KTF Reviews

VERY HEAVEN - THE STORY OF SCOTTISH FOOTBALL'S GREATEST EVER SEASON

A BOOK REVIEW

By David Potter

It is generally now agreed that season 1966-67 was a vintage one for Scottish football, and not only for those of the green and white persuasion.

The Scotland national team of course beat England that year, and Rangers, Dundee United, Kilmarnock and Dunfermline all had their moments in Europe, while Morton won the Second Division. (There were only two divisions in those days.) And talking about Second Division clubs, Berwick Rangers had a good win as well that season against........

So what a lovely read is “Very Heaven - The Story Of Scottish Football's Greatest Ever Season” written by David Ross.

David Ross is no Celtic supporter - his loyalties lie in Ayrshire - but he is a fine scholar with several good works to his credit, notably “The Roar Of The Crowd”. In “Very Heaven”, David takes each competition and analyses it, backing it up with facts, figures and his own speciality - attendances.

In addition, there are a few good asides like Grampian Television offering £25 for a highlights programme (like STV's Scotsport). Not surprisingly their bid was rejected as inadequate for even in 1967, £25 was not very much.

He also tells of Rangers supporters who will sing “God Save The Queen” passionately one week, then boo it the next - depending on whether Rangers are playing Celtic or Scotland are playing England.

As far as Celtic are concerned, David is respectful although not extravagant. In a game against Motherwell, Bertie Auld won a penalty, but he should have won an Oscar as well, according to one journalist, and David wonders why a New Year game against Clyde was postponed when they were able to play at Partick Thistle and Queen's Park. I wondered about that one myself at the time, and suspected that it was not totally unconnected with Celtic having gone down to their first League defeat of the season on Hogmanay.

So, I recommend this book, available at £11.95. We could have done with pictures, but then you can't get everything. You have got a good read from a fine scholar with a pleasant style and a totally unbiased viewpoint.

Enjoy Lisbon and the other trophies that year! Gloat about Berwick and Nuremberg, and refresh your memory on what was a season to remember. Enjoy it, even though the cover is blue!