Mac The Track
Nicole Christie
Niall MacBeath
Briefly outline your football career prior to joining Deveronvale?
Local welfare in Fort William, then Fort William in Highland League, Aberdeen University from 1986 – 87, then with the Vale until 1990 (I think!) when I went back to Fort William.
Who signed you for the Vale and what attracted you to sign for the club ?
Julius Morrison signed me. Was training on a Monday night at Pittodrie. I can't remember how I was referred to the Vale – might have been Teddy Scott. But Julius turned up one night at my halls of residence in Aberdeen with signing forms and a couple of heavies!! (joking!) and I couldn't say no! In fact, I believe one of the 'heavies' was a young committee member called Scott Crockett, who has gone on to bigger and better things, as Stewart was telling me recently that he is now the European Golf Tour Press Officer. From Nigel Montgomery to Colin Montgomerie can't be bad ! The attraction I suppose was that he seen seemed very keen to sign me and I was delighted to join Deveronvale.
What are your fondest memories of your time with the club?
Lots of good memories but mainly all the friends I made. Looking forward to catching up with them at the Rothes game on 29th March, as most of the squad are getting together for a reunion. Sadly Iain Paterson has passed away. I enjoyed the trips through to training during the week as all the lads were a good laugh. Particular fond memory for me was scoring against Fort William at Claggan Park to put us 2-1 up with about 10 minutes to go – I enjoyed that one and it was Iain Paterson who laid it on for me! I did return the favour however against the Vale at Claggan after I went back to Fort William. I scored twice against the Vale at Claggan – sorry Stewart!.
What is the most memorable game(s) you played in for Vale, and why?
We played Aberdeen one night at Banff and I really enjoyed that. Scoring against the Fort was memorable but there was one particular game when we were 2-1 down at half time against Cove Rangers and we ended up winning 3-2 and I scored the equalizer. It was a really good game. I'm sure I remember Stewart jumping up and down behind the Cove goal kind of going crazy when we got the third one. It was the first time the Vale had ever won at Cove, so the celebrations were quite intense. I remember Mike Campbell and Joe McAllan also scored that day. Joe was an amazing player considering he must have been about 62 at the time ( joking ! )
Who were the characters at the club ?
I can't remember too much although I think it was Gary Morrison and Alec Cormack who seemed to be rather wild. Chubber was a real character. I recall he knocked himself out when he got up off the bench to come on in a game and hit his head on the dugout roof although that I think was before I played for the Vale.
Who were the best players you played with at the Vale and why?
Nigel Montgomery, Iain Paterson, and Sandy McNaughton spring to mind. Both Nigel and Iain were great passers of the ball, and both chipped in with important goals. Sandy had all the experience, having played in the Scottish League, and was a former Scotland B international.
And who were the best players you played against, and why?
Funnily enough the players I've just mentioned were also the best players I played against, once I moved back to Fort William. I would also have to mention Dougie Masson of Fort William, who was always hard to play against.
What have you done in a football sense since you left the Vale ?
Played for the Fort until I was 32, then took up running and joined Lochaber Athletic Club. Now do hill races like the Ben Nevis Race, Marathons etc.
Alan Mair
Paul Bridgeford
Graham Lawrie
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