The Rockwell Secondary School team photo, which appeared in the September 30 issue, might never have happened but for a twist of fate.
The goalkeeper in the photo was Paul Gibb, now a serving police officer.
Paul revealed: “Rockwell didn’t actually have a football team that year in the local league or cups due to issues with teachers being involved in a dispute over extra curricular activities such as football, rugby and hockey teams.
“However, a few of us managed to convince our technical drawing teacher Stuart ‘Chalky’ White to enter us in the Scottish Cup. His mandate was to manage the team for however long we stayed in the national competition.
“We never held a training session and had actually never played together as a team.
“Our PE teacher Henry Hall was coaching up at Forfar at the time and, if you looked closely at the photo, you will see we are wearing a borrowed set of Forfar Athletic strips.”
Their first outing in the competition proved daunting.
Broughty Ferry resident Paul explained: “Of all the draws to get in the first round, we were drawn again our big rivals from just up Strathmore Avenue St John’s High School at Balfield, our home ground.
“St John’s were a strong side, who had played together regularly for a few seasons and were big favourites.
“The tie ended 4-4, with us having started slowly but fighting back for an unlikely draw.
“The replay was the following week, just over the fence at the St John’s playing fields.
“It seemed like both schools had been told they must attend as there was a really good crowd.
“Our team really started to click in that tie and we won 3-0, which was a really big upset.
“We then went on a really good run, playing and winning another five rounds or so, and reaching the semi-final.
“In the last four, we were drawn against a west coast school, but I can’t recall their name.
“However, one of their players was Gary Lennox, son of Lisbon Lion Bobby.
“I think Bobby Lennox helped with their coaching.
“It was a closely-fought match, which we ended up losing 3-1, having conceded two own goals.
“They went on to win the final.”
Looking back, Paul recalled: “The big thing that sticks in my head was that, without having the best individual players, the team spirit, fight, and will-to-win as a team we had was unbelievable.
“Those qualities took us far further than anybody ever expected.
“They were a great bunch of players and lads, without many being well-known names in local footballing circles.”
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