Westa in Edinburgh
Top seed, surely
not? Westa's first ever home trip was to Edinburgh for the Euro Qualifier 10th
October 1998 and we were top seed in a group that included The Czech Republic,
1996 Euro Champions.
Westa had
successfully negotiated their first foreign trip to Lithuania and a 0-0 draw
with the only casualties being member's livers. A month later we were to meet
in an Edinburgh brewery adjacent to Tynecastle with the prospect of an easy
home win against Estonia.
The Ayr branch of
Westa took an early train and were soon mixing with the Tartan Army in the
capital. Following the France World Cup there was the emergence of the various organised
TA group’s and this gathering was a chance to mingle with fellow foot soldiers
and share stories and drinks.
I have a memory of a pal not going to the game as he had been left
in charge of a dog in a pub, Shambles perhaps, must ask him one day.
The game itself was a stramash, emotion and more. 1-0 down at
half-time sub Billy Dodds equalized and then trailing 2-1 with 15 minutes to go
the group’s prospects were, and not for the first time looking glum. An own
goal and a late Dodd’s goal had Tynecastle rocking. 3-2.
‘Gets the ball and scores a
goal, Billy Billy Dodds’ was the
refrain, he was to be for a period a Scotland goal scorer , nearly of note. The next game was The Faroes at Pittodrie.
Westa Members headed to the poshest hotel in town, The Roxburghe
at Charlotte Square. Owned by Sir David Murray there was a rumour that he had
personally invited us. I am not convinced as I would have kept the ticket and
if he did he did not stand his round. A raucous night was had by all, kilts
aplenty and we were graced by the presence of Marjory Nimmo, honourary patron
in chief of the TA.
She was doing her royal tour, acquainted with all we paid our respects, there was
however a crisis when her bag was nicked. A near riot ensued and the subsequent
whip round raised enough money to send her on an all expense trip around the
globe.
Missing the Westa bus the Ayr branch were on John Grigor’s bus
arriving at 2 or 3am to the St Andrew’s pub where we were welcomed to a lock-in
for a deaf club. One brief drink and a taxi home.
My wife was accurate in her explanation; prior to my introduction
to Westa I drove to Hampden for home games arriving back barely 2 hours after
the final whistle.
That all changed thereafter, home games became an adventure and
like a Scotland game, a stramash.
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