Station Park Legends Return

The word ‘legend’ always has to be used sparingly but it is fair to say that more than one ‘Loons’ legend will be with us in the 1984 Lounge at Saturday’s cup replay with Queens Park.

Former Player and Assistant Manager Billy Bennett has arranged a reunion of around a dozen former Forfar Athletic players who at a quick count have probably made over 4,000 appearances in the club’s colours.

The base of the group comes from our first ever title winning side of 83/4, quite a few of them though not all, making their first visit to the Lounge named in recognition of their exploits at that time.

Captain of that side and club record appearance holder Ian McPhee will be joined on Saturday by Alex Brash, Kenny Brown, John Clark, Raymond Farningham, Billy Gallacher, Rab Morris and of course Billy Bennett himself.

There is also sure to be a big welcome from the fans for John Mitchell whose playing career came to an end in such tragic circumstances back in the winter of 1982.

Dave Nicoll goalkeeper of our 1978 League Cup Semi-final team will be the ‘veteran’ of the party. Another former Station Park custodian Raymond Allan is also expected to be with us along with fellow Fifer Kenny Ward and Gary Murray, both of whom made a big contribution to the club’s fortunes in our early dizzy days as a second tier club in Division One football in the mid eighties.

A warm welcome will await them all with many a tale to be recounted, goals scored and saves made as the day progresses.

Chairman Alastair Donald commented ‘I am sure the presence of these famous faces from the past will prove a big attraction in the lounge to ‘Loons’ fans past and present and hopefully it will also inspire the current players in what will be a very important fixture for all concerned. All the former players coming along on Saturday have played an important role in the history of the ‘Loons’ and although I have met a few of them in my time at Station Park, I look forward to welcoming them all to Station Park this weekend.’

For supporters perhaps wanting a photographic opportunity with the ‘veterans’, just pop into the lounge on Saturday for a refreshment from 1p.m. onwards or again after the final whistle.