THE BEST AND LAW

I did see a hero footballer yesterday afternoon at Huddersfield Town, Denis Law. He was Scottish and clever, one of the "mavericks", who made his name for Town, signed on by Bill Shankly.

Of course Law went on to greater things.

In the sixties most clubs had a maverick (you had to!) and more recently, of course, despite the increase in "physical and mental discipline" in our national game, there are still a few lads lurking, but not as many as the days of the mini-skirt.
(That was a reference to era's general fashion and not a suggestion that footballers wore mini-skirts.)

On October 21st 1967, 50 years ago, Denis Law appeared for Scotland in a European Championship qualifying (British Group) international at Windsor Park against Northern Ireland. He faced a rampant George Best, who took Scotland apart 1-0 and Dave Clements scored the goal.
This clip from the game shows Best mesmerizing Law and the jocks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dGYJ5NnCuY

Familiar names on the NIreland team included,
Pat Jennings in goal, Terry Neill, Dave Clements, Billy Campbell and Derek Dougan,
whilst Scotland had on board Ronnie Simpson in goal, Tommy Gemmell, Eddie McCreadie, Ian Ure, Jim McCalliog, Willie Morgan, Bobby Murdoch and Willie Wallace; surely a stronger side than the Irish? Well

Best turned the game in Northern Ireland's favour watched by an adoring 55,000 crowd. In the previous championship tie, the Scots won 2-1.

England topped the "Home Championship" table despite being beaten by Scotland 3-2 and drawing with them at Hampden. The defeat at Wembley convinced the Scots that they had beaten the World Champions-which of course they had. Only one team progressed to the tournament finals!
Northern Ireland came fourth (out of four).

Scotland and Northern Ireland have only met 36 times, the first occasion as late as 1954.