This month sees the release of a fantastic autobiography by football legend Willie Morgan.
Willie Morgan was Man United captain and used to rubbing shoulders with greats of the game.
But the highlight of his career was starring in the 1974 World Cup with Scotland where he partied the night away with Scotland’s A-list supporters Rod and Billy Connolly.
It was glorious failure for undefeated Scotland on the pitch as they held their own against Brazil before going out on goal difference.
The 1-1 draw with Yugoslavia in the last group game proved to be Morgan’s swansong in Dark Blue.
But off the pitch the winger went out with a bang that United team-mate George Best would have been proud of as he ended up in a post-match party with Rod and Connolly, who both crashed out on his hotel room floor.
Morgan said: “Carlsberg don’t make international squads but if they did it would probably look like the Scotland squad of 1974.
“It was jam-packed with quality. Names like Denis Law, Kenny Dalglish, Billy Bremner, Martin Buchan and Jimmy Johnstone tripped off the lips.
“I thought we would go all the way, or at least very close.
“When we got to West Germany, we were in a group with Brazil, Yugoslavia and Zaire.
“Our first game was against Zaire and after going 2-0 up we seemed to settle for a victory and played a holding game, much to the frustration of the Tartan Army.
“I was rested for the first game but was back for the next one. And it was to be the biggest match in Scotland’s history.
“We were playing World Cup holders Brazil in Frankfurt.
“Champions they may have been, but we certainly didn’t feel inferior, and expected to beat them.
“The first 20 minutes were a little cautious and we realised they weren’t as good as people thought.
“Then came that ‘if only’ moment that defines the Scottish game. A split-second that turned history and a freeze-frame that supporters of a certain age play over and again in their heads.
“I hit a corner to the back post, which Joe Jordan got his head to, the keeper fumbled the ball and it hit Billy Bremner on the shins, squirting agonisingly past the post.
“There was nothing Billy could have done about it, he didn’t have time to react.
“We played well and should have won. But we didn’t. It was now going to be down to the last game.
“Yugoslavia scored first but Joe Jordan smashed one in to equalise and the last we had heard Brazil were only beating Zaire 2-0 and if it stayed like that, we were through.
“But it didn’t happen and sadness overcame the team. I don’t think I have ever felt as empty.
“We were the first team ever to be knocked out of the World Cup without losing a game.
“There were plenty of tears in the dressing room as for a lot of the players, like Billy and Denis, they knew this was their last chance.
“If we could have all got straight on a bus to Glasgow we would have happily jumped on board.
“We felt we had let the fans down. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the last time I would pull on a Scotland shirt.
“We went back to the hotel and virtually drank everything they had in the bar.
“Lonnie Donegan, Billy Connolly and Rod Stewart were also with us. They all did a little bit of a show for the lads.
“Because security was so tight, none of them were able to book a room at the hotel so Rod asked me if he and Billy could kip in mine.
“I was sharing a room with John Blackley so I gave Rod and Billy a duvet and some pillows and they got their heads down on the floor between the beds.
“The next day we started to wonder how we would be received back in Scotland but we needn’t have worried.
“The turnout at Glasgow Airport and on the streets was phenomenal – we felt like rock stars. You’d have thought we’d won the World Cup.Back in West Germany, it seems that they decided to carry on the competition without us and I bet a few serious football nations breathed a wee sigh of relief.”
The after-match party wasn’t the first – or last – time Morgan would head out on a night on the tiles with Rod.
The pair became close pals and Morgan even managed to get Jock Stein to let Rod into the Scotland dressing room minutes before a game against the Auld Enemy.
He said: “I first met Rod in the early 1970s when he came to watch Man United train.
“He watched the boys go through their paces and was then introduced to all of us. Rod is a football nut and knows his stuff, especially about Scottish footballers, so he knew all about me. He was so friendly and chatty.
“He asked me what I was doing after training and when I told him I was just going home, he asked if he could come along and carry on our conversation.
“So he came home with me, and Gaynor took one look at Rod and asked ‘Who’s that man with the funny hair, daddy?’
“Rod was staying in Manchester and invited me out. We had something to eat in the Playboy club and then went on to Blinkers.
“We became big pals after that and he would always come and see me if I was up in Largs with the Scotland team, usually with one of his pals like Elton John.
“Wherever Scotland were playing, Rod would be there. He would hire a plane and fly with his family and friends.
“I remember us once flying from London to Glasgow to see Scotland play England in May, 1982.
“We went for lunch and then all got on a coach to head to Hampden.
“Throughout the day, Rod was saying to me ‘What would you be doing now on a match day?’
“So I talked him through it. ‘Well, I get changed late, so I’d probably be picking some horses out right now for the next race,’ I told him. Rod wanted to know every detail of what it was like to be in a
dressing room just before a game.
“‘It would be the greatest thing in my life to be in the dressing room before you go out to play England. I would give up everything I have just to be there and experience it,’ he said, virtually pleading with me to see if I could make it happen.
“When we got to Hampden I made my way to the front entrance and was greeted by the doorman.
“I told him I wanted to grab a quick word with Jock Stein if it was at all possible.
“So off he popped and a few minutes later he returned, followed by the great man himself. I thought of Jock as I thought of Sir Matt Busby, not only a giant of the game, but a true gentleman.
They both had an aura which meant you respected them from the minute you met them. And they never gave you reason to regret it.
“Jock came up to me and gave me a big hug. ‘Alright Willie son, are you coming in or do you need tickets, what can I do for you?’
“‘I’m alright boss but you could do me a really big favour.
“I have Rod Stewart out on the coach and it would mean the world to him if he could come into the dressing room and meet the boys.’
“I knew this was asking a lot as there was only about 20 minutes to kick-off and the big man wouldn’t really want the distraction.
“But Jock being Jock gave me a big grin and said ‘Aye, son, no problem, bring him in, but you can only stay five minutes.’
“I went to the door and beckoned to Rod to come over. He shot off the coach and was by our side in about 10 seconds flat.
“Jock led us down and the players were over the moon to meet Rod but he was like a schoolboy whose Christmases had all come at once.
“We lost the game 1-0 to a goal by Paul Mariner but that didn’t matter to Rod – it had been the best day of his life.”
To buy a copy of Willie Morgan on the wing go to https://www.mirrorcollection.co.uk/products/details/search_results/willie_morgan/
Willie will also be doing a book signing at Waterstones at the Trafford Centre, Manchester 1pm start Sunday November 10th.
If you can’t make it you can call the store on 0161 749 8623 to buy a signed copy which they will post out to any UK address for £4.95 postage and packing.
photographs used with thanks to Willie Morgan