Past Master #5 – George Herd
Former Scotland Internationalist and Bully Wee Scottish Cup winner George Herd is the next Clyde legend to feature in the ‘Past Master’ series, a regular column in the Clyde View and now re-produced for the website.
Below is an interview Paul Pettigrew conducted with George around four years ago…
#5 – George Herd (1950s)
Can you give a potted history of your career with dates? – I joined Queen’s Park on leaving the Army, where I was a PT Instructor, in 1957. I actually played for Inverness Thistle when stationed up there, and won the Highland Cup with them. I was signed by Johnny Haddow and played for Clyde between 1957 and 1961. I was then signed by Sunderland for £45,000 and played at Roker until 1970 when injury ended my career. I had a brief spell as Manager of Queen of the South, coached Darlington, and have had recent spells coaching in Kuwait.
What are you doing now? – Since returning recently from Kuwait I have been looking for a new coaching assignment as I have a full English badge. Would Clyde have me back?! Other than that I am enjoying life with my wife Barbara who is a local lass from Sunderland. I also enjoy my only grandchild, Sarah Jane. I also play off 10 in my other sporting passion, golf, which is not bad for a 62 year old!
What was the highlight of your career with the Bully Wee? – I had an incredible first year as a pro, winning the Scottish Cup in 1958, winning a cap against England in front of 134,000 people at Hampden and winning the Glasgow and Charity Cup at the beginning of the following season.
And the worst moment? – I was devastated when we lost that game against England 4-0. I felt that I personally had a reasonable game, but that was a poor Scotland side. Having said that, England’s goals were all well taken. It very nearly could have been the infamous 9-3 defeat by England at Wembley in 1961, but luckily I was injured and couldn’t play!
Any ambitions unrealised? – At this moment I am keen to find a progressive club in a coaching capacity as I feel I have still got a lot to offer the game. As a player I had a very fulfilling career, achieving 2 Under 23 caps, 4 Scottish League caps, and 5 full international caps. But when I moved to Sunderland and Ian McColl took over as Scotland’s manager my international career came to an end. We just did not see eye to eye. I would have loved to have won more caps for my country.
Any personal regrets? – No, I have had a terrific career in the game. I was disappointed not to be at the opening of Broadwood, but the club officials may not have been able to find my address.
Who was the best player you played with at Clyde, and why? – I won’t name any particular players because they were all great – in the second team as well as the first. When you think we had guys like Norrie Innes and Basie Keogh in the reserves at one point you will know what I mean. They were a great squad.
Do you still look out for the Clyde result on Saturdays, or perhaps even come to watch our games? – Yes, every week I follow the fortunes of all the teams with which I was associated – Queen’s Park, Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesborough. Maybe not Queen of the South – I’m sorry to say I had no time for the late Willie Harkness!
Would you rather be playing today compared to your day and why? – Yes, because I had the skills and fitness to adapt to the modern game. I think that with the quality of coaching players enjoy today I could have enhanced my game, especially in heading, crossing, and goal-scoring. In my time, you had to make up your own coaching routines. It was Harry Haddock, for example, who taught me how to chip a ball after hours of practice at Shawfield.
Do you still keep in touch with any of your former team-mates, and if so, who? – I keep in touch with Joe Walters, Harry Haddock, and Tommy McCulloch by ‘phone.
X-Files: Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us? – Younger Bully Wee fans may not know that I used to do somersaults to celebrate my (rare) goals way back in the 50’s. Can any fans remember them, I wonder? I am also hyperactive and drive everybody mad because I can’t stay still for 5 minutes!
What was the funniest incident you experienced with Clyde? – I first met Tommy Ring when I signed for Clyde standing in the toilets at Shawfield. We were both standing having a wee when I realised that the wee man was deliberately soaking my leg. I got hold of him and pinned him against the wall upon which he told me that my reaction was what he’d hoped for, and from now on we’d be mates! This was Tommy’s way of testing my bottle, and it certainly worked.
Which former team-mate was the funniest or oddest character and why? – Wee Danny Currie was a funny guy. I remember an Under 23 game when we were both playing alongside Hearts’ Alex Young. Danny kept going on to me about how silky smooth Youngy was – he used to run with his fingers pointing downward. In training at Shawfield the following week wee Danny started doing the same thing, and continued thereafter!
Anything you want to say that I haven’t asked? – I wish I could play a part in restoring the fortunes of the Bully Wee. I was disappointed when they had to leave Shawfield, but the rot seemed to have set in well before that. I would like to thank the fans who still remember me for all their past support.
If you have a suggestion of who you’d like to see featured next in the series, leave it on the Message Boards.
Thanks to Paul Pettigrew for his co-operation.