feat was once feared lost, but the day remains indelibly stamped on the collective memory of the Lichties loyal. By Craig Millar Smells like team spirit There is no definitive blueprint for building a football team from the ground up. With my team, Edinburgh South Ladies, it was commitment, blind faith and a willingness to learn from our mistakes that finally made us a success. By John Greechan Park academia This June just gone, an international event of a different kind came to Hampden Park – The International Football History Conference. I was lucky enough to attend as a delegate, finding a welcoming, convivial assortment of people, all coming together to share their love of the game. By Michael Gallagher Lost and found More than 450 British football grounds, stands and terraces were demolished in Britain between 1970 and 1994, including dozens in Scotland. From Forres down to Stranraer, they feature in a new book and some are previewed here. By Paul Claydon Six of the best: Ross County Like so many of Scotland’s ‘smaller’ clubs, Ross County punch well above their weight when it comes to their kits. By John Devlin Not everything is black and white An increasingly unstable Gretna – locked in a thrilling two-way title race with St Johnstone – left it until the final minute of the season to clinch promotion to the SPL for the first, and last, time in their short history, consigning Ross County to the drop in the process. By Phil Rodger Poetry Mitoma’s Nipple by Attila the Stockbroker Not a Match by Spike Munro Euros Dreaming by Kevin Graham Command Performance by Sam Phipps

Hi everyone We're grateful to the P&B crew to have been given a spot on this forum to share a little bit more of who we are and what we do at Nutmeg Magazine. We've been producing our quarterly magazine since 2016 and work with the best football writers out there to celebrate Scottish football in all its maddening glory. All we care about is telling great stories from wherever we find them. We cover all leagues and all teams. And all the years. We'll be sharing some of our best articles from past editions and also letting you know what's coming up. We're also here to listen. If there are stories or issues you think are going untold, let us know. For now, why are we called "Nutmeg"? Editor Dan Gray explains...

Delighted to announce that Kris Doolan will be joining us as part of "The Matchday Experience" panel.